Nov 14 - Nov 20 Hottest New Topics

• U.S. Health Insurance Compared to 10 Other Nations
• An Attitude of Gratitude
• Acupuncture for menopause, a personal experience
• How does BON handle marijuana screens from nurses in states that have legalized it?
• Visiting hours and quality of care: an unscientific study
• Patient Confessions
• Dear Precepting Student
• Is this cheating?
• Do you correct your professor?
• Pay Raise After Nursing Residency?

U.S. Health Insurance Compared to 10 Other Nations

Adults in the United States spend more time and money on health insurance than those in many other developed nations, and ultimately deal with more coverage-related disputes and denials, according to research published online Nov. 18 in Health Affairs.

An Attitude of Gratitude

The author of the series "Fired After 50" reflects on the changes this year has brought, and marvels anew at the small miracles of everyday life as a nurse.

Acupuncture for menopause, a personal experience

This is my personal experience with both western and Chinese medicine for the treatment of severe menopausal symptoms. I had excellent results with Premarin but was worried about the side effects so went off of it. I went into a nasty depression and tried acupuncture and Chinese herbs with excellent results.

How does BON handle marijuana screens from nurses in states that have legalized it?

I see that Arizona has just voted in to legalize medical marijuana if you have a recommendation from an MD. How does the BON in the states that have legalized medical marijuana react if you test positive but have an RX from an MD for it? Anyone had any experience with their BON or know their policies?

Visiting hours and quality of care: an unscientific study

What visiting policies are in place where you work, and how strictly are they enforced? Are you allowed to use your nursing judgement at all in deciding who stays and who goes, or is it completely out of your hands? How have you seen these policies affect patient outcomes, and satisfaction?

Patient Confessions

I went into this mans room and asked if he needed anything. He said he would like some ice water and juice and I got it for him. After I asked if he needed anything else he said yes - forgiveness. Naturally I asked what he wanted forgiveness for. He began to say that he was talking to the hospital chaplain and then started to go into his family life and some of his own. It was a pretty normal conversation until he mentioned that he did something really stupid ...

Dear Precepting Student

While I understand that you're proud of your clinical skills derived from your prior experiences, if they are beyond the scope of the license for which you're currently a candidate, they have no bearing on your current preceptorship and frankly, your continual reference to them is tiresome and makes you appear insecure - or even condescending.

I understand that you were a super suturer and a fabulous intubator as a military corpsman or paramedic but those skills are beyond the scope of what we're licensed for here so please spare me the continuing commentary and instead focus on what we're doing *here*.

Is this cheating?

I have a research article critique due in two separate classes. I get to choose the article. The assignments each have slightly different criteria, and the final product is two different forms (one is a template we fill out, one is a paper).

Is it wrong to do the same article?

Do you correct your professor?

Without going into to much detail, today I found myself in a situation where my instructor was wrong. I spoke up to correct the wrongness. The biggest reason I knew they were wrong was because I have a lot of personal experience with what they were discussing. Now my instructor seemed OK at the time with me speaking up, and let me speak since it appeared I knew more about it then they did. I am an advocate for the condition they were speaking about, so I get a bit frustrated when people do not spread accurate information.

Would/Should you correct your professor/instructor when you know they are not giving out accurate information? I guess I am just really concerned since it is likely I will run into this issue again regarding this condition.

Pay Raise After Nursing Residency?

How soon after completing nursing residency did you get a pay raise? We were paid 24.50 through our residency period which is soon about to end and I just got an offer from another hospital that I equally like for 4.50 more. The problem is that we have been told that there will not be salary increase this year and probably next because of the economy yada yada. But I really want to stay at my current job because they gave me a chance as a new grad and trained me so much. It will be good if they get return on their investment but 24.50 after residency is too small...