andhow5 BSN, RN

Get the CEN review book offered through the ENA website, study your TNCC book, then go for it! It's my understanding that the percentages of the areas of content will be changing - but I could be wrong. When I looked on the ENA website a couple wee...

They have to have a signed release.

I agree with the above posters. You have to *try* to leave it at work; but sometimes that's easier said than done. Sometimes you just have to hug the family a little tighter, play with the animals a little longer, or do something "creative" with yo...

You bet your bupkiss I will defend my right to defend myself. Just because I became a nurse does not mean I gave up my civil rights. As far as the facilities that say not to inflict pain - I can agree to a point; use just enough force to get away. ...

OK, I know y'all can relate... Tonight I received a 23yoM, out drinking and driving, hitting parked cars. He already has 2 felony DUI's on his records. He fought with fire department on scene (no head injury - he was just a drunk jerk), EMS on scene,...

I completely agree!

Hey all! I'm fine, and doing well. I never got in trouble for anything. I was given an "atta girl" for doing what I had to do to get away from the drunk and prevent myself from being hurt any further. Our facility places a slightly HIGHER value on th...

Bad, BAD care. He was a trauma patient, and treated like a fast-track patient. Considering his MOI, he needed much more ADVANCED care than he received. I'm glad he's OK, and I hope he heals quickly.

The thread about names got me thinking - not about real names (which honestly, we couldn't make up), but about "pet" names or nicknames that you give to your patients. Do any of you have any interesting ones? We've used: Mah-maw, Pah-paw, g...

We've had mostly "A", several "B", and a few that were positive for both. We treat symptomatically, and a few scripts for tamiflu if recent onset of symptoms. If I'm triaging, I give them a mask and tell them to cover their mouth AND nose, and if th...

Wow... We're only allowed to give Phenergan through central lines, rectally, or IM. We are not allowed to give IVP anymore.

I'm also a real "control freak", and it really upsets me when I don't feel like I'm able to keep up with the flow. But you know what? It doesn't matter HOW long you're there - you will have days where it is just plain horrible no matter how hard yo...

Congrats, and welcome to the jungle!

LOL! After the night I had, this response made it better! ROFLOL! I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one...

Sometimes, when it gets to the point I feel as though I need to either cry or start giggling uncontrollably, I sometimes hum, "She Works Hard for the Money" - the version as performed by Hank Azaria in the movie, The Birdcage.

I must say that I have been using JACKa$$ a lot lately...

Keep them coming guys!

It sounds like you understand what a zoo you could be getting into! There are 2 groups it seems to me: Group 1 - Get experience first, then go to specialty Group 2 - Go right into specialty - they'll train you Both groups have excellent points. But ...

I'm glad to hear you're settling in! It sounds like you've gotten into your grove OK. But no matter how hard you try (or try to control/maintain) - some days it makes NO difference. They just keep coming, and coming, and coming... On those days I ...

I also agree 100%! *Secretly saying voodoo chants and sacrificing small chickens...* Hey - maybe if we sprinkle holy water on them as they come in???

With the kids I try to remind them that crutches are not weapons (don't assault siblings, et al), look out for throw rugs or scattered toys, and watch out for family pets darting around. Also for the fall (after first hard frost/freeze) and winter, I...

... and the only thing we "HAVE" to do is to make sure there is no immediate life-threatening illness or injury. *Edit to add: (and then I'll take care of them or disposition them per protocol.)

We hook tele to our CP, SOB (CHF and Resp Distress), OD, Trauma, bad GI, Stroke sx, anytime something just doesn't "feel" right. We don't have to have an order to put tele on a patient. Our tele is only 3 leads. We do 12-lead ekg's on CP, OD, Stroke...

I have to jump on the bandwagon and say FILE CHARGES! And take extra special care of your back as that IS our livelihood.

I usually joke, "Sux in a blowdart for everyone!" Seriously. Every shift I work anymore there is some sort of physical scuffle. And the verbal abuse - Whoo! It's now considered the norm to be verbally abused and threatened. In our clientele's minds,...