A message to new grads: NEVER....

MryRose · Feb 20, 2005

:balloons: I second this! As a newbie/student, I ALWAYS say this and then feel silly. One good substitution is, "I can see your busy, but I have a question about xyz..." Great tips everyone....gee it sure is quiet in here (she says in hopes of getting more replies to this tread :chuckle ).

I really like your tip, "I can see your busy....." ! Excellent! I too have a bad habit of apologizing for the interruption.

Thanks for the tip!

Hugs!

MaryRose

Brotherbob, BSN, RN · Feb 20, 2005

Never forget that A and B comes before C

NurseFirst · Feb 20, 2005

Hmmmm...well, I'm still a student (Class of May 2005!!) but I have a few:
Always take everything out of your pockets when accompanying patient to MRI...LOL. I was careful to remove all jewelry, watch, badges, and thought I had emptied my pockets. I quickly learned that I had forgotten a pair of scissors in my pants pocket when they flew out of my pants and attached themselves the MRI machine! Sigh.....

When I went to the MRI there they wouldn't let students accompany pts in just because of a past experience with a student who forgot their scissors...practically ruined their $1million+ machine. The MRI people did NOT find it funny, in the least...

I *did* ask why they couldn't put in one of those metal detectors at the entrance, however. Maybe the folks who sell MRI machines should offer it as an option, if they don't already :)

NurseFirst

Forcemaster · Feb 20, 2005

never forget that a and b comes before c

not always does a come before b or c... what if i told you i knew of a time when c can come before a..?

*turns into... :specs: super nerd nurse*

there is a growing amount of research into the cabc method of resuscitation.

what is this i hear a minority of you say (those who i havent sent to :zzzzz anyway)?

well traditional cpr starts, as we all know, with opening the airway, breathing, then circulation etc. our beloved abc of cpr right?

well what if i told you that (unless the person who is about to undergo cpr has been oxygen starved for any length of time i.e. in a smoke inhalation or carbon monoxide poisioning situation) there is oxygen already dissolved in the blood stream. this mean by starting with a single cycle of chest compressions, you can deliver that oxygen to the brain sooner and buy yourself some time (admittedly not much, but evey second counts right?), then pick up your airway and breathing and continuing the 'normal cycle' of cpr...

it's interesting stuff and of course, untill there is more evidence it is still a 'trial only' basis, so until then we shall put a before b and c

*turns back to normal:rolleyes: *

NurseFirst · Feb 20, 2005

Not always does A come before B or C... What if I told you I knew of a time when C can come before A..?

Don't even get me started on "alternatives" to CPR; it is, indeed, a strange world out there. "Double compression CPR", where, alternating chest compressions are heimlich-like compressions on the abdomen; Heimlich saying that drowning victims should first be treated with a Heimlich maneuver....ah yes, the wacky, wacky, world of CPR

NurseFirst, former and to-be CPR Instructor

(And, for those people who are always confused...CPR really DOESN'T start with "A"--it starts with a responsiveness check, right? :) )

Forcemaster · Feb 20, 2005

Don't even get me started on "alternatives" to CPR; it is, indeed, a strange world out there. "Double compression CPR", where, alternating chest compressions are heimlich-like compressions on the abdomen; Heimlich saying that drowning victims should first be treated with a Heimlich maneuver....ah yes, the wacky, wacky, world of CPR
NurseFirst, former and to-be CPR Instructor

Ive heard a few good things about alternating compression CPR using a rather strange device that looks is a rigid frame with two hinged adhesive pads where the user rocks the bar (that has handles). Its a strange idea that apparently increases venous return or something like that.

I'm rather dubious though... we all know how well 'adhesive' things stick to men with hairy chests or people who are very sweatty... I can imagine the person trying to use this 'bar thingy' having it slide all over the patient and not doing a damn bit of good... :uhoh3:

darinda · Feb 20, 2005

Never push Kaexolate through an NG tube without thinning it down with water or you will spray it all over the ceiling. I know, I did it and the janitor refused to clean it up because he said he didn't clean up poop. He wouldn't believe it was medication!hahahahaha:chuckle

* un-spike the old IVF's with 100 mls left in the bag while it's still hanging
* say the word "quiet" in reference to your hopes for the shift
* say you've never had a patient ________ before
* take your stethoscope off till you're in your car and on the way home
* plan on going to that inservice/staff meeting/whatever during your shift
Experienced nurses, share your wisdom. What are some other things that new grads should NEVER do?

happthearts · Feb 20, 2005

One thing that chaps my hide is the nurse comes in and just starts care, not telling the PT .What there going to do ,or who they are .How rude.! Always indrouce your self to your PT. If there awake don't stand there like a ninny .

Say Hi Mrs Garica I am Scarlet your nurse today. I am going to give you something for pain If they ask tell them what it is saved my backside when OPPs they didn't tell anyone they wern't able to take that med . Or like Iam going to set you up on the side of the bed .I am aware you have left sided weakness .So tell the Pt excally how they can help you and what they can do to help.and how you plan to set them and move them arround or to the wheel chair . So the Pt won't work against you.

When I had been in the hospitial had both of my arms and hands bandage all the way up .Where I couldn't use them the nurses didn't even fix a call light so I could use them.The aide just postioned my food over the bed did not cut it up ,so I could at least gooble with my mouth .

The worst was showering and peri care they just assumed I could do it with an Iv attached .Finally convinsed a male nurse to get me to trash bags to put over my arms so I could shower. I still couldn't reach to do peri care because every time I bent over I wanted to pass out from all the drugs .He had to do it. The only one there who had a mind. just did his job .and as bad as I was feeling was grateful to have his care.

What I am trying to say here is use your head don't assume .Look at your PT know what your walking into when you walk in that room. Look at the room for the Pt and make it so the PT can handle things and introdouce yourselve .Remember that Pt is out of there element Your not.!

Marinated nurse is one who is tenderized over the years. Just my thought

Surgical_ICU_RN · Feb 20, 2005

Marinated nurse is one who is tenderized over the years. Just my thought

Excellent words, indeed!

To continue a comparison with the meat products - "fresh" and "old", let me just add that ANY meat will get marinated instantly (and become much juicier!), if placed in a plastic bag with added tenderizer and left in a freezer until needed to use. Note: thaw slowly!

Anyone want to try same with nurses? :chuckle

happthearts · Feb 21, 2005

Excellent words, indeed!
To continue a comparison with the meat products - "fresh" and "old", let me just add that ANY meat will get marinated instantly (and become much juicier!), if placed in a plastic bag with added tenderizer and left in a freezer until needed to use. Note: thaw slowly!
Anyone want to try same with nurses? :chuckle

Yes that is very cute.

OK the platic bag is the hospitial and the tenderizer is the time put in.as a nurse.The freezer is what we get Until we find our way.and we are Thawed slowly because thats how we learn.

Surgical_ICU_RN · Feb 21, 2005

Yes that is very cute.
OK the platic bag is the hospitial and the tenderizer is the time put in.as a nurse.The freezer is what we get Until we find our way.and we are Thawed slowly because thats how we learn.

Glad to find someone with vivid imagination and instant understanding!

Thank you, happthearts

CritterLover, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2005

i am in rn school right now, and last semester during fundy's/med-surg one rotation, my instructor told me to always stop an ivf with 100mls left in bag...now im confused...lol.

she is referring to how to change a hanging bag of fluid........ before you unspike it, take it down and turn it upside down before removing the spike. otherwise, all of the fluid still in the bag will come rushing out, giving you a little shower.