halkogirl

They spent five years traveling through space only to find out there is no nursing shortage.

For those of you who are under twenty-one and are wondering how old you have to be to serve alcohol- in most states the age is eighteen. It does vary by state. However, as a nurse following doctor's orders I would assume that the rules are different. I will definitely want an order for a nice glass of Riesling at bedtime PRN. I would take that over pain meds any day.

If I had a dollar for every time I said that and a nurse rolled her eyes, and then had to stick me eight times before calling in a SWAT nurse to do it, I'd be retired.

Unfortunately, in this current economy, employers have much more power over their employees than in the past. There are a wealth of people in every field that are unemployed and willing to take a job. Companies are able to make demands of their employees today that they couldn't have gotten away with in 2005. If a nurse with 15 years experience and a family of five on a health insurance plan provided by the employer decides not to abide by the guidelines set forth by the facility, he or she can be replaced in a day by a 22 year old new grad BSN with starting pay and only one, young adult on a health care plan. Everyone is replaceable in this economy, like it or not, and often at a discount. My advice would be to get the flu shot and get used to getting it every year, because once the big facilities require it, all will in the next year or two. Also, I understand the need for autonomy, but there also is a need for the "greater good". If implementing required flu shots saves 50 lives in a year, isn't it worth it? It might be your child, your spouse, or even your grandma that lives.

Potassium chloride and normal saline would be my guess. If a person is suffering from dehydration, there will be a loss of fluids in both the cells and extracellularly. Hypotonic and hypertonic solutions will leave one or the other still depleted. Normal saline will help restore the natural balance of fluids. Sodium and potassium are the two electrolytes that are most concerning during prolonged vomiting and/or metabolic alkalosis. I may be totally wrong but that would be my guess. HTH!

My first son had shoulder dystocia. They pushed my legs back as far as they would go and the nurse got on the bed and pushed with her fist. I couldn't see what the doc was doing but I swear his arms were in up to his elbows trying to do something. I passed out from the pain right after he was out. I ended up with a 4th degree lac- my son had just a bruise on his arm. My doc, who is family practice, called in a OB to sew me up, as I was hemorrhaging. It was the scariest thing ever. Childbirth can be stressful even when things go right. From a patient perspective, and after giving birth again, I can tell you that any mom that goes through it needs a little extra care. I couldn't even sit up right to breastfeed because of the lac. Coughing or sneezing made me cry. I couldn't even drive a car for two weeks afterward because I couldn't turn my head from side to side well enough to check my blind spot. On top of the pain from the lac, I was worried about my son being hurt and bruised. I wish that someone had addressed my psychological needs more when I was in the hospital. I know that it is not just the nurse's job, but if it effects nurses emotionally, imagine how the mom feels. My nurses were great, but I wish I had a little more emotional support while I was in the hospital. Just my two cents. On a brighter note, my second son was delivered by two wonderful nurses. I went from being dilated 3 cm to 8 cm in 15 mins, from 8 to 10 in two minutes, and from 10 to baby in three minutes. Doctor showed up about 10 minutes after he was born. My doctor quit delivering babies shortly after- I wonder why? :)

I used to have four pet rats. They are very smart animals and fun to have. However, I developed a severe allergy to them (confirmed by my allergist). I wouldn't be able to come within five feet of the linens that the rat had been on without breaking out into hives!!

Way to think outside the box!! You must be a wonderful nurse

The only one I considered keeping was my A&P book. I got $90 bucks for it at the bookstore buyback, went on eBay and bought a ten year old version for $4.85 (including shipping). A&P hasn't changed much in ten years, so I still have a book for reference when I need it.

I also absolutely LOVE office supplies!! I love Pilot Easy Touch clickables, medium point. Fell in love a few years ago and never looked back. I also always have a Sharpie marker with me at clinicals- I never know when I will need to label something (basin, toothbrush, etc). People are always borrowing it!!

I would really love to be a WOCN eventually, although I think that I would also enjoy ER or ICU nursing (which, I believe, can be hard areas to get into). I was an EMT and really enjoyed the fast pace. My life growing up was very chaotic, so I almost feel normal when there is chaos and high stress! :) Before I had my first son, I wanted to be a midwife. After complications during labor (I had an adverse reaction to Cervadil) and then having an emergency lady partsl delivery r/t shoulder dystocia I decided that I didn't want to deliver babies!! I have only finished one semester of an ADN program, so I may want something completely different by the time I am done.

Ativan.

If it is in writing, get a copy of it, stick it in an envelope that seals up well, and mail it to yourself. When it comes, don't open it- stick it in a safe. Continue to chart when you contact XYZ about an order, etc. If they try to fire you, contact the BON. The envelope (with a date stamp) will prove that you did not make something up after you were fired if the date is before the date of termination. Protect your license!!

The fact that you are willing to seek help here and from others makes me feel like you will be a great nurse. It will come with time. I was the opposite- I cried all of the time with patients and their families. Now that I am in my thirties, I have learned how to manage those situations better. Some of it comes from life experience, some of it comes to observing other people's reaction to similar situations, some if it comes from being a mother and having to be the strong one. You will get there, I promise!! Good luck with school :)

I learned to live with a mess- not disgusting, but things may not have always been put away in a timely manner and the bathroom didn't get cleaned daily like it used to. I used to be obsessive about having a spotless house. Learning to let that go was a big help. My gift to myself after graduation will be a house cleaning twice a month!! Also, anytime anyone offers their help- take them up on it!! Offer to exchange kids with a friend- she can take them when you need to study, and you can take hers when you have a day when you may not have as much homework.