MesaRN

MesaRN has 8 years experience and specializes in ER, ICU, Flight.

Latest Activity

1. Nursing Student Site Selection

   MesaRN replied to asiyana's topic in CA Programs

   If your ultimate goal is flight nursing your initial goal should be to aim for a critical care or ER position. From your list above I would vote for cardiology as a placement. This assumes that by cardiology it is a unit that deals with acute as well...

2. Malpractice Insurance

   MesaRN replied to RNnowFNP's topic in Advanced

   This question nearly always results in the following replies: 1. Don't rely on your employer's coverage as it is designed to cover them not yourself. Some may offer to pay for your individual insurance, but it needs to be a individual policy for you,...

3. How old are the CFRN questions?

   MesaRN posted a topic in Flight

   Wanted to ask those with recent experience with the CFRN as to how "new" (or old) are the questions you had. All the recommended study materials (Holleran's Patient Transport, Wingfield's ACE SAT, Lopez Back to Basics) are 2011 or older. Baur's FAST ...

4. Responding to the ER for STEMIs

   MesaRN posted a topic in CCU

   I am currently helping to develop a chest pain response team in our hospital.We are a 36 bed ER and regional medical center with interventional cardiology. Specifically I am looking at the role a Cardiovascular ICU nurse would play as part of the CP ...

5. Patient fell and died a few days later, was it my fault?

   MesaRN replied to GlitterRN's topic in General Nursing

   This among the worst post I have ever seen anyone make, please do not take this seriously. It seems to say that if you knew the pt was going to get up themselves you should just let them do it when your not there, and then its not your fault. As the ...

6. What are your pet peeves when orienting a new ER nurse?

   MesaRN replied to NeoPediRN's topic in Emergency

   I have to say +1 one for the "we did it this way" folks. There is a time and place for improvement, but generally these comments are not exactly in helpful situations. My biggest per peeve as a preceptor is the "I already know how to do this" attitu...

7. ER Preceptorship

   MesaRN replied to perkygyrl81's topic in Emergency

   The reason for your preceptorship is to help you understand how complex the question you just asked really is. Your preceptor is there to help you figure out the questions to ask and focused assessment needed based on the answers to those questions. ...

8. What references do you you use?

   MesaRN replied to seamang2's topic in General Nursing

   I second the don't bother to save texts. Most text are out of date by the time there are printed. DO NOT buy a med dictionary, the web is quicker and with more info. Also it saves money to buy the later edition than the "newest" when it comes to text...

9. When hiring, do hospitals look at where you got your BSN?

   MesaRN replied to traceydolovesyou's topic in General Nursing

   Nope. Unless your aiming for director or CNO, RN is an RN. Most of the time even the BS part doesn't matter a bit. You can go to a private school and pay a lot more to make the same pay as those who so the state schools.

10. ED practicum

    MesaRN replied to nursing.mypassion's topic in Emergency

    This is what I send out to our senior students before their ER rotation: Items to Review Skills Whether you have done a lot of IV starts or none at all, don't worry!! Learning is what the rotation is for! I just want you to be familiar with...

11. pediatric crash cart nightmare...

    MesaRN replied to rnbecky8085's topic in Emergency

    We use separate bins that are color coded to the Braslow. The bins contain larger items like ET tubes and OG/NG tubes, ect. that are appropriate for the weight group. The core cart itself holds the larygoscope blades, IO kit, IV kit and meds.

12. IV Gauge for CT

    MesaRN replied to EDrunnerRN's topic in Emergency

    We are required to have 18G in a great vein (AC or better) for R/O PE (which I assume was the reason for the chest CT). This rule is so ingrained that even if you have a 20 in the AC they will not take it and require a central if no 18 can be establi...

13. Last Semester In Nursing School, ER Preceptorship

    MesaRN replied to redraider1977's topic in Emergency

    I am preceptor for students and nurses new to the ER. I have been giving my students this handout before thier rotation to help get them ready: Items to Review Skills Whether you have done a lot of IV starts or none at all, don't worry!! Le...

14. Failing to carry out a stat order in timely manner

    MesaRN replied to afteralltheseyears's topic in Emergency

    We are paid to use our nursing judgment and to be patient advocates. According to your post you were using your best judgment in order to obtain the best outcome for the patient. In retrospect the best way to have handle the situation would be to com...

15. Hyperkalemia and order of meds

    MesaRN replied to RoyalNurse's topic in Emergency

    I would second the poster above. Especially the Kayexalate. In the ER setting we tend to focus on intracellular K/NA exchange of K+ to decrease serum levels, but that it is only a temp fix, you still need to get rid of it via the GI tract with Kayexa...