Meriwhen ASN, BSN, MSN, RN

Psych ICU, addictions

Member

All Content by Meriwhen

  1. Meriwhen

    Failed nursing class 6 months away from graduation, need Advice

    Meriwhen replied to Nurse Lizzy's topic in General Students

    Sorry this happened to you. But keep in mind that catheters are the main cause of hospital-acquired UTIs, so correct insertion is a skill that any nurse has to get down pat. IMO, give yourself a...
  2. Meriwhen

    What is the longest period of time you have gone without any days off?

    Meriwhen replied to purplegal's topic in General Nursing

    12 days in a row, and at the same job. They're not supposed to let employees work more than 6 days in a row, but they missed that on me. It was probably because my hours were switching up so much...
  3. Meriwhen

    Physician called my manager and said I was "unprofessional".

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

    And hell will probably freeze over before that MD thanks you and/or even admits that you were right. Because that's how a lot of MDs are. Though I hope your manager knows that you were spot on
  4. Meriwhen

    How long for NSO insurance?

    Meriwhen replied to Samn337's topic in General Nursing

    A lot of nursing schools require students to carry malpractice insurance before they can start class. Mine did. OP: if you need it on the 12th, what the heck are you waiting for? Go to the NSO...
  5. Meriwhen

    Soon to be convicted felon

    Meriwhen replied to Jron91's topic in Licensure: Criminal History

    If you plead guilty, you WILL have a felony conviction that will be with you until you die or get a pardon...so basically, until you die. And you WILL have to report that conviction to the BON....
  6. Meriwhen

    What are the pranks you played with your co-workers and how did you handle it?

    Meriwhen replied to NurseEnvision's topic in Nursing Humor

    Not by coworkers, but I've been pranked by patients who decided that the staff needed to go on a treasure hunt, and so they hid 46 hard-boiled eggs on the unit. I was more impressed that they got...
  7. Meriwhen

    PDN Nurses-asking about previous pt's Hipaa violation?

    Meriwhen replied to smartnurse1982's topic in HIPAA Challenges

    If they're sending a message out like this, it's not for jollies. So even though it may seem like overkill, they're taking the matter seriously. When asked about a patient by someone with no need to...
  8. Meriwhen

    No call no show, and feeling terrible about it!

    Meriwhen replied to omha's topic in General Nursing

    Error 1: you assumed. Never assume. If you are anything less than 100% certain about something, you ask. The only stupid question is an unasked one that should have been asked. Error 2: if I read...
  9. Meriwhen

    PHP/Day Rehab vs Psych ER

    Meriwhen replied to Lizlaw's topic in Psychiatric

    PHP (partial hospitalization) is basically a 6 hour program that straddles between inpatient and outpatient. Nurses in PHP will do admissions, discharges, transfers to inpatient, administer...
  10. Meriwhen

    Quick question about inpatient

    Meriwhen replied to ksuheather's topic in Psychiatric

    Group therapy: there's several groups throughout the day. Patient attendance is strongly encouraged but we can't force them to go if they don't want to. Individual therapy: each patient gets a...
  11. Meriwhen

    Advice for starting new job in outpatient

    Meriwhen replied to oceanblue52's topic in Psychiatric

    Davey Do covered it all. Keep in mind that outpatient doesn't always mean "stable." Patients can and do decomp, and you have to be aware of the signs of that happening and how to determine whether a...
  12. Meriwhen

    Re-Take NCLEX

    Meriwhen replied to Panthony's topic in NCLEX Exam, Programs

    Check with the MA BON to see what you need to do to retake the NCLEX-PN. They will have the most accurate answer for your situation.
  13. Meriwhen

    Nurse Manager gossiping about employees?

    Meriwhen replied to Cola89's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    That isn't gossiping. That is providing feedback. It may not be the positive feedback that you are hoping for. It might be poorly delivered feedback lacking details, direction and a plan of action....
  14. Meriwhen

    Brightwood San Diego

    Meriwhen replied to Slynnwater's topic in California Nursing

    I don't have any direct experience with the program, sorry. I'm sure there are members who have attended Brightwood/Kaplan and will be able to help you. I can tell you that many of the major...
  15. Meriwhen

    Preemployment Drug Testing -Med Tox

    Meriwhen replied to CHRISYUN's topic in General Nursing

    There is a cutoff for what is considered a negative result (e.g., any BAC Keep in mind that just because marijuana laws are being passed doesn't mean that laboratories have to change their criteria....
  16. Meriwhen

    Job change

    Meriwhen replied to LagoRN13's topic in General Nursing

    I am lucky in that my better half is able to stay at home with the kids while I work nights. It actually works out pretty well for us. I work 8s, so I work while they sleep, I sleep while they are...
  17. Meriwhen

    can I go back to the floor yet?

    Meriwhen replied to simbaman's topic in General Nursing

    This. If you really want out of the ICU, then talk to you manager and let them know before they drop any more on training you. However, don't expect that you'll be back on m/s tomorrow. It will...
  18. Meriwhen

    Grad in Dec, BLS expires in Jan - renew myself or will employer pay?

    Meriwhen replied to Guest915876's topic in General Nursing

    IMO, keep the BLS current, even if you have to pay out-of-pocket for it (and if you do, the cost may be a tax write-off: check with the IRS). Renewal courses are shorter and usually cheaper than the...
  19. Meriwhen

    Blog Faux Pas? Help!

    Meriwhen replied to JofAllTrades's topic in Nurse Entrepreneurs, Innovators

    OP: given that you've registered all the possible social media names associated with it, don't change them as you may not be able to get them back. For example, if NurseJando was your Twitter handle...
  20. Meriwhen

    Needlestick Injury Advice

    Meriwhen replied to EDScrubLife77's topic in General Nursing

    Per the TOS, AllNurses can not give you medical advice. You and/or your boyfriend should consult with your PCP(s) as to what would be best for your situation. Only abstinence--no sexual contact...
  21. Meriwhen

    How to give 2 week notice

    Meriwhen replied to Motherofadarling's topic in General Nursing

    NO to the phone. You always want to put notice in writing, because it's very easy for your manager/HR to forget or "forget" when you gave notice or that you've even given it in the first place....
  22. Meriwhen

    Financially Independent Nurses

    Meriwhen replied to Banana nut's topic in General Nursing

    Live WELL below your means. Just because you can afford something doesn't necessarily mean you should buy it. And if you don't have the cash on hand for it, instead of whipping out the plastic with...
  23. Meriwhen

    incident report vs medical record

    Meriwhen replied to tttiiimmmyyy's topic in General Nursing

    Medical record is just that: a record of the patient's medical treatment while in hospital. Incident reports are an internal tool used to document issues/problems/concerns/causes with that medical...
  24. Meriwhen

    Return to work as casual

    Meriwhen replied to Blefunk's topic in Collective Bargaining, Union

    I would check with your HR department to see how that works, as they will have the most accurate answer. What my workplace does isn't necessarily what YOUR workplace will do. For my workplace, there...
  25. Meriwhen

    Why Can Pre-Med Students Know Their Choice But Nursing Students "Can't"?

    Meriwhen replied to Shookclays's topic in General Nursing

    Some people decide what they want to do in school, some decide after they graduate, some decide after they've been working for a while. There's no correct time table. Some are lucky enough to land...