stiffneck84

From the provider side, sloppy execution of the pain as the 5th VS concept, along with laziness and cost cutting are amongst the reasons for the problems we're seeing. From the patient side, lack of interest in understanding what the provider is asking, and lack of interest in being forthright when asked for a pain rating are also to blame. Opioid analgesics are fast acting, effective, and cheap. From the provider side, it is far less of a drain on resources to just write a script, or give a pill, than it is to undertake a series of trial and error non-pharmacological pain interventions. From the patient side, its faster and more effective short term pain relief to just say "...my pain is a 10..." (regardless of how it actually feels) get your percocet or vicodin and slip into a pain free stupor. I've never seen any patient who says anything along the lines of "my pain is a 10, I'd like to try repositioning myself, then some alternating hot and cold compresses, and then follow that up with some physical therapy tomorrow, and perhaps some accupuncture. While we're at it, have a CNA sit here and engage me in conversation to try and distract me from my pain" People want the pill, and they want to feel better shortly (and I dont necessarily blame them) I found works for me, is to make a more detailed explanation of what a zero feels like and what 10 is *supposed* to be, a debilitating pain that prevents the patient from performing any activity. Often times that gives the patient a moment to think and reconsider how they actually feel.

@TASourcer Thank you very much Joanna, I'll send my resume over ASAP, and I look forward to speaking with you and your team.

I have been looking into Inova, it looks like they have some great programs for RNs interested in speciality nursing. A question for you: do you know what they consider as "New Grad" for internship purposes? I've heard some hospitals consider any nurse with no acute hospital experience eligible for a new grad program.

Awesome, thank you. Now if I can only figure out how to get past the great wall of online application and get someone on the phone!!

My wife and I are thinking about moving the the DC/Northern VA area, because of a job opportunity for her. I am a retired NYC firefighter with a BSN and 5 years of experience as a home/community health nurse. I went back to school while I was working for the FDNY and the flexibility of being a visiting nurse was very appealing. Now that I'm retired, I'd like to venture down the road I would have taken if I had the ability to work full time in a hospital. I'd like to work my way up to being an ICU nurse. I'm an EMT, TNCC, and I have BLS & ACLS as well as IV and EKG certs. I plan on enrolling in one of the two RN refresher courses as soon as we move. I was wondering if anyone had any insights on what the job market is like in the NOVA/DC/MD area, and any advice on actions to take, or places to look to get myself the opportunities to get to where I want to be. Thanks in advance!

My wife and I are thinking about moving the the DC/Northern VA area, because of a job opportunity for her. I am a retired NYC firefighter with a BSN and 5 years of experience as a home/community health nurse. I went back to school while I was working for the FDNY and the flexibility of being a visiting nurse was very appealing. Now that I'm retired, I'd like to venture down the road I would have taken if I had the ability to work full time in a hospital. I'd like to work my way up to being an ICU nurse. I'm an EMT, TNCC, and I have BLS & ACLS as well as IV and EKG certs. I plan on enrolling in one of the two RN refresher courses as soon as we move. I was wondering if anyone had any insights on what the job market is like in the NOVA/DC/MD area, and any advice on actions to take, or places to look to get myself the opportunities to get to where I want to be. Thanks in advance!