Blackbird

You are not a lawyer, you are a nurse. End of story.

Gotta love the self righteousness in here sometimes. Thank you sooo much for the unsolicited and unwarranted judgement. I didn't realise I was being diagnosed and duly recommended for a mental assessment of my own as a result of responding to a thread. Let me give you the drum, Dr Bob: that post, my post was my opinion about my experience. Not a discouragement. Not an endorsment. Not a directive of any kind. But an opinion based on an experience that happened to me, as requested by the poster. So you didn't feel hate...soo...that must mean I must feel the same way? Right. Uhuh... How's things in your autocracy, by the way? Lexapro was the only drug involved and yes, I do realise that everyone is different and that reactions can vary if, in fact, any are present. But my post related to my experience and wasn't a speculative announcement of any kind. End of story. Anything you draw from that is your opinion.

Gee, Grace, can I quote that?

I've been invited there for a wedding in May this year and I'd like to give going there a shot. Thing is, as an Aussie (nursing student), I'm wide eyed and bushy tailed when it comes to checking out the bits that travel books don't mention. Locals, do you have any ideas to give me in relation to decent accommodation (hey, easy on the five star..I'm not Donald Trump's mistress), foods I should try, clothes I should bring (I live in a hot climate), pick up lines I should master..okay, I'm joking about the last one. But you drink beer there, right? And fight with herds of Moose? Oh hang on, that might be Canada I'm thinkin' of... Anyway, any ideas would be gratefully recorded in my little black book. Thanks in advance. ~BB~

I finished the initial post in a rush. Sorry Angelique! I didn't mean to leave you dangling! :) Everyone in and around the scene was dead, apparently on impact. This was why I thought it strange that this guy should be lucid and standing but took notes regardless. But when the lid was pulled back and I saw his face I just knew it was the same bloke I'd been talking to. My blood ran cold; I couldn't think straight and I was wedged between fascination by this and terror. I ran back to the truck, checked with the medics and they told me no one had sought treatment from them. I notified the police on scene and they ran a perimeter check in case there really was someone out there wandering around with an injury but they didn't find anything. But as there was no information on the bodies, the only information we had to go on was the notes I'd taken in my book which were later proven to be accurate. And no, he wasn't a twin.

Hmmm...how many of you cringed when you read Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World" or winced when Orwell displayed his predictions in "Animal Farm"? How many of you said "that'll never happen" when you watched films such as The Terminator and Gattica"? Resist this.

It's a transliteration of my surname. People call me Blackie at work. I've forgotten what my first name is. :)

I narrowed my eyes as soon as I saw that word. :stone A person very close to me was on it. Over this time, I saw mood swings, changes in personality, they complained of various afflictions such as the feeling of being surreal, constipation, restlessness, dark thoughts. When they started reporting voices, I dragged their *** to their doctor this doctor refused to alter the meds stating that they should just "give it a go". Took him to a new doc who weaned him off the Lexapro and provided him with an alternative avenue to deal with the depression. I never felt pure hate until I met that drug. I stress to all who take anti-depressants - look at other avenues of therapy first, check to see if your doctor has the right credentials: not all GPs are trained to deal with mental health issues and to listen to those who tell you that you're changing. Last but best, listen to yourself.

This is an excellent point. A Master's degree for a junior teacher is ludicrous. But citing sexist causes for an ailing market is a red herring. In my response, I was referring to the BSN as a first (undergrad) degree not an additional one. Perhaps, given the forum climate (in that the majority of forum users are in the American system), I should have been clearer. The associate diploma is not a degree. Neither is a diploma. When registering in Australia or NZ (for example), the ADN is not considered to be a nursing qualification for registration nor are any of the other lesser qualifications. A close friend of mine, an American, suffered a huge shock to find that upon immigration to Australia that her quals were not sufficient enough for registration even though she had been working as a nurse in the US for some years, I have seen the gap first up. Yes, by all means let's do it for unity but you won't get that, not unless the organisations that represent nursing support this and elements of the nursing profession educate themselves about the ramifications of the degree system (and what a degree actually entails...there's a lot of false terminology out there). As I sit here writing, I don't want to be seemingly pompous about the distinction - after all, I'm an undergrad at the moment! - but just making the dileanation. For while I am venturing into nursing from a self-fulfilment perspective, I'm also acutely aware that today's medical setting makes new and increasing demands of the nurse and therefore also speak from a career advancement point of view too for in order to gain that competitive and marketable edge, you must be in the same race as everyone else and, from the information I have to hand, the US is still at the starting block.

This is an excellent point. A Master's degree for a junior teacher is ludicrous. But citing sexist causes for an ailing market is a red herring. In my response, I was referring to the BSN as a first (undergrad) degree not an additional one. Perhaps, given the forum climate (in that the majority of forum users are in the American system), I should have been clearer. The associate diploma is not a degree. Neither is a diploma. When registering in Australia or NZ (for example), the ADN is not considered to be a nursing qualification for registration nor are any of the other lesser qualifications. A close friend of mine, an American, suffered a huge shock to find that upon immigration to Australia that her quals were not sufficient enough for registration even though she had been working as a nurse in the US for some years, I have seen the gap first up. Yes, by all means let's do it for unity but you won't get that, not unless the organisations that represent nursing support this and elements of the nursing profession educate themselves about the ramifications of the degree system (and what a degree actually entails...there's a lot of false terminology out there). As I sit here writing, I don't want to be seemingly pompous about the distinction - after all, I'm an undergrad at the moment! - but just making the dileanation. For while I am venturing into nursing from a self-fulfilment perspective, I'm also acutely aware that today's medical setting makes new and increasing demands of the nurse and therefore also speak from a career advancement point of view too for in order to gain that competitive and marketable edge, you must be in the same race as everyone else and, from the information I have to hand, the US is still at the starting block.

I agree. It's an idea that has flowered for twenty years where I am and it's really given the nursing profession a boost in the right direction. Just quietly, I am floored as to where this discussion has gone and, since venturing into this forum, I have been privately flabbergasted that the US hasn't got a a system similar to that in most developed countries. To be a Registered Nurse in Australia, Europe and the Middle East you need your BSN degree, period. It's not about hospitals and other little hives of political activity, it's the level of education and expertise demanded in medical facilities today, end of story. In Australia, below the level of RN lies the enrolled nurse (EN) and nursing assistant (NA). Their level belies only their level of education and level of expected expertise and responsibilities not their level as a person which some of the discussion appears to point to. Like society progresses in all manner of things (cars, technology, schooling, science) so, too, does the nursing profession and, in my view, it's up to you to keep up. If it's respect and prestige you're after, aim for the presidency. From where I stand, the US nursing system is lagging way behind the rest of the world and part of that problem rests with the very profession itself.

I agree. It's an idea that has flowered for twenty years where I am and it's really given the nursing profession a boost in the right direction. Just quietly, I am floored as to where this discussion has gone and, since venturing into this forum, I have been privately flabbergasted that the US hasn't got a a system similar to that in most developed countries. To be a Registered Nurse in Australia, Europe and the Middle East you need your BSN degree, period. It's not about hospitals and other little hives of political activity, it's the level of education and expertise demanded in medical facilities today, end of story. In Australia, below the level of RN lies the enrolled nurse (EN) and nursing assistant (NA). Their level belies only their level of education and level of expected expertise and responsibilities not their level as a person which some of the discussion appears to point to. Like society progresses in all manner of things (cars, technology, schooling, science) so, too, does the nursing profession and, in my view, it's up to you to keep up. If it's respect and prestige you're after, aim for the presidency. From where I stand, the US nursing system is lagging way behind the rest of the world and part of that problem rests with the very profession itself.

I simply walked in the door. I located some facilities near me, called the facility, spoke to the Director, they asked me to come in for an interview, presented my (non-medical oriented!) resume, talked myself up, promoted what I could offer the facility, was hired and here I am. The pay rate is crap but that's to be expected. As long as I can pay my bills with it, I'm fine.

I simply walked in the door. I located some facilities near me, called the facility, spoke to the Director, they asked me to come in for an interview, presented my (non-medical oriented!) resume, talked myself up, promoted what I could offer the facility, was hired and here I am. The pay rate is crap but that's to be expected. As long as I can pay my bills with it, I'm fine.

I feel it's important for a nursing educator to be a nurse, that is to have nursing degree. Likewise, I find it amazing that those who do not possess teaching qualifications are allowed to be nursing educators. You wouldn't let an untrained nurse near your patients so why treat your students with the same contempt? Teaching is a specialisation unto itself, not merely a branch of nursing. Does one attend university expecting their professor to be unqualified? Does one expect their car to be repaired by a mechanic who has only studied cars via books? Unfortunately, as with nurses, teachers also are grossly underrated and disrespected as a valuable member of the community. The replication of wives' tales, while unfortunate, only points to the ignorance of those who repeat them.

I feel it's important for a nursing educator to be a nurse, that is to have nursing degree. Likewise, I find it amazing that those who do not possess teaching qualifications are allowed to be nursing educators. You wouldn't let an untrained nurse near your patients so why treat your students with the same contempt? Teaching is a specialisation unto itself, not merely a branch of nursing. Does one attend university expecting their professor to be unqualified? Does one expect their car to be repaired by a mechanic who has only studied cars via books? Unfortunately, as with nurses, teachers also are grossly underrated and disrespected as a valuable member of the community. The replication of wives' tales, while unfortunate, only points to the ignorance of those who repeat them.

Anyone got any stories about incidences that happened to them that didn't feel right or were downright spooky? Let me tell you mine. It was a dark and stormy night...nah, just kidding A few years ago, I attended the scene of an accident. A two car wreck, the devastation was complete and I remember being surprised to find a man at the scene, lucid and with what appeared to be minor damage. I took details from him: names of the occupants of the vehicles, how the accident happened etc. His hand was damaged and the ring he was wearing - a distinctive gold and onyx setting with an intricate design of a griffin in the middle (I'll never forget it) - threatened to cut off circulation so I sent him over to the truck to be treated. Then I was called to assist the firemen cutting bodies from the wreckage and as they pulled off the car door there he was, in the car wreck with the life knocked out of him, the guy I'd just been talking to, exact same ring attached to his damaged hand.

Hi all. I'm commencing A&P 1 in February but I won't be dissecting any animals thank God, just the book.

I'm in Australia which is totally different from the American scene so my comments pertain to the Australasian environment. Also, as I know jacksheet about nursing being very new, my views are formed in part as a member of the public and partly as a student/nursing assistant. Licensing for all nurse divisions is a mistake. It's just another revenue earner. There are three divisions in Australia - nursing assistant, enrolled nurse and registered nurse; the latter two being registered with a nursing board. There is a chain of command and for a reason: different levels of expertise. It's not about 'being in charge' - leave that to management. That's what they're for. It's about doing a good job in the job that you are assigned. To be an assistant nurse is a good way to enter the profession, particularly for those who are unskilled or would not have any other method of getting into nursing in the first place. It's all very well to slap a formalised rule on the process but by doing so you exclude a lot of people who would otherwise make damn good nurses and let's face it, being an assistant nurse is not exactly a road paved with gold and the qualifications are not handed to you on a silver platter either. I'm in favour of inclusive education and I feel that licensing would impede that. Registration is adequate. Privately, I am quite shocked to read that one has to wait seven years to get into college. I value the fact that I have been accepted into college just recently all the more knowing that for some - and in a country known as a superpower - it isn't an immediate progression. We have a show here that highlights nurses. It's called All Saints and it's one of the highest rating shows on prime tv here. Aside from the fact that the head nurse used to be a nun but left the convent for a sexy doctor who later died of a brain disease is beside the point but people like it, the nursing profession is in their faces and that's what counts. There is another show called "RPA" - a mud-in-yer-eye documentary/reality show shot at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, Australia. It pulls no punches and shows both doctors and nurses in situations not normally viewed by the public and sometimes it's gutwrenching stuff. In addition, there's another more recent show called "Rookies" which is a watered down version of the former but concentrates on brand new doctors. What is interesting about this show is that really brings the nurse to the fore in that the audience is made well aware of their important role in the hospital setting including the underlying premise that without nurses, the doctors would be [insert word meaning 'beyond help' in your own language]. :) But not in a bad way. I like the way it highlights the skills perfected by the nurse such as cannulation, floor management, patient care and doctor care but in an understatement but pointed way that makes you think, "wow, that unit would be in utter chaos if they didn't have those nurses on board.." (actual comment by a viewer). Finally, to answer the question I would say this: nursing has an unfortunate image and this is exacerbated by some lazy nursing organisations (have had a similar experience to MissPiggy). People still think nurses are bedpan handlers. Not enough is known about the profession in the public arena and when the profession is in the arena, it's more often than not about pay issues and whistleblowing ~ relevant issues but not good image spinners. This is something I hope to counter while studying by compiling some reports over the ensuing months, some of which I'd love to post here, on this forum. For example, my clinical placement in November will be in central Australia where the majority of the population is indigenous. It's a part of the country not often explored. I'll also be working with the Flying Doctor Service. I want to get these experiences out there so that a largely ignorant public can view first hand what nurses really do as well as fostering further cross cultural relations in here.

Oooooeee! As if your presumption that US nurses have it easier or that a literate command of the English language rests only in the spoken word wasn't enough, I am DEFINITELY not touching that last derogatory statement! Mature, independent thinking indeed. :uhoh21:

She'll be right, mate. All you can do is learn and not take things personally. Even if you take away just one tip from here, you're doing great. I think you have amazing restraint. Five years ago, I flattened my supervisor with a left jab when he tried to implicate me in his failure to carry out a procedure. I was fuming at such an injustice and I lost it. Not cool. Thankfully, we had a beer afterwards and all was forgotten but it could just as easily have gone the other way. Rather than crucify myself over my appalling behaviour, I learned my lesson. When all is said and done, it's all you can do.

Come to Australia and you'll be able to work in a t-shirt and shorts!

Whoah there Nellie. I'm not judging you, Tee. I wouldn't do that. You said that you discussed your scenario with the patient and this led me to believe that your conclusion was passed onto staff. But all situations are great to assess in hindsight which is why I gave you an experience of mine and I also mentioned that I misjudged the guy at the time. (I did think he was on drugs! How ill informed of me was that? :)) Then I wrote how grateful I felt that you weren't sued. If you have a dismally poor management stream and you have no way of lodging an informal incident report, this is where diary notes come in handy. Then, if someone comes back and says, "Well, I didn't hear anything from Tee..." then you can produce your log book and go to town. But please don't think I'm hanging you out to dry. Believe you me, I'll be the first one to rush in here and spill my guts to you all about my fears - and my mistakes when I make them (my placement is this November) as I'm sure I will!