DosmoRN

Your professor could have gone on to explain to you that there are reasons for the dress code beyond just "optics". But you might have considered that too elementary, if not insulting. But remember, long nails of any kind can scratch a patient...or does an R.N. never slip a bedpan under a patient without gloves on? Does she always call someone "less skilled" to do this? As you should know by now, broken skin is an invitation to infection. And how well is the skin cleaned under those nails with a perfunctory hand washing? Long dangling earrings will lose some of their fashion appeal the first time a patient grabs them, accidentally or not. More broken skin. Yours this time. Or perhaps a patient simply finds it unpleasant when said earrings rake accross his face and O2 apparatus as his nurse leans over him to cancel his IV alarm. Hair, which is also loaded with hair spray/gel and bacteria is not something patients like falling in their face. However, some agitated patients have been known to grab hold of any thing handy, whether or not it is attached to a nurse. A clean uniform coveys the idea that the nurse is also clean. When I was in nursing, some areas of the hospitals provided hospital laundered scrubs for those contacting patients directly. No thought was given as to whether these garments were "cute" or not! Patients still, many of them hold the antiquated idea that a hospital is a "clean" and "safe" place to be. This is true whether or not they have ever heard of "nosocomial" infections. Tattoos, though they never seem really clean to some folks, should not detract any more than possible from this image. Facial piercings are similar and are often distracting to patients, Hopefully this hardware can be removed before entering the hospital (but never having had any I really wouldn't know). Now you will probably think, I have gone "way over the line" in making this point. But remember, a professional nurse is not on the job to "express her individuality" (which no one else cares about) but to help patients be as healthy and comfortable as possible.

I went to nursing school ages ago and am now retired. But some things seem not to change. My class was told from the beginning that half of us would not make it. They were precisely correct. Some instructors were kind and encouraging, some told us regularly that we weren't "cut out" for nursing and would never pass the licensing exams.. I felt from the start that our training was deliberately designed to be sort of a "trial by fire". And it was. But the smaller our class became, the more we counted on each other for encouragement ... to help us dry our tears or even see the humor in some situations. Those of us who did graduate WANTED to become nurses. And the more difficult things became, the more determined we (at least I) became (not that we didn't all have days when we wondered if we had chosen the right career). If you make a couple of good friends in school who are experiencing the same sort of hurts and insults you are, do whatever you can to support each other! That's how I really made it through school. As others have mentioned, you must learn not to be thin skinned, because you will encounter Phyiscians who are rude, who yell at you in front of patients and family. Patients families, due to the stress they are under, can be impossibly demanding (some are probably just demanding people anyway). They can belittle you and the institution for which you work. There are other nurses who are unfair, unforgiving and highly dysfunctional. But if you are going to work closely with people, even outside of nursing, you must realize that PEOPLE ARE that way! And nurses see hurting people who are definitely not at their best! If you complain about every injustice, you will get very little work done. Learn to concentrate on what you are trying to do for other people and how you can advocate for your patients instead of how you can heal yourself. This makes a lot of your unpleasant experiences seem less consequential. Oh, There are rewards. I don't want to make it sound like nursing is some kind of unending torture. You will encounter a few patients and or families who thank you, who boost your spirits beyond high and whom you will remember the rest of your life. And maybe you will decide that nursing wasn't such a bad choice after all. (If you do go into another field, please expect dysfunctional people and some inequality there as well).

I so agree with SionainnRN. I wish there was a list of things to say that WOULD be helpful for healthcare workers to say in a situation like yours, CountryMomma. I don't believe anyone meant to be hurtful. But people are not all alike in what they consider "comforting". Some people would feel encouraged, hearing that bleeding at X number of weeks may not mean a hopeless outcome. It was not the place of the ultrasound tech to give that information. But I can imagine her being so eager to make you feel better, but not knowing exactly what to say at the moment...that she did not think of that being disturbing to you. She probably did NOT want to "just say nothing"... and be perceived as being uncaring. Have you never been in such a position, yourself? It's the kind of awkward situation health care workers often face. After being around so much tragedy, we may (or may not) become a little more adept at reaching out to those who suffer emotionally. Personally, I believe in presenting the facts that are known. I don't think I could be as stoic as the doctor who unceremoniously announced "your baby is dead". But that is the reality. That IS what a mother must deal with. Expressing sincere sorrow to a patient is fine. And even better, is seeing that she has a reassuring friend or relative with her to provide comfort. And whether a grieving mother will react with shock, denial, anger, depression, guilt, embarrassment or some cobination thereof, I can't predict. But, in the end, she must deal with these in her own way and her own time. I hope that you, CountryMomma, will be able to forgive those healthcare workers who hurt you. They have training. That does not make them perfect. And I hope the healing process for you is on going.

Missingyou, I know this thread is for students, but as a nurse of many years, I felt perhaps my perspective could help. I imagine you were told that working as a CNA would teach you alot about nursing. I think you HAVE learned a lot...not necessarily about nursing care, but about the kind of situations one must sometimes deal with as a nurse. And I commend you for your wisdom in speaking frankly and directly with your co-workers and finally the DON (Instead of just putting up with rudeness and neglect of your patient.) Your main goal was, and always should be, seeing that patients get appropriate care, not "fitting in" with other CNA's. Fitting in with them would probably entail adopting some of their bad attitudes, which are not, unfortunately, so uncommon. The floor nurse might have helped you more, but evidently she was busy or didn't want to get distracted correcting bad behavior.(I'm just guessing here) You did the best you could do, without giving up your principles. So DON"T get down on yourself. The patient who waited 2 and 1/2 hours will survive, despite missing out on care because of over-extended dinner breaks (unexcusable) and bad attitudes. And she may well get better care in the FUTURE because of you! If I had been the DON, I would have been impressed that your concern was patient care, not just complaining about your co-workers. You won't be working there long, but I hope you remember this experience when you encounter something similar in your nursing career (as you probably will).

Working as a CNA prepares you for one important aspect of nursing that should not be overlooked! It involves supervising and teaching those for whom you are responsible (since they work under your license as an R.N.) And that involves CNAs. When you are in charge, don't forget that feeling of being "the toileting stooge" and having to "change about half a dozen people's diapers at once". The CNAs you supervise may well have the exact same feelings. And if they say, "OH, you don't understand what it's like", you can say, "yes, I do. I've been where you are. I worked as a CNA before becoming a nurse"

Heathermaizy, What people think of you now or after you become an R.N., is a totally invalid reason to work as a CNA. You think you know what nursing school and being a nurse is about, because you did your "homework" and had your "eyes wide open". That's like saying you know what riding a horse is like, without ever having actually been on a horse. (pardon the country analogy, y'all, I'm a Texan) Nursing schools today barely scratch the surface of what it is like to be a nurse. It is like studying horses and sitting atop a horse, but never riding anyplace. No "homework" can prepare you for nuses training. And being a nurse is much more complicated than you imagine. The RESPONSIBILITY of being an R.N., is something you must experience to understand.. Being a CNA first, before nursing school is not essential. And once you are an R.N., nobody will care. Working as a CNA is like taking a course your school cannot give you. It's called real-life health care 101. You will learn to do things and learn ABOUT things your teachers never thought to teach you. I'm glad you are approaching your career with so much self-confidence. Just don't become over-confident. Overconfidence in a health care setting can be dangerous.

I agree Saysfaa. that "liberals dominate education and the media which results in slogans and catch phrases from liberals and explanations from conservatives." Few Liberals, when they ask your Conservative opinion, really want to know. So while you are still trying to explain something, they interrupt with THEIR argument. Then you can't get back to what you were trying to explain because they continue to argue and interrupt until you can't remember what point you were trying to make. Whew! Most of the Conservatives I've met through work (there haven't been too many) are quieter and want to focus mainly on their work. I've also found, by listening to liberals who, by explaining not potificating, reveal that they are more conservative than they might like to admit. I had a roomate, a lifelong Democrat, who explained to me all that she felt about the USA, politics and approaches to defense and social welfare (That was well before the present super heated political environment). I asked, "are you SURE you are not a Republican?" We agreed on so much! Then before I knew it, she registered as a Republican and has been one for 20 yrs now. I'll be glad when members of both parties can once more find the things they have in common as Americans and speak as friends. BTW, Don't worry about your spelling. And know that the latest guides for business communications say it is NO LONGER always correct to avoid ending a sentence with a preposition.. They recommend you simply write in a way that sounds natural and unaffected!

Toomuchbaloney. Sorry. I misused the word "blog". I meant "thread". The original message was about having a " "conservative nurse forum" What if the "conservative" isn't interested in explaining their opinions AGAIN to a Liberal whose only goal is not to have "a reasonable, intelligent discussion" (as they say) but express not only their disagreement, but usually their hostility. I WAS interested in hearing from other conservatives.

I agree, I'd rather just do my job when I'm at work. I don't discuss politics at work because it just doesn't help teamwork as a rule. I don't mind debate when I'm on my own time.

d'cm. If I had time and space I would talk about the "general welfare of the People". I guess you have already decided that the ACA meets that requirement (and probably other things as well). I believe "general welfare" doesn't necessarily mean government meeting all our physical needs. (If allowed to, the community can meet many needs, and enjoy doing it) I think the people are better off when they have incentives to work, proving their worth and abilities thereby. I think the general welfare is enhanced when people are free to create, imagine and produce within relatively few constrictions by the federal government. And I do not consider "profit" a dirty word. Profit is the stimulus for most of the great inventions and achievements of the modern world. You don't believe all the inventions and progress of the United States came from altruistic motives do you? Social programs are needed, as a temporary measure. We provide a better future for the poor, and the country as a whole when we help people become independent in as many ways as they can. (You know, give a man a fish...versus teach him how to fish.) As others have noted, if too many people are riding in the wagon, then who is able to PULL the wagon. A lot of our patients resist rehab. It is hard! but should we let them quit because they don't like it? Why is it than when someone wants to have a "Conservative" blog, Liberals flock to it to air THEIR opinions. You don't get enough chance to do that otherwise? (BTW The WHO is not beyond criticism for their statistical methods.)

Otessa, I agree. I never have joined the ANA for the same reason (and I was a nurse for MANY years) Funny, how normally well mannered people, even nurses, don't mind disparaging (a polite word) co/workers whose politics are different then theirs. This is a highly charged political atmosphere. I remember back as far as Pres. Truman and have NEVER seen such hostility between Political Parties! Every president I remember was very careful, when in office, not to bash the other party. They considered themselves president of the WHOLE country. When they were critical of others, it was usually "some people" who think, want, believe or complain... Every one knew who they meant, but it didn't insult any one personally! Of course, it was a more polite era to begin with. But the poisonous political atmosphere today makes me wonder where our country is headed. Someone wondered why conservatives are more comfortable on a conservative blog. Well, it's just nice not to feel we are facing adversaries all the time.

tralalaRN You are an example of why some may feel they want a "conservative blog"! We don't need to hear liberal-speak again....and again...and again. We have heard it all already. And it usually assumes that conservatives are so inept that they don't know how to make the "right", decisions run their own lives. 1. Banks and credit cards need money to operate 2.The mortgage collapse was due to Dodd Frank insisting that Banks make bad loans. Other wise threatened they would publically be accused of "redlining" (discriminating against the poor esp. minorites.) SO they loaned to people they were sure could never pay...people without jobs, with very poor credit ratings, with nowhere near 20% down (which is standard) Some of the loans were 0% down. Some had complicated terms buyers didn't understand. Banks get their money from lenders who demand at least a little profit. However, they felt somewhat reassured because of the newly created "Fanny Mae" and "Freddy Mac" which were supposedly backed by the fed. gov't. But Fanny and Freddy also failed 3. Buying out GM. In my thinking, NOBODY is "too big to fail!" That's why we have bankrupsy laws. Every major airline has taken bankrupsy, but most of the public never knew it. A company who is not doing the job, SHOULD fail. If there is enough competition it won't matter. The auto workers might temporarily be out of work, but not for as long... as the American appetite for cars continued. Ford, Chrysler, Nissen, Honda would have to ramp up their production and would need autoworkers to do it. If GM had taken bankrupsy, they might have figured out what they were doing wrong and corrected it. But no, Uncle Sam made that unessesary. 4. Companies pay the higher corporation taxes than they would in any other country. Then they must pay what labor unions insist on...which is often more than similar jobs pay anywhere. A labor union robbed us of "Twinkies" (no great loss, IMHO).Of course the government must regulate businesses within reason. But the gov't, whose lawmakers (lately) have little or no experience in business, can easily pass so MANY and such difficult regulations that businesses can't expand, can't hire. That's the situation now. Businesses must plan ahead, which they can't do with our present administration. 5. health care. The ACA was passed entirely by democrats (not one republican) and it took some bribery and arm twisting to do that. (Remember the infamous Louisiana purchase for Mary Landreau.) Republicans had plenty of ideas despite what Obama said. They passed stacks of health care bills in the House, but Harry Reid would not even allow them to be considered in the Senate. Dems were (and are) so in love with "comprehensive bills" that any bill that addressed one problem at a time was ignored. There are many reasons why ACA might fail, since it is so impractical in so many ways. Education. Who is responsible for your child? You or the government. If you have no time for your child, then it might as well be the government (and that's OK, If both parents work plus having other responsibilities. I'm not bashing hardworking or single parents) then the government is better than nobody... and they will EVEN FEED them. What a convenience. I'm saying that as an educated adult, I have ideas about what and how MY children are taught. If I don't like the "product" of the public schools, I should have a right not to use it. I think I'm a pretty good judge of what my children need to know as adults. I don't need the government to tell me. I should be able to choose any private school that is accredited. Why not just have a test...a glorified GED for kids to get a diploma. Simpler, cheaper, less intrusive.

I think it is a mistake to call mature patients by their first name. It's also a mistake to assume they don't mind (they may be just too polite to object.) I remember my mother, at 88yrs old, chastising a young doctor for calling her "Marie". It was not a pretty sight. It's a memory I always carry with me when meeting patients. Unless the pt. is a child, I often just ask what they like to be called.

Terms such as "Miss Jane" and "Mr. Bob" are very common in the South, as well. Although, this is uncommonly used on first meeting. I've never known a patient who reacted negatively to that, as it's almost a term of endearment.. However, oddly, you won't hear "Mrs. Suzie". An older married or widowed woman is more likely to be called "Mrs. Jackson", unless she requests to be called by her first name, which then may eventually become "Miss (or Miz) Suzie". Those of my mother's generation, (born in the early 1900's),expected to be called "Mrs. Smith" as common courtesy and a sign of respect. I remember her chastizing a young physician for calling her "Marie" .... she was in her eighties then. I was raised to call adults Mr. or Mrs on first meeting, especially. I still, unconsciously, call physicians "Doctor" even though they may not like it. Yet, there is a practical side to this.. Doctors, R.N's, LPN's, NA's all look alike to some patients (esp. if they all wear scrubs).And, of course, many still expect to see a male, not a female, when introduced to their physician. I've even had a patient who mistook a guy from housekeeping as his physician. Don't know who was more embarrassed at the mistake...patient or maintenance man.

It probably was ONE of the hardest nights of your career. It's a good way to begin, because now you know you CAN rise to the occasion when there is a disaster or things out of control in the hospital, outside, or both. You've learned that your patients really do come first, even when you have worries about your own family. You did what you were called to do and trusted that somebody else was looking out for your own kids. Congratulations! One lesson learned: Never "assume" your shift is going to be "routine"!