SoCalGAL

Hey NCRN, I can't believe my eyes... scripts???? It must be nice to work in a facility that has nothing else to do with its' time!! I can't imagine being MANDATED to say the same thing to every patient! I am a strong patient/family advocate and would REFUSE to accept a scripted dialogue, how insulting Like most of us, I spend a great deal of my time building rapport with my patients and families; I don't need anybody telling me what to say! I think that it's disprespectful that management does not have the confidence in the nursing staff to communicate.... I practice in NC, can you disclose what facility that you're working for (for future reference!)? Hang in there, I support you in your filing system!

Greetings, I have to say that I agree with MollyJ. I think that an employer does have a right to mandate a dress code, HOWEVER, there's no excuse for employers who constantly change policies when the employees are footing the bill! Even though uniforms are tax deductible, it still takes a chunk of money to buy multiple sets (let's face it, scrubs are a 'wear once at a time only' item. With the exception of where I work now, I've always worked with a dress code that separates the different professions. While I agree that ultimately the patient could care less what color HCPs wear, it seemed to help identify 'who was doing what'(and it DID NOT substitute for good-ole communication, just helped it along by giving visual clues) and the patients that I've worked with have liked the concept. I've also always had a uniform allowance or have been given the scrubs, too. If you find out why the new VP wants to change the dress code, maybe it would make the change easier. Also, ask around and find out what color the nurses would like and see if you could submit a request for it, BE PROACTIVE! In one facility I worked, we changed colors and administration actually had the nursing staff vote on a choice of color they wanted! After the initial submission, the 'color' was narrowed down to 3 choices and it was voted on by the nursing staff. THIS WENT OVER REALLY WELL AND EVERYBODY FELT THAT THEY HAD CONTRIBUTED!If the new VP is gung-ho, be supportive of this change..... then try to get her to tackle things that really impact you like STAFFING, HOURS, etc!!!!

Dear psychnurse, I can only imagine the stress that you're going through now. How is your employer helping you deal with your situation? I agree with MollyJ and encourage you to seek the advice of a private attorney, at the very least, you will be confident that YOUR attorney is looking out for your best interests. If you haven't done so already, take the time to sit down and write out the incident IN DETAIL so that you have an account to give if you are able to pursue litigation. As we tell our patients, write out a list of questions that you have when you visit your attorney- stress and memory don't always work together! At the very least, your facility should be providing prophylaxis against HIV and I hope, crisis counseling.Take care and let us know how you are doing- WE ARE HERE FOR YOU, YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

Dear NurseNikki, Congratulations on finishing nursing school!! I am a recent grad myself and remember VIVIDLY the test anxiety before the NCLEX YOU WILL DO FINE, TRUST ME. As far as any pointers----1) use your common sense, many of the questions want to test your ability to prioritize, 2) just study the most common basics when it comes to drugs/lab values, the board is not going to test on obscurities (on those issues), 3) there is only 1 answer, if you are having trouble deciding, reread the question for meaning, 4) Make a dry run to the test center before your test, allow for plenty of travel time and pack your 'stuff' the night before!, 5) REMEMBER THE ABC'S. The night before my exam, I inadvertently made dinner plans that I couldn't change, so I spent the night prior to the test just having fun (yes, I tried my best not to think about it!) and it turned out for the best- there was NOTHING that I learned the day before the test !!! YOU WILL PASS Take care and keep us posted.... ps. Chaseloff- you mentioned that you grad from TX- i, too grad from a TX school! Do you feel the eyes upon you ? Good Luck on your exam also...

Hi BerryBear. I agree with outbackannie, first get your GED (remember, the way to start the longest journey is with the first step...) Do you have a local community college? The couselors there can help you with researching your interests and guide you to take the courses that you need. As for your age, you are still very young- many of your classmates will be much, much older! To answer your question about how long it took me to earn my degree- about 20 years (I returned to finish my BSN after my kids started school)One of my classmates (in her 30's) started her nursing career by getting her GED, and she was an intelligent and caring woman (by the way, she graduated with honors). You have already made the first step in pursuing your education by deciding to go back to school, best wishes and good luck in any career that you choose.

Hi NurseKrissy, Hang in there! I am a recent (within the last year) BSN graduate and I KNOW how long those semesters feel! But take heart, the time does go by sooo quickly I remember preparing for the computer NCLEX and hoping for "just the 75 questions", when the day came around and the computer clicked off after 75, I felt a panic and almost shouted "I'm not finished yet!" (I didn't....) The point? All those lectures and exams will give you what you need to START your nursing career. I, too, worked as a student nurse and it was a great way to gain more experience, but I only recommend it if you can fit it into your current schedule (afterall, some students must work through school). You will make it and pass NCLEX, even if some of the days may drag (I swear that time stood still in my Geriatrics class!)Take heart and keep us posted!