menolly_33

I've read over and over on this forum what everyone hates about their ER. My question is; Do you like where you work and why? What things make it a good or great place to work?

You should consider the Indian health service. They will forgive up to 40,000 for 2 years service at high needs areas. I worked in Alaska for 2 years, and had 36,000 in loans forgiven. They also pay any taxes the additional income will produce. There are several other programs set up for loan forgiveness, just google nursing loan forgiveness and you will get several addresses. Good luck! I enjoyed my time in AK and also got all my loans repaid. It was a great experience all around, stayed for several years even after I met the obligation.

Only push it on vented patients, and then hang drip. Loved the stuff when I worked in ICU, now work in ER and try to get vented patients to ICU before needing any "milk of amnesia"

I have lots of allergies and asthma, and it only takes "a spritz" to set me off. I don't say anything if the scent is very subtle, even though it makes my lungs hurt and burn. However, I have become rather vocal about those that insist on bathing in the stuff. If I still smell you and you are rooms away, it is way too much. If I can smell you without direct body contact - for example a hug, it is too much. Save it for your off time please. My asthma isn't bad, and I still can go into bronchospasms from exposure to you "spritz". Think how it affects those in the hospital with sever respiratory problems. If your hospital policy is scent free, someone could have a case if they accused you of excerabating their condition. Something to think about.

I can't help but notice that your info states you are in alabama. I grew up in the south, and currently live in the south, and I have noticed that this attitude is more accepted by admin here. And before anyone flames me, I did not say that the doctors were more obnoxious here, but that administration was more tolerant. I worked previously in AK for 6 years, and the only rude and obnoxious doctor I encountered was a resident, and the surgeon cut him off at the knees, in front of the nurses, for his attitude. Never had it happen again. I still smile when I hear that surgeon's name. :chuckle Administration at the hospitals I worked at there where very intolerant of abusive doctors. A no tolerance policy was printed in the employee handbooks, and was stressed at orientation. When I was first hired, I rolled my eyes when reading it, thought "yah, I'll believe when I see it". But they were very serious. Write up's were taken seriously and doctors where warned, punished and even dismissed at times. I don't know how to change the attitude at your hospital. But remember, there is always another job available. I think we should all get together and contract out our services, just as the doctors do. I'm an er nurse, so all er nurses would, as a group contract out there services, with the appropriate listing, and billing of all services provided of course. What do you think the appropriate charge should be for cleaning up a code brown? Do you charge by the number of wash cloths needed, or the number of chuxs needed? OH WELL, just a lovely dream.

Usually a nurse gets to work one day or the other.....not both. Has your nurse manager explained why you have to work both days? One reason to schedule people to work both days, is so someone is off both days. As someone who lives far away from all my family, if I can't get both days off, I do not get to spend christmas with my family at all. Many places schedule this way to allow holiday travel. Just FYI.

Go to http://www.daveramsey.com. I've spent so much time and energy in my lifetime worrying about money and debts. I am finally in a place where I have no worries. I have a plan, know where my money is going, what is coming in and what is going out. I have read so many books about money management and most of them were ok. They all said you need to budget and plan, but most of them never laid out how you go about doing all that. Because of the advice and tools I learned from Dave's books and tapes, I finally feel have financial peace. I know I will be able to retire someday, something I never thought would happen. I just wish I had found his books and tapes years earlier.

ditto for me, but add feeding, peg tube to my "I will come back and haunt you list".:angryfire

NO WAY IN H**L. We allow are pets a more dignified death than we allow our elderly. There are a lot's of things much worse than death - I've seen too many of them. I have an advance directive in my purse at all times. I have discussed my wishes with my family, and am aware of theirs. Just because we have the ability to prolong someones life doesn't mean we should - IMHO. I feel a person should have the ultimate say over end-of-life issues, unfortunately this is not always so. I work in the ER and it doesn't matter what a piece of paper says, if the family wants something done, the doctor will attempt life saving measures, even with a signed DNR in hand. After all, the family is the one left behind to sue. Gotta CYA in out litigation nation.

Crocs are the best! I refuse to wear anything else, I'm serious I would find another job if they told me I couldn't wear them. I REALLY LOVE THEM!

I don't think you should be embarressed at all. Too bad you didn't just march into her office, in you stained scrubs, sat in her chair, on her couch or whatever you could of hers, and informed her she now owed you a new pair of underware ( why do we say pair of pants, and pair of underware? it's a single item.) Congrats for handling it with style.

I was a teacher for 9 years before becoming a nurse, I loved teaching, but wanted to be a nurse also so I went for it. As I miss teaching a lot, I really love having students. Also love precepting people new to the unit.

Wow, saw the same interview, and that's not how I took the comment at all. First let me say that I'm not a big Faith Hill fan, but the tv was on while I was suring the net and I listened while working on other things. What I got from the comment was that most people who pursue a carrer in music do not succeed,& maybe she should consider a carreer where one can almost always be assured of steady work. We've all made the joke about having job security, after all people are always going to need nursing care. I was raised in the south, in a small community, just as she was, and I was constantely pushed to consider nursing or teaching - that's probably why I did not become a nurse until I was in my 30's, couldn't prove my mother right after all.:chuckle She was probably told that nursing was an excellent career choice, and her comment stemmed from that. I did not find the comment offensive at all.

Someone should send a copy of these new rules to the direct relatives of each resident -anomyously- of course. Make sure the phone numbers of the future MIL and the new manager are included. Also one of those letters could accidently end up in all the local newspapers and any television stations nearby.:chuckle The resulting fallout should be very interesting.

yep! seen it work greart for some people. Just don't let them push it fast.

for some people, it words great for migraine. sometimes requires 2 doses, worked with one doc. that would use this before anything else.

Hello all, am going to be traveling via rv when the present contract in up. Would like to ask questions of others with experience. If my questions would be welcomed pm me. thanks in advance

I'm a firm believer in "knowledge is never wasted". I love learning about the history and culture of others, now and in the past, you never know when some bit of knowledge may the the catalyst for your relationship with a particular patient. I had a patient that would not talk to anyone, just stared at the wall all day, I noticed several books on the crusades, and commented on them, mentioning a similiar book I was reading - (yes I like history!) he actually answered. Just a short few words, but it lead to other longer conversations. He began to get up and became much friendlier to everyone. Can't say that he got well because of this, but I know his stay was happier after that. Just a small example of why knowledge is never wasted, you never know it may come in handy. A wise man(woman) said those who fail to learn from history are damned to repeat it(paraphrase). As Timothy stated so eloquently in his post, we see it on the new everyday. One thing that worries me however, is, if you look back throughout history, it's not the advanced civilizations that win in the end, it is usually the barbarians that succeed. Something for our advanced nation to considered, and guard against.

congrats! Hope the job meets all your expectations. I love having ER tchs available, makes my job so much easier. Some advice, know what you are allowed to do, and what you are not. As an EMT you were able to do lots that you can't do in the ER as a tech - the RN's can't do some of the things you did as an EMT. I mention this because I have observed RN's and Docs that will ask tech's that they know have your background to do skills they can do in the field, but not in the hospital. It created lots of stress for the tech, who wanted to be helpful, but didn't want to lose a job, and sometimes, I hate to say, it pissed off the people asking for help when the tech said "no, I can't do that here". As an ER nurse I try to utilize the tech for task that they are qualified to do, while I do tasks that they cannot. Also, be willing to do the jobs asked of you without attitude, sometimes the nurse is asking you to do a job that she or he could do, but has lots of other tasks waiting that only another RN could do. I hate hearing, why don't you do that yourself, or what are you going to be doing? I don't always have time to explain everything, althogh if I do have time I like to say, "please do X, while I do Y." But if you do see nurses trying to have you do all there stuff cause they are lazy, call them on it, or go over their heads. Everyone that must work with them will appreciate it, and have probably already pointed it out to the manager. Last piece of advice, never go to work without your sense of humor. As an EMT you have seen JOHN Q at his best, so you understand what I mean. Again, Congrats, I know you will love it, I know i love working in the ER, everyday is different.

yes, you will be a good nurse, you already demonstrate one of the most important characterists of a good nurse, you are worried about your patients. This being said, I feel you should run, as fast as possible, from something that is so toxic. I worked on med-surg for a year, as a new grad, because I was told every new nurse should have one year of experience on med-surg. It almost killed me, I came very close to sucide, because of some of the issues you brought up. (subject for another thread) I now work in ER, and would not work anywhere else, you have to find the area that works for you Anyway, I advice you to try to get a job in the ER - I'm not sure what our ER techs have to do to be certified, but I do know that we love having them. I've worked in many ER's where the techs could start IV's, do casting, insert foleys, and even suture. It depends on the policies of the facility. You will learn many, many skills that you will need as a nurse. Don't get me wrong, you will also work very hard and the stress is very high. However you will be part of a team and very valued, and if that is not the case where you work, find another job. There are so many available for caring providers, which, from your orginal post describes you. :D

been laughing myself sick with these, so a few of my own. Never borrow your bosses truck, pick up your wife, get very drunk and drive down the very busy highway in front of our hospital, while you and your drunk wife are trying to do the nasty in the front seat. Wifey might get ejected from truck when it rolls over, and over. Since wife is naked she will have the worst case of road rash I have ever seen, and you will be transported to the local jail in just a lovely hospital gown as clothing must be cut off to assess injuries. On the 4th of July, Never leave 5 year old son to watch 2 year old sister at the lake, while you and hubby get drunk. Espically do not yell at 5 year old "you killed your sister" when her lifeless body is brought to the ER. (really wanted to hurt that mom.) If you are a large burly looking guy in a flannel shirt brought to the ED for chest pain, remember to remove your beautiful red bra and panties before EMS arrives. Also remember that the staff will not believe you when you claim "those aren't mine". NEVER, NEVER, NEVER get loaded and sleep with your new friend and your new 2 week old infant. very sad. Never assume patient understands the insturctions "per rectum" Never try to pet a moose. Never try to ride a moose. Baby bear cubs usually have a mom close by, and she will not like you trying to pet her baby. If the voices in your head tell you to chop off your hand, DO NOT LISTEN! And if you come to the ED do not place the removed limb on the Ward cleck's desk, she may scream. Self castration is ALWAYS a bad idea. If you put a gun under your chin and fire, you might not die. You may have to live the rest of your life with half your face missing. Just because your boyfriend doesn't have any children and he is 23, doesn't mean he can't father children. Never get loaded, and go for a walk when it is -30 degrees outside, and if you do, do not stop to take a nap.

Maybe his SO said "if you change that channel one more time, I'm gonna shove that up your..." I know it's what I've wanted to do more than once.:roll

I lived in AK for 5 years, LOVED IT! Moved for family reasons, can't wait to move back. If you choose to go you will never regret it. I lived in Barrow for 2 years - Native hospital, at the top of the world, it was an unforgetable experience. Lived in Anchorage for 3 years and loved it. You can be in total wilderness in 25 minutes of driving. The city maintains an incredible system of bike/ski trails that they keep groomed year round - for biking in summer, and sking in the winter. There is so much that is great that I can't possible cover it here. Lots of info availabe on the internet. I have to sign off now, I'm homesick for AK.

GOOD FOR YOU! Some people have a lot of nerve. It's like they've never even remotely considered the feelings of anyone but themselves.

i've been wearing my crocs for almost a year now. I refuse to wear anything else to work. I LOVE THEM. no more sore feet. I have dansko's at at least 100 bucks each, birkenstocks, and more pairs of other "nursing shoes" than i want to even think about, and nothing is as comfortable as my 30 dollar crocs.' by the way, there are several new styles available.