traumaRUs MSN, APRN

Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU

Trauma Columnist

About traumaRUs

traumaRUs has 32 years experience as a MSN, APRN and specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.


I have a total of 31+ years of nursing experience; including 10 years as an RN in a level one trauma center ED. Now, I'm an experienced (17+ years) nephrology APRN. In my spare time, I volunteer on my rural fire department as a licensed Pre-Hospital RN. I'm also a proud USN veteran. 

Latest Activity

  1. traumaRUs

    Foley Catheter Use After Kidney Transplant

    Probably due to obstructive uropathy or neurogenic bladder. Some renal transplant pts can still develop obstructive uropathy and not be able to void on their own. However, its very important that they stay well hydrated and so of course they need to ...
  2. traumaRUs

    Paramedics Criminally Charged/Convicted

    I'm on a volunteer Fire/EMS dept. I run ALS calls and tonight I had to restock narcs. We do use ketamine for chemical restraint. That said, this is a rural dept that covers a lot of area and we do NOT transport. We have a protocol for chemical restra...
  3. traumaRUs

    Calculating the Worth of the NP assignment

    I don't work in a hospital, but rather for a large private practice nephrology group. Does the hospital or practice unit measure the NP's productivity? Yes, very closely. We bill for office visits under our names. We code the visits manually. ...
  4. traumaRUs

    The Working Poor-Nurses

    My nursing salary is very generous and we would be able to easily survive on it alone. However, I went back to school at 48 and while working full time got an advanced degree. My RN salary was a great second income but we would have had to cut back o...
  5. traumaRUs

    Retired Nurses

    Well, I'm 65 and still working. Unsure about retirement at the moment - probably, maybe, not sure, really up in the air... I do think I would like to cont to work part-time only because when I was young and foolish somehow I thought I wasn't goi...
  6. traumaRUs

    Already Burnt out

    I'd contact a lawyer about getting out of that contract. Reeks of fraud with unnecessary and BILLED tests. Yike!
  7. traumaRUs

    Interview A Nurse: A School Project

    Ill try to help you out: 1. What is nursing for you? Nursing is a wonderful career. I've been a nurse for 30+ years. I enjoy helping people and as I'm very experienced, I enjoy it much more. 2. What are the roles of nurses based on your ex...
  8. traumaRUs

    CNS, an APRN role on life support?

    @txrnblue - what type of role are you in???
  9. traumaRUs

    New Reports on NP Compensation

    Yes, exactly - I get 18% of my base salary given to me for retirement which I can managed as I see fit. I also have free healthcare for myself and there is a bonus structure which adds another 5% to my salary
  10. traumaRUs

    Adult gerontology primary care NP

    Depends on what the nephrology practice wants you to do. I'm a nephrology APRN x17+ years. I work for a very large midwest practice. Productivity is the key. When I first started, our practice did require us to see hospitalized pts. However, as reim...
  11. traumaRUs

    Age Discrimination in Nursing

    Oh my goodness! 65 is NOT retirement age. I'm 65 and going strong. I've interviewed and been offered positions as recently as two years ago. Few of us can retire at 65 anymore. I'm personally disappointed in the above responses - ageism exist...
  12. traumaRUs

    Please Share Your PTO Accrual Rate

    Nephrology APRN for 17 years (same practice) - 12.31 hours every two weeks (80 hours). Cap 240
  13. traumaRUs

    Does peritonitis have to be drained?

    Ascites needs to be drained and yes it often recurs. If done sterilely the risk is minimal. I have pts with end stage liver disease that get a paracentesis weekly and some of my pts high weekly high volume (>10L) weekly.
  14. traumaRUs

    Insulin Before Dextrose or Vice Versa?

    Nephrology APRN here: 1. Calcium 2. Insulin and Glucose can be given at same time 3. Sodium bicarb 4. Kayexalate (if you have it - shortage med)
  15. traumaRUs

    NP Education Idea

    Thinking about your idea. Here are my thoughts: 1. What about those APRNs who have an MSN and have been practicing very safely for years? I've been in practice for >17 years and practice in an independent state - IL. The physicians I work wi...