newbie here saying a warm hello to everyone...

[sunniern]

Hello All!

What an awesome and fully loaded place for nurses to come... I really enjoy coming here and browsing about the site and getting to know what's happening with other nurses around the www. So thankful to have found this wonderful place..

KarenRN

[cougarnurse]

Welcome to the site, Karen! We may be relatively small, but we do try! I hope that you stop by often and post when able.

What's your specialty, if any?

[sunniern]

Hi,

Thanks for the welcome. To answer your question, I began my career in ICU in 1988 and after a few years of cardiac care assortments ie. step down and telemetry, I did home health visits, stayed home from 1996-2001 to take care of kids then back to work at urgent care/clinic for 5 more years then home health again for 3 and now embarking on occupational health, I'm due to start this new job Nov 2. My specialty? Hmmmm? (smile) I think I'm still trying to figure it out. Actually, I enjoyed the urgent care/clinic due to the hours and nature of work. The occupationl health position will be similiar I think except that the majority of my patients will be men and the nature of emergencies will be minor as cardiac and trauma patients will immediately go to the hospital via ambulance.

I have peeked into this site quite a few times just reading and feeling like I belong some place for the first time in a very long time. I am a recovering alcoholic. I've lost my drivers license twice in the past 6 years. I'm sure, since reading and becoming enlightened here, that I would've lost my nursing license as well had I not lived in the state that I do, or possibly had I not been a nurse long enough for the BON to not have my fingerprints. I understand since 1990 that all states in the union fingerprint new nurses? Anyway, I really need to post more as this one is becoming rather lengthy. Thanks for reading me. And thanks for this site!

Karen

[cougarnurse]

Regarding the fingerprints: Never was printed when I was an LPN, but now....yeah, they print.

You say you've peeked in a few times, and I am glad you're now a member. I KNOW you'll be around more often. Stop by the Daily Thread if and when you can, and keep us posted on things.

[sunniern]

Which is the "daily thread?"

[cougarnurse]

Ooop! That's found in the General Discussion Forum. I try to get the darn thread up at a semi-decent hour. Sorry I didn't clarify myself.

[cali510]

Welcome to the site. My state is in the process of getting all the old nurses fingerprints in their database. So expect that your state will probably follow suit some time in the future.

[sunniern]

Hi,

Yes, I've read something on here about that as well. I pray that it's far enough off that time will be on my side. It sure is something I think about and often, trust me. I was real nervous a month ago when renewal time came around, wasn't sure what to expect, but by the grace of God go I and the renewal went through. I also wonder if when my state goes compact how this will affect my anonoumity (sp?) I do feel like a sitting duck in a sense.

I have to tell you I got a kick out of your wording.. lol.. "My state is in the process of getting all the old nurses fingerprints in their database" OLD.. lol.. yes, I qualify there.

I wonder how they will go about fingerprinting?

thanks for the welcome!

sunnie