hfdguy

Recently, I had my gallbladder taken out. I know, its not a big operation, and although I knew what to expect in general by being a nurse, I was still scared, worried, and all the other emotions our patients face. I woke up one morning at midnight with severe stomach pain. Nothing I did would relieve the pain, and I began vomiting around an hour later. At 3:30AM, I decided I couldn't take the pain any more and went to the emergency room. I really wasn't thinking it was my gallbladder. i certainly didn't anticipate surgery, complications, or anything like my experience. When they broke the news that I needed surgery, of course panic and concern flooded over me. I had never had any type of operation before, and although in my mind I knew this was a simple and routine operation, there is always a chance of complications. I was immediately reminded of a video I had seen in the military years ago. The men was a pilot, who was burned over 75% of his body by jet fuel after a plane mishap. Suddenly, he was a patient. Nobody thought he would live more than a day or two. Some of his nurses and doctors treated him as such. He couldn't speak. Most of his face was burned away. But his mind was sharp. And he remembered everything. And shared it to us. I had a wonderful experience overall. The doctors, nurses, aides, ancillary and surgical personnel were awsome. But, there still were times when I needed medicine, or needed to go to the bathroom, or when a nurse would come in to do a procedure and not make me feel comfortable and like a person.. just another injection, or just another pill... and I would think these are the things I need to hold onto... these are the times I need to burn in my memory, and try to always be attentive to my patients needs and treat them like I wanted to be treated... A small, simple surgery. Admitted on Monday, out of the hospital on Thursday, due to Hypokalemia and a post-ansthesia irregular heartbeat. Only one small voice in a constant sea... Remember to all, tomorrow, it could be you. God bless you all for what you do every day.

When I was a student in an LPN program (LPNs aren't even allowed to work in hospitals in CT), I felt the doctors and RNs in the hospital where I did clinical took me very seriously and listened to my concerns. They all treated us as valued members of the team, and even had us participate in rounds! I recall one patient had mouth cancer and was having a hard time swallowing. I was a CNA before I became a nurse, and used to shorten the straws of patients having problems drinking thru a straw... I did it for him and he drank everything in sight. When it came time for rounds, I reported that he drank like 800 ml of fluid, and everyone was going crazy on how easy it was to solve his dehydration problem... lol...

I'm a pediatric homecare nurse, and I love it :) I spend a lot of time in schools, and kids are very receptive to seeing a male as a nurse... its great!

Its nice to know I'm not alone... I graduated from LPN school in Jan, and there are many times I feel completely incompetent, and overwhelmed... Thanks for helping me stick it out!

Best thing is only one class that needs a lab (such as chem, micro or A&P)... then you can 'relax' with a course thats not so stressing.. such as a math, english or other pre-req class... I know I loved just taking another class to take my mind off the hard core science ones.. I took English Lit when going thru A&P, and it really helped me focus :) Whats more relaxing than reading a book... he he...

Nursing is a very demanding job on your back... If I'm not helping the Aides pull patients up in bed, i'm bending, standing for long periods, running up and down the halls... I would have serious reservations if you have back problems already... either way, good luck following your dreams

I'm a new LPN grad - just passed the boards last week... and I gotta say this is the most demanding, most rewarding, most exciting job I have ever had!! I am soo happy I finally decided to take the plunge and go to nursing school!

Connecticut and affordable can't be put in the same sentence; however, Connecticut has a charm that keeps most of us here. Stamford, Stratford and Bridgeport are all shoreline cities... stamford is closest to New York City; thereofore, it is very very expensive. Most business people buy multimillion dollar homes in the Greenwich/Stamford area, and commute to New York. Bridgeport is a port city; therefore, it has a reputation for being a tough and somewhat run-down place. I live in the Farmington area, where there is plenty of places to shop, lots to do, great places to work, and a short highway trip will get you to New York (2 hours), Boston (2 hours) or Cape Cod (about 3 hours). Danbury is by the New York border; is a large city with its share of problems, but a nice place I think... Newington and its surrounding area is north of Hartford, the capital. It has experienced the most growth over the past few years, and has many apartments in the style I've seen in the south - rental units with a common area, pool, and the like. I believe there are a number of job opportunities up that way, and its one of the nicest places to live in CT -- just remember, nice also means pricey. The average cost of a home in CT is a little over $250,000, according to a new survey. Of course, there are a lot of places where you can get a decent home for $100,000 or so, and I think Avon and Greenwich tend to bump up the prices of the 'average' home (I think the average home in Greenwich goes for just a little over $2.5 million). Anyway, if you like mountains, rolling hills, or oceanside, Connecticut is the place for you... We are a small state, but that only enhances the experience, as you can do just about anything in a day trip, or a nice long weekend. Best of luck to you!

I attended the LPN Program at a state-run school (EC Goodwin in New Britain)... I know its too late now, but the state does have a evening program as well... and I would match my experience and knowledge at $5K with any new grad at $25K. Just my two cents :)

Hi all.. I just graduated from an LPN program here in Connecticut. I can tell you my instructor tested, re-tested and re-re-tested all of us on injection sites. Maybe the nurse forgot and was trying to cover it up, but my first IM injection was in the glute... I didn't do any injections in the delt until I could tell my instructor 'alternate' sites for administration. Proud to be ... a GPN :) Step 1, change the S to a G.. Step 2, change that G to an L. :)

Hi all :) David here.. a new GPN - just graduated from EC Goodwin. I sit for the boards on Feb 6, and have just started a great 11-7 job at a LTC facility in Avon. Best of luck to all my fellow grads, no matter what school you went to... I know the struggle :)

I take it the 'senior nurse' was not her supervisor. That was her mistake. Hopefully she learned from this that nobody is there to 'cover' for you... if you make a mistake, own up to the mistake, and notify them IMMEDIATELY. I wish her luck...

I say be proud of who you are... This is just stupid to be hiding from a time-honored profession like nursing. I am a nurse, and PROUD of it! I know being male and a nurse may bend some peoples perception of what is traditional, but I don't care --- anyone asks me what I do for a living, I'm happy to tell them. I am an important part of people's lives, and that's what counts.

First, I want to say thank you for this stimulating thread... I am really enjoying this banter... I will never agree that this law is appropriate, as long as there is a disparity based on a persons ability to pay. Apparently what this allows is for people to be treated in an emergency room for non-emergent problems if they have the extra 100 bucks i still say joe citizen should not fear that they will be charged extra in order to seek help... Cardiologists and others are specialists; emergency rooms are portals into the healthcare system And I believe its reckless to punish people who may not have the ability to pay and make them feel less important to the healthcare system - and make them feel like they shouldn't bother us unless its something 'important'..

The last patient I brought to the Emergency Room by ambulance was someone complaining of 'stomach pain'... very vague, no temp, no other s/s... Guess what... she died in the ER about 15 minutes after I got her there due to a AAA that ruptured in the ER. People take s/s too lightly... as nurses we are supposed to be advocates for healthcare.. I reject your thought that 'the policy is valid'... I would never want to live in florida if that is the policy and would like to see all the people who support that policy be brought before a nursing board to have their licenses revoked for a complete failure to protect their patients.