lmz

I have dealt with SAD for years and live in Alaska. I know that I am better where it is sunny, but not necessarily rid of it. My family members, who still live in California, are okay until they get 3 weeks of rain and then they are all in a blue funk, same for general winter even there. The short of it is that you may be able to take less anti-depressant, but not necessarily none. I've tried that. I lived in San Diego for a summer and was depressed even with the sun and without anti-depressants. I also wonder about something you said regarding anti-depressant not taking care of all the problem. A good hard (often difficult) look at one's emotional issues helps. And I believe the recommendation is to use both meds and psychotherapy together. Hope this helps in your understanding, even if it doesn't give you the answer you want. good Luck.

I was told by a seasoned nurse that Lovenox (enoxaparin) is never given anywhere but in the abdomen, especially not in the arm. My drug book simply says give only in abdomen (but doesn't say why not elsewhere), but my pharmacology text does not specify location, just that it is given SC. I have done a search on the web and find reputable journal articles showing that it is given SC in abdomen and arms. I am trying to determine the pathophysiology against using the fatty tissue over the triceps. I need to understand why the arm is no good for Lovenox. I saw a patient with extensive bleeding in the arm from a Lovenox injection, but by his description of how much the injection hurt, I would guess it was not a SC but an IM injection. I would appreciate being pointed in the direction of a source with the answer to this question. I'm trying to develop my practice based on evidence. Thanks!

This was very helpful, especially your reasoning. And it seems that the majority agrees with your analysis. So this is the example I will follow. BSN, RN....

I found the greatest white pants on line. I think I found them at allheart.com. The brand name is "can't see through these" -no kidding. And you can't! I hope they still carry them so you can purchase some.

Does anyone know the rule for putting acronyms behind your name? I have a BSN. I got that first, then the RN. So am I BSN, RN? Or RN,BSN? It's confusing, since there are so many RNs who have returned to school to get their BSN (RN,BSN?). And what about specialty designations such as CCRN? Any help from some of the seasoned nurses out there, would be appreciated. Thanks!

There are only one or two places where your specialty will matter. That would be in Anchorage and probably Wasilla. I'm not sure about Fairbanks, but I think it is a small hospital. All the other places you could work will entail multiple pt types and acuities. One caveat, having lived here for 13 years and seen many people move to Alaska to work only to turn around and leave. It is very dark all winter, unless you stay down in Juneau, where it is not so dark all the time. It is often very cold. Because I have seen MANY people come here for a job only to find they can't handle winter, which is very long, I would suggest you try a travel nursing stint in winter. If you like that, you'll do okay here. While it is a lovely place all the time, the darkness can be very difficult. Summer time is a blast here. We all run ourselves ragged trying to fit in a lot before winter comes. Regardless of the time of year, the people are all pretty darned nice. Good luck.

I graduated in May 2004, then had my son. Now I am looking for work as a first time nurse, not exactly new grad. But so many positions state that previous experience of 1-5 years is required- and many positions remain vacant for months. I can't really move just anywhere, so I am a little strapped in terms of where I apply, but even so, I am wondering where are the jobs for the new nurses, to help with the shortage? Is there something I am missing? Should I be looking for some keyword that suggests a new grad may apply? Or should I apply anyway? Thanks for any pointers you can give.

Can't you file a hostile workplace suit? I know here in Alaska, this is one way of getting admin off their butts with longterm problems. I'm not sure of the definition of hostile, but this is at least dangerous. Geeze, good luck with this.

Yep, I had one 4 years ago and was working as a PT Aide at the time. I went back to work in 5 days. I was on my feet 8 hr/day, but not lifting pts. I had some pain controllable w/extra strength tylenol. I didn't have any complications. Good luck.

I got my RN license Juen 2004, then became a mama Oct 2004. I have not yet WORKED as an RN. I was a good student and planned to make positive impacts in the lives of my patients and the nursing profession. I aspire to become a nurse educator. But now, I feel my job is to be mama to my son, until he is a year old. I am so fortunate that my husband's work can easily support us. Still, I am afraid I will not get hired if I wait 16 months to begin my practice. Will I still be competetive with other new, more recent grads? I'm accruing CEU's to maintain my license, and if I start work next October, I'll have one year to get the minimum number of clinical hours I need to maintain my license. Your input would be appreciated. Thanks! lmz