Meriwhen ASN, BSN, MSN, RN

Psych ICU, addictions

Member

All Content by Meriwhen

  1. Meriwhen

    First Job, Nursing documentation

    Meriwhen replied to RN_Incredible's topic in Psychiatric

    Remember to chart what you observe, not what you think is going on. Be objective. Use AEB to back up your statements. For example, don't write, "patient is irritated" because how you do REALLY...
  2. Meriwhen

    assault

    Meriwhen replied to ellieheart's topic in Psychiatric

    I believe you can defend yourself, however you can't go on the offensive. So if someone were to grab you in a chokehold you could do whatever it took to get out of it...but once you got out of it,...
  3. Meriwhen

    Ratios in acute psych

    Meriwhen replied to Lano1's topic in Psychiatric

    When I worked outside of California, I've had nursing ratios as high as 1:16--I'd the the only RN and would have one, maybe two techs to help me out. Usually it would be 1:8-1:12. If you are working...
  4. Meriwhen

    Close & intensive observation sheet behaviors/actions

    Meriwhen replied to ashleed's topic in Psychiatric

    We keep the codes simple: just the patient's location and whether they are sleeping and awake. If we need to provide specifics, there is a space next to each entry so we can write a narrative if...
  5. Meriwhen

    Will my scars from cutting be a problem?

    Meriwhen replied to S.F Skylar's topic in General Nursing

    They will present a problem if you make a big production out of them. I think that most people would be courteous enough not to ask unless you keep bringing them up and/or drawing specific attention...
  6. Meriwhen

    Challenging the test

    Meriwhen replied to MsTMKing's topic in General Nursing

    You would need to contact your state's BON and ask them, because they are the ones that have the final say. Some states will let you challenge. Others
  7. Meriwhen

    Are Nursing Students Subject to Penalities When Committing HIPAA Violations

    Meriwhen replied to Nana1071's topic in HIPAA Challenges

    From http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2006-02-16/pdf/06-1376.pdf Emphasis in underline is mine. "Whether a person is sufficiently under the control of a covered entity and acting within the scope of...
  8. Meriwhen

    Ugh. Rejected from dream job

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

    Or to someone with union seniority...and they're not necessarily better qualified than
  9. Meriwhen

    Taking a sick day after giving notice

    Meriwhen replied to kimbalotz's topic in General Nursing

    Honestly, the best source for your answer is your HR department, since it's your facility's policy that governs this. In most of the places I've worked, I was not allowed to use PTO during my...
  10. Meriwhen

    Ugh. Rejected from dream job

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

    I once had a splendid interview as a new grad, and I also thought everything went well: we were talking work schedules and planning and even that I'd be getting a locker. I was supposed to have a...
  11. Meriwhen

    breaking a travel contract?

    Meriwhen replied to ceccia's topic in Travel

    Moved to Travel Nursing to help you get more targeted responses. I personally have never done it. But if I were to, I would have an attorney eyeball the contract to help me understand what the legal...
  12. Meriwhen

    Ugh. Rejected from dream job

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

    Sorry they said No I know that the babies may be your first love, but seriously: try to get into the hospital any way that you can. Once you're in, you can eventually work your way to your dream...
  13. Meriwhen

    What happened here..

    Meriwhen replied to Phoenix2541's topic in General Nursing

    Yet another reminder that until you are holding an official offer from HR, you do not have the job. It doesn't matter what the NM tells you or that they didn't comment on your past employment--in...
  14. Meriwhen

    RN Job hunt in San Diego/LA

    Meriwhen replied to hopeful003's topic in California Nursing

    I got into a major hospital system without a BSN. However I had specialty certification and got in via the per-diem door in an area that wasn't quite my first choice. Since then, I've spun that...
  15. Meriwhen

    speeding ticket will i get hired?

    Meriwhen replied to yajaira21's topic in General Nursing

    Good to know--ever since I got my ticket, I've been relying on my cruise control to keep me out of trouble, so I haven't had to report any
  16. Meriwhen

    New RN texting Dr. advice

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

    It's become rather common nowadays. That's how I communicate with half of my MDs at their request...mind you, I'm not sharing PHI via text, but it's more for things like, "you have a new patient,...
  17. Meriwhen

    speeding ticket will i get hired?

    Meriwhen replied to yajaira21's topic in General Nursing

    You should be fine. You may want to double-check that it's NOT a misdemeanor. Also, some employers may want you to disclose and/or write a statement about your ticket--mine did even though it was an...
  18. Meriwhen

    med nurse role

    Meriwhen replied to lilly6767's topic in Psychiatric

    This is me, but if I'm giving a PRN, I'm charting on why I'm giving it. I'm not necessarily writing a book about it, I'm just focusing on the medication itself: "Lorazepam 1mg PO PRN given at 2200 for...
  19. Meriwhen

    New Grad Emergency PSYCH Interview!

    Meriwhen replied to shad0wf0x's topic in Job Search, Interview, Resume

    Start brushing up on basic psych meds. Know what the serious side effects of psychotropics are (e.g., NMS) and how they would be managed. Know your therapeutic communication and deescalation...
  20. Meriwhen

    Refuse to Renew Status

    Meriwhen replied to guest878957's topic in Licensure: Criminal History

    True. I've sat in on BON hearings and you would be surprised how detatched they can be. A lot of nurses are under the mistaken assumption that if they could only get a chance to explain it to the BON...
  21. Meriwhen

    Exclusive pumping/hospital RNs that pump

    Meriwhen replied to CharmantUn's topic in General Nursing

    Get an electric pump, preferably one that can let you pump both breasts at once. I used a Medela Pump in Style: I could fill both bottles in 10 minutes...I never would have been able to do that with...
  22. Meriwhen

    Networking within Nursing: Moving to a new city

    Meriwhen replied to AlexRPerrin's topic in General Nursing

    This. You could also try networking via LinkedIn. And I agree with everyone else: wait until you have at least a year, preferably two, before you even consider moving. At 6 months of experience,...
  23. Meriwhen

    Can a LPN make minimum payments of $50 if your 39,000 in debt?

    Meriwhen replied to Nursing pursuit's topic in LPN, LVN Students

    Only you can answer that question. In order to do that, you need to sit down with paper and pencil, figure out what your monthly expenses are and see how that compares to your income. Then you can...
  24. Meriwhen

    Can a Registered psychiatric nurse work in California?

    Meriwhen replied to ChristineBauer's topic in Psychiatric

    I learned something new today
  25. Meriwhen

    RN Job hunt in San Diego/LA

    Meriwhen replied to hopeful003's topic in California Nursing

    Not having your BSN is going to make it tough, as many places are BSN required or strongly preferred. If you can, enroll in a RN-BSN program so employers can see that you are in the process of...