clarkheart

clarkheart specializes in Cardiovascular.

Latest Activity

1. Should I try HD?

   clarkheart posted a topic in Urology

   I have been looking at switching specialties from critical care to dialysis. What do you all find are the advantages/disadvantages? I am CRRT certified from critical care. I am interested in either clinic or acute care.

2. Specialty Poll for male nurses

   clarkheart replied to DatMurse's topic in Men

   I've done a little bit of everything: Med Surg, CVICU, CVOR, Cath Lab, and Quality and Risk Management. Currently a Clinical Coordinator on a Cardiac Telemetry unit.

3. Riddle me this Batman?

   clarkheart replied to hppygr8ful's topic in General Nursing

   Probably costs even less in Mexico. If they can charge it and you pay it then they will continue to gouge you. Not just drugs though..I still want to know why I have to pay $35.00 for ten disposable razor blades when they make them for literally pen...

4. Problems with nursing profession and why I want to quit

   clarkheart replied to bravewarrior1's topic in General Nursing

   The great thing about that nursing degree is it opens other opportunities if you want. If you are fed up with bedside care then use your clinical knowledge in other areas in healthcare such as quality, case management, risk management, informatics, ...

5. Hiring Mgr: We will let you know in 2 weeks

   clarkheart replied to chaki's topic in General Nursing

   I would continue to look for other positions if you want. Keep your options open. There is nothing wrong about continuing your search while they are continuing theirs.

6. What is your opinion on calling in "sick"

   clarkheart replied to Goofaroo's topic in General Nursing

   You need to find a new job. Life is too short to put yourself through torture every day you work. I have been there myself and left positions that became too stressful. Nothing is worth compromising your physical and mental health. I bet the momen...

7. Cath Lab

   clarkheart replied to owen1234's topic in Career Support

   I was a circulating RN in a CVOR for over two years and pulling up to 25 days a month on call. Then I went to the Cath Lab and pulled about 12 days a month and I thought I was in heaven! I now work in Quality/Risk Management for the last three years...

8. Is anyone else's ICU more like LTAC?

   clarkheart replied to ICUchick's topic in Critical

   I think one of the issues that we need to discuss is how the physicians discuss the care of these patients with the families. There are times when the most dignified care these patients could receive is to allow nature to take it's course. I don't ...

9. Emergency Titration Protocol ?

   clarkheart replied to Kimmy_RN's topic in CCU

   Our hospital got called out by The Joint Commission before and accused us of "practicing medicine" (they like to use that term) when our electrolyte protocols weren't "tight" enough. They didn't like that our protocol allowed us to continue to repla...

10. Could anyone help me better understand this code ?

    clarkheart replied to neurontin's topic in CCU

    First question I have is whether the patient is stable or not. Patients with wide complexes can be stable. If patient is unstable and complex wide then CPR then defib. The AICD may be set to trigger at higher rates then just 112 regardless of the ...

11. Quality Improvement Specialist (Nurse)

    clarkheart replied to madwife2002's topic in Quality Improvement

    Thank you for the information. I am looking into crossing over into Quality after being in patient care for 20 years. Any advice of making this a smooth transition would be greatly appreciated.

12. CVP & PEEP Relationship - help!

    clarkheart replied to Fluidified's topic in Critical

    I've been told by Intensivists that any PEEP over 5 will artificially give CVP readings on a one to one ratio. Example--PEEP of 8 will artificially raise the CVP 3 points. I've always been told to keep that in mind when accessing volume requirement...

13. New grad starting in CVICU soon! Any pointers?

    clarkheart replied to JessRNBSN's topic in CCU

    Always have a notebook or paper available to write down notes or thoughts when they come to you. Then review them later and expand on them if you can. I ended up creating my own notebook that I still keep at my workstation and I will add to it even...

14. EKG lead reversals?

    clarkheart replied to e71x's topic in CCU

    Never take the ECG machine interpretation as the final word. I have seen too many wrong explanations through the years from a machine. Trust the MD's interpretation first.

15. Interview in 2 days! Need help please!

    clarkheart replied to jrsRN07's topic in CCU

    They may give you clinical scenarios that will require a knowledge of ECG interpretation or basic knowledge of pharmacology such as what drugs to use in what clinical situation or rhythm. Been a CVICU nurse for over 12 years and had an interview for ...