cari rn

I grew up in Toronto, and have lived most of my life here, but for 3 years in Japan, and 2 wonderful years in Vancouver. It's true, Vancouver is a laid back city, where for the majority, people like to make money to DO things, rather than to HAVE things. It's really quite refreshing. But regardless, it is a gorgeous place and I miss it sooooo much (we are back in Toronto where all our families, and our jobs are). I worked at BC Children's Hospital, and it still remains my favourite job of all times. Highly recommend it. Yes, it's true that it DOES rain a heck of a lot, especially from November to March. But, I don't care what people say, it also DOES make a difference as to where in the city you live. We lived in Langley, where it was rainy and overcast A LOT. We then moved to Ladner, and saw the sun tons more. I would sometimes leave for work in the morning and it would be sunny. By the time I got to North Surrey (during my Public Health stint) it was pouring. At the end of the day, I'd come back to Ladner, and it was sunny again. White Rock is the same. In a heartbeat I'd move back to Vancouver, if not for our kids and all our family here (the ONLY reason we came back to T.O.). And I'd go back to BCCH too. Hope this helps!

Okay - maybe someone can clarify this one for me, but 10 years ago urine caths were sterile. Now, a nurse recently told me that they are a "clean" procedure (I'd taken a few years out of nursing, just back to Emerg). Has the whole sterile thing changed in 10 years? Or does this nurse need to go back to school?

I also live in Canada. Have worked in major city hospitals in both Toronto and Vancouver. On nights, in both hospitals, the norm was that the nurses "pooled" their breaks into one long one, usually 2 - 2.5 hours, depending on how busy things were. It was a RARE nurse not to sleep - and then it was just because he/she personally would feel worse after a nap. We all slept. Management knew we did. And it was just an unwritten rule that if it got too busy (admits, or sick kids, etc) we would be woken up early. No one ever had a problem with that. In one hospital, half the nurses went on a "first" break, then the other half went on "second" break. In the other hospital, we just each took turns, so usually only one or two were gone at a time. I couldn't imagine NOT getting at least a little bit of sleep on nights...wouldn't feel safe to drive home after if I didn't.

I personally would quit nursing before going to work on an adult med/surg floor. But like one PP said, it's just not the right fit for me, but it might be for you. I still remember how much I thought I hated nursing while in university, UNTIL I did peds and L+D rotations in 3rd/4th yrs. I fell in love with nursing then! That's because up until then, all we had done were med/surg rotations in adult hospitals. What don't I like about med/surg? Mostly, the horrible routine. In adult settings, we were expected to sit through taped (usually) report first thing, then run around doing bed baths (nothing worse, in my opinion!! Though thank goodness there are nurses who enjoy helping patients this way!), make beds, then give ALL those PO meds, then listen to all the whining and complaining. And THEN, you got to come back the next day and do it all over again. Certainly not everyone, but enough to make me want to run away! All I have worked in is large Peds hospitals (oncology, then Emerg), done some public health (also not my thing...too much of an "office job"), and am now going back to Emerg, as my mat leave has just ended. I love, love, love Emerg, and, other than L+D (which I would love to do AFTER I'm finished having babies...any negative outcomes would stress me out too much if I was preggo), I can't imagine doing anything else in nursing. Well, except maybe ICU - that would be good too. Like I said, med/surg is definitely not the right fit for me. But I've met some wonderful, very experienced nurses who love it, so you should talk to people like them! That's the absolute beauty of nursing - eventually everyone can find the right fit for them. There's nothing boring about being a nurse, just find what you love to do. Good luck!

I've worked in two different major pediatric hospitals, both in Oncology and Emerg. Two different cities. We always checked our kids a minimum of q1h, no matter what. Now, these were kids, and they can change quickly. But, can't adults also? I'm going back to work after a few years/mat leaves, starting in an "adult" Emerg next week (AAGH!!). I'm not sure what their policy is yet, but the thought of only checking people every few hours kind of freaks me out... I guess this is the real world of adult Emerg?

These are just unbelievable!! Keep 'em coming! (ER nursing - at least it's never dull...)

To Nurse-o-Matic: You should be in journalism!!! Made me laugh out loud, you're a great writer!

You know...impaled by a fence, or swallowed 50 screws, or that sort of thing! Thought we'd try again - that last thread (the WORST thing) was too sad to read. I'd love to hear about those freaky/bizarre things that happened to people, stuff you wouldn't believe unless you saw it with your own eyes. Anyone have any good ones?

Okay, these are just getting worse and worse!! Maybe we should change this thread to the WIERDEST things a patient has been brought to the ER for? Slightly less depressing!

Wow, had no idea how awful some of these would be when I posted the thread (call me naive). I've had my hand over my mouth for all of them! Some of you have seen and dealt with some truly horrible things. It's no wonder when they say that it takes a certain kind of nurse to work in the ER.

This isn't meant to make people feel sad or freaked out or anything (!!!), but I know we all have very memorable events that stick in our minds. One in particular I remember is the 13 month old little girl, rushed in because she injested the ecxtasy (sp??) pill her father "accidentally" left on the floor. Way to go, dad. Amazingly, she went home 2 days later!

- had a mom bring in her 14 year old son b/c he had a low-grade fever for 30 minutes - had someone come in b/c they wanted to change the colour of their cast - had a teenage girl come in b/c she'd had sex the night before and wanted to get a pregnancy test to see if she was pregnant

I agree with the previous poster, especially as it relates with peds. Kids can crash so quickly; can go from looking just fine, to being septic the next minute. This is why good assessment skills are so essential. Again, I'm comfortable assessing kids, but how about adults? Can/do they crash as quickly as kids do? If so, I'd love to hear from people their experiences with adults suddenly crashing on them (anticipated or not). What sorts of situations/illnesses etc. can cause this?

Thank you, that was another question I had: do you have to assess the WHOLE person, or just specifically related to their concern? Sounds like it's only the latter.

Am going to be new to Emerg soon. Wondering if all you experienced ED nurses can talk about your assessment skills, namely, how you specifically approach your assessment, how to "assess the pt in 2 minutes" and what this means, etc. I feel fairly confident assessing peds pts, as this is all my backround is, but I'm feeling nervous (and excited) about working in an adult emerg. Any tips will surely be appreciated by all! Thanks!