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Topic: RE: Roll Call
I finished my CNA last semester and am working at a local hospital on a combined ortho/peds floor. I work 10p-6a and tonight is my..4th night? i think
My days are kind of running together;) I am working 42 hours this week. Keep in mind, I have a night class on Tuesday and kids who are 38(hubby) 13, 10 and 8. I'm still trying to figure out when to sleep, and how to sleep. Im currently catching 2 hour catnaps a couple times a day and I'm not sure thats going to cut it. For me, as far as being a CNA my biggest challenge is getting organized, and taking detailed notes for the next shift on the nursing reports. I will start the RN program in the fall, if I'm not dead by then. Another thing is, I feel like it takes me FOREVER to do vitals...but I'm thorough. LOL Guess I just need to work on my speed. I've seen some pretty cool stuff this week, and so far nothing has freaked me out. So I've got that going for me (thank you Bill Murray;) !!!! Any hints/tips/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. The charge nurse that hired me said we'd be trained for 3 weeks..yeah, its more like 3 hours. If youre lucky to get that much. We're pretty much on our own.
My days are kind of running together;) I am working 42 hours this week. Keep in mind, I have a night class on Tuesday and kids who are 38(hubby) 13, 10 and 8. I'm still trying to figure out when to sleep, and how to sleep. Im currently catching 2 hour catnaps a couple times a day and I'm not sure thats going to cut it. For me, as far as being a CNA my biggest challenge is getting organized, and taking detailed notes for the next shift on the nursing reports. I will start the RN program in the fall, if I'm not dead by then. Another thing is, I feel like it takes me FOREVER to do vitals...but I'm thorough. LOL Guess I just need to work on my speed. I've seen some pretty cool stuff this week, and so far nothing has freaked me out. So I've got that going for me (thank you Bill Murray;) !!!! Any hints/tips/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. The charge nurse that hired me said we'd be trained for 3 weeks..yeah, its more like 3 hours. If youre lucky to get that much. We're pretty much on our own. 
Topic: RE: Hospice nursing
I was a hospice nurse and also concentrated on hospice and palliative care in grad school. It's a wonderful field. You make connections with patients and families you often don't get to make in other areas. I found the work very satisfying.
One book I about wore out was Pain Management Handbook, by Salerno and Willens. It's a "pocket" reference, though not really because it's 1 1/2 in. thick. Anything by Margo McCaffrey will be invaluable. Her Pain: Clinical Manual is a classic and exquisitely detailed. The AHPR guidelines for Cancer Pain are helpful too and are downloadable in PDF format from the AHPR site.
The Hospice and Palliative Care Nurses Association site has position statements and probably suggests books. I have another book I can't locate right now about symptom management aimed at advanced practice nurses. It was helpful, but I can't remember the name.
Good luck. I hope this is helpful info.
Caryl
Topic: Here's the 60,000 question...
When do you stop feeling like youre just a body standing around getting in the way?! I worked on peds last night, the first time, the only cna with 16 patients and 2 nurses and 3 really bad RSV babies..I'm talking turning purple and oxygen sats at 76! Really all I do is take vitals, fill water, fill croupette humidifiers, measure pee and poop...and so forth. And I do ok at it..I guess I just need to get my sea legs or whatever the saying is. Really, I guess the question is this: when do you start gaining confidence? Because right now, I'm looking at the RNs and going "Hm...theres REALLY no way I can do all this is there!!!" Someone placate me, please!
Topic: RE: Accepted to the RN program!!
Kathy.....
....... That's fabulous ! 
I personally know how it feels to be waiting for things like that. I'ts been a verry long time since I got my acceptance.........I graduated nursing school in 1975 with my RN. But, to this day I love what I do........and I'm sure you will too. If we can help quide you along the way or give you any advice.........don't even hesitate.
When do you start? Are you planning to try and work while you take your courses?
I wish you all the best that your new found career has to offer you. I"m sure you'll do absolutely wonderfully. When I was in college......it was the older/more mature students that actually were the best students both in class and in clinicals. They just seemed more focused and less distracted. I personally have been a RN for 30 years.......and I often say, there is no way it's been that long. But, I guess when you enjoy what you do time does fly.
Where will you be going to school? When do you start?.........trust me when I say it will be soooooooo worth it. Keep me posted ! 
Huggs, Kathy 
....... That's fabulous ! I personally know how it feels to be waiting for things like that. I'ts been a verry long time since I got my acceptance.........I graduated nursing school in 1975 with my RN. But, to this day I love what I do........and I'm sure you will too. If we can help quide you along the way or give you any advice.........don't even hesitate.
When do you start? Are you planning to try and work while you take your courses?
I wish you all the best that your new found career has to offer you. I"m sure you'll do absolutely wonderfully. When I was in college......it was the older/more mature students that actually were the best students both in class and in clinicals. They just seemed more focused and less distracted. I personally have been a RN for 30 years.......and I often say, there is no way it's been that long. But, I guess when you enjoy what you do time does fly.
Where will you be going to school? When do you start?.........trust me when I say it will be soooooooo worth it. Keep me posted !
Huggs, Kathy 
Topic: RE: Hospice nursing
http://www.nhpco.org/templates/1/homepage.cfm
http://www.hpna.org/index.asp
Here are a couple sites that my friend said offers some books. If you would like to email her directly with any questions just let me know and I will send you her email address.
Good luck
Sandra
Topic: RE: Hospice nursing
I'll email a friend from the aol nursing board that does Hospice, she may have some ideas. I think I would like to do Hospice someday, I've had some very good experiences with them.
But, on the other hand, I sometimes thinks I'm on the floor to recommend Hospice to those that may benefit from it.
Topic: Hospice nursing
I'm an RN with years of geriatric care experience, and I'm needing a new direction. I'm very comfortable with end of life care, death care and supporting family members, so I am seriously looking into becoming a Hospice nurse.
Do any of you have experience in this field, and can you offer some book titles I might read to get going?
Thanks, Tracey
Topic: RE: Roll Call
I am a first year nursing student but have worked as a Patient Care tech in the ER and currently work in L&D. I LOOOOVVEE Labor and Delivery it is so wonderful. I want to become a nurse midwife eventually but will start with the RN. I also am a scrub tech for L&D. I LOVE IT!!! I should(if all goes well)graduate in 2008.
B 
Topic: RE: Roll Call
Hi. I got my RN in 1999 at the University of Texas. I have a BA in psychology (UT, 1993). I went back to school in 1997 for UT's entry level MSN. I got the RN after 2 years and then completed coursework for the Adult CNS over another 2 1/2 years. I've worked in psych, telemetry and intermediate care (step-down), and hospice as a staff RN. I've also had advanced practice jobs making home visits to elderly patients and in a pain management practice. I'm now back in critical care as a staff nurse. I wanted to get more acute care experience and possibly go on to an APN job in a hospital or go back to school again to be a CRNA.
For now I'm just concentrating on getting insurance approval for WLS and planning my wedding July 4th!
Caryl
Topic: RE: Roll Call
Hey Sandra,
What a great 
to get all of us together and talking to one another!!! There is normally not alot of conversation on the RN message board, let's get it started!!!! 
I have worked at The Medical Center of Central Georgia since 1990. I worked full time for 10+ years in Women's Services including L&D and Level 2 nursery. I moved to Interventional Radiology in 2000 full-time and WS parttime. (Wow, what a change huh? At that time I was a single parent and needed different hours.) I love what I am doing now. Interventional Radiology is ever changing and I have learned sooo much. I am now the Nurse manager of my area--I love being a nurse--It's very satisfying .
Let's talk again soon.
Meg
to get all of us together and talking to one another!!! There is normally not alot of conversation on the RN message board, let's get it started!!!! I have worked at The Medical Center of Central Georgia since 1990. I worked full time for 10+ years in Women's Services including L&D and Level 2 nursery. I moved to Interventional Radiology in 2000 full-time and WS parttime. (Wow, what a change huh? At that time I was a single parent and needed different hours.) I love what I am doing now. Interventional Radiology is ever changing and I have learned sooo much. I am now the Nurse manager of my area--I love being a nurse--It's very satisfying .
Let's talk again soon.
Meg Most Active
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