Latest Likes For Marie_LPN, RN

We currently have this in our OR. Seeing those two made me want to puke. You kn now, a few people would say "it's none of your business", but footsie, rubbing arms, was unprofessional and done in front of people so it wound up being our business whether we wanted it or not.

And, strange as it may sound, i don't trust either one of these people. They are lying to their spouses, they haven't been that secretive about it, but, i don't feel i can trust either one to tell the truth, if they can't even tell their own spouses the truth, know what i mean?

I would have went to the supervisor, but right when i was ready to:

One of the participants got busted by his wife about 2 weeks ago (GOOD!! ). And now he's acting sooo devastated that his marriage is broken, yet, um, it's not like he was doing something to AVOID that!




Anyway, if it weren't so obvious, i wouldn't say anything. But, it is, and it's not a matter of being nosey or such, it's a matter of professionalism. Even if they were husband and wife, the blatant affection would still be considered unprofessional. I'd go to the supervisor, and express concerns about how unprofessional this looks, avoiding any mention of personal morals.

Gum stuck in long blond (bleached) hair. The doctor wrote a recommendation on an order sheet to a cosmetologist.

A couple of tips and such to help:

Dress Code:

• Change into OR scrubs first thing when you get there, AFTER letting the charge nurse know who are, what school you're with, and such. This includes a long sleeved jacket. It's cold in there, you'll need it.
• WEAR YOUR NAMETAG. To us, you're a suspicious looking stranger w/o your nametag. Cannot believe that this isn't a more enforced in schools to wear your tag.
• Shoe covers are to be worn at all times when in the OR. Change them every time you go into another case.
• Hats are to be worn at all times in the OR. All hair must be covered, and cover earrings as well. If observing in cases such as total joint replacements, spinal surgeries, or anything that's got a laminar flow air system that's running, you may be required to wear a second head covering that is a full hat that ties around the bottom of your neck (nickname a "hood" by some of the staff). The first hat should be covered completely by this hood.
• Masks are to be worn at all times when in the OR room. They must be form fitted to your face and both sets of string tied, no exceptions. Change mask each time you go to another case. It is also suggested that if you are allowed to stand close to the procedure, wear eye protection.
• Isolation masks that are for MRSA and VRE protection (the yellow kind typically) are NOT approved for OR level filtration. Do NOT wear those in the OR.

Sterility Rules:

• The standard rule: if it's blue, don't touch it. Everything blue is sterile. Don't even reach over any sterile field for any reason (i've had this happen a couple of times, when a student pointed to something on the table and pointed OVER the field, and i wound up asking her to leave the room as a result, i could not risk a break in sterility. NO NO NO.) . If you have any questions about what is sterile, assume it IS sterile and treat it as such until you can ask about it.
• Clear plastic in the OR is also sterile.

Radiation Protection:

• You need to wear lead aprons and thyroid shields when observing OR cases with X-ray. While wearing the lead aprons, never turn your back to the X-ray machine. If no lead is available for you (which is typical on heavy case days), step out of the room during the X-raying, or stand behind someone who's wearing lead.

Misc. Rules:

• Eat a good breakfast that morning. I don't mean an energy bar, i mean eggs, sausage, OJ and toast.
• Don't lock your knees while watching. Step around a little bit, even if you don't have much room to move.
• If you feel weak, step out. If you're in a total joint room and aren't "allowed" to leave, at least sit down. And if you are allowed to leave a TJ room, chances are you can't come back in, because of infection control.
• If the smell is overwhelming (and there's a high possibility of this), bring alcohol swabs with you. Poke one inside of your mask when needed. VapoRub inside of the mask has the same effect, but the alcohol swabs are everywhere.
• Always ask the permission of the pt., nurse, and doctor before going in the room. Do not just assume that you're allowed. Pt. privacy is always respected, first and foremost. The circulator is the pt. advocate. Always check with the nurse before interacting with the pt.
• Ask the pt.'s nurse, then the pt. before looking at the pt.'s chart. To do so w/o permission could get you in a position where you will be asked to leave the room, and quite possibly the unit, for privacy violate (seen it happen more than once).
• When talking to the pt., try to talk to them in a lowered voice. Privacy, again.
• Do not take offense if the doctors don't talk to you. They are concentrating on the situation at hand.
• On the other hand, there are plenty that DO like to teach.
• If you're taking notes on anything, refrain from using pt. name, or MR number. Identify your pt. as, for example "56 y.o M h/o yadayada. It's actually best if you leave ALL names off your paperwork.
• I don't suggest asking anesthesia questions until AFTER the pt. is intubated, the tube is secured and connected to the circuit, the anesthesiologist isn't touching the pt., and/or they have sat down in their chair. And ask if it's OK to ask questions about what they did/are doing. Don't just assume it's ok to do.
• Also, before asking the surgeon any case-related questions before, during, or after the case, ask them if it IS ok to ask questions.
• Chances are, when you're in a room, you have NO idea where to stand to watch. We don't even know where you should stand till the pt. is draped and everything is arranged. The safest bet is to stand up against the wall out of the way, and wait. Chances are, the circulator will point out a good place to stand.
• OR staff will typically not talk to you during a case. We're trying to listen to what the surgeon says, and it's hard to hear a mumbling doctor when we're talking and listening to someone else.
• A quick way to insult and alienate OR staff (tech or nurse, doesn't matter) is asking if they are a "gopher".
• Assume that anything laying on the floor is filthy and dirty. If you touch anything that might have touched the pt., go wash your hands with soap and water. If the nurse tells you to wash your hands, do it. They're telling you to do so for your own safety (ex. we dropped a sponge on the floor, student picked it up, i immediately told her to wash her hands in a quiet voice, then told her why).
• Never forget HIPAA! You may be required to sign an agreement for privacy before you are allowed to observe.

If i think of anything else, i'll add it on this post.:hatparty:

Great. Generic. What a compliment. :angryfire

A couple of tips and such to help:

Dress Code:

• Change into OR scrubs first thing when you get there, AFTER letting the charge nurse know who are, what school you're with, and such. This includes a long sleeved jacket. It's cold in there, you'll need it.
• WEAR YOUR NAMETAG. To us, you're a suspicious looking stranger w/o your nametag. Cannot believe that this isn't a more enforced in schools to wear your tag.
• Shoe covers are to be worn at all times when in the OR. Change them every time you go into another case.
• Hats are to be worn at all times in the OR. All hair must be covered, and cover earrings as well. If observing in cases such as total joint replacements, spinal surgeries, or anything that's got a laminar flow air system that's running, you may be required to wear a second head covering that is a full hat that ties around the bottom of your neck (nickname a "hood" by some of the staff). The first hat should be covered completely by this hood.
• Masks are to be worn at all times when in the OR room. They must be form fitted to your face and both sets of string tied, no exceptions. Change mask each time you go to another case. It is also suggested that if you are allowed to stand close to the procedure, wear eye protection.
• Isolation masks that are for MRSA and VRE protection (the yellow kind typically) are NOT approved for OR level filtration. Do NOT wear those in the OR.

Sterility Rules:

• The standard rule: if it's blue, don't touch it. Everything blue is sterile. Don't even reach over any sterile field for any reason (i've had this happen a couple of times, when a student pointed to something on the table and pointed OVER the field, and i wound up asking her to leave the room as a result, i could not risk a break in sterility. NO NO NO.) . If you have any questions about what is sterile, assume it IS sterile and treat it as such until you can ask about it.
• Clear plastic in the OR is also sterile.

Radiation Protection:

• You need to wear lead aprons and thyroid shields when observing OR cases with X-ray. While wearing the lead aprons, never turn your back to the X-ray machine. If no lead is available for you (which is typical on heavy case days), step out of the room during the X-raying, or stand behind someone who's wearing lead.

Misc. Rules:

• Eat a good breakfast that morning. I don't mean an energy bar, i mean eggs, sausage, OJ and toast.
• Don't lock your knees while watching. Step around a little bit, even if you don't have much room to move.
• If you feel weak, step out. If you're in a total joint room and aren't "allowed" to leave, at least sit down. And if you are allowed to leave a TJ room, chances are you can't come back in, because of infection control.
• If the smell is overwhelming (and there's a high possibility of this), bring alcohol swabs with you. Poke one inside of your mask when needed. VapoRub inside of the mask has the same effect, but the alcohol swabs are everywhere.
• Always ask the permission of the pt., nurse, and doctor before going in the room. Do not just assume that you're allowed. Pt. privacy is always respected, first and foremost. The circulator is the pt. advocate. Always check with the nurse before interacting with the pt.
• Ask the pt.'s nurse, then the pt. before looking at the pt.'s chart. To do so w/o permission could get you in a position where you will be asked to leave the room, and quite possibly the unit, for privacy violate (seen it happen more than once).
• When talking to the pt., try to talk to them in a lowered voice. Privacy, again.
• Do not take offense if the doctors don't talk to you. They are concentrating on the situation at hand.
• On the other hand, there are plenty that DO like to teach.
• If you're taking notes on anything, refrain from using pt. name, or MR number. Identify your pt. as, for example "56 y.o M h/o yadayada. It's actually best if you leave ALL names off your paperwork.
• I don't suggest asking anesthesia questions until AFTER the pt. is intubated, the tube is secured and connected to the circuit, the anesthesiologist isn't touching the pt., and/or they have sat down in their chair. And ask if it's OK to ask questions about what they did/are doing. Don't just assume it's ok to do.
• Also, before asking the surgeon any case-related questions before, during, or after the case, ask them if it IS ok to ask questions.
• Chances are, when you're in a room, you have NO idea where to stand to watch. We don't even know where you should stand till the pt. is draped and everything is arranged. The safest bet is to stand up against the wall out of the way, and wait. Chances are, the circulator will point out a good place to stand.
• OR staff will typically not talk to you during a case. We're trying to listen to what the surgeon says, and it's hard to hear a mumbling doctor when we're talking and listening to someone else.
• A quick way to insult and alienate OR staff (tech or nurse, doesn't matter) is asking if they are a "gopher".
• Assume that anything laying on the floor is filthy and dirty. If you touch anything that might have touched the pt., go wash your hands with soap and water. If the nurse tells you to wash your hands, do it. They're telling you to do so for your own safety (ex. we dropped a sponge on the floor, student picked it up, i immediately told her to wash her hands in a quiet voice, then told her why).
• Never forget HIPAA! You may be required to sign an agreement for privacy before you are allowed to observe.

If i think of anything else, i'll add it on this post.:hatparty:

For not turning a nurse's total care pts. (Oh forgot to mention, i was scheduled OFF that night)

Thank you.

I'd hope this would become a sticky. I've seen so many students that had no idea what to do or where to go for their observation and their instructors didn't help. I thought this might give a little bit of a headstart on it.

(Which reminds me, i got another idea for another forum suggestion.)

A couple of tips and such to help:

Dress Code:

• Change into OR scrubs first thing when you get there, AFTER letting the charge nurse know who are, what school you're with, and such. This includes a long sleeved jacket. It's cold in there, you'll need it.
• WEAR YOUR NAMETAG. To us, you're a suspicious looking stranger w/o your nametag. Cannot believe that this isn't a more enforced in schools to wear your tag.
• Shoe covers are to be worn at all times when in the OR. Change them every time you go into another case.
• Hats are to be worn at all times in the OR. All hair must be covered, and cover earrings as well. If observing in cases such as total joint replacements, spinal surgeries, or anything that's got a laminar flow air system that's running, you may be required to wear a second head covering that is a full hat that ties around the bottom of your neck (nickname a "hood" by some of the staff). The first hat should be covered completely by this hood.
• Masks are to be worn at all times when in the OR room. They must be form fitted to your face and both sets of string tied, no exceptions. Change mask each time you go to another case. It is also suggested that if you are allowed to stand close to the procedure, wear eye protection.
• Isolation masks that are for MRSA and VRE protection (the yellow kind typically) are NOT approved for OR level filtration. Do NOT wear those in the OR.

Sterility Rules:

• The standard rule: if it's blue, don't touch it. Everything blue is sterile. Don't even reach over any sterile field for any reason (i've had this happen a couple of times, when a student pointed to something on the table and pointed OVER the field, and i wound up asking her to leave the room as a result, i could not risk a break in sterility. NO NO NO.) . If you have any questions about what is sterile, assume it IS sterile and treat it as such until you can ask about it.
• Clear plastic in the OR is also sterile.

Radiation Protection:

• You need to wear lead aprons and thyroid shields when observing OR cases with X-ray. While wearing the lead aprons, never turn your back to the X-ray machine. If no lead is available for you (which is typical on heavy case days), step out of the room during the X-raying, or stand behind someone who's wearing lead.

Misc. Rules:

• Eat a good breakfast that morning. I don't mean an energy bar, i mean eggs, sausage, OJ and toast.
• Don't lock your knees while watching. Step around a little bit, even if you don't have much room to move.
• If you feel weak, step out. If you're in a total joint room and aren't "allowed" to leave, at least sit down. And if you are allowed to leave a TJ room, chances are you can't come back in, because of infection control.
• If the smell is overwhelming (and there's a high possibility of this), bring alcohol swabs with you. Poke one inside of your mask when needed. VapoRub inside of the mask has the same effect, but the alcohol swabs are everywhere.
• Always ask the permission of the pt., nurse, and doctor before going in the room. Do not just assume that you're allowed. Pt. privacy is always respected, first and foremost. The circulator is the pt. advocate. Always check with the nurse before interacting with the pt.
• Ask the pt.'s nurse, then the pt. before looking at the pt.'s chart. To do so w/o permission could get you in a position where you will be asked to leave the room, and quite possibly the unit, for privacy violate (seen it happen more than once).
• When talking to the pt., try to talk to them in a lowered voice. Privacy, again.
• Do not take offense if the doctors don't talk to you. They are concentrating on the situation at hand.
• On the other hand, there are plenty that DO like to teach.
• If you're taking notes on anything, refrain from using pt. name, or MR number. Identify your pt. as, for example "56 y.o M h/o yadayada. It's actually best if you leave ALL names off your paperwork.
• I don't suggest asking anesthesia questions until AFTER the pt. is intubated, the tube is secured and connected to the circuit, the anesthesiologist isn't touching the pt., and/or they have sat down in their chair. And ask if it's OK to ask questions about what they did/are doing. Don't just assume it's ok to do.
• Also, before asking the surgeon any case-related questions before, during, or after the case, ask them if it IS ok to ask questions.
• Chances are, when you're in a room, you have NO idea where to stand to watch. We don't even know where you should stand till the pt. is draped and everything is arranged. The safest bet is to stand up against the wall out of the way, and wait. Chances are, the circulator will point out a good place to stand.
• OR staff will typically not talk to you during a case. We're trying to listen to what the surgeon says, and it's hard to hear a mumbling doctor when we're talking and listening to someone else.
• A quick way to insult and alienate OR staff (tech or nurse, doesn't matter) is asking if they are a "gopher".
• Assume that anything laying on the floor is filthy and dirty. If you touch anything that might have touched the pt., go wash your hands with soap and water. If the nurse tells you to wash your hands, do it. They're telling you to do so for your own safety (ex. we dropped a sponge on the floor, student picked it up, i immediately told her to wash her hands in a quiet voice, then told her why).
• Never forget HIPAA! You may be required to sign an agreement for privacy before you are allowed to observe.

If i think of anything else, i'll add it on this post.:hatparty:

I think it was missing the http part


http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/Health/story?id=1529546

That link's working, i just tested it.

Let's see, a nurse that looks up, sees her pt.'s call light go off, goes back to cutting out coupons, but when i come out of that room after answering the light, she says "oh sorry i didn't see it". Yeah, right, i'd almost buy that but i saw you look up at it three times, then look up the hall to see if i were coming down the hall. (and yes, i realize that there are those that legitimately did not see the light going off).

The whole "who's a real nurse" arguement where the LPN, Diploma, ADN, BSN degrees are concerned. Find something better to get on a high horse about, please.

The "nurses eat their young" phrase. Man, i'm REALLY tired of hearing/reading that one!

"That's not my pt." when the pt. is crying from chest pains and has a HR of 164 bpm.

"I need to get my aide" when someone's pt. is dirty, and the aide is a floor float for 34 other pts. And they have no inention of helping the aide.


Nurses who think that that anyone (housekeepers, aides, LPNs, maintenance people) that is not up to their educational level is beneath their dignity, and treats them that way (thinking of one in particular now who does that).

Students who got into nursing for the sake of finding a doctor to marry.

The mixing meds thing has bothered me since i read it. I mean, what meds, what are the effects, compatabilities, etc.? I do not believe anyone should be mixing meds or messing with meds unless they have the knowledge of what they're mixing, drawing up, etc.

(And ideally, that person should always be a nurse.)

Money doesn't mean squat when it comes to pt. safety, and people being within their scope.

Grabbed off of the street Come ON!

If i were an RN, i would want another RN to teach/precept me. OF all people they would be able to train me according to my scope of RN practice.

This reeks of self-entitlement.

Yes it is. Check your state laws, and your facilities polies, you'll see the difference.

Experience is one thing, reality is another. You're not RN, no matter how many years you've done your job, and there are certain things in an OR that only an RN can do.

Or staff that is doing things they should not be doing (like being a non-RN circulator)

Gum stuck in long blond (bleached) hair. The doctor wrote a recommendation on an order sheet to a cosmetologist.

Man, by that definition, disturbed energy field could apply to anyone.