ERICUEMS

:D the neurosurgeon that did my laminectomy years ago was Doctor Slaughter.......... :D

Speaking of humor, does anyone know if the Nurse who used to write "The View Askew" column for the old REVOLUTION is still around? I thought her stuff was a riot! I saved alot of the articles, and still post them around when the appropriate subject arises

Pay is not an issue..you'd make more at the smaller hospital...you won't have to commute @ all hours..and your family wants you closer...Can I be YOU please? I'll take thejob! In 32 years I've worked big and small places..It depends on where you are in life, and what you want in your career...As a young Nurse, I wanted the excitement of a large place that did everything, and I got TONS of experience in all kinds of things....Now that I've "been there done that" I LOVE my small hospital....I'm a big fish in a little pond, and it really is like family--you know everyone and they know you...One of the great things about Nursing is that it not limiting...You can change practice arenas,always learn new things, and NEVER be bored....I vote for the smaller place...

OK.... We won't tell you....but I'm afraid you'll find out for yourself..... we're running 4 out 5 days short staffed now @ my hospital ---- Listen, there is still alot about Nursing that's wonderful, so don't get too put off....this is just one thing....

Excellent question--Been at the bedside now 27 years ER,+ 5 years ICU,--single, self supporting, with a mortgage, 15 y/o son, and a dog.....I believe that like everything else, priorities change depending on where you are in life.....When I was younger, #2 was the $$$$--I have finally reached an acceptable salary,(Nurses will NEVER be paid what they are actually worth!!) so the retirement plans and benes are #2...ways to invest for my kid's college...we have self sceduling in my ICU, & job security won't be problem for me, because the shortage will still be on when I retire. And management?..... Trust me kiddo, they are management for a reason, and will never be any different no matter where you go. They will always be "THEM", and we will always be "US". But the #1 priority for me,young and old is and always has been, the ability to give good bedside care. So I guess that would mean having enough staff. It frightens me a bit to know that after all of these years caring for others, by the time I need it, there may not be anyone to care for me! So I'd really like to see staffing improve over the next few years! ------------------

I was an LPN in critical care (ER) for 24 years, and have been an RN for 6--I know waht you are talking about--there is an EXCELLENT forum for LPNs at the NFLPN home page---It is a very good and active organization that I can highly recommend, and stll visit on a regular basis--I still find that LPNs in general practice reality based Nursing ---find the site @: www.nflpn.org You'll feel at home there.

I don't have any brilliant ideas, but I can offer some encouragment--Is the system new to your staff? It took us forever to get used to ours, and at first we hated it, but now ALL of our charged supplies are in a PYXIS, and we do OK...They WILL get the hang of it(afterall, as I tell my Paramedic S.O., there is no such thing as a stupid Nurse....!)but it does take time...Our manager was willing to have weekly PYXIS meetings until we either stopped making errors, stopped complaining, or figured out how to use it..Hang in there!It will get better.(PS-tell them not to take it personally when the darn thing calls them INVALID!!)

Can anyone help me? I have 26 years ER, and 4 years ICU-I'm also very active in EMS,both teaching and "running call". The ENA put out a position paper on "The RN in the Pre-Hospital Environment" in 1989, but I can't find any state guidelines, standards, organizations, or other information. I know I'm not the only one who "crosses over", and if there isn't a group or association, I'm wondering if anyone would be intersted in starting one.....then of course, how in the heck would I do that???? Thanks!!