CoolhandHutch MSN, RN

CoolhandHutch has 20 years experience as a MSN, RN and specializes in ER, OR, Cardiac ICU.

Latest Activity

1. Er nurses worked in OR before, think that if you like OR, you..

   CoolhandHutch replied to lilarox's topic in Emergency

   Two completely different mindsets. The OR is very linear and controlled. The ED is very ADD. After having done both, I'm very much the latter.

2. Undiagnosed A Fib w/ RVR Medication?

   CoolhandHutch replied to SweetMelissaRN's topic in Emergency

   In the ED, there seems to be a favor of rate control over rhythm control for AFib, hence the use of cardizem. Plus, you mentioned your patient having symptoms for a week- it's possible he has been in afib that long and you wouldn't want to convert hi...

3. ACNP vs FNP: My Summarization of the Great Debate

   CoolhandHutch replied to rauscht's topic in Advanced

   The major issue is not the setting but acuity of the patient. Do primary care/family MDs only practice in the clinic? No, they see patients in the hospital. Do they see patients in the ICU? Typically no. Point is, the consensus model provides that yo...

4. Are online ANP degrees destroying our credibility?

   CoolhandHutch replied to jilljw's topic in NP Students

   I did my RN-BSN completion through an online program and currently I am doing my ACNP through a "traditional" program. A few thoughts about this whole thing: Being an online/distant educated student requires, IMHO, a higher level of organization and ...

5. DNP

   CoolhandHutch replied to repsol05's topic in NP Students

   Much like the "Recommended Education for Entry into Nursing Practice" is the BSN, the same goes for the DNP. Now, how long have we being hearing about the BSN? Today, there are many hospitals that are driving this change (BSN as education requirement...

6. What are you really good at?

   CoolhandHutch replied to proud nurse's topic in New Nurse

   I'm good at making VERY realistic poop from a combination of wet toilet paper and a few drops of betadine. Drop it in a bed pan and leave it at the nurses station....not very professional but it's what I'm good at :)

7. New Grad Starting in ED - Advice on Good Assessments

   CoolhandHutch replied to ecf1972's topic in Emergency

   The hardest part about assessing patients in the ED is trying to figure out what to do with those that have very vague complaints...and making sure they are not ominous. For example, a 20 year female that states "I just don't feel good. I threw up on...

8. Doctors disrespect Male nurses.

   CoolhandHutch replied to Jimmyjuice's topic in Men

   I would be more worried about the older, female nurses that resent/dislike/are irritated by/scared of male nurses. They're out there. Now, you are also going to run into male nurses that hate everyone. Or female nurses that only like male nurses that...

9. Jacksonville U or Chamberlain???

   CoolhandHutch replied to ProudNeWRN's topic in Online Learning

   I did the BSN completion program at JU and would not recommend it- they only "kinda" offer the gen eds- I had to go elsewhere to get stuff like humanities, international studies, and so on. It may have changed somewhat by now, I enrolled in 2004. How...

10. Torn between a Nursing or Nutrition degree because of my beliefs regarding medicine?

    CoolhandHutch replied to NenaRK's topic in Pre-Nursing

    If you think nursing is restrictive, wait until you start with your nutrition classes. There are some more progressive areas in nursing which might suit you but on the whole, it's Western medicine. I understand where you are, I feel somewhat the sam...

11. Placing IVs in shoulder, breast, upper chest

    CoolhandHutch replied to paphgrl's topic in General Nursing

    What's the hurry? Is your patient crumping? Then IO or EJ. For routine stuff, I've done upper arms up to the shoulder. Seen a boob done once, didn't really see the point. Occasionally would do feet in non-diabetics but that's getting phased out in mo...

12. Bored in the ER?

    CoolhandHutch replied to sapphire18's topic in Emergency

    The one thing you need to remember that when you get a patient into the ICU the "groundwork" is usually done...line, labs, tubed, drips. Usually. If you are really fortunate, you might even have a patient in a gown. Pants might be on still even thoug...

13. How to prepare for working in the ER

    CoolhandHutch replied to Jem-RN's topic in Emergency

14. Upfront payment for non emergent conditions

    CoolhandHutch replied to danggirl's topic in Emergency

    I have heard of some hospital systems doing this, Press Ganey be damned! There is typically more to it- kids under 12 or 16 are exempt, as are people over the age of 60- I can't remember the particulars but you get the idea. No one is going to miss t...

15. Enough is enough- taking back our profession

    CoolhandHutch replied to forrester's topic in Activism

    I have my pitchfork and torch, where we headed?