PPL

Holy Smokes! This site has changed! I've been gone too long! Is it just my imagination, or are fair skinned, freckled redheads the worse/hardest to draw? What about the very obese, what tricks to use?

Dear Realnurse. Your letter moved me. There is a good letter in USA TODAY, written by a NY nurse. I don't know how to cut and paste, etc., but maybe someone can put it up on the BB. Please continue to speak out and do what you can, write letters, march with us this spring, if you're able. Good luck with whatever you do choose. You sound like you'd be an asset to any profession.

Hi. Our facility also allows meds from home, meds at bedside, etc., if the physician writes the order, and then pharmacy has to identify that the meds from home are in fact actually correct. If there is a question, it is not allowed, and the ordered meds are obtained from pharmacy, as per usual. I also agree with mustangsheba's post re the other self-medication.

Yep, I agree with the above posters, in fact, the first thing I thought of is aortic aneurysm too, possibly disecting after the fall? They frequently C/O back pain, but compression fx is a good bet too. She needs to be evaluated and not written off because of her age. An antidepressant may be in order too and might really help get her anxiety under control. Go for it, if your patient is willing. Good luck.

Hi. I love this topic. I really feel there is one way and one way only, to keep weight under control; lifestyle changes. A reasonable exercise program and a reasonable diet are what works for me. I can't remember when I started all this, but it's been more than a decade, I believe. Pick an exercise you enjoy; walking is the cheapest and easy, but only if you like it; and I happen to love it. I also have an inexpensive stairstepper for cold months. It doesn't matter, but pick something, and do it at LEAST three times a week. If you add free weights a couple times a week, such as for upper body, this is great too. Mine aren't heavy and you can do more reps with lighter weights and/or fewer reps with a heavier weight. Get a wall calendar with large boxes big enough to write in and/or place a sticker on. Everytime you exercise for thirty minutes or more, place a sticker. I use smiley faces for my walking/stairstepping for thirty minutes and hearts for my upper body weights. Pretty soon, you can begin to see those stickers smiling out at you, saying "great job!" They really add up! Depending on your shift, you'll have to pick the time that's best for you. I never once finished exercising and said "gee, I wish I hadn't done that." You will ALWAYS feel good about yourself after you've done it! The second part is reasonable diet changes; and I stress REASONABLE. The exercise helps you with this, because as you exercise, you begin to build muscle, muscle takes more fuel to maintain it, therefore, your metabolism is stepped up and you're burning calories at a greater rate, even when you're not exercising. Muscle burns more fuel then fat, period. Exercising and building muscle allows you then to eat more of the things you love, in moderation, of course. Muscle also is more dense than fat and weighs more pound for pound, therefore, though you may not appear to be losing weight at the rate you desire, your body should become more lean and streamlined over time. I have saved my calendars for several years, so I can refer to them, esp if I'm not feeling motivated! Don't beat up on yourself if you get off track; just get back on ASAP, forget about what you didn't do and focus for the moment about what you CAN do to get back your groove! Oh! Also, if you can take advantage of your facility's cardiac rehab room, do it! Great state of the art equipment. At one facility, we had enough nurses, that I could actually leave the floor during lunch, and get my exercise done during my shift; terrific! Hmmm, where did those days go? Well, that's my input, and I've been able to maintain a very reasonable weight for years and years. Best of luck to you and all who struggle with this.

Thanks guys! I'm betting it's the Triad Hospitals that you posted about. I know it's for profit. I'll check it out. Thanks again.

Still wondering about TRIAD, I believe that's how it's spelled. Anyone know?

Hi. I would be interested in hearing what the salaries are too. And would some annonymous managers please post as to if you're receiving bonus for staffing the units as short as possible? Thanks.

Oh, I wanted to mention that he had tripple A done in Nov '99, abd hernia repair Nov '00, and he's sched for a total knee this month! If he gets the prostate done, I'll just have to kill myself! It's very unlikely that the prostate cancer is what will get him. He has an arrythmia since the tripple A, has NEVER taken his heart meds, insisted on going home, and up fifteen stairs to his apt after the hernia repair, and he's already told them, he'll only be staying four days for the knee! OMG!!!

Hi. My father, age 82, also has prostate cancer. They have been playing a waiting and watching game with his, reguler PSA and ultrasounds. Sometimes, when it's slower growing, they just monitor, but your father-in-law is younger, so the approach may be different. My father's PSA just recently went up, so he's having a check in Feb. Prior to this, it has remained stable and the prostate actually got smaller, very possibly due to his Saw Palmetto, and Pumpkin Seed Oil Caps that he takes daily. Don't know if your father-in-law would try this more natural treatment, but in any case, it's very frustrating when you're a nurse, to watch nothing being done. Will he at least go for regular monitoring?

Where in the world are you located, that there are no open positions for RN's? Our facility has a bunch. Who owns your system and is it possible that your online site just has not been updated? Thanks.

I am wondering if anyone is working in a facility(office and/or hospital)that is owned by Triad? I am considering a job in a facility that is "being bought by Triad." Does anyone have experience with them, and if so, can you post and tell me any particulars? Thanks.

Bonus? BONUS? We always get a 15.00 certificate to a grocery store. I give it to my elderly father every year; he really appreciates it. When I worked for a large insurance agency, we got quarterly bonus; what a treat!

Has anyone heard of Croden Medical Staffing, and how are they to work for?

Hi. I ALWAYS get a real tree. I like the spruces and firs best and even though they cost more, they're so beautiful! This year, I used all red lights, and deep burgandy balls(not a clinical term!)and it looks so understated and beautiful! My children and two granddaughters will be here. I have a Christmas with just my Sisters too. We started this after our Mother died in '95, and it means alot to us. We go out to eat, then open our gifts. My Sisters are forever getting me stuff to put on my walls; they just can't stand it that I won't do this! It's a joke now. This Christmas with my Sisters was even more special, because my one Sis is a Hospice patient, losing her fight against ovarian cancer. This will be her last Christmas, but we have "adopted" my best friend, also a nurse, as a "stand in," because both of my Sisters love her too; and they are forever stealing my friends! So, that is my Christmas; sad, but happy too. Tonight, I found a beautiful little book about Sisters, and I bought it on the spot, read the beautiful poems and sayings, then got it all ready to mail to them, with bright stickers, etc., on the package. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!

Someone said they saw a picture of these nurses being hauled off by the police!

Hey everyone, have you been receiving phone calls, emails and mailings from recruiters? This has been happening to me, and I wonder how much of this is going on. I'm afraid to answer my door, they might try to DRAG me to a job! By golly; I won't go without a fight!

Hi. I agree with all the above advice. One thing that has really worked for me when they're giving you the rub over the phone or in person, is to shut up completely, absolutely do not respond. Finally, they stop their sputtering, because they've gotten the idea; they can only argue with themslves for so long! This technique works, and also telling them "I won't participate in this conversation, until you talk to me like I'm human." I have turned my back as well as walked away. If they are in the nurse's station with you and they're sitting down and they start in, I always stand up; more height gives you the advantage, even if it is only 5'3"! Now, on the subject of NUDE doctors, try to imagine the doc giving you holy h---, standing there gesticulating and jumping around like a monkey, with his wang a swingin' and stare 'em down like the fool he is! This can't help but put you in a better mood. I know, women docs can be trouble too, but in my experience, it's been the alpha male syndrome. Maybe our brothers in nursing will have some advice too, but I think if you don't at like a doormat, you won't be walked on. Hope this helps

Holy smoke! I have some advice for you, but it's 4:12am and I'm so tired that I read the title of your post as NUDE doctors, instead of RUDE doctors! I couldn't resist telling you! Advice later; night-night.

Yeah, I'd like to know more too. Is the strike in Poland? I wasn't clear on this, but I'm Polish(3rd generation)so just interested. Can your friend enlighten us more? Is your friend involved in the strike? Well there! I didn't help at all, just added to the mystery; maybe SOMEONE knows SOMETHING! Maybe their government is keeping it hush?

Our facility pays doubletime for an extra four hours of mandatory or volunteer overtime, but people still crash and burn, no matter what the pay. Also, if you do too many, it just gets eaten up in taxes.

Hi Robert. I have a sister in Plattsmouth Nebraska. Welcome aboard. Don't be too discouraged by things you read here. We vent quite often; good and bad. Have a great Christmas break and good luck next semester. We've all been there!

Hi. This practice is not acceptable at our facility. I would do it or ask the other nurse. Almost always, I try to find the other nurse, offer to give the med for him/her. This isn't always possible, but the best choice, just in case they've given something and forgot to document it. Something funny? A TV ad just came on for my facility, advertising how you can improve your career by working there. Just thought I'd mention it. I wonder how much marketing spends on these things!

Oh my word! Do you know what you're asking? I can think of one in particular. I was working TCU, assigned twelve patients. The unit is shaped like a C, and I had the back end, starting close to one end of the hall, around the back end, and down the other side. I was so swamped, that I could NOT get to the other side of the hall for a full two hours. I did not know if my patients were dead or alive. This is so unsafe! Many times, on Rehab, there are just two of us, trying to get all the people up, toileted, dressed, am care, etc., and we have NO idea what's taking place down the hall; who's out of bed without help, who wet the bed because they HAD no help, who may have fallen because they have a TBI and they're impulsive, with poor balance, and no short term memory? I know others will share their stories. Now that I've written these, I can think of some absolute horror stories, that I'm trying to forget!

PLEASE! Throwing eggs? How is this going to help our cause? It makes us seem like a bunch of idiots. If this is not so, please tell me how it helps us? I do not plan on throwing ANYTHING during the Million Nurse March. Anyone else?