[mpicray]

Greetings!
I'm new to this site but have a lot of years of nursing under my treads. I thought it might be fun to swap thoughts, experiences and brilliant ideas with my fellow nurse-types. I took a non-hospital based job about a year ago that I enjoy very much, but I don't want to completely lose touch with my clinical, bedside roots.
This looks like a great place to keep my ears to the rails and remind myself once in a while why the job change was a good thing for me. It's lovely meeting you all and perhaps share a little in the challenges you face every day.

MP

[cougarnurse]

:waving: Welcome to the site! If I might ask, what specialty were you in, and what did you switch to? I know it would be interesting to discuss the differences between bed-side and 'desk-type' jobs. (I have a half and half job.....)

I hope you drop by and post often.

'Cat'

[mpicray]

Thanks for the welcome!

It might be easier to tell what I haven't done over the last 30+ years but here goes. Med-Surg, of course, lots of ICU, CCU, CVICU, a little OB/L&D, ER, PEDS, too much Management, Dialysis, etc.
After years of toting that barge, lifting that bedpan I realized that what really pushes my buttons is teaching. The problem, though, was that the one thing I've noticed over the years during various economic cycles is that education departments in hospitals are the first to get their throats cut when money gets tight and, honestly, nursing schools don't always pay very well at all.
So I found a job with a company called LifeLines Medical Solutions doing clinical consulting, teaching people how to use their Philips heart monitors and providing on-site support when they start using them. It's very enjoyable, satisfying work and I get to travel to different places and see different things. I can imagine myself retiring from this work in 15 or 20 years, or so. Once in a while I miss the patient interaction, but I've collected 30 years of stories and memories I wouldn't trade for anything and that's enough.
As Leah Curtin would say, nursing is a job big enough for your spirit, something to be proud of having spent your life on.

Thanks for your interest...Later, darlin' MP

[cougarnurse]

Sounds like you have a great book in the making! That, and quite alot to teach us young ones.

'Cat'

[MagRedC5]

:welcomescroll:

Your job with LifeLines Medical Solutions doing clinical consulting sounds excellent! Just another example that those that truly enjoy the nursing profession can find something rewarding.

[LoriA]

[I see that you are an Army nurse. I'm ex-Air Force. Four years post Vietnam era. My prayers are with you in Iraq.

Lori

[LoriA]

Thanks for the welcome back. I noticed the post about nursing stories that could make up a book. Well, I took my thirteen plus years as a nurse (four in the air force) and did start writing. Actually it's now 15 published books later! I write a humorous mystery series with some romance in it--natch! It's about a burned out nurse who becomes a medical fraud investigator. I loved nursing and now I love writing about it and creating new worlds. My main goal in writing, though, it to entertain. Especially my fellow nurse who all need a good laugh. Laughter, I do beleive, IS the best medicine!

Lori Avocato
Lori Avocato - Home

[mpicray]

Hi, Lori!

I'll bet you've got some doozy stories. I'm very impressed that you found a way to combine your love of nursing and your love of writing. I am curious, though - do you use actual anecdotes from your nursing experiences in your books? I've always wondered how that would work. Have you kept a journal of your nursing life?

I have read a few books by nurses over the years, but I have to confess I don't believe I've read any of yours. Truthfully, I don't read or watch TV or movies dealing with medical or nursing topics when I want to relax. It seems too much like work! Sounds like yours might be fun though. If I google you, will I find a listing of your titles or do you write under another name?

MP

[MagRedC5]

Originally Posted by LoriA

[I see that you are an Army nurse. I'm ex-Air Force. Four years post Vietnam era. My prayers are with you in Iraq.

Lori

Thank you for your military service!

I will accept all prayers, especially so that my wife may have strength while I'm away.

[mpicray]

Hey, MagRedC5!

Good to hear from you from so far away. I have a son on the Stennis that's a lot closer to you than to me right now.

I saw a couple of news specials on the internet recently about the work you all are doing over there. It gave me half an itch to be there with you. Alas, I fear I'd be too old and beat up to keep up with you.

I was keenly impressed with what I saw, however. Professionals doing their job and doing it darned well from what I could see, which I'm sure didn't tell the half of it. I'm sure there are times when you all get so very tired but please know this. At least one old nurse is very proud of what you and the other healthcare professionals are doing there. Good work or as my son would say "Bravo Zulu!"

By the way, Hubby and I send stuff to soldier/sailor types all the time. Is there anything you need or would enjoy that we could package off to you? Some little comfort from home perhaps??? Or is there someone you know that could use a wee bit of a boost? Just speak the words, m'dear, and we'll do our darndest.

Later, MP