curious nature

As a current vaccine nurse with a large national corporation giving thousands daily at our mega-site, I have pt relax arm, dangle it, find the acromion and measure down to belly of the deltoid muscle, and insert needle at 90 degree angle quickly, smoothly, but not in a darting, stabbing fashion. Most patients state they cannot feel it or only slightly, particularly with the first dose. I also reassure them, and use relaxation suggestions, such as "on a beach, wind blowing softly, birds in the sky, sounds of waves...." I also talk w/ pt about hydration, possible side-effects and address any concerns. The tiny arms are difficult, and we cannot always provide smaller needles, as we get what we get, and the vaccine is strictly controlled, whereby we have no access to new syringes, only the ones offered at that moment. I hope this is helpful.

Since Aug of this year, I've been working 12s at night in sub-acute rehab, with 4 noc in a row once a month. At 65, I do feel it, especially if I don't follow my routine or get to bed early enough between consecutive nights, obviously. I bought a pair of orange (colored) night-time blue light blocking clip ons, and I do believe they help my eyes relax, and I do sleep better when I use them. Even with shorter hours of sleep, I feel more rested and in a better mood. BTW, I have dogs that bark, and I now can still get sleep with "acceptance" of the noise. On the flip side, I recently had disturbances in my mood and health d/t sleep deprivation (could not sleep AT ALL), which ended up with Covid-like sx, resulting in testing X 2 (negative results :) and loss of income ? / more rest at home :). In my humble opinion, nocs can be a beast, even with the best plans. Maybe it's just my age, though. P.S. The orange lenses only work if you wear them. haha

I always have my own OTC pain meds, mostly NSAIDs, and I offer those to staff members who ask for something for a headache, etc. I prefer not to use floor stock.

Left scrub top inner pocket: work keys, alcohol pads; left outer scrub pocket: ruler paper strips, barrier cream, misc; right inner scrub pocket: pulse oximeter, highlighter; Rt outer scrub pocket: glucose test strips, lancets; back left pants pocket: Sure prep; back right pants pocket: sticky notes, gum; left front pants pocket, packaged meds, if necessary (briefly); right front pants pocket: lip balm, scissors; left leg pocket: stethoscope, flushes; right leg pocket: cell phone, pens, sharpie; right knee pocket: car key, personal medication.

Where I work, there are 6 major holidays, plus Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, and the biggies are Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, NY eave, and NY day. There's not much problem with the first 3, but for the last 6, Nursing staff are asked to choose three of the six, in hopes that everyone will at least get one of their first choices off. Of course, that means schedulers have to look back to previous years, so that you may not get your first choice every year. When I worked nights, I totally recall sleeping through most of Thanksgiving Day, only to go in to work that night, so I empathize with the night shift dilemma.

Jul 5 by Sour Lemon, RN I have no problem handing out OTC medication to coworkers. It's from my personal supply, though ...never from the facility's. This is my method, never from the med cart. I don't push anything, just offer if they ask for naproxen sodium or ibuprofen - that's all I have .

I'm not a Mormon, but you could try outpatient dialysis where dialysis is traditionally MWF or TTS, and only on Sundays for major holiday weeks (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's) so the patients can spend the holidays with their families.

I was really tired after a double shift, and I was pulled over for going 5 miles over in a school zone (kids not yet out of school, but still), and the officer let me go with a warning after asking me where I was going (to post office, then home) and where I worked. I was so grateful! Not usually a speeder, just really tired. It's never happened again!!

I would chart the caregivers are uncertified, if you know that is a fact.

Also with long hair, and wear it up every day for hygiene and convenience. If your bun gets too tight and/or hurts, try just twisting it up in a bun and use small to medium claw clips to hold it in place. I find them to be perfect even with thick hair, as they can be readjusted easily. I've seen some nurses and other bedside staff with hair down, and I don't know how or why they do it!

Horticulturist. Nice, quiet plants with no families. . ..

Best wishes to you, Cocoa Puff. I think many nurses can relate to your frustrations, especially the unrealistic and sometimes dangerous expectations. Having anxiety and depression over work is no way to live. Personally, I have changed jobs due to that very issue, and others. Take care and thank you for your honest disclosure. God bless.

Still just me here with apologies for the previous wordy post. I'll be figuring this job thing out shortly, as I don't want to take a position because it's the first one offered, and then quit for something better (or so I think!). The rehab job has been offered, but with lower pay than originally stated, so that's off the table. I'll keep looking. Thanks everybody who even looked this way.

I've been offered a day position as a rehab nurse at a very respectable, not-for-profit LTC facility 5 minutes from my home with good benefits. Additionally, I am looking at a possible night position as a post-partum nurse at another great facility where I once worked for 12 years with a well-known women's services department, and also a regulatory state job with great benefits. I'm torn between all of them, as each has something special to offer. I'm also working to completing a BSN online within a year. I am a young, mostly healthy 61, but not able to lift or pull much, so trying to maximize the time I have left without further injuries. Nursing is a second career, and I'll work FT as long as I can. Not too sure about going to night shift with school, since I've mostly worked days or evenings and 8's instead of 12's. Eventually, I'd like to do case management. Any advice or opinions would be appreciated. Thanks!

The day after passing the NCLEX, I had major surgery which limited lifting, etc., for about two months, but I had no problem getting a job, once I got on my feet and was cleared by my surgeon. I live near a major city in the south, so it might be more competitive in other areas. I have switched jobs a few times in the past couple of years, and haven't had any problems. Good luck to you!

I used Hurst online and passed with 80 questions. I began studying via NCLEX prep in my second year of nursing school, instead of the text, which I never had time to read. It worked very well, and I learned my weak spots and could focus on those. I would also recommend if you have any stressful family or work situations that make you feel less than prepared on test day, don't be afraid to reschedule the test. Just remember patient safety in EVERY question.

I hear you. I haven't seen any posts in FB, but it's a small world, and I like to keep my career changes and comments as anonymous as I can for obvious work-related reasons. I'm not a school nurse, but venting carefully is a challenge for any profession, I would imagine. Any time you're dealing with people, there are joys and frustrations!

Thank you all for your input! I really appreciate hearing the truth and seeing that hospice has much to offer, as well as the downsides. Right now I feel fortunate with good hours, moderate travel, no heavy lifting, and excellent benefits, which is great since I'm no spring chicken! But somehow I need to find a way to get some real patient contact, so maybe a PRN position might work for me. My mom was a hospice patient, and I was grateful and impressed with hospice then (16 years ago). Thanks again!

I'm currently working a state job as a LTC surveyor, but I have always thought about hospice. I miss patient contact, as I really enjoy getting to know my patients. Trying to stick it out at least a year at this current position, but going out and looking for deficiencies is getting old. I tend to identify more with the staff and really want to get hands on with the care or teach instead of just writing it up. I have thought about volunteering with hospice to get a better idea if I would be a good fit. Any suggestions would be welcome.