MCF

I like your end quote - thanks!

actually the one on ruby lane is from a different state, and has already been sold - but i appreciate the heads-up! mcf

I've checked pawn shops in the city where mine disappeared, but you gave me the idea of checking in the city/state where I went to school - thanks!

I like your end quote! Thanks!

Hey! I see there's already a thread about "what you think of nursing pins", but I've been online for hours about this and this is my last stop tonight! Briefly, I got my RN 18 years ago, after 10 years as an NA and LPN. For most of my career, frankly I didn't wear my pin, although at times I had a little clip-on "badge holder" with it and other pins. Two or 3 years ago, it was "lost" at the huge hospital where I worked. Offered $100 cash reward - no luck. Someone could have hocked it for a few bucks, or maybe it fell in a trash can. Since then, I've been out of work due to chronic illness, waiting for disability settlement any day now. How many seniors and disabled people have I felt for, in their sense of being a "has been" or a "nothing"? I've made a point of not asking people, "What did you USED to do?" (substitute, "What kind of work have you done?"). My point: now it would mean a lot for me to have that school pin, or even a pin from any "St John's Hospital and/or Nursing School". My school merged with a university, and they don't even make those pins any more. Maybe someone out there has a "St John's" pin that they don't want. Or you may have some info that I have yet to find searching the Web. One site had almost 300 old nursing pins! but not one I could use. Lots of St Mary's and St Luke's,etc, etc. Finally, let me just say, "Don't be too quick to decide you don't want/need that pin." Try looking down the road a few decades, when you may be retired or disabled or in another field. That pin might be a priceless memento from this unique part of your life. Or you could just go out and get one of those cute "I Love Nursing" pins with the syringe, bandaid, etc! Oh, I will always be a nurse, whether for pay, as a volunteer, or just as a big part of "who I am". Thanks for being here:nurse:Marie

Hey! I see there's already a thread about "what you think of nursing pins", but I've been online for hours about this and this is my last stop tonight! Briefly, I got my RN 18 years ago, after 10 years as an NA and LPN. For most of my career, frankly I didn't wear my pin, although at times I had a little clip-on "badge holder" with it and other pins. Two or 3 years ago, it was "lost" at the huge hospital where I worked. Offered $100 cash reward - no luck. Someone could have hocked it for a few bucks, or maybe it fell in a trash can. Since then, I've been out of work due to chronic illness, waiting for disability settlement any day now. How many seniors and disabled people have I felt for, in their sense of being a "has been" or a "nothing"? I've made a point of not asking people, "What did you USED to do?" (substitute, "What kind of work have you done?"). My point: now it would mean a lot for me to have that school pin, or even a pin from any "St John's Hospital and/or Nursing School". My school merged with a university, and they don't even make those pins any more. Maybe someone out there has a "St John's" pin that they don't want. Or you may have some info that I have yet to find searching the Web. One site had almost 300 old nursing pins! but not one I could use. Lots of St Mary's and St Luke's,etc, etc. Finally, let me just say, "Don't be too quick to decide you don't want/need that pin." Try looking down the road a few decades, when you may be retired or disabled or in another field. That pin might be a priceless memento from this unique part of your life. Or you could just go out and get one of those cute "I Love Nursing" pins with the syringe, bandaid, etc! Oh, I will always be a nurse, whether for pay, as a volunteer, or just as a big part of "who I am". Thanks for being here:nurse:Marie

Yes, I need a job, but I'm an RN. Ten years exp in LTC plus more in med-surg. Must work in the central/Middletown area. Just had a disappointing experience due to a chronic health condition. I was out of work quite a bit last year, so I agreed to come in two nights without pay to "shadow" the regular nurse and prove that I could do the job. She and I were both enthused and sure that I could. Never did that before and never will again! They would rather keep paying an agency than take a chance on someone with a disability. Think I'll call the Dept of Labor tomorrow. Oh well - I believe in myself and so do a lot of other people. Can't afford to get sucked under by resentment or self-pity. "God bless us all!"

thanks for your response - yes, I dumped the inadequate shrink who was supposedly an ADD specialist. I have many years experience dealing with my moods, including 10 years in 12 Step Recovery. Great stuff! The re-programming approach at the web sites I mentioned is most encouraging, as a drug-free treatment (hopefully!)of the roots rather than the symptoms.

Hi, sorry I don't have time to read ALL these posts today, even though I'm not gainfuly emloyed. But I have to relate one of my horror stories. I was being treated for ADD last year (finally got an official dx). Strattera exacerbated my interstitial cystitis, so the doc tried Concerta. I took it for 2 weeks, and then stopped because I was feeling more aggressive and impulsive which increased my interpersonal problems on the job. Yes, my manager and co-workers were informed and supportive, but that only goes so far when the workload is putting everyone into meltdown. Anyway, 2 weeks later I found that my manager had audited most of my work during that two week period and found an incredible number of errors, ranging from the trivial ("she never complained about that before!") to the serious: e.g., I had entered some work as being completed when in fact I didn't even begin it. This was following on the heels of a few incidents where I made awful mistakes even though I was really trying. For instance, failing to report a patient who was apparently suicidal. I'm wondering if other people with either bipolar and/or persistent anger/aggressiveness have similar problems with stimulants. I've found some benefit from an online training program at http://www.brainsynconline.com. Also http://www.ADHDfree.com. has lots of info that may already be familiar to you. Anyway, I just wanted to make a little contribution - see you all later, Marie

Sounds like you may have some interesting stories about patients in those categories? (Republicans, lawyers, sports figures, journalists) How do you find out the political affiliation of all your patients? Personally, I try to avoid controversial topics on the job - why add to the stress! But some folks find it exhilarating!:Snow:

Hi again! I appreciate all the helpful responses to my request for advice about sedentary jobs. Now I'm thinking of writing a paper on a subject which has influenced me deeply: COLLEAGUE ABUSE, sometimes called NURSE ABUSE or STAFF ABUSE or . . . Several years ago, I saw some articles on the subject in popular nursing magazines. There was a consensus that nurses have "often" treated each other with less respect, empathy, etc. than we treat our patients. It makes sense, sadly, that when we are under tremendous pressure not only to get the job done, but to present the image of being always kind, patient, wise, highly informed . . . when "something has to give", it gives in our behavior to the person with least clout, our fellow nurse. Is this truly improving? Is there an overall trend, or does it just depend on where you are? I have quite a few horror stories, and I would like to understand some of the variables involved. Such as, treatment of colleagues as a function of one's inner self-confidence, sense of job security, degree of autonomy, support from management. I'm not looking so much for more horror stories, but for your perception of trends, variables, constructive approaches. Thanks, GB, Marie RN:Singing:

:Melody: Thanks for responding! I have considered teaching.

TO HENAYNEI: Thanks for sharing so much of your story with me; I think we can find encouragement sometimes simply from being survivors. As for your move to N. Carolina, my cousin moved there recently - near the coast. He says many areas are no longer "rural" as in down-home, lower cost of living, but that it is becoming an upscale retirement haven. I hope you will find what you want and need. Peace to you and yours, Marie RN:Singing:

TO BIPLEY AND DAYTONITE: Thanks very much for your timely responseS. I will look into these possibilities. Sincerely, Marie RN:Melody:

I used to be a very active, outdoors person. One thing I loved about nursing was being able to get up and move around pretty much ad lib, balancing the paperwork with the patient care, etc. I loved the greater autonomy of working nights and long-term care. For five years, I've had a very painful organic illness (Interstitial Cystitis)which has almost entirely disabled me. But recently, on a temp job giving flu shots, I realized that yes there is still work that I can do, as long as I'm sitting down all the time (in between half-hourly bathroom breaks!) I have no special training in QA, UR,etc although I've done my share of JCAHO-mandated databases, MDS's, and such. Any suggestions? I have varied experience over the past 26 years, and used to be good at Hospice care, but I cannot go to people's homes for a couple of reasons, including the bathroom issue. (Yes, I have extensive information and experience with various approaches to IC; was very blessed to find an informed urologist and pain specialist early on. Also the awesome people and resources at http://www.ichelp.org) Thank you all for being here - I "should" be doing more zine-surfing: maybe now that Christmas cards are out and a dear one has passed on.:Melody: