where the heck are the RN's out there?

Cmon RN's, we can do better than this... Post some info about yourself, your WLS adventure, or nursing info. If you come into any RN info, job postings, etc. this would be a great place to share. As I've mentioned before, I'm a nursing student...just started Jan 2005 and ecstatic about the path ahead. Take care, Norma.

You poor, sweet, deluded child NOT!! Just kidding. Nursing can be a very rewarding profession, but also a very demanding and at times frustrating one. It is not for everyone. Fortunately for us, there are many fields of nursing from which one can choose. Finding the speciality area that clicks for you is one of the secrets to staying in nursing. Fortunately for me I have found my niche in the field. I am an addictions nurse. I am the nurse manager of inpatient services of a drug and alcohol rehab. facility. I love working with these types of patients. America has a serious nursing shortage. I am so glad to see that you have chosen to enter this field. Welcome aboard!! We need more folks like you. Nancy

Time FLYS! I cannot believe it was not that long ago when I got into nursing. Hmmm... I'm an ER nurse and I love it. The best advice I can give is to hang on tight and use common sense. Think of your nursing instructors as insurance companies-- they love to torture you! I've found a great career being a VA nurse. I started out in a private sector and was treated like crap. Always working 6 12's a week, never having anyone tell me "thank you" or "you are a big help" for working a hell of a lot of overtime. I made the move after I desperately wanted a change. Everyone is very sweet and nice, and the people I take care of take care of me and our country. It is very rewarding, not to mention a federal job. Lots of great retirement options and benefits. It's worth looking into! Good luck on your career and weight loss!

HELLO To all Nurses! Wow, I'm happy that you are starting school. We'll I had my surgery about 7weeks ago and so far so good. Thank GOD. The drinking water is YUKKY. And trying to find a good Sugar Free drink is challenging. So far, I can drink (dnt like it but its better than the rest) Cyrstal Lite-Classic Orange. I am off work. My surgeon gave me a 15lb restriction and as we all KNOW. We can't do much at a hospital, with that kind of restriction. I had a meeting with my Head Nurse and HR Dept. They advised me that it would be best that I return, when I am CLEARED without restriction. BUMMER! I miss work! All those babies. I'm work in the Labor & Delivery and sometimes I choose to work in the NICU. I work with midwifes and we do alot of NON-Invasive type of things, but every mommy has their own choices. I still get to see babies. They are so cuteeee! So anywho, Now, I'm home, maybe till mid Feb. I hope soon. We'll see. Thanks, Gracie 270/227

Congratulations on you surgery. I hope all is going well for you. Have you tried Crstal Lite Pink Lemonade or Crystal Lite plain lemonade. They are pretty good--the only flavors that I like, actually. Wyler's makes a sugar free lemonade that is a lot less expensive than Crystal lite and it tastes pretty good too. Look on your mandatory time off as a vacation. Do something you've been meaning to do but couldn't because you just couldn't find the time. I used to work in a Level II nursery about 15 years ago. I loved working with the premies but it was too stressful for me. I couldn't stand it if one of the babies died. Take it easy....you'll be back at work before you know it. Nancy

Hi Nancy How are you doing today?! You know I have tried every flavor made...spent almost 50.00. Those tubs of crystal lite are expensive man. I've tried Raspberry, raspberry lemonade, lemonade, pink lemonade, ice tea with lemon, and NOTHING. They all taste awful. Before surgery I was a PINK LEMONADE freak. That's all I everrrrr drank. I swear. Now, I can't drink it. It's too acidy. I try adding water and its still rough on my pouch.... . I even tried wyler's fruit punch last night...YUK. Tastes awful. I don't know what to do?? Water is okay with ICE. But I can only drink one 20oz. before I started getting that nausea feeling. I don't drink COFFEE (I know I know even the nurse's on my floor freak out because of that) So i dnt want to try that. And tea, YUK. Oh I'm just full of problems Take Care, Gracie

Arizona makes a sugar free lemon ice tea, minute maid came out with their sugar free lemonade drink as well. I can't stand the crystal lites...I tried them before surgery and were "ok", and after surgery went directly to the "yuck" pile. Your taste buds/flavor/etc. may change after surgery, I know it did for me. Things I LOVED preop I no longer do. Weird, huh...

Hi there Gracie, Congratulations on your surgery...crazy trip/adventure, isn't it?! I had mine back in august, and down 70lbs as of this morning Hey, had to brag, love weighing less than I did in high school for cryin' out loud Take as much time as you can off work; it sounds like you love your job, so it'll be hard, but you gotta look out for yourself. I've read of people going back to work tooo soon and it just making a havoc on their recovery. I took off 6wks, and the day I came back to work, I ended up having to go home early. You go from not expending too much energy at home/recovery to coming back to "catching up" to everything you missed for the past month or so. You definitely have to be at 100% for that alone. So, enjoy the time, take time for yourself and relax! How long have you been a nurse? I'm excited for finally being on the road to becoming a nurse; I'm MAD at myself for not starting it sooner!; and I'm frustrated that it doesn't happen overnight...I'm a dork like that The decision of going to nursing school feels 1000% right and know that it can be a demanding job, but overall worth it in every way you look at it. After my sister had her baby last year and seeing how nurses literally helped our family, my sister, and my new nephew, I knew I wanted to become involved in labor & delivery asap! I still haven't had any rotations, nor any labor & delivery experience, but will, eventually. Take care, Norma.

Hello Fellow Nurses, I am a Nurse Manager of a OB Unit. We have approximately 800 deliveries a year and have a level 1 nursery. My staff is fantastic and I work with a great group of physicians. I have lost 117 pounds and feel better than I have in years. Good luck where ever you are on your weight loss journey. Sandy

You have chosen the most amazing career to get into! Yeah, we talk a lot about the drawbacks. Nurses do tend to vent that way...but ask most any nurse if they would change, and most would think a bit and say no. To me one of the coolest things about nursing is there are soooo many different things to get into when you are a nurse! Get into OB/GYN..end up hating it? Well, go into another part! Like Telemetry, Step down, ect. Hate the hospital? Get out of it! Go into Occ health, Case mgt, legal nursing, school nursing, ect. A nurse that I know, has not done hands on nursing in 20 years! She does Case Mgt and sets up drug free programs, Transitional work programs for businesses. I did notice now that I am out of the hospital I see how much respect people have for us. I guess there are just so many of us in the hospital. I like hands on care though, and will never give that up. I am a self-employed nurse right now! Can you believe it? I never would have pictured going down this road when I was in school. As far as the weight loss surgery, what a blessing it has been for me. I still have more to go compared to some, but I am pleased so far. I have lost 121 pounds since 4/04. I have about 30 to go to get to goal. I have a lot of skin in my abdominal area and will be glad to get that off. I carried most of my weight in my abdomen. I have noticed that people treat me very differently now. They seem to take me more seriously. I hate to say that, but it is true! Good luck in your journey in nursing, hang in there. Don't let anyone discourage you from your goals!