catlvr

catlvr

Geriatrics, Hospice, Palliative Care

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All Content by catlvr

  1. The Slow Code: Justified?

    catlvr replied to TheCommuter's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    I, too, work in a SNF and have run several codes (which usually means just CPR and AED, although a friend once pushed dextrose on someone dead from hypoglycemia - he was resuscitated). And while I...

  2. Mandatory Patient Care

    catlvr replied to Flyboy17's topic in General Nursing

    I think that it is a terrific idea for administrative staff to be trained as CNAs or some other capacity so that they can have a true, holistic understanding of how the facility works. At my last SNF...

  3. The soul crushing part about nursing

    catlvr replied to OnlybyHisgraceRN's topic in General Nursing

    These are indeed difficult patients to handle. I understand the desire to tell the family that the pt appears comfortable, but agree with others: I would be honest and tell them that the pts pain is...

  4. Open wonds covered with dry swabs?

    catlvr replied to mandihere's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    The wound care nurse at my facility LOVES wet to dry dressings, and uses them for everything, even for stuff that isn't being debrided - breaks my heart since it causes the resident a good bit of pain...

  5. Getting the needle in the vein...

    catlvr replied to WldChrry's topic in LPN, LVN Corner

    WldChrry, just because it has always been done that way does not mean that it is right. You are responsible for knowing your scope; you would be wise to get a copy of your facility policy and your...

  6. Needing a place to stay in Pittsburgh

    catlvr replied to xxMIKExx's topic in Pennsylvania Nursing

    Welcome to Pittsburgh, it is a great city! When we were looking for a house, we stayed at the Red Roof Inn on Rt 60 in the Carnegie area (west side of town, easy access to the highways). Not a fancy...

  7. Am I unsafe to practice?

    catlvr replied to Need2Care's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    Unsafe to practice after these two events? I don't think so, unless you showed an attitude of unwillingness to be accountable, learn, and vow to do better. It is possible that for whatever reason,...

  8. Gerontology certification questions

    catlvr replied to knexx's topic in LPN, LVN Corner

    I was looking for responses as well, since I"d like to take the exam! Hope that you get a few answers

  9. Almost lost it last night

    catlvr posted a topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I changed two PEG tube dressings last night, 5/5/12 (ordered for daily clean site and change on tubes with continuous feedings). Found my dressings from 4/30/12. Called the sup in to witness, and...

  10. Almost lost it last night

    catlvr replied to catlvr's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I guess that it was the final straw for me at this place. I agree that not all gtubes need dressings, but when I suggested that we d/c some of the dressings that clearly were not being done, I was...

  11. Killing people in rehab

    catlvr replied to thesundowner's topic in Rehabilitation

    THese stories would make me laugh if I didn't cry first. It is, indeed, all about the reimbursement. I've seen folks who should have been put on hospice "encouraged" to use up their skilled time...

  12. Need a rock to crawl under

    catlvr replied to winnowill's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I used to work with a nurse who refused to accept a perm assignment because then you have more accountability than someone who floats. She never had to answer questions about residents breaking down,...

  13. How would you handle this.....

    catlvr replied to JenLPN001's topic in LPN, LVN Corner

    I would smile and say that I am an LPN, and ask what I could help them with. No sense if getting into a ******* contest with a family

  14. What's in your bag?

    catlvr replied to jazziejp89's topic in LPN, LVN Corner

    Sense of humor since it always better to laugh than cry, and attitude that you are going to do the best that you can with what is available to you (I fall down on this one every day but I never give...

  15. A way to turn stress into gold? Healthcare Corruption

    catlvr replied to Naturess's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I take it that you work in LTC as well. I view this environment as dysfunctional at best, and often downright abusive. There are a lot of front line staff doing their best to give their residents a...

  16. Shortest amount of time at job?

    catlvr replied to andreasmom02's topic in LPN, LVN Corner

    I worked at a place for five days (well, two days were indoctrination (corporate orientation stuff) days, and maybe those don't count). I left after finding three serious med errors that were swept...

  17. Unusual ways to get attention to resume?

    catlvr posted a topic in Job Search, Interview, Resume

    Hi, I come to AllNurses once again for your sage advice...I found a job that I really, really, really want. It is inpatient hospice, 12 hour shifts, and close to my home. I sent my strongest...

  18. Decision on job offer

    catlvr replied to tokidoki7's topic in Nursing Career

    If your gut is saying NO to the SNF job, trust it! I took a job at a SNF a few months ago against my better judgement, and left after three days - the environment was not one in which I could be...

  19. Dilantin via PEG - stop TF??

    catlvr replied to littlegreenfrog's topic in Patient Medications

    We had a pt on tube feedings and dilantin...he was finally getting ready to go home after a six months in ltc, so I asked the doc to consider changing the dilantin to another med to simplify the...

  20. Unusual ways to get attention to resume?

    catlvr replied to catlvr's topic in Job Search, Interview, Resume

    Thanks so much for the help; I'll rewrite my cover letter and try to make it more customer service oriented...I know that I can learn the specialized skills to be a great hospice nurse, but getting my...

  21. skilled unit in rehab facility...questions

    catlvr replied to scrublifenurse10's topic in Rehabilitation

    One thing that really, really helps: when a pt is admitted, let them know what to expect. Make sure that they and their family understand that it is a rehab facility and the goal (hopefully) is for...

  22. Senior Nurses: Patient Case #2, Have You Ever Seen This?

    catlvr replied to All4NursingRN's topic in General Nursing

    Well, not to share too much, but: I had uterine cancer at a young age and with no known risk factors, and I bled like a stuck pig. I hope that isn't the case with your pt, and am interested in...

  23. do you think I should be written up?

    catlvr replied to daisymae65035's topic in General Nursing

    Daisymae, I agree with the other posters: yes, you bear responsibility as well, and yes, it stinks. I hope that the responsibility for the error was shared by all of the staff (esp the person who...

  24. What positions are available for Lpn that a loner could do

    catlvr replied to Kimhdimino's topic in LPN, LVN Corner

    Most nursing is teamwork, and it is very helpful as a new nurse to work with other nurses - you'll find their experience invaluable. I can't say that I've found many hostile or nasty nurses, so I...

  25. I'm trying my best, but seriously stop putting me down on the phone

    catlvr replied to Catch22Personified's topic in Emergency

    This is quite true! The LTC facilities that will thrive are those that reduce readmissions. LTC nurses generally know their patients very well and know what they need - if we use SBAR and "guide"...