Nurse Ratched’s Place

Statistics show that an increasing number of individuals are leaving established careers to join the nursing profession. I thought this was a new trend, but after doing some research, I’ve learned some interesting facts. Some people change careers because they want a more challenging job, while others look for work that is more rewarding. However, [...]

When someone in my family has a question or problem, they call a relative for expert advice. I have siblings, cousins, aunts, and uncles, who collectively, represent every profession known to mankind. And when someone in our family has a health care question, they call me. I’m the family nurse. It’s odd how family members [...]

Today’s word is “Mouse Potato” I sit at my computer every morning, eating breakfast, and catching up with what’s happening in the world. Starting at a leisurely pace, I check out Google News and then cruise over to the Drudge Report. Then I check out my daughter’s blog—the one I’m never suppose to look at—to [...]

(Warning: This post contains highly opinionated material. My husband is in hiding, so I must be cranky today). Their eyes met across a crowded room. They knew in an instant they were kindred spirits. The problem? The crowded room is the nurses’ station, and the kindred spirits are coworkers. I’ve never understood why anyone would [...]

I’ve been asked to answer the following questions: Four jobs I have had:1) Gofer in a Congressman’s office when I was 14 years old2) Sales girl in an upscale clothing store.3) Psych nurse in an inner city hospital 4) Freelance writer for a national trade magazine Four movies I would watch over and over:1) One [...]

The movie marquee announced, “The Devil Wears Prada.” My patient would disagree. He thinks the devil wears a hospital ID badge and works on a psych unit. Alan glared at me from across the desk. “Oh wonderful,” I thought. “Another outstanding holiday weekend. ” The police brought Alan to our emergency room in handcuffs. His [...]

I’m young, energetic, and I look just like this nurse.Hey! Rule number one, when dealing with delusional individuals, don’t challenge them unless you can replace their delusions with something else. I’m working a lot this week, and will be away from my computer for the next few days. I wish you all a safe and [...]

“Love Nurse” Painting by Jena Cardwell Josephine had it all. She was young and beautiful, and all the men wanted to be with her. So, she put her attributes to good use. Josephine worked her way through nursing school as a call girl. I heard about Jo’s checkered past my first day on the unit. [...]

Democratic Party Leader, Howard Dean, told a meeting of religious leaders last night “we’re about to enter the ‘60s again.” Welcome to my world. I’ve never left the ’60s. That was the decade of free love, Peter Max, Woodstock, Haight-Ashbury, and the rise of the Volkswagen Beetle. I loved my miniskirts and tight hip hugger [...]

Boldly Going Where No Man—or Nurse—Has Gone Before Spock had pointed ears, Kirk was a ladies man (he also liked hot alien chicks), and McCoy was a kindly country doctor. Then there was Nurse Chapel. Like nurses around the galaxy, Nurse Chapel could do anything. Every week the crew of the USS Enterprise found themselves [...]