carolCCRN

carolCCRN has 11 years experience and specializes in ICU.

Latest Activity

1. Share Your Funniest Patient Stories...

   carolCCRN replied to Trvln Nurse's topic in Humor

   OMG I must share this. This AM a pt on out unit died (elderly, metastatic CA) and it took awhile for the family to get here so 2hrs later they were still at the bedside. The attending MD's office was notified of the death @0915 but no one had spoken ...

2. MD rounds w/nurses..what should I mention

   carolCCRN replied to jam2007's topic in General Nursing

   www.ihi.org has info on the SBAR. You have to register, but it's free.

3. MD rounds w/nurses..what should I mention

   carolCCRN replied to jam2007's topic in General Nursing

   The SBAR communication tool is excellent for helping you organize your thoughts and keep to the point. I believe an actual SBAR form can be downloaded off the internet, but I'm sorry, I don't know of a website offhand. S - Situation- what's the main ...

4. I don't want to be the ONLY nurse in ICU!

   carolCCRN replied to mojitogirl's topic in Safety

   You stick to your guns on this one! It is absolutely unsafe for you and the patients for all the reasons stated above. If you don't stand up, nobody will. Best of luck, and be brave!

5. staffing stradegies

   carolCCRN replied to RockyCreek's topic in Management

   Wow, what you describe is a HOT MESS. No wonder the staff complains. I've been doing our schedule for 8 years and we've pretty much been doing self-scheduling. We staff for 20 beds (ICU unit, RN/Pt ratio 1:2) and the schedule is opened for self-sche...

6. Take the Job?????

   carolCCRN replied to raffih66's topic in New Nurse

   Taking that first job is scary at best. Best of luck to you! I went to ICU as a new grad even though I was strongly discouraged by nursing school faculty - been there for 10yrs now. I wouldn't even stop at HR (my HR dept is less than helpful), but co...

7. People calling in sick a lot who are moonlighting as agency

   carolCCRN replied to FireStarterRN's topic in General Nursing

   At my facility, we have a point system that awards so many points for an absence, more points for an absence on a holiday, etc. Once a staff member gets to a certain number, he/she gets a warning. If the behavior continues, the corrective action cont...

8. Intolerant of RN errors

   carolCCRN replied to medpsychRN's topic in Safety

   I'm not suggesting that errors of any kind should be overlooked. The original question asked if we saw an INCREASE in employer intolerance of nurse errors, and my answer is "Yes". Minor infractions that were once seen as educational opportunities are...

9. Intolerant of RN errors

   carolCCRN replied to medpsychRN's topic in Safety

   Wow, I thought I was just being paranoid. We just implemented a new computer charting program, and I swear it just makes it easier for management to find mistakes - mostly documentation lapses. WE EXPECT 100% COMPLIANCE AND ANY LESS IS UNACCEPTABLE!!...

10. What to Buy

    carolCCRN replied to shaazzaamm34's topic in General Nursing

    AMEN, llg! Most people spend more than they make, and creditors are more than happy to extend loans to nurses. I don't want to be a wet blanket, but I have so many nurse friends who are working overtime to dig themselves out of trouble they've gotten...

11. How does your nurse manager stack up?

    carolCCRN replied to jo272wv's topic in General Nursing

    I've got to "ditto" the necessary evil of the note graveyard. There is so much new info that comes out daily that has to be implemented YESTERDAY!!!! that it's hard to get the word out one-on-one. And, no, not everyone checks their mailboxes ever. An...

12. I have a question for all of you ICU nurses...

    carolCCRN replied to christvs's topic in MICU

    I think at the top of my list would be better communication with the MDs. We have some MDs who hide for family members and have to be beaten before they'll talk to anyone. Sure, sometimes the report is going to be "Same", but the stress level of thes...

13. ICU Nurses with OCD!!!

    carolCCRN replied to nursern20's topic in MICU

    I went to ICU straight out of nursing school and have been there ever since. I was so lucky to have a few coworkers who liked to teach and didn't mind answering my questions, because ICU is so intense- no pun intended- and you have to be ready for an...

14. Death

    carolCCRN replied to Williss2's topic in General Nursing

    On my unit, we try really hard to support the family members by preparing the body (Yes, sometimes a bath and linen change) and the room (removing medical equipment, placing chairs and tissue boxes) so that one who wish to can spend a few private mom...

15. Am I wrong?

    carolCCRN replied to moongirl's topic in General Nursing

    Nursing school for me seems like such a long time ago. I learned to "stay under the radar" and say "Yes, Ma'am" alot because right or wrong, instructors wield a lot of power (and some of them really like it). You know you were right to address your p...