*ac*

Didn't see these, which I give a lot: Miralax Go-lytely ampicillin ceftriaxone gentamicin carafate

I have researched this topic a lot. Viruses DO NOT attack the pancreas causing Type 1. It is autoimmune. This means the body's own immune system attacks the beta cells (not the whole organ) of the pancreas which produce insulin There is a THEORY that a virus may set off or accelerate the immune process in those ALREADY GENETICALLY pre-disposed. This would happen because the antibodies look, to the immune system, similar to the pancreatic beta cells.

This is annoying beyond words for people who live and/or work with Type 1. It is a ridiculous and dangerous myth to saddle kids with. Just so ignorant.

It's been said before, but I'll say it again. DON'T sit in the chairs unless you're absolutely sure there are enough (there aren't). Bring treats. Not just on the last day. If you really don't have any work to do, ask what you can do to help. We have plenty of ideas. Use the computers only for looking up info about your patient. Try to find computers as far away from the station as possible. Do NOT complain about how tired you are. Seriously, do NOT do this. For the most part, you are a great help to us and we appreciate it. Thank you.

Just like to add this: From my experience, at least 80%, maybe more, of people who've recently had ANY kind of surgery, will, a few days later feel that something is TERRIBLY wrong. My theory is that all the initial anesthesia has worn off, now getting PO pain meds, as opposed to IV, and maybe most importantly, they are no longer the center of everyone's attention. I truly don't mean this in a bad way. It's just that immediately post op, there is a ton of monitoring and close contact with the health care team. When this eases off, the patient/family starts to take over the worry. Then, I think the anxiety actually increases pain, and here they are. It happens in peds ALL the time. I mean so frequently, that it's almost comical. As a side note, my own contribution to allaying this visit is to go over discharge instructions VERY carefully with post op patients/families, so that they are very clear about what to expect and what to watch for.

I couldn't disagree with this more. When we have docs cross-covering from adults, they must have their hands held, because we look for completely different things with kids, give different meds and fluids, and all dosing is weight-based. Babies cannot tell you their hand is burning, and within 30 minutes of an IV site looking totally fine, it can be completely infiltrated. A small child can go from an iffy respiratory status to ICU status in minutes, too - and they cannot put on the call light to tell you they can't breathe. As to wether or not this is the right area for you, most people either "do kids" or not. Go for a shadow day and see if it feels right to you.

If you didn't prime the main line yourself, then you don't know where it's been. Sometimes, for whatever reason, when you're priming it, it gets air in it and to really make it prime quickly and get all the air out, you might take the cap off and hang it over the garbage. (But just so you know, some people believe that horrible bacteria can fly up out of the garbage into your line.) So, then it would be a pretty good idea to clean it off before attaching it. Either way, don't we all have bigger fish to fry?? But as others have implied, nursing school is a dictatorship. So it is, also, when you get a job and work under a preceptor. Eventually you'll be on your own and thinking/doing for yourself whatever you think is right/reasonable within the p/p of your employer.

Didn't read the whole thread, but have a quick .02. I feel like nothing but a warm body filling a number on an fte grid. Period. When in any kind of group setting, wether it's rounds at bedside with MDs or in a meeting, I feel like other disciplines are PRETENDING to respect the RNs opinion, because somebody, somewhere has told them it would behoove them to do so. Just the feeling I get.

What really KILLS me is when the caller is angry because they claim they've been calling every day and getting info from the nurse.

I have learned that there is no point at all in trying to wake a sleeping teenager in the morning - unless the med is very time sensitive, I just hold it till later. The fact that they were up very late is not necessarily bad parenting - remember teenagers are wired to be up late. Many of them really can't fight that tendency. This is why many high schools across the country are changing to later hours... That the mom wouldn't help, well, lots of kids are in the hospital in some part d/t dysfunctional families. But whatever, who are we to judge? At least this mom was there - I take care of tons of kids who never have a visitor, much less a family member bedside.

It's not necessarily less money. Hospital based clinics are exactly like doctor's offices, but he title and pay scale are the same as hospital. Look for these jobs on hospital websites. I've been told by recruiters that these are actually difficult jobs to fill.

Varies by unit at my hospital. Where I am, new RN's must rotate for the first year. This is because some things are done only on days and some only on nights, so the idea is to get all the experience. Then, if you want, you can go to straight nights, but it takes several years of seniority to get all days. We work 3 12's per week, somewhat self-scheduled. Plus you can always trade shifts to get what you need, within certain parameters. There needs to be a certain experience mix on each shift, so you can't trade to the point that the whole shift is newbies. For experienced nurses in my area, straight nights are easy to get.

I agree that it looks unprofessional and I can't stand to be around anyone chewing gum! BUT, I LOVE doing it!! I love the taste of a fresh piece, I love cracking it. I hate the way it makes me look, though. I try to limit it to a little while after lunch. It's such a dillemma.

The Red Cross.

Maybe the needles weren't primed first. I really hope you aren't giving the patients their pens back to be used as intended, because once you draw out of a pen cartridge with a needle, then it IS inaccurate because the plunger of the pen hasn't moved - there's most likely air left in the cartridge.

This is a very strange question. But you would use a theoretical concentration and equate it to the desired dose. So if your concentration is 5mg/1ml, how many ml's do you need to get 175 mg? I would set it up as a ratio problem; 5/1 = 175/x, and solve for x. (175x1)/5. For the max it would 75/1 = 175/x. (175x1)/75. Hope this makes sense.

It's my only vice. I've given it up before, but life seemed so empty...

Nope. Not a night person. I think you either are or your aren't. Sounds like you may already know which one you are.

I really think you should look at a program that will get you licnensed as a certified nursing assistant. It should not take too long nor cost too much, and it will then be able to get a job which will answer your questions as to how well you can handle the less pleasant aspects of nursing. I'm picking up that you already dropped out, but at my hospital there is a vocational program for high school students - as seniors, they work with the CNA's and get high school credit for it - when they graduate from high school they can become licensed CNA's. It does not cost them anything. Just mentioning it as an idea, possibly for going back to high school.

Exactly. The success of failure of a hospital, not to mention patient outcomes, falls squarely on the shoulders of nursing. Nursing. If there is any failure or breakdown anywhere in the system, you can bet nursing will have to deal with it to some extent. But we are NOT recognized, paid, or supported for this in any way, shape, or form. In fact, oppositie of that - constantly asked to do more with less.

Most likey more than a year. Two, three or more. Sorry, I am two and still feel stuck in the hospital.

but it's not about taking good care of my patients. it's not about critical thinking. it's not about intelligent, timely med administration. it's nothing that I learned in nursing school, or any health care knowledge or experience at all, really. it's about getting the TV fixed. it's about finding a missing TV remote (where do these go?). it's about getting the Disney channel/cartoon network/ESPN, whatever. getting a tray when there's no diet order, the kitchen is closed, or there's nothing available that the paitent likes/wants, anyway. toilet paper when housekeeping is gone and nobody has access to the supply closet. taking vitals with machines that equipment that does not work, or only partially works or is missing parts. taking vitals when the patient finds it so annoying giving meds with pumps that don't, or that work some of the time. going all the way down the hall to move an over-bed tray three inches closer to a patient who is ambulatory. insects in the room. providing game systems, and knowing how to operate/fix them. it's about controlling the annoying behavior of a roommate. Of course, I could go on and on and on. And on. And I get that many of these things really are important to people, their well being, and ultimately their recovery. But why does every, single, solitary thing fall on NURSING?? Yes, there is a dietary department, and TV repair people, but who must contact them, make sure they come, and make people happy without these things during off hours? NURSING. Who answers the constantly ringing phones when the unit clerk's on break, or not there? There is nothing in the whole hospital that does not, in the end, fall on the shoulders of the nurse. And every single staff meeting means some new documentation that must be done for some kind of new compliance requirement. The sheer burden of this, without adequate staff or support is just too much for me on more days than not.

She's in DKA, diabetic ketoacidosis. Her blood pH tells you this. They are adding dextrose to her IVF because they do not want to drop her blood glucose too quickly. She is no doubt also getting an insulin drip. Dropping too quickly can cause a fluid shift that can result in brain damage. You might wonder if you should just reduce the insulin, but you need insulin to clear the ketones, so you must give dextrose at the same time. BTW, her URI symptoms contributed to the problem because illness causes insulin resistance.

What you should be asking is, How can I help you?