suzi_h

I just wanted to say thanks to those of you who answered. As a student, I am most definately curious about how much I'll be making when I finally have my liscense. If for nothing else, just so that I can see about how long and hard I'll have to work to pay off my student loans. I often hear people say nurses make awesome money but, when asked, no one wants to give up that info and I have no idea how accurate salary.com or any of those websites are. So, THANKS!!! Suzi

I can see where your question is coming from but, I think you're asking the wrong questions. If you are so against the war that you won't be able to serve overseas b/c you don't believe in it, you shouldn't be joining the military. How are you going to feel about weapons training? The mission comes first, whether you agree with it or not, end of discussion. Orders are not negotiable b/c you don't want to be a part of it. By joining, you automatically become a part of it. And it doesn't matter what part of the mililtary you go into, if you are caught bad mouthing the cheif of staff or any officer for that matter, you will be punished. And by vocalizing your opinions, you are not only going to offend some of those that are serving (not b/c they neccessarily are for the war) but, you'll also be bringing down morale, which is a huge part of the military. And simple statements like "we shouldn't even be here" or "this is wrong" do bring down morale. You should also reevaluate joining if you are doing it just for travel and education. There should be some sort of passion/pride in wanting to be in the military. Past experience on mine and my hubby's part has shown that joining for free education and travel does not make a very good soldier/sailor/marine/airmen. What makes you think you'll go exactly where you want to be? You may not like George W. or the mission in Iraq, but you will not always agree with policy and procedure or your boss, no matter where you go. Besides, how much longer is his term? Are you going to like the next guy? That shouldn't change your work ethic. You should be asking yourself "If I am in the dessert and I have to nurse a fellow soldier who shot the opposing 'team', will I be able to do that?" If the answer has the slightest hesitation, then you will know if being in the military is for you or not. George Bush should be a small part, and I mean tiny, in your decision to join. As for the banter below, I didn't read all of it. But, I do hope that there are not military perrsonel on this board bad mouthing the president and his mission. Being out of uniform is not "off duty". If you are active and the clock is ticking, you are on duty. And you never know who may be reading this board.

I have never done this or seen it done, however, when my son was 17 days old. He had a lumbar puncture, and then again 3 days later to confirm whether or not he had herpes, which he did not. But they hit blood vessels when they finally got fluid so, his RBC's were higher then normal. :angryfire I could have told them that. Anyways, not to be on a tangent. If it makes you feel any better, as a parent, I checked his back and he had multiple puncture spots. So, when they wanted to do it again, I was heartbroken and pissed. His little scars lasted until he was quite a few months old, but he survived it. I am sure you did nothing wrong. That situation is, I would imagine, a very difficult one to perform and to deal with emotionally. I was told specifically not to be in the room. They told me it was pretty standard to do a lumbar pubcture on an infant that young with a fever as high as his was. I'm sure you did great, how exactly do you comfort anyone getting a spinal tap? :icon_hug: Suzi

I always thought the setpoint was more of a tool for loosing weight. It kind of lets you know when it's going to get tough. So, I don't think the setpoint thing has anything to do with obesity. If Americans sit on their rear-ends all day and night and eat take out 5 nights a week, they are going to pass their setpoint no matter what. I don't understand why people act like obesity is such a mystery. I am not saying that the above posters are lazy, I think women, because of hormones, have it much harder. But, realistically, you can't eat take out from your teens into your 30's and not expect it to catch up with you, I don't care how fast your metabolism is. Especially when over those years, soda cans, serving plates , glasses and serving sizes at fast food restaurants have just gotten bigger. Obesity is sad, American's have a few things to learn from other countries when it comes to this. Just my 2 cents. Suzi

Here's a bit of useless info...In Germany and from what I understand, European countries in general, the doc's scoff when a woman wants privacy to undress. They don't give gowns, just sheets. I never got to experience this but, all my prego friends came home in utter shock after their first appt. w/ German docs. Just an insight to a different culture's way of doing it. I personally wouldn't care. After having recieved prenatal care at a training facility, I have no modesty left. Suzi

Ahhhh... I delivered all of mine natural and after each one, I gave a huge sigh, asked for food, and apologized for being such a whine a$$. The nurses always laughed and thanked me for making it a good time, EVERY time. Now I know why. Suzi

This may seem like an out there idea BUTTTT, I am going to through it at ya anyways. Would you consider staying behind and finishing up and then going over there to meet him or stay back and do an LPN/LVN program. Even if you can't get employed b/c you're a new grad, you'd probably be able to keep an active liscense through volunteer work with the Red Cross. I mention this b/c I was a semester away from starting school when we got orders overseas. It was heartbreaking to put it on hold for 3 long years. It made me absolutely resent being overseas. And there was no way for me to finish school b/c there's no where to do clinicals. They didn't offer anything relating to science degrees and we were in Germany where it's supposed to be easiest to finish school. Like I said-- I know it seems out there, but realistically, a years time for an LPN is nothing compared to the 3 years you'll have to wait and then 3+ more years to finish up when you get back. Just a suggestion...Enjoy Japan! I have heard only wonderful things about it! Suzi

The Air Force did away with the "boot strap" program back in 2001 or 2002. I think they do still have a program that allows you to seperate with a promise to commit so many years after you complete school. I believe the program is called Palace Chase. The military pays for your school and you commit to a set term. If you do a search on www.af.mil for it, maybe you can find something on it. I don't know of very many people who have done this because it requires signatures from such a huge chain of command letting you go and if you're in a critical carrer field, they hold on for dear life. Good luck! Are you active duty or planning to join? Suzi

Hi there, I am a military wife/nursing student. I have been looking online for jobs in Germany, Japan, England and Italy for after I graduate and get some experience. We were stationed at Ramstein from Aug 02 to Aug 05. From what I can tell, it is best to go to work in a hospital stateside and then transfer overseas. They generally do not hire through resumes and the traditional route. We are planning on heading back overseas in a few years. I am going to try to get hired here first and then transfer. It has to be a military hospital though, not the VA. Most positions, if not all, at the VA specify that they can not transfer. I do know of people who have gotten jobs through volunteering at Landstuhl Army Hospital while there, but I also know that RN's that head overseas with their husbands/wives get stuck and find it very difficult to get a job in a US hospital. Good luck in your search and if you do find a job over there, please post. Like I said, I am also hpping to do this eventually. Suzi I just looked at the CHRA-E website and I wanted to add that I did see many vacancies. However, keep in mind that there is preference given to retirees, former military, and spouses for hiring purposes. So, if your have no military affiliation you are put behind these people automatically. Good luck anyways, I hope this works out for you!

I think childbirth, pregnancy,and child raising beliefs are about as strong as religion. Unfortunately, a lot of people in this world just don't know one way or the other and always feel the need to push their views. I also think some people have a tendency to use the terminology incorrectly. I.E natural=lady partsl. I have even found myself doing this before. In the few days you will have to spend in L&D/PPwith them, it is unlikely you're going to change their mind. So, try to educate them and hope for the best. The examples you gave were extreme. But, I think calling someone a natural nazi is as bad as saying that a new mom who wants a c-sec and won't breastfeed is a bad or detached parent. It takes all kinds to make the world go round... Suzi

Are you serious!? I think her problems are plenty big. I am sure there are homeless sick starving children in Ethiopia too. However, what this girl is facing is here and now and she has every right to want a bit of pity. What would help her is food and money. I am sure when she has some of both, she'll be just as cheery as the next single mom trying to make it thru nursing school while dealing with major issues in her life. HONESTLY!!!!!

Thank you...I expended all my brain cells. You'd think with two shots at the word I would've gotten it right. I can spell Pseudomonas aeruginosa . LOL Of course, I don't plan on using that word anymore! Good luck on Micro next semster. I don't have a recipe, just a good teacher. She did tell me to stop over analyzing so much throughout the entire semster. Does that count for advice? Suzi

Does your textbook have a website? Most do nowadays. And some teachers will pull questions from there b/c not all the students utilize that resource. That will work wonders for your studies. Read the chapters! All of them. Even if you only retain a little bit of the info, at least some of it will stick. Do the review at the end of the chapters. These usually cover what the internet quizes from the textbook don't. Learn to drink coffe if you don't and I know you'll be able to do this! I know cramming isn't the way to learn but, I wouldn't call that much reading cramming. After it's all over, you'll have time to go back to your book and really look through it. Read through all your notes. Don't try to understand it right now, just learn it. You can understand it later. As far as I can remember, A&P I was mostly the anatomy part, with the heart too. I wish you luck! You can do it. All you need are C's too maintain your grade and that spot in the program. We're rootin" for ya! Suzi PS: If he's not lifting you up then he's pulling you down, you don't need that right now. He's an adult and your his wife not his mother. If he's got better things to do, let him do them on his own. You have more important things to worry about. Do you want to put up with this while your in school for the next 18 months? Good luck.

After reading Fun2Care's post, I was thinking...you'd actually be setting an example turning your mother in. Not only is it teaching the seriousness of drugs, but by turning her in you are teaching them drugs will not be tolerated and sometimes you have to hurt a little bit to do the right thing. Life isn't easy, they'll be thankful for this lesson in the future. And then they won't ever point the finger and say that mom never tried to stop her wreckless behavior. If anything, they'll love her more b/c she'll become (hopefully) the gramma she should be. And I think that's how you would want your children to see you and her. By the way, how old are the kids? I also agree with Jerico, my sister eliminated my nephew's dad when he was an infant and it was the best thing she ever could have done. She struggled working for a grocery store while finishing college and he is much better off now with a newly adopted dad. If your children's dad is not a part off their lives and is only causing them pain, do what's right and boot him permanately. He'll either starighten up or disappear. It's an unfortunate situation but, you need to be living your life for you and your children. Good luck. Suzi

Congrats to everyone on their great grades! I have decided that nuses and nursing students have got to be the smartest people around! I think they should have couples Jeoperdy (SP?), my hubby and I would rock. Him on history and I'd pick up the rest. Yeah right! I don't even think I spelled Jeopordy right! Just the same. Congrats again! Enjoy your winter breaks! Suzi