SeekUrBliss

Yes, we have only cardiac pts (most of the time- you know how that goes!) who come in thru the ER with c/o chest pain, they are admitted, taken thru the usual tests, stented, if possible, CABG if not and often, the complaints are found to be GI so off to surgery for a gallbladder removal or the like. I do like the patients alot on this kind of floor. Most of our pts are 30's to 60's, up ad lib and mostly self care. There is lots of patient teaching to be done so it's nice to have pts who can understand the education and still have a desire to actually use the education; i like that. Like i said, lots of our pts have a cardiac cath in the cath lab, a stent or two placed, then after recovery, come back to the floor to us and usually just spend one night in the hospital after that. Its a floor with a fast turn-over rate though- that can overwelming at times to some. We have a 1:6 nurse patient ratio so i might come on duty to 5 pts, discharge 2 and get 3 admissions during my shift. MOST shifts go smoothly, as with any job i've ever had, but then there are days :angryfire I do love being a nurse no matter what my 8 hrs bring me though!

I am currently working on a telemetry floor and i love it. Be sure to check, though... there are lots of "telemetry floors"- most are cardiac but there are lots of med-surg units who use telemetry and i have actually worked on a respiratory telemetry floor. Ask questions! My unit is a post-cath/angio floor, mostly, although we get lots of chest pain too.

my replies: 1. I do think gender stereotypes still exist- but in my opinion, its an "age" thing. We have 4 very good male nurses in our unit. I have had several of my geriatric patients say something negative about it. Wierd to me! 2. No 3. Sadly, yes i do. Male nurses seem to get a little more respect from the Dr's. Again- wierd but true. 4. I do not agree with that statement- i've seen both sexes function very well in the leadership role. 5. Not really- altho we do "use" the guys occasionally when lifting help is needed etc. 6. Maybe cause they think they don't look so masculine being a nurse? I really don't have a clue though since i am a female Hope my replies help--- they're just my opinions Peace

May i add also-- having worked the "pool" before, its tough- different place each shift, no continuity really, and some people actually make it hard on the pool nurse... ya know, since she's not a member of their unit, and alot of times, the pool nurse gets the "bad" assignment for that shift too. Some co-workers resent the pool nurse, too, because they may make more $ than them. Grrr.... silly huh? Pool nursing is good at times and for different circumstances imo, and it worked at the time for me. I've moved on now thankfully. Peace

Amazing! Really? I haven't seen any belly-showin' nurses YET but i'm sure it'll make it here in time.

We'd see a nursing shortage like we've NEVER seen before if we get in trouble for ingesting alcohol on our off time. :cheers: :beercuphe :cheers: :beercuphe :cheers: :beercuphe

That's great! For me, 12 hr shifts proved to be too much for me also. I was pretty much a basket case of stress and didn't realize it until i stopped doing the 12's. Like i said before, i feel so much better now! Best wishes to u in your new career :balloons:

....... I'd start my own lawn care business. I love mowing etc. I also do English smocking- i'd love to have my own sewing shop with lots of beautiful fabrics & lace. :yeahthat:

Yes, u have to pass boards as an LVN also. As to where u want to practice- there are SO many travel nurse jobs that pay for your housing etc when u work a contract for them. It's an excellent option in nursing... one of many. :)

I recently became staff at a large hospital here in my city. As i sat through hours of orientation (the hospital's history and future etc), it was stated that the hospital is currently looking at ending the 12 hr shifts and return to all 8 hr shifts. The speaker said there were studies nationwide that found that most mistakes were made by an employee who was working the long shifts. I worked 12 hr shifts for 6 yrs and they are, indeed, draining. I now choose to work four 8 hr shifts/wk and feel so much better! Anyone heard anything about this?

I work on a Cardiac/Telemetry floor. On the 3-11p shift, our norm is 6 pts per RN or LPN. We usually have a charge nurse, secretary and 2 nursing assistants on our 25 bed unit. Its a busy, face-paced floor; we get lots of post-cath & Angio pts in and out. I generally like my job

Your Dad is a wise man :)

Sounds like a VERY unsafe place! It's sad that type thing goes on way too often. Peace

They probably will.. i got mine from the school bookstore. Anyway, best wishes!

Only thing i know of is The Anatomy Coloring Book- it's online for less than $15. That book helped me lots when i took A&P