grandee3

Thanks to all that keep this site going. been a member since 2004 and many times I would come here to vent and always felt comfort and understanding from all who post here. This site must go on and with the hard work and dedication, it will remain the voice of nurses everywhere. Gone but never forgotten, RIP Brian.

Congratulations, you have taken the first step! I self reported in Aug 2010 after 3 major surgeries and months of pain medication. When it came time to return to work, I could not stop the pain meds and I knew I would get in real serious trouble and divert. Thank God I realized this and got myself in treatment before I went back. I went to Acadiana Addiction in Lafayette, it was a 34 day program. I was 3 hours away from home and physicially and mentally drained. The staff, docs, nurses and other patients got me through a really bad withdrawal. I met some of the most wonderful people from all walks of life. My time there was great. Yes, I was scared, yes, I cried myself to sleep sometimes at night but it was all worth every minute. Don't really know a lot about Red River, a few people in my group have been there. It is all in what you make it. You can do this. Please keep us informed of your progress and best of luck to you. You have been given a gift, not everyone is that lucky. I know you will be ok.

I work LTAC right outside of New Orleans, I usually have 5 pts. We have vents, tele, med surg etc. A little of everything. Lots of wounds and IV abx, Picc lines, contact iso. Night shift, 6p-6:30a.

Congrats Louis, you mentioned that you have a boy, did you get a girl this time?

That's was great! There is contest going on with pinkgloves/co/128. Lots of hospitals , surgery centers etc sent videos in and the winning video will be awarded a $10,000 prize to be donated to breast cancer. Everyone take a look, there are many entries from hospitals around the US. My state had 4 entries. See if your hospital is listed.

I agree with Flo, sometimes a drop is all you gonna get.

3miles/3mins from work each way

chiccookie, Be careful what you wish for. Katrina survivor here.

I worked for Lifecare LTAC. Hospital in a hospital

I worked for Lifecare in Chalmette, La for 5 years until Hurriciane Katrina took it all away, the building, the company, our houses. They never returned to greater New Orleans area, I miss working for them. We were like family. The day after Katrina, this company started getting the word out for employees to call and let them know if we were ok and find out where we were. Imagine my shock when the very next day a Federal Express envelope was delivered with a check for $1000.00, to my hotel room. The company paid us our salary for a few months and our insurance was paid until the end of 2005. Miss my Lifecare family. You can'tgo wrong working for them. Sure wish they would come back to our area.

I work at an LTAC and for the last 3 weeks we have a 31y/o female with ALS. She was diagnosed while she was 8 months pregnant with 2nd child. She was recently trached and has a peg. It is so very sad to watch her with the kids and her mom stands at her bedside holding her hand. When I took her for the first time I thought ok, I know how to handle this. I have a 47y/o nephew (my sister's son), he was diagnosed with ALS at 24y/o, got married after dx and had 2 kids. Before Katrina I lived across the street and very involved in his care. Every day I watch the life get sucked out of these two young adults. I watch, I pray and sometimes I cry.

Someone mentioned Elizibeth Kubler Ross. Her book ON DEATH and DYING was extremely helpful when my mom was terminal. My heart goes out to you and yours. Hugs to you all. Go enjoy every minute with you dear grandmother.:redbeathe

What's the good pop-up? LPN for 14 years and had to wait a week! Congrats to you, it sounds like you passed according to the OP's:yeah:

Speaking of apps, can someone please let me know if there are any free apps for Blackberry Curve. Also, any post about free apps that you prefer to use. Thanks

You say you already work at a hospital. Did I miss something, what is your position there? Do they have a hiring freeze, why are you not being offered a position where you work. Just asking, Good luck!

I also work at an LTAC in Slidell, La. I am 63 years old and still goiing strong. I did have surgery in Oct. for a hernia, they put a mesh and my body rejected it. After 6 weeks on ABX at home and a Picc line that I mantained, I was able to return on Dec. 1. Unfortunately, on April 5, the mesh infected my body and had to be replaced. I am still on medical leave. Go to the doc today I am already back on the schedule for next week so thats a plus. During my time off, my fellow employees called, came over etc. Let me mention, when I went back after the first surgery, I picked up where I left off. Moved arould just as I left off. So I'm hoping for the same this timel. I am 63,, by the way and hope to work until 70. Good luck to you and go get that degree.:) d

Oh, sorry, I'm 63 now.

I was 50 when I got my LPN. Still work the floor and also do nights. Don't plan on giving up any time soon. C:D

Another question about Mgt. Our NM will post monthly meetings, usually at 4pm (convenient for them, our shifts are 6a-6p and 6p-6a). All the meetings are MANDATORY. I always thought if you call a mandatory meeting for shift workers you have to offer at least 2 times. So if I work the night before, punch out at 6:30 or 7a, I have to be back at work for 4pm and then work another 12 hr shift. To me, that is not safe.

Got a better one yet. We need a Doctor's note after calling in for 1 shift.

bj, I with you on this one. The response was not very nice or professional.

:yeah:You sound like "just what the doctor ordered". Thank you for having the guts to take a stand on this issue. Best of luck with your plans to do mission work, and your future as a nurse.

Karen Carpenter was also 32 years old when she died. If this girl was slipping in and out of consciousness for the last week, why didn't anyone do anything. Her mom found her so she must have been suspicious that something was wrong. She went to Brittany's house at 8am in the morning and found her dead in the bathroom. The neighbor said even though they were doing CPR, it looked like the actress was already dead. So so sad, did she have any kids, didn't read about any. Also, didn't she go to rehab for drug abuse sometime in the last few years. I know nothing of her husband, is he a drug addict? I read something about him having to be taken off a plane by Paramedics.

I would report them if you call and can't get a new one. They are really setting themself up.

Please hang in there, use the advise above. Best of Luck to you.:redbeathe