javanurse2000

Night shift --- practice dummy dressed in a gown and a baseball cap... Parked outside the building in front of a glass door ... "WHO IS THAT?!?!?!?!" My other favorite is hitting the call bell (in the middle of the night) that was recently occupied by someone who's "moved on" - I would hide in the closet... Someone would finally get up the courage to come in and shut the light out --- when they'd leave I'd sneak out and turn it back on and then jump back in the closet... and listen to them freak out ... funny!!!!!

If I drop really quick, I'll have a grand mal...been seizure free for over 20 years though...thank God!

Don't let anyone spoil this for you... I promise there are no wolves :0) You'll find out quickly who is receptive to your questions and who isn't...try to "hang" with the positive people. No one comes into a new job knowing everything...let alone a new career. Sounds like you have a really good positive attitude. Expressing your nervousness just shows that you really care about the work that you'll be doing. Good luck and congrats!!!!!

Let's not forget LOTS of colace, miralax, senna to go with the lortab. Seeing a good bit of plavix. Lots of coumadin. Norvasc is pretty common. Standing orders for phenergan, chlorphenermine. It seems like MD favor catapres for lowering a blood pressure quickly. The ABT of choice is levaquin. Good luck with your interview!

That's a smart investment!!!!!

I agree...I was very surprised to find out that it's being taught in nursing school. Glad to know this is an isolated policy. I can't figure out how it's even legal not inform.

Congratulations!!!!

I've been helping to orient some new grads to our facility and the subject of medication errors came up. When I graduated nursing school it was procedure to inform the oriented patient (or their responsible party) if a medication error was made. The note would simply say that whatever was given (or not given), provider notified, new orders and patient outcome. More recently, our policy is that it is left to the discretion of the DON if and when an error is disclosed - the note hasn't changed. The new grad told me that this is what is being taught in nursing school now. My question is: Do you still tell the patient or not?

If you are ever able to get it to heal over, I've seen granulex do wonders to promote circulation to the area and help strengthen the tissue. The suppliments and protein are a must - they make special drinks - high in protein and vitamins for wound healing as well. As a last resort, if they are willing to try surgery again and can get a dr to agree, a few layers of healthy tissue from the thigh graphed on might be the "leg up" he needs. Good luck!

Ha! I was once "corrected" by a (former) DON for not giving LORTAB without an order...couldn't get a hold of the MD - late at night. New admit CA patient in pain. I just kept alternating between his cell phone and his house phone (private facility, one doctor) until he picked up and ok'ed the order. Later, my DON came to me to tell me I just should have given it...I don't think so :uhoh21:

Two of my three kids were guilty. One with a pencil eraser in the ear canal (took him to the Dr. who couldn't "get it" - I ended up doing it --- he charged me anyway!). A bead in the nare for my daughter --- just stayed home for that one --- after all, I had the experience :0)

I have a couple of lines on med pass when I step into (an unexpectedly) full room..."I didn't bring enough for everybody". If it's an injection..."Who's willing to take this shot for grandma?". Generally, the visitors (not immediate family) are feeling a bit uneasy anyway, so the comic relief is appreciated. I'm usually able to "get out" in a couple minutes with these lines. When I'm faced with multiple questions from family, I usually explain that I'm giving out meds and can make an "appointment" to go over all of their concerns. Customer service is REALLY important at my work and leaving patient or family feeling uncared for is not an option.

We've had about half a dozen "young" come in to our facility in as many months...I haven't wanted to eat any - choking is another subject :0) Seriously, if your focus is on your patients/residents and your mind is on learning I'm sure you'll come out of the first year with most of your fingers :0)

Thanks for posting it --- needed a laugh!

Upstate SC - LTC/Rehab - 9+ yrs exp. - $19 to start plus shift diff and crappy benefits (employer pays half)

If you can afford to go for the RN and ultimately, it's what you would like to do, I'd go for it. It's a long-term investment, but the RN market is wide open...if you can get some home-health work in the meantime- ie. a job that would allow you to get some study time in, too...that might be an option. Good luck.

Yes, I felt just that way --- I believe it was because I really CARED about what I was endevouring to do...if you find that this is your reason for the nervousness, then you have nothing to worry about...you will succeed. Best of luck to you and your coursework. Study hard and don't be afraid to ask for clarification if you don't understand a particular piece of material (a word of caution though-teachers NOT big fans of being constantly interrupted during lecture, so consider jotting yourself "notes" about what you need clarified and see him/her during their office hours-they have a certain amount of time to cover a certain amount of material). Keep us up-to-date on how it's going and congrats and good luck! PS---Made A's and B's if I remember right---been out almost a decade now, seems like yesterday, though :0)

Hi Randy- I know the site is strict about giving advice, but I'd be happy to share my experience, strength and hope: My story-I spoke with my MD about Naltrexone shots when I decided to go back into nursing after being in recovery for 2 years. He was, (after I gave him 20 pages of credible info), willing to prescribe the injection---when I went to get it filled I was shocked...over $700 per shot!!!! How can anyone afford this???? Turns out though, Naltrexone (which is the generic name) is available in 50mg once a day p.o. dosing and it's working for me...at least in the sense that working around the availability of narcotics is much less of a distraction...which happily frees me up to work my program:0) I certainly wish you well....keep us updated on how you're doing.

Does it have to be a disease causing microorganism? I absolutely love diatoms. Their shells being made of glass (silicon based) in a variety of colors and shapes are absolutely beautiful to look at. If it has to be disease causing what about the one that caused the black plague? That would be interesting to hear more about - especially a contrast of conditions back then and now that could lend to an outbreak.

Wellllll...you know, in dog years you'll be almost 203 yrs. old when you graduate. But, in "nursing years" I think you'll be just fine. Good luck at school!

The last survey inspection is usually in the lobby. Years ago, I found a website that listed all kinds of data (for free) for local nursing care facilities...nurse/res ratios, survey info...I've tried to find the sight again, but I haven't had any luck. Like you, I found out the hard way .

You are very welcome!!! I really hope it helps!

Its an excellent idea, but already being used in practice: Insulin Pumps: American Diabetes Association® I hope you are encouraged that your idea, although already developed was worthy of pursuit!

I'm feel prompted to start this thread to share what I've learned about choosing whether or not to accept a job offer. Looking for a job in LTC can be so stressful. Student loans and other financial obligations bear pressure. Questions like: will they call for an interview? Will it be a shift I can accept? Is the money going to be enough? ---they all compete with the worry: Can I do this? What if I make a mistake? Where's the coffee pot? Take a breath - it will be ok. Yes, there are a lot of nursing homes that are nothing less than nightmares (and yes, for a short time I've worked in them). In retrospect, there were clues available before I even took the position. These clues are what I'd like to share. Maybe some of the other "old timers" and add to the list! When filling out the application (usually in their lobby): 1.Look at the facial expressions of the staff - If there is a spectrum of expression from happy all the way to suicidal or homicidal, where do most of them fit? Do they look confident or "beat down"? If you are able to see some of the interaction between staff at this time, it's even better...are they at ease or is a supervisor reaming out a staff member or what? 2.Usually, the last DHEC survey is in the lobby (either hanging on a hook or in a three ring binder) - try to peek at it if you can. On your way to the "interview room": Usually this is the BEST time to get a feel for the facility. Are the residents lined up in the hallway with blank stares and food on their clothes? Do most of them look content or unhappy? Are any of them speaking to eachother or to the staff? Do they look well cared for or uncared for? Is there a strong odor of urine coming for any of them (if so, try to walk past them after the interview to see if they have been cared for)? Do they look well hydrated? Are they "slumped" or are they correctly positioned? If they don't look cared for, keep in mind that if you take the job, you'll be putting yourself in a position of turning a blind eye, being labeled by staff as a you-know-what or trying to do it all yourself. During the interview: Are the DON and ADON established? My best experience was at a facility where the administrator, DON and ADON had worked there for years. There were no acts of blood letting. If your interviewer is spening a lot of time talking about changes that are being made, then something has been wrong there for a very long time and it may not be a best first experience for you. *there is never anything wrong with improvement, but I have found that in this situation, "changes" are usually a day late and a dollar short! It's ok to ask about things like time to orient - when I was a new nurse, my DON and ADON recognized the value of a good orientation---insist on nothing less. Management that is THAT shortsighted when it comes to orientation will cut all kinds of horrifying corners to save a couple of bucks. Ratios can be tricky...ask what the ratio is, but also what the level of care is...one nurse to 30 patients on day shift is common these days. BUT, are there eight bolus tube feeders, 7 fingersticks, and a persistent elopment risk? If/when an admission comes, is there support staff or are you on your own? Other things to pay close attention to is when the interviewer and/or DON or ADON brags about certain things in the facility....this is a big plus! They actually care and have turned that care into action! BBQs and yardsales are great indicators of a family atmosphere. At a "high dollar" facility, the administration actually served the residents their lunches every day for those who went to the main dining hall. That says a lot. I hope my experiences help you to find a GOOD nursing home...they do exist. Good luck and congratulations on graduating!!!

I got "report" from a CNA stating that Mrs._____ had been trying to dig herself out with a spoon :uhoh21: