3/19 What I learned this week: more about employment laws than anything else

[ixchel]

I'm sorry for another late post this week. Honestly, I'm not really sure where to begin. The last few months really haven't been kind, but we might be at the cusp of an upswing. Vacation next week, surgery to follow. If my leave is approved (yes, still waiting, and very anxious about this), I'll be off for quite awhile, which I think I've really needed for my own health. I'm hoping to use a lot of this time to brush up on patho and pharm in anticipation of school this fall. I just wish my employer would communicate with me. I have no idea what is going on.

So, with that said, this week, I have learned:

Malpractice insurance lawyers are not occupational lawyers. I mention this because I see so, so often on here, "contact your malpractice insurance for guidance," whenever someone comes on here with a work-related, potential legal issue. I definitely think no matter the issue, it's good to at least make sure they have your issue on file in case the issue does affect your license or patient care. But, they will not get involved with workplace complaints. Very disappointing and, frankly, scary news in my world right now.

If the body isn't able to be in REM enough, eventually there is a rebound effect during which you will go into REM while awake. Literally, you will be sleepwalking.

Symptoms of the above:

*going from one topic to something wildly different mid-sentence, each thought potentially being understandable or not

*inability to complete things, adequate patient care, maybe even simple tasks, when you may typically be a fully competent, fully functional and great nurse at your baseline

*total personality change in a person who is typically normal and stable

*falling asleep, even mid-sentence

*hallucinations

*essentially appearing to be drunk, doing heroin nods, on acid

I imagine there are plenty more symptoms than that. If you witness this behavior, your first instinct may be send the nurse for a drug test. Certainly that's a good idea. But make sure you send that nurse to the ED for it, so they may be assessed by an MD/NP/PA. Any other person in a hospital with a severe change in mental status would be given immediate medical help. An employee should be, too. This person needs medical attention.

I'm still not sure if I'm employed. This is actually beginning to really bother me.

A dog's normal heart rate is 70-180 with a regular rhythm. Mine goes quite brady and irregular when she's resting. When she gets up, she begins to pant. My nurse brain has decided she needs an ekg while resting.

If you shave your dog to determine if she has a heart block, you may be a little unbalanced. (I did not cross the line. Mostly because of the next line. [emoji23])

It's minimum $600 for an ekg or tele monitor on amazon.

I begged my PRN job's nurse to take a day off because I considered shaving my dog for an ekg. I need to be nursey. I'm craving it!

I left my stethoscope at work.

When I'm not thinking about work's uncertainty, I'm feeling happy again. Legitimately happy. I forgot how good that feels, and I wish I hadn't allowed myself to get swallowed by the big dark cloud that hovered over me.

A lot of very random threads that are older have been getting bumped lately.

TPTB here on AN are working on ideas for better thread visibility. I've discovered my, and guest OPs', WILTW threads have been labeled Journals and I really like that. These things have become journals to me, and I love that I can look back through almost a year now and see where I've been in my growth as a nurse.

I "forgot" how much fun quotation marks can be.

The entrepreneurs hub they just started here has been tempting me, but I don't know how committed I would remain over time.

With all of this uncertainty with employment, I've considered what might be my plan B. I've been stalking a few posters who have mentioned they work from home. Since I'm heading back to school, this may be a good for fit me.

Boy Child is so happy to have his mommy home that I've been stock piling the sweet greetings, snuggles, and unlimited hugs. Girl Child is all like, "whatevs." *sigh*

My step-uncle, who happens to be my grandfather's best friend in this world, decided to move hundreds and hundreds of miles away, when he's never lived more than an hour away his whole entire life. I live hours away. My mom lives twice the distance away that I do. My other living uncle lives an hour away but is very limited in his spare time. My step-uncle was the main support that Grandpa had. Grandpa is going to be destroyed by Grandma's Alzheimer's. I wish I could be there every day for him. I'll be stepping up and being there more for them because I just can't see Grandpa being okay, or asking for any help. I'm furious that my step-uncle would do this, now of all times.

FMLA paperwork requires a diagnosis be disclosed.

The show Cuckoo is hilarious, and I love Greg Davies.

I love that AN has connected me with some of the most amazing, supportive people to help me get through all of the stuff that's going on lately. Far, Ood, WK, and Dogen, I'd be out of my mind completely without you. Thank you!!!

A large number of nurses here only feel comfortable with disclosing their mental health challenges here. On one hand, how wonderful to have this great place to turn to. On the other hand, how sad is it that nursing doesn't accept mental illnesses well in the work place. If you didn't get to last week's thread and you want to bond with others who may share common experiences to your own journey, check out last week's WILTW, which has "ALWAYS taper your SSRIs" in its title.

You guys learn anything good this week? Perhaps something happy?

Small reminder - please try to keep this thread mostly related to topics regarding nursing, employment in nursing (including nursing assistants), or nursing student-related topics. Veering away from this too far will make the thread disappear, but it is okay to discuss side thoughts briefly, and always, always, always respond to each other with encouragement, questions, whatever you'd like to keep the conversation going. This thread is meant for hijacking, provided we stay mostly nursey. Thank you for this! I love these threads too much to see them leave the yellow side.

This week's video?

I'm fairly certain I've accidentally become this song. Except for the whore part.

[ixchel]

GUEST OP NEEDED!

I need a guest OP for the WILTW on 3/26. Because. Right now I just can't even and if I start to even, kittens will be punched right in their noses.

I'm sorry - I love you guys and I assure you, this is face-to-face crap. Nothing I'm learning this week should be shared here due to probable pending litigation.

[ixchel]

Thanks, that was extremely informative. I chanced upon it because I'm supposed to go on a hiking trip on July 4th weekend, and I'm fairly certain it will be an issue.

I don't fancy carrying around used feminine products in sealed plastic bags with me, which is what some people recommended. The cup seems a lot less messy and more convenient, personally.

Absolutely makes sense! Get the insteads, then. You'll also be glad to experience the ability to empty it with a good kegel while peeing when necessary. Start with a small box and test them out to see if it's a good match for you. I buy them off Amazon because they're cheap and you have quantity choices.

[canigraduate]

I have a question for you wiser individuals.

I received a voicemail to set up an interview for a hospital I'm considering in southern IN (it's 5 hours south, so it's bearable). Here's the conundrum: I'm interested in jobs elsewhere but probably won't hear back until after I pass my boards. How do I express that I want ample time to consider my options in a polite way? To be candid, southern IN would not be my first choice. Then again, there are no guarantees that I will be able to secure a job at my preferred locations. Any advice?

I would wait to deal with it until you get a job offer.

At that point, I would state that you wouldn't be able to commit until such and such date. Be prepared, though, hiring managers usually want you right away. Your offer may be rescinded.

I would have advised you to wait to apply, but it's too late for that, now. In the future, grouping all of your applications at the same time tends to work out better.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I didn't go to orientation. *sigh* This was my last try at a job. Now I am going to apply for disability because it is obvious I can't hold down a job.

I'm so sorry. I've been there. I am glad your SO is being so supportive. That helps not make the situation worse. Please take care of yourself and get the help you need. Life can really blow sometimes. Being an adult tends to blow a lot. (hugs)

[cracklingkraken, ASN, RN]

I would wait to deal with it until you get a job offer.

At that point, I would state that you wouldn't be able to commit until such and such date. Be prepared, though, hiring managers usually want you right away. Your offer may be rescinded.

I would have advised you to wait to apply, but it's too late for that, now. In the future, grouping all of your applications at the same time tends to work out better.

Thanks, cani! In hindsight, I was wondering why I didn't wait to apply, but I was optimistically hoping for a job secured by the time I graduate. I know someone who works there, actually, and I spoke to her about the job, pay rate, housing, etc. I don't think I'm going to seriously consider working there. The pay rate is lower than I hoped, while living costs are expensive.

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

I'm so sorry. I've been there. I am glad your SO is being so supportive. That helps not make the situation worse. Please take care of yourself and get the help you need. Life can really blow sometimes. Being an adult tends to blow a lot. (hugs)

Yeah, being an adult blows. Can I hop in a time machine & go back to being a kid? No one warns you about this stuff. But I am thankful I have my husband because I don't know what I would do without him!

[Jensmom7, BSN, RN]

Yeah, being an adult blows. Can I hop in a time machine & go back to being a kid? No one warns you about this stuff. But I am thankful I have my husband because I don't know what I would do without him!

I have days when this expresses exactly how I feel. Those days when I'm tired of being the primary wage earner, of having to work full time because my husband expects it, of him totally not understanding what the work environment is like now because he's been retired for 18 years...and then I read about the things some of you are going through and I'm ashamed of myself.

Hugs to you all.

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

I have days when this expresses exactly how I feel. Those days when I'm tired of being the primary wage earner, of having to work full time because my husband expects it, of him totally not understanding what the work environment is like now because he's been retired for 18 years...and then I read about the things some of you are going through and I'm ashamed of myself.

Hugs to you all.

[ATTACH]21406[/ATTACH]

I think we all need to have a '**** adult life' party.

[Jensmom7, BSN, RN]

I think we all need to have a '**** adult life' party.

I have some awesome coloring books and a lot of really good colored pencils.

[Dany102]

I'm about 87% certain these have been brought up here. Let me give a crash course on the two I'm familiar with -

Diva:

Two sizes, unfortunately you won't know which will fit until you spend a crap ton on one or the other. They are multiuse, easy to clean, durable, has measuring lines (kinda weird, but cool), firm which prevents leaks. I was in love with my diva. Until I wasn't. To insert, you squeeze, fold, insert. The squeezing and folding creates a vacuum, which my cervix seems to love depending how high up it is that particular day. Nothing says hand cramping like digging a stuck diva out. This might not be a normal occurrence for others. It was for me, so I tried......

Instead:

Firmish ring that hugs around the cervix with a thin but durable bag hanging from it. Easy to insert and remove, although cervical placement again affects this. Sometimes I have to insert it upside down and flip it. Does a great job, but I still wear a pad just in case. I've learned at times when using a sink to rinse would not be appropriate, my muscles do help to empty it without mess while I'm sitting to pee. They have ones they label as mutiuse (for one month only) vs. single use. I've always gotten single use. I asked a friend what the differences are, and she says as far as she can tell, there are none. So when it makes sense to do so, I'll reuse, but only concurrent days, not over different months. (Ew!)

I would highly recommend diva over instead. Unfortunately, it wasn't right for me, but that doesn't make me dislike all that I loved about it. You may want to order both so that when you are places without a private sink, you won't have to worry about washing icky fingers in front of others.

I love cups!

Ixchel,

Totally random question here: what is the advantage of using a menstrual cup (regardless of models) over using other methods like pads or tampons? Is it that, over time, it is cheaper? Or is it more a matter of personal comfort?

I'm a noob (and also, I don't have a lady parts) so don't be too harsh...

Dany

[cracklingkraken, ASN, RN]

Ixchel,

Totally random question here: what is the advantage of using a menstrual cup (regardless of models) over using other methods like pads or tampons? Is it that, over time, it is cheaper? Or is it more a matter of personal comfort?

I'm a noob (and also, I don't have a lady parts) so don't be too harsh...

Dany

My original question was also pretty out there. I researched a bit, and here is what I found:

You can wear them for longer periods of time. There is a decreased chance of leakage. It can be more cost efficient, depending on what kinds you buy and if you take proper care of them (multiple usage). And it also doesn't have as much of a risk for TSS as tampons. Plus, personal comfort, depending on the individual.

[margin261]

OC- sending hugs to you.

My hubs works in the oil business too- overseas. For the last 6 mos or so, everytime he comes home, we aren't sure if he's going to have a job to go back to. It's extremely stressful!

Since it's done nothing but get worse, we decided I should go back to work. Don't get me wrong, I love being a nurse- but trying to decide what job to do because of all the bs involved....

I decided on HH (for flexibility-ha!) And after 3 weeks I want to find the people who made up the OASIS questions & beat them with my tablet!! Just thinking about going to work everyday makes my brain so tired.

So I do kinda, maybe a little bit, get how your brain gets overwhelmed with thinking about what all you're going to have to learn, what will be expected and how freaking scary it all is. How it can make you so emotionally tired you just want to run! Or, maybe that's just me not wanting to go to work today??

Anyway- more hugs to OC (& anyone else that needs it!) - lots of people that love & support you here! Hang in there!!