Spent a very quiet, very enjoyable new year eve with the just turned 3 granddaughter. We went to the store to buy "junk" food (Juice and Cheetos). She fell asleep at 9:10 and I was not too far behind. Bliss!
Hope 2006 is as good as 2005 was to me. My family is healthy- and for sure not wealthy , and sure wonder about the wise......
But as for me- I work, I laugh, I love. PLUS!!!! I live in the greatest, grandest, bestest country in the whole universe and I am thankful for every bit of everything that I have!!!!!
Peace

I hope that you have a very happy, peaceful, love wrapped Christmas. If you had to work on Christmas or Christmas Eve then I am grateful to you for stepping up to meet the needs of those that require your expertise and compassionate care; if you did not have to work on the holiday, then I am happy for you.
I am fortunate and will be spending my time with my family, for which I am very grateful.

What is the best thing about your nursing career? The worst?

For me, the best part about nursing (right now) is the pay and the job security. High demand, low supply = good perks, good pay, employers that want to retain you, etc.

The worst part is that many patients feel "entitled" to almost private duty nursing care. That there is no reason at all that they should have to wait for anything, they threaten to sue if they feel that their medical outcome is not what they think it should be, and they feel that you are there to "serve" them, rather than to assist/teach them to help themselves. AND then they don't follow the instructions you give them to help make an optimal recovery!!!

Okey dokey then. Just trying this out. (As if I should be using my time to MINDLESSLY waste the hours away on the internet).
I am a nurse and have been since 1983.
I just cut back to 3 ten hour days and WOW! what a difference that makes in my attitude!
I work in a privately owned facility and the perks are great. We even get profit sharing. After many years of being on call it is a true blessing to have evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays off. Most people take M-F hours for granted- but we nurses KNOW better!
What about your hours?