Kate RN

Latest Activity

1. What is your unit's Uniform Policy

   Kate RN replied to 1994OBRN's topic in Ob/Gyn

   In our hospital the OB unit uses provided scrubs that are laundered by the facility. So in that department it is easy to tell who is a nurse. In other units we wear our own scrubs and in whatever color we like. btw I have seen some black scrubs that...

2. chief complaint based orientation

   Kate RN replied to blufoxtrot's topic in Educators

   We do have the same expectations for getting the patient ready. It simply helps the flow. but we use checklists for orientation and socialization to get the new to the dept nurses up to speed with what can be done before the MD actually sees the pt.

3. new in staff development

   Kate RN replied to salmi's topic in Educators

   I am not staff development. I have been on the Nurse Practice Board for the last 3 years- which is a new thing for our hospital and a very good thing for Nursing. I am a staff nurse and have no intentions of changing that. Do include yourself on any ...

4. chief complaint based orientation

   Kate RN replied to blufoxtrot's topic in Educators

   I am not sure what this model looks like. We chart by exception. This means that if a system is normal or not indicated by their complaint we do not chart about it in our assessment. So in the case of a laceration I may not check lung sounds unless t...

5. What's your story? Why did you take up nursing?

   Kate RN replied to Joe V's topic in General Nursing

   When we took the tests as Juniors in high school that are supposed to tell you what you would be good at- the results said I should take a technical desk job- like a secretary. I laughed at that- I cannot sit still for 30 minutes much less 9 to 5. I...

6. I was punched

   Kate RN replied to Still Riding's topic in General Nursing

   this is another tangent of this topic. We are all in danger of patients and families anger. Our facility just gave us excellent inservices on de-escalation. This includes not being in this guys room alone once he starts to show frustration and anger....

7. Futile Care. Dead is dead.

   Kate RN replied to Trauma-tizedRN's topic in General Nursing

   The only solution to all this that I have been able to come up with is to educate people that are not all that sick. We have a standard of asking almost everyone that comes through our facility if they have written their wishes down.( I am in the ED ...

8. How many nurses do their own vitals???

   Kate RN replied to AmyRN1227's topic in General Nursing

   I never would have thought this question would generate so much talk. Depending on the day and the department usually I get my own v/s. and prefer to. Occasionally there is someone assigned who has done the first set. and sometimes I even find out a...

9. migraine faker at the ED!

   Kate RN replied to z's playa's topic in Emergency

   At the end of it all I must say that I believe that the majority really have pain. But some have learned strange ways to cope with their issues. Some that we have met have other things going on besides their pain. Some probably do not have pain. But ...

10. self scheduling

    Kate RN replied to JLDRN's topic in Educators

    I am looking forinput to help with our scheduling as well. We ahve had a sort of self scheduling in place for some time. There had been block schedules before that,a nd before I came to work here. So the ones that have been here that long do not want...

11. self scheduling

    Kate RN replied to JLDRN's topic in Educators

    I am looking forinput to help with our scheduling as well. We ahve had a sort of self scheduling in place for some time. There had been block schedules before that,a nd before I came to work here. So the ones that have been here that long do not want...

12. Block Scheduling

    Kate RN replied to CmRenstrom's topic in Emergency

    I see that no one answered you initially. We are wanting to change our staffing method and block is what we think we want to try. What did you end up with, and how is it working. We have a smaller staff, there are less than 20 of us in the ED , work...

13. migraine faker at the ED!

    Kate RN replied to z's playa's topic in Emergency

    We have seen the whole spectrum of migraine complaints. But the sure sign there is a problem folks is this- if they get their shot and scoot immediately to the bathroom- to huff the air freshener- then we know there is a problem. Yep we did catch on...

14. How do you get patients to give you a "very good?"

    Kate RN replied to MrsWampthang's topic in Emergency

    Customer Service has been a major focus for us, especially in our ED that just finished major reconstrustion. We have not found a magic formula either. Our surveys go out to everyone before their bill. I have been known to respond to thank you's on d...