Orca ADN, ASN, RN

Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC

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All Content by Orca

  1. Orca

    Depression in nurses and how/where to get help?

    Orca replied to SeattleKid09's topic in Psychiatric

    Many employers also have employee assistance programs that help employees struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues. One hospital I worked in had a policy that insurance covered...
  2. Orca

    Do you wear different scrubs for psych?

    Orca replied to angelfire280's topic in Psychiatric

    On the units I've worked on I had the option of wearing either street clothes or scrubs. I chose the former. (For Halloween we dressed in uniforms, which our patients got a kick out of.) The only...
  3. Orca

    Psych. RNs

    Orca replied to lion09's topic in Psychiatric

    I was given a charge position on a mental health unit right out of school, and frankly I wasn't ready for it. I managed to survive thanks to having a companion unit next door with more experienced...
  4. Orca

    Dangers of Labeling Inmates - Stories Sought

    Orca replied to Guest371144's topic in Correctional

    If you work at a county jail I can understand this. If you work for a state department of corrections I don't. Our doctors' orders are valid regardless of where the inmate is transferred, for the...
  5. Orca

    Should I renew my licence now?

    Orca replied to zakuro's topic in General Nursing

    You might think about inactivating it if you won't be back for four years. Some states charge to inactivate, others don't. In either case it would cost less than keeping it up for four years if you...
  6. Orca

    Young Nurse-New Care Coordinator

    Orca replied to Rebel_Kitty's topic in Nurse Management

    Some bad habits are adaptations to not having the proper equipment and supplies. If the change is to be lasting, it is important to get staff buy-in on the changes you plan to make. Explain your...
  7. Orca

    Wow the doors are all closing, when will one open?

    Orca replied to Destiny12's topic in General Nursing

    At this point I would not leave my job without having another immediately in hand, and even then it would have to be a very secure one (as well as I could determine) - for a lot more cash, which isn't...
  8. Orca

    stupid documentation!

    Orca replied to NC29mom's topic in General Nursing

    This note in particular is disturbing. Aside from the nurse's inability to spell "attack" (thereby calling her medical knowledge and competence into question), it says nothing about what the nurse did...
  9. Orca

    Nursing 3-11 and marriage

    Orca replied to NamasteNurse's topic in General Nursing

    My wife and I were in a similar situation once. I worked 12-hour days, she 12-hour nights (the employer wouldn't let us work the same shift because I was an RN and she an LPN - a chain of command...
  10. Orca

    Texas license wanting to move to oklahoma

    Orca replied to jewels109's topic in Oklahoma Nursing

    My original license was in Oklahoma. My experience has been that the people at the BON are very easy to deal with and very helpful. . The fee for a license by endorsement is $85 for an LPN - same as...
  11. Orca

    stupid documentation!

    Orca replied to NC29mom's topic in General Nursing

    That is some of the worst documentation I have ever read. It tells me nothing, yet it opens a whole Pandora's box of possibilities. Misspellings aside, it contains nothing of value to anyone who would...
  12. Orca

    Dangers of Labeling Inmates - Stories Sought

    Orca replied to Guest371144's topic in Correctional

    Bottom line: I had far rather be accused of doing too much than doing too little. Exactly why I redirect my staff if one of them tries to dismiss a man down call regarding one of our "frequent...
  13. Orca

    Being Sued / Losing License

    Orca replied to Meraki's topic in Nursing Professionalism

    1. How many years have you been a nurse? 15 2. How many nurses do you know personally that have been sued? Several, and I have been sued myself - but I work in corrections, which increases the...
  14. Orca

    VERY POOR JUDGEMENT

    Orca replied to HIPPIECHIKRN's topic in Correctional

    You don't need a physician order to irrigate or change a catheter, unless there are specific orders not to do so. I would have irrigated it first, and if that yielded no results I would have changed...
  15. Orca

    I hate my phone

    Orca replied to coolpeach's topic in General Nursing

    Except in cases of staffing emergency, I am required to give two weeks' notice before I change anyone's schedule. I don't see how they can make you a no-call no-show if all they did was leave a voice...
  16. Orca

    Dangers of Labeling Inmates - Stories Sought

    Orca replied to Guest371144's topic in Correctional

    I received a man down call from one of our housing units regarding an inmate with intractable abdominal pain. I went to the unit with my escort officer and found the inmate in a fetal position on the...
  17. Orca

    humerous, yet a little scary story

    Orca replied to fhockeychick504's topic in General Nursing

    I believe that is one reason that one of my former hospitals used a different term for it. Hearing "code blue" panics some people while inciting curiosity in
  18. Orca

    Would manager or HR be impressed?

    Orca replied to shuubie's topic in General Nursing

    In all honesty I wouldn't say that you quit just for them. That may make them believe that they will suffer the same fate as soon as you find some place you like better. Saying that they are your...
  19. Orca

    The Effects of Ativan Are They Worth The Outcome?

    Orca replied to zero98's topic in General Nursing

    On geriatric mental health units (and adult units as well) we used Ativan mainly IM as a response to psychiatric emergencies. I don't recall ever giving it routinely to a geriatric patient....
  20. Orca

    Can a doctor ask a nurse to write the order when she is standing right there??

    Orca replied to Parul's topic in General Nursing

    I would say no. If the the medication was misidentified - or the outside pharmacy misfilled the bottles - there could be a big liability issue. I would have the doctor write her own order. Ultimately...
  21. Orca

    humerous, yet a little scary story

    Orca replied to fhockeychick504's topic in General Nursing

    One hospital I worked in called CRT (cardiac resuscitation team) and the room
  22. Orca

    Told to have tougher skin!

    Orca replied to dscott76's topic in General Nursing

    Zookeeper, one of the most amazing posts I've read on this board. You summarized it better than I ever
  23. Orca

    Told to have tougher skin!

    Orca replied to dscott76's topic in General Nursing

    It's an acquired skill. We naturally care what people think about us and our abilities. Sooner or later, you come to the realization that there are more important things to be concerned with,...
  24. Orca

    I need some Advice please

    Orca replied to babypoo's topic in General Nursing

    Your employer has spelled out their requirements for light duty, and you do not meet them. Even if you are willing to work, your employer would be taking an unacceptable risk allowing you to continue,...
  25. Orca

    How would you react to being taken hostage?"

    Orca replied to CN Student's topic in Correctional

    My facility is a former CCA institution that was taken over by the state. All I can say is that private companies cut corners that states won't. Our pill call procedure calls for physical separation...