Picked up a new job on a pain team

[djmatte, ADN, MSN, RN, NP]

I just got a nice contingent job on a Pain Management team at a local hospital. Its primarily focused on patients with epidurals and from what was explained will focus on rounding twice a shift (beginning and end) on floor patients and spending the rest of the day in recovery assisting with epidural orders, pump starts, and other assorted tasks. Rounds will basically geared toward assessing whether the epidurals are working and neurovascular checks (aka working TOO well). Anyone here do something similar? Any recommendations on good things to remember or good ways to tackle the endeavor? I have been a PACU nurse for a year now, so am looking forward to adding this little job to break up my week.

[KaroSnowQueen, RN]

I have no advice for you, but congrats on the new job! Sounds like a nice change of pace - best of luck to you!!:yelclap:

[llerkl, ADN]

Here's my 2 cents:

Get a copy of Pasero and Mc Caffery's book, (latest edition)

PAIN ASSESSMENT and PHARMACOLOGIC MANAGEMENT

This is a fabulous reference with more information than you will ever need!!

Make sure you are crystal clear on your scope of practice......will you be working "under" an anesthesiologist or CRNA? What will you be able to do or not do? Be aware of the policies around all of this !!

In your assessment and re-assessment of patients, make sure you are doing so in a systematic, organized manner. Try to do it the same way every time. This will keep your patients safe and relatively pain free. You will have a good work day and be confident in your delivery of care. Believe me, when you end up seeing/assessing and re-assessing so many patients in one day, it all blends together if you don't have a system. You may also be seeing patients at their very worst......a calm, kind, demeanor makes it very clear that you are going to help them feel better!

CONGRATS on the job and write back and let us know how it goes!

[djmatte, ADN, MSN, RN, NP]

Thanks for the book suggestion. Looks like I'll have to order it off the net (hate waiting on these things to ship). Reviews on it make it look worth while...so I'm stoked to give it a good look.

As for my specific scope, I believe I will be working under an MDA. The job will consist of rounding on floor patients 2 times a day (beginning and end of shift), as well as setting up epidural orders and ensuring pumps are set up correctly and working effectively. Rounds will be focused on neurovascular assessment and pain management followup while patients are hospitalized. Its nice because its contingent pay with a guaranteed 2 days a week (which supplements well with my 3 12s in PACU at a different hospital).