Ellen in Ont

I truly believe you get out of Christmas what you put into it. Not that it has to be done in a hurry - the exact oposite. I always try and be completely ready by Dec 1 (except to put up the real trees - two of them). Then I can relax and enjoy the ho...

For the first time in our ICU, last month we signed a workload grievance. When we recognize the conditions are unsafe, and we have gone through all the channels to correct this, the workload grievance shifts the blame back to the hospital. The staff ...

A smallpox outbreak has always been my greatest concern. That is the scenario I have been trying to plan for. I recently contacted Dr. D. A. Henderson (one of the original people who eliminated smallpox and currently is head of bioterrorism defence a...

In our hospital all RN's remove JP's, hemovac's, sump drains and penrose's as well as all types of sutures, central lines, arterial lines and epidurals. We do have policies for all of these and are watched for the first one. I thought this was standa...

This probably isn't as in depth an explanation as you can get from others but here goes. We use Dopamine often with NTG (either patch or gtt) and as well add Dobutrex at times. All have different effects that can help when someone is having a problem...

Our hospital is a "quiet hospital" which means the overhead paging system is only used for the different codes. We have code blue followed by the room number, code pink for a pediatric code, code red for fire, code yellow for missing patient followed...

One other trick. If there are no open areas or incisions on the patient's leg, I find they go on easier if you use baby powder on their legs first. Don't worry, you'll get it.:)

The only premixed IV fluids we use are Lidocaine and Heparin. Everything else we mix ourselves. KCL is treated no differently than any other drug in our stock cupbaord and is even kept on the shelf beside the 10 and 30cc bottles of NS and sterile wat...

During the first "Survivor" episodes, I heard a cute saying that would fit here. You are sooo off the island!

I agree completely. They are totally different and have completely different focuses. If you really want ICU then apply for your apprenticeship there. It will go a long way in getting a job there when you are finished. It will also give you a feel fo...

You chose not to get e-mails through your profile so you will have to get replies here unless you change it. I have been an ICU nurse for 11 years and I have also done some work in nursing informatics (I co-ordinated the introduction and training in ...

I love 12 hr shifts. I get a lot of time off between working two or three in a row (I am part-time). I also like the extra 4 hours per shift it gives you to get everything done. The rare times I have worked 8 hours (called in in the middle of a shift...

In reply to CraigB-RN, I have worked in a 7 bed ICU in a rural hospital for 11 years. I also have my CCRN (or the Canadian equivalent, CNCC© (certified nurse critical care Canada). We are the only ICU within about 220 miles. We accept all kinds of p...

Start with this organization: Canadian Organisation for Advancement of Computers in Health (COACH) http://www.coachorg.com/nisig/ Let me know if you need more info and GOOD LUCK! Angela[/QB] Thanks for all the information Angela. I'll check it ou...

Congratulations on finding your niche! I have been considering this field for a while now but love where I am at present (ICU). However, my aging body isn't going to last there until I am 60! I have always loved technology and even have some experien...

I agree that we should be aware of the possibility of addiction in patients who constantly ask for pain medication. This has never stopped me from treating all requests for pain meds as legitimate, only allowed me to use my assessment skills in deali...

In our hospital any potent drips have to be administered in the ICU. However, we don't have any other unit (telemetry or cardiac) to put them besides out to the regular Medical floor when stable. :)

Hi Duckie, I totally agree with the general opinion here. You have tried everything!! and the fact she is still yelling has to be controlled for her own safety as well as for her comfort. I probably don't know the situation or person well enough to m...

Believe it or not you do get used to it. However, I still want to collapse when I get home! We work 3 12's in a row routinely. If you can afford two pairs of good shoes, (different kinds), change them half way through your shift. (hint - try and make...

Thank you. I am going to post this in our unit. :)

I found this site by accident while doing research on types of charting! I have become addicted and check it at least once a day! It is amasing how much alike our issues are world wide. When isolated, you begin to believe that your hospital is the on...

Nurses in our hospital are paying $25 each to go to a supper where everyone will nominate nurses they believe deserve special recognition. These will be posted on the walls at dinner. We will also be having an "open mike" to relate our favourite funn...

I think I am in my dream job (ICU/CCU) but if I can make it a dream, I would like the respect of doctors and the public, and be paid enough enough that I feel it is a fair wage for all I do. If I was REALLY shooting for the moon, I would include gett...

That about summs up a typical day on the floor! And it sounded like a pretty good day at that (you got to the bathroom AND grabbed a bite to eat). Can I add: consulting with the multidisciplin team (physio, respiratory, pharmacy etc) and co-ordinatin...

I agree!! This expresses the feelings of every nurse I know. Good luck with your efforts to win your wage increase in BC. We in Ontario are watching.