fltopp1

I understand peoples feelings for her because of our line of work, however we take an oath of a very serious career. Homicide may be extreme versus Manslaughter because the definition of homicide shows more intent versus manslaughter being more of a mistake type charge. Nursing is a difficult job and yes sometimes the pressure can be very overwhelming. we also need to consider that the Pt puts their life into our hands and our license tells that patient that they can trust us to know what we're doing. I don't care if she had 6 months as a nurse, if in doubt ask another nurse. Giving a lethal dose of ANYTHING is not acceptable in ANY case big or small. I saw a response from someone that said "If I would have known this was possible I wouldn't have become a Nurse". That's ridiculous. If you cannot handle the responsibility of keeping people alive (or NOT killing them), then go be responsible for a Slurpee Machine at 7-11. This is a case we should all keep in the back of our minds next time a med that has clear warnings on the vial is to be issued that we could possibly take for granted. Im sorry but I don't feel bad for the nurse, I feel bad for the family that trusted the Nurse to do her duties correctly.

I am thanked every day by my Veteran patients here at the Veterans hospital. I am so happy to work with and for them that I almost feel I should pay the hospital to allow me to work here. :)

Regarding your questions, I am a Male Nurse ("Murse") and have been for 5 years now. I am a retired Marine of 21 years and after military retirement I became a deputy Sheriff. I didn't enjoy being in law enforcement as I was in what was at the time the "Meth capital of the country". I got out of it and decided I wanted to start helping people instead of take the abuse by them. So, I became a nurse. One of my main reasons was because I wanted to help veterans and felt I had more to contribute to my fellow service members. We have a big Veterans hospital in my area so I knew I could do some good there. I am now certified as a surgical nurse as well as work in the Opthal. dept. My first two years I worked in the Emergency room, 2nd two years were in our Pops unit which is "Pre-op, Post Surg recovery". Now regarding your questions. Are there stereotypes for male nurses? very much so. Our they a detriment to us as males? No. Yes when I see a female patient I ask if they are comfortable with seeing a male and if not they go to another nurse. Simple as that. Maybe since our patient population are ALL veterans I have never had an issue as of yet. Could one ever come up? of course, but so far so good. I am lucky enough to have the gift of gab and can ease about 99% of the patients I have ever met. And the extra 1% came in with issues so it wasn't anything I had done. Is it detrimental to be a male in this profession? not at all!!! As a matter of fact I have been told by numerous HR depts. at local hospitals that they are hiring more and more men basically because we don't "break" as easy as female nurses. The workmans comp claims by females compared to males (percentages equalized regarding numbers) is much higher so many facilities are hiring males because physically we can handle the most fat country in the worlds population that comes into our facilities. Regarding any other questions feel free to ask. All in all I love being a nurse and have no regrets. The only issues I had was the fact that I am a retired Marine and am not always politically correct in what I say. I have a habit of being very straight forward with people and its not always welcomed. But happy nursing and enjoy the profession!!!!! Don't be afraid of it.

I was a Deputy Sheriff before I became a nurse and depending on your state they can send a ticket in the mail. It happens all the time, just like the van that takes your picture in an intersection and they send you a ticket. There is nothing legally that states they must write you up on site. And if you don't get a ticket be extremely appreciative that you didn't just ruin your future career. A DUI in my state will make you lose your license or at the very least put you on probation with your state nursing board. A responsible nurse cannot afford to be irresponsible when it comes to patient care so a DUI reflects your being a responsible person.

I wouldnt quit. Its no big deal. I heard our facility is going back to issued scrubs that cannot be taken home due to studies of bacteria brought from homes of nursing staff. (ie; dirty house, pets, kids sick, etc.).

Do nursing students have a life?? Do you procrastinate? Are you lazy? Do you have good study habits? It all depends on how you are with your time management. When you get hungry enough you'll find time to eat. When you get tired enough you wont be able to productively study you'll get some sleep. If you want to be a NURSE, then you have to earn it. If it scares you that much than maybe think of another career.

Im an LPN currently going to school to get my ADN. I work with tons of RN's AND BSN's in a hospital and everyone tells me through their experience that the only difference between the two is the extra classes of underwater basketweaving that are required just to get the credits.

My experience was that RN school was too long and too expensive for me. Its also extremely competitive. So I went the LPN route. I graduated in 2011 and am currently in an "LPN 2 RN" program. This program is much more conformed to what I needed because its all online except for the last two months which is also the term when I will do my clinicals. I work fulltime at a hospital and cant afford to quit work to go back to school. Plus, by getting a job at a hospital I was able to get my RN paid for.

I had no issues at all using my Post 9/11. Maybe I was just lucky, or maybe your schools Veterans assistance person is very out of touch with the system. Thank you for your 3 years service.

Im currently an LPN getting my ADN. The reason I didnt go for my BSN is time. Im 50 and own a home as a military retiree so can't afford to not work while Im taking 15 credits a term. Im doing the ADN currently because my work will pay me back for my ADN and I can finish much quicker than if I went for the BSN first. I can work as an ADN and make 15 to 20K more than I do now once I get my ADN then it will go up a little more once I get my BSN which I can take my time for. If I was 20 something and this was my first career then it would have been no big deal to do a 4 yr degree. But Im old and time and money is more scarce.

My opinion is that it comes down to the school itself. I believe we all take the same NCLEX so the school itself IMHO doesnt really matter. Yes the BSN has many more credits needed and lots of NON-nursing courses that need to be done to complete the BSN, but the NCLEX is still the tell all as to whom is prepared and whom is not. If I was in a crappy program and didnt feel prepared for the NCLEX its for me to have to take the initiative to ensure Im confident I will pass, no one elses.

OMG I so needed this today!!!!!!! Thanks for the truth/laugh.

I have received nothing but letters of recommendation and praise as a nurse which I also did my studies and passed the NCLEX on these meds a few years ago. If my abilities are impaired, then it was for the better.

LOL, if no one disputes them as nurses then why be classified as something different. The VA is slowly weeding out LPN positions for only RN's. Its sad because I know of a lot of LPN's who are in many ways better "Nurses" than some of the BSN's Ive worked with. I was giving the info because I dont want anyone that may be attempting to get a non nurse position with the VA to assume they will get 8 hours of vaca per pay period.

LOL, typical, its all Bush's fault. And your comment " it is hard to really have any concern at all for the outrage" is maybe true for you and anyone too ignorant to open your eyes, however my insurance did go up a high dollar amount, and my parents both lost their coverage due to the "ACA" beginning. The current ACA is a joke and should have been better planned by both parties together instead of the politicians working on making money for their owns pockets and not the public they work for. Both parties are to blame for all political garbage that has happened. As you blame Bush for 9/11 and the Iraq war, dont forget that the decision was a majority decision by Dems and Repubs to go to Iraq. Quit blaming eath others party and blame all the politicians themselves.