markm739

Latest Activity

1. Being a Big Guy

   markm739 replied to MurseHopeful's topic in General Nursing

   You will soon find out that being big means that you will constantly be called upon to help turn patients to the point that it will be hard to get your own work done! I had a preceptor who was a strong guy, and they would call him down from our unit...

2. Nms...

   markm739 replied to GrnHonu99's topic in Neuro

   I don't have any great words of wisdom for you, but can sympathize.....these patients can change quickly, and tend to be resistant to treatment. I had one last night who jumped out of the back of a rolling pickup truck....huge epidural hematoma with...

3. ICU Nurses with OCD!!!

   markm739 replied to nursern20's topic in MICU

   Here's a good one I observed on my unit today regarding OCD behavior. I had to give report to a nurse who is particularly unpleasant ALL the time; I have had patients complain about her, and have been told by other nurses that she has been written u...

4. Inadequacy and stupidity

   markm739 replied to SouthernLPN2RN's topic in MICU

   With 4 years of prior experience, you are going in with a leg up on me! I went in completely cold with only school clinical experiences under my belt. Does your ICU have a series of orientation classes they will put you through? The one disadvant...

5. Inadequacy and stupidity

   markm739 replied to SouthernLPN2RN's topic in MICU

   Are you still on orientation? Do you have any previous nursing experience, or are you starting fresh in the ICU from nursing school? I started straight out of school in the ICU 18 months ago. I really didn't start to gain any feelings of competency...

6. Starting out in the SICU

   markm739 replied to fishinNbanjo's topic in MICU

   All the advice I have read in this thread is great, and on target. Having completed my first year in ICU straight out of nursing school, a couple more things come to mind. The ICU tends to attract a certain kind of personality. ICU nurses can often ...

7. So embarrassed, just want to vent.

   markm739 replied to Jo Dirt's topic in General Nursing

   If you want to find a positive side to this horrifying incident, it is that you found out what those people are like before going to work there! Imagine having found out their lack of caring and compassion after having been hired! I have not had it ...

8. A few questions for the "older" new nurses...

   markm739 replied to adiliegro's topic in General Nursing

   I began my prerequisites in 2001 at the ripe old age of 43. I had a previous degree, so all I had to do was take the science courses before starting our BSN program in 2003 full time. I was not the oldest one in our class - the oldest one was 50. ...

9. Hasten end so wife won't doubt DNR decision????

   markm739 replied to markm739's topic in New Nurse

   To Pricklypear - What you said about families hardly ever reversing DNRs makes sense. I'm sure the wife wouldn't reverse this guy's, as bad off as he is. "But you must ALWAYS function within your scope of practice" I am glad to find out that there...

10. Hasten end so wife won't doubt DNR decision????

    markm739 replied to markm739's topic in New Nurse

    "You are in a position right now to be victimized by association." You really have me thinking about this one. My spouse and I were discussing the meaning of this, and it could be 1) guilt by association with this unit 2) Being in a position to be i...

11. Hasten end so wife won't doubt DNR decision????

    markm739 replied to markm739's topic in New Nurse

    Greetings to all! I am amazed at, and grateful for, the insight, wisdom, and even courage which can come from a collective effort such as this! I really appreciate your thoughtful and comprehensive replies more than you know. I was off for 2 days a...

12. Hasten end so wife won't doubt DNR decision????

    markm739 posted a topic in New Nurse

    A post which discussed end of life issues over on the long term care forum got me thinking about something which occurred yesterday in the ICU unit where I am on orientation. I have reposted it here to see what you all think. My preceptor and I car...

13. Allowed to die

    markm739 replied to nettie01's topic in Geriatric

    This thread has me thinking about a situation which occurred yesterday in the ICU unit where I am on orientation. My preceptor and I cared for an end-stage COPD pt. 2 days this week. He was on BIPAP with terrible labored breathing, and I saw his LO...

14. Interview Questions

    markm739 replied to nurseywright's topic in General Nursing

    I had a question which asked, "Tell me about a time you exhibited leadership." This was the one question I had not prepared for; floundered a little, muddled my way through it, got the job anyway and am now orienting in the ICU. Good luck! Try to r...

15. Water weight gain

    markm739 replied to guest27716's topic in Ob/Gyn

    How quickly have you gained the 7 lbs.? I don't mean to be alarmist, but I would suggest checking your blood pressure to make sure it isn't going up if the weight gain was in a short period of time. If your blood pressure is up, I would suggest ca...