KnitWitch ASN, RN

KnitWitch has 3 years experience as a ASN, RN and specializes in Emergency/Trauma.

Latest Activity

1. 

   IVP vs Drip

   KnitWitch replied to Matt8700's topic in Emergency

   You only have to give someone the Reglan crazies once and I promise you, after that it will always go in a 50ml IVPB to hang. Also, my chronic narc seekers and frequent fliers, your dilaudid/benadryl cocktail has been added to your 1000ml NSS infus...
2. 

   ED techs to start IVs?

   KnitWitch replied to montecarlo64's topic in Emergency

   Our ED techs can perform straight sticks for labs/cultures, but can't start IVs for whatever policy reason. Some of our techs are amazing at the straight sticks, and if I have a particularly hard stick I'll ask them to help me find a tiny something ...
3. 

   IV forms of Zofran and Decadron given PO???

   KnitWitch replied to GleeGum's topic in Emergency

   In the height of croup season I'm giving IV decadron PO more or less every night. I check with parent/caregiver to make sure the kid likes apple juice, draw up and have my decadron double checked, fill the last of the syringe with apple juice and th...
4. 

   How long was your initial orientation to the ER?

   KnitWitch replied to WannaBNursey's topic in Emergency

   I got six months in my new grad ED program and about half of that of that was classroom (to be fair even the experience nurses had to endure the classroom portion -- good info but a LOT of it in large chunks). When I took a new job closer to home I ...
5. 

   Epic Charting System

   KnitWitch replied to mbutler14's topic in Emergency

   I was very pleased with the ease of EPIC vs. PulseCheck at my last hospital. Some of my change-resistant coworkers had nothing good to say, but I thought EPIC made much more sense from a continuity of care perspective than having multiple different ...
6. 

   What was the MOST ridiculous thing a patient came to the ER for?

   KnitWitch replied to JUSTYSMOM's topic in Emergency

   I just love when I see 'PAIN OTHER' as the CC, because it's either going to be really good ("I have a ben-wa ball in my vagina and it's pinching but I can't get it out," "I think I broke my penis," etc.) or a complete waste of my time ("I just don't ...
7. 

   HELP! New ED RN Off of Orientation Soon

   KnitWitch replied to meghanlyn's topic in Emergency

   Stick it out. I graduated in Dec. '11, passed my boards in Feb '12, started my first ED job in Sept. '12, and transferred to a different ED (for commuting reasons) in Oct. '13. I have spent A LOT of time being the New Kid. In a lot of ways I am s...
8. 

   Surviving my first RN job

   KnitWitch replied to panda025's topic in New Nurse

   You, my friend, unfortunately seem to be stuck in a "nurses eating their young" scenario. This is both unfortunate and frustrating. In my experience there are two things you can do. 1) Try to suss out why the experienced nurses feel threatened by o...
9. 

   Is it too much?

   KnitWitch replied to Jinx322's topic in New Nurse

   Nope. As long as you have a strong resume and cover letter to back up your enthusiasm you can never apply for too many jobs. If/when you're called to interview, do make sure you have a strong focus on what you want as a nurse and what you bring to t...
10. 

    When it rains, it pours. Job decisions.

    KnitWitch replied to elizabethmeiereRN's topic in New Nurse

    OR RN job, no contest. Working as an OR RN (even in a surgical center as opposed to a hospital) will be a better knowledge base and learning experience than an Epic implementation tech. Trust me. You can take that OR experience (try to get at least...
11. 

    Sepsis + Antibiotics = Severe Hypotension?

    KnitWitch replied to 1fastRN's topic in Emergency

    I kind of want to put this on a post-it and stick it in our fishbowl. Or maybe just tattoo is on my hand so I can easily flash it to the doc the next time we get someone who is hypotensive, tachycardic and basically septic or heading that way. 5 b...
12. 

    Is 1-year ED experience enough to apply elsewhere?

    KnitWitch replied to RunawayN's topic in Emergency

    One year is sort of the golden rule of thumb. Emergency nursing looks especially good on your resume because you're expected to deal with a variety of things and be flexible. I'd suggest polishing up your resume and floating some applications out t...
13. 

    How long did it take you to master inserting an IV?

    KnitWitch replied to RunawayN's topic in Emergency

    Oh man, this question hits so close to home right now. I have a year of experience in the ED, and I still dread having to drop a line in someone. Don't get me wrong -- I will never refuse to TRY, but more times than I'm happy about I try to sticks ...
14. 

    Best snack food

    KnitWitch replied to thelema13's topic in Emergency

    Granola-type bars, nuts, apples with peanut butter or caramel, cheese and pepperoni, hummus with pita chips, potato chips, doritos, m&ms... I try to bring a variety of shelf-stable stuff and stash it at the desk so when I get hungry I can grab w...
15. 

    Emergency Room Skills

    KnitWitch replied to Nursepreneur's topic in Emergency

    As long as a patient is in possession of at least some of their mental faculties (e.g. not post-ictal, in the throes of a mental health crisis or suffering from dementia) I can make peace and negotiate with just about anyone. ******-off narc seekers...