babsRN

I have an issue I really need to get input on. I manage several large telemetry and PCU type areas. Staffing is usually tight...however, once in a while the clouds part and the census in the ICU drops. This means our ICU nurses have to float. Evi...

At my hospital we've had a critical care internship for several years. This is not a new concept to any of us. Unfortunately, ours is broken and in need of redesign. I'm not going to detail the failures here...what I'm seeking is your experiences ...

I'm interested in hearing what the various consequences are out there for medication errors. From ya'lls perspective....how do we hold professionals accountable without creating situations where errors are swept under the rug to avoid punishment? ...

Our longevity bonus is given over and above the annual merit increase without expectation of future service. It's given in recognition past service. So there's no aggreement to sign. It's given at regular intervals...I think currently somewhere ar...

We regularly offer sign on bonuses for new RNs, and last year doubled the bonus offered to get nurse in the door. It's hard to retain nurses without recruiting new ones as well to ease the staffing shortages. So, this bonus is only one piece of a v...

There's a company out there called Anatomical Chart Company. I forget where it is located. I've ordered stuff from them for work...when I get to work on Tuesday, I'll get their number and add it to this thread...

I agree with others in their posts above...nurses in my area are very well paid for the region of the country we're in...however it took me 10 years in Texas to approach the hourly rate I enjoyed in Washington DC. Regional salary differences are usu...

OK here goes ...I'm sorry in advance if I step on toes or offend anyone...but I have to say this: One does not enjoy "respect" until one respects oneself. As long as we do not hold our profession as one of value to ourselves or society, how can we...

You're awesome Victoria!! I'm sorry to say I didn't see the original post, reading your story gives me chill bumps and makes me proud of your courage and perseverence. We can and do make a difference. Thank you for taking the path less traveled...

Have only had the pleasure of spending the night in a hospital as a patient once. After my ABD hyster...my GYN managed to keep me in until the 2nd post op day, then I said, ...sorry gota' go man, before I get sick. I was so paranoid about not being...

There are only about three very old studies out there that have been published. All are inconclusive, with the most famous one being the Thunder project sponsored by the AACN, that I think was published in the early 90's. We're about to start a stu...

Hpyrn's got a point...it was along bike ride that took my pain away once and for all. If I'd known that I'd have gotten on that bike a whole lot sooner! b

Nurse for 28 years.... Manager for 10 years. If this suits your needs, I'd be happy to help! b

Great words of wisdom by all who have come before me...my addition would be to remember that it is the charge nurse who sets the culture for the unit for that shift. Much of what is accomplished or not is based on successful trusting relationships. ...

WOW...another babs out there! Cool! Anyway...your story sounds like mine from 20ish years ago...same problem, same diagnosis. Had multiple epidural injections...months of horrible pain(sorry)...but then the clouds cleared and now I do have short r...

Sorry for not explaing what a courtesy tab is...you know how awful it is for you and the patient when you have to sit and pick off a piece of tape that has cemented itself to the patient's skin? Well, my most valued lesson is to always leave a tab o...

My best lesson...always leave a courtesy tab.

Thanks for the responses to my post about keeping a journal. I hope everyone knows not to mention an occurance report in your documentation...then the report could be discoverable by supoena. Be careful out there! b

Good point about the plan of care. At my last hospital where I got most of my procedural experience, we developed pre, intra, and post procedural plans of care, in such a way that they could be applied to each procedure and the nurse could just chec...

I have always understood that occurance reports should never be copied. But also I need to mention what our risk manager advises about journal keeping or copying other items related to caring for patients. All of these can become evidence and are d...

It has been my understanding as well that the standard v.s. interval during IVconsed. is q5 min as long as the patient is stable. One resource you might check is the ASA to see what their standard of practice currently is. It has been q5 in the pas...

I scanned a few articles lately that have lead me to pose this inquery: Is there anyone out there who has had experience in a facility where the critical care nurses have outreach teams that routinely round on the floors they regularly transfer pat...

As a thin smoker, it's a comfort to know I won't be burdening healthcare economic situation ...:roll :roll

rhona...want to job in the sunny south where people appreciate your good work? As a manager, I spent a significant part of each day trying to communicate to staff that they're valued. In turn, they have begun to value each other and we are seeing l...

Some additional considerations to Matts excellent remarks...you didn't mention whether or not you had ever been diagnosed with heart failure. I'd be curious about what your EF(ejection fraction) is. Have you had an ECHO or a stress ECHO? One of t...