CrufflerJJ BSN, RN, EMT-P

ICU

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About CrufflerJJ

CrufflerJJ has 16 years experience as a BSN, RN, EMT-P and specializes in ICU.


I am what I am...and will be

Latest Activity

  1. CrufflerJJ

    Defibrillators that charged to 400 J

    On my fire department, we had an ancient MRL defibrillator with an aluminum case stashed in a closet ever since it had been taken out of service years prior. It would go up to 400 joules.
  2. CrufflerJJ

    Who's afraid of the ICU?

    I wouldn't say "be afraid" so much as "be paranoid." If you're part way through your shift and everything seems to be going too smoothly, consider whether you're missing something.
  3. CrufflerJJ

    VA Reputation vs Private Sector

    I've been a VA nurse since February, after having worked as a (2nd career) RN for 4 years in the private sector. The hiring process is long & drawn out. Plan on about 4-6 months from application to actually working at the VA (assuming that you'r...
  4. CrufflerJJ

    Er nurse vs icu nurse

    I LOVE your ADHD/OCD contrast. I've not done ER (but did volunteer in EMS x 19 years), and can see how the ER might be a triage/stabilize/move-'em-out environment, vs the ICU "What??? You don't know when your pt's last BM occurred" environment.
  5. CrufflerJJ

    New ICU nurse

    Congrats on graduating, and even more congrats on securing a job as an ICU nurse as a new grad!!!!! Your feelings of knowing "so little", yet being "eager to learn everything" are perfectly correct. You're miles ahead of the folks who assume that th...
  6. CrufflerJJ

    Cursing on the job

    You can always learn to curse in a new language. This might serve to relieve stress & is less likely to cause problems at work, unless your coworkers happen to speak Russian or Japanese or...
  7. CrufflerJJ

    Wasting

    Despite what your preceptor says, SWEAT IT. Each & Every time you access a "controlled substance" from the Pyxis, make double-darn sure that you account for the amount used, and the amount wasted. To do otherwise leaves you WIDE OPEN to diversion...
  8. CrufflerJJ

    nursing after a near death experience

    Nope. Not weakness, but being open & honest about your feelings. Best of luck to you!:)
  9. CrufflerJJ

    Interview and future plans?

    I'd be careful in talking about stuff other than your immediate med/surg opportunity. If you mention CDE (??Certified Diabetes Educator??) as a goal, then the med/surg folks might feel that you're just "using them" to get your foot in the door so th...
  10. CrufflerJJ

    interview help

    Every unit will have a different style of interviewing. You may very well not have any clinical questions at all. Then again.... Be able to tell about the sickest pt for whom you cared during your clinicals. Be able to discuss the disease process,...
  11. CrufflerJJ

    Need opinions, thinking of working in the ICU

    Your idea of shadowing is an excellent one. Contact the ICU's manager, expressing your interest. Good luck!
  12. CrufflerJJ

    Reference check

    Apologies in advance, but this is going to sound a bit harsh.... Congrats on having been able to be considered for a position. It sounds like you're being seriously considered, given that you've made it through phone screenings, a phone interview, a...
  13. CrufflerJJ

    How to save my hands

    I'm a big fan of Gold Bond lotions. They are thick, not watery. Once they dry, your hands don't even feel oily. Good stuff!
  14. CrufflerJJ

    peer interview= Job offer?

    It means that you made the first cut. There may still be multiple candidates for the available job(s). The folks interviewing you at the peer interview willl likely be your potential coworkers. Good luck!
  15. CrufflerJJ

    Need advice for possible transfer

    Your feelings of being 'constantly reminded of what happened all day long" sounds an awful lot like post-traumatic stress flashbacks. I'm not a psych person, nor did I stay at Holiday Inn Express last night. Before going into nursing, I did, howeve...