norcalRNstudent

norcalRNstudent

ER

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All Content by norcalRNstudent

  1. A question for all you ER nurses....

    Well, during a critical situation, i.e. code or near code, we do have enough staff that one person usually designates themself to chart what is happening. In really crazy situations, we will sometimes just jot things down on a paper towel, or scrap; ...
  2. Post-bariatric surgery nightmare!

    Has he replaced a food addiction with others (Etoh and smokes?) Sounds like he is in desperate need for MD follow up and some counseling.
  3. Lowest labs?

    K of 1.8, pt. unable to move. Recovered quickly once replaced:yeah:
  4. Stupid Allergies

    Had a patient the other day, mid 50's female. She told our triage nurse that she was allergic to Codeine, as it caused rash, and "Cocaine, it makes me slutty." Yes, we documented it, and got a much needed laugh.:chuckle
  5. Medical termination of pregnancy.

    Just a thought for those of you who say, "just switch assignments". Just because another RN that you work with is willing to assist with terminations doesn't mean that it is not emotionally draining for her. I work in an ER. I'm staunchly pro-choice....
  6. Does regional prejudice exist in nursing?

    I think some of this might come from the time when the NCLEX was not a nationalized standard test. My mom (a RN) always used to tell me if I wanted to go to nursing school, not to do it in Florida, because apparently, their licence did not used to be...
  7. I got a JOB !!!!!

    congrats on not having to drive the hill every day!
  8. How Much Do You Make???

    RN with associates degree almost 2 years experience San Jose, Ca 120k/year (15k is night shift differential) that included about 80 hours OT for the year.
  9. Why hospitals wouldn't give a job to a new grad?

    the trouble with new grads is they are $$. you have to pay someone to train them, and especially if you are doing it right, you've got 6 weeks or so of paying a nurse that is not yet independent. it's often less risky to hire an experienced nurse. go...
  10. California nurses--- Do you REALLY get to eat meals?

    Barring some catastrophic event, like half the staff calling in sick, I get my 30 minute breaks always. We have floats to help out and run break coverage.
  11. What can i do with my husband?

    I've got two points... First, all those "sick and infected" patients in the ER will get admitted somewhere, and when they're not in the hospital, they are out in the community, going to clinics and doctors offices. You will have contact with contagio...
  12. Loss of first RN job Today I am so sad

    Seriously, FIVE ICU patients?! for a new grad, nevermind the most die-hard, rockstar, kick-a** experienced nurse is NUTS, imho. Count your blessings to be out...doesn't sound safe to me.
  13. Do Nurses eat their....lunch?

    I work 12 hr nights in a VERY busy ED. I get two 30 minute breaks by law/contract, and I actually get them 97% of the time, as do my coworkers. I don't understand the mentality of a unit that accepts no breaks day in and day out. No breaks=me eating ...
  14. Dental Hygienists paid more than Nurses?

    You'd have to pay me a MILLION dollars a year to go digging around in someone's mouth before it's been cleaned. Bad teeth gross me out!:barf01: to each his/her own.
  15. Full Code Not Carried Out

    I've never seen a Hospice group that will allow a full code patient. They are mutually exclusive ideas- one is comfort care, and the other is by any means necessary.
  16. My 9 year old patient was raped and required surgery

    Sending hugs your way. I had a similar patient a few weeks ago. All you can do is try to be a stable, caring, trustworthy adult figure in her day. You might be the only one she knows.:icon_hug:
  17. Cutting salaries, taking vacation time...are they free to do as they please?

    are you f@#$% kidding me!?!? that is NONSENSE. maybe I'm just naive because I work in California at a union hospital, but unless my very existence depended on it, I'd run from that place. :angryfire
  18. Elevated K+--insulin?

    Insulin forces K+ into the cell (I think I've got the direction right), and dextrose prevents a crash from low glucose. Helps in the short term to prevent effects of hyperkalemia.
  19. 1st pediatric code

    Hugs to you. I took care of my first pedi sexual assault tonight that had to go to the OR for repair. Sometimes I don't know how we do this, never mind pedi, who sees this stuff WAY too often. Lean on your coworkers...most on the outside just don't g...
  20. Wrist B/P digital cuff vs. old manuel arm type

    for some reason, they used one on me at my dentist...reading of 164/80. I laughed, and told her she needs a new cuff; I never run more than 110/60. She repositioned my arm, and voila! 110/60. Had I not said anything, she would have been more than hap...
  21. I will soon have a BS in biology.. where do i go from here.

    If it is still possible, DONT finish your BS right now. You won't be eligible for financial aid for another bachelors degree once you already have one. Take all but one class, then apply for the BSN. You can always finish the other degree later.
  22. Highest BAL?

    we had a girl, 15 or 16, admitted, intubated to PICU for a BAL >.60 , and I've seen DT's with a BAL in the 0.20 range also.
  23. Starting Salary.

    People can talk about cost of living all they want, but here in CA, salaries went up with unionization and ratios (state mandated). Nurses that I work with saw their salaries nearly double over the course of a few years because of this.
  24. Starting Salary.

    Don't pay attention to my ID, I just finished my 1st year as an RN in the Silicon Valley area, starting pay $46/hour + $7.35/hour night shift. I'll clear 100k in my first year. HOWEVER, my mortgage is also over 600k.
  25. and the problem is..........?

    This one still gets me laughing. I get a facesheet on a female custody patient coming in, c/o "No BM for 3 months." She arrives, I walk into the room to find an average, healthy appearing woman. I say, " So, I'm having a hard time believing that you ...