TigraRN

I am sorry it happened. the good thing is that the patient will be OK. Time will pass and you will feel better as it does. I had a similar error and it took me a year to get over it. It teaches you to be careful, for sure.

Yes, I used to have scrubs and each time I was wearing a patient would die. Got rid of the scrubs. And I never ever go to do postmortem care by myself... I just can't. And sure enough, if you forget to bring shears, you will desperately need them!

1:6 in ER, all 6 being MedSurg patients, 1:3 ICU "with a nurse extender" (who cannot be given appropriate orientation time). It really depends on the day. Rapidcare patients ESI 4 - a lot ?.

Rubyagnes, how was your move, can you share what you have learned? please? I am planning on moving to NC as well and looking for an ER to land.

Try setting the record straight with them - tell them "from now on I will not be able to pick up any extra shifts due to ... ". Don't let them make you feel guilty, you are already working full time.

Burping NS bags to save the tubing if a second bolus is needed later.

Calliope26, what happened if you don't mind me asking?

In our facility, you can usually pick a shift a week or so. Also, flexing in and out is easy, if you need more beauty rest or need to come home earlier. Basically, the schedule can be flexible.

In nursing school, we were taught to describe things in the third person and stay neutral. Sometimes I use "I" if something needs to be clear.

1. Checking BG on someone who refused it. 2. HIPAA violation

A patient came in for a glue stick stuck in his rectum. I explained the dangers of using glue the way he did, to what he replied: "Don't worry, it's non-toxic".

It is actually good that you need to insert them every day, because now it is only a matter of time till you become a pro. What I found helpful for myself: 1) do not look for a veing, but feel for it; it needs to be nice and "plumpy" or collapsible. Once you feel it, move around and try to trace which direction it goes. Don't trust your eyes! It could be misleading if you don't feel it. I don't ever poke if I don't feel it. 2) If the patient is a hardstick, or if someone is asking you to start an IV, because they couldn't - bring a hot pack with you and place it on the AC or wherever you are aiming at (antecubitals are usually the easiest and fastest). While you are priming tubing and unwrapping the packing, the warm pack will do its job. 3) If the patient is, let's say, somebody with fragile skin, bruising from coumadin, or you have a feeling it may burst - don't use a tourniquet. 4) If the veins are too tiny - try ripping off the glove on your index finger (left finger if you are right-handed) and after using alcohol swab on the finger, feel for the vein again. 5) if you don't need a large gauge - go ahead and use a 22 of even a 24. 6) never be in a rush, it only makes things worse 7) don't feel bad if you haven't found a vein on one side and had to switch sides a couple times. 8 ) Distract the patient, don't be nervous and never feel bad if you didn't get it, because you really tried. Maybe you could also talk to someone on your unit who is really good at it and ask for their advice, or maybe they could show/guide you? I was super scared to try an IV in the very beginning, but now I really like to start one and always up for the challenge. Good luck!

I once had a needlestick with a contaminated (patient's blood) needle. That patient had a whole array of liver problems. I felt like I went through hell waiting for results, but will not make the same mistake again. Don't feel bad about the patient, they are probably already over it.

Remotefuse, I love this book! In my library it was available as "The life-changing manga of tidying up" which is a comic book. I literally had to stop myself from reading it further so that I could tidy up by category in real life. It's been at least 8 months since I read it and my house is still keeping up.

Mandatory double verification would be helpful for paralytic as well. If we have another RN witness insulin, heparin, amio, why not do the same with vecuronium?