CrufflerJJ BSN, RN, EMT-P

ICU

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All Content by CrufflerJJ

  1. CrufflerJJ

    newly hired to icu

    CrufflerJJ replied to TNT_RN09's topic in MICU, SICU

    The ICU will offer you a tremendous learning opportunity. You might also want to take a look at index . TONS of handy information, nicely
  2. CrufflerJJ

    newly hired to icu

    CrufflerJJ replied to TNT_RN09's topic in MICU, SICU

    Looking at your post, it appears to me that you are well on your way to CCU. You KNOW that "there is so much I don't know", which is better than many newbies applying for ICU slots. You also say...
  3. CrufflerJJ

    let go on first day because of OSHA :(

    CrufflerJJ replied to Ashley3H12's topic in Nursing Career

    Sorry to hear that you were apparently treated so poorly as a new RN. If your performance on the pop quizzes was the sole reason for your termination, that just plain sucks. If this was the case,...
  4. CrufflerJJ

    Sedation in ICU... your opinions/ experiences?

    CrufflerJJ replied to IheartICUnursing's topic in MICU, SICU

    Low dose sedation is the goal. Unfortunately, however, some pts have built up such a tolerance to opiates/benzos (due to "recreational" use outside a hospital setting) that it might take 300 mcg/hr...
  5. CrufflerJJ

    Overwhelmed

    CrufflerJJ replied to Oraelo's topic in General Students

    Fun Times! No need to be scared...the quantity/weight of texts does not indicate the difficulty of the courses. That's mostly impacted by the instructors themselves. One day at a time.... Good
  6. CrufflerJJ

    Golytely

    CrufflerJJ replied to CAnurse2012's topic in First Year After Licensure

    "GoHeavily"
  7. CrufflerJJ

    Hospital Beep Syndrome

    CrufflerJJ replied to hypatiafaerie's topic in General Nursing

    When I was running as a volunteer paramedic on my local fre dept, I'd hear the first "tone" of our multi-tone ambulance dispatch notification when I was out & about. Instant adrenaline dump!...
  8. CrufflerJJ

    Drug Shortages

    CrufflerJJ replied to CrufflerJJ's topic in Patient Medications

    For a while, we were out of the 100 mcg vials of fentanyl in our ICU. WHEN we could get the med, it was in 250 mcg "party bottles". Draw out 50-100 mcg, waste the
  9. CrufflerJJ

    What kind of little "Thanks" does your hospital give, or are they too cheap?

    CrufflerJJ replied to pattyslattery's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    For me, it's not about trinkets or minor "thank you's" (although those are nice). It's about being called into my manager's office, not for a write-up, but to be told about a pt's "thank you" card...
  10. CrufflerJJ

    Drug Shortages

    CrufflerJJ replied to CrufflerJJ's topic in Patient Medications

    I think if you asked the regular consumer of prescription meds OUTSIDE the realm of prescription drug coverage (pay for the meds yourself) if they'd prefer a "legal...strictly produced" pill for $15...
  11. CrufflerJJ

    Drug Shortages

    CrufflerJJ replied to CrufflerJJ's topic in Patient Medications

    Oooookay.....that being said (drug makers are eeeeevil capitalist profiteers, seeking to make mucho-dollars in profit for drugs made for much less $$$)... Why are we unable to provide basic drugs in...
  12. CrufflerJJ

    What kind of little "Thanks" does your hospital give, or are they too cheap?

    CrufflerJJ replied to pattyslattery's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    Probably not. Then again, adult professionals probably don't expect to be "written up" for minor documentation/performance issues (all the while, being told "we value you as a team
  13. CrufflerJJ

    Adjunct Faculty a.k.a. 'Academic Sharecroppers'

    CrufflerJJ replied to TheCommuter's topic in Nursing Educators, Faculty

    Great article! I hadn't given much thought in the past to the plight of adjunct
  14. CrufflerJJ

    Propofol & Cocaine = violent patient??

    CrufflerJJ replied to RunninOnCoffee's topic in MICU, SICU

    Precedex is good WHEN it works...IF it works. I've not been all that impressed with that medication. Yes, Precedex doesn't nuke the pt's respiratory drive. That being said, it also is wonderful at...
  15. CrufflerJJ

    Non-nursing Bachelors, Looking to Obtain BSN. Need advice.

    CrufflerJJ replied to JessW's topic in Pre-Nursing Students

    When I was looking to go into an accelerated program, I was doing prerequisites for TWO local programs. This was done to "hedge my bet", since I wasn't sure that I was going to get into my top...
  16. CrufflerJJ

    Non-nursing Bachelors, Looking to Obtain BSN. Need advice.

    CrufflerJJ replied to JessW's topic in Pre-Nursing Students

    Welcome to Allnurses! The "best" approach is probably different for each & every person. I was lucky enough to have a spouse bringing in a paycheck after I quit my full time job as an engineer...
  17. CrufflerJJ

    CCRN testing help

    CrufflerJJ replied to scorpionrn's topic in MICU, SICU

    That sounds about like me. I'd been working in our ICU for nearly 3 years, and have "thought" about taking the CCRN exam for the past 2 years. I even bought the Pass CCRN and AACN Core Review...
  18. CrufflerJJ

    ER VS ICU NURSING

    CrufflerJJ replied to Johnny1414's topic in Emergency

    Ummm....no. While your run-of-the-mill ICU nurse might think that they walk on water, do multiple codes simultaneously (and at the same time!!!), and deal with those frequent "is the bed ready yet??"...
  19. CrufflerJJ

    ER VS ICU NURSING

    CrufflerJJ replied to Johnny1414's topic in Emergency

    I'll try to restrain my inherent sarcastic "snarky" tendencies, and just politely suggest that you shadow for a shift or two in each of your potential specialties. See for yourself how the nurses in...
  20. CrufflerJJ

    Transactional Leadership Versus Transformational Leadership

    CrufflerJJ replied to TheCommuter's topic in Nurse Management

    "Transactional Leadership vs Transformational Leadership".....Sorry to say, but it sounds like a managerial buzz-phrase-fest to me. In my past career (chemical engineering, automotive supplier...
  21. CrufflerJJ

    How many of you are forced to clock out to stay back and chart?

    CrufflerJJ replied to HelloM1M1's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    "Breaks"??? What are those? I've seen/heard of fellow nurses leaving the floor to go smoke, but have NEVER seen/heard anybody leaving to go on any sort of regularly scheduled "break" (other than...
  22. CrufflerJJ

    Understanding cardiac gtts

    CrufflerJJ replied to squirtle's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    Dopamine appears to be the preferred pressor to get the heart rate up to 130-150 in ED prior to xferring the patient to the ICU (seriously!). Levo is decent for sepsis. Epi drips are sort of a last...
  23. CrufflerJJ

    "I'm not listening to you" says the doctor

    CrufflerJJ replied to beachmom's topic in Ob/Gyn

    Being kind, sensitive, and ever sarcasm-free, I'd have been inclined to respond "Huh? Did you say
  24. CrufflerJJ

    Critical Care Residency Program Interview - Advice?

    CrufflerJJ replied to darkangel_05b's topic in Job Search, Interview, Resume

    Every hospital or network is probably looking for something different in their interview process. Some likely look for a candidate... - who is intelligent, "sharp", but knows that he/she doesn't know...
  25. CrufflerJJ

    Accepted as # 18 on the standby list. Be honest-what are my chances

    CrufflerJJ replied to bluestorm's topic in General Students

    I was #15 on my program's wait/alternate list, and got in. Good