bluiis923

So beautifully expressed. I too, have looked at my hands and frowned at the wrinkles and thin skin. Not anymore, now I shall look at them with renewed admiration for they have done the same as yours. Thank you for sharing!

OK here is my top 3 list: 1. Via ambulance at 0300 for an ingrown toenail X 2 years ... "I just couldn't stand it anymore." 2. Via ambulance at 2300 (teenager) for a pregnancy test secondary to "broken rubber TONIGHT." 3. Ambulatory for treatment to remove the clothes hanger protruding from pts' rectum (used to try to retreive the "lost" bottle in the rectum)..... Actually, that was a good reason to come to the ER... just a stupid thing to do....

I too have a friend with it (17 years) and she looks like she may have applied her blush a little much... no "typical" butterfly pattern.

I'm sorry but I would have to beat somebody to death that served me pate made from placenta.... just my 2 cents worth...

Well, for what it's worth.... I agree with you, if you increase wages, you'll have more staff. Period. I've seen it happen more than once.

Central Florida here: We are 4:1 most of the time. Likewise, if the acuity is high, it might be lower. Are you a graduate or new nurse getting an assignment like that ? Geez.... I wouldn't do it with almost 10 years ED experience..... Good luck.

Hey, Just a thought... we have to complete a computer database on all new admits and I quickly tired of dragging around a computer to the pt rooms so I created a paper "cheat sheet" to quickly fill out for my database info. I thought about doing what you did but decided not to since most nurses don't like change from a newcomer (not a new nurse, just new to the unit). Instead, I just made copies for myself and started using it. It wasn't long before people started noticing and asked about it. Long story short... now many of the nurses on our unit use it and love it...! Keep up the innovative thinking and just remember... there's more than one way to skin a cat! Just a thought from a silverback.... lol.

Just a thought from an American nurse who has kept up with the issues that you are dealing with... 1. It is truly a horrrible situation that the honest ones amoung you are dealing with. 2. Just go ahead and do it... take the whole thing over and be assured of employment in the US to help you and your families. 3. Know that we do NOT think that you (batch 06) are all a bunch of cheaters. 4. Also know that we appreciate our Phil. nurses here. We do NOT (as a previous poster implyed) resent you or think that you decrease our wages. We are grateful for any help we can get :) Pull up that spirit that got you through the whole process the first time and do it again. Good luck and may God bless all of you in your decision.

Smith...lol you crack me up! That's why I love ER, working with people like you...lol.

I'm thinking no .................:monkeydance:

Wow, Obviously, I'm working in the wrong facility... I WISH I could get a chance for a nap! We are so busy, it's rare that we even get a lunch break, much less a nap.

you spend more money on concealer for the dark circles around your eyes than you make each week...lol.

Now children, let's play nicely...

In our ER (52 beds not counting fast track or peds) we used to take 6 in the "back" and 3 in "front" (more critical) until the Calif. ruling. Then shortly after, we were changed to "4 max no matter what" which lasted all of a month. Now, they TRY to keep us at 4 but when it's busy, you get 5 anyway. It wouldn't be so bad except that no one LOOKS at acuity and pts are placed in any open bed. There have been nights when I have had just too many high acuity pts like one when I had 1 pt on a vent, 2 acute GI bleeds awaiting ICU beds, an evolving MI, and a PID shuffler. (Thank God for her) It's not safe and when you complain, you get "well whatever you do for them is better than NO care." While that may be true, I doubt the attorney handling their case will present it to the jury that way. He won't know (or care) about the other high acuity pts that I had that night, just that his client didn't get the very best care including a bath, etc. (They sue over the small stuff most often). OK, enough said, thanks for letting me vent... :banghead:

When you get up to the bathroom at home (in the dark) and your husband flips on the light...ugh. Of course, I've only worked the night shift for 15 years. He's a slow learner...

lol... too funny

OK, guess I'll weigh in on this.... I've worked nights for almost 13 years and I've NEVER fallen asleep but I've had to get UP and get a java or walk around many, many times. I really don't know how I feel about this issue... I would be absolutely livid if I found my father or husband (both dear to my heart) attended? to by a sleeping nurse but on the other hand, I've worked long enough to know that sh...t happens. I guess in summary, if I were a family member, I'd want something done to discipline the nurse BUT if I were the nurse, I'd want a break for being a human "BEAN" . FYI- my facility has a "fire on the spot" policy for sleeping OTJ.

Point well made... I think we all got off track just a little. We all know (or should) that there are patients that are absolutely needing pain medication.. the ones we are talking about are the seekers. And they do tie up resources for the really needy ones..... Just a thought... :chair:

lol hoop jumper.... Anyone have a Phenergan addict? We do.... comes in once or twice weekly for a shot of Phenergan. Usually gives different reasons for needing it each time.

Stargazer, Just wanted to make sure that you are referring to the fact that IV K+ and dilantin burn and NOT that you are pushing them.... I know you probably know but just want to make sure anyway...(the submission wasn't clear to me Good luck in your career!

I live in North-Central Florida and my hospital also gives "recruitment" bonuses but only at certain times of the year... when they need nurses and they can't get them. The shortages have affected us tremendously in this area primarily because we have 2 new hospitals in the vicinity that needed to be staffed! And it definitely is not because our facility is not a good place to work (awaiting magnet certification) because it is... I recruited a friend of mine and we split $10,000. Half up front and the other half in 6 months. Our hospital also offers $2500 yearly for tuition re-imbursement (full time emp) and additional $2500 per semester for nrsg 3+4 if you are making passing grades. I'm happy...

Well said Leslie...