bpowers

My husband and I ran our own subcontracting business and were labled as independent contractors....but there is so much to it, even for nurses. First, there's insurance which can be up to $1000.00 per year. You can use some things for tax deductions, like gas, uniforms, etc...but for the most part you are representing and selling yourself. There can be extra expenses to pay for an accountant, or medical insurance....there's just alot to consider and alot of work outside of the nursing care that needs to be considered.

I worked in critical care for 6 years and went to home care because it was my first love as a CNA through nursing school.....I work the weekends and have 7-9 points and work approx 7a-7p or 8a-8p (usually start later on Sundays because most people aren't up too early). I left the hospital full-time and just work PRN there now maybe once every two weeks. I was actually feeling bored and like everything was so routine. Homecare has such diversity.....I see and do so much and everyday is so different. I feel that my time management skills/organization has helped me in home care. The worst assignment I've had this first year as the weekend nurse was four SOC in one day. I understand how you can get your patient's really confused because three of my four SOB where hip replacements. I've found that if I take a lot of notes during my assessment that I can reference those notes during charting later and it's easier to recall the patient. If the patient has some type of rememerable trait or something like that. I've found it helps also to start working on your care plan and visit schedule and talk it through with your patient and write it down so you don't have to think of what you want to plan for this patient at the end of the night......I just love the weekends and am thankful that they haven't overloaded me too much. We have other people who work PRN and fill in the gaps when the weekend is too hectic. My biggest complaint so far is about some nurses coming in over the weekend and taking our protime machine that was left there for my use. .....that's happened twice now and I've spoke to my manager about it, but she just said she'd look into it. The best thing for me has been that since I started working the weekends I'm making so much more money and working less hours. The weekend program has incentives for alot of nurses in Illinois. I feel really lucky and I love my job except for the heavy travel weekends. Our administrative clerk does a pretty good job keeping me in one area/county. But there has been days when I've driven over 200 miles.........what's the worst mileage/travel day you guys have had?

My dh is a subcontractor and installs/repairs satellites. No free directv though:o

I always keep my work shoes in my locker so I'm not tempted to keep wearing them all day after I get home. I find that they last so much longer if only worn when you come in to work.

Yes, I've heard about this kind of thing before. How disgusting.

I'm with you...I'm waiting to see or hear something in black and white. Nothing has been said or done here in Illinois that I've heard, but I like you and very interested in people's responses as I count on the overtime I work for.

It is really a personal preference, and there was a recent thread about tatoos and professionalism you might want to check out.....I personally have two tattoos, but they are on my back and cannot be seen in scrubs.

:chuckle :chuckle :chuckle :chuckle

I think visability is the key issue here, do you think it's professional for a doctor or nurse to have an eyebrow or lip pierced? I have seen those large black ear hole expanders too, and in my opinion, they just don't look professional.

Does UOP offer on-line FNP masters program?

I try to look at it from the point of view.....how would I feel if I went to the ED and the doctor seeing me had a tattoo or piercing visible? Regardless of what it is I just don't think it's appropriate to be visible outside of the uniform. So I think IMO that nurses should be just as professional in their uniform, and that no tatoo's or piercings should be visible....otherwise people are going to judge you. Just my opinion.

All the new grads at our hospital get oriented full time for 8-12 weeks, then after orientation, they go to their respective departments and shifts. So a new grad gets approx 8 weeks on day shift, then 4 weeks on nocs before they go off on their own schedule. You may be able to set some type of part time orientation up with your employer though. Can't hurt to ask.

I work three 12's a week night shift, so I am also able to run my husband's home office.....sometimes I like to ride along and work with him too...installing directv satellite systems. Quite interesting how many people's homes you go into who are really sick and love to talk to a nurse.

why on God's green earth do people put foreign objects up their rectum? What pleasure can they get from this!?

Here...Bloomington-Normal

I had a stone removed when I was 21 that I couldn't pass and the horror of it all is that they had to take the stone out through cystoscopy and to this day I still have stress incontinence (with sneezing and coughing). I had two other stones, the next at 23 and then at 25...fortunetatly i was able to pass those as they were smaller. Now they do this great thing called lithotripsy.....thank goodness I haven't had anymore yet....the worst pain in my life. I've been drinking a lot more water every day and I think this has helped.

When we graduated we were told to write RNLP (license pending). Until we passed our boards and received our license in our hand we couldn't write RN. I hope everything has turned out well with your case....any updates?

Nomination for the funniest story. LOL :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

That one is pretty funny but I think I can top it....I was also admitting a young executive type and needed to get a urine speciman from him so I handed him a small speciman cup and a urinal....he was taking a really long time so when I finally checked back in the bathroom I could hardly contain my laughter as I found a small speciman cup of urine and a urinal full of BM....as I walked out of the bathroom, he says, "sorry it took so long, I was constipated.." I couldn't bear to tell him that the jug I gave him was a urinal, I guess you can never asume a patient will know what a urinal is for.:rotfl: :rotfl:

It's kinda funny, but where I work, the "super nurse" is more of a diragatory (sp) remark when talking about the nurse who thinks she knows everything, or who can top any story you tell with something even more dramatic.

I took zoloft for many years and was able to take myself off of it a couple years ago during all the joy before I got married.. Due to situational depression/anxiety I recently tried taking Wellbutrin for my symptoms and for the hope that it might help me quit smoking. Well, it didn't help...so I started back on zoloft 50mg last month...I definately have noticed less worry, depression and anxiety. I plan on starting a family within the next year or two and am concerned about stopping the medication again now that I'm feeling better. What kind of behavioral management are you using to help you right now? Also, can you tell me more about Lexapro and how it's worked for you? I also have been diagnosed in the past with OCD component and am wondering if Lexapro is known to work better on people with the OCD component.