Nursing: You Wanna Know What I Think?

New Nurse Staffing Bill: Don’t Stop Believing

Pat Veitenthal — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:05:00 GMT

The social networks among nurse are all abuzz about the new staffing ratio bill being introduced to congress by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.). Like the cicadas, this attempt rolls around every few years when someone in power like the good senator tries...(read more)

Nurses Are Simply the Best!

Pat Veitenthal — Wed, 08 May 2013 16:54:00 GMT

My gosh, where does the time go? I almost missed my annual homage to National Nurses Week! I guess it's not on the front burner because I'm retired, but make no mistake...I still consider myself a nurse who can comment on Nurses Week. Retirement has been...(read more)

Nursing Salaries: Who Deserves More?

Pat Veitenthal — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 15:03:00 GMT

A friend and colleague came for a visit recently, and as he read the newspaper, he commented on the fact that a baseball player had renewed his contract for several million dollars. My friend is good at math, and calculated that the ball player would...(read more)

When Nurses Dream

Pat Veitenthal — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 12:27:00 GMT

I dream at night. In fact, when I sleep, it's a guarantee that I will at some point, be the star in my very own subconscious movie, in vivid color. It's reported that all of us dream, but surprisingly, a number of people believe they don't. A number of...(read more)

CPR ‘Refusal’: When Does Policy Override Judgment?

Pat Veitenthal — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 13:19:00 GMT

I have been sitting on this story for a week now. I had a real hard time not knee jerking an opinion like I usually do, because I wanted to see if my knee jerking predictions were going to be correct concerning the outcome. All were, except one. The story...(read more)

ACLS Recertification Online - Really?

Pat Veitenthal — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 22:53:00 GMT

It doesn't happen often, as my friends will tell you, but I find myself without an opinion on something. I'll give you a minute to absorb that... Now that I am no longer affiliated with an institution since retirement, I've realized that I will actually...(read more)

What I Won't Miss About My Nursing Job

Pat Veitenthal — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 20:07:00 GMT

My friend Tamara Mareno just had a heartbreaking, sudden job loss because her unit was being closed. She had worked there for 30+ years. With her permission, here are her thoughts at this time. Now that all of my friends know what I will miss about the...(read more)

Goodbye to Hospital Nursing

Pat Veitenthal — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 11:56:00 GMT

The day finally arrived! This past December 31 st , I retired from hospital nursing after 44 long years. Friends and co-workers threw a wonderful going away party for me, with great food, funny jokes and yes, alcohol was involved. It was a day to remember....(read more)

Douglas Kennedy Counter Sues Nurses

Pat Veitenthal — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 13:34:00 GMT

I hate being mad at a Kennedy. I'm from the generation that got caught up in the whole "Camelot" illusion of our young President and his family. We were, and still are, fascinated by every aspect of the name, and those who bore it. We worshipped the "Greatest...(read more)

Flu Vaccine Incident Making Me Angry -- Even in Retirement!

Pat Veitenthal — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 13:12:00 GMT

I knew I would always care about nursing, but I really didn’t think that I would get as riled up about stuff now that I’m retired. Oh, did I mention that? Finally, after 44 long years working in hospitals, I retired December 31 st , 2012. And I turned...(read more)

Rotten Past Few Days - Nurses Can Lead the Way Out

Pat Veitenthal — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 13:45:00 GMT

Rotten last few days, huh? That horrible event in Connecticut really knocked the wind out of everyone's Holiday Spirit, that's for sure. I have nothing to add to all that has been said or left unsaid...God. The horror. I dealt with my own trauma as well....(read more)

My Christmas List

Pat Veitenthal — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 12:15:00 GMT

Dear Santa, Since the baby Jesus didn't let me win the $550 million Powerball lottery, I'm going to have to rely on you again to take care of my holiday dreams and wishes. Here's what I really want for Christmas this year; Doctors who actually have respect...(read more)

Unintended Consequences: Be Careful What You Say

Pat Veitenthal — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 20:36:00 GMT

Cultural sensitivity training in hospitals has been around for a few years now. Several people thought it was a waste of time, citing basic manners as the only requirement for getting along. It was just another bunch of customer service babble that we...(read more)

Be A Patriot: VOTE!

Pat Veitenthal — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 21:32:00 GMT

Every election is important to true patriots, and this one coming up is no exception. I admit my primary interest is in each candidate's approach to healthcare. I don't want to argue politics here, or talk about who has the best plan for heathcare. Each...(read more)

Who's to Blame in Waiting Room Death? Could it Be the System?

Pat Veitenthal — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 21:17:00 GMT

It's every ER's worst nightmare; a patient dies in the waiting room, and isn't discovered until hours later. It doesn't happen often, but it DOES happen. Why? The most recent case that I became aware of occurred nearby in Delaware. I live close enough...(read more)