riverwink

riverwink specializes in ICU, Hospice.

Latest Activity

1. ICU visiting hours.. What is reasonable?

   riverwink replied to TigerGalLE's topic in MICU

   I found having open 24/7 visiting hours to be helpful to both immediate family and pts. I have worked both day and night shifts. If you take the time to genuinely teach the families what the monitors mean and when to be worried, they actually relax...

2. CPAP: Use It And Live

   riverwink replied to Ruby Vee's topic in Critical

   My husband and I each wear a CPAP. We invested in a small generator. Runs the refrigerator and our CPAPs. Considered the small travel models with built in batteries but decided we may not have them charged when we need them. :)

3. Should I do CNA or LPN before I go into the ADN prgram?!

   riverwink replied to Skylarslaughter's topic in Pre-Nursing

   I agree getting your CNA and working on weekends while you are getting a ADN is a good plan. However, I highly recommend staying at home while getting your ADN. You will have tons of homework once you are accepted into the nursing program and will ...

4. Lutheran School Nursing

   riverwink replied to carlarenee02's topic in Missouri

   Nikky, I recommend you apply to more than one program since it is going to take so long to find out if you are accepted. Lutheran's program is excellent, but it is always better to have additional options.

5. Difference between travel and agency??

   riverwink replied to nursern20's topic in Agency

   And Also Missouri 6/1/2010

6. Thanks for ruining my holiday ....

   riverwink replied to Peeker19's topic in New Nurse

   Excellent advise from all. Sometimes what seems like your dream job is just not where you are meant to be...at this time. Blow off the losers and move on, have an awesome holiday!

7. In need of some feedback

   riverwink replied to Hospice Nurse LPN's topic in Hospice

   I feel your pain...been there. However, what I instituted was having the family purchase a locked box, such as for money. I would fill the drug box for a week, then lock up the rest. That way you leave the drugs in the home and take the key. The ...

8. How much experience should I get before getting into Hospice?

   riverwink replied to AddieRN's topic in Hospice

   I love Hospice nursing. I know you CAN get directly into hospice, but I agree with many of the other people that you should have a minimum of 1-2 years experience. Personally I had 3 years ICU experience and thank my lucky stars for it. Best wishe...

9. No, He CAN'T Wait Another 6 Hours for the Med

   riverwink replied to rngolfer53's topic in Hospice

   Our company has a pharmacy we use that provides 24/7 coverage for meds. Since we are paying for these meds, our point is that we use the pharmacy we want...not the facility pharmacy. The list of meds we pay for are clear and when we receive an orde...

10. Greetings... Hospice Nurse Falling Apart

    riverwink replied to grbrico's topic in Hospice

    Holy cow and I thought I had it bad. 12-14 pts. a day is enough to make anyone crazy! That is sooo dangerous. Glad to hear you carry extra insurance and that the work load has become more sane. I see between 5 - 7 (on a bad day) in a rural area.....

11. Any Lutheran School students or future students outthere

    riverwink replied to carlarenee02's topic in Missouri

    Yes, I felt very prepared dt the amount of time we spend on the floor in hospitals. Like you I choose LSN because of this fact and was happy I did so. I have seen many nurses start with a 4 year degree who have the book knowledge but not the practi...

12. Any Lutheran School students or future students outthere

    riverwink replied to carlarenee02's topic in Missouri

    I grad. from LSN Nov, 2005. I live in St Clair, MO and traveled to LSN via Hwy 44. I highly recommend you plan to drive each day in your own car. Get off at Jefferson and go straight until you get to the school (Miami & Jefferson). Go home th...

13. Lutheran school students or former grads...?

    riverwink replied to dblpn's topic in Missouri

    I graduated from LSN November, 2005. You take one class at a time. It is very intense but doable. Many of the bridge students had a difficult time in my class because they did not devote 5 - 6 hours a day to study...thinking they already knew this...

14. How Hard Is It To Get In TO Hospice Nursing?

    riverwink replied to bonnie west's topic in Hospice

    Bonnie I worked as an ICU nurse for 3 years before becoming a hospice nurse. I hated waiting because hospice is where my heart is. I really don't feel 10 months experience is quite enough. Try to get at least 1 1/2 years of ICU behind you as it re...

15. New RN

    riverwink replied to NurseMarla's topic in Hospice

    I spent 3 years in ICU as a new RN before going to Hospice, and it has been valuable. But I also feel that the med-surg floor would be a good choice. My heart was in hospice when I graduated in 2005 but the hospital experience is very valuable. Go...