L&Dnurse2Be

Umm...do you really think that you are exempt from wiping bottoms because you are a nurse? I would rethink things. Incontinence care is everyone's responsibility. As a nurse you should take that time to make a full skin assessment, and check on your patient. I know that you have other responsibilites that keep you from always helping the aides, but never think you are above wiping bottoms, that is just part of nursing. I can see why the aides are giving you trouble... just my 2 cents.

I worked on a 33 bed neuro floor. The ratio was 5 on days and 6 sometimes 7 on nights. We always had aids. We would have 1 aid for no more than 14 patients unless of course there was a staffing issue. We had a dedicated charge nurse who only took a patient if we had a staffing issue. Your ratios seem very unsafe.

Thanks for all the kinds words...I just wanted to update everyone. My Grandma passed peacefully on Wednesday night. She was given morphine for her pain. She died with all 3 of her children with her. They all honored her wishes. It is hard but I know this is what she wanted and she is in a better place now. I am just thankful for the last few hours I had with her before she died. Rest in peace Granny I love you!

Well I guess today I was on the family side of nursing. My Grandma has been in the hospital since last Friday. Apparently she had a mild heart attack some time ago and did not even know. She had fluid around her heart and was having a hard time breathing so they took her to the hospital. Of course she is 86, diabetic, obese, well you get the picture. Her kidneys are now only functioning at 15%. She has decided to deny dialysis if the time comes where she needs it. I know it is for the best. She has been suffering for years...I sat with her today and talked to her while I held her hand. I could see it in her eyes that it's almost over, but she wouldn't say that to me. I just pray that my Aunt and Uncle let her go in peace. My father is the only rational one in the family. I just can't bear to see her suffer any more. I have just seen it too many times with families of patients. "Oh please save Mom, Grandma, etc....do whatever you can..." Even though as a caregiver you knew what the patient wanted. I just don't want this to happen. Thanks for reading if you got this far...I just needed to get it out of my system.

First of all (((hugs))). Second of all...my philosophy is there is a reason for everything. That facility was just not a good fit for you. You will find the right place to work, it just might take time. Do not beat yourself up. Have confidence in yourself. You have your nursing license and I know you worked very hard to get it. From your post it sounds like you leaving the facility was a mutual thing. Keep your head up and start sending out resumes. Try and find a job that maybe is not so demanding...I know nursing and not demanding is an oximoron. :) Maybe a Dr.'s office? Good luck to you...I know things will work out!

I was helping a nurse pick a patient up off the floor. The patient had completely soaked the bed then of course tried to get up to finish in the bathroom and fell! As we were pulling her up, I slipped in some urine and fell on the bed. Yes, the completely urine soaked bed. I was wet from the waist down. Had to get scrubs from the locker room. I am only 5 ft tall and had to spend the rest of the day in scrubs meant for a 6 ft tall Doctor! What a day...

Well it's not me but my husband. When my son was born and we finally got to bring him home (he was 6 weeks premature), my husband's company went on service emergency. It was extremely rainy that year, he worked in telecommunications. I was home with our first child while he worked 10 to 12 hour days for about 45 days straight...NO day off. He was exhausted, and so was I!

It is true that we do not pay state income tax, but our property taxes are extremely high. Just something to think about....

All I can say is I hope you feel better soon and have a full recovery. Take care and good luck!

First...it is illegal to discrimate because you are pregnant. That does not mean they can't come up with some other reason to get rid of you if they really want to. I would suggest just going about your job normally once you start working. Two months of notice sounds fine to me. Of course you might start showing before then :). Just be aware without FMLA you might not have a job to come back to simply because they might not be able to cover your hours and need to hire a new nurse. If they are truly a good employer and want your services they should be accomidating. Good luck with your new job and the new arrival in March!

A registered dietician requires a separate degree. It is true that a lot of classes might overlap, such as basic nutrition, biochem, A&P, etc., but an RD actually requires an intensive internship after your undergraduate degree in nutrition. I hold a BS in Nutrition and was not able to get into the internship at my school as they only took 12 students each semester in the Masters's program. The internships are very competitive, as is nursing. Good luck with your choice!

Isn't terbutaline used to relax the uterus, slowing/stopping contractions? Nasty side effects though, shaking, tremors, etc. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I have a bachelor's in nutrition. I wanted to be an RD. My university only took 12 applicants each year for the internship which was also a master's program. The competition was fierce. Unfortunately I did not make the cut. It is very difficult. My bachelor's degree was very difficult. It was full of sciences and labs which made my transition to nursing school much easier. Some of the classes I had to take were of course A&P, basic chemistry, organic chemistry, bio-chemistry, microbiology, advanced nutrition, clinical nutrition, just to name a few. If you want to be an RD, it is a long road, but it is doable. I hear the competition in other states is not as bad...I just happen to be in the Austin, TX area. Good luck!

Every hospital I have ever worked at will only hire RN's for L&D. That was in Austin and Georgetown, Texas. That is not to say another area in the US will not hire an LPN. You just have to check and see.

First of all let me say how wonderful it is that you have been sober for 5 years! Good job! As far as your license...I agree with all the other posters, call your BON and be honest. Good luck!

Think long and hard before you make a decision. I worked Saturday and Sunday 7a-7p for about 3 years. It just about tore my family apart. My husband and I fought terribly. I missed out on all of the kiddos activities. It was very hard to get a weekend off. I think I was allowed about 1 weekend every quarter. Weekends work great for some people, just not me. Now I work about 25 hours a week outside the hospital and my family is so much better! Good luck in whatever you decide.

I noticed our neuro docs giving dilauded to everyone as well. Especially w/PCA pumps. Have a headache? How bout some dilauded. I had a pump w/Dilauded after my surgery and it made me vomit. Honestly I can't understand how some people can take so many IV drugs and still walk!

Ok..not sure if this is where to post, but I needed a professional opinion... I just had surgery. My MD came and wrote my discharge instructions about 30 prior to shift change. I knew it would be after shift change before my nurse could DC me. I didn't bother her or ask her about my DC. Well about 1 1/2 hours later, my new nurse comes in. The first thing she says to me is that she is going to do a quick assessment and that she could not DC me. Her exact words were "It would be rude for me to DC you before I see and assess my 4 patients. I will be back as soon as I can, please bare with me." It was late in the evening. I was tired, definitely ready to go and was not happy, but I was nice. Having worked in a hospital I politely asked for the charge nurse. We still had an hour drive home and had to fill my script for pain meds. The nurse really got upset with me. She argued that my husband should fill my script while a waited to get discharged. Where??? That irritated me. I was still calm though. She couldn't believe that I didn't have a 24h pharm where I lived...small town USA. Just got a CVS about 6 months ago...not 24h. Anyway, I asked for the charge nurse again. Finally the charge comes...VERY nice RN...took her 10 minutes to DC me. In the time that the 1st nurse argued w/me, she could have DC'd me. Was I wrong to ask for the charge? I hope I'm not one of those pt's people talk about after the fact. I just wanted to get home. My mom had been with my 3 kids all day and you know how MD's are...waiting till the last minute to give DC instructions... Any opinions will be appreciated!!!:wink2:

Wow it's late...I meant "if empacted..disempact" I'm so tired!

Hmm...the most awkward order... "LOC...if compacted, decompact" You all know what that means!

My daughter was born on September 8th, 2001. I had a C-section so I was still in the hospital. She was in the NICU. I can remember the Dr. coming in during morning rounds and looking at the TV. He said "I've been there". This was before we knew it was a terrorist attack. As the horrible day went on and we learned what happened, I was stunned and scared. The nurses in the NICU went on with their normal day...but we all felt worried. We were in downtown Austin, TX. You never know what can happen. I WILL NEVER FORGET.

It's been hovering around 100 or so all this week here in Central Texas. I'm so tired of it. If my family was not here, I would move to Colorado!

In Texas, the LD/RD is a totally different degree route. It requires a BS in Nutrition, a Masters in Nutrition, and a year long internship following with a test for licensure. I have a degree in Nutrition and could not get into the program to become a RD because of the competition. It is very difficult, just like nursing school. As an RN you can work with breastfeeding moms, patients with Diabetes, etc without a RD/LD. Good luck in whatever you choose. I'm still trying to make it to nursing school...

My CNA in Texas took 1 month of classes and clinicals. It cost $500. Testing was about 2 weeks after the class/clinicals were over. This was through a private company owned by an LVN. I made my money back very quickly after I started working. This was in Austin.

I had to take a written test. It included BP info, medical terms, general patient care questions. Very easy.:)