HopeItWorksDNP

HopeItWorksDNP specializes in ER.

Latest Activity

1. How to carry yourself under high stress?

   HopeItWorksDNP replied to winter_green's topic in General Nursing

   Working in the ER, I instruct the new grads: "You've always seen worse." No matter how bad the patient it, you cannot show it to the patient. Your job is to remain calm so the patient remains calm. When I started, I tried to keep a smile on my fa...

2. Cath'ing Females

   HopeItWorksDNP replied to OttawaRPN's topic in General Nursing

   I've done more than my share of caths on large women during my time in the ER and have found a few things that seem to help. Like the other poster said, take help. The other nurse can help spread the labia and help spread the legs further apart. P...

3. Really, how can you remember?

   HopeItWorksDNP replied to sunnycalifRN's topic in General Nursing

   It's not the Y-chromosome. I can only remember you if I see you in the same context I saw you in before. If you return to the ER, I'll recognize you and remember what your last visit was for and your family members and how we treated you. If I see...

4. Ever had to take care of someone you knew and/or didn't like?

   HopeItWorksDNP replied to Spikey9001's topic in General Nursing

   Ex-spouse, ex-inlaws, the person that beat me up in high school...took care of them all and they asked for me next time they came in. Do a good job. Treat them like you would any other patient: professionally and compassionately. And just in case ...

5. "size of the paycheck"

   HopeItWorksDNP replied to agnesj23's topic in General Nursing

   Just have to correct you (as a longstanding LPN) with no malice intended. I can do IV pushes in my state. Not sure where you got your incorrect information. We just can't push particular drugs like chemotherapy, thrombolytics, etc. But I push meds ev...

6. My patient takes ibuprofen for sinus congestion!

   HopeItWorksDNP replied to Blackheartednurse's topic in Medications

   I frequently take ibuprofen to help with my sinuses. I don't like the side effects of Sudafed or other decongestant and have found the ibu does just as well in shrinking inflammed sinuses. It also helps when my ears are feeling stopped up. Its the...

7. Have you ever shed tears in front of a patient or a patient's family.

   HopeItWorksDNP replied to dudette10's topic in Relations

   Ok. I guess I'm different. And its not intentional. Sometimes I wish I could cry so the family would know I truly do care. But I can't. Something in me says I have to be the strong, solid one. I stand there with an arm around the family member ...

8. Should I Take the Chance/Sacrifice?

   HopeItWorksDNP posted a topic in General Nursing

   Big, big decision to make. Will have all pre-reqs to BSN program finished at end of fall semester. Have been LPN for 5+ years. Committed relationship for 3. School I am currently in does not start another BSN program until next fall (that's one year ...

9. The trauma I cant let go of

   HopeItWorksDNP replied to ER_JEN_RN's topic in Emergency

   Is that covered by Worker's Comp?

10. Secret to successfully inserting an NG tube?

    HopeItWorksDNP replied to Nurseinprocess's topic in General Nursing

    I always look into the nose first to see which side appears the most open. Don't use ice on the tube but do use KY jelly to lubricate well. Chin to chest and have pt suck on ice chips if alert. To easy to aspirate if drinking water during procedur...

11. New LPN with BIG concern over TN scope of practice re: IV Push

    HopeItWorksDNP replied to LPNalmost!'s topic in Tennessee

    There are lots of meds LPNs can push. I push pain meds, antiemetics, etc. everyday. My original post was several years ago. Since then, my facility instituted a IVP class. As LPNs you can't push thrombolytics, cardiac meds, chemotherapy, experime...

12. I haven't a clue

    HopeItWorksDNP replied to shamari's topic in General Nursing

    Jasco.com sells Can't See through me pants. I love them! They are a little thicker than most whites so they last longer too! And not expensive at all.

13. How many visits until you label a frequent flyer or drug seeker?

    HopeItWorksDNP replied to z's playa's topic in Emergency

    You are a frequent flyer if: I can name your allergies before you can... If you have used every PCP within a 50 mile radius of the ER and fired them all... If I can mention your name to a nurse in an ER 20 miles away and she starts laughing... If y...

14. Respiratory Question: What to do first?

    HopeItWorksDNP posted a topic in General Nursing

    I've recently picked up a PRN job taking care of a pt with a trach. Orders are to give HIT and CPT tx's every 4 hours as well as a saline neb. Doesn't specify what order. What's the appropriate order to give these treatments in order to get the bes...

15. Low Census-Cancelled Shifts-Where Are You Located?

    HopeItWorksDNP replied to pagandeva2000's topic in General Nursing

    I'm in Tennessee. Today our med/surg floor had 4 patients and none in the unit! But then we admitted 3 in the last 2 hours of my shift in the ER. So go figure? We were talking about the low census today. I just figure its the calm before the sto...