mm4785

Do all hospitals with 12 hour shifts require nurses to "make-up" hours with a fourth shift once or twice a month? It is my understanding that when working 12 hours, even though most of us don't take lunch or a break, we only clock 11 hours each shift - so for payroll purposes, we have to make up for those missing hours each pay period with an entire 12 hour shift at regular pay. Does anyone else think there is something wrong with this?

I'm so glad that you started this thread. Too much of our nursing education is misdirected - instead of focusing on the real world of nursing it emphasizes theoretical frameworks for nursing practice. I think TT and bogus nursing diagnoses are evidence of this sorry situation. I'm not discounting the spiritual side of the type of work we do. We are touching the lives of other human beings when they are most vulnerable. My problem with TT is that I don't base my nursing practice on my feelings - nursing practice is based on what really works and when we learn better, scientifically proven methods, we use them. I've never felt an energy field. I can personally attest to the ineffectiveness of some alternative medical treatments because when I was told that I needed surgery for a medical condition I tried all of the available alternative treatments. I spent a lot of money, wasted a lot of time and consumed useless concoctions that probably made my condition worse. And in the end I had my surgery and it took care of my problem. I'm open to exploring new treatments, but teaching TT in nursing programs is ridiculous. It should not be something that is graded and used to determine whether someone is qualified to get their degree. Nursing programs have enough strange electives. (I say this because I'm in school again right now and my colleagues and I have wondered about some of the courses we are required to take that haven't us in any way to become better nurses)

Sorry, I'm not an anesthesia nurse, but there are some threads on this site with links to information on PDA programs. You might also try the Handmark website and Stedmans the textbook/publishing company has lots of PDA programs for nurses. Good luck with your search. :)

I have a Tungsten E3 and have not problems with it on my Mac. I had a PC previously and when I switched I had no problem put the desktop software on the Mac. I also use the epocrates program and it is compatible with Mac software - I have OS X on my system. If you go to the Palm website you can find out which PDA's are Mac compatible besides the one I mentioned. Hope this is helpful.

I worked for a Magnet hospital, I had an ASN. The problem with Magnet status is that it doesn't seem to address the working conditions of nurses, just the quality of care that they deliver. So poor nurse:patient ratios and mandatory overtime or extra shifts are still factors in a Magnet hospital.

It's difficult not to want to go down there and help. If you and your partner do go down there, be careful and take good care of yourselves while you are helping the people in need.

I'm watching coverage of the tragedy on the Gulf Coast and I just read your posting and almost cried laughing. Thanks for sharing such an embarassing moment.