AnnieNHRN

AnnieNHRN has 10 years experience and specializes in med/surg, ER, camp nursing.

AnnieNHRN's Latest Activity

1. 

   do not return camper form

   AnnieNHRN replied to radams03's topic in Camp

   From my experience, it is up to the Director of the camp to decide who returns and who is listed "DNR". Good communication between the nurse, counselors and the director would make it clear on who is not appropriate to return.. But it is still up to the "boss". Needless to say.. they like to use their veto power. Grumble. Just keep a list throughout the summer and discuss your issues at the end of the season with the director. Hopefully, he will take your recommendations into consideration.
2. 

   Jacked Up Sodium

   AnnieNHRN replied to OutlawNurse86's topic in Nursing

   Did they check her for Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Hypersecretion (SIADH)? That can cause low sodium.
3. 

   Hypothermia, inside the unit, any ideas?

   AnnieNHRN replied to Finallydidit's topic in Geriatric

   Pts with spinal cord injuries have a harder time regulating their temperature, especially when their fighting an infection. He might have a brain stem injury/stroke, which would cause temp control issues.
4. 

   16 fired for HIPAA Violations

   AnnieNHRN replied to DesertRN2's topic in HIPAA

   They did fire doctors. "All 16 have been fired and they range from doctors to supervisors to staff nurses, not only at Ben Taub, but across the entire hospital district." I should print this at work and see if this will stop all the people looking up "Auntie's bloodwork" or "Oh, look who's in the ER again" etc. They should know they're job is on the line.
5. 

   texting at work

   AnnieNHRN replied to questionsforall's topic in Professionalism

   That's the problem! How totally sad. What ever happened to just doing the job you're being paid to do?
6. 

   Herniated disc and work restriction

   AnnieNHRN replied to AnnieNHRN's topic in Nursing

   Just wanted to update: My very kind manager has agreed to let me go back to work with the lifting restriction! I am very lucky. This of course will have to be temporary. Will see my neurosurgeon in a couple of weeks to hopefully get the restriction lifted. Thanks for all you're responses. I realize how lucky I am...
7. 

   Herniated disc and work restriction

   AnnieNHRN posted a topic in Nursing

   I am recovering from a herniated disc L5-S2 injury (not work related). Have been off of work for the last 2 weeks and got the OK from my neurosurgeon to go back to my Med/Surg job with a 30 lbs lifting restriction. I will be seeing employee health tomorrow to hopefully get the OK to get back to work. They said it would be up to my boss if she would allow me to work with lifting restrictions. Yikes!?! Can she refuse to let me return to work? Has anyone gone through this? How should I play this? Should I get my union involved? Thanks
8. 

   Help! Suggestions needed.

   AnnieNHRN replied to dhwilson506's topic in Nursing

   Doctor's office?
9. 

   DNR question

   AnnieNHRN replied to getoverit's topic in Nursing

   I think what happened here is that the family did not have a clear plan in place with the doctor when she was made a DNR. This is the time when a doctor should talk about what the family's/pt's wishes are. What can they expect during her last days/weeks? What do they want done? He also needs to discuss hospice and what comfort measures would entail. I am sorry you were put in the situation you were in. I understand when a pt is monitored and has vitals signs like you stated you were obligated to call the doctor. My question is why was this terminally ill pt with a DNR on a monitor? I think a quiet hospice room would have been more appropriate.
10. 

    How nursing has changed over the years...

    AnnieNHRN replied to nurse2be2010's topic in Nursing

    :smackingf
11. 

    How nursing has changed over the years...

    AnnieNHRN replied to nurse2be2010's topic in Nursing

    To prevent bedsores we were told to rub all pressure areas with every repositioning... totally contradicted today! Didn't give much/if any IV pain meds. Demerol/Vistarel IM was the drug of choice. The average Pt took only about 1/3 of the meds a Pt takes today. I remember bringing pts to a smokers lounge for a smoke. Even pregnant pts were allowed to smoke! Crazy. Documentation was so much simpler. % of time spent on pt care vs documentation was much better.
12. 

    Pain Scales

    AnnieNHRN replied to dekatn's topic in Nursing

    I understand your frustration. Since all your documentation is on paper, is there space on your vital signs/flow sheet to document pain meds and levels? That makes it easier for the next shift to see when meds were given and to assess pain levels over time. Just a thought. I'm sure you'll work something out. Good luck!
13. 

    Pain Scales

    AnnieNHRN replied to dekatn's topic in Nursing

    We also have computerized documentation and note pain levels, description, intervention, and follow-up level. One thing I liked at my old hospital was it automatically asked you the pain level when documenting on pain meds in the computerized MARS. I document at least twice on pain levels during an 8 hr shift.
14. 

    How to quit an agency?

    AnnieNHRN replied to Gr8Dane's topic in Nursing

    Giving your notice before your shift today would be very frowned upon, even for agency. Will you be using them as a reference in the future? A 2 week notice is the most professional way to go. But if you are truly that miserable I would talk to them and see if you can get out of this assignment after tonight's shift. Agree to work somewhere else during the next 2 weeks, but that you don't want to work a the prison anymore. Good Luck
15. 

    Dealing With the Patient in Pain

    AnnieNHRN replied to mbrnstudent's topic in Nursing

    I agree with a lot of the previous posters. One thing I have noticed, especially with post-op ortho pts, is that Percocet ends up giving better pain relief than a Morphine PCA. I see a lot of nausea with Morphine too. Heavier guns don't always mean better pain relief.
16. 

    New RN Grad with Peace Corps Dilemma

    AnnieNHRN replied to nellybly18's topic in Nursing

    Not sure I understand. You haven't taken your NCLEX since graduating in Dec 08? If you have graduated and are having a hard time finding a job as a nurse, I would say YES totally go for the peace corp position. What a great experience to get when you're young and can afford to take a year off. I think the economy will have turned around in a year or so and the job market for new nurses will be better too. Good Luck!