emsrn969

Go to your PCP and ask for a marinol Rx for your intractable nausea. Drug test problem solved. Example: RN, HIV+ partner, PrEP make them extremely nauseous and difficult to keep meds down. Takes a hit before taking med each night, problem solved. Drug test positive for THC, show Rx for marinol...pass. Few companies want to spend hundreds on additional confirmatory testing that may, or may not, be able to tell the difference between the two. Plus if they can't break it down to being different, they open themselves to lawsuits for discrimination based on diagnosed medical condition.

Actually that is backwards. Other EDs cannot dump on you because they are bound by EMTALA, but the VA is free to dump because they aren't held to EMTALA. We love that the VA goes on full divert almost daily and we are stuck with VA patients wanting to go there, but we have to find a doc to admit them since theirs doesn't have privileges with us.

I think it was the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that sent the surveyor.

We went through an EMTALA review about 18months ago. They pulled random charts from transfers in and out to make certain COBRA guidelines were followed. They reviewed our training records for EMTALA that we instituted just prior to the review. We had a violation by our then ED Medical Director. He walked into the ambulance bay, opened the door of the squad that had just arrived with a late term pregnant woman and ordered them to the regional medical center without any MSE or stabilizing. Needless to say, he is no longer with us. We self-reported the violation and started a major education on EMTALA/COBRA. Because of our reporting the violation and our efforts, they chose not to fine us and cleared us of the violation. I hope it goes as well for you.

I have talked and emailed, but the person to speak with is on vacation. I was just hoping to find someone who had exercised the option and how it worked for them.

Ok, so without re-engaging a debate on the pros and cons of Excelsior College I need some help and information. I graduated from EC with my ADN and am now going to return to them to complete my BSN. However, in that time they changed from Prometric to Pearson for their testing facilities. This has made my drive to take a test increase from 10min to over 4hours. Does anyone know of alternative testing methods that EC allows (their authority on it is on vacation) and how did it go if you used it? Thanks, E

This is only going to get more complicated as the NLC expands further across the country. My own state now requires 750 clinical hours for EC grads (350 if LPN already). But we join the compact this year, there are few states in the compact with any such restriction. See what I mean by complicated. E

I did have a difficult time deciding initiallly, but chose the more difficult route of Excelsior. I knew I would learn and retain more by studying on my own instead of an instructor coach me how to pass their test, plus the CPNE is the most stressful exam I have ever taken and wouldn't change that for anything. If you're self motivated and can do the time on your own, Excelsior will offer you an education beyond any traditional college. If you aren't, then spoon-fed instruction is the way to go.

Working in the ED, I can't imagine having to wear white again. I can't count the number of times I've had to change from even my grey or blue scrubs from the blood and vomit we get to endure daily. I would need a very high uniform allowance to be able to buy that many sets of whites...hmm..more money..lol. And I could never get that stupid little white cap to stay on my head. E

Personally, I wish I would test positive, then they could leave me alone about the dang thing. Give me a cxr, then leave me alone 72 hrs later...lol.