Meriwhen ASN, BSN, MSN, RN

Psych ICU, addictions

Member

All Content by Meriwhen

  1. Meriwhen

    Highest/Lowest K+ you've ever seen

    Meriwhen replied to guest769224's topic in General Nursing

    2.1, eating disorders patient that got a fast-track ride to the ER. I can't recall the highest I've
  2. Meriwhen

    Coworker tried converting me on my break

    Meriwhen replied to CountryMomma's topic in General Nursing

    If she broaches the subject again, politely tell her that you are not interested in discussing your religion or lack thereof (choose the applicable one) with her and change the topic. If she persists...
  3. Meriwhen

    If you can't pass the NCLEX after three attempts....LVN license only!

    Meriwhen replied to neonurse97's topic in General Nursing

    I agree. I passed the NCLEX not because of my faith but because I busted my rump throughout school as well as preparing for the exam. Though I did say a prayer or two before I took the test, I knew...
  4. Meriwhen

    New RN (almost), 401k, and Retirement

    Meriwhen replied to 2k15NurseExtern4u's topic in General Nursing

    You are incredibly wise to start investing in your retirement now. A lot of people your age--and older--do little to nothing for their retirements. At any job I have, I sign up for the retirement...
  5. Meriwhen

    weird PRN orders

    Meriwhen replied to sassyann85's topic in Psychiatric

    The benzos are being used to help prevent withdrawal complication (i.e., delirium tremens, seizures). These are most likely to occur in the 72-96 hours after the patient's BAL hits zero. After that...
  6. Meriwhen

    Anyone with experience caring for elderly holocaust survivors?

    Meriwhen replied to alivera's topic in Psychiatric

    Wow...that is such a specific patient population. I have no experience with dealing with Holocaust survivors AFAIK (if my patient was one, they didn't disclose it). Are you caring for this patient in...
  7. Meriwhen

    If you can't pass the NCLEX after three attempts....LVN license only!

    Meriwhen replied to neonurse97's topic in General Nursing

    I agree with the three attempts part. I disagree with the LVN part. A LVN is not a failed RN, nor is a LVN license a consolation prize. A LVN is a licensed nursing professional with their own...
  8. Meriwhen

    Starting Night shift...Need help!!

    Meriwhen replied to work77's topic in General Nursing

    The hours you posted are considered day shift in most facilities. Perhaps you meant 8p-8a? The best way to stay fresh all night is to get enough sleep during the day. If possible, try to maintain a...
  9. Meriwhen

    Trouble sleeping night before clinical? Advice to remedy?

    Meriwhen replied to Summers3's topic in General Students

    1. Have everything organized so when you wake up, you're not stressing over where this or that is, or whether your uniform is clean. 2. Be sure you're getting enough exercise...easier said than...
  10. Meriwhen

    How do you feel about professors locking the door?

    Meriwhen replied to Amnesty's topic in General Students

    There is a big difference between lateness to an inservice and lateness to your shift. The former--as you've just read--may be tolerated from time to time. I can guarantee, though, that at this very...
  11. Meriwhen

    NCLEX- how many attempts is too many?

    Meriwhen replied to dinah77's topic in NCLEX Exam, Programs

    I would give someone two attempts before requiring remediation. Someone failing the first time could easily be due to nerves or testing anxiety. But if a person fails twice, then there is a serious...
  12. Meriwhen

    Should I ask to be grandfathered in?

    Meriwhen replied to NurseMika2b's topic in Pre-Nursing Students

    You can ask; the worst they can say is No...and I'm thinking that is what you probably will hear. It may be better to write this program off and focus on others. Best of
  13. Meriwhen

    How do you feel about professors locking the door?

    Meriwhen replied to Amnesty's topic in General Students

    I recently had to attend a mandatory inservice. Despite the class itself starting late, people were wandering in even as late as half-hour after the class started (which means in reality they were 45...
  14. Meriwhen

    How do you feel about professors locking the door?

    Meriwhen replied to Amnesty's topic in General Students

    I agree...with Brandon, that is. I was late only once during my program. It was a 40 minute commute one way, and knowing that there was potential for traffic and I had to drop a toddler off at...
  15. Meriwhen

    How do you feel about professors locking the door?

    Meriwhen replied to Amnesty's topic in General Students

    My microbio professor who used to lock the door went by the wall clock, which was the only one
  16. Meriwhen

    Death of a student

    Meriwhen replied to missnursejodi's topic in School

    Not a school nurse, but in psych, we do deal with death quite a bit. Some advice for YOU: remember to take care of yourself and let yourself process and grieve. You may not have been this kid's...
  17. Meriwhen

    shadowing a nurse manager.. is this appropriate?

    Meriwhen replied to blah_blah_blah's topic in Nursing Professionalism

    I agree with everyone: it seems a touch too casual for business casual. Best of
  18. Meriwhen

    New way to give shots

    Meriwhen replied to gonzo1's topic in General Nursing

    I do it every single time. It hurts less going in the patient's muscle if they have a clean needle than one with traces of med on the outside. Especially if it's Phenergan as that burns like hell. I...
  19. Meriwhen

    Complaint filed against me but not heard from BON

    Meriwhen replied to KCLow's topic in Nurses Recovery

    We can't offer legal advice here. I would suggest that you follow the advice of your attorney. I hope your attorney is versed in dealing with BONs and nursing issues, as they will have a better...
  20. Meriwhen

    How do you feel about professors locking the door?

    Meriwhen replied to Amnesty's topic in General Students

    I think it's brilliant! My microbiology professor had that policy: he told us all about it on the first day--plus it was in the syllabus--so we knew what was expected from us. If you were late, you...
  21. Meriwhen

    New way to give shots

    Meriwhen replied to gonzo1's topic in General Nursing

    Hardly new :) It's a better muscle than dorsogluteals because there's no sciatic nerve to dodge. Though personally, when it comes to giving shots, I am a vastus lateralis
  22. Meriwhen

    psych RN jobs in NC

    Meriwhen replied to alissa.k311's topic in Psychiatric

    If you're considering moving closer to the NC/VA border, there's some psych in the Virginia Hampton Roads areas. Virginia Beach Psychiatric Center is a stand-alone psych facility. Maryview, Sentara...
  23. Meriwhen

    Huge over supply of nurses

    Meriwhen replied to CrunchRN's topic in General Nursing

    I'm not surprised there'll be an oversupply in California--everyone wants to come work here. If it's not the for the weather, it's for the generally higher hourly rates or those lovely mandated...
  24. Meriwhen

    Displaying credentials

    Meriwhen replied to jetMA96's topic in Nursing Professionalism

    This is true, both in nursing as well non-nursing fields. There is no requirement that one must progress from associates to bachelors to masters to doctorate, getting each degree along the way. Many...
  25. Meriwhen

    Missed clinical! :(

    Meriwhen replied to tbear1206's topic in General Students

    It happens. Get a better alarm system set up and don't let it happen again. Should--heaven forbid--it happen again, call your instructor ASAP to let her know. IMO, at least contacting the instructor...