Healthcare is NOT a basic human right.

If one were to read the Constitution one would realize that the Constitution does not grant anyone freedoms, liberties, or rights. The Constitution only protects freedoms, liberties, and rights from transgressions on part of the government. A right is something that is inherent to the individual, comes from that individual, and is maintained by the individual. You are born with such rights like the right to speak freely, the only thing that can be done to that right is to have it infringed. No one can grant a right to another, only limit or impede the exercise of that right. Read

Coffee is my medicine

They say that coffee drinkers, compared to nondrinkers, are:

• less likely to have type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and dementia
• have fewer cases of certain cancers, heart rhythm problems, and strokes

Is coffee your medicine? How many cups of coffee do you drink per day? Read

Ugh, those "I'm so stupid" moments

Even when you're confident in what you're doing you can still have these "I'm so stupid" shaken moments, right? I wish I could just accept that I did the right thing due to her worsening but the doubt I had is what bugs me. I hate it when docs flip out like that and huff off before you can say "she got worse while waiting!" Anyone else? Read

How much personal info do you share with pts?

I am a second year RN student. I have had some really nosy, pushy patients the last couple of weeks and it has made me wonder where to draw the therapeutic communication / your asking me too many personal questions line. I know as nurses we are supposed to have a therapeutic relationship with our patients, but at the same time are not supposed to get too close, or share too much with the pt. It seems like in order to have a therapeutic relationship with your pt that you need to be somewhat open with them. Where do you draw the line? Read

The Transience of Life

In the 19 years that I was active as a volunteer EMS member of my local fire department (2 years NREMT-Basic + 17 years NREMT-Paramedic), I was often amazed at the difference between a "scene" on the day of getting a call, versus the same location a day or two later.

I'd pull up on a horrific motor vehicle crash...car into tree...partial rollover...pinned screaming pt. You work to stabilize/extricate/transport the victim of the crash. Do the paperwork, and move on. Same with a shooting....stabilize, transport, "wash down" the ground to clean away the blood.....and move on. Read More...

I dont' have a clue what to do, please someone help me.

I've got a state inspector that will not stop calling me. I have already talked to this person about a situation that is being investigated, but now she is wanting to talk to me again and will not stop calling me. I'm terrified to talk to her because I know my documentation is probably bad, and she's going to call me on it. I don't know what to do; I don't know what I'm going to say to this person that I haven't already said; I have told her everything that I remember about the situation. I'm sick right now (literally) and I'm stressed and I'm tired of my job. Read

Where does the job end?

Is this normal? Is this the way it should be? Because if it is, then I simply can't do it. Not for being lazy, but because my responsibilities are tremendous at home. My psyche can't take it!... Read

How many of you had to make a change recently?

I have been a nurse for 13 years now. First 3 on MedSurg, last 10 in ICU. I had a manager job for 3 months, but my coworkers did not respect me, wouldn't follow procedures so I gave it back. My DON was upset. The ICU is so negative now. I am transferring to another unit, back to MedSurg. My question is this: how many of you had to make a change recently becaue of just needing one? I feel like I have failed in the meantime! Thanks for your responses! Read

Digital Mammography Tops Screen-Film for Screening

Compared with screen-film mammography, digital mammography substantially improved the detection of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive carcinoma, particularly when associated with microcalcifications, without an increase in clinically insignificant lesions, according to a study published online Oct. 2 in Radiology. Read

What specialties have you tried? Did you end up where you thought you would?

I've worked in Med-Surg, Home Health, OB, Surgery, and School Nursing. I've thought about trying the ER. My favorite so far has been OB but I left it for School Nursing which I've spent the most time in. I'm back in med-surg to get my foot back in the hospital door but know I don't want to stay in med-surg. I was always interested in surgery but ended up hating that. I swore I'd never return to med-surg but it's not been nearly as bad this time around. Just curious what everyone else has tried and is planning on trying. Read

New grad RN in the ED. Am I being hard on myself?

I just feel intimidated by the doctors, everyone calls them by their first names, but I don't know if I should too. I guess I just hate being a newbie and am scared I am going to screw up. I feel like everyone thinks I don't know anything because not only am I new to the dept., I am a new grad. Can anyone relate or advise? Read