B52

You are not the FMLA police.

Snitches get stiches. Just kidding, but there's nothing to snitch about. In my workplace we have templates, so the same note might show up on 100 patients daily.

Unless there is a safety issue, I don't care if anyone cuts corners. Some policies are just unnecessay verbiage thrown together to satisfy TJC.

GAD-7, PHQ-9, BPRS

No, never. However, I had a patient tell me he was in love with his psychiatrist. Transference, perhaps.

I worked full time while studying for BSN and MSN. You just have to set priorities.

At my locality, there is no charge nurse position, and there is no separate pay scale for ANM, which is probably why they can't fill that position. The last person in that position left after less than a year. It's been vacant for about 2 years.

I worked at a hospital where the ANM nominated the night charge nurse for a Daisy award. This particular nurse had a sense of self-importance and always patted herself on the back and blamed others when she made a mistake. Most of us were convinced that she got the award because she always said yes to OT. The ANM did not know or did not care that she slept on the job from about 2-5 a.m. every night she worked, a firing offense.

When I worked night shift, I kept the same sleep schedule on my off days. That's the only way I could function. When I switched to a new job with daytime hours I was ecstatic. I would have to be desperate to do 7p-7a again.

Think and chart like a reporter: Data: C.M. is a 56 y/o male with a diagnosis of MDD admitted on 4/5/2026 d/t suicidal ideation. Patient stated, "I gambled away everything, my wife left me, and I lost my job. I have no reason to live. . . I was going to take the whole bottle of Tylenol. I don't know why I didn't.” No protective factors elicited. Action: Administered medications per MD orders (see eMAR). Offered 1:1 therapeutic communication. Encouraged pt to practice gratitude and set SMART goals. Encouraged pt to avoid isolating and attend therapy groups. Pt attended music group but did not engage with music therapist. Assessed pt for safety. Ongoing 1:1 monitoring by MHT in progress. Response: Pt denies SI/HI/AVH. Pt rates his depression 7 on a 0-10 severity scale. Stated one of his goals is "to get a job when I get out of here.”

Has anyone been told whether VA nurses are eligible for Trump's resignation offer?

Where I work, nurse III seems to be impposible. I was hired as an MSN, was an active participant on two committes, attended conferences, wrote and edited several policies, and implemented a project, yet I was denied Nurse III. So, I quit the committes, I'm not doing any extra work, and I'm not attending any more conferences. My new favorite word is no.

The fact that you call older nurses "crusty" speaks volumes, and not in a good way.

My advice is for you to advocate for yourself the ame way you would advocate for a patient.

I did it when I was in my 40s and it was easy. I worked 32 hours a week as an LPN, 16 Saturday and 16 Sunday.

Fortunately, I was able to get in touch with his sister. Changes are in progress, but I'm still disappointed with DCF.

Just venting. I filed a report of self-neglect with DCF. Elderly man with severe mental illness lives with his father, who has dementia. The son is very thin, although his BMI is 19. The house is very filthy with rodent droppings and layers of dust all over the living room. Smells like there might be a mold problem . It's very hot. Today, I brought a hygrometer. It was 90.5 degrees with 61% humidity inside. The son says the ac works and he uses it, but I doubt it. Anyway, DCF rejected the report. Very frustrating. My next step is to try to track down any family members who can help. Any other ideas?

Nothing is going to change. I don't understand why organizations allow bullying. Resign and report them to your state's LTC ombudsman program.

I agree with PG3, During nursing school, I was drawn to psych, yet I received no encouragement. I just ignored everyone and jumped right into psych, and I don't regret it. I have no inntentions of becoming a nurse practitioner. My master's is in nursing admin, and my next goal is psych educator.

I switched from 3 12s night shift to M-F 7:30 -4 in an outpatient setting. I work for the VA hospital and visit patients in their homes. Nights and weekends off, all federal holidays off. I can start the day in the field and do my documentation at home. If I see all the patients M-W I can work from home on Th and F doing treatment plans, phone calls, etc. I would never go back to night shift. Also, even without the differential, my salary is much higher.

CuriousConundrum, My job description goes beyond observing and reporting.

Congratulations!

I have an MSN and one of my co-workers has a DNP, and we're both a nurse 2.

I'd switch. I'm an RN and I make more than that (in Florida).

I was punched in the head by a psychotic patient who sneaked up on me while I was looking the other way. I reported it, but I refused to go to the ER. I'm used to being punched and kicked because of my background in martial arts.