Meriwhen ASN, BSN, MSN, RN

Psych ICU, addictions

Member

All Content by Meriwhen

  1. Meriwhen

    First Year Out...Oh &%#@.

    Meriwhen replied to AngryMurseMan's topic in First Year After Licensure

    Welcome to Reality Shock, which they should have warned you about in nursing school. Basically, it's the shock you experience when you transition from the ivory-tower world of textbook nursing....
  2. Meriwhen

    New to nursing and recovery!

    Meriwhen replied to OneDayAtATime12's topic in Nurses Recovery

    I think many nurses are truly surprised to find that they're not the only recovering nurse out there, nor will they be the last :) Best of luck in your recovery and with the new
  3. Meriwhen

    Alternatives for 12 step ?

    Meriwhen replied to Zookeeper3's topic in Addictions

    There's SMART, which is more cognitively-based than spiritually-based. Self Help Substance Abuse &amp Addiction Recovery | SMART Recovery® NA is Narcotics Anonymous. That encompasses addiction...
  4. Meriwhen

    How many classes?

    Meriwhen replied to LGJMan's topic in University of Texas Arlington

    I've been taking two classes at a time: one nursing class and one non-nursing class. However, this summer I took both of the politics classes together...which worked out surprisingly well, since...
  5. Meriwhen

    Easiest and Toughest Classes In UT Arlington RN-BSN Program

    Meriwhen replied to commonsense's topic in University of Texas Arlington

    The "Texas" class is POLS 2312 (State and Local Govt). You need that, POLS 2311 (US Govt) and both of the US Histories to graduate, so definitely follow-up with your advisor so you're not caught by...
  6. Meriwhen

    What happens if the nurse forgets to get AMA form signed and pt leaves hospital??

    Meriwhen replied to Kyliemarie8588's topic in General Nursing

    Document thoroughly, especially that you notified them of the risks of leaving AMA and that they verbalized understanding, and let your supervisor know ASAP. You can't force patients to sign. Also,...
  7. Meriwhen

    Medication Mistake

    Meriwhen replied to buttercup_rn's topic in First Year After Licensure

    It's a mistake most of us have made as new grads :) Just trying to be helpful, we think...but the nurse is right. You really can't trust the meds that another nurse has pulled because mistakes...
  8. Meriwhen

    Nursing and felony? Should I even apply for nursing school?

    Meriwhen replied to Maxiebabe's topic in Licensure: Criminal History

    I would definitely bounce this idea off of a lawyer to make sure it's acceptable. However keep in mind that BONs run by their own set of rules--for example, most BONs require you to disclose even...
  9. Meriwhen

    Role of CNA in addictions nursing?

    Meriwhen replied to SlaveHeart's topic in Addictions

    The techs at the last detox unit I worked on were responsible for vitals, assisting patients with their care (fortunately those were few in number--most were walkie-talkies), taking them to the...
  10. Meriwhen

    Visiting nurse slapped with a parking ticket :-/

    Meriwhen replied to PinkRNBSN's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    Sorry, but you did violate the law. That doesn't mean you shouldn't try to fight it--after all, you have nothing to lose by trying, and you may just land a sympathetic judge who will reduce or toss...
  11. Meriwhen

    New Grad RN starting orientation soon found pregnancy -- what to do?

    Meriwhen replied to binglinger's topic in First Year After Licensure

    Follow the recommendations of your healthcare provider. Take care of yourself first and foremost. As far as work goes, they can't fire you or force you to take leave just for being pregnant....
  12. Meriwhen

    When the hospital cancels you for a shift...

    Meriwhen replied to NanikRN's topic in General Nursing

    Thankfully, neither of my facilities does "on call": I'm cancelled or I'm not cancelled, there is no "you're cancelled but we may call you later, so you have to stand by". Sometimes after canceling,...
  13. Meriwhen

    current/future RN's with drug charge/disorderly conduct in their past.

    Meriwhen replied to jheim's topic in Licensure: Criminal History

    i would think that you'd only have to state what you were actually convicted of. however, i'm not a lawyer nor do i pretend to be: i would ask a lawyer what is the best yet most accurate answer to...
  14. Meriwhen

    Typical day for a nurse and what advice can you give to a recently graduated nurse?

    Meriwhen replied to nurseinthemaking2013's topic in General Nursing

    Do not be afraid to ask questions. The only stupid question is one that should have been asked but wasn't. Also, don't be afraid to ask for help. Don't try to be Super New Grad and in doing so dig...
  15. Meriwhen

    Is it possible for a RN to work five 12 hr days?

    Meriwhen replied to f_nurse2b16's topic in General Nursing

    Possible? Yes. Prudent? Very
  16. Meriwhen

    Why do some nurses guess on BP?

    Meriwhen replied to Dixon, future NP's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    So can I. Otherwise I'd be forever in triaging patients. Can't say anything about the cuff placement as I wasn't there. Just because the LVN was looking at the sphygmomanometer doesn't mean he also...
  17. Meriwhen

    Im so tired of waiting..Please help!!!

    Meriwhen replied to dukes217's topic in Licensure: Criminal History

    Unfortunately, you're at the mercy of your BON's timetable...and they can be notoriously slow when it comes to these things. Since it's been nearly three months, I would drop them a note/call to ask...
  18. Meriwhen

    Casual workers: How many hours do you put in?

    Meriwhen replied to magn1jes's topic in General Nursing

    I work anywhere from 32-40 hours between two jobs, depending on how I feel that week. One facility I don't have a lot of flexibility in scheduling; I work agency at the other so I write my own...
  19. Meriwhen

    A question to nurses with children

    Meriwhen replied to taramade's topic in General Nursing

    Unfortunately that's also an attitude you will frequently encounter in the real world. Yes, there are parents who are honestly trying to make it work fairly not only for themselves but for their...
  20. Meriwhen

    Is this a crazy idea?

    Meriwhen replied to Vtachy1's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    IMO, you have nothing to lose by asking, especially since you have a safety net in place should you not like the outcome of this. Just be prepared for the very possible scenario of her telling you a...
  21. Meriwhen

    UTA RN to BSN online

    Meriwhen replied to clewi102's topic in University of Texas Arlington

    That would be too complicated as not everyone in the class is even in the same country :) Too many timezones to keep track of, and too much potential confusion. It's actually more fair to choose one...
  22. Meriwhen

    A question to nurses with children

    Meriwhen replied to taramade's topic in General Nursing

    Unfortunately, a lot of parents have pulled the Kid Card at work without caring how others feel. And it's often the childless (again, whether by choice, chance or empty nest) who feel as though...
  23. Meriwhen

    Question about student nurses

    Meriwhen replied to shortNsweetRN's topic in General Nursing

    That's a common misconception about students and licenses. In reality, the only person who works under my license is ME. Not a student nurse, not the CNA, not the LVN...just me. It's in my name...
  24. Meriwhen

    Alcoholism: disease or choice?

    Meriwhen replied to HonestRN's topic in Addictions

    If it were only that easy and simple :) But we all know it's not. I can see that going over wonderfully with my patients..."just don't drink anymore and you'll be fine." Problem is for them,...
  25. Meriwhen

    UTA RN to BSN online

    Meriwhen replied to clewi102's topic in University of Texas Arlington

    Taking two classes at once is definitely doable, but you definitely need to keep track of what assignments are due and when. Classes don't always sync up in terms of deadlines. For example, one class...