shellysbloomers

About your resume...... Do not say that you were terminated. There is no way for any future employer to find out this information. It is illegal for your currently employer to disclose the details of your departure. When asked why you left, you can say you are looking for something better, in a different field, with different hours, or whatever. Just don't say anything negative about your former employer. And good luck! I hope you find a great job.

"My dad is end stage COPD with spine compression fractures. He is DNR. He wishes to die at home if possible and, even when "healthy" suffers from mucus plugs that cause rapid desaturation and deterioration to such a point that it has resulted in his last several hospitalization/intubations." Just a little bit of information that has not yet been mentioned... Your dad would not be eligible for hospice services if he is still seeking treatment at the hospital. Your dad would qualify for hospice services based on the severity of his COPD, but continuing treatment is contrary to hospice guidelines. Make sure your dad is ready for this next step before he signs up. I had a similar problem recently with a patient whose daughter took her to the emergency room for a dizzy spell. The patient was immediately discharged from services and it is still not clear whether we will be able to accept her back or not. Also as far as choosing a hospice company, I would make sure they are JACHO certified and that the nurses have CHPN (certified hospice & Palliative Nurse) designation. If your dad were my patient, I would be sure to educate your mother on exactly what needs to be done should your dad go into respiratory distress suddenly. (Sit patient up, administer morphine and lorazepam, increase oxygen or point a fan in patient's direction, etc.) Also educate on what to expect in the dying process as far as common signs/symptoms. I have found that family members are more comfortable when they fully understand the process. If it seems that your mother is simply not going to be able to deal with the situation, select a hospice with an inpatient unit. This way, he can be admitted during the final stage for continuous nursing care. Just knowing that this is an option might give your mother some peace of mind. I wish you and your family well. This is a difficult time for you. There are many services that hospice offers that can be helpful such as chaplain, social worker, therapist, bereavement services for 12 months after death, and more depending on your state. Do take advantage of all that is available to you.

I graduated with an ADN a year ago and still have not been able to find a good job. I am currently working at a long term care facility (which I hate) trying to get a year of experience as I am told this is necessary for hospital jobs. I feel lucky that I at least have a job, even though it is a bad one. Some of my classmates are paying $30 thousand dollars and up to get their BSN. Are the job prospects for a BSN any better? Do BSN nurses get paid that much more? I am concerned about the cost/benefit ratio. I do have some friends that have graduated with a BSN and are having a difficult time finding a jobs as well. What is your opinion?

If you are not comfortable with multi-tasking, perhaps you should consider home health. You only focus on one patient at a time.