Steph41

Since the spread of this Corona Virus and new protocols, lockdowns, school closures, etc, The ICU where I work has had a weird vibe. Then we got our first Covid-19 patient. All of the sudden, behavior has been concerning. People refusing to care for ...

I love that. I would love to implement that on my unit! ♥️♥️ thank you

The AACN has an online review course. That is all I used. I passed the exam first try. You also get a bunch of CEU’s when you complete the course. It was excellent. One piece of advice though. My experience did not do well for test questions b/c My C...

The AACN website has an online course that prepared me well. You also get 14 CEU’s once you complete the course. The course is fantastic though.

The AACN has a review course for the CSC that gives 14 CEUs when you have done the course even without taking the test. The CMC review gives 20 credits after the course without taking the test. However each of the online review courses cost money as ...

I studied very hard. I took several weeks to prepare. I found the Laura Gasparis Von Frolio videos helpful but do not rely on them as your soul study material. Some of the stuff she said aren't on the test actually were. I did not like most of the b...

You can get Laura G videos @ allnurses.com. She also does one and two day reviews.

How do you feel about CCRN as a requirement to work in the ICU? Where I work it is not a requirement but it is encouraged. We want all our nurses to have their specialty but few are buying in. Suggestions to encourage the nurses to get their CCRN wou...

PT even if elevated is not the gold standard for Coumadin. INR is. PTT - used not just for hep but also lovenox. Beyond measuring effectiveness of meds, here is a few things to consider... 1. A huge percent of herbs and some foods effect the clotti...

Great reminders for us all

I appreciate all the feedback. I definitely see the benefit of getting certified. Our unit now has 5 CCRN's out of about 30 nurses. I hope others see see the value of being certified, not just for a raise or to have some extra credentials but to fur...

I'm from Wyoming and we do not have legalized ratios. Our policy, however, states that med/surg 5:1 maybe 6:1 on a bad day; PCU/Neuro is 4:1 but often is 5:1 b/c of staffing; ICU is 2:1 on a bad day we will be asked to take a team of three this is no...

I am about to finish my GRE requirement - I will be 41ish when all is said and done. On one hand those millennials are sharp and quick thats good. But life experience and critical thinking skills often are easier for older people going back to school...

I also used Barrons. It was my favorite. PASS CCRN was ridiculous. It went back to A&P days with amylase and pepsinogen etc. WAY too much info. The questions were overwhelming as well. I also used Laura G. Videos. I practically memorized them unt...

Start studying now. The more critical care knowledge you can apply to real life patients the better off you and your patients will be. It will also make you more comfortable taking care of critical patients. Most of the time if a person is uncomforta...

Some have found the Critical Care Intravenous Infusion Drug Handbook to be helpful. I have not used it. I agree with Okami that your pharmacist is a good resource. Also with multiple pressors on the same pt. It is helpful to consult the intensivist. ...

The hospital will pay for the certification. They also provide materials to study. There is no pay incentive, bonus, or increase in wages.

I agree.

My best nurse hack is to walk away from gossip. It doesn't matter if it's subtle or outright walk away. Also many things can be taught (multi-tasking, skills, etc.) but I can't teach you how to give grace and kindness to people who don't deserve it. ...

Our ICU has recently been instructed on how we are to put linens on the bed. First we now have to put a fitted sheet. Then directly on top of that goes a flat sheet followed by a chucks pad which the pt. lies on. We we used to just use a flat sheet ...

ACLS guidelines state that for an allergic reaction SQ epi is the ONLY way. 1. We are dealing with an allergic reaction not a cardiac emergency. 2. Concentration is diff so the dose is too. 3. If you refer to ACLS guidelines, it spells it out 4. ...

This patient population has few advocates. They need people surrounding them to look after them. These patients need not be taken for granted just because they may be "high functioning". Thank you for eliminating a safety risk by advocating for peopl...

Just wondering if any of you work in a unit with a beacon award? If so how did you start the process? What (besides prestige) were the benefits? We are trying to start this process and it is overwhelming. Is it worth it? Also, how did you get a high...

I think I agree for the magnet part especially. The beacon award is a little different though, don't you think? It is on a unit to unit basis and is really dependent on the staff of that unit. Our journey to beacon is staff driven. I am an advocate b...

I like the idea of hosting a CCRN review. I also think the further benefit isn't something that can be directly measured. For example, increase staff satisfaction, increase patient satisfaction, safer environment, decrease pressure ulcers,etc. Much o...