Parakeet

Why is it always "older" nurses who are considered bullies? I'm starting to think that the question should be asked, "why do younger nurses eat the older, more experienced nurses?" When you think of younger nurses who feel entitled to red carpet treatment, then complain if everything does not come easily to them; this is more often than not today. Some of these responses are true examples of bullying, which should not be tolerated. However, if you intended it or not, this particular post's wording sounds like bullying only comes from older nurses. Try reading nursing school stories from 1900 - 1960s .... I am sure many students graduating today would have considered the strict instructors or nurses from those times to be bullies, however, they turned out many fantastic nurses. It is called discipline and hard work. Thanks!

'twas a pt. who has asked me in the past - she deals with anxiety issues all the time - this day she asked me about it after I gave her meds and got her ready for a nap.

Just a clarification to my OP. I want to let you know that just because I am a Christian, does not mean that I think my classmates or any other nurse I work with are beneath me. I have met many amazing nurses who are not Christians, whom I have learned from. It would not be Christ-like of me to refuse to work with someone because they do not share in my faith. That would not be loving my neighbour. Do I still think they need Jesus? Absolutely! Would I share with them my faith? Yes, if they were interested or brought it up in conversation. Thanks!

Good food for thought; I'll chew on it. Actually, since you brought it up, I do wear skirts all the time, wear headcoverings, don't wear make up, would love a husband and family if my LORD sees fit! However, I try to glorify my Saviour where He has put me right now, and that is nursing school. I am not trying to boast, I just want to let you know that I dealt with these issues before, and seek to obey Christ.

Like I said earlier, I am not spending all of my time proselytizing. However, if I see an opportunity to speak, I will do so. I had a pt. just this past week ask me how to pray, so in answer to her request, I talked with her about prayer, and then prayed for her when she asked me to. It made her happy that I took a little time to be with her and answer her question. It really does not come out logically when you think of other religions that wage holy war and force their beliefs on people, are commended or excused, but a Christian who dares to share their faith with a pt. who asks them to; somehow the Christian is in the wrong? Jesus said that His name would be a stumbling block to people and that many would be offended because of Him. Should not we who do profess Christ follow in His footsteps? It seems only here in the U.S. do we dance around the bush of political correctness, when believers in Jesus in countries where they are severely persecuted and even martyred boldly share their faith with any one who will listen. I say this knowing that no matter whom I care for, I will do my best to show the love of Jesus whether or not I have the opportunity to speak of Christ to them. Thanks for the discussion.

Though this will be controversial, I have to say it; it is merely answering the end of the OP's post. According to the Bible, every man has a soul. Also there is an afterlife - either heaven or hell. The deciding factor is whether or not each person has repented of their sins and placed their trust in Jesus Christ as their LORD and Saviour. Life's question from Mark 8:36, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? We have all broken God's Law, just look at the 10 Commandments for an example. Even though a holy God said the penalty for sin his death, He has offered us life after death through His Son, Jesus Christ, if we turn to Him for salvation. - this would be in answer to the OP's question about the afterlife and if a person has a soul - it is still on topic. As for a person on life support, I cannot say. It seems like a very difficult topic. I would be very careful, however, to make a person's life and death subjective to whomever is caring for them. In other words, one person may determine that even though a person may be mentally alert, that their quality of life is low and they are unable to voice their wishes; that they should be "let go". Another person, such as myself would think that borders on murder. Where do you draw the line? Hitler decided that elderly, handicapped, and disabled people were not supportive to society and therefore they could be killed. It may be a shocking comparison, but euthanasia is still practised in some parts of the world. - just a thought-provoker - still on topic. I know that a number of people may not agree with what I wrote. That is understandable, however, just because someone does not believe or agree with something does not mean that it does not exist. For example, I could say that because I never saw the moon landing in person, than it was a hoax. That would be my opinion, as we definitely have evidence that it happened and more than once. Whatever your thoughts are about God, heaven and hell, and people's souls, just remember, that when each one of us dies, we will stand before God to give an account of our lives. Each person does have a soul and there is life after death. Thank you, OP, for your thought-provoking post. It raised some reflections of my own. Healthcare certainly brings up interesting topics. Have a wonderful weekend! I may not post for a while if anybody wonders, as I have finals for the next 3 wks.

I guess that I somewhat echo the OP's question; I thought in RN programs they still had a surgical rotation. What I mean is that nurses used to assist in the OR with cleaning, handing tools and such. Have surgical techs taken over that position now?

Honestly, in my experience, it may be more of a learning style than anything else. I used to be an A student, since I've been in nursing, I have been a B/C student. On the other hand, my clinical grades have increased as I have progressed, because I learn by hands on. I think perhaps it is more an application of knowledge that determines grades. For someone who excels in book larnin', they may excel more than in clinicals; doesn't mean they are a bad floor nurse, just means that their best form of applying their knowledge comes out in a different way. You cannot generalise, our class as A students exceptional in class and clinical, and for me, I was bad in both until I got used to it! Interesting seeing different perspectives.

Well! I wish I could have done nursing in a program like you describe! For me, it is so hard to comprehend the theory side, which seems to be the emphasis in the US. I learn best by hands on during clinicals; it would be amazing to have as many clinical hours as you do.

Frankly, none of these responses offend me! You can choose to be offended; I am not judging anyone on this forum, I am just putting out an encouragement for other Christians to be bold about their faith. Jesus did say that people would be offended by His name, so I am not worried. I think I did state in my OP that I will pray with pts when they ask. I do not try to push my faith on them, however, if I see an opportunity that the pt offers, I will take it. My classmates were actually very appreciative of the gifts. Whether or not they read the Gospel tracts is not for me to know; I just pray for them. If they had chosen to refuse the gift, it would be their choice and I would be fine with that. No, I would not be able to participate in another religion's customs. Why? Because there is only one way to God and that is through Jesus Christ. I can, however, respect their customs without having to agree with them. I do just use words when giving the Gospel, however, I also use my lifestyle. I try to act in a manner that would show Christ to my patients. Believe me, I have many areas which the LORD is still working to make me more like Him! I think I just try to love my patients no matter what. Thanks ya'll for the responses! By the way, if I included something answering particularly to a post, but not quoted, I'm sorry, but I do not know how to use the quote feature yet!

I wanted to write this as an encouragement to other believers in the LORD Jesus Christ, that there are opportunities to give the Gospel in nursing. I am in my last semester of a nursing program. It is at a technical college, and none of my classmates seem to be Christians. A few perhaps in name, but language and life do not line up. I had a desire to give the Gospel to every one of my classmates as well as my teachers, but the possibility of being able to speak personally with them for any length of time while completing nursing school just did not seem to be a possibility. I decided that at the end of my previous semester, I could make gift packages with homemade soap, small gifts and a Gospel tract. I was able to give these to my classmates and teachers, and I also plan, LORD willing, to give them to the incoming nursing class as well. For my patients, I have been able to pray with a couple of them based on their request. I have had patients ask me why I treat them the way I do - in other words, I think and hope that Jesus Christ is shining through - and they want to know what it is in me that loves them no matter what. I think it all depends on your circumstances and how far you are willing to go. I just try to tell my patients about Jesus whenever I can - whenever they want me to. I hope maybe this can encourage someone. As days are getting darker and the second coming of Jesus is closer than ever, I think we will have a higher price to pay for sharing our faith. Perhaps it is better to make it a habit now when it is easier than later. May the LORD Jesus embolden us that we would not be ashamed of Him when real persecution comes. Might be unpopular to write, but so what! It is not me that counts, only Him! :)

If vaccines are not 100% effective, what is the use of getting them? 'Cause then you have to get a booster, then another booster when they run out. I just don't get the logic: You shouldn't not vaccinate your kids, because they might get sick or someone else sick, but if you vaccinate your kids, it is not always effective so they still may get sick or get someone else sick?!?!

BTW, I have not actually seen this film, I am just posting about vaccines in general. Don't you think that someone who actually dares to question the status quo and do "unpopular" research might actually be showing signs of a working mind, meaning that they are not just accepting what is handed to them? When the relatively small band of Patriots dared to challenge and revolt against Britain in 1776, they were considered crazy by other countries, yet they won their freedom. What has happened to our American spirit of independence that now anyone who questions the norm is considered "insane"? Just my two cents! :)

I have to agree with Rocknurse about freedom of choice related to vaccines. I don't understand why pro-vaccers are so militant - I have heard people say that anti vaccers should be sterilised, their children taken away, have the parents thrown in jail - why? It just does not seem logical. Here is the argument I have gotten. Perhaps you can enlighten me. An unvaccinated child contracts, say chickenpox, but goes to school before diagnosis. According to my classmates, that child is a danger to their classmates who were previously vaccinated. Why? Should not their vaccination give them immunity from chickenpox? Logically, it will affect the child, but only pass on minor effects, if any to the previously vaccinated children. Yet people I know say, "the should call defax, parents arrested, waivers made of no value," and other such things. Why? I know that there are some vaccines that have helped humanity, but the majority that are pushed today, I simply cannot agree to. If I had to move out of country to raise my children normally without getting arrested for "negligence", or other such nonsense, then so be it. Also, just to bite, anti vaccers are not anti-science. We look at research studies that are just not popular because they might change people's minds about the medical system. Don't get upset, its fun to debate!

believeallispossible, I don't think the examples you brought up from nursing school are valid examples of bullying. Guess what, I think it is called life. Anyone who has gone through nursing school can tell you that it is worlds different from high school. Getting good grades in high school does not guarantee you an easy ride through nursing school. I was a 3.8 in college prereqs, when I started nursing courses, I was in the C's. My instructors seemed like fearsome, terrifying people who knew everything to be had about nursing. Now, I see their support and kindness in actually letting us students learn for ourselves. I see nothing wrong in evaluating a student's learning ability. I had to come to grips with the fact that I am slower than others and may take longer - but not to box myself in. How many times I have been told I'm slow, that I can only work in certain areas, that I might not be in the right field, has just been impetus to help me overcome any limitations. The best quality for a student is to be able to take constructive criticism and to use it to build a foundation off of which to grow. And lastly, though this may be personal to me, don't hold bullying against people. That just creates bitterness and resentment and can ruin you and stunt your opportunity to excel and build rapport with your coworkers.