Why nurses don't want to be identified in public?

I remember hearing nurses tell stories about being in the public and not wanting anyone to know that they are a nurse. I always thought that was strange, because I've always been so proud of being an RN. Throughout nursing school, I liked the idea of some stranger asking me for medical advice, and being able to bless them with my expertise on the subject. Even as a new grad, I loved to show off my new found knowledge of all things human body. I am now officially no longer a new grad, although I'm still a new nurse. I've just finished up a little over my first year of nursing in a busy step-down unit at my local hospital. It's funny how much one year can change you... Read More

Whooooop! I got the job! :-)

I just wanted to drop in because I know I will be on this board quite a bit- more so than ever before. I had 2 interviews for a NICU position yesterday and a few hours later I was notified that I got the job! Yay! I had practicum there so I am very familiar with the unit and am so excited. I look forward to learning more from you guys! Read More

Difference between night and day nurses

Are there any differences between night and day nurses? What do you notice that stands out the most to you? eg. patients, age, energy, etc Read More

26 yr old male considering a career in nursing (RN to CRNA) Advice please?

Hello, I'm a 25 yr old male, soon to be 26, currently a project coordinator with a large financial institution, and I am considering switching to the medical field and pursuing nursing. I would like to become a nurse anesthetist, and in the mean time learn and grow as an ICU/ER RN. My current job is simply too boring. The business end does nothing for me, and I feel I am tied to a desk all day. I love helping others, and get great gratification out of this. However, I do have my concerns which I will list below... Read More

Thank you, thank you , certification done!

Let me introduce myself. Hi! I am a nurse practitioner student and I have been lurking these boards for over a month now. I have hung on your every word regarding the AANP examination. I have searched for hope and comfort in your writings that would give me some kind of peace. So today I strip away my nurse practitioner student title and now it just family nurse practitioner. So I want to say thank you cause in my head you were my best friends! Unlike with the outside world, you knew the turmoil in me regarding 150 questions, 3 hours, 2.5-3 years of school, insane clinical hours, and the every present need to drink. So to all the ladies who put their experiences on this forum. From a lurker, I say thank you! Read More

Unusual Names for Medical Diagnoses

I am doing a speech on making the most of a visit to a doctor. I want to emphasize the importance of knowing the proper name for diagnoses. I need some help coming up with unusual, weird, cultural, or just plain improper names for diagnoses...things like "piles" instead of hemorrhoids, "high blood" instead of high blood pressure, or "the sugar" instead of diabetes. I've searched the Internet and am just not finding what I am looking for. Can anyone help me out? I am not asking people to do my homework for me...LOL...I have been a nurse for a long time...just furthering my education. :-) Read More

How Far Can You Nurse?

Nursing is everything, as a whole but we can never draw a line between science and religion for an ill patient's will. This is a story of a patient whose religious belief matters most for his preparation towards death that between science and religion, he chose the faith from his Creator that no matter how difficult it was for him, considering that pain he is having, he neglected to acknowledge it for him to fulfill his religious responsibilities as a believer and a follower. Read More

Alarms Fatigue: How are you planning to meet this NPSG?

TJC made alarms management a national patient safety goal. Also AACN came out with some suggestions to reduce alarms. fatigue.

National Patient Safety Goal on Alarm Management

How is your hospital planning to meet this NPSG? Who is leading the effort biomed or nursing? Read More

Women's Health NP working in Primary care with Men?

I am working in a primary care office (holistic family practice) and there is a Women's health NP working there as well part time. She was hired to do the gyn care for women. Cool..makes sense right? But now she is seeing follow up pts and seeing any and everybody (not kids). Granted the Doc we work for is excellent and gave her 6 weeks of orientation. But in my mind she shouldn't be seeing pts that are outside of her scope of practice. I asked her about it and she says that Women's health NPs work in Urology offices seeing women and MEN and she doesn't have a problem seeing primary care pts as she received additional on the job training. I am very puzzled by this. Read More!

2013 Superbug

While I should be studying for my upcoming CEN test date, with coffee in hand, I decide to wander the “science” headlines, as I am apt to do on a warm and sunny Sunday morning. I pay attention to these headlines, as being on the front line in an emergency room; these concerns can become a reality and we need to be prepared for when they make an appearance on our doorstep.

This type of headline, “Superbug,” has me perusing in that vein into other outbreaks of the same nature. We have all read of Norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships, nursing homes, daycare facilities, and restaurants. I suppose we can all avoid salad bars and oysters, but is that realistic? How long would we have to modify our diets and lives? Read More

New Nurses Working in Critical Care

I recently graduated from RN School and was offered my first job, which I accepted, in ICU at a big hospital. I was able to maintain a 4.0 during nursing school and graduated at the top of my class, which was a major reason I got the job. I am a bit nervous though. It feels like such a huge leap, going from school to an actual nursing unit...and ICU for that matter. So I am looking for any advice. Does anyone have any tips, life lessons, words of advice for a new grad about to start in critical care? I feel a bit overwhelmed, this is what I wanted but now I feel like I may have bitten more than I can chew? Any advice would be appreciated! Read More

Question from New Grad RN regarding ICU/first job

For someone looking for their first job as an RN that wants to work in an ICU (aware that there is not much hand holding in an ICU & jobs for new grads are not abundant in ICU, SICU, CICU, etc.).

Does a position in the PACU put me in a significantly better position to eventually move into the ICU than a Med-Surg position? Read More