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.
CrufflerJJ replied to Trissity's topic in Critical
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.
CrufflerJJ replied to AllCoolNamesAreTaken's topic in Government
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...
CrufflerJJ replied to Mshealthness's topic in Career Support
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.
CrufflerJJ replied to tigerRN2013's topic in Critical
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...
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...
CrufflerJJ replied to DeeDee_RN's topic in New Nurse
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...
CrufflerJJ replied to kcdunlap's topic in Job Hunt
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...
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,...
CrufflerJJ replied to ChellyBean's topic in Career Support
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...
CrufflerJJ replied to RNJamie12's topic in Job Hunt
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!
CrufflerJJ replied to AndyPantsRN's topic in Operating Room
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...