dmp135

I know many nurses who have done inpatient and outpatient, including myself. I think the job you describe sounds great depending on what you want to do. It is also very clinical and with specialties. I think that would be very valuable.

YES. You would have a hard time defending that if something happened. Ask yourself, if it were my relative and something happened, would I find that acceptable that the RN used vitals 2 hrs old before cardiac meds? Actually I always call even just to say I held it. Sometimes they will decide to give an alternative med. This happens quite often with lopressor and hydralazine when there are mixed BPs and HRs that warrant questioning. As I mentioned, I call and ask them that way I don't have to wonder about the "what ifs". Dorothy

Do you/did you like nursing? Did you miss it? You certainly can go back. You do not say how long you were a RN before but you will most likely be mandated to take a refresher anyway and should anyway for your own peace of mind. The "should you" part comes down to the family and how they fit into the hours etc I look at it this way. You have nothing to lose besides the $$$ for the refresher course. What's the worst that happens, you decide you hate it and leave again. :wink2: One way or the other, you won't have to wonder. I've been a RN for 28 yrs and left for several years due to a latex allergy. I returned 2.5 yrs ago when things were latex safe. I did not have to take a refresher as they felt a strong orientation would suffice. Truth be known, not all that much changed in the basics and it took little time to catch up on meds and equipment. Good luck.

I agree with the other posters regarding learning within your facility. "2nd month on a Med Surg floor" ? Are you in orientation or did you get a quickie orientatation with a presumption that you are "experienced" and should know such things or what? Something seems to not be being said here that you use the word DESPARATELY. In my opinion, you need to know YOUR FACILITY'S POLICY on CVADs... step by step. I've been a RN for 27 yrs and I'd never guess at something like this without saying I don't know how. I do that all the time on my job. It's expected that we seek out the proper way to do things. I'd never jeopordize my patient or license by trying to learn on the fly about procedures. You should seek out a nurse educator or whatever contact person handles such things where you work. They should be in the room with you guiding you through it or doing it for you to watch. Don't risk damaging a port and ending up with a nightmare on your hands and license. Patient's with ports are very protective of them in my experience and have often been through a lot. They will know you don't know. Don't put yourself or them through that.

I'm going to unsubscribe from this thread now so Happy Holidays!

== Hi, The ANCC lists stats here: http://www.nursecredentialing.org/faculty/PDFs/2006CertificationStatistics.pdf Other than that information, I cannot say how many pass. Perhaps your DON has some inside info that is not publically posted. My hospital does not push it at all so I can't imagine any kickback setups.This was strictly a personal goal. Take care.

Thanks. I hear you. I would not want to take it again either ;=)

Well ... I took it today and was given my score at the exit. I was really surprised at that. I thought it would be mailed. I'm glad I looked down at the paper as I thought it was a proof the exam was taken and a note to wait X many weeks for results. I passed and am glad it's behind me now. Dorothy

Hi, I am taking the ANCC Medical Surgical Certification test next week and wondered from any who have recently taken it how long the results of pass/fail took to receive? There are quotes from them but I wondered what the reality was of late. Also, in general terms, without any specific content sharing, how did you feel the test was as compared to what you expected? Thanks in advance. Dorothy

The Ed4nurses Med-Surg Certification program is a series of study CDs and written workbook to prepare you for the test. I'm not sure what you mean by "help you at the bedside" I find educational material such as what is offered there helpful in updating knowledge and acquiring new knowledge. I have found many of his teaching approaches helped to simplify concepts that were confusing in the past. I have actually found myself using some things at the bedside although that was not my intention. I just wanted a test prep. For me I needed a structured study guide for the particular issue at hand, namely THE TEST. Since I had no frame of reference as of how to study for it particularly, I found his program a good thorough review and also it guarantees a retake fee for a retest providing you follow specific guidelines. Personally I feel the tests are pricey as is the study program but I might as well at least get a guarantee along with materials was my attitude. I hope that helps.

Hi, I am also using ed4nurses and the Springhouse MS Nursing Cert book. I plan to take the ANCC exam. It's a lot like studying for the boards again ;-=) I've done well on practice/chalenge exams and so hope springs eternal.

Long Island Dorothy

It never bothered me in the 20 years of active practice I've enjoyed. I just answer. Patients are trying to connect, they are stressed and they like us and they want to know more about us. It has always been done with repect in my experience. That has always been a facet of being a nurse I enjoy...I'm approachable. I've worked with nurses who refuse to let patients cal them by their first name as well. I say whatever floats your boat ;=) Dorothy

When this happened we always called down to the nursing office to tell them of our concerns and why we felt that way. I cannot recall not getting at least some help, aides, other RNs to to "tasks" etc to ease the load. They always seemed to try their best to ease the burden. Dorothy

Some schools have specific guidelines such as this I found: http://www.bucks.edu/catalog/2035.html I would check out schools as well as potential license requirements. Dorothy

Look for brands that have widths. Easy Spirit and others in a non- nursing shoe if you prefer that. I've not worn a pair in a few years but was always able to get wide in 9.5s Spend the premium to get a decent shoe, your feet are important and you will avoid needless leg fatigue and low back pain if you have cushioning and support in my experience. Dorothy

Some folks just find out that they chose poorly. It happens. I once thought I wanted to be a Lab tech with no interaction with people as I was a science major. 6 weeks in a MT program it took me a year to get into made me realize I loved people and missed that aspect of my future plans and I really was not very good at lab stuff;-) Some people do not take this realization well. It's hard to some times say, I made a mistake and I am not really suited to this. I've worked with nurses who hated nursing, I mean loathed every second. I often wondered what nurisng had to be to make them happy. They complained about bedside care as menial, were always the victims of admin,patient families, doctors, other depts...I mean what did they want to do when they came to work as a nurse I wondered? Biggest problem with them is they are toxic and their bitterness can spread through a unit like wild fire. I always used to tell nurses, get out if it's that bad, there is other work in the world. Dorothy

well change itself i think.you know...funny but the same things i recall nurses discussing/debating/caring passionately about when i was a new grad in 1980 are still being discussed as i consider going back after a 5 yr hiatus. the education bsn vs diploma etc debate still being waged 25 yrs later...i recall sitting in classes and hearing professors talk about a shortage around the year 2000...geez that sounded far away and yet here we are. nurses are burnt just as toasty as those talked about in reality shock. i am not seeing the change one would expect 25 yrs later. dedication and passion is there. nobody works harder than a nurse but we seem to be in the same place with the same upsets. warm and fuzzy tv commercials announcing "i am a nurse" albeit lovely marketing did not fool my daughter, now looking at college, into going into nursing. she knows what it means to be a nurse and how tough a job it is. she is using her helper gene elsewhere. i'd have to say patient care ratios and staffing would be at the top of my list. dorothy

It would have been interesting to see what reaction you got had you pulled your head above the radar about the tylenol. My advice is to learn to pick your battles/issues as you can see Nursing is filled with moments where you will need all the friends you have in your corner. Dorothy

Agree on all points. Interesting twist this thread took when I checked back to comment on the first issue. Dorothy

I left nursing in 1999 after 20 yrs due to a latex allergy and began working for a national ISP providing newsgroup technical support and customer care. I've worked from home till the present time making a salary comparable to what I did as a RN. Plus I was able to work FT from home vs per diem. I am now thinking of returning to nursing as my old facility is latex free and this job seems to be winding down and my children are old enough for me to venture outside the home. Along the way I developed web design skills and may use that as well as my technical skills and go back part time. I've not decided as of yet. I think combining careers is a great way to avoid the burn out that nursing can bring to some folks. Dorothy