antidote

I have seen patients bagged with sats falling just into the lower 80's when on a ventilator. Even when the pt was ventilated with the BVM, the sats did not seem to improve in this particular case. Although I agree with the others - I would have suctioned and used the ambu, then more than likely had RT come have a gander.

I personally believe that AA's need to be phased into the picture more, especially in large hospitals. The salary is less than an MD/CRNA which would save the hospital money and they can be a knowledgeable and effective part of the healthcare team. The arguments I'm seeing here are simply dead-ended. For example, on the website you posted they said something along the lines of "anyone can enter an AA program with no healthcare experience and become an AA in 2 years". Hmm, what other profession does this remind me of? Nursing, Surgical Technicians, X-Ray Technicians, Paramedics, PTA's, OTA's... Additionally, they say that there is a lack of evidence supporting their effectiveness and safety. Well, this is probably because there is a lack of AA's all around!

I am an ex-sufferer of this embarrassing nonsense as well. Check out this link: Blushing explained | Better Health Channel Personally, I had great success with 0.5mg of Xanax in the morning. Eventually after going through psychotherapy and discovering the root of my problem (which actually was a very interesting and almost dormant case of social anxiety), I was put on 20mg of Lexapro. I take it once a day, and am still "blush free" (unless it's a truthfully embarrassing moment).

http://www.borders.com/online/store/TitleDetail?sku=0781761387 I was actually just looking through this book yesterday since it caught my eye. It appears to be rather detailed. In the procedures section, it provides the rationale for each step which will be helpful for you and your students.

Thanks for the replies. This isn't what's going on the workplace. I enjoy working, it's just those few select people lately that have really been putting me on edge. I'm sure as more males go into the field and those who have a misconception about us see how we have an equal effect on the care they receive, it won't be such a big issue.

If this post is more suitable for the Male Nursing forum, please move it there. Lately here, I have just been some overwhelmed with all of the negative comments I have been receiving as a male nurse. Not from patients, but from "friends" and even some controversy with family. I don't understand what people think is so horrible and disgusting about being in a career with a drive to help people and improve their lives. When people look at me and ask me what I do, I respond and either get a shocked reaction or they'll simply say "Oh... why would you want to do that?" or something along the lines - and my most recent favorite "you're a what?!". It's very hard when I get comments like these to keep my mindset that I enjoy helping patients and that the distress is worth it. Especially when coming from other males that work in construction or a related field, they think it's wretched. Ok, when your saw slips and chops your mits off and I end up seeing you in the ER, I wonder if you'll still think the same way. I mean come on!! What is wrong with some people?! Treating health care workers just so disrespectfully, only to receive the respect we deserve when they need help (and in some cases, not even then). I'm not saying that we are above the general public or DESERVE more respect, but just common courtesy and just if people would look at what we do in such a way that if it was not for us, they would not be on this earth, family members would not be alive, and some things they take for granted would not be the way it is. It takes every bit of energy I have some days to just walk away and smile, opposed to snapping and stomping on things (not literally just... ugh!). Just a bit of a vent I guess. I'd love to hear about others and what they have to say. I guess it comes with the job. I must say though, I do love what I do... the majority of the time.

Wow, I can only imagine what type of work and dedication this would take. Kudos to you for willing to hop in the boat! What I would do, personally is search around for a decent lawyer that you are comfortable with enough to have through the entire process. Normally one of these fellows will find out what it is you need and assist with you with getting it done. It wouldn't hurt to see if you can find some sponsors, maybe even a friend in the field as well to represent your idea with you.

I have several family members and friend who are interested in joining part of the health care field, however are not 18 yet. For the most part, I've explained that many certifications are available when you become 18 simply due to liability and insurance issues (and of course, this varies by state). My question here: other than a lifeguard and in some cases and EMT-B in some states, what other certification's are available for 16/17 year olds? :yeah:

I would contact the manager and tell them the case, and explain to them that you are not licensed to teach first aid but are a registered nurse, and would be more than happy to simply teach the knowledge of the procedure to the waitstaff - although, they would not be certified. I think that all teachers, wait staff, and anyone working in fast food joint should know basic first aid. However, I doubt it will ever become mandatory.

My outlook on medical assistants is this: I have no problem with them practicing the things that are in their scope of practice. AS LONG as they have received QUALITY education and training before practicing. I strongly disagree with doctors hiring them and giving them "on the job training" or teaching them only the things they will need to know to work at that practice. Like it was said above, you cannot teach common sense. Additionally, if a MA is not performing duties correctly, I blame their instructor as they obviously were not clear on the procedure to perform certain tasks, and if they were clear on how to do something, they were not clear on the punishment that results in doing your job incorrectly, as it could potentially harm a patient or him/herself. For example, one of my friends recently visited her doctor who is a very professional doctor - she works in a large medical complex with other doctors and nurses. The MA that called her into the room had no idea (she seemed to not). Apparently, she placed the BP cuff on upside down and was completely dumbfounded as to why the cage was backwards, my friend then said "maybe it's upside down?" and the MA responded "Oh no... it's on right." and after staring it down for a few seconds, she finally decided it was on incorrectly and readjusted it. Then when it came time for the exam, the MA was laying equipment up on the window sill which clearly isn't clean (I'm not saying this building was dirty, but it was a window sill vs. sterile cart and I'd choose the cart). The MA was reprimanded by the doctor for that though. I think that example is a good combination of lack of common sense and lack of instructed knowledge. If we can somehow step up the education MA's are receiving, I think they would play a very essential roll in patient care.

I think most of what I'd suggest is covered already. - BP cuff (even if you're not sharing, you never know when something may malfunction or you need to take something right away and don't have time to run and get some of the facilities equipment. - Stethoscope - Thermometer (preferably one of the temporal ones for easy usage and cleaning) - Paper/Pen - Pen Light - Scissors If you are allowed, perhaps you can find a nice lab coat with nice of pockets to carry the BP cuff and what not. Otherwise, I'm sure you can carry a little bag or something to attach onto your waist. Good luck!

When you get a doctor in the room and all of those nurses start jabbering, I don't know how anyone could hear themselves think sometimes! I can relate, and I'm sure loads of other people can. In nursing school, you should learn the BASIC fundamentals of nursing and human body. Here are some resources that I hope help you out. And if you have any questions I can answer directly, please feel free to ask them! http://www.rtstudents.com/lpnstudents/lpn-anatomy.htm (HIGHLY recommend) http://lpncentral.com/reference.html http://www.anatomy-resources.com/ As for assessment goes, there are a LOAD of threads about that on the forums. Do a little peeking around.

I'm a bit confused about something: when you discovered the pictures, was this part of company policy to research the applicant over the internet or was this something you did yourself? I am 50/50 here. For now, I'd leave it be. The relationship was going on before she was hired. BUT! let it run its course. I can see that drugs will come up that were not counted for, and that things will get a bit... iffy with what she's dipping in while she's in the pharmacy (since you said he has a history of abuse).

Oh goodness! Good luck dealing with this gal. I'd talk to my manager and get the heck off of her case. I wouldn't want anything to do with her crazy actions. Why is she being admitted? If there is no good reason for her to be there in the hospital why doesn't she get discharged?

Well, in about four years I have never once had to perform the heimlich maneuver on anyone for any reason. Tonight, during eating dinner with my grandparents my grandmother had an obstruction. She was coughing at first, then she completely got quiet. I encouraged her to cough for about 10 seconds before I realized that, that just wasn't going to happen and decided that it was time to intervene. Now I know this is really, REALLY simple first aid and that it's not even that big of a deal at all but WHY can I not get doing this out of my head!? Did I do something wrong? Did I wait to long? Really, I know it's not a big deal but I keep thinking about the moment and just can't get it out of my head (she's perfectly fine, we went back to eating dinner) but for goodness sake I'm a guy and was almost to tears! I just don't know what it was. Perhaps it was the fact that it was my grandmother? Ugh, who knows. I don't even know what I expect to get out of this post. But thanks for reading!