spudflake

Canoehead and Yeti are correct. The drugs are to be started ASAP after the stick. Like Yeti said...most people get VERY ill taking these meds. As Canoe said...very low risk and the "cure" is horrible. But your pt. was very high risk. Call the health department and if they can't help, call CDC.

Huckfinn - that's a bit on the harsh side. I felt a chill. Freedom of choice - remember??? If people want to smoke despite all the information that is available - that's their choice. Nilepoc - it's your choice to let those smokers get away with those breaks. If you want the same privileges then you will need to be assertive. Do what I do - tell them you're taking a smoke break - then just go! If someone asks to go with you (smokers seem to always go in pairs, eh?) say NO THANKS - I like quiet time when I smoke...but maybe we can do lunch....then JUST LEAVE. If someone squaks then be prepared to ask the ultimate question... why are the rules different for ME The busy ER I use to work in now makes sure that everyone gets a break. The fact that it's 75% travelers working there now does reflect on how they treat their employees. And it's getting worse....

Those who know you and have worked with you and respect you will be able to talk to you if they don't agree with a decision you've made. The others, well now you know who you can count on and who you can't. You can't please everyone and some days you please anyone. One of my best friends works for me. The staff knows that we are friends but have NO idea how close we are. Our families spend vacations together, tec. What makes us best friends is that we both know where the line is. Work is work and home is home.

I just got through testifying this week. I was on stand by for 4 days. Talk about nerve racking!!! To top it off 2 things happened right before I went into the court room. 1. The DA gave me furture instructions on what I could and could not say. 2. I found out the crew from 48 hours was there filming the case. The court room was VERY crowded. I was practically sitting in the jury box. The part that makes me soooo angry is that a lot of facts did not get out because of restrictions on testimony. The cop that was on right after me almost caused a mistrial because he mentioned a polygraph ( not admissable!) I am sick at heart because I just feel so deeply that this guy planned the event of his wfe's death. I also think he's going to get off because a lot of information is just not getting to the jury. :This case will probably go on for 6-8 more weeks. I pray there's no mistrial because I don't want to go through this again. If there is then there will have to be change of venue because all of Reno has been reading about this case. Well, I'd get a free trip to Vegas But I'd rather be totally done with it. The ONLY good thing was that I got to look the creep right in the eyes. He knows I know.....

The law states you are entitled to a 30 min linch break and 2 15mins breaks. The 30 min lunch period must be given by the time you've put in 5 hrs. I had a manager tell a 7p-7a nurse that 5:30 am was still time enough to take her break. LOL As I posted before, we just won a suit against our hospital for not providing lunch breaks. I worked in a very busy ER. Having the Housse Supe bring down sandwiches was nice BUT according to the law did NOT compensate for a break and we were suppose to be able to take the sandwich and LEAVE THE AREA for 30 mins. For those who work solo - you MUST be paid for your lunch. I just attended a seminar put on by HR people re: this very subject. A those of you in Calif....boy are there some neat loop holes you may not be aware of!!!

Fiesty - you go girl!! Major problem the admin staff always has...they just don't want to know the truth about what's going on. I know your situation, have been there myself. I admire your spunk. It's too bad you can't do clinicals at that hospital. And they wonder why there's a shortage of nurses:p What would they have done if a Doc had written a similar article and was on staff. I bet NOTHING!!!-

I would check with your State. UAP (Unlicensed assistive personnel) have to be under a licensed person. Some States - under the MD's license..others, the RN's license. I love the paramedica I work with BUT I'm NOT putting them inder MY license:o Sorry :o

The general disscussion area had a whole list of replies from across the world on salaries/pay scale. Each area is different, each specialty was different. NYC had many responses. I think the post was What do you make an hour? To answer the question about managment bonus programs - several hospitals I have worked at give a yearly bonus percentage if you stay under budget. Then they give you about a $2-3,000 bonus and cut your budget for the next year. Not exactly win-win. For my area staff IS the greatest expense. I can recoup supplies and meds. I can't believe that any manager saves their budget by cutting staff...but I have worked where they cut supplies so thin that we ran out of alcohol wipes and IV tubing!!!! Per diems are the cheapest employees because they don't get benefits, travelers are the most expensive because you have to pay big fees to the travel companies. I try to keep a good solid team core staff and fill in with per diems for sick call and vacations and days off. I strongly believe that EVERYONE should have at least two weeks vacation a year! If I have to work as staff to accomplish that goal, I do...even night shift (ugh)

By law the nurse is entiltled to her break. She can do whatever she wishes DURING that half hour. If she was scheduled to go at that time then she's right - it's her time for lunch. If there is an actual emergency and NOONE gets a break then that's another story and she gets paid for no lunch. Just because things are busy - and when aren't they - doesn't mean the nurse isn't entitled to a break. I know this personally because the hospital I USE to work in just settled a law suit with 20 of us and they had to pay us for ALL the lunch breaks we missed over a 2 year period of time. My check was for $1,750. :D

If you are being PAID for your lunch hour then they can have you stay close by for emergencies. If you are NOT being paid then you can do whatever you want, leave the building, go home run an errand - whatever. It's your time. Check with the Labor Board

Tim: I am also management and believe me I have learned a lot reading the postings of these nurses that are working the floors. I bring some of their ideas back to my staff. I have encouraged my staff to get on line and see what these nurses have to say. My staff knows my posts are under Spudflake. Some have come and read but I haven't seen any posts SO FAR!!! This forum is a great opportunity for management. I for one LOVE IT> These guys and gals are GREAT. I love the B*****ing! Tim - these people are tired and very under appreciated where they work by many people - even their patients, clients, customers....What did you expect?? Nurses are under paid and over worked. They keep at it BECAUSE they LOVE IT. That's the only reason. There are so many opportunities out there for people today that don't involve working nights, weekends and holidays. That don't involve life and death decisions and caring. That don't involve cleaning up the stuff that nurses clean up EVERYDAY. I for one say - let loose people...this is your forum:D I also say Thank you! You guys are VERY open with your opinions and feelings. What comes across is the same theme nation wide. We are nurses, we tend to the sick and very ill. we help save lives, we work hard and are PROUD of what we do. Tim, I am sorry if you can not see this in these wonderful nurses. As management I laugh and cry reading some of these posts but I appreciate the fact that these nurses are secure enough to post whatever they may be feeling. Welcome Tim. Read, hear what they are saying and LEARN, Learn, Learn.

I've worked in Hospitals where I did the legals and where lab did them. Most hosp. have changed over to having lab do all legals because it's to hard to replace the nurse who has to go to court! I was lucky because the times I had to go to court my rural hosp. paid my wages so I did a little bit better then $2/hr...but not much HA.