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.

I had 2 back operations when in my early 20's. I've been working full time as a nurse for 21 years. I know about back pain! I found Dansko clogs helped alot, but the very best thing I could do for myself is gentle walking as exercise. Several times a week and that helps keep me relatively pain free. Also, I had physical therapy awhile back and they gave me exercises to do. Now, if I was smart, I would do them all the time, but I guess when I feel ok, I forget, and just get on with life, which is kind of pathetic in a way. After having been through alot with my back over the years, it would be very wise for me to do those exercises no matter what!! I'd like to figure out why I sometimes neglect my health!

"pm care" back rubs for patients, (although I still do them!) gomco suction, on a little trolley, rolled over to the patients bedside when they required an ng tube to suction from my OB days: I recall seeing leather wrist restraints strapped to the side of the labor table In fact, a separate room for labor, then the patient was moved to the delivery room, (that's where the leather straps came in) One of the delivery rooms had the walls painted black so it could be dark for the birth, (the Leboyer method of delivery, very 70's) I absolutely love nursing nostalgia!

treatment for bedsores consisted using a heat lamp, and betadine ointment.

Dansko clogs. Can't beat them!!

well done!! I'm waiting to hear, honestly I'm expecting to be rejected, that way I won't be disappointed. I'm also being realistic. There were 75 applicants, 25 spaces.

how about some community service, volunteering. Also, when you're done with your BSN, take a few graduate level courses, (assuming you're entering a MSN program, you can take a certain number of credits in the core courses as a non matriculating student until you get accepted.) Good Luck!

I recently had my interview, I also had a hard time reading them. They sure shuffled alot of papers during the interview. It was a group interview, I guess that is the norm? I found it unnerving, I don't like to boast at all, so I was very under-stated and subtle. I'm not sure if that was the best way to be, but I just have to be myself. If I'm not, I feel false. I felt like the others were trying sooo hard to impress the panel. Oh well, what will be, will be!! I'll know by Xmas. Good luck to you!

I've never been like that, but it's a well-known phenonenom with nursing students, I remember the instructors telling us it will happen to a number of us in our group. What I have noticed, though, is that I've become a very good (ie, frequent)consumer of health care. I guess I feel that if I have a problem, then there's probably a pill for it. And rather than just living with the problem, I seek treatment. As my doctor once told me, "better living through chemistry."

I think time will help. Sorry you are having this problem! Role play with your counselor to learn some assertive techniques you can use, these will serve you all your life. Some seasoned nurses don't like new-ish nurses because sometimes they act stuck up or are know-it-alls. A know-it-all new nurse is insulting to a seasoned nurse, and besides she makes herself look stupid. Be confident in your strengths, and acknowledge your weaknesses. Be humble, but definitely don't be a door mat, they'll just take advantage. Be helpful, be professional, and say please and thank you. I know time will help, you might even become their friend. Good luck, keep me posted!

I think I might just be having growing pains, and am afraid of making a mistake. I'll become a better nurse if I go for this new position, because no one will help me, it will be sink or swim! What doesn't kill me makes me stronger, right?