Kev702

Why do you even WANT to be a nurse? Kev

As far as your NM goes, you're in the right... She obviously should NOT be in any kind of management position. I long for the days of the "Head Nurse" (remember them???). NO ONE messed with the nurses then, except for her... Then, WATCH OUT!!! If you were in the right, everything was fine. If you were in the wrong - BAM! She got ya... That being said, PLEASE do not refer to nasty people as a "witch". There are those of us that take great offense at this... Kev

Hey T_T_1... I haven't read your other replies because your post reminded me of my first days in ER. I've been doing ER for a long time and my experience started out similarly. Within my first 6 mos of working ER as a new grad I was wisked out of an exam room by security (guns drawn) after the pt I was alone behind closed doors with was ID'd as the same guy that had pulled an armed robbery for drugs at a rural ER not too far away from the one I worked in. Since then I have worked in some of the worst inner city ERs that there are. But, it all comes down to the same thing to me: there aren't many who will work in these places, so just keeping your cool, staying watchfull and being courteous to people can not only bring you some of the most rewarding experiences you can possibly imagine, but some stories that will blow most people away... Good nurses are needed in these ERs. People that end up in these ERs appreciate (more than most!) being taken care of by some one that doesn't look down their nose at them and more often than not, just cool, common sense will diffuse many dangerous scenarios. Kev

Maybe I'm missing something here. I've been mixing my own drugs for the better part of 17 years or so as a RN (in ER). I have never (to my knowledge) mistakenly mixed the wrong components (diluent or drugs). I must admit that when I have mixed some of the heavier, expensive drugs, I have been a little more careful than usual, but NEVER have I refused or flat out given up on mixing a drug for my pt. What's the issue? Did you not take a full pharmacology course in college? Hey, I'm not flaming anyone, just surprised! Isn't this a PART of nursing? I've worked places where the Pharmacist is only in during normal business hours. No one freaks 'cuz the Pharmacist is home. As long as the needed meds/diluents are available, what's the problem?

I am gritting my teeth on THIS one... :angryfire Why? Has to do with rights. Innocent until PROVEN guilty? Heard of that? Where does it say in the constitution that you have rights and priveleges so long as you can pass a drug test? Hey, if someone's diverting, yeah, test 'em. That's also STEALING. Random testing and testing prior to hire is WRONG! Cave and roll. One more right down the tubes. Totalitarianism is coming. One step at a time. Sheesh....

After almost 20 years in ER, I have had a number of females RNs ask me to cath males or to get cultures from male organs.... I have no problem with cathing females (I'm a guy), as long as the PATIENT doesn't have a problem with it. Females frequently have difficulties with male RNs performing certain procedures. It's a fact. Kev

all i can tell you is.... i'm right behind you!!! this is probably one of the hardest prefessions to deal with and once you add in the backstabbing, nasty docs, ignorant people (not all) and constant exposure to virtually everything that's deadly... well... you get the picture... been in er for almost 20 years. when i started, the worst thing to deal with was that a lot of folks thought male rns (which i am) were gay (which i am not). now we have to deal with mounds of paperwork (mostly redundant), physical dangers (i.e., assault), incompetence of others (i was actually told it is my responsibility to make sure the doctor gives appropriate orders and makes no mistakes! (yes, we should all be aware of right and wrong orders)), rediculous staffing ratios (no problem! i document on my couple of psych pts q 15 mins, my integrelin drip pt is doing fine and we're on the last unit of packed cells for pt #4... oh, sure! i can take a lac on a drunk assault victim - what's one more???)... like i said.. watch out!! i'm right behind ya! :rotfl: kev

OMG!!! You just struck my heart! I'm from a (semi) rural area of Michigan. Love to hunt, fish, hike and camp.. Would a person like ME find a home in WV? I am currently practicing in Nevada (YUCKKKKKKKKKKK!!!) and hope to leave this God-forsaken state very soon! I crave the GREEN and gentle slopes of the east! Rocks and desert are definately not for me! I hate the desert and am tired of the Meth-heads and Crack-heads in the cities. No, I don't expect I will EVER be able to nurse anywhere that I will not run into them, but would like to reduce the contacts to maybe just one or two a shift. Seriously, I'd like to find a little ER somewhere in the boonies and would like to rent a home that is far off the beaten path... Sound likely? Done the big city thing for far too many years. It's time for a change...:monkeydance: Kev

Hi Jenni! I've been a nurse for almost 17 years, 15 of which were in Michigan (Detroit/Oakland County area). I left Michigan 2 years ago. I have to admit that my experience in nursing in Michigan is a little jaded. But, Michigan isn't a whole lot different than other places. The biggest difference I have seen is that the nurses in Michigan seem to be a little older, on average, and there's also a "hang 'em high" mentality. What I mean is that rather than work with peers and support each other, nursing administration tends to throw nurses to the wolves, rather than work with them to improve a situation. Very "heavy-handed". Michigan's Nursing Board is quite the opposite, though. My experience with the board is that they are fairly helpful and will work with you on whatever issues there may be. Currently, I'm in Nevada - BIGGEST mistake I've ever made in nursing: very backwards emergency medical system (I'm an ER nurse) and also a very paper heavy and punative Board of Nursing (the pres of the board is a CNA!) All in all, Michigan's not bad. Just watch your back....:wink2: Kev

Yes!!! You definately ARE an ER nurse! And folks like you are just why I continue on as an ER nurse.... Burn out be damned! Kev

:wink2: Wow!!! You, too??? Kev

You didn't mention the BP prior to administration, just the rate... Did you check her BP prior? A hot bath followed by Demerol seems to be a Rx for decreased BP, which "might" have accounted for her being tachy... Regardless, sounds like things turned out well.... Kev

Certainly there are probably some circumstances that may sway most, if not all of us, to the side of informing the police. That being said, I wholeheartedly agree with your basic premise: We are NOT police informants nor are we law enforcement personnel. Just because her BAL was above the legal limit does NOT mean SHE was the cause of the accident. To the other side of this: Go ahead and be a snitch. That type of behaviour tends to "bite back" eventually. Big Brother's already watching too much and getting into our pocket-books/wallets WAY too much. Just my 2 cents! Kev

How 'bout this... I had just assumed my 5 bed assignment and and was given a "Lady Of The Night" with a roach in her ear. She had just been brought in by the local EMS guys... That's not the sad part. After removing the roach, teaching how to avoid having this happen again, suggesting changing motels for doing biz (once this happens, it's a good idea to try a different place), and her written instructions, she returns about 3 or 4 hours later by ambulance from the same motel with another roach in the same ear...

With the exception of few years doing home care, I've been doing ER since I began nursing in 1990. I've done a little ICU, PACU and other "Critical Care" areas, but mainly ER. I'm currently doing the agency thing. None of the internal politics and total scheduling freedom. But, still I find myself wanting something different. I am an ER nurse 100%. Couldn't get into any other standard nursing work. But, I'm bored and burnt. Does anyone have an idea of something where my experience and background might be useful and needed? Been thinking a nice little ER in the boonies could be good. No Crack-heads or Tweekers. No homeless looking for "3 hots and a cot". No primadonna ER Docs... Does such a place exist? Kev702