kiszi

Brings to mind a time several years ago when I had an impromptu phone interview for a telephonic case management job. I had been cleaning out my car in the driveway when she called, so I was a little hot and bothered already. On top of that, my cell phone connection was horrid (this was before wifi calling was commonplace) so I did the interview while pacing in my driveway and in front of my house trying to find a "sweet spot." I apologized profusely and tried to present myself well, but I think it was a lost cause at that point It worked out for the best anyhow, as I ended up on a completely different career path. You sound like someone who can roll with whatever gets thrown at you! I was cracking up at the mental image of you coming out in a towel to a surprise greeting by your son and husband

My hospital routinely uses a Doppler on the femoral artery in codes. HOWEVER, we would never delay CPR to get one. Normally once CPR is already in progress, somebody grabs one for the next pulse check. I second MunoRN's comment about palpation of a pulse in a code being unreliable. I feel like it's more helpful and quicker to Doppler a pulse, and the person running the code can listen for it as well.

Were you happy with your pay before? If so, i suggest you mind your business. You dont know what this nurse was making at her last job or how the pay negotiations went for this one. If you plan to "demand" a raise, be prepared to leave if they say no. I would also advise saying nothing about what you saw, but ask based on what your research has shown to be fair compensation for someone in your position.

Director of what? The student health clinic?

Leave if you must, but if the company policy is to give a month notice and you only give two weeks, you can expect to not be eligible for rehire. Is it possible to sit down with the DON and discuss your concerns, or it is beyond that by this point?

Plenty of full-time workers do something PRN on the side. I think it's best to be up-front with a potential PRN job about your availability and needs. As to whether it will hurt your chances, it really depends on what the employer is looking for. But if they want someone who can drop everything and pick up shifts anytime, it probably isn't the place for you anyhow.

Sounds like part of the blame lies on the nurse that acknowledged the order and didn't pass the info along. At any rate, no need to beat yourself up. Use this experience to do better.

It doesn't hurt to try!

Way to quickly prime IV tubing without using the roller clamp: Spike bag upside down. Squeeze drip chamber, flip right side up, release. No bubbles! Also, when priming with a glass bottle, squeeze and fill the drip chamber before opening the air vent. The fluid won't flow till the vent is opened.

Yep, I've known doctors to look at it. One would even check to make sure nurses were titrating drips when the bps were outside parameters.

Every hospital is different, but mine has a cardiac stepdown/progressive unit that sounds similar. Most acute post-cath intervention patients go there if they are stable enough to not need ICU. Nurses there do sheath pulls, drips, BIPAP, etc. All patients are on tele monitoring with bedside and central monitors. The acuity can be high at times. It's a great stepping stone for ICU; many nurses in my cardiac unit have come from there.

You are correct on the application deadlines and start dates. As far as housing, if you want an apartment you should have no problem finding a good one close to the hospital or university. Houses to rent or buy can be a little more tricky to find.

My perspective on tox screens is that of a CCU nurse. It actually surprises me how often tox screens are not done on pts presenting with cardiac arrest with no known cause. It can be a valuable tool when used in the right situations. Generally I don't do many tox screens, as they are typically done in the ED. However, I don't explain what each lab test is for unless asked, and the same would apply for urine screens. If asked, I would inform the patient we are checking their urine for potential substances that could be affecting their condition. Consent for testing the MD deems necessary is included in the consent to treatment.

I work in a cardiac ICU and serve as a code team member. The majority of codes I go to occur on step-down units. So yeah, I'd say ACLS is essential. I believe it is required at my facility also, but not 100% sure.

I would have said something like, "yeah, the department really was a mess after the remodel! Its awesome that you guys stepped up and took care of business! Great job!" But then I am one to avoid confrontation whenever possible.