Post edited 5:52 am – February 27, 2011 by FOURWBR

Catfish have these little barbs by their fins on the side and top. When you pull them out of the water they can thrash around and stick your hand with those barbs. Very painful I've heard. I hope I'm using the right terminology. I just know basically they have sharp things sticking out close to their side gills and top fin that can puncture your hand. I remember one of my boys picking up one that was really thrashing around and got one of those lil spinney things stuck in his hand. Next one he pulled in the poor boy took off his t-shirt and used it. Lol said he'd rather ruin a good shirt then suffer through that again. I can remember my dad using a small hand towel when he'd pull em up. Ick, stink bait for catfish is a no in my book as well. Sorry but that just brought back memories. I live close to a major river and lake so catfish is just an abundant species around here. They are a fun species to target as well. I always enjoyed fishing for them more so due to the fight they put up. That and the size and the crazy grunting noise they make when they surface.

I'm a nurse and work nights. 12 hr shifts.

I agree with the laziness because I have mastered the art of it. But this is actually a goal I intend to follow through on. I just feel like an idiot. Fishing should be a straightforward task, but when you're starting from a long absence it's complex. I guess to be fully competent it becomes complex. I don't have any friends that fish any more, so in essence this is a hobby I have to teach myself.

I did have a few men in my family who were true outdoorsmen and could easily drop in at my parents and pick up my dads old rods, but I plan to start fresh on this adventure. Had an uncle that loved to fish for sharks on the cape fear…so far above anything I aspire to.  I do have to admit I have a lingering desire to try that out as well.    I'm sure you'll find your way back to it eventually.    Maybe we'll swap pics and can internet fuss over bragging rights.  

Reminds me of a book title "all fishermen are liars".    Best of luck with clinicals.   They are the roughest and most stressful part, but the most crucial as well.  It's where you get a foundation, but your skills aren't perfected until you're on the job.     Just a little friendly advice, and I hope you don't mind.   Any chance you have to start an IV, jump on it.   Everything else (NG tubes, G-tubes, JPs, etc) is quickly mastered.   But having a preceptor over your shoulder while you work on IVs is priceless.    I don't know how they will set up your particular rotations, but day surgery was an all you can start buffet of practice.

12 nights is rough for me personally because I'm not one that can just get 1-2 hrs sleep and roll on.   So instead of taking a nap on my day off I just stay up all day.  I know many people that can pull 30 + hrs without sleep with no problem.   But it took me a bit to acclimate. 

Actually I work geriatrics.   Eh, it's where I started (pre-nursing) and just stayed.   However I did do a stint (couple of years)  as an EMT-B.  Volunteer w/ local FD and paid with local EMS agency.