RN_atlast

RN_atlast specializes in ICU.

Latest Activity

1. How to chart to protect license

   RN_atlast posted a topic in General Nursing

   I work at a smaller community hospital that is rich in acuity, but lacking in resources. That being said we have a very high turnover, and the nurse:patient ratio is usually suffering because of lack of staff. This in turns leads to us being very bus...

2. Mg Sulfate Ryder on PCU Patient

   RN_atlast replied to raindrop's topic in General Specialties

   The patient is already on levophed, unless they’re maxed on levo and it’s time to get another pressor on board which is a different issue in itself, why would the mag be questioned? mg and K are electrolytes you look out for especially in regards to ...

3. Unruly CNAs, how to get them moving?

   RN_atlast replied to Nurse Pure-Spring's topic in General Nursing

   Work together with them. Show them you are not above doing something, that goes a long way. As a new grad you are pressed for time, making it hard to help out.

4. New grad nurse - how long did it take you to feel like you knew your job?

   RN_atlast replied to The0Walrus's topic in General Nursing

   The first 2 months on my own were awful. Everything was so new. I worked nights on a busy tele/CV Stepdown, and we were always slammed with admissions. Admission charting would take me an hour. I didn’t really even understand the process of admitting...

5. I made a mistake and I am terrified to go back to work

   RN_atlast replied to DH1234's topic in General Nursing

   Now you will always check your PRN orders for your patients. Try to make it a habit to do this as early on in your shift as possible. If time-willing, I check my patient’s labs, H&P, consult notes, and imaging as early as possible. I also write d...

6. Can I get into the ICU?

   RN_atlast replied to Reaz's topic in Critical

   I’m in Chicago too. If you’re trying for level one trauma centers and trying at the nicer hospitals (Northwestern, Rush, any union hospital here) you will have a harder time. I got into ICU with 7-8 months cardiac/neuro tele experience, but my hospi...

7. Not given hours

   RN_atlast replied to FutureNurse0201's topic in General Nursing

   At my first RN job, if you picked up OT before your last shift of the week they would find a way to cancel you/ put you on call for your last shift so you didn’t end up with OT. It got to a point I stopped picking up shifts because it would make my s...

8. Charge nurse hears me but doesn't listen

   RN_atlast replied to painmeds's topic in General Nursing

   If I'm assigned to that patient, I am that patient's nurse. The charge is charged with running the unit, staffing, assignments, etc and on some units they have their own patients. I have one charge who is amazing, always helpful with advice etc, and ...

9. Forgot to unclamp the secondary

   RN_atlast replied to DH1234's topic in General Nursing

   Not unclamping the secondary is a different “mistake” than say accidentally bolusing a K rider or something. But it’s a good time to learn to take your time with medications. When I’m pulling meds or giving the patient meds if the patient is distract...

10. open visitation in neuro ICU

    RN_atlast replied to NCC_RN's topic in Neuro

    During nurse-nurse report I don’t think families should be present the entire time. There are labs, imaging, etc results which may not have been discussed with the patient/family by the proper provider yet. There are things nurses will say that would...

11. Should I do my "year in med surg"?

    RN_atlast replied to Decisions7's topic in General Nursing

    If you feel like you want to try med-surg, do it. It’s a tough specialty and you get great at time management and prioritizing. You learn what tasks and patients are a time trap and how to deal with that. There are pros and cons to each specialty. I ...

12. Pumping at work

    RN_atlast replied to newmom17's topic in General Nursing

    No you’re not in the wrong. I’m a male so I won’t personally ever breastfeed but my coworkers who do I always want them to have time and a place to do so. When one of my coworkers needs to pump I’ll watch her patients and she goes (I’m not sure where...

13. Want to work in ICU

    RN_atlast replied to Guest1030824's topic in Critical

    Location, location, location. The hospitals with nice shiny facilities that everyone wants to work at will probably be extremely saturated with applicants, especially to their critical care departments as med/surg and telemetry have a way of running ...

14. Some advice on "Orientation"

    RN_atlast replied to Birdsofprey's topic in General Nursing

    If not normal, similar to my experiences. When I became an RN I started on a tele/CV step-down/neuro (stroke) unit. My orientation was with one preceptor (and she was amazing, always gave me good feedback on what I did good and what I needed to impr...

15. Drowning on the floor...only 2 months in. HELP!

    RN_atlast replied to NewKidOnTheFloor's topic in Career Support

    1:10 sounds insane. I work nights currently, so our ratios can get high with admissions but I haven't had a higher ratio than 1:7 thus far, knock on wood. If it were me personally, I would be looking for something else. I am a newer nurse as well, so...