somenurse

Good for you!!! Great! Now, store this experience away, in your little chest of memories, that you can use, for next time you are nervous. "I was nervous that other time, but-- i did pass the test." kinda thing. Might help build up your inner confidence that you CAN do it!!

oh, i thought it was a sidedish at the nearby takeout place... to the OP, yeah, every once in a while, i have trouble with some of the acronyms used here, as the words change from time to time, and new words are invented, too. but i have learned, we can get by with LOL, or rofl, prn, or tid or ngt or BFF or DH or a few others, but ohmidawg if you post ppl instead of people, oh my! they will throw eggs! ha ha!!

well? how'd it go? did you pass? Hope you did well!!!

Leslie, if i find the sublingual area dry, i'd always moisten it, or, if patent ws able, have a sip of water first, asking them to sort of whoosh it around their mouth a bit prior to swallowing the water. do you think either of those interventions would help sublinqual absorption, or, have i been following wrong advice for eons?

OHhh, maybe it was just a joke. oh!! ha. all righty then!

oh sure, every nurse wants to be a manager, yeah, that's right. How did you get so much knowledge about what nurses really want, in only 5 months!! wow! Yeah, the idea of being the rearend to kick if anything goes wrong, being the one to run to, if anyone is honked off about anything, yeah, being the one to squeeze in tons of 'meetings' with all kinds of boards and people, being the one to make sure everyone did this or that latest CEU or whatever, being the one to sweat out the next JCAHO exam or many other exams your unit must pass, and tons of other duties, hearing tons and tons of endless complaints and whining, every single day, trying to please both those above you, and those 'under' you, doing tons of overtime for free cuz you are salaried, staggering home at 7pm with a headache, ALL done for a measley amount more than your floor staff is making, oh yeah, huge mass appeal THERE! yes, nisteber, no doubt, your 5 months in nursing have equipped you with deep insights into why a nurse whose kids are in college would still be working...mmmHmm. yeah, that's it, they are all just inept or something. NO way anyone actually loves what they do, nope. btw, who mentored you when you arrived? and why oh why do you think it is only 'older' nurses who could be unwelcoming? or only 'younger' nurses arriving as new employees? why would anything lead you to believe that being mean ever makes anyone happy? I don't think being mean ever makes anyone happy, but, maybe that is just my own frame of reference speaking. Anytime i have ever been anything even close to mean, i felt like crap, and ran to apologize, sure did not make ME happy. But, to each his own. but, have hope, no doubt, in month#6 of your profession, you will gain even more knowledge of what is going on!! Hang in there!!

so i thought i would, too. .....although the title of this thread does not apply to atheists, as, by definition, we have no "belief system" about gods.(alternative or otherwise) Might be why you have 6 pages of mostly pagans and wiccans, etc, replying to this thread, and very few atheists. Atheism is a belief system, the way bald is a hair color. Atheism is a belief system, the way not collecting stamps is a hobby. Atheism is a belief system the way abstinence is a sexual position. Things have vastly improved for atheists in just my lifetime, oh wow, you guys should have seen the 70s! shiver! First remark ws always "you wil burn in hell!" and First question, invariably, was "Well, do you worship the devil then?" Not that long ago, people had never heard of an atheist, we were not on tv, no one was out at all, our numbers were far far less than they are today, and no books or mags would be on the shelves, and only were mentioned negatively, always. Only atheist i ever saw for first many decades of my life, was my own reflection in the mirror, and Dr Ohare being pelted with eggs when she left her home, and mocked by the reporters and anchors with much relish. I once had "you will burn in hell" keyed into my car for being out. People could treat a person with almost horror upon finding out you were not a christian, let alone an atheist. OH, i could bore you all with tons of stories of the typical reaction: to anyone finding out you were an atheist back then. things have changed!! Now, there are well spoken atheists all over tv, all over the internet, websites dedicated just for us!! Although atheists are hard to count, some counts have us as hight as 20% of the population!! (some nations, we are the majority, like Norway, for example). it's becoming a whole different atmosphere, so glad i lived to see it. Most everyone today has met or at least heard of an atheist. They've stopped throwing eggs and keying our cars. (well, most of 'em) We've come a long way, but, have a long way to go yet. LIke many atheists, I have learned to not bring it up at work, instead, i do this: (reply #2) https://allnurses.com/nursing-and-spirituality/do-you-have-799254.html#post7046581 that^ could work for all of you with alternative belief systems, too.

why would your gender be even remotely applicable to wanting to do peds?

What is this "death with dignity" law you refer to? I have never heard of it.

Is this an "article"? if so, i will vote for THIS one next time we are supposed to pick favorite article.

OHhh, i am so so saving this article somewhere in my favorites list. Oh, thank you thank you for saying these words, oh it is a wonderful thing to read. This should be mandatory reading for anyone who posts "Nursing eats it's young." I have always objected to the word "young". This old worn out, not true statement, comes closer to the truth, (if/when it does happen) if we reword it to read "Nursing eats the new employee" It doesnt' matter the nurse's age. This is not "just" nursing either. Many many other high-intensity or competitve professionals experience sometimes not being warmly welcomed aboard. another point, is, many people---of any age----just do NOT easily warm up to new people, strangers, as quickly as others do. It is not the age of the nurse arriving, nor the age of the nurse welcoming new employee. Young nurses AND old nurses both can be unwelcoming, even petty and nasty or uppity. A person's character really is not locked in by one's age. I've moved extensively, from coast to coast, and was often the "new" nurse. Occasionally, i am not much welcomed, yet, i stand there with a stripe of gray hair and decades of experience, i am not young, and i am not a new grad, either, it is just i am new to them. It's not just *me*, i've witnessed this happen to other new employees, it happens sometimes, that some people just don't take to strangers right off the bat. I suspect, it might be possible that a very needy person who is insecure and/or not yet confident about nursing, might feel it even MORE, and blame that on her "age" than a nurse who knows her stuff might. still, overall, what i've seen and experienced, is, most nurses do help each other, they really do, regardless of age. I've been taught tons of stuff by other nurses, and i have tried to always help out a nurse in need. Like GrnTea says, it really is far far more common, that nurses DO help each other. Probably none of us would have made it, without other nurses teaching us and helping us.

Such great posts above!! Not sure this idea would help, but, most clinics are only open Mon-Fri, with set hours, no beds in them. This is true of most clinics, like doctor offices, community health care centers, women's health care clinics, etc. But, some clinics do have beds in them, such as walk in care centers, and outpatient surgery centers. Also, IV team is kind of different type of nursing. Usually, you are not responsible/not involved for anything but the IV itself. You get to run all over the house, and see everything going on. There is much running about, on your feet all day, but, it is a different form of nursing. (can be stressful though, esp the central lines and time budgets) Special Procedures in radiology involves sedating the patient while the procedure is being done, nice work, imo, but, requires extensive experience. I've never done school nursing, and that'd involve having the right kind of experience and knowledge, but, that might become a goal for you, too. Pediatric home care, most definitely involves a bed, but *most* of the patients there, are very small. It is generally a low stress day. and i so agree with GreenTea, that cardiac rehab nursing was kinda cushy work. You mostly hook the patients to monitors, (almost always, these are outpatient people, who drove themselves there) and run strips and a few vitals while they walk on treadmills, etc. I tended to get a little bored there, just watching folks walking on treadmills and other equip, but, there are no beds in that room, and it might provide a more relaxing day for you.

so sorry for your loss. Another med i have always admired for speed of relief, is sublingual morphine, Roxanol. Only a drop or two under the tongue, and the person seemed comfortable. Of course, i've never had the med myself, but, I sure did love giving that med, felt like a magic fairy when i did. No needles, no swallowing, but Very fast relief, even for people who were suffering terribly.

WOW, impressive GrnTea!! WOW!! I don't always think introverts are necessarily contemplative, but, no doubt, some are! And i don't think being extrovert indicates a lack of contemplation, either, nor do i think all introverts have leadership or creative abilities more than ambiverts or extroverts, but you make so so many great points, and you speak so well, so eloquently!! Still, there are many many ambiverts or extroverts who are extremely creative and inventive. I also think great ideas can come from collaborations, too. I've come up with many a great idea or solution while discussing something with someone i trust and respect. Many actions follow contemplation, the two are not exclusive. Some brains really can multitask, and think while they are active, working, engaged with others, or in all various environments. Maybe an environment that brings out the best creativity for one person, might be opposite for another, who knows. but, great video!! LOVED IT!!!! You are amazing!! I so so loved your suggestion that more people spend time in nature! Ah, love that one, wish more people DID seek out nature. still, to the OP, a small smile now and then, or even an short explanation, "No, i am fine, i just don't talk a lot, but, i am fine" said with a smile, might earn you the 'room' you desire from your coworkers who worry over your silence.

To the OP, i believe you. Not long ago, we worked with an RN, who had to have every Friday off, all year, cuz she ran a bible study group in her home on Fridays. Although her class was apparently only an hour long, she said she needed entire day off to cook snacks and vacuum, etc. some of us tried to get Fridays off, to worship the way WE worship with our pals, to honor the things WE felt were Very important in a group setting, but, we did not get the Fridays off like she did. This RN did nothing extra to make up for her getting every Friday off. It did become a slight bit of a sore spot, to some nurses, as because we always worked one RN short every Friday, there was NO way anyone else could ever get a Friday off.

Also, if you have very dense coworkers, you could answer, with small smile, "Nope, i am fine. I am just a quiet person, i don't talk a lot, but, i am fine." After enough times, seems like they'd get it.

Aw, i do feel bad for the OP, it's obvious she is tired of something at her job. //"You say that I rarely talk much. You don't talk to me neither."// You do not wish for them to talk to you, or you do wish they would talk to you? At any rate, imo, there is a difference, between being a quiet person, and like, someone who can't occasionally smile now and then, til everyone figures out who they are.(a quiet person) All creatures have body language, and an immobile face, accompanied by zero verbal participation could indicate, or could be mistaken for signs that one is upset, annoyed, etc. that is why they are all asking you. So, if that is NOT the case, then no harm in throwing out an occasional smile, every once in a while, just to help your coworkers sort out you are quiet, but, not unhappy. Otherwise, it might be, they have zero feedback from you at all, to allay their worry you are upset. but, probably, overtime, they will learn who you are, and stop asking you how you are. Maybe no words even req'd, but, an occasional smile:) could help. If they saw an occasional smile (even if remark was not hilarious) they might stop worrying something is wrong/you are sad/you are upset, maybe if you smile now and then, they'd stop asking you questions which you find annoying. then maybe you could get the 'room' you seem to desire. I'm only guessing, but, i imagine the people asking you if you are okay, had good intentions, even if the result was you felt annoyed by the questions, i bet their intent was good or kind. I bet the last thing they wanted was to annoy you, i bet they genuinely meant well by asking. They were probably trying to make you feel "included" or cared about, even if it landed wrong in your ear. good luck!!

also, anytime you can get away with a 22 or even a 20 every once in a blue moon, do it. The bigger the bore of the IV, the easier it is to place an IV. (imo). I'm always surprised when i hear some coworker say something that indicates she thinks if a patient is hard to get, to use a tiny bore cathalon. I believe just the reverse is true.

OHhhh, yeah, with something as tiny as a 24gauge, oh wow, very hard to NOT go through the vein before you finally get the flashback. No wonder you are having this trouble. 24s are soo tiny, and blood is soo thick, that by the time you finally can see any blood in your chamber, you have gone through the vein. I was never that good at super tiny IVs, only thing i can think of, is advance super super slowly, thereby possibly increasing the chance, that when you see the flashback, you *might* still be IN the vein. Maybe going uber uber slowly might help. Advance a half of a centimeter, wait.....advance a half of a centimeter, wait....wait a good few moments, after each and every advance, give that blood enough time to display itself. Just sit there and watch and wait.....wait...count to 30 or something, after each advance, to make sure you ARE waiting long enough. yes, the coworker holding the arm will think you are nutz or spacing out, but, give silently counting to 30, after each and every advance, a try. With 24s, and sometimes, 22s, you will NOT get a flashback for some time....takes a while. So maybe waiting...waiting...advancing super slowly, might help you. good luck, i think 24s are THE hardest of all IVs to put in. It's not *you*, it's the bore you are using.

I dislike mandatory retirement ages for anything, as i am almost always against lumping any group of humans all together as "all just the same". I think older nurses, should be evaluated just like any other nurse-----------based upon her performance, etc. If a nurse, of any age, is having problems, well, those problems need to be addressed, or the nurse has to be let go, but, i don't see the connection between a nurse having gray hair, and not being able to be an awesome nurse. I don't like "agism" and i suggest each and every nurse, regardless of her hair color, be evaluated based upon on her or his performance. None of the things that the OP lists as "effects of aging" are specific to ONLY older people: //(such as decrease in vision, hearing, unsteady gait, ect.) // Any and all of those things can strike various humans at various ages. A nurse of any age, can easily perform well even if she is nearsighted or slightly hard of hearing, using glasses, surgery, or hearing aides, etc. Even handicapped nurses, of any age, who can not walk well, can occasionally find areas of nursing where they can still nurse.

Washington DC, or Washington state? why does your school require your clinicals so far away from your home that you need a new apt? anyway: here is trulia, it is one of 100s of "apt finders" you can use: http://www.trulia.com/for_rent/Washington,DC/x_map/ ^you can sort them by price, and has "crime" map to look over, too. there are tons of similar apt finders. You can post questions under an apt you look at, and within a day, get replies. There are realtors hoveirng around on that site, too, so is easy way to find a realtor. Or, you can google "low cost apts in Washington" Or "student housing in washington" OR "Apts near Jones Hospital" or or whatever. I'd stay away from Craig's list, as some of those are scams. Oh, they list a 'real' apt, but, the person posting the ad has zero to do with that apt. Also, most apts today require "application fees" and charge $50 to $100 or more, just to apply to live there! and sometimes, they are just making cash, and have no apt to rent. also, do not put down a deposit on anything you, or someone representing you, has not seen. Those deposits can take weeks to get back again, if the landlord now says "aw geez, we rented it to someone else while you were driving here.." (can happen, read the fine print) MIght be good idea to find local realtor, too, some don't charge YOU a thing, but instead, work for various apt complexes. It seems to me, you'd be LESS likely to get scammed paying application fees for apts that are not available, or having your deposit taken for weeks. GOOD LUCK!! Be skeptical. Read reviews of the apts, (google apt reviews, or google "reviews of JONES apts or whatever)) and ask about typical utility bills,(ALL of the utiliites) and ask any hidden fees, like security 'charges', 'parkng' charges, etc. A place i was looking at, charged even single people over $150 per month for "water" bills, ever since they put in their new pool. Or, maybe your school has some website for students, you could maybe find a fellow student to share apt with. GOOD LUCK!!

What size cathalon are you usually using? I found that the smaller needles were wayyyyy more likely to give me a "delayed" flashback, and by the time that thick blood made it down to the chamber, i'd actually already gone through the vein, but, like you, i'd think, "Great, i am now IN the vein, there is my flashback" when it was just the delayed flashback which occurs more often with teeny tiny needles. Go up a size, see if that helps. some other things i found helped make IV's easier, include keeping a conversation going with patient, at all times. This keeps patient and you both relaxed. Interview the patient, find out what he is interested in, and act fascinated by that, learn from him, keep asking question on whatever it is that he is interested in. I am very good at getting people to talk, even quiet people, and lots of times, the person is so engrossed in saying their answers, as i am taping the IV in, they exclaim, "wow, that didn't even hurt!" cuz i used the most powerful of all meds----DISTRACTION. For hard to get pts, get a "chuck" (those blue bed liner squares, plastic on one side, papery on the other side). Lay the chuck with plastic side up, under the pt's arm. Do both arms, is not a bad idea either. Get a warm to almost hot wet towel, squeeze out excess water, wrap arm in that wet super warm towel, then wrap that chuck over the wet towel. Tape the chuck in place. Tape the ends very well, or use extra chucks or towels, or you'll end up with a wet sheet. ask patient to open/close fist off/on while his arms are 'soaking'. Put HOB up, if no contradictions to that. Find something to do for 5 or 10 minutes. Unwrap arm. Now, the chance the veins are bulging is increased. also, my own personal pet peeve about IV starts, is, never ever slap an arm, that drives me nutz to see anyone doing that. Not only is it useless, it hurts, it makes patient tense, and it reddens the skin so much, you might be obscuring visual cues. Instead, gently rub the vein, repeatedly, in downward way. INtermittantly, 'bounce' your finger on it, assessing how full it is, also helps dilate it. Keep running your finger down that vein, not only will that help dilate the vein, it helps you spot trouble areas like scars, curls, corners, hardened valves, etc. (THIS is when you begin your interview of the patient). Be a rubber, not a slapper, ha ha!! good luck!!

dang, this is such a great question!! I do NOT know, but, in reading some of the threads in the Specialty areas, in both the PDN threads and the Entrepreneur nurses area, i saw a post or two where some self-employed RNs hired accountants, to help them withhold quarterly taxes, to avoid that "end of year" kick. This does seem to be a concern for the self employed, is their taxes. HOPE SOMEONE WHO KNOWS sees this and stops by to help you.

It is hard to deal with psyche patients, i understand. Psyche is not my strong suite, either. I also work to maintain compassion for some patients, i hope i, in no way, came off as righteous. If i did, i apologize. I think each and every nurse, has to struggle to dig inside to find ways now and then, to find our compassion, or, find a way to let it go/not eat us inside, now and then. Maybe you might find a job at Planned Parenthood could also help you feel fulfilled, feel that fire again that you described, as that place offers the two things proven to reduce unwanted pregnancies---low cost, easy access birth control, and, education. Not that pysche patients do not want to be pregnant, no, not my point, but, many teens don't really 'want' to become pregnant, and maybe, your having seen so so many teens becoming parents while still kids themselves, might instill a passion for helping kids realize, Every time, use birth control, if you are going to be sexually active, use protection! kinda thing, who knows, might be a fire in you for this type of service. I worked at a planned parenthood for a while, loved it, reeeally felt i was helping so many. I have a soft spot for teens, always have, i see them as large sized kids in a way. As humans continue to evolve, due to changes in our diet and nutrition, NOW the female human now begins to menstruate at about age 11 or so nowadays.............. but, only 1 or 2 generations ago, these same girls' grandmothers, did not menstruate til about age 18. big change in our species in only 1 or 2 generations, eh? And often with the onset of menses, comes many of the urges and feelings brought on by hormones, far far earlier than they are emotionally or intellectually developed to deal with. I think education and birth control are even more crucial in today's world than ever before, imo. anyway, if you really do need a breather, maybe Planned Parenthood might be a place where you could bring an understanding of what is at stake for young kids who are more careless about their gonads than they should be. Or even volunteering. for real, for me, anyway, whenever i feel dry inside, i always get renewed again, by volunteering. I volunteer in many kinds of orgs, from dogs to politics to poverty centers to community centers of all kinds to helping the blind, or oldsters (i also love oldsters) or teens at risk, to environmental groups. I find volunteering to be a very selfish thing, really, i get more out of it, than i am ever able to give. This might be something else to consider trying, to "rejuice" your own heart, for YOUR benefit. I know, i know, it makes no sense, here you are--tired, struggling to cope with things in front of you, and here i am, saying "do more!" it makes no sense, but, for real, volunteering is so beneficial to stressed out people!! It's NOT like your job, i promise. whatever is your passion, be it dogs or babies at risk or politics or old people or poverty stricken people or your towns historical groups or whatever, find a group involved in your passion, and go there, pitch in, and see what happens inside your own heart. Worth a shot, anyway, cuz keeping one's heart soft can take actual effort now and then, especially when onslaughts of trials come along. good luck!!

OHhhh, oh my, i hadn't actually called my local Livescan provider to see if they can send my fingerprints to florida........wow, good to know, hadn't thought of THAT!! but, i am using L1 Identity Solutions, (might be same as your L1 Enrollment..?) and it IS listed as a company that is okay with FL bon, but, it never crossed my mind to ask if they can send my prints to florida...what! oh no. i will call them tomorrow, to ask if my local L1 Identity Solutions can send my prints to florida...oh i sure hope so! wow, i'm so glad you posted!! thanks for the heads up on yet another hoop to jump through to get a FL license!!!