BeckRN

I don't think its just DC. There's property theft and vandalism in all major urban areas. Sorry you're having such a rough time of it, but DC does have some redeeming qualities.

We also don't utilize LPNs in our critical care areas. And I empathize with the OP... I remember at my last position (on an oncology floor), it wasn't uncommon for me to be the only RN with 3 LPNs... I'd have to be charge, have my own 8 patient assignment, do their initial admission assessments, careplans, IV bolus medications.. it was very difficult. I agree, speaking to management about this. Is staffing really sporifice on your floor (as it is everywhere)? Would it be possible to work with 2 RNs on the floor and 1 LPN?

I think a lot of this story is missing, and I don't blame you for not posting such sensitive information on a bb. In fact, I think its wise. All I'll say is that I hope you fought the charge, and that you can save your license (after all, you did say suspended and not revoked... is it suspended for a finite time period? when can you expect it back?). Otherwise, I'd hate to say that any education is a waste of time, but you can't be a forensic nurse if you're not a nurse. You can seek other employment in that field, if that's what you'd like. Good luck to you.

I'd say no, its not *always* different. What type of post-op patients are you generally receiving? What type of nursing care do they require? If you're concerned, talk to your NM about it before you come off of orientation. This is why I find it helpful to do share or shadow days before I take a position... then you can talk to the nurses that actually work the floor and they'll tell you the real story. Not that I think administration is generally deceptive, but they're not there, working that floor, shift after shift, like the staff nurses are. I've been in more than one working situation where the actual conditions were much worse than advertised, and I've left. Don't be afraid to do that if you feel like your license or your mental health is in jeopardy.

I draw blood routinely, and am so good at it I'm known facility-wide as the resource person for difficult blood draws and IV starts. That is both a blessing and a curse, as you can imagine. We don't even have a phlebotomist.

We tape report, and it works well for us. The oncoming shift listens to the report from 7-7:30, we cover the floor, and then we go home. If we don't have time to tape (which rarely happens), we'll give a verbal, nurse to nurse report. Either way, we almost always leave on time because of the half hour overlap.

I agree with Bob here. If we want to leave the facility we have to have a super's permission and clock out and back in upon return. I think its more of a facility liability issue than a control one. I hope you gave another nurse report on your patients before you left, or you could be dealing with a lot more than just termination... namely maintaining your licensure with the state BON after a charge of abandonment. Just thinking aloud here... if I had a supervisor that was 'out to get me' (thankfully I haven't been in that situation), I don't think I would give her any ammunition to use. I hope your next job is better. LTC in general is an area I would never want to work in.

I read this the other night. I definitely think it smacks of boundary crossing. What I couldn't get over was the woman's cavalier attitude about it and the way she said "she knew" that eventually she'd give someone a kidney. As if she's picking up a box of donuts. I don't know, I think its strange. I've been very emotionally attached to some of my patients, but I'd never give them an organ.

I just realized I didn't answer your question. I haven't heard that much about Excelsior, and what I have heard hasn't been positive. If you feel confident in your skills (and remember being a nurse is very different from being a medic), and your ability to arrange effective clinical, I don't see any reason why you couldn't do it, but I'd wager you'd feel more prepared both clinically and didactically with a traditional brick and mortar program. At least for your ADN. Just my .02.

I think as long as your program is accredited, you should be fine. Remember that UoP also has brick and mortar campuses, so the person who is reviewing your academic record may not know that your program was online. I think online RN to BSN programs are fine, I'll even go so far as to say MSN programs wtih concentrations in fields such as leadership/management or education are fine. Advanced clinical degrees, though, such as an NP or CNS... I think it would be difficult to self-arrange consistent, quality, directed clinical experiences. Interestingly, I was a medic before I became a nurse. I went through a traditional program. Good luck with whatever you decide.

I use the alcohol handwash between patients, before/after giving meds, etc. I always do a soap and water wash whenever my hands are visibly soiled or if I've had gloves on.