norcalRNstudent

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; like 0345 CPR in progress 0347 Epi 1 amp 0348 atropine 1, etc. The same with traumas. Somehow, it does all just work out!

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.

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

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

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. I've also had a rough night after assisting on d&c's, even when the outcome of a less than 20 weeker was already known. I'd hate to be on a unit where I had to do more of those procedures than my fair share to accomodate someones religious beliefs. I agree with the earlier posters, work in a Catholic hospital, or pick a different specialty.

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 reciprocated in states like NY and CA. I'm not really sure if it matters anymore, but if the person doing the hiring is 50+, maybe it would make a difference.

congrats on not having to drive the hill every day!

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.

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. good luck with the hunt...i wish i had better advice; I'm glad I graduated into the job market that I did

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.

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 contagious people wherever you are. . . I'm going to preface my second point with a disclaimer...I don't know you, your husband, or your relationship. This is a very general statement, so take it with a grain of salt.... Recently finishing nursing school myself, and being on these boards, I see alot of women whose husbands were initially suportive of them going to school, and then suddenly realize that their spouse is no longer financially dependent on them, no longer running the family 24/7, and the husbands tend to pull a very controlling guilt trip on them. Two marriages in my nursing school of 30 students broke up while we were in school. Really get to the heart of what your husband is concerned about...is it really the job, or is he feeling threatened by your impending independence? Just my :twocents: Finally, I do work in the ER, a crazy, county, level 1 trauma center. I started as a new grad, LOVE my job, and have had nothing worse than a cold and cough that took a while to kick. Sure, I've seen scabies, HIV, HepC, TB, and all sorts of other communicable stuff, but I use common sense and universal precautions. Best of luck to you!

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.

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 at my station=Joint comission violation+ 1 hour of OT every shift, none of which makes management particularly happy.

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.

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.

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:

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

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.

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 get it.:icon_hug:

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 happy to record the initial reading.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 haven't went to the bathroom in 3 months...what's going on?" Pt. replies, "Well, I've had these little terds, but I haven't taken, you know, a really good s**t in months, like since I got to jail.":chuckle:chuckle:chuckle I was biting the inside of my cheek to keep from doubling over laughing. And I still can't believe the jail RN thought this warranted a 3am trip to the ER.