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I have taken care of so many pts who were comatose and came out of it, got rehab and went home. Many with a poor prognosis. Our body parts and our mind is not all that we are. Look at Steven Hawkins. Quads often use what they have left to really improve their lives, and who they are. They have many lessons to learn, and many to teach us about what life is all about.

I work in rehab, and most of my pts are traumatic brain injury. Very often these pts get so much better. I see many many miracles, and I am a grateful witness.

I took the flu shot about 5 times over the years. My work pulled the same crap last year and tried to manipulate us into taking the shot. Every time I take the shot I am sick for at least 2 weeks, with a cold or flu, and I am really sick. It has happened every time. Within 2 days. Every few years I reason that the flu shot is not responsible for the illness, so I take it again and get sick. I wish someone would do a study on this, for there does seem to be a few people this consistently happens in. Needless to say, my work stated they would be "educating" those of us who declined the shot. Next they will be holding us responsible for the transmission of flu. Good grief, I think I will just wear a mask........

Absolutely you need to turn them at night! They can't feel pain, so they won't wake up for that. Slight position changes will work, ie, weight shifts. You never know who will break down. As a rehab RN for many years, I know family are not going to awaken pts q2hrs for turning. A new quad needs to be turned q 2, and gradually increase that amount to q 3 hrs max. Turning also helps decrease the spasms and tone they get later on. Some pts will still need q2hrs turning, or even more frequently- and get a sleeper ordered.

I knew Sutter is not as alturistic as they claim to be..... Sutter is SCARY!

I think you should tell the manager your concerns. If something does happen, then she will know where you stand. Generally, PM shift is so busy that most nurses are not going to have time to be checking up on you. I do know what you mean though, and chances are the manager does too.

I was Charge for 4 yrs, and missed the pt care. It is just not the same as having your own pts. It can be stressful and thankless, and also an opportunity to make improvements to the unit. It's generally alot more paperwork. Just remember, as charge, you are fair to all and friend to none, because you need to support all staff equally and fairly. You need to be cool under fire; staff will look to you for this. You need to make sure the unit functions well. Make sure everyone has what they need to get their job done efficiently. It is not easy, but some are cut out for it.

Why does Oregon pay so low for RNs? I looked there hoping to relocate, but I would make about half what I do in NorCal. But, I see other jobs are equivalent to NorCal. Some other medical jobs pay well, like NP, OT, PT. Computer jobs pay well. I have just come to the conclusion RNs are not in great demand in Oregon. Washington does pay better, and you are not to far!

Yes...., that is why I never told my boss about the phones. For awhile, some nights the phones in the pt rooms would ring. It would ring several times and if I answered it, it make the sound of a fax machine. Soon after, another phone would ring, then another. We would run from room to room answering these "calls" as not to let the ringing wake up the patients, but it usually did any way. Why this only happened in the middle of the night, was odd, but I just figured it was some company attempting to send ads by fax. I teased the other nurses, that there goes our ghost again. Well one night this happened and I was answering my 3rd pt phone, and it was the fax, so I explained to the bewildered pt that it was the wrong number. Next the room mates phone starts to ring and I answer it, and it is the fax and I hang up. Well, it continues to ring after I hang it up, so I answer it again, and it continues to ring with the receiver at my ear! I say " What's up?" and I get nervous, and completely disconnect the phone. The phone starts ringing continuously and I get really scared now, because there is no connection and it is still ringing! The patient says, " What's the matter?", and I quickly reply, "It's broken, let me get the charge nurse," as I run out of there, as it continues to ring! I grab the first nurse I find and ask her to come look at this phone. I certainly wasn't going to pick it up or remove it. I didn't want to touch that thing. I told her what had happened and I don't think she believed me, because the phone was not ringing now. She just told the pt we would change it in the morning. Yikes, I'll never tease like that again. The next week the nurse manager is asking me if we have been having a phone problem at night. I felt the fear come back, and asked, " Why are you asking?", I know I didn't say any thing. She said she had got some reports from the operator, and if it happens again I should call them directly to report it. Well it never did happen again, as of yet, thank goodness.

In California Bay Area, the housing market has plumeted, except for highly desirable locales, you can buy a descent home for 200-500, and still make a good 50/hr with benefits. You need to know the area, though. Anyone thinking of relocating here should p/u a traveler position, and see how they like it. I imagine the real estate market will stay like this for a couple more years. A house on my street previously priced at 800k is now foreclosed, and listed for 525k. This is with good schools, nice weather, and good jobs within driving distance. Someday, it will be back up again. There are lots of jobs in Sacramento, and if you can take the summer heat you can get a really good home for 200-300k. Kaiser there pays the same as the bay area- and there are hundreds of newer homes in foreclosure. Imagine making 50/hr and having a great house for 250k. It is not bad. 2hrs from snow, and 1 hr to San Fran. Most of our hospitals here are staffed with travelers, around 20%.

It is only my opinion, but I would put all titles on the resume, but only those relevant to nursing on your badge. The extra education can only help you on the resume, you'd think!

It is only my opinion, but I would put all titles on the resume, but only those relevant to nursing on your badge. The extra education can only help you on the resume, you'd think!

Don't give up yet. These hospitals take forever to hire someone. As soon as you give up and find another job, months later they call. I would at least give it a few weeks after an interview. I applied to JM also. They gave me a interview date in 1 month.

With the housing market falling, any RN thinking of moving should seriously consider California. As an experienced RN, I work 24hrs a week, nights and weekends. I make 59-73/hr, with the higher amount on the weekend. This is the San Francisco Bay Area, one of the highest paid in the country. This is with full benefits, and paid health care for the family. Kaiser in areas like Fresno and Sacramento pay the same as Bay Area, but the housing is much less. This is the perfect time to relocate here, especially if you have experience. The hospitals are in big need of OR, ER, and specialty units. There are hundred of homes on auction, but the best neighborhoods are not having this problem.

It was like that when I graduated back in 92, after the work redesign. I worked in a SNF for 9 months, then I was acceptable. Look for a specialty training program designed for new grads, esp. if you have a University hospital near you. It is hard to break in, but once you do, you will have it made.

Now thats a coincidence! Great story! Did your daughter get her "friend's" name? Or were you too scared to ask?

Well if you don't drink coffee or tea, drink a caffinated beverage. Pepsi max is great. Drink lots of water. Take a nap on your break time. It took me years to get used to nights. I thought I was going crazy at first. I just didn't feel human any more. After a while it got better. I would try melatonin, but I have only been able to find one brand that works, and that is the Natrol brand and I buy it at Longs. I will take two or three tablets. Unisom works also. You must make your bedroom completely dark. The cheapset way is to buy black felt from the fabric store and cover the windows with it. I love nights now. I can't get used to my nights off!

Yes -- it is not fun. In the end it maybe ok but the nerger goes on forever and it could be 10 yrs out before all aspects are 'merged'.

Yes those drug seekers are frustrating. But most people with FM are not like that. Just the ones you see! There are diagnosistic criteria for FM, and most MDs are not proficient in administering the pressure point test. So it often takes a Rheumatologist to make the dx. Unfortunately, other problems need to be r/o, often starting the long process of testing, without any treatment of the FM, and the condition just gets worse, and the pt's anxiety goes up. Any chronic condition treated in the ER is not properly managed. In my opinion pain pills just are not the proper way to treat central pain. It just creates the drug seekers you describe. I don't work in ER, but in Rehab, and sometimes, let me tell you, I think I am going to vomit if I have to ask one more time, "what is your pain level", when I know the answer will be 8-10, along with the sudden moans and groans, and the pt can barely stay awake. It is a very sad situation and frustrating to be a part of.

Yes those drug seekers are frustrating. But most people with FM are not like that. Just the ones you see! In my opinion pain pills just are not the proper way to treat central pain. It just creates the drug seekers you describe. I don't work in ER, but in Rehab, and sometimes, let me tell you, I think I am going to vomit if I have to ask one more time, "what is your pain level", when I know the answer will be 8-10, and the pt can barely stay awake. It is a very sad situation and frustrating to be a part of.

Thanks for sharing those great web cites! Well said and simple too.

Sorry I don't think you will get reliable research on disproving FM. No one would pay for that research. Too bad there are just as many Primary MD's who disbelieve a pt't pain. I have had FM since 1994. The scariest times I had was the 7 years I spent in pain and fatigued because I could not get a diagnosis. I was thinking I had lupus with my high ANA, but that resolved and the pain stayed. I thought I was really going crazy. I was so relieved to know that the pain wasn't anything to worry about. I did not have to worry, No harmful tissue damage was occuring. But as you get older and new pains come about, the question always lingers, Do I need to get this checked out? Or should I just ignore it ? I don't take pain pills, other than the occassional tylenol. My pain is usually a 3-4 at all times, and I don't know what it is like to be pain free. Anti-depressants, even more specifically the dual reputake inhibitors help in FM, because there is a measureable lack of serotonin and norephinerine in the FM pt's CSF. This is an invasive test of no use because the pressure point test is as accurate and not invasive. [[/u] For me I would not go to the ER just for FM pain. It gets better on its own. Narcotics are addictive- so naturally - those addicted will seek it any way they can. I think it is just better to avoid the narcotics altogether with FM. Lifestyle changes, SSRIs, muscle relaxants, daily exercise are:twocents: the way to go.

Hi, well I would like to thankyou for your interest in finding out more about fibromyalgia. Here is a good web resource for abstracts and clinical research: http://www.fmaware.org . I would like to add that any person trying to treat their own chronic condition with ER visists needs a thorough education from their ER nurse. Don't you just love those opportunities for teaching?:innerconf

Hi everyone, this is interesting, I have never heard of FM caused by antibiotics. I have gone to many cme seminars on FM, and I think is more likely the infection is causing the problem than the antibiotics, but I guess it would warrant further research. There is good info on NFA's website. Prednisone is contraindicated in FM because it upsets the h-p axis in the brain, and will make the fibro worse, but if it is needed for other reasons, you just have to weigh the benefits of taking it. This is the same reason that stressful events can bring on FM., even good stressful events. Now they are still trying to pinpoint the causes of FM. The body shows differences in quality of sleep in a sleep test, decreased serotonin, norephinephrine, and increased substance P in the cerebral spinal fluid. Maybe they will also find microbes are also involved. There is really alot of new research on the horizon of course, and a potential of new drugs for treatment. For me mild exercise and really working at pacing my activities has helped tremendously, along with really listening to my body. When I start to hurt more, get forgetful, and can't sleep, I know I better take the day off. This is the one of the hardest things. It is a delicate balance.

Medications that have been associated with bringing on fibromyalgia are steroids. Illnesses, trauma, infections and stressful events have also been associated with the start of fibromyalgia. I don't think you will ever be able to pin FM soley on vanco. I have FM, and I associated it with the birth of my son. The good news is that with medical and lifestyle management, you can get your FM under control.