SandraJean

I probably would have just taken care of the meds and continued on with my routine. Sometimes things happen to throw the schedule off. If it were someone that chronically couldn't get the meds on time, that would be a different story.

I am only working about 10-12 hours a week, but I go in every day M-F, weekends off. The day is cut up a bit, but it's a good thing for me to work every day. Gets me out and with people, plus helps me keep my skills up. It's good for my kids to see mom doing something professionally, too. I spent a lot of years at home and it started to take its toll!

The only nurse I remember pumping breast milk would grab her can of soup (I guess that was her lunch break, too) and pump and run into the bathroom. I didn't notice much more than that, but I was a single, clueless person at this time in my life... since I've had and nursed three babies (SAHM), I can't imagine how she did that! Good luck to you, though, I agree that breast milk is a good thing.

I had general anesthesia when I had my first C-section, and when I was waking up, I kept asking if my baby was fat. If I said more things, nobody told me. I also remember pleading with the anesthesiologist to take care of me and not let me die, that was just as I was being put under.

No, but once I had a colostomy bag empty on my lap. That was horrifying!

You poor thing. Run for your life out of there. :redbeathe

I think there have always been some patients like the ones you are describing, I know that I took care of that kind of patient twenty years ago! But, I think it has become more pronounced in recent years. Our society has encouraged people to feel entitled, it is an expectation to receive good service. It is exhausting to be the one who is expected to give this perfect service. No wonder nurses want to leave their profession. It's really sad.

I'm a diploma grad, but went back to get my BSN. Getting my diploma was an excellent way to get my RN. We received a lot of bedside experience and the confidence that goes with it. I'm happy to have my degree, too.

I think watching patients die of lung CA is one of the worst things to see. I'm sorry you are hurting. I wish you peace.

It seems to me that I am spending a lot more time documenting and that takes time away from actually caring for my patients. It's frustrating.

I started my first job at the hospital where I did my training. I worked on a large, zoo-y med-surg unit and I transferred to another station after a year and a half. I was burnt out, but the change helped. I ended up working for that corporation for 8 years before moving on. Sometimes a change is good.

:chuckle

Thanks!

I tried Carrie tonight and it was fun....trouble is that I only got 6o minutes free trial and I'm too cheap to buy the version.!!

I remember eating my lunch in the parking ramp between test sections. Those were two very stressful days! Also, checking the mailbox every day for three months until I found out that I had passed the boards.

I started at $7.50 an hour as a GN in 1980. I had to wait for almost 3 months to hear if I passed state boards. I believe that as GN's, we could do anything that the RN's did, passing all meds, etc. Of course, I started working in the hospital where I was a student, but I think it was the same for the other grads who started work in other hospitals in the city.

Anybody remember using circle beds? They actually were pretty cool...easy to do good skin care, too!

I think they portray a better image of nurses in general on ER than in some of the other TV medical shows on, but I do cringe when I hear demeaning comments made by the docs about them. Not related to this episode, but how did Carrie Weaver end up walking without her cain? I must have missed something somewhere.....

I went back to hospital nursing after being out for 18 years. Very scary stuff but I was motivated to do it. I did take a refresher course, which helped some, but I just needed to get in and do hands on stuff with the patients to get over my anxiety. I really tried to get along with the other nurses, HUCs, everyone and thanked people for all of their advice and help. I tried to exercise everyday that I could and did a lot of affirmative self talk (you can do this;this is a piece of cake, etc.) Good luck to you. If I can do it, you can, too!

I can sort of relate to what you are saying. I don't actually have the panic attacts, but I definately know about the anxiety and feeling of being overwhelmed. I don't know if you get any regular exercise, but I try to walk a couple miles every day on the treadmill. I can't believe how much calmer and peaceful I feel because of it. I also will meditate/pray as I am walking, tell myself that I am going to do fine once I get to work. It really does help. Anyway, I wish you the best. The first year of nursing is hard. Things do get better as time time passes.

True!

I am so sorry to hear about all of this. I wish you the best. People do make mistakes, but I can tell that you are a very caring nurse that was trying to do the right thing. Take care of yourself.

I say get your RN. It never hurts to invest in your education. It also never hurts to have other options for your future, regardless what your situation is right now. Good luck!

I say get your RN. It never hurts to invest in your education. It also never hurts to have other options for your future, regardless what your situation is right now. Good luck!