Cougar1113

I ran onto this article where a Canadian nursing board is punishing an RN for posting on her private Facebook page about care her Grandfather received at a hospital, where she DID NOT work at, charging her with Professional Misconduct. I personally think nursing boards have to much control over what happens in our personal lives. Nurse who wrote about grandfather’s care on Facebook found guilty of professional misconduct | Saskatoon StarPhoenix In February 2015, Prince Albert nurse Carolyn Strom posted a news article about end-of-life care on her personal Facebook page and then commented about the subpar care” her grandfather had received at a Macklin health facility. The post was brought to the attention of staff there, who filed a complaint with the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association (SRNA). Strom defended herself at a two-day hearing in Regina this past February — the SRNA's first disciplinary hearing about nurses' behaviour on social media. She argued the SRNA's code of ethics did not apply to her when she posted on Facebook because she was not part of her grandfather's health care team and wrote the post on a personal page. She said it's important for people to discuss health care issues and argued her right to free speech would be violated if she was found guilty of professional misconduct. The SRNA disagreed. In a written decision published this fall, the SRNA pointed out that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is not absolute. It also stated that courts across Canada have found regulated professionals guilty of professional misconduct because of things they have done in their private lives. Pending the outcome of a penalty hearing that has not yet been scheduled, Strom could be expelled or suspended from the SRNA or face some other form of sanction, such as a fine. Strom's lawyer, Marcus Davies, said he will appeal the decision after the penalty hearing. (The SRNA) have over-punished, over-sanctioned and responded inappropriately to a discussion on health care and they have held (Strom) to a standard that I think few of us would expect ever to be held to. You can't comment on your own grandparent?” he said. If you remove nurses from a discussion of health care — which this decision effectively does — nurses will be reluctant or frightened to engage in a frank discussion of health care in public. Then you've made the discussion less valuable.” If the decision stands, it could have repercussions for other self-regulating professions such as doctors, accountants and lawyers, Davies said. The SRNA said Strom, who identified herself as a nurse in her Facebook post, harmed the reputation of nursing staff at the Macklin facility, which runs contrary to the SRNA's broad code of ethics. [email protected] Twitter.com/MsAndreaHill

Where would I find a good site with the step by step procedures (and possibly pictures) of a complete mouth check, with pen-light and tongue depressor, that can be posted in our med room? I am the Manager for the Forensic Psych dept at a local hospital, and there has been an on going issue with pills being found in the hallway outside the med room. The unit doctor wants all nurses to do a complete mouth check on every patient following meds. Thanks in advance!

I've been an RN for several years, but work as a Psych RN and currently Dept Manager. I really want to learn to read EKG strips so I can one day take an ACLS class and possibly get into ER nursing. Any good books or web sites for self learning? Any pointers? All info is greatly appreciated.

So, I was promoted a few months ago from floor nurse to Nurse Manager, and I am finding that it is getting more difficult because of my friendships with staff. My boss has even told me that I am to friendly with the staff and that they are to comfortable when I am on the unit, which is true. The problem is that I don't know how to not be their friend at work and to be the boss. I have asked for guidance from my boss, but I have yet to receive it. I do however, get regular criticism from her about my unit, staff, and myself. Is there a website that is useful in self learning for this situation? I feel that it will be the only guidance that I receive. Other than being a charge nurse, I have no management experience. I am an older nurse, getting my RN in my late 30's and working as a floor RN since 2004.

When I am on nights (my shifts rotate ), I use a sleep mask that I got from Kohl's. It is very soft, has an elastic band with velcro for a good fit. As for ear plugs I have found that the silicone ones work best. I got my ear plugs at the local WalMart for a couple dollars .. they mold to your inner ear, don't go into the ear canal and yes I can hear my alarm as long as it is next to me on the night stand and the volume turned up. Oh, neat trick if your alarm is your cell phone - put it in a 'glass' on the stand, somehow the glass magnifies the sound. Hope this helps.

I am a FT Psych RN in an inpatient acute care facility that is alwasys busy. YES we do more than just pass meds! We have pts that need wound care, pain monitoring and treatment, Pts with cardiac history that sometimes run a very high bp with Shortness of breath and have to go to the monitoring floor. Elderly pts that need more assistance and care. Our "psych" patients can have an extensive list of other health problems. You have to have good nursing skills to catch stuff like this because there are times you won't see much of it for days and other days that is all you will see. Psych is not an easy field, because you not only have to deal with the medical problems but you also have to deal with the behavioral problems that can make dealing with the medical ones a real challenge. However I personally love working in psych.

I have the same problem .. the Statistics class is the only thing stopping me from taking the BSN course. I just cannot wrap my mind around the graphs, xyz, etc. I look at it and my mind yells "WTH" .... It has been so long since I have been in class that I'm not sure where to begin.

I think its something in the building itself because the runny nose, etc will normally start while I'm still in report (which is normally 30 minutes), meaning I haven't even started pt care or charting. I have actually started sending out resumes for a new job.

God bless you and yours! I'm sure your comment went a long way with the nurse.

Honestly I have a great job, enjoy what I do, get along with my co-workers, etc. My problem is I have bad allergies and I work in an older hospital. I feel great .. until I have been at work for 10 to 20 minutes and then my nose is running, I am coughing, my throat starts getting scratchy, my eyes are watery and itchy .... I take allergy medications and even double up on nights that I work but no relief. When I have to work 5 and 6 nights in a row I am usually in bed sick for the next 2 to 3 days. I don't want to leave my job but I am done with being sick. I have been to different allergists and they have tried different things which never work. And don't think of telling the hospital that they need to have their ducts all redone, filters changed, etc, because its not gonna happen. Any other suggestions?? Getting desperate.

I work on an inpatient locked psych unit that is actually in a seperate building down the street from the hospital and if anything happens we have to have someone run to the phone and call for security, then it takes a few minutes for security to show up. Management has recently cut staffing for "funding" reasons. We now have to have a minimum of 21 psych patients before night shift is allowed to have a 3rd nurse or 3rd nursing assistant (normal on 3rd shift is 1 nurse and one aide for each floor), day shift has full staff. We have more admissions on night shift than any other shift. It has also become a known fact that there are more elopement attempts on the night shift. I love my job but worry about my safety and the safety of my other staff members. It should be mandatory that management work at least one shift on each of the 3 shifts once a month. Yeah, I don't see that happening either but it would be nice, then they may have their eyes opened as to what its like to be on the floor and in the line of fire.

What is the best way to get into a Case Management job? I have been an RN for over 10 years and due to age and a back problem I am looking to "retire" from floor nursing. I am interested in doing case management and would like to know the best self study course and guides to prepare for the certification exam. Also, once I have certification should I look at hospitals or insurance companies for work? Thanks and God Bless.

Hi Emilynn09. I work nights and I purchased my curtains from JC Penny .. they are advertised as Blackout Drapes. Talk to the salesperson and let them know what you are looking for. I think mine are made by Eclipse and I used velcro for the sides so there was no gaping. I also use a sleep mask on very sunny summer days and a sound machine is a must! Turn the phone off. If you live in an apartment make sure your close by neighbors know you sleep days so they aren't knocking on the door for something. Good luck!

I have used NSO (nso.com) since 2004. I just re-newed my policy today with a $3 million dollar cap and it was $104 for a year of coverage. I would not work as an RN without having my own coverage because your employer is not going to stand behind you if you are accused of malpractice. I don't know about you but I have worked to hard for what I have and don't feel like giving it away because I was accused of wrong doing. Take care and God Bless!

What state do you live/work in? I had a reprimand on my license in 2007 for something that happened off clock in my personal life. I have even been turned down by some travel agencies over this. It was a reprimand which is the very least you can receive and had nothing to even do with my nursing as it was something in my personal life but the BON said it was "conduct unbecoming a professional registered nurse"!!!!:paw:

The job is in West Virginia. I turned it down flat when they told me what they were offering to pay me with 7 years experience as an RN. I also have my RN license in both NC and SC and seriously looking to move to the South.:paw:

Okay ..... so I'm not taking the RN Supervisor job after all. Why you ask? Because when the final offer was made they offered me $16.64 an hour!!!!!! Yes, you heard correct $16.64 an hour to be the RN Supervisor on second shift at a psych LTAC hospital. I actually feel insulted .. They said that is all that they can pay me with 7 years as an RN because it is a state ran facility. Excuse me but I recently worked in a state ran facility (in the same state) on second shift and made $24 an hour without being a supervisor. I'm sorry but I just can't do it especially when I would be commuting 4 hours a day, 5 days a week.:paw:

I received a call from a recruiter at JayKay stating she found my resume online, which it is posted on a few sites because I work agency/travel. She proceeded to tell me about a private contract they at a local LTAC. After a lot of paperwork being emailed and faxed along with a signed contract, I received a date and time to report to the facility for orientation. The evening before I was to report I received a telephone call from another recruiter at JayKay telling me that the facility canceled me stating that they no longer needed RNs. I called several times over the next couple of days in attempt to reach "my" recruiter and left messages for her due to her never answering the phone. I also sent her numerous unanswered emails. That was 5 weeks ago and to this date she still has not returned any of my calls or emails. The other recruiters always take my number telling me that they are currently tied up but would love the opportunity to speak with me as soon as they are free ..... never happens. My advice is to run in the opposite direction from this company!! There are several good agencies out there but this is NOT one of them.

Well, I did NOT get the assignment with Aureus but I did get a perm job offer from a hospital about 2 hours from home as an RN Supervisor on second shift. Going to commute for a few months to make sure the job is a fit, and if it is I will then look at possible relocation due to bad winters here. Thank you so much to everyone who responded to my inquiry. It really makes a difference when you can get opinions from others that have "been there" so to speak. :paw:

The recruiter seems to know his stuff and is pretty cool. I am looking at a 13 week contract within a 3 hour drive from home. They are offering $31 hour plus $1200 for housing. No on call shifts. Guaranteed 36 hours a week. Does this seem feasible? Also they are paying my mileage to the assignement for the first trip there and my final return trip home which amount to around $91 each.

Has anyone worked with Aureus Travel Nursing? If so, what did you think of them? I'm looking at an assignment thru them for the first time ... Thanks!

Two thumbs up to you for standing up for yourself and your residents! Ultimately it is your butt and license on the line. You did the right thing by bringing this to attention.

Kasey - I don't know if you are a 'spiritual' person or not but it never hurts to pray.

Kasey my heart goes out to you! God bless you for seeking help and support, you are much stronger than you realise. We all make mistakes in this thing we call life. Just remember your daughter loves you unconditionally .. I know because I found out what that meant when I became a mother 17 years ago at the age of 30, and my son still tells me daily that he loves me. Being a nurse is not the only thing in life. Focus on your child and what makes you a good mom. Look at continuing your education if possible. Try doing something different for awhile. I know its difficult and yes, this "ding" on your license will follow you forever and you will have to tell every prospecitve nursing employer the facts of it because I had a year of probation on my RN license years ago, for a different reason, and something that I didn't even do but none the less was accused of therefore I must have been guilty -right. Don't want you to be discouraged just aware (so keep records of everything that involves your license and treatment). None of us are perfect. Hang in there kid it will get better!! :kiss

My recruiter at TruStaff supposedly submitted me for a 13 week position there and said she was told that I "was an excellent fit for the position", that was over 4 weeks ago and I never heard from anyone at the hospital for an interview. I contacted my recruiter and she said she had no clue what was going on and would try to find out then she never got back with me. I called her just the other day and she said "oh, that job was filled but I have several in NC!" I live in WV and wanted stay within 4 hours of home due to family. I am not happy with this agency and looking to apply to others .. any suggestions?