MS._Jen_RN

Thanks for the update! You have done a fabulous job. You have set a wounderful example for your daugther. Keep on keepin' on. You can do it.

Today I pulled together the discharge for a patient that was so happy to be able to go home she did a little dance in the bed and said, "OOH, OOH give me a hug!" She works as an "exotic dancer". So, I got to come home and tell my husband that I hugged a stripper today. She had a rough hospital course for a traumatic event and has many issues in her life. I was happy to have made this day a good one for her.

Sterile water meets United States Pharmacopeia standards. Tap water should not be used; it can and often does contain contaminants, including pathogenic microorganisms, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and heavy metals that might interact with a drug and reduce its bioavailability. How is this dfferent from swollowing medications with tap water (i.e. taking a pill)? And as for not mixing them- as my Mom told me about my carrots and mashed potatoes touching- they are all going to end up in the same place. If you push them in succession, aren't they going to mix in what ever spot the tube is positioned? Gastric motility isn't THAT fast.

The most gracious way, in my mind, would be to suck it up, go in for your shift tomorrow, but tell management before you start that this will be your last shift. Tell them exactly the reasons you've written here and voice your regrets and apologies. To quit right before your shift would be a terrible way to leave people hanging. A no-call/no-show would be even worse. If you could even possibly want a position at this facility in the future as a staff RN or NP (any time in the next 5 or so years anyway) I'd give 2 weeks notice.

It could be a normal healing reaction. Sometimes the incisions, especially those with staples, seem like a small ridge. They sometimes also get a red-brownish color immediatly around the incision. These both tend to fade away in a couple of weeks. But, as others said, keep infection in mind too.

Nover smoked, tree-hugging, bleeding- heart, left of democrat liberal.

Me too Chenoaspirit. 3rd semester, BSN program, 4th year at the university. I was lucky to have a good PCP who recognized what my "real" issue was. (This after a few visits for various symptomatic conplaints all related to the anxiety/depression). Retrospectivly, there had been an issue for some time. I truly believe that his actions that day saved, if not my life, then a trip to the local psych ward.

I'm an ACNP who works with the Orthotrauma/Orthopaedic Surgery team in a level one trauma center. I don not act as the person doing primary consults in the ED/ER but do assist with procedures there from time to time. My main role is to provide care to the patients who are admitted to the inpatinent side of things and assist with inpatient consults. I also help with discharge planning. There are 2 NPs at our hospital who work with the General Surgery/Trauma surgery teams, one with internal medicine, and 2 with palative care. Hope that helps. ~Jen

My former employer had a color-coding. At first I thought it was silly, but I grew to really like it- for many of the reasons stated above. I currrntly work as an NP in a different facility, I wish there were color coding, especially when I need to go to a unit I don't go to often and I don't know the nurses well. We are going to have a magnent visit, (the document has been accepted) and if it were a requirement, I'm sure they would have looked into it. S

I had NUMEROUS problems with the ANCC and the state of Michigan. I graduated in Aug, took the test in Oct, no license until FEB. (Yes, Feb) Basically it took repeated calls, messages and near the end getting a little nasty.

Something to be aware of -I know that you said you are just straight forward and honest. But, I've met some people who thought the same thing about themselves who really came across as contrary and abrasive. I'm not saying that this is necessarily the case for you, just something to think about. Sometimes being "just honest" can be hurtful. Granted, some people are more sensitive than others. I find it helps to force a little pause in myself before I reply and to be especially careful to do this when I'm extra stressed. As others have said, take care of yourself. Good luck, I know feeling anxious and agitated is miserable. Jen

I've seen more than one truly subcut injection leave a hematoma/ecchymosis. The only thing that would lead me to thnk it might have been IM is the location. I'd ask the other nurse about it. You can give subcut in the back of the arm as well.

Do you know a friend or a couple who could use a little help with their bills? Would they rent you a room in their house? One of our friends is renting our guest room and it's great for all of us. He has a cheap place to stay and we have a little extra $. You may want to think about down the road when you are doing clincials and such, you might have to reduce your work hours, so plan ahead. I know lost of people who had/have roomates.

Thanks, I guess that I never thought of the ANCC as a business.

I'm glad you feel better about your decision. You did the right thing. Too many professionals feel bullied into making exceptions that should not be made. As a motorist on the road with those people you examine, I thank you.

Several of my classmates have had similar issues. It's frustrating because it seems that there is no one to really complain to. I have to have the paperwork to get a license and have to have the license to work. It's not like there is another agency I can go through. (I'm acute care) I feel backed into a corner and the people who should be able to help are not. They don't have to provide good customer service because they have no competition. Everyone please think happy thoughts for me and abowman13. All we want to do is the job we are qualified to do.

I graduated in Aug. It took the ANCC 8 weeks to process my paperwork to let me sit for the credentalling exam. 8 weeks! I finally took the exam on Dec 9th. I've been waiting for the state of Mi to issue my licence. It was taking a bit longer than expected, so I called to find out why my certification verification was still listed as missing. THE ANCC NEVER SENT IT! I called them and they told me that they never recieved the release paper. I distinctly remember sending it. Now I have to send it again and wait for the state to process it (2-3 MORE weeks) The worst part is that I took a job in Sept as a Graduate NP not knowing it would take nearly this long (everyone assured me it wouldn't take more taht 6-8 wks). My boss says it's OK, but I'm so frustrated! I just had to vent. I expected more from a professional organization. PAs can work on a temporary licence in Mi. We can't. How silly. Thanks for listening. Jen

I was a waitress and bartender during nursing school. I didn't find anything wrong with it. It was even fun sometimes. The worst part was coming home smelling of food/booze/smoke. Like someone else said, what about a tech job at a hospital or nursing home. (Granted, I think I sometimes made more bartending than as a tech) Good Luck

I, like others, have read many of your posts and I would have no doubt you had it in you. You go girl! Let this be the start of a new way of looking at yourself.

That is also one of my pet peeves. I've straightened up numerous rooms and found 5 or 6 of something the pt only really needs one of. I too think it really just comes down to laziness. I'm sure vast amounts of money are wasted.

Nurses and nursing assistants see all shapes, sizes, colors and variations of the human body. I'm not even sure that I would notice streach marks let alone comment on them. Often things we notice about ourselves are "magnified" in our minds eye and others don't see them the same way. Honestly, when we talk about our patients it's usually when they did/said somethig especially nasty or the like. They were probably more likely to think it strange that you were so reluctant to let them thake your blood pressure, and even that they'll probably forget by tomorrow. I've seen so many people and their bodys that things on or about them are rarely suprising anymore. Rest easy, I think your arms being the subject of conversation is highly unlikely.

Ebay- new and used

Why not draw all the narc from the vial and squirt the little bit of waste into the regular trash can? It's not like it's a lot of liquid and what ever paper is in there absorbs it. As for pills, they get crushed and then poured into the trash. The empty vial then can go in the regular trash as well. That's how I've done it, but there are others who put all manner of things in the sharps.

There are several great EDs in the SE Michigan area. Especially Detroit Recieving (BUSY level 1 trauma ctr), Henry Ford Hospital and Siani Grace. Nice Urban and metro area. Several large universitiys with MSN programs. Also St. Joseph Mercy in Ypsilanti, right next to Ann Arbor, is in a busy, vibrant community and UofM hosptial in Ann Arbor (thought I'd prefer to work at St Joe) Check it out.

There are negative people in every career and life in general. Don't let those people cast the whole field in a bad light. ~Jen