Christina1973

I was recently asked to write a "Day in the life" post for a new blog site. It just went live this week. I saw this topic and figured I would post it in case it is of any assistance to those considering making a move in this direction. I hope you will find it interesting and helpful. The new website is HealthcareITToday.com. My post is available here.

Spring Arbor University, Spring Arbor, MI

I'll retire when I expire!

I love using Twitter and am there more than anywhere else in "cyberspace". I follow, and am followed by, numerous professionals with whom I have shared interests: OR nursing, health information technology, clinical informatics, nursing education, to name a few. Rarely do I spend time on Twitter than I don't learn something. Among the important things to learn, however, is when it's time to sign off and go outside for a while. :) Feel free to follow me - I hope you find that what I converse about has value. Or, at the very least, will make you laugh! @Christina1973

My experience (and facility) agree with Angela's post, with the exception of casual Fridays. No casual days here as a rule. I keep a lab coat around for when I am spending time in clinical areas; it easily replaces a jacket and looks professional.

Is there any drawback to the Excelsior program not being CCNE accredited? I understood that CCNE was a "must" to have for nursing programs. I'm shopping for an MSN program myself, so am very interested in the response on this topic. Thanks!

I've been following this on the CARING ListServ. I am so dismayed at the lack of nursing representation. Thanks for keeping everyone informed!

Just wanted to mention that there is a good chance that ANIA and CARING are going to merge in 2009. Not that that should impact your decision, just an FYI.

Hang in there....I'm sending good vibes for a successful, minimally stressful experience!

I am a long-time Palm user, but have recently switched over to the Palm Treo with Windows Mobile. It was nice to combine my phone and PDA; it synchs with my work Outlook email and calendar, and has everything I need it to have. Just my two cents. It works for me!

I am also a member, for pretty much the reasons so eloquently stated by Angela. I hope you join! Criss

I am putting on my asbestos scrubs and giving my opinion on this subject. I went straight into the OR upon my graduation from nursing school (diploma program...I'm old). There was never any question that doing that wasn't best. I learned the OR from the ground up and have (so far) spent 30+ years as an OR nurse. Fast forward a few years - trends changed and it became almost standard in my part of the country to have at least 1 year of Med Surg experience before going to the OR. Keep fast-forwarding and I am the OR Director - a new grad applies and I tell her no, she needs to get that Med-Surg experience. But the next new grad who contacts me has had a special OR nursing internship during her BSN program. With some misgivings I went ahead and hired her. She turned out to be one of the best OR nurses I ever worked with! So what's my point? If your program offers a practicum or internship in OR - take it. It will help you find out if it is truly what you want to do AND should give you a foot in the door when seeking an OR job as a new grad. Again, this is simply my experience and opinion. I'm sure others think quite differently and will very likely let us know. :) Criss

I tend to view things by how I would want my loved ones cared for if they were the patient. I want that room/sterile field monitored. The high physical, emotional, and financial cost of a surgical site infection is not worth the risk. And now with the CMS rules about not paying for complications, the financial picture is even more grim. But $$ isn't what matters most - it's the patient. I am very much against sacred cows, but have a definite reluctance to cut corners when it comes to sterility. Not gonna do it! Criss

Good for you in seeking a CNOR! I purchased the training materials from AORN, which included a book, a reference list, and a CD with practice exam questions. I swear some of those practice questions were actually on the test! How fortunate you are that your OR management is encouraging your journey, and providing the reference material to assist you. Take it slow and easy, do a little bit each day, don't cram, and have confidence in your abilities. Oh, and don't second guess yourself and change answers on the test without being sure. That's always one of my biggest challenges. When I took the test (more than a few years back, I have to confess) I finally forced myself to click the "submit" button on the screen, because I had started reviewing my answers and doubting some of them. I was quite tickled to see the message come right back on the computer screen, indicating that "preliminary results indicate that you have passed the exam" or words to that effect. You can do it! Criss

I had a similar problem when I started in the OR (a million years back). I experimented with cloth hats, bouffant disposable hats, and every combination thereof. I finally found that my hair did the best if I kept it relatively short and didn't put lots of product on it before going to work (like mousse, gel, etc). After I take the hat off at the end of the shift, I dunk my head under the faucet in the locker room and get it nice and wet; towel it off, fluff it a bit, and away I go. Now that is not a good option in winter, but a warm winter hat will hide your hat hair anyway. Perhaps your hairdresser might have some good ideas? Good luck, Criss

Good morning! I am seeking information / opinions regarding MSN programs (online). I have also posted this on the CARING listserv, but am seeking the wisdom of my allnurses colleagues, as well. My preference would be to find a program that has a Nursing Informatics specialty track, though I know that not all programs have that component. I am also confused by the various accreditation organizations out there related to education. I have been told that whichever school I end up at, be sure it is accredited by CCNE. So, what is your experience on this topic? Thanks in advance for your help. Have a great weekend. Criss

Short answer? NO Long answer? I am a Diploma graduate (Class of 1973) who graduated with a BSN two years ago at the age of 54. This fall I will be starting on my MSN. I will finish up when I am 58. Am I too old? Who cares? :) ~Criss

Thanks, Angela, for the SINI blog link. I am attending via the SINI webcast and will enjoy the blog site, as well. Of course there is nothing like being at one of these events in person, with the availability of meeting folks, seeing exhibits, etc. I figure that at least I will get some of the material...hopefully that which is most helpful to someone who is new in the field. Thanks again, Chris

Thank you so much for the comments, Brown and Azor! It's good to know, Brown, that you have found the move to IS a positive career move. I am counting on having the same feeling! Challenges? Bring 'em on. I'm an OR nurse...I can take it. :) Safe holiday week to all! Criss

I have tried tons of different shoes in my 30+ years of OR nursing but I have found my dream shoe - Quarks. They come in a variety of colors (I have two pair..white and navy) and they are the lightest shoe I have ever worn. (Note: I have no financial interest in this product.) Criss

My mother complained of a metallic taste in her mouth and was found to have end stage renal disease. She's in her 9th year on dialysis and doing amazingly well. Keep in mind there were other symptoms that went along with that metallic taste issue - don't want to alarm you unnecessarily!:uhoh21: Criss

Thank you both for the welcome. I really appreciate the tips you gave me, Angela....great advice included there! I am so looking forward to the new challenges I face, though I am eager to try to really make a positive difference. CESCVORRN - congrats to you on the new position. It would be nice to be able to share info and we both learn our way around this fascinating "new world". Education of nursing/physician staff will be part of my areas of responsibility as well, so we may find it quite helpful to collaborate. :) Thanks again! Criss

Another thing to remember is that, by only working "on call", you might find it difficult to keep your competencies up-to-date. We require folks to work a certain amount of their hours during regularly scheduled work time so they can keep their skills up. Just a thought. Good luck! Criss RN BSN CNOR

I'm pretty darned excited about the new Clinical Informatics position I just accepted and figure I will be coming here to learn as I get acclimated to my work. I have wanted to move into the Informatics field for a long time and, at last, will be doing so. The job is a new position so I will pretty much be creating it as I go along...what an excellent opportunity to use my 30+ years of nursing experience to impact the clinical uses of information systems. I am sure there will be a few days where I wonder whatever possessed me to make the change, but nothing ventured, nothing gained. :) Thanks for listening! Criss

I would also love to discuss some issues with this group. 30+ years experience in the OR, currently OR and Central Supply Nursing Director. Challenged with productivity measures, turnover times (as always), "hand-off" communication JCAHO patient safety goal, and the new JCAHO tissue requirements. Let's talk! --Criss