brsharky

Latest Activity

1. Patients reading their own charts-yay or nay?

   brsharky replied to HappyNurse2005's topic in General Nursing

   I don't know what your facility policy is but at mine there is a formal process that a patient or POA has to go through to get a copy of their chart. The medical records staff has them sign paperwork for it and makes them a copy. We never let them lo...

2. towns near dallas or houston va

   brsharky replied to kimhaw's topic in Texas

   I live in New Mexico and not Texas so I can't help with the accommodations but I do work at a larger VA facility and I think you will enjoy the benefits. I am not familiar with the Temple VA but the Dallas VA is well-known in the VA system for being ...

3. Asking the Right Questions

   brsharky replied to natron20's topic in General Nursing

   Subee made an excellent suggestion. I would suggest an externship of some sort or even working as a NA so that you can see what the nurses do. I think that hands-on learning is the best way to go. I have know too many people who based their decisions...

4. What can a RN delegate to a CNA?

   brsharky replied to Angelfish1234's topic in General Nursing

   The NA scope varies between states and facilities. In many cases the state may allow certain tasks that a facility policy requires a licensed personnel to do. As a general rule, basic patient care such as hygeine activities, transferring, lifting, to...

5. Change!

   brsharky replied to EmilyCCRN's topic in General Nursing

   Wound dressings are definitely changing! Salaries have also increased as well as sign-on incentive and benefits (largely depending upon your area). I have also seen an increase in BSN graduates and RN to BSN students. Increase in unlicensed assistive...

6. What is the nurse to patient ratio in your facility?

   brsharky replied to Colima's topic in General Nursing

   26 bed unit, SCI Rehab and Medical (probably closest to medical floor or LTC) Generally 5-6 RNs on day shift with 4-6 NAs and 0-1 LPN Evenings usually has 3-4 RNs, 0-1 LPN and 3-4 NAs Night shift usually has 2-3 RNs, 0 LPN and 2-3 NAs Our census is r...

7. Med errors

   brsharky replied to paphgrl's topic in General Nursing

   Luckily, I have never made a medication error (or at least not that I'm aware of). My facility uses bar code technology to help prevent errors. We complete an incident report and notify the provider. What action is taken depends upon many factors. As...

8. What field of Nursing will you work in??? & best/worst place to work?

   brsharky replied to iheartnursing_cali's topic in General Nursing

   I have worked on a SCI Rehab unit for several years and I love it. I started as a student extern, then new grad and Assistant Nurse Manager. I am currently Nurse Manager and even though I sometimes get frustrated all in all I love my job. I know that...

9. ASN or BSN poll

   brsharky replied to HeartsOpenWide's topic in General Nursing

   BSN, then MSN

10. The Bird Flu Pandemic

    brsharky replied to CapeCodMermaid's topic in Geriatric

    I also sat through long, 4 hour, discussion on the bird flu this week. I live in New Mexico and I don't know what the state is requiring. Our facility has been brainstorming on how to be best prepared. Luckily, our facility is rather large and has p...

11. Calling in Sick

    brsharky replied to Jesskanurse's topic in General Nursing

    I forgot to mention that the other reason I have asked and only if an employe is willing to discuss the matter is when I am concerned that there is something contagious involved that I might need to inform our providers to watch for in our patient po...

12. Calling in Sick

    brsharky replied to Jesskanurse's topic in General Nursing

    I agree with you that you should not have to say why you are calling in sick, generally speaking. I am a Nurse Manager and when staff requests Sick Leave I grant it if they have it. The facility where I work has a policy stating that supervisors cann...