Carla25

I recently started working for hospice, my background is Med-Surg and home health. I am having a hard time understanding the criteria per CMS guidelines for a dementia pt. My current employer has educated me that the pt has to be a 7A on the fast scale (something I am still trying to learn) any tips, advice or references would be helpful. I don't want to admit pts who are not appropriate. thanks :)

Any tips on how you keep your car organized? I just have stuff thrown everywhere. Any products that you use to help you stay organized?

I just accepted a new position as an RN case manager for hospice in an ALF setting. All my patients are residents of the ALF. I understand it is my responsibility to keep up with my patients medications. I stepped into this position and it has been very unorganized from the start. I am trying to stay positive and keep up. Also there is a new LPN who manages the whole ALF we have built a great working relationship and communicate very effectively. She is a little frustrated as well as I am because medications seem to be an issue here. So I have never had hospice experience or ALF experience before. We have been communicating about possibly implementing some type of MAR audits for the med techs to do on night shift. Make sure the meds have been transcribed correctly, etc. Can anyone chime in as to what your facility does or how you would handle this? I know every facility has different policies but any input would be appreciated.

I recently accepted a full time position as a hospice nurse. I have no experience in hospice but I do have experience in home health. Are there any resources that anyone could recommend to to help me in this transition to this new position. Thanks in Advance

I have recently started a new job on a surgical floor as a new grad. It is so overwhelming and alot to learn. Can any surgical nurses out share anything that might help me as a new grad. I know some important things after surgery is pain managment, assessing the incision and dressing, DB&C, ambulating, using the incentive spirometer, passing gas, voiding if no foley, having a BM, please feel free to add to help a new nurse out. Anything you can think that might be important for surgical patients. Thanks

a patient or patient's family ask you a question and you don't know the answer? Being a new grad and still on orientation as we all know there is SO much to learn, and I was wondering how other nurses do in this situation without sounding incompetant? Thanks

The hospital that I work at is switching to this system in a few weeks. I am a new grad so learning medications is overwhelming....I was wondering can you look up medications and their actions on this system, etc? I know you can look up labs and other things. Thanks!!

I am a new grad and I am getting ready to start a position at my local hospital. While in nursing school I didn't get alot of practice with giving injections, and now that I will be working I am so anxious and unsure of myself. Can anyone give me any tips on giving injections? Thanks

I have a decision to make and in the end I know it is my decision, but I would like some opinions. I recieved 2 job offers today at the same hospital. I am a new grad. One floor is strictly surgical and the other strictly medical. I think most Medical surgical units are together, but when the local hospital expanded they separated them. Can you tell me some pros and cons about each? Thanks

What is the best PDA to invest in? Where can I find it?

I hope to get a job on the Medical Surgical floor as a new grad (I have an interview next week) My question is what are some good references to take to work with you, or what is your favorite thing that you take to work with you? I know most floors have reference books on them, but just curious??? Thanks

I am 25 days away from graduation and I was curious of what skills are expected of a new nurse? I feel in my particular school we did not get alot of hands on experience as far as Injections and IV's This really worries me because I don't want to start a new job and not be prepared. Are these things that your preceptor will help you with? I understand that IV's take time, but the thing that I am concerned about is the injections. I have done a few, but I do not feel confident in this area.

Actually I am almost done, I will graduate in May 2008, I had to take a semster off because of a illness in my family, so it pushed me back one semster.

I purchased a Littman Master Cardiology and I love it, you can hear everything

Thank you so much!!