randismom

I will be celebrating 37 yrs as a nurse this spring and have worked in a large variety of facilities/specialties and care models. Delegation is vital but must be done appropriately. And even today, I "Don't ask anyone to do something that I wouldn't do myself."

My cardio tech and I were doing double charting of VS and Sats. She is tracking EKG, b/p and sats while I administer drugs and has handwritten oxygen sats on the EKG. On my paper, I do my baseline VS, and Discharge numbers, but inbetween, make a comment to refer to the EKG for VS, Oxygen Sats and isotope times.

We have just started CTA Coronary. We have one Cardiologist and one Radiologist that can be available in the control room throughout and directing the procedure. The Radiologist is brought from another hospital site every other Wednesday afternoon, and the Cardioligist is blocking his schedule for the opposite Wednesdays so we have coverage. I am the only RN here as well. I have one ICU nurse who covers for me and she has gone through applications with us as well. We don't see that we will be doing these outside those designated hours because of MD availability.

I have one long term patient with recurring therapeutic paracentesis. The albumin is ordered by the ordering specialist at 25 Gm for each 2-3 liter ascites removed. We have removed as much as 9 liter several times over the last 1 1/2 years. At the beginning, we weren't giving albumin... the ordering MD just assumed that everyone did replacement. Once we got that straightened out and he wrote orders, the volume removed has leveled off at about 6 liter every 3-4 week instead of 6-9 liter every 2 week. This patient tolerates para very well. She hasn't been driving for over a year and has always come with a driver from the beginning.

I have been a member for about 5 years. I was new to the Radiology field at that time, and joining my local chapter was great. I am a one-nurse department,and was really flying on my own, with only a minimum amount of orientation... basically only my role in performing procedures. I have really enjoyed the local chapter education meetings that I have been able to attend, and am considering sitting for the Radiology Nurse certification next year... The publications are really good for updated information. Really timely in subject matter. BTW, you can have an auto deduction of about $8 per month, so that you don't have a the membership fee hit at one time.

Absolutely not! Physically, exhausting. After a year and a half, on 12 hour days (plus 30 minute commute each way) in CCU, I was sleep deprived, spent ALL my time off trying to catch up. I would go for days never seeing or speaking with my teen age children. Having the extra days off during the week just wasn't worth the detrimental effects on my health and family life. After a couple of weeks, on 8 hour days, I was just beginning to feel "normal" again.

I have been a diploma RN for 33 years, and have embarked upon RN -> BSN. Plan to complete BSN degree by summer 2008... I will be 56 that summer. Too Old? Only if you think you are. Think of the personal pride and satisfaction of reaching your goal. My BSN goal was on and off for years, but I finally made the decision to finish all the general ed, and do the 1 year program for degree. I have had many life experiences, and have transferred through a variety of nursing positions, including middle management. There may be alot in the program which won't be great news for me, but just the activity of thinking, reading and studying, will make you expand your horizons. Keep focused. Nursing is a great career, because there are SO many different types of Nursing, that there is surely something for you. I have progressed through many specialties, and now am the only RN in Radiology in a community hospital. So I now take all types of experience and blend it into my daily activities.

why should the fact the facility is owned and managed by any religious affiliation make any difference on the patient care you provide. as a catholic, I have worked in many facilities including the Seventh day adventist organization for 7 years. There were no changes in patient care. The only overt change noted for the employees was that the cafeteria was vegetarian. As in any organization, mutual respect of the supervisors, management and staff should be a given. Whether their titles are Mr. Ms. or Father or Sister should make no difference in your professional behaviour.