Kenneth Oja PhD, RN

teaching, research, and evidence-based practice

Nurse Research Scientist and Assistant Professor

Columnist

All Content by Kenneth Oja

  1. Kenneth Oja

    NCLEX exam without going to nursing school?

    You'll most likely need at least an associate or bachelor's degree in nursing, but each nursing regulatory body (NRB) has their own eligibility requirements. Contact the NRB where you want to take the...
  2. Kenneth Oja

    Where to wear ID badge

    Check with your clinical instructor or the dress code policy of your nursing program to see if there are any specific guidelines for wearing your ID badge. They may also have suggestions for how to...
  3. Both are used to remove excess fluid from the blood, but they work in slightly different ways. Ultrafiltration only removes excess fluid from the blood – not waste products. The process...
  4. It's not as uncommon as you might think! Many hospitals have policies that allow patients to go outside and smoke, as long as they sign a waiver and aren't actively being monitored. I get how it can...
  5. Kenneth Oja

    End of Shift Note

    Smart move in doing a little research and learning the different methods in which you can write your end of shift note because it's going to vary by facility and type of unit / department....
  6. I took AP I and II in two consecutive semesters and found II to be more difficult because of the endocrine system. I also had a heavier load the semester I took AP II along with other challenging...
  7. Kenneth Oja

    RN Jobs That Do Not Require Covid Vaccine

    I would imagine there are some RN jobs that do not require the COVID-19 vaccine, depending on the employer and location. Do a search for jobs that are labeled as "remote" or "telehealth" as these...
  8. Kenneth Oja

    PICC Line Clarification

    Depends on the brand / manufacturer. PICC lines might have one, two, or three lumens. Typically, with a triple lumen PICC, the proximal port is white, medial is blue, and brown is distal....
  9. Kenneth Oja

    What are K-riders?

    Yes, it is simply IV potassium. Not sure when, where, why, or how this term originated, but it's safer and more accurate to use correct terminology. Think Five Rights of Medication Administration. "K...
  10. Kenneth Oja

    discharge documentation

    I don't see anything wrong with this. It's clear, concise, relevant, etc. Maybe clarify what your preceptor means by "paint a picture.” If you're following appropriate facility and other guidelines...
  11. Kenneth Oja

    Is OR nursing a good start for a new grad?

    I don't see why not. We need to get out of the mindset that all new grads need to start in a specific setting or have a certain amount of experience in one area to practice in another. It also depends...
  12. There are multiple factors to consider here, and this is where nursing clinical judgement comes into play. Use your nursing knowledge and assessment to think beyond the written order and the task of...
  13. Kenneth Oja

    PICC Line Clarification

    Depends on the brand / manufacturer. PICC lines might have one, two, or three lumens. Typically, with a triple lumen PICC, the proximal port is white, medial is blue, and brown is distal....
  14. Kenneth Oja

    At home practice for initiating an IV?

    It's great that you want to get extra practice, but my first recommendation is to use the equipment provided by your school. See if your nursing school lab has open lab hours if you feel you are not...
  15. The PACU, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit, is where patients go directly after surgery. They are closely monitored by the nurse as they wake up from anesthesia and are then transferred to another unit once...
  16. Kenneth Oja

    Care Plans Help Please! (with the R\T and AEB)

    This is what I used to tell my students and it always seemed to help: The "related to" is typically the pathophysiology of the medical diagnosis. So, for example, a patient with chronic kidney...
  17. Kenneth Oja

    B52 cocktail

    The safety and efficacy of combining different medications can vary depending on the types of medications, the patient's medical history and diagnoses, and the intended therapeutic outcome. It's also...
  18. Kenneth Oja

    Inverted QRS

    An inverted QRS complex could be something as "serious as a heart attack" all the way down to having misplaced ECG leads. Some common conditions indicative of an inverted QRS complex include...
  19. Kenneth Oja

    Reason for not giving IV push med too fast?

    You're correct in noting that it depends on the medication, which is why it's crucial for nurses to understand and follow the appropriate guidelines for safe medication administration. Pushing...
  20. It's important for nurses to understand the lumen configuration and designation when caring for a patient with a triple lumen. When I worked in the ICU, patients were often receiving multiple...
  21. Kenneth Oja

    CABG Care Plan

    You'll want to consider the general risks related to any type of surgery/procedure as well as the risks specific to the cardiac system. The biggest priority for a CABG patient who is a fresh post-op...
  22. Kenneth Oja

    CNA "Patient Abandonment"

    Giving advance notice and leaving your position as a CNA does not constitute patient abandonment. Also, most patient abandonment laws are geared toward licensed healthcare providers such as nurses and...
  23. Kenneth Oja

    What is RN license endorsement?

    The RN license by endorsement process allows RNs with a valid nursing license to obtain a license to practice in another state. So, yes, you would be able to practice in both Texas and New York....
  24. This article will cover key information about ephedrine and what nurses need to know when caring for the client taking ephedrine. Ephedrine Key Information Ephedrine is an alpha and...