RavenC

I hate to say that so much of our practice is governed by what will happen legally, but that would be one of my concerns here. If you happen to listen to her advice on a matter and things go wrong, what possible defense could you have for taking medical advice from someone who has no training. And obviously, with her being a friend of the DON, if you don't listen to her, you'll be out of work. Same situation if you report them and the spit hits the fan. I say leave now and find something better and safer. I've worked in places where friends and families work together to the point of being worse cliques than in high school. You can't fit in and you better not make waves. Unfortunately, I also see this as one more example of how little respect is shown to nurses these days. It just seems to keep getting worse.

I'm originally from New Jersey, lived in PA and FL, and now am happily in Arizona. I thougt everyone called gowns, "johnny coats" but I haven't used the term again out here since I asked a CNA for one and she looked at me as if I was from another planet and said, "What???" Said she never heard such a thing. I don't know if it's regional or being politically correct, but I do know you need a language course to get into the field these days. Johnny coats are gowns. And diapers are briefs and bibs are clothing protectors.

I did 12 hour shifts at a previous job. It was off Mon-Tues-work Wed & Thurs- off Fri-Sat-Sun; work Mon & Tues, off Wed & Thurs; work Fri-Sat-Sun. It always rotated that way. The problem was the three days in a row, but I never collapsed on my days off. With a good night's sleep I was good to go. The worst was Sunday, because having been on my feet so much my ankles would swell and I'd have a horrible backache, even with OTC meds. So I hated those days. Part of the problem was that there was no desk nurse on the weekends because "It's so much easier on the weekends." They completely ignored the stress of additional visitors, only having access to covering doctors, only having two med nurses instead of the weekday three, and since it was LTC, why did they schedule admissions on weekends. My new job will be four 10-hour days and I expect that to be much better. Personally, I would not like your schedule, especially the fourth week. Why do the 12's if you don't get your three in a row? I'd try talking to someone about a more regular schedule. Maybe another nurse would prefer it too and would work with you on a better schedule. And it's not your age...can't be cause it's not mine either.

We are talking about terminally ill patients. I'm saying that if a person chooses to die with dignity it should be their choice. A woman decides to get pregnant, (hopefully) and then chooses how to give birth. Since I believe birth is a beautiful and wonderful situation, the only undignified part is what "man" as added; ie the stirrups, etc. Many women no longer choose the undignified stirrups, shaves and enemas, so I think that argument is done. Farting is a normal body function, that we prefer not to do in public, but leads to better health in that situation, as does having a trach if all goes as we hope. I've had colds and coughed up phlegm before...didn't even know I was suppose to feel undignified. Maybe the indignity is expecting them to walk the busy halls instead of giving them a private place to walk or laying there waiting to be cleaned. Being terminally ill only leads to death so choosing to skip the undignified part should be a personal decision. My son had a colostomy in his early 20's and it eventually led to better health and life. Being undignified was acceptable considering the alternative, which would have been a painful and unnecessary death. I assure you if we discussed how unnecessrily humiliated that hospital made him feel, we could start a whole new thread. We already have insurance companies deciding a major portion of our care...now there are others who want to decide our death. Where does it stop?

No one chooses PAS for another...if it's done right. It needs to be a decision made by the patient. I don't feel it's dignified to lay in a dirty diaper to wait while someone comes to clean you up. It's not dignified to cough up phlegm and have it lay on you until someone comes to clean it up. It's not dignified to be placed in a chair with a "clothing protector" so your food spills don't end up on your clothes while you're being fed pureed meat. I think some people need to realize that since they haven't been in the position of dying, or even being seriously injured or sick and needing to depend on another for everything, they should not consider making the decision for others. But that also goes to families. They should not be allowed to say, "We're taking her to hospice. But don't tell her." And the patient is dead four days later. As to whether or not there is unfinished business...that would be the patient's concern wouldn't it? Or shall we make spiritual decisions for them too? I"m sure whatever God or Goddess they believe in will be there to meet them and address the situation thereby taking it out of the hands of mere mortals.

I like 12 hour shifts but it depends where you're working. Personally, I think it's a lot easier to get your work done because you have the time in the middle of the day when you'd normally be trying to finish up to give report. And not everywhere requires 3 days in a row. My new job that starts next week will be four 10 hour days, which is my choice. Still have 3 days off and no exhaustion.

I'm not a lawyer so someone might disagree with me but I believe that murder requires the act of stopping a life, while not preventing a death, such as allowing a person to drown while you hold a life saving ring, would be "depraved indifference to human life." Since nurses are not being indifferent, I don't think the law sees us as murderers or accomplices. Frankly, I see death as a beautiful process that so many have welcomed, keeping in mind of course that I only work with geriatric patients. I'd never stop someone from continuing on their journey based on anyone else's beliefs. If I worked with young people or children, I might have a different view. As to the family disputing the DNR, it's a legal document that the courts recognize. I don't think the family would win, but that certainly doesn't mean they wouldn't try. As to the comment about the rich and the transplants, I had a co-worker whose husband needed a lung transplant. She said the first question she was asked was "How's your credit?" She felt badly about that, but was glad she had excellent credit, owned two homes and had a healthy bank account. Unfortunately, her husband died unexpectedly a few days later, before the transplant. I think the best thing we can do is make sure all of our own papers are in order so that when our time comes, the caregivers will know what to do and hopefully follow our wishes. I don't want anyone to kill me, just let me go.

If it was one hospice I would, but it's been four different hospices in two different states. When I mentioned the name of one hospice, the person I was speaking to said she had heard 'that' about them in particular. And when a family member can tell staff that they're taking mom to the hospice in-patient facility, "but don't tell her", that's wrong. I truly feel that hospice organizations need a lot more regulation, but it's a sticky subject with politicians, which could explain why I never received a reply to my request to have someone look into the situation. That and the fact that there's no proof since charting backs up the actions taken. Sorry, but no hospice in my future.

Obviously we've had different experiences, both professionally and personally. My family all agree that no hospice is ever to come near any of us.

I still don't understand why Dr. Kevorkian went to jail, yet some hospices continue to "care" for the terminally ill.

I agree...if you lie you'll always be looking over your shoulder. And if you get called into the office for something, panic would set in. Besides, better to not get into nursing school than have to explain to the next school or employer why you were dismissed again. Lying is such a bad thing. It really goes to character and nursing schools are big on that.

I'd never spend that kind of money on a review course. You should have all your notes and tests and be able to review it yourself. My instructors were pretty savvy about what would be on the test and geared their teaching to that. And you can always ask your instructors for tips. I agree totally with txspadequeen921...but that's just me too.

I understand what it's like to want something and not get it, so you have my sympathy. Most people who want to be nurses feel that way because they want to help people. There are so many jobs in the hospital that fit that criteria, that maybe you should take a look at them. Physical therapists help people to walk again, RT's help people to breathe easier. What about ultrasound? Showing a young couple the first pictures of their new baby has to be rewarding. I'm not saying to give up on nursing, but it's certainly not your only option. And as much as I hate to use a cliche, when one door closes, another opens and sometimes that turns out to be a whole lot better. Also, if you do choose to go with Excelsior College as someone suggested, talk to your nursing board first. Not all states accept them completely...you may have to do some additional work to get your license.

I've never heard of mandatory night shifts...they hire people for the shifts that are open. I have heard though of places that don't pay extra for nights or evenings, so know the answer to that before you take the job. Also, in the initial interview, make it clear that you want days and if not available, how soon might you hope to get that shift? Most people want days and don't give them up once they get them, but take what you can get and if you like the place, hang in there...something may open up. I know when I worked nights, I loved it. No families, no doctors, few phone calls, rarely had an admission...but when I moved here I just couldn't give up all the sunny days. If moving is possible, or if you live near other states, there are states that are desperate for nurses...look around.

Hi Yes, I touch type. My speed is about 50 words per minute and I'm perfectly happy with that. Good luck and you're welcome.