Kalamity

Interesting thread, wanted to toss in my experience. I currently work out of the medical profession (that may change if I get motivated again), and this subject is why. I had my sights set on becoming an ER RN, working as a CNA through nursing school. I got a job as a CNA at a mostly LTC facility. I ended up working night shifts most of the time, and generally enjoyed the shift even if the work wasn't my ideal situation (like I said, my goal was ER). I was living with my parents at the time, having just moved back into the state after a divorce. My mom gets headaches if she sleeps laying down for too long, so she would usually wake up around 4am and doze in the cushy armchair in the living room. I would arrive home from work around 6:30am, so she'd usually be there to sleepily greet me. One morning, as I walked in, my mother sat up a bit in the chair as she awoke and told me good morning. The first thing that went through my head was that I should congratulate her for being able to sit up without assistance and how encouraging that was in general, since most of the residents I worked with could not do even that. The next thing that went through my mind was horror that I was transferring those thoughts out of my work and to my own mother. Of course she could sit up, there is nothing wrong with her (thank goodness). She is getting older, though, and I try not to think about how long I might have left with her and my dad. It was in that moment that I realized LTC was not the field for me. It was depressing in general, not a good environment to work in, and I have nothing but the utmost respect for the people who can work in that field and remain mentally healthy (unlike my unpleasant coworkers). I think I gave my notice the next day - my supervisor was very understanding.

Just an interesting tidbit. In the LTC facility I used to work at, CNAs were not allowed to wear white *at all*, lest we be mistaken for RNs, though I did encounter one CNA that had been working there for awhile that was wearing a white labcoat.. I guess that rule was more of a 'tell you now so you won't, but won't bug you if you decide to anyway' kind of thing, sort of like the no-cell-phones rule. Anyway, that's just for us CNAs, RNs were allowed and some did.

I might have to check out these Landau talls myself.. I'm 6'3" and finding pants long enough is quite a task, that's for sure

Probably referring to the "PAMPHLET??" part of your first post. Overabundance of caps and more than the usual amount of punctuation is usually regarded as shouting, or at least strong feelings on the matter, so was probably interpreted as snapping. Just shedding some light :)

I'm considering getting a PDA also, and have been comparing some of the ones available. After seeing the Tungsten E recommendations here, I'd almost be more inclined to purchase that one rather than the fancier T5, but I had one question about the Tungsten E. Those of you that use them for medical references and such, do you have larger memory cards that you've purchased separately? Or is the memory it comes with enough to have all these applications installed? Oh, and hello, first post here from a long-time lurker :)