A note of deep concern and worry

There has been a rash of suicides and suicide attempts in my community and it has driven me to write this note. After the devastating loss of a nursing student, I just....I don't even know where to begin. So I'll start:

Please, please, please remember that in taking care of others, one most take care of oneself. Please remember no matter how dark, how down, how trapped you feel, there are people that care--that love you--that want to help... Read More

Do you take your work wherever you go?

Germs are everywhere! Are you a germaphobe? Do you go above and beyond the norm to eradicate germs at work or at home? Tell us your story. We all have our days - sometimes we just go crazy spraying and cleaning everything. Again. And again. I know. Read More

Which kind of ICU experience is best and where?

I currently have been working at Emory University Hospital for 2 years on a med-surg floor. I want to switch to ICU so I can work towards my goal of becoming a CRNA. I believe ICU experience from Emory would look benefical on my resume but I would rather work somewhere where I don't have to sign another 2 year contract. So my questions are:

1) Would it be better for CRNA school to have Emory on my resume?
2) Which types of ICUs would be most benefical? CVICU, MICU, SICU, etc...?

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Agoraphobia...anyone with experience?

Patient X has lately been denied their disability claim, because they refused to attend the court hearing for the continuation of the benefits. The disability claim reason is reportedly agoraphobia. The patient states that they are unable to attend the hearing because the location of the trial requires them to travel over a bridge and into another city. They state that their agoraphobia won't allow them to go to the hearing. They further state that they have tried to speak to the disability board by telephone but, "they hung up on them when they could not stop crying". Read More

Take big paycut and work more hours for possible better job?

Would you take a huge paycut and work more hours if there's a chance you would like the job alot more than your current job? I am considering doing this. I am considering taking a massive paycut, which would likely result in having to go from part time work to full time. I have kids, so this is my big consideration. It would be dayshift, M-F with weekends and holidays off, which would be better for my family overall. I wish I didn't have to be full time, but can't really afford to work less at the new lower wage. Hoping for some feedback on those that made the leap. Read More

Meaningful Interaction: A Study in Comfort

In every family there are different traditions and approaches to comfort. I, in particular, am not a huggie (huggy?)/touchy feely person. Hugs do not comfort...they distress.

Yet I am surrounded by normal folks for which a physical hug is important and it is there that I find myself wrapped in philosophical debates about approach, deployment and fulfillment of said physical comfort. Do I take a running start? If I stand with my arms out away from my sides, am I shrugging, challenging someone to a fight to the death or offering a hug? Will this be recognized? What is the sound of one hand clapping? Read More

Do I need to give my manager notice?

Should I give my manager a heads up that I am looking for another job so that he's not blindsided with a call for a reference, or should I put in apps/resume and if I get hired, give my two week notice? My fear is that if I tell him ahead of time so he's aware, that he may just decide to let me go. Read More

How do determine how good a CRNA program is?

Now that I have you here, I am looking for questions to ask the directors of the CRNA programs in my area to determine if I am going to get the best experience out of the program I choose. The questions I have so far are... Read More!

How to resolve a "Letter of Admonition"??

I am a Registered Nurse & have been practicing since 1999. In 2007 I received a letter of Admonition against my license for failure to report to the Board, an incident which occurred while I was camping, and completely away from my work, patients or career!. The issues surrounding the letter of admonition was a non-related issue that I failed to report to the Board because I had no idea I had to report, non-nursing related issues. This letter is significantly damaging my reputation and ability to be hired with many companies! I'm frustrated beyond imagination and would love some input regarding what I can do about the problem! At the time of the incident & letter, I had no idea it was going to be a PERMANENT red flag against my license and ultimately against me! Has anyone else had similar issues with disciplines against their license? And does anyone have any suggestions for me? At the time of the "investigation", I did not realize how serious this was and that I should fight it! The letter seemed so intimidating and scary, even threatening in a sense, so I just allowed it & did not fight it. Now it's haunting me! Read More...

Retirement in the nursing field.

There is an issue going on at health care facilities about nurses who are still working as nurses well into their 60's and 70's. Assuming everyone ages differently, consider the effects of aging (such as decrease in vision, hearing, unsteady gait, ect.) do you think they put their patients and themselves at risk for injury? If so do you think there should be a mandatory retirement age for nurses? Read More

LPN...not good enough?

I have been an LPN for the last 5 years and I love what I do. But one of my patients that I've had last week was an RN. Now I do not have anything against RN's at all, but she asked me if I was a nurse, and of course I say yes I am, and the next question was LPN or RN and I answer LPN and she said why are you wasting your time..... I thought that I must have misunderstood what she said and asked her to repeat it again, and the same question came out of her mouth. I never thought an LPN was not good enough, I feel confident in what I do and I feel that the title nurse applies to me too but she had me questioning is this what everyone thinks? Read More