Jewels 0 #26 January 7, 2008 I have a good friend who worked as a pediatric ER nurse for quite a while in Atlanta. Consider the context, but one of her big frustrations was that many people use the ER as a substitute for going to a physician. There was a lot of abuse of the ER resources in that respect and it was frustrating enough that many times it over-shadowed the compassion that she might otherwise have felt. She loved working with the kids, but there were definite drawbacks and she has gone onto a desk job and is looking at doing research in the future. Edited to add that my comments are not intended to discourage you from the profession, OR from working in the ER if that's what you choose to do. There is a lot of responsibility there and it appears that those who are really cut out for it find it highly rewarding. I'm just giving one more perspective.TPM Sister #102 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickjump1 0 #27 January 7, 2008 My youngest daughter is a new RN in Little Rock. She works with babies and loves it. It was a surprise how fast she grew up and how hard she worked to get where she is.Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kbordson 8 #28 January 7, 2008 I was an L&D nurse in the Air Force for 4.5 yrs. I greatly enjoyed helping people and using my knowledge. The problem is that as a nurse... in some fields you can get in trouble for independent thinking. "Follow the dr.s orders" and don't "practice medicine" .... even this past week, when I was admitted for the lil ankle injury thing, the nurse was having a hard time getting orders for labs that needed to be done (since I was having surgery the next day, I needed a CBC and a Type and Screen, but she couldn't draw them until she had a direct order from the doc to do so.... even though she knew it had to be drawn and sent. Luckily, since it took them 7+ sticks for my IV, by the time they got the IV in, she had the order.... ) But it was that mentality of just following orders that I got most frustrated with.... which is one of the reasons why I went back to medical school. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jojo69 0 #29 January 8, 2008 I have been a nurse for thirty years. I started as a L.P.N. (lowest paid nurse) and worked full time and went to school full time for my R.N. (real nurse). I say Lowest Paid Nurse and Real Nurse because that is often how you are treated by the patients. I laughingly tell people that if I had it all to do again the only change I would make would be to finish school all at once instead of breaking it up. It is difficult to start and stop. I love what I do. I know in my heart that I make a difference to someone every day. I may get crap from some people (families, doctors, other nurses) but I know that I made a difference when I get a smile out of someone. When I became a nurse, we followed the doctor's orders, gave meds and baths and made a bed or two. We were not allowed to question the doctor or the treatments ordered. We had to give up our chairs to the doctor and often lost our pens. We were basically "Moms" with meds. Today I am responsible to know the everything about my patient and their care. I have to know more law than I ever wanted to. I am responsible for everything I do as well as what my team does. It is rewarding and challenging. I would not give it up for anything. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #30 January 8, 2008 Why didn't you give the order for the other doctor - that would have made it fun and exciting.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #31 January 8, 2008 QuoteWhy didn't you give the order for the other doctor - that would have made it fun and exciting. she wanted to but they would not let herYou are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #32 January 8, 2008 Quote Quote Why didn't you give the order for the other doctor - that would have made it fun and exciting. she wanted to but they would not let her You were there?So it's your fault - according to the butterfly theory.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #33 January 8, 2008 Quote Quote You were there?So it's your fault - according to the butterfly theory. and some other peopleYou are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #34 January 8, 2008 Quote Quote Quote You were there?So it's your fault - according to the butterfly theory. and some other people Some other people were there? Or Some other people were to blame?I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #35 January 8, 2008 Quote Quote Quote Quote You were there?So it's your fault - according to the butterfly theory. and some other people Some other people were there? Or Some other people were to blame? some think i am the reason she got brokenYou are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dancingdolphin 0 #36 January 8, 2008 Hi Windcatcher i think judging from your posts you'd make a superb nurse..(Just going by your attitudes etc) I've been nursing for 28 years + have done most nursing jobs at some stage in different countries. There's so many differents types of nursing there's gotta 1 job that you love..as mentioned before..E/R theatre, research, out patients, wards, teaching, school nurse (lots of my friends do that to be off same time as their children ) etc etc... Hours are so flexible and with such a choice of areas to work...it's a great job!! You'll always get a job.....and even when applying for another job it's always an advantage as people like to have 'a first aider' around!! My current job is as an advanced nurse practitioner, my MSc was with 12 doctors and 5 other nurses (Only course I know of like this !) I train senior doctors + am totally accepted (as far as I can tell!).....I work in women's health and get huge job satisfaction from being able to see + treat patients when nec.... I also worked as a nursing assistant in Oz in an old people's home and got wonderful satisfaction from looking after my 10 ladies every day...getting to know their little ways..likes + dislikes...... How about doing something like that...dipping your toe in the water to get a taste for it..see what you think? All the very best K xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ragnarok 0 #37 January 8, 2008 I have been a Nurse for 8 years now. Before that I was a Medic ( I am Active duty Army). I will have 12 years service this July. I have seen some amazing things, even done some amazing things. I would not trade it for anything, even the bad things. I have had the chance to be a major factor in someones life - more than once. I have recieved some of the best compliments as a Nurse. It has been quite rewarding. Being a Nurse has also been very hard at times. I do it for strictly selfish reasons - I like the way I feel when I help someone. Best part, if someone gets hurt at the DZ, I can help._________________________________________ Twin Otter N203-Echo,29 July 2006 Cessna P206 N2537X, 19 April 2008 Blue Skies Forever Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
