RussA

Intravenous Medications, Mosby - indicate DO NOT refrigerate, will precipitate.

There are two ways to become certified. Through the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN), or the American Nurses Credentialing Center. This site provides the necessary time requiring to be an RN http://www.amsn.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/AMSNMain.woa/wa/viewSection?s_id=1073744070&ss_id=536873595

The following link provides info on what prerequisite is needed for the nursing program; Associate of Applied Science in Nursing

I took the ANCC test in July 2010. Trust in your ability and experiences. Be familiar with Test Content Outline (look at the percentage of questions from each category). Take the sample test questions on ANCC website to get an idea of the type of questions posed on the exam. For myself, I purchased a used Medical Surgical Nursing Certification - Study Guide, 2nd Edition, Phyllis Healy and Leona Mourad (1998), ISBN 0-87434-919-2. Read/reviewed the book (look over "All" areas, i.e. Ethics, Legal, Behavioral, etc. Again look at the test content outline). From the amount of questions on the examination - you don't have to get all of them right...just 70% (350 of 500 possible points). Good Luck!

You ratio 5-8!? That's probably part of the reasons nurses get burnt-out or leave the profession all together. With 8 patients, care at best is "okay".

On our unit, PCA are run concurrent with IVF. If no IVF been designated, we use NS at KVO rate. If there is an IVF ordered, eg D5 1/2 w/ 20 meq KCL - we use that fluid. For antibiotics - if the antibioic is compatible with the PCA analgesic, i.e Morphine, and the IVF solution, then it can run as IV piggy-back. Your method of using NS with PCA, and another available line for IVF and antibiotics is another option.

This site has a "short" chest tube setup/operations video - that explains bubbling and tidaling. Atrium Medical: Oasis Dry Suction Drain

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) does not require a BSN to be certified as Medical-Surgical nurse, however as mentioned by previous poster - certain specialties do require a BSN. For M/S certification, both bodies do require you to have practiced as an RN for 2-years. I've cut/pasted link to AMSN that shows the differences between both certs (CMSRN vs RN-BC). http://www.amsn.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/AMSNMain.woa/wa/viewSection?s_id=1073744070&ss_id=536873595

LDRNMOMMY. Here's the website for the hospital located in Clovis, NM: - Presbyterian: Career Opportunities Did a search at this website, there wasn't any L&D positions open now, but you can continually to check. The other hospital located in Portales NM, does not have L&D. Its a 22-bed med/surg unit. Cannon AFB, NM is what it is....Good Luck at your future assignment.

I like your mnemonics in remembering draw sequence. Russ

Read previous post...and provide test tube needed and sequence of draw. Information extracted information from: Fischbach, F. (2002) Common Laboratory and Diagnostic Test, 3rd ed. Lippincott, Philadelphia The following sequence for blood drawn: 1. Yellow-top tube - blood cultures 2. Gold-top (SST) / red top non-additive tube - chemistry 3. Light blue-top coagulation tube - plasma-coag studies, ie PT and PTT, D-dimer 4. Light green-top (PST) / green-top additive tube - ammonia, hormone, electrolyte 5. Lavender-top additive tube - CBC, hematology, genetic, RBC folate 6. Grey-top additive tube - Glucose 7. Royal blue-top tube with EDTA - cadmium, mercury, toxicology, nutritional chemistry 8. Royal blue-top without EDTA - aluminum, orificenic, chromium, copper, nickel, zinc 9. Yellow- top (ACD) tube 10. Tan-top tube

Shelley304, In the military, a medic receive specialized training that provide skill/knowledge that include skill-sets that is comparable to an LVN. The 12-month requirement for bedside does not equate to CNA duties. Depending on branch of service and duty location - medics can be seen doing NGT, IV, foleys, EKGs, cast/splints, etc. Advance skills obtained for some of these medics provide them to work independently (within protocols) that have them diagnosing, treating, and prescribing. - So, when presenting military credentials of experience to the board, the submitter provides the skill-knowledge/skill-sets that is gained from AT LEAST 12 months beside experience to be considered.

To be allowed to sit for the NCLEX-PN examination - See Method #4 for military. The website for California Bureau of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technician (BVNPT) is: http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/Licensing/Forms.asp NOTE: You need at least 12-month "bedside" experience. If you have specific questions, you can contact BVNPT, information can be found at http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/Contact.asp Are you planning to reside and practice in California? This method of obtaining a LVN/LPN license is not recognized in many states. Things change, and State legislatures/Board of Nursing can restrict reciprocity - I would check requirements for the state you plan to practice before going this route. BTW what branch of service/MOS/AFSC?

Good for you...thinking ahead. Between now and then, social/family life comes into play. Have you thought about getting your BSN and joining the military? After 20 years, you get 50% of your base pay with annual increase rate annually, and you pay a very low premium for healthcare. Plus the traveling to different countries is exciting.

There are several states that accept license from California that is gained by military members taking the NCLEX-PN. I sat on the NCLEX-PN in 2001 and was licensed in California, and I was able to gain reciprocity and gain New Mexico licensure in 2004. I would have been able to do the same in NC, W.VA, and two other states that I can't recall. California did allow (2004), Independent Duty AF personnel with hospital/in-patient skill-set to sit on the NCLEX-RN. Also, I have met an Army medic that gained his LPN in Texas, and enter nursing programs as an LPN to later sit for the NCLEX-RN in a year. There are corpsman/medics performing task in the military that surpass basic LPN skills - so having them challenge and work in the civilian sector IS (as safe or more so) safe. One just need to know their own weaknesses and limitations. RussA, practicing RN....and still continue to learn