daveintexas8

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1. Being Naked Where I Work: A Nurse With Cancer

   daveintexas8 replied to Ruby Vee's topic in Relations

   I would look at it like this...you know how we comfort patients and put them at ease by telling them "...aw, don't worry, we see this kind of thing all day long..." Which is the truth. If I were to go to my facility, I would be sure to have my own P...

2. Trach and secretions

   daveintexas8 replied to 703bird's topic in General Nursing

   Ughhh, trachs. My nemesis. I graduated almost 2 years ago, and work in one of the bigger hospitals in Dallas. I work on a very busy med-surg floor (I know, they are all busy, but ours can tend to turn into "ICU light"). My worst night was a coupl...

3. Where do you put your stethoscope?

   daveintexas8 replied to newbiepnp's topic in General Students

   Neck during start of shift when I'm assessing, then usually at my computer station, where I can grab it if I need it. I probably wear it around my neck half of the shift. It isn't unprofessional. It makes you look like you are working! When I fir...

4. Sharing your survival tips--How do you prepare each semester?

   daveintexas8 replied to Despareux's topic in General Students

   I would recommend that in your time off, it really helps to review skills you're likely to use when you start. Just practice and recite the steps of simple things like IV starts, foley placements, assessments, etc. Pretty basic skills that really b...

5. How much do Nurses really make?

   daveintexas8 replied to GtownhoyasDC's topic in Georgia

   $24.50 to start at my place. I was happy to get it! Texas has no income tax, too. So not bad. I think my place pays a little better, but I think it's around $20-$25 at other hospitals in town.

6. Nursing Diagnoses: Useless Statements secondary to Professional Insecurity

   daveintexas8 replied to Fribblet's topic in Professionalism

   With all due respect to the late Daytonite (who on this site helped MANY students, myself included, get a grasp of care plans) I say this... The care plans are a complete waste of time. I graduated in December, and have been out of orientation and o...

7. Help with Care Plans

   daveintexas8 replied to rn/writer's topic in General Students

   That would be a separate diagnosis. Such as... Risk for aspiration related to impaired swallowing secondary to oral inflammation (or whatever) Impaired swallowing... Acute pain or chronic pain...

8. Help with Care Plans

   daveintexas8 replied to rn/writer's topic in General Students

   I might go with: Impaired Oral Mucosa R/T Infection, Secondary to Herpes Simplex (cold sore), A.E.B. severe swelling and purulent drainage. I don't have a current NANDA list, so if Impaired Oral Mucosa isn't a current Dx, you could use Impaired Skin ...

9. How much orientation did you get for new job?

   daveintexas8 replied to Lola77's topic in General Nursing

   Not enough.

10. Dec '09 Grads, raise your hands!

    daveintexas8 replied to Bobbkat's topic in New Nurse

    Graduated with my ADN RN. NCLEX in a week. I was very lucky to get a job on the General Surgery floor I was precepted on in my last semester. A couple of good patient comments made the difference, I'm sure. I start orientation on the 18th. Thanks to...

11. Intervention to a patient with a hip fracture

    daveintexas8 replied to mmgaff22's topic in Student Assist

    OK. I'm just a student still, but I'm 3 semesters in, so here's where I'd start: You always start with ABCs. I am curious though, how the book would list the interventions, as I would consider the O2 sat % to be done with vitals. I guess technically,...

12. Care Plans - What's their purpose? - What do you think of them?

    daveintexas8 replied to jjjoy's topic in General Students

    i have thought about this quite a bit since my last posting, and i want to refine my position on the issue. it's the nanda diagnoses that i am unhappy with. i always say that i understand the point of the care plans, and what i mean by that is that...

13. Care Plans - What's their purpose? - What do you think of them?

    daveintexas8 replied to jjjoy's topic in General Students

    Daytonite, I am always happy for the help, and I have on more than one occasion thanked you specifically for the VAST amount of help you provide here. I knew that my post would bring a response from you. I am very new to the profession (not even act...

14. Care Plans - What's their purpose? - What do you think of them?

    daveintexas8 replied to jjjoy's topic in General Students

    Ugh. I turned this semester's major nursing care plan today (which makes it my 3rd major). It's such a beat down! Like I've said before, it does help in the beginning, but with only a semester left before graduating, it's just time that would be bett...

15. Has anyone failed a semester in nursing school?

    daveintexas8 replied to RN2o1o's topic in General Students

    I came within .1 point of failing 2nd semester. I was freaking out. I learned my lesson, too. My original class of 50 is down to about 20 by the end of 3rd semester, for various academic and other reasons. There are, however, a number of students...