kiszi RN

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 ...

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 p...

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...

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. B...

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 ven...

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 pat...

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'...

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.

Well, I was given a sitz bath when my oldest was born and never used it in the hospital, but it was a lifesaver when I got home! Maybe the new moms are embarrassed to use it in the hospital and could be encouraged to take it home at least?

I got report that my patient was dead. I went in the room, and she was lying in a bathtub, dead as can be. Then one of the docs and I tried to drag her out of the bed by her feet. As we're doing this, I noticed her skin was really macerated and comin...

Cath lab experience will not get you anywhere. If CRNA is your goal, start getting ICU experience now. Most applicants to anesthesia programs have more than the minimum 12-18 months when they apply. I suggest you look up the admission process and req...

Orientation is but a short time. I guess I don't understand why you would want to quit this job based on that alone. My advice is to play along and get through the next several weeks--the train wreck patients will come soon enough. You didn't mentio...

Anecdotally, it seems many COPD-ers deal with some degree of anxiety which can contribute to feelings of SOB. Cautious use of anxiety meds could be discussed with the doctor.

I work nights, and it's rare for a nurse to be off the floor for more than the time it takes to grab food from the cafeteria. When one of us does leave, "report" ranges from a quick "can you listen out for 10 and 12" to a brief rundown of current dri...

I live in the Charlotte area and cost of living is pretty reasonable here. 21/hr might not seem like much, but when you add in shift diff and/or weekend diff, it should cover your expenses easily, especially if you don't have kids. I say go for it! C...

Hey all, I read on the UNCC program's site that a physics course is strongly recommended. Did all of you who got interviews take one?

I seldom call off. I've gone in feeling like crap because I knew staffing was short that day. However, I have also taken a mental health day or personal day on a rare occasion, and did not feel a bit guilty.

I placed my Ohio license on inactive status a while back. I sent an email requesting inactive status as directed on the website. I never got a reply either, but my license soon showed up as inactive on the site. Keep checking. I believe it will say s...