macspuds

Boy, does this article bring back many memories. I really don't believe that all this has changed yet, for the staff just isn't there. My heart goes out to that young nurse for all of us or most of us have gone through that situation. My main argument was that there was an awful lot of Polypharmacy in the long term care setting. I also asked for meetings with everyone under the sun and on the sun. The only thing that helped me was to ask The Great One for guidance and help in closing all my "mousetraps". You were fortunate in the situation being handled so soon after your ordeal. Sometimes our supervisors see and know more than we give them credit for. I think because they also have gone through what you went through. You must be one of the special ones. God bless you. macspuds

You seem like you're lost in a snow drift. The first or one of the first things perhaps to do is to sit down and think of why you have left two or will leave two jobs. Why didn't you like OB-GYN? What are the positives to each one and then the negatives. Unfortiunately the baggage that you carry is a heavy load. Perhaps renewing your licence would be the best thing to do first. In doing that you may find some concrete ideas on what you may like to do. Think hard and you will find the answer. macspuds

A review course is a must. No matter what you get on the final grade in Nursing school, a review course is necessary because you will be able to interact with the others and instructor and will have the answers and rationale behind why, and all the rest. If you know the whys, then the answer will mean more than just the correct answer and will stick in your head. There is no shortcut to Nursing. If your heart is really in it, then you will find a way to do it. Anything good is worth the effort.You should be able to do it. If you did it once you can do it again. Macspuds

Nights, days like yours happen more often than folks realize, but it's all part of the job. Don't take anything personaly for you are special to all that you care for. They just don't know it. Try to roll with the punches. macspuds

Hello John: I think that you are not only very wise, but very much needed at any institution. We desparately need CNAs in all places. For the most part, they are the right hand of the nurse in charge there. Most often the CNA knows more about the patients than the other nurses and is a most valuable member of the team. I think that working as a CNA will be most valuable to you for excellent experience is gained by doing so. If you are lucky you will see how important the team concept is and how valuable the CNAs are to the Nurses. Gook luck and God bless... macspuds

What a beautifully written article. It is sad, but true. Our effort is not for our loved one, but our selves. We need to learn to let our loved ones go as hard as it may be. Put their wishes above our own. Perhaps if you asked the One Above to help you and guide you you will be able to let go. It may be the most difficult thing that you will ever have to do. "Let go and let God". macspuds

for Virgo. RN: Upi sound like my kinda Nurse. You have the most valuable weapon against battle fatigue- a sense of humor! Good for you. macspuds

I am beginning to wonder what planet we are on vrs, families of patients/ Some of this stuff surprises me and perhaps it is me that has been on another plante. Why is it that I cannot seem to remember some of this. Are times changing since I was charge Nurse or have I just had the very best staff ever. I'll bet that it was the later. They might have taken care of it before I had chance to stumble over it for fear of finding bodies strewn all over the unit and the rest put in a room marked families that have overstepped so and sos boundaries. macspuds

Sir: I use that as a term of complest respect. I have had the problem of being hospitalized several times and the best Nurse that I ever had was a male Nurse. You as a group are among the most compassionate that there is. I hav never had such good care as from a male Nurse. I have been fortunate enough to be mentor to several male Nurses, What respect you all deserve. It may be because there are so few of you, but we desparately need you in our field. There is nothing gay about you, but if one of you happens to be gay, so what! I look forward to seeing more of you in our field. Someone's lifestyle shouldn't be even considered in the mix. Please keep up the good work that I know that you will do. macspuds,an old warhorse in the field.

How about a beginners course in Spanish if available. You will need it later in practice I bet. Can youo do it on line and will you get credid for it if you do? These are questions you will probably need answers to. All the best. All your hard work will be well worth it in the long run. macspuds

I have had days such as yours, but, fortunately have never had a CNA like that. I believe that all of the above have given you excellent advice. I would feel badly, but the patients come first and she should have known that. To not follow a request is grounds for a write up and possibly more. Your DON would probably have aggo advice and could tell you where to look up the job description for a CNA.Keep your head up high and deal with this in person. This incident and how you handle it will probably wind up in your HR folder. How you handle this will show your maturity and leadership qualities. Go forward and God bless. macspuds

What a super article! You have done such a service to the new Nurses on ANY med unit. I certainly can well relate to everything that you have said. You must have had a wonderful supervisor that day. Just what we all could have used at one time or another. Thank you so much for sharing. You Are a wonderful Nurse. I can tell from what you wrote.

I am sorry for what you have had to go through. Have you gone far enough to do something about finishing on line? I have heard that there are Nursing programs that can be done on line and then you do clinical at a hospital of your choice. There must be a way not to let all that education go to waist. Perhaps challenge an LPN Registry exam or something. macspuds

My thoughts are with you and my hopes for a healing that will be soon. Remember that no one can take away the memories and love that you have for your sister. No one is going to judge you, for you are your own. God bless you and care for you in this moment. macspuds

What a wonderful Nurse you have become. You have come a very long way and will still be traveling for the rest of your career. Someone has taught you well. Probably your heart. If I ever become ill and in need of a Nurse, I would hope that it would be you. macspuds:saint:

Death is just the next step in the circle of life. Why not be allowed to take that step with dignity and free of pain. This should be a freedom that all must have. macspuds

I, also am a disabled nurse who can no longer work, but have found my niche as a volunteer Hospice caretaker in a small hospice house. They have four hour shifts and two residents. This is a God sent place for me, for I missed my full time nursing work so much. I was Charge nurse 3-11Pm on a Dementia and Alzheimer unit and loved every one of my patients. I have also been working sporatically on a short story of events and humorous happenings when I was at work. In order to keep from being depressed this is the way to go, I think. Of course, someone will have to monitor my spelling 24-7. There is so much knowledge to share that it would be great if we did so with the new grads, for it can be so easy to "slip" today, for we are stretched to the limit some days. macspuds

Sounds to me like you really got some excellent advice from the ones who are out there. It was real interesting to read these thoughts, for I had forgotten how all the questions came to mind when we first started. You are a smart person to ask this question. I think you'll do just fine with a mind set such as yours. macspuds

:chair: You all represent what Nursing is all about. I am in hopes that this mind set is what is Really in you all when you post thoughts for others to read. Once in a while I get to feeling badly when I read what seems to me lack of compassion and caring. Death is never a pleasant thing, but if we can make things any easier for those who are going through it, then that is a good thing. macspuds

The CNA is often the right hand man of the Nurse. Without CNAs Nurses would be lost. The CNAs know the patients often far better than the Nurse, for they are with the patients more. I have always felt blessed by the CNAs that have worked for me when I was in active practice.

First of all, I agree that there is no dumb questions. You need to follow your heart and go for your dreams. Try not to pay attention to folks who make "wise-type" comments and most of all, keep your own council until you are truly established. There are some folks who are jealous of those who seem to be suceeding in life.

What wonderful stuff. Yes, I must be an older Nurse, for I remember all that. So glad things have changed for the better, but we older Nurses can nurse cook book style and do our own math if need be. Can calculate dropps per minute if the power goes out etc. Best wishes to all the young Nurses. macspuds

Amen fine people. If I'm ever sick, I would fight to have you care for me. I don't understand some of the "wonder nurses" that come out of school these days. macspuds

I feel that male nurses are so special. They have more compassion and seem to understand things as they happen. I am a female nurse who would take a male nurse's care any day. They don't think that they are special, but have the same calling as any nurse does that's worth their salt. Congrats to any male that will join us in our world to help treat our patients with dignity. macspuds

I just love what Angie O Plasty had to say. This often happens and I fail to see why this would be taken as an insult. You could ask why this phrase "waitress" was used. Perhpas there would be a lesson in the patient's answer. macspuds