Nickle

Thank you so much, Micco! Best wishes to you and yours

How do I submit my signatures on VA applications for forms 10-2850a and 306? I do not want my application rejected on a technicality. Adobe Acrobat Reader has the option to submit a digital signature, but this function is disabled on the 10-2850a, and not even an option on the 306. Do I upload the documents unsigned and then submit a signed copy somewhere later on in the application process, or do I sign a hard copy and scan and upload that? Thanks all!

It's from her post above: 1. get specific 2. check regs 3. read policy 4. determine audience 5. set time and place 6. evaluate effectiveness Good luck!

My best guess about what you're asking is that if you want to develop an inservice, you aren't sure how to get it approved - is that right? As in, do you need to ask someone in advance, develop it, get approval? If that's what you mean, I don't have to go through that process. I work for a large national company that has an extensive library of presentations developed by the corporate office. However, we also have a lot of latitude at the facility level, and within my facility, I'm given a lot of autonomy with the whole process. So, I'm usually developing things according to the learning needs of the facility at that time. Classicdame's chronolgy is a great reference for the process, and my additional focus is specifying what can be practically applied. For example, when I do a falls prevention inservice, I do talk about etiology and risk factors, but my area of concentration is, "What are the things that you actually can do to reduce falls? What does falls prevention really mean in my job? What are steps I can take to improve this at work?" Hope this helps - Nickle

Hi, I'm not sure exactly what you're asking. Can you elaborate?

The large national company I work for also uses a paid employment verification system, but this is for verifying wages when applying for loans and housing. It varies from state to state as to what an employer can or will say in a reference check. This isn't an attempt by your current employer to keep you from taking a new job. They just have a contract with this third party agency. Could you give the new potential employer the name and phone number of a supervisor who can provide a direct reference for you?

Jessica, I feel the same way - now that I'm in hospice, I finally feel like I'm a real nurse. It's a good fit for my personality - it's where I am supposed to be. Isn't this a great feeling?

Thanks, doodlemom. I've been reading a lot of old posts over the past few months and that has ben really helpful. Any other advice?

Hi all, I'm starting orientation tomorrow on my new position as a case manager. Do you veterans have any advice for a newbie - things you wish you'd known, learned more about from the beginning, mistakes you wish you hadn't made, things you had to learn the hard way, etc? I've joined HPNA, and after payday I'll be ordering the HPNA generalist nursing text and study guide to use as a primer on the guts of hospice nursing. (No, I won't sit for the exam until I have the recommended 1-2 years experience.) I have also read Final Gifts. Any other suggestions for must-reads? Reference texts? Other educational materials, for families or myself? Suggestions for preventing burnout? I am so excited, but nervous too. Thanks in advance!

Jersey RN, are you using the 1990 book called Notes on Symptom Control in Hospice and Palliative Care, by Peter Kaye? Is this the newest edition? Thanks-

I accepted a job with hospice today! I'm going in for IDG and new hire paperwork tomorrow - yay! Congrats on your new job. I bought Final Gifts several weeks ago in preparation for the career change. (TCU/Float LPN in hospital for 2 yrs, brand new RN.) It was really helpful for me to learn what to anticipate so that I can better educate families about what a patient may need before they can die. As another poster said, it's not so much a reference as a great primer for beginners. And you can recommend it to families, too.

You have to have seen the movie (Office Space) to get the quote. Highly recommended, it's one of my faves. If you've ever worked an office job outside of nursing, you'll probably relate. We watch it over and over and over again . . .

Transforming Nurses' Stress and Anger: Steps Toward Healing 2nd ed By Sandra P Thomas 2004, Springer Publishing

At our facility, the infection control department uses both methods (tracking hand rub usage and having staffers watch for complicance.) But to clarify the "spy" reference - it's not as bad as it sounds. When you are asked to do hand hygiene surveys, you are given very specific instructions to watch your chosen staffer for a predetermined length of time, and to track the opportunities for hygiene versus the number of times the hygiene was actually used. That's where the percentage comes from. The thing that leads to inaccuracies is when the watcher sits out at the desk and therefore can't see me wash my hands in the patient's room, as I often do. It's not a perfect system.

OP, I am still confused about why the doc is threatening to sue the agency. On what grounds? Can you please clarify for me? Or was it the patient who threatened to sue? Not sure I'm getting an accurate picture of what went on here. Thanks-