Q&A | What about labor and delivery??
First, there's a question that keeps coming up in the comments, so I'll answer it here! Some of you were surprised that I took a job on a med-surg floor vs. labor and delivery, since L&D has always been my goal.
So, here's why: I will probably do something like L&D down the road, but to start out, I want to gain a broad base of knowledge. The floor where I currently work has patients who have a little bit of everything that can be wrong with a person. So, I can learn lots of different skills and meds.
I can always specialize later, but I want to generalize first. 😉
That way, I will be a more versatile nurse and can float to various floors. That also will be a benefit if I decide to do travel nursing.
I know people like to hate on med-surg nursing, but honestly, I love the work I do as a tech on that floor so I am quite sure I'll be just fine working as a nurse there.
Plus there is the huge benefit of already knowing the staff, the management, and the layout/routines of the floor. That will make my adjustment a lot easier.
I feel a lot of peace about my decision and I am happy my path feels so clear.
Random question, in past you've mentioned donating glasses you don't need anymore. I've had to upgrade lenses strength this year but my old glasses are in almost new shape & I'd like someone to use them that needs them. I've googled for my area to not much avail.
Thank you for any help!- Jennifer
I'm so glad you want to pass your glasses on in a helpful way! I'm not sure what area you live in but here are a few nationwide ideas.
The Lion's Club collects old eyeglasses, and they have a partnership with Walmart vision centers. Click here to learn more about those options.
Also, I know some Lenscrafters and Pearle Vision locations accept donations of old glasses. Perhaps you have one near you!
I have read that you can drop them off at Goodwill as well, but honestly I'd be a little nervous about them getting lost in the shuffle of the mass of donations Goodwill receives.
So I'd be more inclined to donate them straight to the Lion's Club or Lenscrafters.
In your Thankful Thursday newsletter from a while ago you were thankful for a kitty brush that you tried. You posted a picture, but I couldn't find anything about the brand/model. Is it okay to learn the brand of this brush? I seemed to have created a bald spot on my kitty Juliet with a metal comb, "Furminator" and am looking for something more gentle.
-Allyson
Oh yes, I do love the brush I use! It's this Hartz Groomer's Brush and I bought it from Chewy (it's only $5!)
I like it because it's a little less harsh than some metal cat brushes, but it still does a great job of removing loose fur from Chiquita (Shelley is WAY less of a shedder.)
The little metal tips have a plastic cap and that makes for a nice gentle brushing experience. 🙂
I am curious. What is the topic of the major school project you are doing?
-Helen
So, it is a Social Determinants of Health project; basically I am analyzing my state and my county to identify some areas where people are lacking in things like access to healthy food, medical care, transportation, and so on.
And then I am identifying local resources that can help meet these needs. Ultimately, the idea is that this information will assist me in helping my future patients with the challenges they face.
It's a valuable learning opportunity, but the instructions have felt a little unclear even though there is an enormous rubric to follow. So all of us are feeling a little stressed about whether or not we are doing this correctly.
Are you still able to get a student discount for symphony tickets after graduation?
-Regina
I actually will, but it's because I will be starting my online RN to BSN program in the fall. I will just be bouncing from one college to the next and I will maintain my status as a discount-deserving student. 😉
So, I will continue to darken the doors of the symphony hall (at least, once my weekend clinicals are over).
One of our three cats has long, exceptionally fine, fluffy hair. (He's a dead ringer for a black Norwegian Forest Cat, but that's just a guess since he's a shelter baby.) Most brushes and combs just pass through without actually picking up any shedding, and he SHEDS, believe me! This is the only brush we've had success with:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SR5M71B
The "teeth" aren't sharp at all and have curved ends, so it's perfectly comfortable. The different lengths help with different levels of shedding and the rare small mats that sneak into his multilayered coat.
Good Morning! Long time reader here, although I very rarely comment. I so very much needed to see your smiling face this morning, as my dad has been in the hospital for 10 days now, and we're not sure when he will be discharged. We've been saying 'hopefully today' for the last three days. I have thought of you many times as I've been encountering hospital staff. The nurses and techs have been super friendly, while the doctors have been elusive.
I cannot help with the cat brush, but regarding the eyeglasses, my town hall has a collection bin for eyeglasses. I believe they go to the Lions Eye Institute. One of my local thrift stores accepts them as donations as well.
Good luck on this project Kristen! You are so close! Congratulations on your new job! I was also wondering why you chose this position. As usual, your considerations are very well thought out. So happy for you <3
@Price Chopper shopper,
Glad you commented today, and I hope your dad gets to go home for real very soon!
Nursing is one of those professions like teaching, or social work - you need both the brains/knowledge/framework/details for what you're doing, AND the relationship side with students/patients/clients is just as important! It's a lot to hold and manage. And I, too, feel confident that Kristen will continue to excel in both realms.
Glad the symphony discount will continue! And Kristen, when you graduate for real, I wonder if you will be making so much big $$$ that you will have room in the budget for regularly-priced tickets occasionally. The symphony seems so life-enriching for you 😉
@Price Chopper shopper, My dad was also recently in the hospital, so I understand. I hope your dad is feeling well enough to be discharged soon.
@Price Chopper shopper, hello from another Price Chopper shopper! And I send best wishes to your dad and all your family.
There's usually a Lions Club donation box in eye doctors offices.
My late husband had just gotten new glasses before he passed and that's what I did.
@Heather Mar, those professionals are invaluable!
@JenRR, thank you. I hope your dad is recovering well.
@A. Marie, thank you. Also, you are one of the reasons that I changed my 'name' to Price Chopper shopper. I figured it would help us shoppers find each other 😉
@Patricia, your husband and you helped a lot of people that way.
Aww, I am so sorry to hear about your dad. I really feel for patients who end up staying in the hospital so much longer than anticipated. It is really hard to wait when you don't have an end date in sight.
Doctors are SO elusive, aren't they? Patients are always asking, "When will the doctor be by?" and I wish so much I had a good answer for them. It would be nice to have a little doctor tracker app. 😉
@Kristen, Once I stayed overnight in the hospital with a child, and missed the doctor in the morning because I popped down the hall to use the lav. Luckily, the nurses were well-informed and could answer my questions.
Love the nurses!! 😉
Ohhh, I'd be so frustrated at that! But I'm glad the nurses saved you.
@Price Chopper shopper, but not all Price Choppers are "created equal". Based on A. Marie's post, I thought cool, I've frequented the "chopper" when visiting kiddo. But I found that A. Marie's Price Choppers is not in the same family as my kiddos. Who knew? No Price Choppers in my area.
@Selena,
I live in Missouri and we have Price Choppers too. Unfortunately, not in the area I live in. I loved my Chopper Shopper card!
Another place to consider taking old prescription glasses is the eye doctor's office. I took all of my late Hubby's glasses there and they happily took them. They are in touch with the Lion's Club and other organizations that can use them.
@Gina from The Cannary Family, We also donated our eyeglasses at our ophthalmologist's office. Maybe if there isn’t a bin to do it visible, you could ask and save the problem for all of the eye doctor's clients.
@Gina from The Cannary Family, This is a good recommendation. I would to add that if a loved one has passed and was using eye medications, and they have some that is still sealed in the package, check to see if the doctor will accept them to donate to another patient. My dad used drops to ward off glaucoma and when he passed he had several bottles that were still sealed and the doctor was able to give them to another patient who struggled to afford the same meds.
@AnnieH, that's a wonderful idea about the eye meds. It always seems like such a waste after someone dies to have to discard their meds (which I have tried to do responsibly at drugstore dropoffs). And with eye meds, which are more obviously sealed than most other prescription meds, this is ideal.
@A. Marie,
I felt the same way when we had to dispose of both of my in-law's meds when they passed. I *think* I read somewhere that you can now donate unused prescription medications to organizations that can then provide them to folks who can't afford them? Don't quote me on that - I need to verify that it's not just wishful thinking on my part (or clever clickbait I saw but didnt click on).
@A. Marie, the amount of meds from one of my late relative that I put into the local drugstore's bin was just plain wasteful. Trying different meds and some due to insurance rules makes me so angry.
At least I have an outlet for pet meds. My vet would take unopened Rx back for credit but I opted to donate to a shelter. They even took a 90% full bottle of a not-inexpensive no-refrigeration needed antibiotic that made my late cat vomit.
All I can say is keep your eyes peeled.
Clark detests being brushed; I have yet to find a brush that makes it tolerable for him.
Med-surg is exactly what I'm considering when I finish my program; like you, Kristen, i like the idea that it involves a little bit of everything, and I like that it will involve patient and family education, wound care, et cetera...all the things I'm most interested in as a nurse.
Good luck with that project- sounds very involved !
I have been a nurse on a med surg unit for over 40 years and can honestly say that I learn something new every time I work ! Often times I learn from the patients themselves. I think you are making a great decision starting there first . Nursing is a great career - very flexible and so many avenues to choose from. You will be a great asset!
My public library has glasses collection boxes.
I’m writing from the ER where we are navigating scary waters after my better half had 2 TIAs and a stroke over the weekend. The nurses are so helpful and kind so I think of Kristen every time one walks in his room.
@Book Club Elaine, sending good thoughts your way. I wish your better half a speedy recovery.
@Book Club Elaine, Sending you positive thoughts and prayers. The ER is not a great place to start the week; may your better half receive the best of care and recover quickly!
@Book Club Elaine,
That is a very scary time indeed. I pray he recovers amazingly well and that you can find calm in this moment.
@Book Club Elaine, Very scary. All thoughts and good wishes being sent your way at this difficult time for good resolutions.
@Book Club Elaine, that's definitely scary news! I join the others in best wishes for your DH's recovery, and for you and your family.
@Book Club Elaine, So sorry to hear about your partner's TIAs and stroke. I hope for a speedy recovery.
Update - thank you for the prayers and well wishes!!! We are home and he is much improved from yesterday. Our calendar will be changing to allow for some PT and follow up with a cardiologist but it should be very doable. It could have been so much worse, I am so grateful.
Yay!! I'm so glad he's doing ok and I'm glad you have a good plan for follow-up care.
@Book Club Elaine, I'm late to the game here today - I'm very happy to hear this positive step in your story! I'm so glad you're home and your husband is improved.
@Book Club Elaine, wishing you better days ahead and speedy recovery for your better half.
@Book Club Elaine,
Oh my goodness.....sending you both healing vibes for the best possible outcome.
Your reasoning for taking the med-surg position is spot on. You will have time to specialize a few years down the road, if you so desire. Congrats for making it to this point!
Sounds like you made a good choice for your first nursing job. I bet all the learn8ng on the job will benefit your continuing nursing formal studies too.
I just took a pair of old glasses to our city recycling center as they accept them for the Lion’s Club.
L&D has to be a really tough department to work in and while the nurses my wife and I had to deal with were varied. For example we got a lot of very judgy nurses practically yelling at my wife and implying she was being neglectful because my daughter wouldn't latch and we had to switch to formula very early on.
That said, the day my son passed away the L&D nurses were some of the nicest and sweetest people and even sent little cards and various handmade items to us to remember him by. It was the worst day in my life but I'm so thankful that they were there to assure us that he was loved and cared for.
As for the glasses, I donate them to the Lions Club. There are donation bins at my eye doctor's office.
@Battra92, I'm so sorry you lost your son, and I'm glad that the nurses helped support you in your grief.
I'm also sorry you and your wife had to deal with judgy nurses when using formula. I've heard other similar stories; I think it is from the "breast is best" mindset and the "breastfeeding friendly" badge that many L&D departments have. Really, "fed is best" and I'm glad that the NICU nurses were so supportive of both me trying to breastfeed and also of giving formula to my daughter.
Sending caring thoughts to you
@Battra92,
It was decades ago, but I still remember the name of L&D nurse who told me to be quiet. My labor was too loud. And yes, there is a lot of judgement around breast feeding.
@Battra92, I had a bit of a traumatic birth with my first. He was in the NICU, but the doctor said he could be in my room with me if he had antibiotic shots every 12 hours. BUT the nurse who brought him into our room thought she knew better and made sure to tell me that we were endangering his life by having him with us. (He was only in the NICU because they thought it was *possible* that he had aspirated meconium. He was 3 times the size of most of the babies in the NICU and was pulling all the tubes out.) Also, after his birth, my own well-being had been completely ignored, and it wasn't until a very crochety-looking older nurse showed up on duty that I was given compassion and physical care.
@Jody S., it's funny that you mention the older nurse because on our last day at the hospital with my daughter an older nurse spoke with us and said, "You know, I have several kids who all had formula." Then she proceeded to list how they were all grown, happy, healthy and just fine.
I don't know if it's a lack of life experience or a just dealing with a lot of stuff but some nurses you can tell just don't have it in them to care about some people as human beings. This goes double for doctors in my experience as well.
@Bee, I remember a nurse giving me a bit of an issue for having to sit down during my wife's delivery and refusing to cut the cord.
At my wife's follow-up appointment the OBGYN (who was the delivery doctor) made it a point to talk to me in the waiting room and let me know that I did great given the circumstances and she said something about how just because someone has a broken arm next to you doesn't make a broken finger hurt any less.
So yeah, I don't know what that nurse expected. It was bound to be loud.
@Battra92,
Full disclosure: I've never been pregnant, and have never breast-fed an infant (DH and I adopted our son as a newborn, and while I understand adoptive women can, in some instances, breast feed their adopted infant with lots of prior planning, hormones, etc
, our son was exclusively formula fed). I can't speak from personal experience, but I have heard many, many stories of very judgy nurses, OB-GYNs, pediatricians, lactation consultants, and -yes- dietitians (I'm a Registered Dietitian in the US) related to many friend's attempts at breastfeeding. Yes, breastfeeding has proven health benefits, there's the bonding aspects, etc. All good. As "natural" as it is, it's not always an automatic success, and for some women, it just isn't meant to be. (This does not include the dear friend who chose to breastfeed each of her two children for the entirety of each of their first years, bringing herself to tears in those final months when she couldn't produce much. I walked in on her pumping in our shared office more than once.) No one should be judged for their choice to breast feed or not, or if things change when breast feeding is not possible. Thank you to those who show compassion!.
Battra, I am so sorry for the loss of your son, but am grateful you and your family received the kindness and support you needed.
The new symphony season will surely be announced shortly, have fun anticipating (even though you do not know your roster yet)!
Previously our hospital's eye department took in old glasses, but nowadays a shop does. I always hope the glasses can be adapted and reused.
It perhaps isn't as soft as the one Kristin linked, but I love that this slicker brush has retractable bristles. It is so easy (and satisfying) to remove the accumulated fur!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00ZGPI3OY
I'm not much help on the eyeglasses - I have several pairs to donate and my eye doctor doesn't collect them. When I looked up Lion's online locally, it said to contact some lady, and I couldn't get her. I'll see if there is a Lenscrafters or Pearle around here. I think their is. Maybe they are collecting glasses. We don't have an optical department in our local Walmart where I live, and the two closest to my work don't either.
I used some random brand of cat brush that had the plastic tips on the thin wire bristles also and it worked well on my fluffy cat. Now that my cat is gone, I use it on my dog that has the shorter fur and it works pretty well on him. I use a "rake" type brush on my other dog with longer, wiry hair, and she loves it. I get a lot of loose fur out with it.
I think getting the wider range of nursing experience is very wise. And who knows, maybe L&D isn't going to be your choice in the end, after all!
@JD, as an active community volunteer who has interacted with the Lions Clubs many times over the years, may I politely suggest that referring to a volunteer as "some lady" is not kind? You have no idea what she is managing in her own life. She is as human as the rest of us. Please try again.
@Dicey,
The last thing I meant was to be offensive; I meant nothing at all by "some lady" except that I thought the website could have had better - and up to date - information, including valid numbers and possibly an email. Giving the contact number of someone who can't be reached by that number is not helpful. I admire what the Lions do, helping others get glasses they couldn't get otherwise, but here, their website has been lacking.
Might I also point out, no one had any idea what I was managing in my own life while trying to donate the glasses my dear late husband could no longer use. I was not feeling much like dealing with the frustration.
@JD, knowing a little bit of your story I absolutely understand not having the mental energy of dealing with chasing down people to get rid of a couple pairs of glasses.
As a friend of mine likes to say, you only have so many spoons in your drawer and sometimes you're just out of spoons.
We all do the best we can and I think you've done above and beyond that.
@Battra92, seconding what you've said. @JD and I are "sisters" in caring for our late husbands. And I respectfully suggest that we **all** need to think about what we're **all** dealing with before we judge.
@Battra92,
Thirding what you said, and a second vote for what @A. Marie said.
I agree that old glasses shouldn’t go to goodwill, since I see them at the bins (Goodwill outlet) pretty often. I believe the next stop after the bins is the landfill. The Lions is the way to go.
Another frugal idea is to put new lenses into your existing frames when your prescription changes. Usually, you have to sign a waiver saying that they aren’t liable if the frames break in the process. I don’t do that anymore, now that I wear expensive progressive lenses, but it worked well when I was “just” nearsighted and the biggest expense was the frames. One of my friends gets bifocals instead of progressives, since they are so much cheaper, but I’m not that frugal, I guess!
@Ann on the farm, I kept the same frames for 20+ years because I hate choosing new ones. My lenses are so thick that the choices are limited, and even “cute” frames look horrid, even with the more expensive “thinner” (supposedly thinner, but dang…) lens material.
I have sometimes done the reuse of existing frames, but then I am without glasses for the several weeks it takes to get the new pair. So then I HAVE to wear my contact lenses and I am nearly blind once I take them out at night. I hate being without a pair of glasses!
Happy Monday!
The subject of eyeglasses is an important one. I have one eye that is legally blind. It was an undiagnosed lazy eye - my parents missed it. So a shout out for early eye exams to parents and grandparents. Here is another tip that an optometrist told me when I was 40. I was still wearing contacts for vanity purposes. He said that with only one good eye, I should wear eyeglasses as a first defense to injury for that eye. I can't believe I never thought of that before. So yeah! I wear glasses every minute I am awake. I would rather me "bookish" than "blind." I have some cool cat eye rims that I keep replacing the lens on.
The Lions Club eyeglasses project is where they will take those old Rx glasses to medically underserved places, often Third World countries, and distribute them. Before going, they fix anything wrong with the eyeglasses, polish them up, then sort the eyeglasses according to prescription. Then, they'll give them to eye doctors going overseas on medical missions. The doctors conduct eye examinations and fit people with glasses that are the right Rx for them. I've seen one photo of a little kid in either Haiti or Africa who was given some horned-rimmed glasses that looked like they must've belonged to an elderly woman many years ago. But he had a huge smile on his face, as it was the first time in a long time he could see clearly! Often, people in Third World countries suffer eye strain from weaving baskets, making rugs by hand, being out in the bright sun, etc., and this affects their vision. Some folks there go blind if their vision is not corrected! The Lions' project recycles/reuses peoples' glasses and solves the problem. BTW, the Lions first got into helping to alleviate blindness many decades ago, when Helen Keller spoke to one of their gatherings. So they've been doing this worthwhile project for a long, long time. If you get new glasses at Walmart, Sams, Pearle, Lenscrafters or another place that has a drop box, please drop off your old pair so that someone else can use them. (This assumes your Rx has changed, like mine did after my cataract surgery.) Sometimes, you can give them to the Lions Club in your town, or to a participating eye doctor; our local library also has a donation box. If one of your loved ones dies, please donate the eyeglasses to this project. Many funeral homes will donate the glasses for you, or you can take them to a donation place yourself; after all, your loved one will be able to see 20/20 in Heaven! Please, please, please support this amazing program; your discarded glasses can do a world of good!
@Fru-gal Lisa, thank you for this excellent description of the program!
@Dicey,
When I was a newspaper reporter (ah! the good old days!), I did numerous stories about this program.
Many years later, a young man in my church decided to go one farther: his Eagle Scout project was arranging an eye care clinic in some poverty-stricken, off-the-beaten-path, area in Peru (?I think it was). He arranged for an eye doctor to go over there and do the "doctoring," and he coordinated with the Lions and some missionaries for the rest. The Scout went over there himself and did most of the non-medical tasks, ie, the "grunt work.," for his project.
Most Eagle Scout projects involve doing local things like cleaning up parks, collecting for food banks, and such; not to put those good works down, but this was far and away over the top, IMO.
@Fru-gal Lisa, far better than holding those in need "hostage" to listen to a religious spiel before getting assistance. Yeah, it happens - I wish I'd have taken a picture of the poster at a prior employer's where eyeglasses were to be used as an "opening for dialogue". Ugh. Help should come with no strings attached.
I have a cat who hates being brushed and won't hold still for it, but she loves it when a use these grooming gloves: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Pet-Grooming-Gloves-Brush-Dog-Cat-Hair-Remover-Mitt-Massage-Deshedding-1-Pair-Blue/175578630
It seems to be just like being petted, in her mind, but it allows me to remove the loose fur when she's shedding.
When you talk about your reasons for staying in the hospital where you are working and being glad, my mind always goes to the fact that the hospital, for the most part, is saving money in the long run. You are already oriented to the facility, the staff, and they do not have to be concerned about your abilities and work ethic. It's a win-win!
As for eyeglasses, I have always been hard on them so they are usually in worn shape when I get to the end of them. When I was younger, it was no big deal to use the same frames when changing prescriptions. I am often told now, that I am not able to do that with the frames I have. And on a sentimental note, my cousin handed me my uncle's glasses upon his death for safe keeping. Since we maintained a closed casket for his funeral, I still have them. I'm being a little selfish with them, in that I want to keep them on my desk. They are the dorky safety glasses, but they were his.
@Chrissy,
Kristen was a frugal hospital RN hire! Lol. 🙂
So apropos.
On glasses, one other thought, consider keeping the old pair as a backup. If your new ones break, you probably can't replace them instantly. For me that would be debilitating in the meantime!
I think it's normal that, as we progress through any education, we change our plans, even slightly. The more we know, the more we know what is best and needed.
Costco’s optical department collect and redistribute used eyeglasses. I live in Canada have taken several pairs there. Not sure of their policies in other countries, hopefully the same.
My daughter, an ob/gyn resident spends a lot of time in surgery, and has had it as part of her rotations. So a labor/delivery nurse with a good surgical background would probably be highly valuable. You never know when you might need to switch to a c-section!
Another place to try for glasses donation is a Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. If they have an LWML (Lutheran Women in Mission League), they collect and distribute used eyeglasses. Maybe call the office and ask if they have an LWML group, as the office attendant may not know that they provide the service of recycling glasses.
Yay that you get to keep your student discount! Here's hoping you have many opportunities to attend the symphony this summer!
Re: eye glass donations… if you live near a university with an optometry program or something related, they usually accept glasses for student related non profit clinics.
Costco also takes donations of glasses in their optical dept!
Just curious - are you still sending out emails? I haven't gotten one in quite a while so I'm wondering if you stopped or there is a problem on my end.
My Lenscrafters only takes glasses with frames; they do not take loose lenses. So, those of us who sometimes get new lenses put into old frames are out of luck.
By the way, labor and delivery patients also have " a little bit of everything that can be wrong with a person." Except for prostate issues, I never had that in my 24 years as a labor and delivery nurse. 😉
I do hear that since the average age of the L&D patient has been rising, there are more and more complications to treat on an L&D floor. But I'm just saying that routine care of things like NG tubes, wound vacs, chest tubes, colostomies, nephrostomies, and so on are a little more common on a med surg floor.
Ok, yes, and prostate issues. lol
@Kristen, channeling Archie Bunker, that would be prostrate issues. I'm sure A. Marie remembers.
@Kristen,
I’m still rooting for NICU! You get moms and babies. And dads. And maybe kids and grandparents visitors. And hope and despair. All the babies don’t make it. :(.
Plus, tubes and wounds. My preemie had surgery.
Your floor is blessed to have you. Thanks for explaining your choice. Blessings.
I think this is actually who Lions Club works with, but there is also an organization called Lighthouse for the Blind that I believe will accept donations directly. Also some churches collect them for missional use as well.
Our regular optician gives any older prescription glasses we have to local charities. Your suggestions were good ones,Kristen.
Most states have departments or divisions to help visually impaired people. In Arkansas it used to be call The Division of Blind Services and was part of the Dept. of Human Services which I worked at for 38 years before I retired. Contact your local agency and they can tell you where you can do ate glasses.
Our library (how appropriate) has a glasses donation bin.
I've had 2 not so wonderful experiences with nurses. I was a teenager for one of them, and was "losing control of my bladder" ---when I said that to the nurse, her reply was "oh you mean you wet your pants?" I wanted to 1) sink into the floor, and 2) hurt that nurse.
The second one was just last summer, I had a cold that went directly into my lungs. First the nurse(s) were furious that I hadn't brought my CPAP machine with me (well I'd gone to WORK before going to the hospital, and who takes their CPAP machine to work with them???), secondly they were upset that I couldn't keep my oxygen level at 90 or above even with supplemental oxygen (I wasn't too thrilled with that myself). Other than those two frustrating experiences, I've been helped and treated well by 95% of the medical personnel that I've dealt with
Aww, I am so sorry to hear of the tough experiences you had. Patients are often so embarrassed about bowel and bladder episodes, so I am often spending time on my shifts reassuring them that it's ok. It truly is just so run of the mill for us, but for the patient it doesn't feel that way at all!
@Suellen Roley, those nurses are in the wrong profession.
@Kristen, So true … when my mom was still alive, she had an accident in assisted living. I was trying to reassure it was okay and they’d dealt with situations like this many, many times. She sat up, looked at me quite indignantly and said, “well, it was my first!” In my own profession, it was a lesson to remember… that for the other person, it wasn’t an everyday occurrence and I needed to take that into consideration. I know you’re kind and gentle with your patients.
You are very wise to do med-surg first, then you can focus on getting your BSN and you'll have a great grounding on nursing in general to start more specialization in OB.
My question: Will you get stuck on graveyard shifts as a new employee?
I just recently dropped off several pairs of glasses at our local Walmart vision center. They have a blue Lions Club donation box in front of the vision center, so the vision center doesn't need to be open for you to drop off the glasses. So convenient!
The Lions Club will read the strength of the prescription and use the lenses and frames for new people needing that prescription. There is also a Lions Club mail-in option in multiple states - https://www.lionsclubs.org/en/resources-for-members/resource-center/eyeglass-recycling-centers
For anyone who has had a strong or specialized prescription, you know how pricey those lenses can be!
For thrift stores, I would consider donating reading glasses there.
My Optometrist, Library and BMV(some call it the DMV) all have small drop boxes for old eyeglasses. That might be another option.
@Amie, I always keep my last pair for a backup. (Nothing like having to get them out, because I knocked my glasses off the nightstand and I can't see to find them. Lol)
I think it’s great you picked something other than L&D!
It’s a field that typically has good outcomes and joyful endings. Your gift lies in cheering people up and making them feel better so I honestly think you can do more good in med/surg. It can be hard to find true empathetic nurses and God definitely bestowed that gift on you!
As a retired RN (who graduated at 36 yrs old), your new job sounds great! I totally agree that Med-Surg is a great place to start- or stay! I loved the exposure to so many different conditions and types of patients. Nursing was great for me- I loved the variety and flexibility. I'm so happy for you- you're on the home stretch! I've been reading for years, I just don't post very often.
Future frugal hack: I saw a suggestion to take one community college course per year to keep a valid student email. I know how expensive symphony tickets are - that may be cheaper (and you get to take a random cake decorating class!)
Hi Kristen,
Glad you're choosing med surg nursing as a starting point, I'm an oncology nurse and a nurse manager so I like to see candidates have some experience before coming to a specialty like hem/onc. I was a med surg nurse for 8 years before I decided to specialize and I felt like it gave me a great start! Good Luck on your NCLEX exam, I know you'll do well
Med surg is an excellent first job out of school.
i read somewhere that warby parker takes glasses but they wouldn't give me a receipt for the 5 pair i donated. i was so angry. was on vacation in DC with hubby and kids. just got back. was fab. we went to the zoo and the white house.