Bibagirl

Why should I be expected to have the patient sign their OR consent form - when I haven't been involved in the converstion between the doctor and the patient regarding the procedure? I'm a CRNA, I get my own anesthesia consent. I'll even get the blood transfusion consent, because I'm the one giving the blood to the patient. But I think the surgeon is just being lazy if they do not obtain their own surgical consent!

Just food for thought, thank you for taking the time to respond. Finish this sentence- The most important qualities a nurse can possess are: :balloons::paw:

I got a phone call (!!) and was accepted at the University of Scranton, will start in July 08, class of 2010. Very excited and happy! Now to sort out the money for school!

My patient died last night, 59 years old, he just got to CTICU from the OR,, post CABG, and everything was going along fine, then 40 mins later, he crashed, went back to the OR and died there. The family was in shock, so was I, it was all going so well.... This afternoon, I was sad and cried, I still feel bad, very down. I can only imagine what the wife is going through. I'm torn about looking for his obituary in the paper tomorrow, I want to know a little more about him, (as I only knew him for 40 mins,), and I guess I want to know what kind of a man he was. I just don't want to get sad all ove again.

I work in CV-ICU, and we are in the process of changing our post-op open heart insuling protocol, using a modified Portland protocol, as our doc wants tighter glucose control. I'm a little worried, as we will be getting fingerstick glucoses q 30 mins, and our goal will be to keep the glucose level 200, with q 1 hour accuchecks.) If anyone can share any experience, I would appreciate it. Thanks!:balloons: Biba

Maybe it's just me, but after a day of using the computer, I feel like a nervous wreck. I'm not computer savvy, and I'm constantly frustrated. I'm in a graduate course, and because of my lack of computer skills, I'm going to be dropping out of school. I've been an RN for 22 years, and normally not a quitter. Maybe I'm just not interested in computer stuff, yet it is necessary so that's why I'm so frustrated! I don't have anyone at home to show me, maybe I should of had kids, to keep me clued up on the latest stuff! (trying to be funny there...)

I was wondering if there are any weekenders out there who wouldn't mind sharing their experiences. I'm considering going 100 miles (2 hour drive), out of town to be a weekend nurse in a city hospital. What are the pros and cons? It seems ideal on the surface, to work 2 twelve hour shifts, and get paid the equivalent of a 40 hour week! ps. the city is Philadelphia :smiletea2:

Thank you Steve and Cali, your replies are helpful, and I appreciate you both taking the time to respond to my question. That's what I love about this forum, it's such a nice thing to have nurses out there who know exactly what I'm going through and who offer support, it makes me feel less alone in my predicament!

I worked in CV-ICU until 2 weeks ago. I was working nights and although I love the work and the people, the shift wasn't working out. On impulse and frustration, I bid on a job in PACU. I got the job, and I don't see it working out for me. I've been there 2 weeks, and already I've had 2 small run-ins with my new boss. I really don't like her! I've been in touch with my old boss, and she would love to have me back. Problem is, my new boss can keep me for 6 months if she wants to. She is very much a 'by the book' nurse, and I don't think she'll let me go. What should I put as the reason for my request for transfer? I don't know what to put, keeping in mind I might be stuck there for 6 months. Any advice? :smiletea2:

That is an excellent example, Mom2. My instructor told us to think of the afterload as the resistence you would feel if you were trying to open a car door on a very windy day. That "pushing against a strong wind" would be the afterload. I actually like your example better though, it is spot on!

I hit the wrong key by accident! Just so I don't look like a total loser, my answer to the poll is "I think ultimately the patients wished should have been honored." I am a Nurse. I think in this case the patient knows what is best for himself, and I don't think it was an emergency situation. The O2 Sats were in the 70's all day?!

It doesn't make sense to use sterile gloves when using a dura prep. What makes better sense is that the nurse washes and dries his/her hands immediately before prepping!

12 hour coronary bypass. Patient could not get off bypass and ultimately died in the OR, sad case. Always pee right before the case, and if it's a long one, and you must go again, wait till the time is best, and just say you have to go for a quick bathroom break, and then run!

Insa, I really appreciate your reply, and I've never heard a more true statement in my life: Just because the Americans and the British both speak the same language, you think the culture is the same. That fact surprised and shocked me, and it's something you never really get over. I always felt different to everyone, like I just didn't get it sometimes!

Hi Clare, when we lived in London, my husband had a good job with the council, and I was in nursing. He was paid fairly well, and my nursing wages were less. Now we've moved to America, it's been 3 years and my husband is a house husband. I work full time and I have good wages. We can live on one income, (no children), but my husband is somewhat bored. I think the quality of our life has gone down since we left England. We were both personally happier there, but trying to cope with London was getting us down, and that's why we left. It back-fired on us, and it is a hard lesson, because we can't move back to London. We could never afford to buy back into it now. So here we are, trying to make the best of it. My advice is to think long and hard before you leave the UK, make sure you are doing it for the right reasons, and if you could keep your options open, all the better. Good luck.