I must say it's been nice reading about everyone. The experience we bring to the table as the "oldies but goodies" is vast and I can't wait to learn from all of you; not only on the nursing end but how to cope during the stressful times.

In some ways it seemed easier to cope when I was younger, but I'm afraid it's because I know more now than I did than and am not afraid to spout off at the mouth.

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www.MyOwnWoman.blogspot.com

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~Jo RN
Endocrinology/Infertility
formally Internal Med Hospital nurse.
http://jodaya.blogspot.com/

Hmmmmm....never thought of that!

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The ER is the only place where you are rewarded for efficiency by getting more patients!

Kim
http://www.emergiblog.com

Yep...we have seen so many changes. I've been the the hospital setting +28 years. From Isolation Units(remember them)to Pediatrics to Critical Care. The funny thing now is..here in Florida the average age for a critical care nurse is 46. As many of the younger nurses are leaving the hospital setting to either become an ARNP or leave the bedside to go onto upper management. With fewer nurses available at the bedside, my hospital is shifting patient care to PCT's (patient care techs) with the RN's being the "Team Coordinators". Out the window with "Primary Care Nursing" back in with "Team Nursing" Yep...we have seen many changes and Nursing is cyclic.

CoffeeGal (one of those old broad night shift nurses)

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I loved Primary Nursing. I loved getting to know my patients and have them get to know me. It was my favorite "era" of nursing. It's funny, come to think of it, the patients seemed to have fewer complaints back then than they do now. I wonder if that means anything?

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www.MyOwnWoman.blogspot.com

Ah Team nursing....

I remember turning up for work one morning, to be told by our ward sister / manager that today we were introducing team nursing! We didn't know what we were meant to do, what evidence there was for doing it or anything about it, but we had to get on with it..... yes they were the days!

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Julie
http://www.lifeinthenhs.wordpress.com

Hi Coffee Gal,

I'm an old broad night shift nurse, too! And proud of it! Stay in this profession long enough and you'll see everything come and go at least twice! : )

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The ER is the only place where you are rewarded for efficiency by getting more patients!

Kim
http://www.emergiblog.com

Well, I also am an "old broad RN." Spent quite a few years in the back of an ambulance. Then went to cardiac care in a hospital and was bored (and saw cross-eyed secondary to working the night shift). Went to hospice next and learned to witness grief. When one of my children became hospice-appropriate I learned how vicarious grief differed from anticipatory grief and how anticipatory differed from experiental grief. I also learned that love undergirds all care, both given and received. Left hospice to become a part-time hospital supervisor and a part-time lifeflight RN. I then gave up taking care of patients in order to take care of nurses. Is suping real nursing? No - and yes. It is a privilege - and a political battle - to ensure staff have what they need in order to provide the optimal care which defines true nursing. Sigh. Am tired. Am actively seeking a nice day job at a combination clinic/urgent care/emergent care in a small community. Hope they invite this "old broad RN" to join them!

Joy

Welcome, Joy! So good to have you here.

Thank you, Shane.

As I mentioned to Geena on another thread of this site, I have enjoyed reading the NV posts. I plan to return as often as possible to benefit from and to offer in kind the encouragement, humor, and support that is so evident here.

Thanks again.

Joy