Bubbles_RN

Bubbles_RN has 12 years experience and specializes in Med-surg ICU, Adult psych.

Latest Activity

1. New in ICU

   Bubbles_RN replied to KosmoKramer's topic in Critical

   Well, I've been ICU nursing now for 12 years. I still remember my first year. I remember thinking I was insane for doing this, that the hospital was insane for hiring me. I cried.....a lot!!! I worried, stressed and somehow got through it. You ...

2. Never placed an IV!!!!!

   Bubbles_RN replied to LoriZ342's topic in General Nursing

   Well, I've been nursing for 14 years, and I still pretty much suck at IV starts. As others have said, it is a skill, and one that takes practice. In my clinical setting, we don't have a lot of peripheral IV's. Speak up for yourself, let your educat...

3. Shift work help.

   Bubbles_RN replied to frozenyogurt's topic in Canada

   Hi Fiona, I work in Ontario, in the GTA. A full time weekend worker is allowed under our union contract. Also, I've been fortunate to work for some amazing managers, who will let nurses swap to work either full time days or full time nig...

4. Shift work help.

   Bubbles_RN replied to frozenyogurt's topic in Canada

   I know a lot of nurses where I have worked have a shift buddy, so they are able to only work the type of shift they want (ie all nights or all days). Not sure if that may be something that would help. I have been a full time weekend worker for the ...

5. Cardiac gtts???

   Bubbles_RN replied to Deb123j's topic in MICU

   To begin with, figure out which ones are most commonly used at your facility. Then figure out what they do, how they work, and major side effects. Your facility IV manual should help with it as well. Ours is awesome, lets ya know how to mix it, wh...

6. Nursing student mistake

   Bubbles_RN replied to jersey244's topic in Canada

   Ok, yeah you made a mistake. I would go to my instructor with a plan around remedial action. For example, you could tell her you plan on reviewing allowed procedures, and perhaps a reflective journal entry on the situation. Be proactive in admitti...

7. So my heart broke when I saw this patient....

   Bubbles_RN replied to Da_Milk_of_Amnesia's topic in General Nursing

   Go for it - I've gotten coffee for family members, scrounged up sandwiches and done emergency McD's runs when it seems needed. It may seem small but I bet to him it will be huge.....bless you for being a nurse through and through :redpinkhe

8. Stupid things said by your non-nurse significant other

   Bubbles_RN replied to Moogie's topic in Humor

   Ummm I convinced a friends signifigant other that his cramps were really ovarian pains......which he promptly reported to my friend (also a nurse).......oh dear we laughed until we cried over that one........

9. Midazolam GTT

   Bubbles_RN replied to meandragonbrett's topic in MICU

   Well we have a scale usually 2 - 10 mg/hr with the option for the docs to write higher end points as required. Although if we can't maintain a RASS of -1/-2 with high dose versed/fentanyl we usually look at adding something else.

10. Ugh...mini-rant

    Bubbles_RN replied to blondy2061h's topic in General Nursing

    Yep I've had a couple o docs do that....the best was just last night give a beta-blocker and hung up......uhhh news flash a) I don't get to pick which one, nor do I get to guess how much and b) the SBP was already 70....so no beta blocker there :bug...

11. Uniforms and dress codes

    Bubbles_RN replied to inkedRN's topic in General Nursing

    Our hospital is talking about it, and quite honestly I'd love it. Having been on the other side of the bed as both a pt, and a family member, it is quite annoying to ask every single person coming in your room who they are and what they do. I worked...

12. How much lorazepam have you given....

    Bubbles_RN replied to sassyrn333's topic in MICU

    As a general rule we use valium not ativan for our ETOH'ers......and I had one guy that we gave something like 50 mg IV to in a 12 hour period. Most lorazepam I can recall giving was a guy we had on a gtt at 10 mg/hr + at least 2 mg IV push q1H.

13. PRN Narcotics?

    Bubbles_RN replied to Finallydidit's topic in Geriatric

    I will give narcs within a 1/2 window on either side for prns. However if I find they are needing a fair bit of prn medication......or if the timing isn't working for them I usually re-assess thier medications. Maybe they need a change in narc or do...

14. My Little Old Jedi

    Bubbles_RN replied to phoenixfire's topic in General Nursing

    What a lovely story - your compassion for this man and his wife comes through in volumes:yeah:!! You are going to be such an a amazing nurse:redbeathe. I to have special pts that live in my heart and memories and I take them out from time to time.

15. Dear preceptor

    Bubbles_RN replied to Ivanna_Nurse's topic in General Nursing

    Wow - after reading everyones responsed I must say I feel blessed to have had such fabulous preceptee expriences. However I have been witness to some terrible precepting, and your letter Ivanka reminds me to actually see the person I am precepting, n...