Do you like your long commute?

How long is your commute to your workplace? Do you think the long commute is worth it? Do you even consider the time you spend sitting in a car, bus, or train when computing your salary? Read

Win CASH! Christmas Nursing Caption Contest - $100

Participate in our Christmas Caption Contest! Winner gets $100! Good afternoon nurses. Your mission is to provide a caption to the cartoon below. You may submit as many captions as you wish. You have 2 weeks to achieve your objective. Read

Do you call the doctor at night for low B/P's on night shift?

What would the B/P have to be before you would call the doctor on night shift? I work in the "skilled side" at the LTC. The doctor does not have orders or parameters in regards to calling him in regards to the low B/P's. The first thing this doctor does when you call him at night is that he calls the DON at her home at night and reports you for calling him at night. However, the nurse from the 3-11 shift says you are suppose to call the doctor each time you get a low B/P on nights. In other words, I would be calling the doctor every night at 1am to report these low BP's. The DON would then be awakened every night at 1am when the doctor calls and reports me to the DON. Is it not normal to have a lower B/P when you are asleep at night? Read

Marketing a business

I'm trying to get a concierge nursing service going here in my part of NY. Aside from all the scope of practice/legal issues I have to take care of I was hoping for some insight into ideas on drumming up business. Since services would be provided after discharge from an ambulatory surgical center/office or from a physicians office I've tried reaching out to them, to no avail. Are there places/websites that potential patients might frequent to advertise on? My second question has to do with payment. Private pay is of course straightforward. What about billing private insurance companies, will they pay for this sort of thing? Read

The Waiting Game

This is my favorite memory of my years in rehab nursing. It changed the way I cared for patients and their families. It's the story of the experience of an elderly woman near certain death, and how it changed the way of thinking for all involved. It's a feel good story as well as humorous, kinda creepy and certainly an eye opener for all of us involved. Especially me, as I found myself changing the way I did things and made me more aware spiritually. Read.

Dear Family Members

This open letter is aimed at the difficult, belligerent family members out there who give bedside nurses a hellish time. I know you love the patient who is laying in that bed very much. Not only are we here for the patient, but we are also here to support you during this critical time. Just meet us halfway, please. A little bit of mutual respect can go a long way in fostering goodwill. Read

What's your patient load?

I'm still orienting but I take on about 5-6 patients. Normally we will have 6-7 sometimes 8. I work in NYC. What are the ratios in other states or hospitals? 7 patients is crazy! Granted, not all are super sick, but still, time management is one of the top skills needed, perhaps the hardest for a new nurse. Thoughts? Read

Am I crazy to take a hospice job?

I recently had an interview to become a patient care coordinator with hospice. I got the job! Im so excited! I've never done hospice, but I do feel it is calling my name. I am now doubtful, is the right thing to do? will it be emotionally draining? Will I lose my nursing skills? (start IV's, deal with central lines, tubes, etc etc. It seems like a fairly flexible job, but I will trade 12 hr shifts for 8's. Anyway, I just want some guidance from the hospice nurses out there, a little reassurance would be awesome too! Read

Health Care Law Boosts Savings on Meds for Medicare Recipients

Savings on prescription drugs related to the Affordable Care Act have reached $5.1 billion, according to a Dec. 3 news release from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The Department notes that more than 5.8 million people with Medicare have benefited from the assistance offered to bridge the prescription coverage gap known as the donut hole, with savings reaching $5.1 billion. Read

What did I get myself into??!! I'm scared!

I recently got hired at a HH agency as a Case Manager RN. Yesterday I went and took a pre employment test and I met a nurse that has been working there since 2008. I introduced myself and she was extremely friendly. She asked if I had ever done HH before and I said no and she made a face and said whatever you do don't completely quit your current job and stay per diem!

She asked if I had kids and I said yes, she asked the ages and I proceeded to tell her that one is 4 months old and right away she cut me off and said, "just don't totally quit your other job" I asked why she was saying that and she said that HH is very overwhelming and extremely hard and the advice she can give me is just to start real slow and again STAY PER DIEM!!! Read

How Can You Be A Nurse With No Clinical Background?

I find that odd. The foundation of nursing skill and ''critical thinking'' is having some experience with bedside care. I understand alot of new grads are running away from the bedside faster than ever, and alot of nurses are moving up and branching out into other areas of nursing with less than 5 years of clinical experience. I know it maybe insulting to nurses who choose to do this but I just don't think it's wise... Read