mcknis

Stethoscope, tape, pens (usually lose one or give one to "unclean" patients to keep), trauma shears, Vocera (required, or else it wouldn't be around), ammonia inhalant taped to back of badge. Everything else is in the cabinets in the pt rooms. Do hav...

It definitely depends on where you work/go to school/part of the country/etc. I went to a fairly strict nursing school with former "military-nun" grade instructors. If they didn't like you, you didn't make it, no matter how well you knew your stuff. ...

Regarding ring cutters...VICE GRIPS or for TUNGSTEN ONLY!!!!! Tungsten rings do break under extreme force. They are unable to be cut through, except for with a laser cutter, and you would never use this on a human being as the heat is too extreme. Ti...

I completely agree and there are many times where the jaded and cynical feeling creeps up throughout a day. "I have severe abdominal pains and need that medicine that begins with a D-------." As they sit there eating their Cheetos and soda from the s...

Umm, whatever is available. I always my stethoscope around my neck. It is a Littmann Cardiology III and one that has been proven well by me, but whatever is available I will use. Have used the old spragues (Prestige is probably the best current maker...

This is interesting to read about and those of us in the ED setting know it all too well. In my neck of the woods, I wouldn't be surprised to see 1 in 5 visits each month. I am kidding, but it certainly feels like it some days!

It surprises me how many hospitals choose not to show their support of their staff during nurses week, but yet there are still funds made available for signs, or memos, etc... I digress. We did get lunch provided by our ED physician group one day. A ...

Yes, the fact of cynicism in the ER environment is certainly an interesting one. I have been there for 4 years now and there are moments that I truly wonder about my view on the lives of others, but there are other moments that bring me back to the r...

Yes the figure that he quoted you sounds high for a NP, but definitely doable for CRNAs. CRNAs, from my research, enter around $130-150k. They are definitely higher paid than NPs and yes, I assume, if NPs want to work their tail off with call and OT,...

Like hella mentioned above, speed is very important. If you do anything, make sure to stay caught up. That is probably the best information I could provide. I can attest that if a tech, nurse, medic, provider (doc, NP, PA) is behind, everyone feels i...

Sort of sounds like the crazy schizo type we all get to be witness to. There is a young girl you loves to frequent our ER. She is 14 has multiple mental health diagnoses, including pseudo seizures, and she is amazing at displaying symptoms of these. ...

Like someone else mentioned, without knowing the pts history, it is difficult to know why the provider ordered Cardizem over Amio. Amiodarone is an option, but many will attempt Cardizem and then titrate/change accordingly. Like someone else mentione...

Thank you all for your comments on the issue at hand. It appears like many have a strong stance in one direction or another. My personal opinion is that you should have a right to defend yourself with any and all means necessary. If you come into my ...

Mine that I bought, Dansko Pro XP did the same thing, but they even began breaking down after 3 months of wearing them. I have been sending them back and forth to Dansko with replacements for the past 3 months. I am out of luck, but will probably jus...

Yes anything that is cheap and digital is a great way to go. Schools will tell you that a watch with a second hand is the way to go, but doing VS or anything else can be done with a digital watch. I have always bought cheap timex digital watches. Any...

Or, how about when a seasoned nurse who has "many years of experience in this setting" establishes an IV, secures it and gives report to you that its a great working IV, but you find the IV in place with the needle still in the cath and tourniquet on...

I am looking also at going into an NP program, but going from ED to family practice is a big change. IN the ED we get to see a little sick, a little not sick, critical care, trauma, GI, etc., everything. Not saying the family practice setting doesn't...

I thought that alternating would be a way to go, but their new clog model (XP) is exclusive to The Walking Store and at $180/pr, I may wait to get a cheaper version. I have not worn them for 3 days now and they have been packed with newspaper and let...

Thanks GrnTea for the words if wisdom.! I did the newspaper thing and the shoes have dried well. Will have to try the antiperspirant though!

Yes, typically its' for speed in takedown more than anything. Etomidate has such a short half-life its concerning. I prefer Roc because its half-life is 45-60 minutes. It provides such a better control as a paralytic especially if the pt is aggressiv...

Steth around neck and tape with it ammonia inhalant on back of badge small sharpie clipped to badge Vocera (ugh) clipped to chest pocket trauma shears and two pens in right pants pocket gum and chap stick in inner right pants pocket phone in left pan...

Agree with EmergencyNrse... I have used many scopes but just use whatever is comfortable for you. I used a sprague scope, but it was to thick around my neck and gave me an ache. I prefer anything I can hear with but lighter is better. Have used the s...

Just curious what the typical cost is for a RN-BSN bridge program? I have seen costs range from $20,000-30,000. Is this typical? Thanks for any info... Also, if there is anyone out there who is attending/has attened/knows someone who has attended Ch...

Redding Medical or Steeles have good prices and Redding is typically the cheapest I have found. Other sites seem to mark up extremely. Always look on Ebay as prices can be really cheap. Don't hesitate to look at used stethoscopes either. Always a goo...

I have always bought cheap and have never regretted it. I like the idea of watches with the second hand but can't get over the "tick-tick-tick" all the time. It really drives me crazy! I personally just get a cheap digital Timex watch with a plastic ...