stevesf

The multi-tasking "skill" is over-rated. Yes, you do get pulled in several directions at once on a floor, but this is also how errors happen. And it is always the nurse's fault, BTW. The main problem I hear in this is what another poster alluded to, ...

Yes, we did in CT. The first part is to treat the IM's like human beings. Part 2 for the per diem nurses was two days of training similar to Krav Maga and Jujitsu, as part of the "mini" Academy. It was very intense, and used gross motor skills. F...

I'm a guy, and I dislike the V-neck on every top. Also, almost all of the tops are way too short to tuck in. The only one I've found is the new Grey's Anatomy line that is at least 4 inches linger, and stays tucked in. I'm 5'-10", 185 lbs with a s...

Thanks for the good work. Steve

If the pt seems like they're receptive, I'll walk in with their heparin injection, and tell them that the regular syringe was missing [hold hands a foot apart], this little syringe was all I could find, and will that be OK? Or, during my initial asse...

Interesting blog by a physician. This essay reiterates what most of us know, who have had exposure to healthcare in other countries. I've worked for multi-national corporations myself, and can attest to horror stories in other "progressive" (For th...

Hi, I shadowed with a great instructor in her SICU, and felt that after other clinical experiences at the same hospital (on the floors), that the unit was the only place I would have considered working in that facility. The main reason was the crew ...

Never mind the fabric, here's a top made out of beer itself! http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/03/clothing_made_o.php

Hey, that "sea foam/peach" . . . is that like green/orange?

My approach has been to announce in the break room that I have really bad aim, and that I'm putting the toilet seat up before and leaving it up after so that it will remain clean. (My aim isn't any worse than anyone else, and I make sure that I wipe...

This thread is a scream . . . I'l be starting my first nursing job in June, and after reading the PMS comments, I'll interested to see if my GF can get in sync with the women at work! Maybe I'll write a paper for one of the journals. The scrubs ar...

New Britain would place you nearer to the center of the state, and would make commuting to clinical sites (Hospital of St. Raphael??) fairly easy. Do not believe the advice about living in Danbury (as one reply mentioned) and commuting down RT 25 - ...

The short answer to this is that the school wants you to succeed, and feel that distractions like work can compromise that goal, unless you are very motivated and have complete support from home. They are still a young program, and the first-time NC...

Ours are navy blue polo shirt, white pants w/ drawstring and cargo pockets, short white lab coat. The mens' pants are pretty opaque, so the female students are buying them now. The lab coat is a little weird, because it has no lapels like the med s...

I had a disagreement with a nurse about this. She's married to a physician, and has some sort of inferiority complex about what she does. She feels that being a doctor is a profession, like a lawyer, but nursing is a trade. I asked her if she mean...

A lot of good responses here. I'm still a student, but if the situation warrants, I'll ask the client if they are uncomfortable about me performing the cath. etc. If they do, I'll still perform it (afer all, I am their student nurse!), but I'll ask...

Yes, but wait until a nurse has a complaint about dangerous staffing ratios, or other unsafe management decisions. Try and pass THAT information along . . . Steve

Hi, This site explains what your responsibilities can include as a GN in CT: http://www.dph.state.ct.us/Licensure/apps/grad_nurse_info.pdf When did you take your test and where? I graduate in May 07 from Gateway in North Haven. Steve

I was a tree climber during pre-reqs (still a State licensed arborist, but getting way too old to do this), and I'm currently a truck driver. When another truck breaks down and needs to be repaired, I give up my truck to the other driver, since we d...

Nothing against any of the choices others have made, but for me, the choice was simple. I looked into diploma, ADN, BSN and direct-entry MSN programs. I already have a BS. My primary care provider graduated from a direct-entry MSN program, and the...

I had that second situation happen to me several weeks ago. The nurse (a crusty old manager) told me "she had to check with the pt and see if she minded if I took care of her. She's a nurse here and doesn't want a male student". My instructor had ...

You had my ear (and sympathy) until I read the last line: "It is just so awful that we think we live in a free world but corporate america has us well under-control." How in the world do we go from a problem with one instructor to bashing almost eve...

Hi, At our orientation several months ago, it was strongly suggested that we buy a Littman stethoscope. Not a very expensive one, but as another poster said, the entry level Littmans seem to be better than the bookstore cheapies. Yeah, I'd like to...

Hi, Here's a few links from a paper I did for a biology class last year. I've also had a friend with this, and he participated in the timed light study at Yale (it worked for him!). Steve http://www.ynhh.org/healthlink/mentalhealth/mentalhealth_12_0...

I have been accepted into a newly accredited ADN program, which will cost me less than $ 6,000 and 21 months to complete (my pre-reqs are complete-only clinicals and nursing courses to take). Also, I have been officially accepted into a BSN program...