gest1971

gest1971 has 19 years experience and specializes in Cardiovascular critical care, research.

Latest Activity

1. What is the easiest CRRT machine to use?

   gest1971 posted a topic in Critical

   Hi all! I am currently looking for reviews from critical care bedside nurses on which CRRT machine they use and if they like it. We are currentl using the Nx Stage machine and are finding it to be extremely challenging, even for my best nurses. It...

2. "I Don't Care if You are Sick...Come to Work Anyway!"

   gest1971 replied to flashpoint's topic in Geriatric

   The whole situation is redonkulous!! If she calls out sick, so be it. If there is a pattern or suspicion that it was not a real sick call, then the DON/ manager should handle that descretely without having the rest of the staff involved in an emplo...

3. AIC Springfield, MA

   gest1971 replied to JessH's topic in Massachusetts

   Hi, I am an AIC alumni. I can say that the clinicals are very important in an undergrad nursing program. AIC's were very good and prepared me well for the real world. I have worked with some fantastic associate's nurses, but I think they have less op...

4. Working nights is killing me.

   gest1971 replied to aeronursenj's topic in General Nursing

   Hi there, I successfully did nights for 11 years and just went to days last year. I have a few tips, the one that I didn't see anyone mention is stay hydrated! I always felt "hung over" and dehydrated in the morning after. I would get as much uninter...

5. Quick Q&A about this union business.

   gest1971 replied to CAnurse22's topic in Union

   I belonged to a unionized hospital right out of nursing school. Granted this was over 10 years ago, but I remember them ( including the hospital) telling me that my membership was most definitley contingient on my paying union dues. The union was h...

6. CCU RN applying to NP school thinking of going to ER

   gest1971 replied to gest1971's topic in NP

   What schools are out your way? I am in Massachusetts.

7. CCU RN applying to NP school thinking of going to ER

   gest1971 replied to gest1971's topic in NP

   I have had a great experience in out CICU. I was charge, did code team for the hospital, Rapid Response Team, and participated in many a cardiac surgical emergency. I have applied to the ER because I want different experiences, not more of the same...

8. CCU RN applying to NP school thinking of going to ER

   gest1971 replied to gest1971's topic in NP

   Thank you soooo much! I do think it would be a good thing for me. I just need to get over my anxiety and jump in. As I get older, it gets harder to get myself to try new things, so this is just one more of those things I guess. Again, thanks!

9. CCU RN applying to NP school thinking of going to ER

   gest1971 posted a topic in NP

   Hi all, I am a CCRN-CSC who worked in our CICU for 8 years and left due to issues on my unit (staff, management, etc). I have spent the last year and a half doing clinical research. This is not for me. Good experience and all, but not my cup of tea. ...