Nurse GOODNIGHT

Not in my opinion. But I think a more important question is (& I know your kids are supportive) is that they only have 5 more years until they are out to college. That is such a short time and the memories are precious. I would wait 5 yrs. FWIW IMHO. I had a 4.0 and, even at 38, financially and with the time commitments involved CRNA is just too much. Quality of life I think is important. A lot of people see the money and while I don't think it's wrong, I just think the money is not the most important alongside quality of life, job satisfaction, etc.

AMEN! But in that same view, I believe to be caring and compassionate you have to LIKE being a nurse because after 12-16 hrs and people yelling, upset, gripey, etc it is a prerequisite. This does not mean, however, being a martyr. I do think we are way underpaid for everything we do, but in addition there are tradeoffs (sporifice though they may be). There are many jobs for people who are not "people people" in nursing as there are for others. I think it is a mistake, however, to look just at the money because the quality of your care will suffer.

Was it wrong to berate the OP? Yes. Is it Hipaa? No. Is the facility rule superfluous in this case? FWIW I think so, but it's the rule now. If she had walked down to verify her id, it would have been the same. On a slightly different take: My point is more global. We do work long hours, less pay (for what we do), and we do have and SHOULD have extra benefits. What about the nurse that knows the doctor who gives her antibiotics while she's working, or a prescription for same? Is it wrong to circumvent the system while others wait for an appt? or is it really saving time to allow another open slot for an office appt? Also is it saving a life by allowing a nurse to continue in the OR by getting meds early and missing less days? How about a smallpox epidemic? Healthcare workers come first on vaccines. All of this doesn't mean it is not against the facility rule or protect the OP. I think after verifying the id, it is a moot point--TO ME. To the facility though, I know it is the rules.

We should have more privileges, but I do agree the problem is with the facilities rule and not the OP/lab tech and they should NOT be given a hard time over the FACILITIES rule. I have read the HIPAA (most people spell it HIPPA-shows they aren't really familiar anyway) and most people use HIPAA for things totally UNRELATED to HIPAA or what it pertains to and how it is actually worded. I think HIPAA is and has been one of the most, if not THE MOST) MIS-used piece of legislation out there. When you have an elderly person, or anyone for that matter, you are helping and they have given their okay for you to call on an insurance claim or anything and they STILL give you a hard time, won't talk to you or release info--THIS is ridiculous. I know all the rebuttals(a lot of them valid)--spouse getting info for divorce, legal proceedings, etc., etc. and I do see the other side. But, on just a less specific, more global persepective than the OP's situation, again it is very misused. Since this is a topic that comes up frequently in practice settings and conversation, I encourage everyone to read it for themselves. This is, of course, a seperate and distinct issue from how facilities, credit card companies, and insurers actually use HIPAA. Again, most people are using and mis-quoting HIPAA in situations and places not applicable. People mostly go on hearsay and "so and so said HIPAA says" without actually knowing what's up.

Hey thanks everyone for keeping this a nice discussion and everyone just sticking to opinions. I just wanna raise kidlets myself but I know I am in the minority these days.

Isn't the time (as someone stated above) you get to yourself when you are at your job and at school? I'm not trying to demean, just asking a question. See my post in "some advice needed" thread. I just agree to disagree as I have seen the marginalizing of kids with the specious arguement they will learn, respect etc. from me doing for me. It may help materially but what about their wants, needs etc. and I'm not talking about things. If most people's spouse said I am taking up a hobby/football/job/ etc and I will be here in body only(yeah, yeah sure honey I can hear you, I am giving you my undivided attn while I'm watchin the game) or I will makeup for 51 weeks of this by taking you on a 1 week really good vacation--I think most people would not be very happy or married for long. As one poster said, I reserve the weekends for my kids....What about the other time weekends =2496 hours, weekdays=6,240 hours. Just wondering. As in the other thread, everyones so cool, it's nice to discuss. Again, I am just stating my opinion that I wanna do the raising, but I know I am in the minority these days. Again, thanks to all for coolness.

It's not all about what *you* (as an adult person with choices) want. I'll agree to disagree. It's about the kids. What if you only saw your husband just on the weekend or he says okay I'm taking up a hobby/work/football/ etc, I'll spend less time, thought, have less energy(it is a fact the more you do-you do have less energy [law of physics]) but I'll take you on a one week vacation to make up for the other 51 weeks. Doubt most people would be happy, but at least they have a choice. Children don't. I have seen people work overtime and take their kids to daycare on their day off. I'm just stating an opinion, not critisizing or trying to demean anyone just an opinion. I have just seen the marginalizing of children in todays society behind materialism, what I want, and other things. I just know nursing school is tough and while it can be done, is it really fair to all?

When first starting out, a student told me about the site. PS It's nice to have a *vent* ilator.(It's allnurses).

Just some advice, wait till your kids are older. They need you and nursing school is hard. They are only young once and not fair on the kids.

I think we need to do a little publicity ourselves as a profession [regarding the AMA ad thanking the doctor]. I see the same thing in practice. I do all the work, etc. and when the doctor comes in the patient is falling all over themselves and I barely get a nod. We need as a nursing community to spend some $$ on money. I think as a general rule the nursing unions haven't done as much good as people think. For one example, OT but the selling point to our state association is ohhh they successfully stopped a $100 license fee raise. Hmmm. when our fees for the association are $400 a year and they "saved" us 100.00, hmmm. Now I know I'm not a finance major (anymore-graduated) but .........

It is hard as I see. Don't think it is fair to the kids, though. The kidlets are only young once. Most people in school spend time studying and if they aren't they are thinking about school=less kiddo time.

HAHAHAHAH--Unfortunately so true in my case (about the weight). Ditto: the study group compassionate friends resources understand at times even your best friends will get on your nerves as you will all be tired, stressed, etc. DO THE TRIAD: read the assigned material, study the notes, tape and re-listen to the class, repeat.

Agghh. I had another degree as I found a lot of my classmates did also. I agree with most all the posts highlighting the liability, awesome responsibility, very physical work (not kidding), general lack of support in most jobs by mgmnt, co-workers, pts who expect maid service and THE (current healthcare) SYSTEM in general. Being not fresh from high school I knew this staight away(others didn't), but it was still a shock to find working 12+ hours, sometimes without a break or lunch, for $18.02-$19.00. I could have made more with other (i.e. business) degrees with less chance for injury, liability etc. I also find there is a lack of merit raise standardization in nursing. If you really average it out, between the lack of time off, support, liablility, etc. you probably average $10.00 an hour. But, as some have stated, you love helping others and it is rewarding! You are not in it for the money, but it would be nice to be compensated for all that you do. Some earn it, some don't, your integrity determines what is real. (In my class though, most were really upset at PS As a caveat, first starting out I was cool too. We all need to stick together--ie All of us(myself included, guilty-not lately though) of clocking out, staying late off the clock, coming in early for a pt, etc, etc. this doesn't help our position. In a normal job, staying late and coming in early to do a good or thorough job is rewarded on your eval. It seems the opposite here.

So sorry about your situation. Sounds like you have great goals and are a very intelligent and thoughtful person. If I was planning on leaving, I would express everything you have expressed here to both HR and the department mgr in writing for my file. This is sad. This is a great example of why nursing is so short staffed. We need to stick together and support each other, especially when people are new to a departement or new to nursing in general.

Looks like the article was written in 2003. Maybe a (new) test has been approved?