rambisisking

I hope you are very young and that you spend many many years being what you appear to be. Nursing needs you desperately and needs you to influence as many others as you can through your presence. If you truly believe what your words say then I pray the Gods give you the patience and tolerance to deal with many of those that you will work with that have quite a different idea of what nursing actually means. I'm afraid I got too old and tired to continue to take it on any longer. To all: there is much to be learned from this one, pay attention.

I have just decided to leave nursing. Just 2 days ago in fact, my family and I sat down and made that decision together after I had been in bed for 3 weeks with mono and strep. I"ll be 53 years old in a few weeks and I have "MONO". I am the nurse that was "called",for almost 33 years I am the nurse that put my patients before myself always. I am that nurse that Never cared what I was paid as long as I could give comfort and continue to give more. I am that person because that is the only thing that I know how to be and the only thing that I can be. That doesn't make me anything but true to me. It doesn't make me better than any other nurse alive or dead. I have been that in every area that I have worked in for my nursing life. In 1980 I quit a job for another at a 3 dollar pay cut, pretty much everyone I knew thought I should be committed. It was however the right thing for me to do for me. Anyone of "Us" nurses who felt that we were called to nursing in this way went above and beyond what most people thought was reasonable. But let there be no doubt about it, We do it all for ourselves. We do it because it is what we do and If we didn't do it that way "WE" would not be fulfilled. That does not make us selfish and that does not make us Angels, it also makes us no different that any nurse who is in it for the money. You see Timothy, there are various kinds of payment and to many of us the money never could equal the emmence fullfillment of being the person that you are meant to be and having the ability to carry that out. I have given to patients to their families to their friends more than I could ever tally, but again make no mistake about this, In balance on a scale, what I have given is monsterously out weighed by what I recieved in return. I started out in med surg then went to nicu, then to mental health, then nursing homes and now private duty peds special needs kids. I am the person who worked 12 hours to complete an 8 hour shift in the nursing home, because during the 8 hours of work there were actual human beings that needed my attention so I gave that and stayed to finish chores and paperwork. I am the nurse that was in the office every morning fighting for patients rights, I am the nurse who spent days in the hospital when my patients were admitted and their parents were unable to be there. My mouth was rarely shut when it came to matters of patient care and saftey, respect of staff and patients, I was a pain in the (&%^ to administration sometimes. However, I have lasting friendships with many family members and friends of former patients, my son has people that are his addopted "aunts and uncles" from these friendships. I can't imagine what my life would have been without these circumstances because this is what I do and what fullfills me. It has been for me and it has been a blessing to me to have the ability to do it. I just simply can't anymore! I believe I am tapped out. I'm not burdened by my work, I don't give a rats $&*( about the money, I don't have a problem with co-workers or administration. It's a 1 to 1 ratio in private duty, and there is no politics in my job. I just ran out of gas, my tires are flat and my block cracked, I'm done. I hope some of you who are contemplating leaving nursing really search your soul and if you really feel that you can make a difference and if you feel you have the strength to fight and loose and fight again, I hope you try. If you really feel that what you get is not enough, no matter if that is pay or another kind of payment then maybe it's time to go. Just remember there are many things worth fighting for and it isn't always dollars and cents. I hope nursing can elevate a bit I do pray for that. I hope you all find what feeds you, it's the only way that you can really give unselfishly. This has been a fun ride.....see ya. Mimi

I think we are getting awfully "puffy" in the head if we think that Flo should be tossed to the curb. Why is it that when something progresses we immediately want to disregard the founders of the institution? The struggles she faced and the courage it took to forge this path for MEN and women should weigh heavily in someones recognition. Nursing would not be better without Flo... Nursing would not BE without Flo.

"That Florence Nightengale stuff" Yeah, we wouldn't want to listen to her.... after all... What does she know about nursing?

"Abnormal Lifestyle" ha ha ha ha ha ha ha Please give us the definetion of a "Normal Lifestyle" As far as I know...Normal is a setting on my washing machine. That's about it. Shame on you

No Baby, You will be the better nurse at this point unless she developes some empathy. That is one of the battles that we must fight as nurses in our selves. I really think that you understand what is being promoted here. From what you say, You are seeing the fact that situations will arise when you have to just act for the patients welfare because in all situations you MUST keep your GOAL in mind. That is the patients welfare. You also consider their emotional well being part of their welfare and you should and so you at the time make the decision whether it is better for THEM (not you) that you spend those next minutes doing or explaining so that you can do with them in a good frame of mind. Does that sentence make any sense to you...I'm not sure If I explained well. It sounds jumbled to me, but You have to make nursing decisions and sometimes you have to make them very quickly. You will learn to do quicker evals. on what is needed at the time, I know YOU will because you question it all. You should...We all should! And for anyone of us to tell her that it is wrong for her to debate or question these things....Shame on you. Ego's need to go bye-bye! Question everything that gives you doubt, make sure you truly understand what you are doing and why and be sure that you agree with it or at least see the reason for it, This is how we become the strong intellegent nurses that we are expecting our patients to depend on. I don't ever want a nurse that does something that she feels is wrong or doubts just because she was told to do it. And if that takes a few extra minutes to do that it is because you are focusing on the patients welfare....now that being said, there are times that their welfare depends on you acting and not talking. I personally would want someone like you in charge of my care because I could depend on you to make the best decision at the time taking my whole being into consideration. I know that because I see you questioning in every one of your posts what is the best thing for your patient. The delima is to balance our empathy with our responsibility and we cannot even attempt to do this without questioning and debating. Don't stop this, even when you are considered a troublemaker, your patients depend on it.

Hey, every now and then I get something right.

I am getting that corvette guy is saying that anal sex presents it's own problems even in a monogams relationship, could that be right corvette guy?

Oh heck no, you're not alone by any means. And here's what I think...What a healthy way to relieve stress. Other than a headache now and then from crying , it's the best way to clean away and freshen up. Just like a good rain. Did you ever see the movie "Broadcast News" ? Holly Hunter does it every morning before she goes into her world of stress and then functions just fine. Good for you for crying instead of pouring all your stress out on to others, It has to come out somehow or it makes you sick.

Thank you very much James, you gave me some places to start.

I was wondering if there were some PDN's out there who could give me some advice. I have worked private duty peds in home for the past 8 years, I work through an agency but would like to know how it works when you are on your own. How do you find patients, who do you bill, how do you deal with your own health and other insurance? I'd appreciate it if someone could take the time to help me with these questions. Thanks

I'm not sure this is fair. This poster is asking a question concerning the wellfair of people. That shows me that she has the patients welfare utmost in mind. No where did she say that we should not act in an emergency when needed. She only questioned why she has not seen an overall attitude regarding this issue for patients and even for herself as a patient. To question her desire to be a nurse does not seem to be the issue here as she is already showing concern for patients rights. As nurses, you bet we have the responsibility to explain procedures to our patients, That attempt must be made, and then yes...for crying out loud...if you have an 89 year old confused patient flailing about you may have to just act and not continue to try to explain. That is a nursing judgement, and certinally in emergency situations this would hold a different priorety. But please do not let our ego's deny her stand which she is stating most respectively. What she is asking for is respect back and wanting to give this to her patients. I have been a nurse for 33 years, and yes, I would call out any nurse, doctor, or tech. for not explaining to me or to a loved one or to anyone what they are about to do and why. And I have! Because this is the profession that you choose does not mean that you have to agree with all that you see to be a part of it. I think it is very good to have new eyes to point out some things that we forget or overlook in our very busy schedules. This is how we continue our high standards and progress.

Please do not choose nursing. Your focus, from what you say is not on nursing but on how much money you will make. This should not be the reason anyone becomes a nurse. In My Opinion only, You may be a wonderful person and I am not taking anything away from that. However we already have enough people in nursing who's goals are money and power, I was hoping to see a change in that before I leave this earth. I truly mean no offense.

As I read through this thread I begin to see a pattern, this has something to do with being 29?....maybe? But seriously, being overloaded is enough to do this to you. Your brain can only hold so much and soon the overflow is lost . However I do think you should see a Doc as Marie says. It is very likely that you are not eating and resting well and could be deficent in something. Now when you get to my age and it happens again...well, just go with it.

Mother Theresa said it best: People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self centered; Forgive them anyway! If you are kind people may accuse you of selfish, unterior motives; Be kind anyway! If you are sucessful you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Be sucessful anyway! If you are frank and honest some people may cheat you; Be frank and honest anyway! What you spend years building someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway! If you find serenity and happiness they may be jealous; Be happy anyway! The good you do today people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway! Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway! You see in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway!

I see this topic as only a symptom of the larger problem in the big picture. "We really need to support one another..." Yes! Yes! Everyday in all we do we need to support each other as human beings in this world trying to learn and grow together. We all have demons and we all have gifts, our challenge is to use our gifts to rise above our demons. We as a race have not learned to do this in our everyday life and so those that are able to do this are regarded as special or above the rest. I truly believe that the standard of who we are should be that of what we consider heros. An example: I was driving to work one day on a country road, I noticed an older woman carring a child crossing the road in front of me going to her mailbox. I began to slow down...DUH! As she crossed the road the child dropped her stuffed animal. I came to a stop and got out and picked up the dropped item and got the 2 across the street safely. The neighbors on either side who were outside gathered at the side of the road and clapped for me:uhoh3: . I was confused...would they have expected me to do less? Am I somehow special because I acted like a human being? This is the attitude that I see everyday and have seen more often in my latter years. People have come to expect apathy and disrespect from others so much that when it is shown it's somehow special. I find this very sad and wish we could all understand that we are all connected and our individual acts can actually raise us all up or bring us all down. Our gifts and how we use them are the key to our growth. I feel that the attitude you expressed is a truly caring and uplifting way to conduct your life and to share with others. But I believe it should be the baseline, we should all start from there and grow in power and ability. I'm a dreamer, have been since I was young...In highschool, I truly thought that if I could just have Richard and Nikita over for tea we could work out all the problems. Those of you who are old enough will know what I mean. But I do believe this is what all the Great Teachers have tried to teach us, Tolerance, love and appreciation of each other. I still have hope. We could begin here.

:thankya: :thankya: and what's more ...Thank Ya! Spoken like a true human being.

Yes, I had a similar experience for about 17 years at one facility and had many of the responsibilities that you have mentioned. At one point when the admin. and assist. admin were both gone, I was given the keys and was in charge because the DON went in early to have her baby. Also we had an unbelievable CNA, who we all relied on for just about everything, I and several others talked her into getting her Admin. lincense and in time I was working for the CNA who used to be under my direction, who I trained, and she was Marvelous...Lets open our eyes and ears and our minds may follow.

OH MY! Yes this has to be fixed... We can't have something like that occuring. If this makes you mad as hell you might want to take a look at what is going on around the world, listen to the news and find something to really get your feathers ruffled about, something that is really a travisty. This should not be an issue, it wouldn't be if not for ego. If anyone is worried about the legality of it then find out the answer, other than that what is this about?

You are so right, in my younger years I used to THINK that seeing was believing. Now that I'm old, I KNOW that believing is seeing.

:thankya: Now if a few HUNDRED BILLION more people could really live their lives this way we may actually get somewhere.

Well, that's interesting, not sure why but when I saw them I thought of Flubber,lol. Btw, Love your artwork Roy.

I've gotten kind of used to it by now, my son is soon to be 14 and has been doing this for years. He is always diagnosing his friends and telling them what they should do or having them come see me. In the notes he leaves he uses the abv. for with, without, after and before. But even when he was too young to really pronounce some of the words, I overheard him say to a friend with a cold, "You should boil some water and breathe some LOOK UP LETTUCE. Translation...Eucalyptus. Told another friend once who was scratching her arm that he would go get some HYDROGEN-QUARTERS for her to rub on her arm and she would stop itching. Translation...Hydrocortisone. I'm glad he understands some of the reasons for treating simple things and can do it for himself, wish he would have learned the medical term for brushing your teeth...lol.

I have really not worked a job for a long time where finding my own replacement wasn't a necessity. I do understand the dilemna you are proposing however, and I don't think I would ever leave my dying child for any reason, for anybody, for anything. That seems an unusual situation to use as an example, but would I leave my sick child, possibly. I would weigh the situation and make the best decision possible with my options. If for instance his father was there with him, I MAY leave him, If my mother was there or mother in law, then possibly, there are situations where that could happen since you are talking about extreem situations. But again, this is an emergency situation having a sick or dying child, that does not fall in the same catagory as planning to walk out on your job on a certain day at a certain time, for as long as it takes to get what you want. I am not in any way saying that you or anyone else has no right to be a nurse, and I take no offense in your post. I am the only mom to my son also, I know exactly what you are talking about. I know poor conditions for patients and staff, and I see that sometimes changes are necessary to fight for. I just don't see striking as the answer. I am only talking from my experience and knowledge, I have been able to make changes at almost every place I have worked. I am only an LPN, I just have a big mouth and search for people with power to back the cause if necessary. I have been known as a trouble maker in the past when fighting for patients rights and that's all right with me. But I agree with Timothy, unions are not the way to unite nurses. We need an organization formed with the goals and ideals that nursing was founded on to back nurses...ALL NURSES! I just feel that making changes that need to happen should not involve abandoning patients. If we keep talking about this we will only gain a deeper understanding of what is really out there to tackle. I think this debate is a very necessary and benificial one, someone will have the right idea if we all keep our minds open.

Yeah, What he said!