punkdmm BSN, RN

punkdmm has 24 years experience as a BSN, RN and specializes in Geriatrics.

Latest Activity

1. 

   Staffing Shortages

   punkdmm replied to LTCRN4LIFE's topic in Geriatric

   We are using multiple agencies to fill holes in staffing. The few aides we have left of our own staff are slowly trickling out for higher pay. When the bulk of our aides left we did have some LPN’s willing to work as aides but it wasn’t required. But...
2. 

   Ohio University FNP starting in fall 2020

   punkdmm replied to punkdmm's topic in NP Students

   Yes. The interview wasn’t too bad. Pretty easy to answer questions. I was nervous but it was a pretty smooth conversation. It only lasted 15 minutes or less, I think, so it was over quick!
3. 

   Ohio University FNP starting in fall 2020

   punkdmm replied to punkdmm's topic in NP Students

   CONGRATS! I had considered going that route since I intend to continue to work in geriatrics, but opted for FNP just to keep my options open.
4. 

   Ohio University FNP starting in fall 2020

   punkdmm replied to punkdmm's topic in NP Students

   Fingers crossed! ? Let me know!
5. 

   Ohio University FNP starting in fall 2020

   punkdmm posted a topic in NP Students

   Any advice on program? Haven't really been able to find any old threads of those in the program to get any idea what it's like. Have been accepted and am excited to get started! Wondering how difficult it has been to find preceptors and how much mor...
6. 

   Crushing Oral Medications...New Regulation

   punkdmm replied to ltcnurse4u's topic in Geriatric

   What type of assessment are you all using to qualify residents to get meds crushed and cocktailed? I'm being told the IDT has to eval and make recommendations in addition to the Dr order.
7. 

   Infection Preventionist

   punkdmm replied to CapeCodMermaid's topic in Geriatric

   I took the NIPP infection preventionist course. It was some old info with a few new pieces sprinkled in :) Not sure our line list satisfies the regs...fingers crossed!
8. 

   Skills/Competencies

   punkdmm posted a topic in LTC Directors

   How do you go about doing skills competencies? I do not have an education room or a "dummy" to use. I used a stuffed animal the last time. I basically put the stuffed animal on the conference room table and had nurses review catheter insertion and ai...
9. 

   Laundry Bins

   punkdmm replied to CapeCodMermaid's topic in LTC Directors

   We have not allowed trash/linen carts in the hallways for years. They must be kept in the soiled utility room. I think partly infection control and part so that they wouldn't be considered "stored" in the hallway.
10. 

    Urine Strips

    punkdmm replied to punkdmm's topic in LTC Directors

    That is our practice as well. They're used as more of an indicator that it needs to be sent to the lab for analysis.
11. 

    Urine Strips

    punkdmm posted a topic in LTC Directors

    Does your facility require daily control testing of open bottles of UA strips? Our old manufacturer recommended them but we are having trouble finding control solution through our new provider although the product insert states it should be done. Our...
12. 

    Catheter Policy

    punkdmm posted a topic in Geriatric

    I am working on a new policy for indwelling catheters because the one we have in place is from 1998...what are the most important points to have in place? Any certain verbage to add/avoid? Of course it has to be placed only for the appropriate, docum...
13. 

    Recruiting new CNA's

    punkdmm replied to RN&mom's topic in LTC Directors

    We are having the same problem and have tried most of the ideas here...but I don't believe we have done a direct mailing. What types of information did you include in this? And did you just gather names/addresses from the nurse aide registry?
14. 

    Nurse Aide retention/recruitment

    punkdmm posted a topic in General Nursing

    I work in LTC and we, like most other facilities, are experiencing a shortage of nurse aides. I am looking for suggestions for how to get them in the door and how to keep the ones we have. We have ads in the paper, and job offers on web sites; going ...
15. 

    Do you aspirate before giving an IM deltoid injection?

    punkdmm replied to seasalt1023's topic in Medications

    http://www.nnpnetwork.org/Uploads/EBP%20aspiration%20poster%209%2025%2012%20for%20iowa%20.pdf The saga continues...I was taught only to aspirate for IM, but it never made any sense to me. Seemed like I would be damaging tissue or vessels by doing thi...