Meriwhen ASN, BSN, MSN, RN

Psych ICU, addictions

Member

All Content by Meriwhen

  1. Meriwhen

    How is the job market in California right now (2012)?

    Meriwhen replied to Joe33's topic in California Nursing

    South California is also bad, even for experienced nurses. If at all possible, don't move to CA without a job offer in hand because you really might be looking for months, possibly more than a year,...
  2. Meriwhen

    How does a typical afternoon shift play out?

    Meriwhen replied to hertzjentzi's topic in Psychiatric

    Pay-wise, I made more as a new grad in psych than I would have made in med-surg...quite a bit more. It depends on the facility. I also started in evening shift...I like that shift the best. I...
  3. Meriwhen

    Witnessed abuse, nothing being done?

    Meriwhen replied to Country_Girl's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    To report suspected elder abuse, you don't need to go through your DON: find out what the laws are in your state are and who you can report to. Then it will be up to Adult Protective Services to...
  4. Meriwhen

    Nursing school excitement...

    Meriwhen replied to Brian's topic in General Students

    I can't say I was excited--I knew I was getting in, it was the when that was uncertain. The feeling when I got the acceptance letter was relief due to the fact that I finally could get the show on...
  5. Meriwhen

    New RN.. DO I have ANY chance of finding ANY job with assault misdemeanor?!

    Meriwhen replied to lashuna1028's topic in Licensure: Criminal History

    Unfortunately, your criminal record may make you a less-than-desirable applicant to some employers. Is it fair? Not always. But that's how it is Really look ANYWHERE: don't just limit yourself to...
  6. Meriwhen

    Dismissed petty larceny

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

    Unfortunately, the decision really is determined by the BON on a case-by-case basis: there's no way to guarantee you an answer now, and the fact that others have had licenses granted--or...
  7. Meriwhen

    What is the most bizarre thing you have experienced in your career?

    Meriwhen replied to canesdukegirl's topic in General Nursing

    Unfortunately HIPAA prevents me from sharing it...darn you,
  8. Meriwhen

    Infrequent Voiding Syndrome: Don't Fall Victim To This Common Problem In Nurses!

    Meriwhen replied to TheCommuter's topic in Health, Stress Management

    I refuse to buy into the "I can't pee!" mentality. There is very little that can't wait for me to take the minute or two to go to the restroom. No, I'm not going to run to the bathroom during a code...
  9. Meriwhen

    A few questions regarding schooling and experiance.

    Meriwhen replied to pnkgirl25's topic in Psychiatric

    Cool. They don't hire CNAs in psych places...they hire mental health techs, which I guess is the CNA
  10. Meriwhen

    Surveillance cameras in pedi patient's home?

    Meriwhen replied to lovelane78's topic in Private Duty

    It's not an invasion of privacy because as others have said, you're not a situation where privacy is expected (e.g., bathroom or changing room). In addition, they did tell you about the cameras being...
  11. Meriwhen

    How to post a quote in the beginning of your cover letter?

    Meriwhen replied to lullaby's topic in Job Search, Interview, Resume

    IMO, to have a quote starting off your letter, or just in your letter period--makes the letter come off as kind of awkward, bordering on cheesy. I like Flare's idea: instead of direct quotes, take...
  12. Meriwhen

    A few questions regarding schooling and experiance.

    Meriwhen replied to pnkgirl25's topic in Psychiatric

    I never heard of psych techs until I came to CA. The thing to remember is that a psych tech is NOT a LVN. You do not attend nursing school to become a psych tech; you have to attend a CA-approved...
  13. Meriwhen

    Nurse -Patient Staffing Ratio

    Meriwhen replied to fawnsternurse's topic in Addictions

    My current facility is in CA, so yay for state ratios :) This facility staffs RNs at 1:6; LVNs and techs get staffed somewhat less generously (1:8 or so). Unfortunately, I've worked on detox units...
  14. Meriwhen

    How does your facility search for and/or handle contraband?

    Meriwhen replied to cfaith's topic in Addictions

    All the facilities I've worked inpatient at did searches (though they all called them by different specific names). Basically, we'd search them down to the skin and go through their clothing and...
  15. Meriwhen

    Detox med protocol

    Meriwhen replied to Topaz7's topic in Addictions

    Buprenorphine (Suboxone) has a far stronger affinity with the receptors than opiates, even in a person who has recently used opiates. The problem is that after Suboxone is done yanking the opiates...
  16. Meriwhen

    What kind of PSYCH disorder does this sound like?

    Meriwhen replied to paddler's topic in General Nursing

    I'm going to guess personality disorder(s). Which ones? Borderline, narcissistic, histrionic and antisocial come to mind. She may have traits from one/some/all...it may very well be personality...
  17. Meriwhen

    Is a nurse in the ER joking to a patient like this appropriate?!?

    Meriwhen replied to Laurenslovely's topic in Emergency

    If he's on any blood thinners, a little blood could be normal. Also the amount of blood matters too: a few drops on the sheets from a IV that had a messy start but is otherwise patent and working...
  18. Meriwhen

    I hate Kronos (electronic punch in/out system)

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

    That's what I would do: set a reminder to punch in on time when I arrived (I usually got to work early), then to log out and in for whenever I did get a lunch. However, I never had a problem...
  19. Meriwhen

    Is a nurse in the ER joking to a patient like this appropriate?!?

    Meriwhen replied to Laurenslovely's topic in Emergency

    First, I'm sorry that your dad is in the hospital. Second, the nurse was right in instructing your father about what he should be doing; he should never assume that because you dad had a chronic...
  20. Meriwhen

    Dismissed charges 3+ years ago in Florida

    Meriwhen replied to PinkLadee73's topic in Licensure: Criminal History

    Getting your record expunged couldn't hurt...however keep in mind that you WILL have to report even expunged records to most BONs. As far as whether you will be able to get a RN license, the BON...
  21. Meriwhen

    where can a RN FIND A JOB WITH A FELONY

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

    unfortunately, employers--and bons--operate on a case-by-case basis, so there's no guarantee that because someone else with a record got hired that you will. on the brighter side, it also works the...
  22. Meriwhen

    Moving to California

    Meriwhen replied to piya116's topic in California Nursing

    OP: the market is tight for any nurse...on the brighter side, you do have experience so that gives you some of an edge. Also as other posters have said, agency may be a way for you to start working...
  23. Meriwhen

    Working home health care as a new grad?

    Meriwhen replied to citylights89's topic in Job Search, Interview, Resume

    I also don't recommend that new grads go into home health unless they've have prior nursing experience as a LVN. In home health you are on your own with little to no support. There's no coworkers to...
  24. Meriwhen

    Do you wear rings?

    Meriwhen replied to SBJustBreathe's topic in General Students

    I left all jewelry home on clinical days except the watch. No rings, earrings, necklaces...no anything. The watch is a beater that I don't care if it gets damaged as it costs all of $9. Now, I leave...
  25. Meriwhen

    Am I the only nurse

    Meriwhen replied to emilysmom,RN's topic in Home Health

    I was the same way...but don't worry, you get over the feeling fast :) And it's also a good practice to learn to let your cell phone/answering machine screen calls for you on your days off, so you're...