Scrabbler

And one of those jerk-off's used to be an MD? I can only imagine (not that I want to)... what a bunch of lame-o's.

Yes it's the doc's job to make a medical diagnosis, but it's our job to think critically about what's going on with the patient and possible diagnoses so we can better anticipate treatment and plan our care. We spend far more time directly involved ...

Is that because "accidents can be prevented"?

Bear with me, this could be a long one...I'll give you a bit of background first. I work in a part-time position and have a very high sick time use (eg, my rate of sick time used in the last year is 33% of my shifts). I am young (I like to thin...

If she's there as a patient, she's a patient, and should be treated the same as any other. If she were a teacher, would it make a difference? Hopefully this is a wake-up call for that woman to get the help she needs...knowing her colleagues want to...

[color=#003399]refer to your acls books on the h's and t's (causes of arrest) [color=#003399]hypoglcemia or [color=#003399]hyperglycemia- low blood glucose from overdose of [color=#003399]oral hypoglycemics such as [color=#003399]sulfonylureas, or ov...

Agreed. Trust your gut and commit to an outcome. Having numbers is one thing, but what are you going to DO with them that will benefit your patient (ie: follow protocol). If you're uncomfortable, don't fight that. Easy for me to say, though, righ...

I don't think it matters what area you work in, you can never get away from weird...nurses are magnets for it. One time on my LDR clinical I had a lady come in at 6cm, and stoned out of her mind. While getting everything set up (my preceptor was in...

Don't be afraid to ask for extra orientation if you feel you need it; there's no harm in asking, and only you know how comfortable you feel. You'll never learn all you need to know in your orientation, no matter where you work, but remember it will ...

MommyandRN, it must feel so good to make that realization! I have to agree with snowfreeze, ICU seems too task oriented for me. Though I do miss vents and knowing my patients inside out and backwords, there's a lot to be said for interacting with p...

Try posting in the specialties forum. If no luck finding a candidate, why not visit your local peds unit? That might showcase your motivation; when we did interviews in training they had to be face-to-face, so as to help us improve our interperson...

"...silverfish under pendulous breasts..." That is one of the grossest things I've ever read. (shakes limbs to rid herself of heebie-jeebies)

Management hires many uncertified workers ("off the street" is something we hear a lot) with hopes that they can entice them to take their CNA course; this guy had no training, certification or previous relevant experience and management mislead him.

I, too, have a regular flock of "iron filings" at my cart...I used to think I was trapped in some weird parallel universe like a combo of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and "Shaun of the Dead"...now I just chuckle, smile, and try to get around!

We had an underpriveliged woman in LDR for her 9th (that's right) delivery, stated she "hardly gained any weight this time". Low and behold when she pushed babe's head out she defecated (not uncommon) and umpteen million tapeworms shot out of her wi...

I hear you!! I have several scars from aggressive residents...I learned to wear long-sleeved t's under my uniforms!! On this topic, we just hired a young lad who quit the same day. He was told by our supervisor his duties would include keeping pat...

Thanks to all for your supportive words. As it stands now, I am to meet with my far-less-than-supportive manager (who views my sick time use a "problem dumped in [his] lap") to discuss my options. I would love nothing more than to hand in my resign...

Please check out this link: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/542262 A good article (and CE, if I'm not mistaken) on the last hours of living, general principles of palliative care, changes in physiology at end of life, etc. *(you may have to sig...

One time on a busy night shift one of our post-ops was declining. I had just returned from my break and had been speaking with my husband on the phone. On my return to the floor, I phoned the surgeon on-call for orders and before hanging up said "T...

Don't take this too flakily (is that a word? I guess it is now!)...but do you think you called facility #1 "#1" for a reason? Sounds like they're both great options, but go with your gut.

In keeping with Shenanigan's post, don't forget that your spell-checker will not pick up incorrect use of a word, even when spelled correctly (eg, their/there, etc.). Grammar and spelling (and pronunciation) seem to be a huge problem everywhere.

As a nursing student I worked in a nursing home. I was sitting in report one morning after being called in for a shift. Drinking my coffee, still waking up I realized something wasn't right--I had forgotten to put on my bra!! Luckily (and embarass...

I've been wearing the same one, a gift from my Mom when I entered nursing school, my entire young career. Works great and I don't have to worry about my watchband scratching a pt when I turn them, etc. I do have to flip it over on night rounds, tho...

My first IV was on a 19 year-old football player with mono...hardly needed a tourniquet, could see those veins from the doorway in the dark! We were not allowed to start IV's until training was completed (eg, at very least, as a grad nurse) but lea...

Ditto.