ScrappingTrojan

I posted an inquiry last year about this issue. Seems like no one is really recycling at work. My coworkers and I have formed a green committee on our unit but are getting nowhere with the powers that be. Our unit managers seem supportive, but they say Environmental Services isn't very cooperative. So we've taken it upon ourselves to collect and take to our home recyling bins whatever we can, but it's less than a drop in the bucket. Hopefully in the new building my hospital is putting we'll have some space for bins. What's that quote? "We must be the change we hope to effect" or something like that?

Are there any pediatric hospice nurses here? I've been working in peds for 8 years, 6 as an RN. I have cared for dying pts with Cystic Fibrosis and am very interested in hospice nursing. I'm curious about what a "typical" workday is like for a hospice nurse.

We're wondering at work about recycling efforts on your units/job sites. Specifically, do you recycle (not reuse) things like sterile water containers? Would love to hear about your recycling efforts...

So I take it you're happy with the decision? Where in SoCal did you move from? Do you work in Ft. Worth or Dallas? I have family and a friend in and around Dallas, so it would make sense for me to move there. And it is actually on my "Find Your Spot" List. :) Sorry for all the nosey questions, I've just really been struggling with this decision and I'd love all the feedback I can get from someone who's been through it, KWIM?

Findyourspot.com is really interesting and asks all the really important questions. Thanks for posting that Mitchsmom!

Oh yeah, San Francisco and Southern California are great if you're young and don't care about buying a house, by all means come and work here.

Hey, wanna be neighbors? Seriously, doesn't ANYONE live there? Or are y'all keeping it your little secret?

I'm a peds RN in Los Angeles, hoping against all hope that the housing market crashes in Southern California so I can afford a home. But, I seriously doubt that will happen, so I've been thinking about moving to Texas. I have family in Dallas, which I like alright, but I've been reading about The Woodlands, Texas and it seems like it's a nice community and close enough to Houston to give this city girl some diversion and a living wage. What information can you give me regarding places to live, work, and have an interesting life? Mind you, I'm waaay over the partying scene, so that's not my idea of fun. I'd love to hear opinions on the community, hospitals and their atmospheres, typical wages etc. If anyone can recommend a great place to live that offers affordable home ownership to a single gal, I'd love to hear that as well!!!

I agree with the above posters about renting being a waste of money, I should know, that's all I've ever done. And with the housing situation as it is in Southern California, I'll probably keep renting. It's really sad that I was born and raised in LA and despite having a BSN and making decent money, I'm still priced out of SoCal. I can't even afford Compton on my own. I've actually been giving a lot of thought to moving to Texas, Dallas or Houston. Is anyone from The Woodlands, Texas? I've become fascinated by this community and would love to hear some feedback about it. I LOVE LOVE LOVE living in LA, but I'd like to be a homeowner some day, I just don't think it's realistic here.

The parents on our unit can come and go anytime, both are technically allowed to stay however usually only one stays because they can usually only fit one person on the couch. But if both parents are really slim, they sleep together on the couch. All other visitors are in from 9am to 9pm, but our particular unit is very relaxed about visiting hours and numbers of visitors. With our demographics (largely Latino and quite a few Armenians), we are as flexible as possible to cultural norms. The part that gets tricky is with our older pts (18 and over) who have significant others. It really varies, but when I'm in charge I make sure to let them no that they can spend the night as long as the roommate and their family is ok with it and there is NO HANKY PANKY going on. I've not had a problem with that yet.

As with everything in nursing, you'll learn how to deal with kids. But I totally agree with the post above about looking into a facilty with a good preceptorship, internship program, residency, etc. Working with an experienced peds nurse will make all the difference in the world. Godd luck!!

Please just remember you can't always "make them better." Often helping them die with dignity will be how you help them.

I fall asleep driving, standing up, on the toilet, so a bit of California sunshine from my wide open window doesn't bother me. :chuckle

At our peds hospital, being VIP just means you get your own room (which rarely happens). If anything, the only concession they get is having the more affable nurses. Being in L.A. though, a LOT of people think they are VIP, even without the financial contribution/political ties. :rotfl:

We had a neurology resident write in a progress note: "Unable to assess pt d/t pt in a cage." The pt was in a Veil bed.