RN@34

Sounds to me as though this nurse needs to be doing her own documenting in regards to others who are breaking the same rule. To target this one nurse is fishy and if others are breaking the rule and not being disciplined it looks as though mgmnt. will not have a leg to stand on. The monitor tech on our floor was busted >4x's for sleeping while in front of monitor with alarms off. It was written up on all occasions, sent to mgmnt. in writing and she is still sitting there like nothing ever happened. It relly irks me when mgmnt. says "write it up", you do it, and then you are made to look like a fool. It makes you get to the point where you say, why write it up if nothing is going to done about it? Very frustrating to say the least!

Here I am-another night wide awake at 2am while everyone else in my house sleeps.My second night in a row off and I still cannot sleep when everyone else does. Did not sleep today so I could sleep tonight. Not working. So here is what I am thinking of doing to change all of this, but not sure if I should! At my current place of employment there is position open in PACU. My schedule would more than likely be 7-3 5 days/wk. Wow, would that be more conducive to my lifestyle (husband and kids). Some call would be required. Here is my problem-I am literally sick about talking to my current NM about possibly leaving. She has been so good to me, but cannot give me the day shift I so despertely need. I know she is going to be so upset with me, because one other nurse on my flr just went to PACU and she cancelled her (without telling her) the whole last week she was scheduled to work. I can't have this happen to me - I can't afford to lose a whole week's pay, but I also cannot afford to keep living like a vampire. What should I do?

I am a shoe fanatic!! I have 16 pairs of tennis shoes. You name it-Nikes, Reeboks, Addidas, New Balance, etc. Also have Nurse Mates, Danskos and Crocs. I know shoes!! For me the #1 pick hands dowm are my Z-Coil clogs. They are awesome! I work 16 hr shifts and no more tired feet, aching back and sore knees. I know they are not pretty and look unstable, but I was totally surprised at their stability and Lord knows I am not at work for a fashion contest. I should be a spokesperson for their company, because I am totally impressed with my coils everytime I wear them!

Thanks so much for the response and much needed words of encouragement!

the job i applied for and have an interview for next week is a "visit" nurse. does the word "visit" get thrown in for any special reason, or are all hh nurses "visit" nurses. i know this may sound like a stupid question, but i would appreciate a response. thanks a bunch!!

i walked in to the clean utility room last night and found our cna in one of the wheelchairs-asleep! needless to say that incident will not go without notice. she did not even tell anyone where she was and to me that it totally unacceptable!!!

I have not worked there, but did part of my clinicals there. I know nurses that have worked there recently and from what they have said the post above was right on the money-GOOD LUCK!!!

I have been a nurse for almost one year, so I don't know how dependable my advice will be to you. I have done some cross training in ICU over the last 6 months. I am generally on a med/surg floor. I knew after day one that I was not ready for ICU. Not enough experience on my part to make such quick rhyme and reason to situations when things go bad. That is just me of course. My almost year of med/surg has given me some much needed experience and has helped me learn to multi-task, time manage, and develop confidence that is much needed when things go wrong. I grow more comfortable with each passing day. I also made excellent grades in school, but school doesn't teach you the "real deal" when it comes to being a nurse. Just because you start out in med/surg does not mean that you will have to do that forever. It sounds as though you would have excellent support in the med/surg position you have been offered. Shadow someone in each area for about one week maybe that will help you make your decision. Good luck!!

Life is way to short to be miserable!! It sounds as if your marriage is very important to you, so treat it that way. Find another job. As for the previous post about the extra money you make working nights-so what. Money helps, but it does not make you completely happy. I live comfortably and would not trade the time I spend during each week with my husband and children for anything. I know nusing will always be there, but one of them may not. Do what your heart is telling you to and make a change. Best of luck! :)

Sounds like a great idea!! I have way too many oh crap moments. Not anything critical, but things that maybe get put off til the last minute, when something else needs to be done, and there I am-in a panic!! :uhoh21: I will probably spend some time this weekend trying to come up with my own little check list with flags. THANKS!! :)

I posted this on another thread, but had 23yo friend (RN) that died of what was said to be community acquired MRSA that invaded his lung tissue. Very scary!! We see this all the time on med-surg and it is about 1/2 post-op patients & 1/2 "spider bites". I started at the beginning of this school year having my two boys come in and immediately wash their hands with antibacterial soap. Can't control them at school, but can do what I can at home.

Thanks for all of your responses. They have labeled it as community acquired MRSA. How it ended up in his lungs has yet to be determined.

I am in shock! Last May started to work as RN with this very nice 23 yo guy. He had just graduated also. Found out Monday that he was in ICU on vent. Found out yesterday that he died on Tuesday. Nursing assistant that had his same group of patient's is in another area hospital in ICU, not sure if she is on vent. We do not still work at same facility so details that I have are very limited. All I know is that CDC is at hospital, they are speculating that whatever he had in lungs came from patient with MRSA/leg wound. He presented to hospital with flu like symptoms and within hours white count dropped to 0. All body systems shut down very quickly. Does anyone have any idea what this could have been? I have been so sad, because he was such a great guy with such a bright future ahead of him. Thanks for any responses made to this troubling question.

I am currently working med/surg and I am not happy! I want L&D, but all advertised positions say, "one year experience required." My question is, how can you possibly get experience in a particular area if you can't even get your foot in the door? Anyone have any suggestions?

Well said llg!

]I just quit job where we had to wear white or navy. No mixing of the colors. I agree that there are times when you must comply, but I also think that ADMINISTRATION should be concerned over real issues. An example would be adequate staff, more shift choices for moms and dads and maybe even making sure that the ones that are there to work are actually working. I was able to go buy some COLORFUL scrubs for my new job-LOVE IT! I do agree with a previous post about the cartoon scrubs, to me they are a little much when dealing with adult patients.

Oh, how I so feel your pain regarding the NET. I had to take a second time for the very same reason. Just think of it as a stepping stone to a wonderful nursing career. There will be plenty of these on the way, but just stay focused and whatever you do NEVER GIVE UP!!!! Anything worth having is worth working for; trust me I speak from experience! Good luck!!

Don't push him into nursing, because it is definitely not for everyone!!

We supply our patients with an admit package that includes a toothbrush with toothpaste among several other things. I believe oral care is very important, but with 6-7 high maintenance patients it takes a back seat (as far as reminding or assisting them) to meds, dressing changes, etc.

I guess just the uncertainty of not getting enough hours each week. I need X amount to cover those pesky bills that come without fail. Thanks for reply!

I am currently working 7p-7a. I love nights, but feel as though I never get to spend any time with my husband and children. I know, most every nurse that works twelve hour shifts feels that way. This is my dilemna, I was offered a job at nearby hospital (approx. 15 miles closer to one I work at now). My hours would mainly be 11p-7a and the pay would be $4 more per hour than what I am making per hour now.I know with prn work there are no benefits, but my husband has me covered under his health insurance.The main thing that concerns me is that I know with prn that I will be the first one sent home if census is low. I asked about this at time of interview and the nurse manager stated then that they had just added on three new surgeons and they have been busier than ever the last 3 months. She also stated that if my hours got to be a problem that she would do her best to switch me to full time. Even with that I would be making $3.30 more per hour (base pay) than I am making now. Besides all of that, I love the idea of caring for the people in my community. I guess I am just nervous about making change. You know, the grass is not always greener. I need some advice-I have to make decision SOON! Thanks a bunch!! :thankya:

I had a patient one night last week ask me to warm his food. I explained to him that I would warm his food as soon as I finished making my initial rounds for the night. I also added that if he could not wait, that he could call the desk and ask if someone else could warm his food. Once I returned to his room he asked me if he could ask a personal question. That personal question was "Are you a racist?" I simply answered no and left it at that. I mean come on, what kind of question was that just because I did not warm his food right when he wanted it done. He was the type patient that stayed on the call light all night (at least every 10 minutes) wanting something for pain, nausea, etc. I finally said to him, "you are going to have to lay off the horn!" I will be in here every hour to check on you and if you need something let me know then. By the way he was stable until q4hrs rolled around.

]Yeah, I guess I did not think of it that way!

Only been at 1st job as new graduate 2 months and already looking at having to take some unpaid medical leave. I hope what they think I have is not what I have-GALLSTONES! I only have some of the textbook symptoms, need to know what you all think! Here are symptoms: nausea, upr. gastric pain (almost feels like severe indigestion at times), sudden severe case of diarrhea-about 30 min.-pc, bloating. Was diagnosed about 5 yrs. ago with IBS and I hope that this is all it is, but above symptoms have become more frequent within last 6 months or so. I know there are plenty of you out there that have far more GI experience than I do. Please tell me that doc may be thinking the worst. Scheduled to have U/S on Monday. Thanks a bunch!!

I am about to start my 3rd month on med-surg floor and I hate it or at least I think I do. When I took this position there was not opening in L&D (which is really where I wanted to be), but now there is and I cannot decide what to do. I am going to feel really bad if I leave so soon, but I am afraid that if I do not leave now, I will feel worse later. My preceptor encouraged me to work med-surg, but admits that she shielded me from a lot of the negatives about working on this floor. No nurse manager, low moral, etc. So should I stay or should I go? I do not want to burn bridges, but I did not work so hard to be nurse to not enjoy my job to some extent.