Grumpygs MSN, RN

We have one or two nurses who are chronically late. Not 5 or 10 minutes late, but coming in at 0725 or LATER when the shift starts at 0700. I detest having to wait for them so that I can report off and head for home. Often if they are not on the u...

I'm only answering this because you are young and appear to need some information. That being said - you should NEVER attempt a career 'just for the money' - especially NOT nursing. You may want to consider starting off as a nurse assistant and see ...

The hospital I work for also started 'primary' nursing with a similar patient population. Also a small community hospital (our floor has between 28 and 32 beds) but almost all of the patients have a psychiatric co-morbidity and we often have up to 1...

First off, I just typed a great response and lost it when I tried to add a smiley... Anyway - Shifts range from 8 hours a shift to 12 - depending on the hospital/facility. I 'think' most nurses work 3 12 hours shifts a week. I work 3 12s one week...

This sounds like you work at my hospital... all the way down to the circus!

I do like diva rn & stick to the 'modified' night routine - but have no kids at home to worry about keeping me up. I've found lots of things to keep me occupied during my nights off - clean house, do grocery shopping (local 24 hours super market...

Sorry, but I'm a bit offended by the "We all do on nights" part. Not feeling well is one thing but I ( my 2 cents) don't think it's right. While I've only worked nights for 6 months I'd never sleep at work. Though we do have several LVNs & CNA ...

I agree that it would be unethical and on many levels wrong. I actually did have a patient ask me if I'd marry him... My response was that I was already involved though I wasn't. What I really wanted to say was NO WAY!!!! We see patients at the...

When in doubt - call the doctor to clarify the order.

I've actually had the dialysis nurse (small community hospital - dialysis done at bedside) tell me after dialysis was completed that the patient had thrown up during dialysis. I found the patient soaked in her own vomit - and the clean linen cart wa...

Our hospital (small community hospital in an 'under-served' area) has some agreement with some transportation service - we call them and a mini van arrives - they take the patients home - not sure how this service is paid for, we get lots of people ...

to OP - I totally agree with Five&Two Will Do...Please, please, please - seriously consider taking a nurse assistant course BEFORE you decide to dedicate all the time and long hours it will take you to become a nurse. You'll learn so much more ...

Okay, I'll jump in with something that I didn't see in the previous posts - This is from personal observation... Some people get into nursing because they think they can make a great deal of money, but are poorly prepared for the work needed to actua...

I'm just curious - did your father expect to be placed in a bathtub? I ask this because we bathe/'wash up' patients every night (I work night shift on med-surg/tele floor with many vent dependent patients...) but the occasional non-vent patient who ...

Are benefits an option that you can choose not to take? Maybe you can keep the permanent position just without the benefits? I've worked for places where benefits were an option and that may boost your paycheck a bit - some companies may even pay you...

Actually had a patient tear the tubing apart in order to leave the unit to smoke! Blood dripping everywhere - it was a mess to say the least. Had to try to convince the patient that if they needed to be separated from the IV fluids, to PLEASE use...

It would be wonderful if people would do full range of motion exercises on all of the residents in LTC facilities. But the truth is CNAs & staff are too busy or don't care enough to take the time... Turning is not enough, it only helps prevent/s...

You may want to consider taking a few (1 or 2) classes. You'll need lots of prerequisites before nursing schools will even consider you - biology, pharmacology, microbiology, anatomy and physiology (the list is long... ). You may regret not spendi...

I'll jump on the bandwagon - LOL! I'm in my first job as an RN and basically during my orientation/preceptorship at this job - I learned more of what NOT to do than what I KNOW is right to do. Take it as a learning experience, even if it is a study...

First off, I've only been employed as an RN for a little over 2 months, but I KNOW, that a GOOD CNA can Make or Break your shift - so THANK YOU because you sound like you are a GREAT CNA! I've always heard that the biggest difference between nurses a...

Honestly, no one on this site, unless they are a nurse recruiter can answer your question. I can only tell you that it took me 9 long, depressing, frustrating months to land my first job... but I got one. Also, I'm not suggesting that you become a ...

My recommendation to you would be for you to take a CNA (certified nurse assistant) course which your local community college may offer BEFORE you decide to dedicate the time and money that will be required for you to try to become a nurse. The CNA ...

Hi, you may want to check out your local community colleges or any adult education centers in your area. Many of the community colleges in Southern California offer nurse assistant programs but they may not call them Certified Nurse Assistant program...

Will Never, Not sure what part of the country you are in, but after 9 long, depressing, frustrating months of searching - I received an offer at a small local hospital yesterday. I have my ASN, graduated May 2010 got my license in July 2010 and have...

Hi Char! Congrats to you on getting so far in the program! The difficulty depends on the instructor - and Dr. Hines just retired so you won't have her though I thought she was great in clinical! So, just do like you have been doing - read the books...