1017sharonrn2003

So far, the HH agency that I work for in PA gives us the goverment rate for mile reinbursment, 0.40 1/2 cents per mile. With my car, I just about break even, but if prices continue to riase, I might be needing to ask for a raise. If the agencies are smart, they will know that they need to come up w/a solution to the raising cost of gas or we'll be stuck using bikes to get back and forth to cl homes.

A girl I work with took the exam 3 times, didn't pass, and then took it a 4th time and is now an RN. She was determined to do it. She wasn't slow or dumb, test just made her nervouse. The point is, she didn't give up her dream of wanting to be a nurse. You can do anything you set your mind to. The exam isn't easy and from what I hear, it's gotten harder. So take a deep breath, feel good about your self, you graduated from college, that alone is a big accomplishment. Start reviewing, maybe somone you know local can help you review for the exam. Hang in there and keep smiling!

Many people tried to talk me out of becomming a nurse. My grandfather told me it was too much work and not enough pay. Other people told me kinda the same thing, I would respond with, "I thought you become a nurse to care for the sick and make a differance in people's lives?" Even other nurse's would respond in a negitive manner, telling me that it's mostly paper work and long hours without enough pay or benifits. But I did have the support of two very important people, my mother and my husband. They both encouraged me to follow my dreams and to make the differance I thought I could. I've had many different types of jobs in the past but nursing seemed to be where I was drawn. I thought long and hard before going back to school, but I did become a Registered nurse and I don't regret it. There are times when I laugh, stomp my feet in anger, and even times when I cry, but I love being a nurse, it's one of the best decisions I've ever made. If you really want to be a nurse and understand the journey ahead of you, don't let anyone talk you out of it.

I agree that sometimes it seems assesments are quick. But there are nurses who do great assesments everytime. I personaly wouldn't feel like I was doing the pt justice to just skim over the assesment, anyway, here's what I do at the hospital I work for. After report, I check labs and any progress notes that may be vital. I go and meet the pt, I typically talk to the pt, if they're able, and ask about pain, how they slept, etc. Then I tell the pt I'm going to be listening to heart and lung sounds. I start with the heart. I first listen for irregularities, murmors and such. I also use both the bell and the diaphram of the chest piece, because as you know, some heart sounds are best heard with one side or the other. I listen to the heart from all aspects, not just in one place. After that, I take an Apical pulse on everyone, I listen for one complete minute. I then record my findings on my pt sheet. I then listen to lung sounds anterior, if possible, I have the pt sit up for better distrubution of sound. Then I listen to the lateral fields, then the posterior-bases are most important. I place the stethascope (spellings not my thing) on the pt's skin, we have germicidial that kills just about everything where I work, so I clean after/before every assesment. Wile listening, I'm also inspecting the skin for color, lesions, etc. I ask questions to pt about their breathing: pain, difficulty taking a deep breath, dizziness, etc. Of course, then I document findings. Then I go to GI,Gu and so forth. I do all systems and I take no short cuts. Yes, it takes me longer than some to get through my assesments, but I know I did what I needed to do for the well being of my pt and I can pick up slight changes quickly. I'd love to share more with you and give more detail, if you want you can e-mail me . I think one of the most important things we can do for our pts, is to give them a great assesment every time. I wish you luck and happiness.

Currently I work for a small community hospital. Typically, I have 5-6 pts, total primary care. That includes call lights, getting people up for test, Turns Q2/h, education, meds, and anything else that comes along. I don't think it's fare to the pts for care givers to be spread so thin. Example, I've just started a blood transfusion and Mr X has to use the bathroom, I can't leave my pt for 15min, so Mr X has to wait or be incont? That's not right. We do have one tec most days, but they have limited amount of what they do so there's a lot of frustrating days at this hospital.

Hi Anna, just wanted to comment on your situation. Don't be in a hurry, I know you want to feel like you've got it and that you "know" what you're doing, but relax, take a deep breath and enjoy the experiance. Nursing is great and there's a learning curve. Some people start feeling pretty sure of themselves after about 6mo, others may need about 2 years before they feel comfortable. It seems that most nurse I've talked to, feel that after about a year of full time nursing, they feel pretty comfortable in their practice. It will all come together. Ask lots of questions, subscribe to a nursing mag or read nursing books. I really like Nursing 2005 mag. It's all up to date and really has good articles. This web site and others like it are a real help too. You will always have questions or conserns and nursing is always changing. Even nurses who have been in the profession for many years ask for help somtimes. I wish much happiness and sucess in your Nursing adventure. Sharon :)

Thanks so much for the advice, I hope all works out.

When I graduated from Nursing school, I swore I'd never be a M/S nurse. I really wanted to specialize, but all that was avalible was M/S. Many nurses told me that M/S was the place to start, at leaast 1 year. You know what, they were right. I'm so glad I've worked the last 2 years in M/S. No matter where you go, you can take it with you. M/S is every where. It's never a wast of time and I feel it helped me to see the whole picture in health care. I don't think I would have been as well rounded without it. I have also met nurses who started in a speciality and have never worked M/S, they have told me that they regret not having a M/S background. I think you can do well either way you chose, but I strongly recomend M/S for at least one year. I hope this helps. Sharon

You don't want to take Tramadol with Celexa, but why are you taking Celexa? You should know why your taking a drug and if the benifits out weigh the side affects, I think it's woth a shot. I take an SSRI-Lexapro, no problems so far except when I took it with Tramadol--I got really sick, never again. If you take percription meds, you need to make sure it's ok to take anything OTC or percriptions before taking another med. hope this helps. Just always read lables and follow up with MD.

Hi, I have been a med-surg nurse for 2 years. I have decided to make a change and become a home helath care nurse. Is there any advise or "words of wisdom"? I'm really looking forward to this new adventure and can use some good advise about do's/don'ts and maybe 'tricks' of the trade. Thanks!