Spiker ASN, RN, EMT-P

Spiker has 48 years experience as a ASN, RN, EMT-P and specializes in OR 35 years; crosstrained ER/ICU/PACU.

Latest Activity

1. 

   Crusty Old Bats

   Spiker replied to Been there,done that's topic in General Nursing

   Yes! I remember that formula! I always had a pad in my pocket to do bedside calculations.... Then I bought a watch that had a calculator below the dial! You just had to use a pen cap to push the tiny buttons! As for pharmacology classes now - I t...
2. 

   Crusty Old Bats

   Spiker replied to Been there,done that's topic in General Nursing

   LOL! The most we used after I graduated college in the late 70's was grains: Morphine & ASA were grains, as you say, the "old" docs used it😊😄
3. 

   Crusty Old Bats

   Spiker replied to Been there,done that's topic in General Nursing

   Does anyone else remember minims, drams, grains, gtts, etc?? 😄
4. 

   Crusty Old Bats

   Spiker replied to Been there,done that's topic in General Nursing

   Right!! After using butterflies to start IV's, angiocaths took a few tries to get used to!
5. 

   Twelve Hour Nights or M-F

   Spiker replied to Lynn1230's topic in General Nursing

   As an OR RN at a Regional Medical Center in NY, I worked 3-11, M-F. We were also on 11-7 call once weekly, & a full 24hr weekend call every 6 weeks. When hubby had an opportunity to move to Albany for his job as a Neuropsychologist, off we went...
6. 

   Blood on Shoes

   Spiker replied to nathalie chavez's topic in General Nursing

   As an OR RN, I wear solid clogs (Merrell's are my favorites) that I can quickly & easily wipe down. If you're worried about stains & germs, sneakers are the worst shoes to wear, being permeable. And we leave our work shoes at work, so they ...
7. 

   The Collapsing Healthcare System in the US

   Spiker replied to KalipsoRed21's topic in General Nursing

   This is the state of healthcare, thanks to insurance companies who dictate our care, & big Pharma who charge outrages prices for meds. It's sad when we're operating, & a surgeon has to choose a lesser implant, repair method, fixation method,...
8. 

   Torn Between Two Hospitals as a New Grad

   Spiker replied to Erica Renee's topic in General Nursing

   I agree with all of my other well-experienced colleagues. It makes no sense to change where you work, especially if you'd barely be off Orientation. Be smart. Stay where you are, learn whatever else you can there; keep up with various online jour...
9. 

   Starting Out on a Medical-Surgical Floor

   Spiker replied to Jessica Carter's topic in Med-Surg

   I knew during my 6 weeks OR rotation in college (not just 1 day observing, as is common now)that I wanted to be an OR nurse. However, starting out as a new GN at a community hospital, I took the job I could, just to get my foot in the door. It was ...
10. 

    Positions With Most IV Start Experience

    Spiker replied to BeckyRN's topic in New Nurse

    Definitely Pre-Op or ER. I was an OR RN for most of my 40 years, & started a ton of IV’s there (evening shift - lots of trauma & acute/emergent patients needing extra IV access), as well as throughout the hospital. The Nursing Supervisor of...
11. 

    LPN Supervisor Would Not Let Me Call Doctor

    Spiker replied to Googlenurse's topic in General Nursing

    Key words: LPN, RN, didn’t “let” her call MD. First of all, I have never worked in a system that allows LPN’s to outrank RN’s! Of course, I’ve never worked anywhere except an acute care hospital, & only the 1st 5 (of 40) years on a surgical flo...
12. 

    Let's Put The Brakes On Drowsy Driving

    Spiker replied to spunkygirl1962's topic in General Nursing

    I started working 3-11PM back in 1980, on a Surgical floor, then moved to the OR in 1982. We took night call (11P-7A) once weekly, & 48-hr Sat-Sun call once every 6 weeks. My dear friend & neighbor was called back to surgery so many times, ...
13. 

    I got a counseling letter because I refused to help another staff member with her personal problems?

    Spiker replied to Convoy2022_TrumpSupporter's topic in General Nursing

    While I'm sure you were tired, had a stressful shift, & just wanted peace & quiet, I simply don't understand how saying a few kind words was beyond you. We're nurses, we should have each others' backs, even just for a few minutes! I wouldn'...
14. 

    Nurse Managers: Do you answer your phone on your days off even when not on call?

    Spiker replied to SilverBells's topic in General Nursing

    Is there a House Nursing Supervisor on duty for all shifts? That is usually the 1st call any of us would make, for immediate assistance! That's what THEY'RE paid for, to put out fires on duty, not you! It's admirable that you want to help your coll...
15. 

    What to do when Nurse is attacked and employer doesn't file police report?

    Spiker replied to Nurse Beth's topic in Nurse Beth

    I am so sorry this happened to you! Were you treated in the ER for your injuries? That would have gotten the ball rolling as far as reporting, both with a facility incident report, & the police report. Then worker's comp would be the next step....