tlhubbard

I know my aunt who graduated in 1976 (also my inspiration to be a nurse), has a lot of the same complaints as I did in nursing school. Being constantly reminded of how many ways they can find to kick you out, hateful mentors who are cannibals, etc. As far as the class, if I had to be a guinea pig for my fellow students, instead of having mannequins I wouldn't be a nurse. So anytime I know someone has been a nurse for years, I really respect the fact they were willing to go through things I wouldn't be. Also the NCLEX may have advanced, but I can honestly say I probably lucked out there. I only had 75 questions before the computer shut off. Here in Ohio, the nurses (before the computerized version) had to take the NCLEX in a stiffling old barn on the Ohio State Fair grounds and sat for 2 days taking hand written tests. Then waited for 3-6 months for results ( I waited 11 days). So I say hats off (literally, we didn't get those either) to the more experienced nurses. It's still tough, but I believe some of it use to be tougher.

My solution is to turn down the ringers, turn on the answering machine and caller ID. If I have a sick family member or there is an emergency at the kids school, I have a cell phone that work does not have the number for. I keep that bedside and it will only ring when absolutely necessary. I had a job that called me back in for initials on a rape kit (I missed 1 set of initials, there are like 6). So I drove the hour back to my job and then an hour back home (mind you I had kids in Headstart and elementary school, so I was getting broken sleep anyway). When I got back into work that night the rape kit was still in the frig. no one had even come to pick it up yet. Talk about ticked. They eventually ran the kit, but it had become less of a priority, as the minor girl had taken a few days trip with an older boyfriend and consented to all activities come to find out. We did the rape kit because she was afraid her dad would be mad if he knew the truth.

No you cannot just push a med and let the pump do it. You have to consider if you are using a port above or below the pump. If below, then you are not getting control from the pump for the med, if above the pump you could cause back flow into the maintenance bag and really lose it's effectiveness as it could take HOURS for it to get to the patient. Also you CANNOT push any IVP into any IVF. You may cause a precip. or otherwise effect the stability of your med. You should always be sure you are dealing with a IVF that is considered compatible according to the insert or your pharmacist. Best of luck!

When I was with a huge health management group (they owned several large local hospitals) they gave out the "logo" type stuff. But I also received free movie tickets, $25 gift card (for coming into work during a bad snow), and we had a year end bonus based on profits and patient satisfaction. Which would usually equal about 120 hours of pay. Where I am now, I finally got my raise 1/2 a year late with only 2 paychecks retroactivation. But I have 2 wonderful bosses - they both gave us gifts last year from their own pocket. We also have a nice catered luncheon, and they send in FRESH food for the off shifts also. No one gets leftovers. My husband is losing his job due to downsizing. His last day is right before Christmas. So I would say my biggest holiday bonus is to still have a job with wonderful bosses. But before he goes, they are having one last big Christmas party for families and every employee who shows up for it will get a $100 gift certificate. Every year they have raffled off a good number of large prizes for the kids to win. We have won a season pass to a local major theme park and also a wagon full of toys another year. We have been blessed.

Working (years ago) as a CNA I had been at the facility for 18 months without a death during my shift. Determined to keep my record, I had a patient whose 2 sisters had died in the previous 2 weeks (one in our facility, one not) I went in to turn Betsy (she had never been able to communicate, but seemed to understand). She was having periods of apnea and scaring me to death (this is at 7 pm-I didn't leave until 11p). Whenever I would say Betsy's name, her bedside light would flicker. I even tried talking to her without her name and then mentioning her name again--EVERYTIME her light would flicker. (witnessed by another CNA) So since Betsy was a DNR, I pleaded with her (quietly) not to pass until midnight (so I could not be there). She died at 12:30 am. I had told the nurse about the light, maintenance checked it out--nothing wrong. I'm sure her sisters were calling her "into the light" Weird..

I do not wear scrubs for my job. I go in and out of many facilities, I see most nurses in scrubs (typically not matching each other, doing their own colors/patterns). There is one LTC facility I go to and they are still required to wear HATS. They wear all white and the hats. Which is honorable, however some forget their hats and use "community" hats kept at the facility or they are not keeping them cleaned properly. So some look great, while others look like they've been mudwrestling in their hat. Of course at the hospital I worked at in surgery, we all wore hospital supplied/laundered scrubs which was GREAT! We also had the administrative nurses that people referred to SKIRT nurses or carpet nurses. I'm happy to say I have a great job (not in the hospital setting) and have crossed the line to the carpet/skirt nurse side.

It wasn't my N-CLEX exam, but the community/psyche portions of my nursing school tests. I had the worst time answering those properly. When they would start with "What would you do...." I realized I needed to read them differently. I read them as "What would Julia (my instructor) want me to do..." Psyche & community was never my strong area, but this little change made a big difference. Most of my N-CLEX exam was psyche questions, and I stopped at 75 and was sure I failed. It took longer to drive to the exam than it did to take it. I passed...but I believe it was my different perspective on those questions that helped. Sounds crazy, but it worked. Another thought, definitely take into consideration the areas you find are more troublesome with your N-CLEX prep programs. Spend the most time on these. I believe there are also brush-up courses for people who have had trouble with the N-CLEX. I don't know how long it's been since your graduation, but you may consider the brush-up. Best of luck!!!

wow..... I think you are an inspiration to all of us already in the nursing field. You took a very tragic situation and are able to see something positive, and to turn it into something positive to benefit others with your care. Stories like yours remind us why we love to do what we do, and how much we really can make a difference. Best wishes.

Ambulatory surgery pre-op is an excellent job. I did it PRN (ended up with 40 hrs/week because I wanted to). Being in an ambulatory center, all patients are pre-screened and you have relatively healthy adults having elective surgeries. Dealt some with the surgeons, not too bad. The staff had a much better attitude because no one felt put upon since we didn't work weekends, nothing after 7 pm, and we had Thanksgiving (2days), Christmas (2 days), New Years (2 days), July 4, Labor and Memorial days too. We were also thanked with a gift quarterly if we were mentioned in a positive light in a patient survey during that quarter. We were often brought lunch or given gift certificates for doing something (like all the office staff called in for snow, all the nurses made it in) So the nurses all got $25 to a local store. Not to mention in surgery, you wear their scrubs and don't have to take all those germs home with you. Loved that too.

I found that home health care just wasn't for me because of the conditions under which you work. A sterile dressing change with the family pet sniffing the sterile field or just filthy places was enough to turn me away. I feel I really need a controlled setting to do my work safely and effectively. Don't get me wrong, the HH nurse I followed loved her job and had some really good "regular" patients (had seen them for years). I just don't have it in me.

The worst place (besides LTC) was a ped ER for me. Loved the kids, not the staff and parents so much though. The best place is IV therapy. Work M-Fr no weekends, holidays or nights. I am the only one who does my job (job security). Can't complain. Great opportunity.

Working a pediatric ER, I know your pain. I had a patient who's obviously intoxicated father and father's girlfriend had brought in a small boy. They wanted him seen for a "rash" on his "BIRD". The rash was also on his hands and bottom. (strange combination) Dad then wants me to "feel" the rash and while he is holding the boy's "BIRD" he makes eating sounds and puts his mouth close to it. HORRIFIED, I went to get Social Services ASAP. Of course, dad and girlfriend denied (the boy was 3 1/2 maybe 4), so the rest of the night the dad followed me through the ER giving "looks" that would kill. What this boy went back to heaven only knows. I finally came to terms with the fact I could only do what I could do. It's hard to let it go. Why Social Services took the word of an obviously drunk and stoned parent over a sober and licensed nurse I will never understand. I hope you are able to let it go eventually. Maybe you should talk to that nurse who wasn't available before, so future situations will be a little easier. She may have some good suggestions for some options.

Here's a thought....what would daddy have done for his little girl if she had shown some sign of injury and nothing but male emergency responders were available? Could happen..so will he let her bleed to death internally. Or drive her to the hospital himself and wait for a female doc to be available? There has to be some sense of judgment used here. Sorry about the kid, but at this very moment the other victim seems to be the priority. Until symptoms/signs change to make me think different, daddy's little girl will just have to take a number. I'd love to know that I could be the squeaky wheel and walk in with my daughter and make her a priority because of religion. However, that's not the way emergency care and triaging works. If you're looking for customer service, I'm sure I can find an 800# for you. Otherwise either grab an ambu bag and help, or get out of my way and let me do my job.

I am not doing home health. Mine is long term care. Most of those nurses are not terribly comfortable doing IVs (especially starts) But I also place midlines and PICCs. I help with p/p for infusion. I answer a lot of questions regarding flushing, maintenance, dressing changes, etc. I am a resource service from the pharmacy to our homes we send meds to. I am salary (so I can't really remark on the pay). However when I take call, all calls are paid based on distance traveled. (I also get gasoline allowance) So any calls after normal business hours or on weekends/holidays are call pay. I also do a lot of education in-services on infusion, and anything else that happens to fall in my lap (like low staff--so I go hang a med on a PICC because there is no RN in the house on a Saturday, etc.) Hope this helps you out. I truly love what I do. Most residents are very glad they can stay in their facility and not be shipped to the hospital for a line. Families are very happy about it too. I find it very rewarding.

I am in IV therapy for LTC. I work for a LTC pharmacy and I service/resource to any and all our homes that need me. Just like a PICC team, I am M-Fr my hours are 8:30 to 5:00. I only take call when I want to. If I don't want to, I am covered by agency. I also found that corporate nursing pays better to those of us who have 4-5 years experience than the hospitals do locally. Plus none of the downfalls. And the retirement here is TONS better (meaning there is one-the hospital is 401K only with no employer contribution). I am a VERY HAPPY nurse. :biggringi