Please don't flame me! I am just very interested in other nurses experiences - positive and negative. I've lived in Texas for a few months now, and maybe it is the hospital I am at, but I have found the standards of care so much lower. I was not expecting that. The technology is great, but other things just blow my mind...
For example, rarely do they hang IVPB meds with a line of NS - they will just plain old hang an antibiotic and let it run.... why? I'm told it is because NS bags are too expensive. Now, I was taught to always have a primary line of something "just in case....." Oh, and another thing: I'm in the ER where we of course give many IV push meds. Oh my gosh - the majority of nurses that push morphine (or whatever) straight up into the saline lock! I at least make sure I have a 250 ml NS hanging to dilute the push.....
These are just some examples, but there are many others. I find just find the whole attitude so much more "unprofessional"
I did work back in Canada as an RN, so I am able to compare my experiences. So far, I can honestly say I'm worried about my nursing skills and am considering moving home. The techs and LVNs have such a broad scope of practice here that I am always asking myself (this is NOT a bad thing... it is very helpful)- "what do RNs actually do?" When I get chewed out by a tech for starting my OWN IV (yes), or for taking someone to CAT Scan, I have to give my head a shake.
Please, this isn't a post to "bash" US healthcare. I am sincerely interested in other nurses' experiences. Like I said, maybe it is the hospital.... but I am really curious.