Levitas BSN, RN

Levitas has 5 years experience as a BSN, RN.

Latest Activity

1. 

   'Marking' for IV sticks, safe?

   Levitas replied to Levitas's topic in Med-Surg

   I ended up buying a pretty powerful/compact LED flashlight that has white, and red LED's. It works great! I used it today on a patient with no palpable, or visible (beyond the flashlight) veins, and successfully started her IV. I'm beyond thrilled :)
2. 

   'Marking' for IV sticks, safe?

   Levitas replied to Levitas's topic in Med-Surg

   Lol. Don't worry, I've got thick skin. The idea of using the light/markings is towards those who are difficult sticks. I've only 18 months experience, but I'm pretty proficient at starting IV's. When someone needs an IV, I'm usually first up to vol...
3. 

   'Marking' for IV sticks, safe?

   Levitas posted a topic in Med-Surg

   I've been reviewing different vein finding products this morning, and it seems the cheapest route would be a red LED flashlight. The problem with them is, they work better in lower light settings. So you can see the vessel well enough in the dark, bu...
4. 

   Any tips for a new med surg nurse?

   Levitas replied to Sara-Allison's topic in Med-Surg

   It seems like most of which you wish to learn more about will come simply from experience. Am I correct in assuming that you haven't had orientation yet? If so, you'll likely be paired up with a preceptor, and it's their job to show you the ropes. T...
5. 

   How to give IVP into a primary line with incompatible medications?

   Levitas replied to Sara-Allison's topic in Med-Surg

   If I am ever unsure of what is, or isn't compatible, I simply call the Pharmacist. If they're unavailable, I look it up. As others of said, you'll eventually start to memorize what is, and isn't compatible. But until then, use your resources, that's...
6. 

   Med Surg Expierence vs ADON Oppourtunity

   Levitas replied to RNGARCIA's topic in Med-Surg

   I've seen fellow nurses struggle with similar situations. When asked what do to, I always ask them, which decision would you regret less? Will you, a couple of years from now, regret it more if you didn't take the Med-Surg chance? Or would it pain y...
7. 

   CMSRN in December

   Levitas replied to ViolinTreble's topic in Med-Surg

   Couple of questions: I know that you need to be in Med-Surg for at least 2 years before taking the test. It doesn't matter that 3 months of those 2 years were orientation, right? Meaning, if I started a Med-Surg job on March 5th, 2 years later on Ma...
8. 

   One Year on M/S In the Books

   Levitas replied to Laurus Nobilis's topic in Med-Surg

   I'm willing to wager that a great deal of your experience this last year has indeed stuck, more so than you might realize. I imagine you know medication a great deal more, organization, stress management, the ability to correlate care between all as...
9. 

   New Nurse on Med Surg Floor

   Levitas replied to nurseofdragons's topic in Med-Surg

   As many of mentioned, this type of anxiety associated with our position is quite common, especially if you're still relatively new. I've been in Med/Surg for about 18 months now, and though my anxiety levels are no where near as high as when I first...
10. 

    Watching my friends leave :( Question about future.

    Levitas posted a topic in Med-Surg

    I've been working at my hospital for over a year now. It was great when I started, because there were so many people I went to school with working there as well! Our hospital and school are linked financially, so they tend to hire new grads from our ...
11. 

    Careplan for acute abdomen perfusion

    Levitas replied to lnxyourxeyez's topic in Med-Surg

    There are always the basics that will likely apply to most patients. Risk of Injury Knowledge Deficit Ability to return to previous living arrangements Some others that could apply to your patient: Infection Risk of infection Nutritional deficit Al...
12. 

    2 Job offers in 1 day

    Levitas replied to lulusmom's topic in Med-Surg

    If you really wanted to do correctional nursing, then go for it. However, I see an advantage of taking the Med/Surg position, and that is, if you didn't like it as much as you originally thought, there (might) be the possibility of transferring to a ...
13. 

    T-shirts about being SuperHuman an Angel or "sedate stupid

    Levitas replied to qestout's topic in Med-Surg

    Nurse glorifying, and nurse cynicism, neither bother me really. Honestly, I think we've earned a bit of glorifying. The idea that what we do every day is thanks enough really is fine with me, but working day to day in a relatively thank-less job, I ...
14. 

    Is change a BAD thing? (MS nurses doing vitals)

    Levitas replied to ClaraRedheart's topic in Med-Surg

    ^^ What should be, and what usually is, varies in almost every environment :) I don't have a problem getting vitals, I just don't like waking up the patient. And the charting, mang. Nurses usually chart their ADL's every other hour, and the techs in...
15. 

    Is change a BAD thing? (MS nurses doing vitals)

    Levitas replied to ClaraRedheart's topic in Med-Surg

    If I'm doing primary care, yes. If we have a PCT on the floor, I still wait for my vitals to pass meds... Unless they only have something like Protonix, or Insulin. But pain meds, cardiac meds, etc., definitely. In fact, we had to primary 5 patients...