UKRNinUSA RN

UKRNinUSA has 25 years experience as a RN and specializes in burn, geriatric, rehab, wound care, ER.

UKRNinUSA's Latest Activity

1. 

   What Do You Expect of A Preceptor?

   UKRNinUSA replied to Ruby Vee's topic in Nursing

   I am precepting a senior student at the moment (for the first time) and it has been helpful to read your comments. I have been wondering if it is possible to teach "multitasking" or does this just come as you feel more comfortable in your new role?
2. 

   foam blocks for patients with feet wounds

   UKRNinUSA replied to redshiloh's topic in Nursing

   Span America : Extremities try this or search for "foam heel elevator foot drop stop"
3. 

   End Of Life Issues---The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

   UKRNinUSA replied to VivaLasViejas's topic in Nursing

   I wonder if some of these docs don't want to lose the gravy train i.e. a dead patient doesn't earn them any money. I have suspicions about one particular doc who works at my facility who seems to dissuade pts/family members from DNR's and always wants aggressive treatment for his frail elderly pts with poor quality of life. When a patient goes on hospice, does their PMD lose a patient-does the hospice MD effectively become their PMD ? I would appreciate clarification from any hospice nurses out there.
4. 

   New to ER nursing....wondering if I made a huge mistake?

   UKRNinUSA replied to FiduciaRN's topic in Nursing

   It seems a bit soon to leave you in triage all by yourself -in the facility where I work, you have to be an ER nurse for a year before you are even precepted to triage. Let your preceptor know that you do not feel safe being left on your own so much, and take a deep breath. You are there to learn right now, not run the show. As far as I'm concerned, ER is about judging whether the patient is sick or not sick, compensating or not, prioritizing what needs to be done now and what can wait, and ABC's. Good luck, hang in there, 4 shifts is just getting your feet wet.
5. 

   What is a "foreign-trained nurse"?

   UKRNinUSA replied to helikias's topic in Nursing

   "Foreign-trained (although I prefer the word educated) nurse" here. I came over in the early 90's when there was a nursing shortage, but had to pass the NCLEX first. I was underpaid, compared to American nurses, until I finished my initial contract. I was recruited through a nursing registry, who wined and dined us and tried to get us to sign our employment contracts after we had consumed large amounts of alcohol. I came over here because I needed a change and had itchy feet and stayed because I couldn't bear to leave the CA weather. Nursing is one of the few jobs that gives you a passport to the world and I took advantage of that.
6. 

   All I want for Christmas is a single payer plan!

   UKRNinUSA replied to CaLLaCoDe's topic in Activism

   I am against futile care and believe that hospice care is very much underutilized in the USA. Yes I have seen patients in the states that you describe above, and I don't like it either. I have had ethical dilemnas frequently in my many years of practice as a nurse. But, onekidneynurse you missed my point. This young girl was someone's someone not a "sob story". Perhaps I should have said that you lack empathy. Which leads me to my next point. If our representatives and senators had more empathy for the common man than they do health insurance companies and big pharma, we wouldn't be having this debate. We would already have a single payor system. The objections to single payor are not based upon fear of lack of competition or lack of choice or government interference. Its all about money and power and brainwashing the common man into believing the hype just so they can retain their power and their money, at his expense. No amount of verbage can convince me otherwise.
7. 

   All I want for Christmas is a single payer plan!

   UKRNinUSA replied to CaLLaCoDe's topic in Activism

   Where is your compassion? I find your flippancy offensive. I hope that none of the nurses currently caring for my daughter with leukemia have that kind of attitude. Oh and don't worry. We have insurance. An HMO (not Cigna). I sure hope we don't get denied any care like Nataline did.
8. 

   All I want for Christmas is a single payer plan!

   UKRNinUSA replied to CaLLaCoDe's topic in Activism

   I do not like your hostile tone. Why I came to the United States is none of your concern and irrelevant to the discussion.
9. 

   Norway's answer to MRSA

   UKRNinUSA replied to Kringe38's topic in Headlines

   The other part of the issue that needs to be addressed is the large amount of futile care given to people at the end of their lives. Hospice care appears to be underutilized. It seems to me that we are sacrificing the lives of the young and vulnerable to prolong the lives of severely impaired adults -and to what benefit? A sticky issue, especially in light of the recent hysteria re "death panels".
10. 

    Is it ok to work in different specialties of nursing?

    UKRNinUSA replied to LeLeeFNP's topic in Nursing

    Nursing job mobility is the solution to nursing burnout. I have worked in many different specialties over the years and have found that skills/experience gained in one job/specialty leads to opportunities in another. I agree with you -one specialty over 30 years would be BORING!!!
11. 

    All I want for Christmas is a single payer plan!

    UKRNinUSA replied to CaLLaCoDe's topic in Activism

    with profits of $315 billion in 2007, I believe that is quite possible
12. 

    What made you decide to do ER Nursing?

    UKRNinUSA replied to MallysMama's topic in Emergency

    I took an inventory of work activities I enjoyed - they all seemed to point to ER nursing. I had already been an RN for 18 years when I switched and had always thought that it would be too stressful, so I had avoided it. But I feel like it is a good fit for me. I don't know how confident I would have been doing it straight after graduating - it might be an idea to do some med surg first -you can get some pretty critical/difficult patients to look after. But then if they have a new grad program available then why not - just make sure you get a really good preceptor. Good luck.
13. 

    'Cruel and neglectful' care of one million NHS patients exposed

    UKRNinUSA replied to tulip928's topic in Headlines

    I remember being frustrated with poor staffing levels while a nurse in the UK (almost 20 years ago). I also remember being frustrated with the "union" that "represented" us. I am glad and proud to be a member of the California Nurses Association - mandatory staffing ratios have made a huge difference to me, my colleagues and my patients. It sounds like the "cycle of abuse" continues.
14. 

    The future of Obamacare

    UKRNinUSA replied to CRNA2007's topic in Activism

    I'd rather pay a little more in taxes than the exorbitant premiums, copays and prescription costs that I currently pay with the risk of getting cut off if I cost the insurance company too much money and start to cut into their profit margin. While I agree with your point that Medicaid reimbursement leaves a lot to be desired, can you tell me why I (with my private insurance) have to pay $50 for an inhaler that is free under Medicaid (which i help pay for via my taxes)? It just seems to me that I'm getting doubly ripped off.
15. 

    Socialism Is the Best Medicine

    UKRNinUSA replied to herring_RN's topic in Activism

    one American's experience with the UK NHS "Why I love Britain's socialized healthcare system" By Stephen Amidon http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2009/08/22/nhs/index.html?source=rss&aim=/opinion/feature
16. 

    The future of Obamacare

    UKRNinUSA replied to CRNA2007's topic in Activism

    I think you just made a good point for single payer health care