Meriwhen ASN, BSN, MSN, RN

Psych ICU, addictions

Member

All Content by Meriwhen

  1. Meriwhen

    Precepting someone older than you

    Meriwhen replied to I.C.UNurse's topic in General Nursing

    My first new grad that I precepted was about 15 years older than I. I handled it no differently than I would have handled precepting someone 15 years younger than I. Focus on the fact that you are...
  2. Meriwhen

    How Does Your Hospital Decide Who is Called Off for Low Census?

    Meriwhen replied to flashpoint's topic in General Nursing

    In order of called off first: Volunteers (those who are willing to go/stay home) Registry staff Staff who'd be getting OT if they worked Per-Diem/PRN staff If after going through all four categories...
  3. Meriwhen

    Hi everyone I need HELP!!! PVT on HOLD

    Meriwhen replied to studentnurse216's topic in NCLEX Exam, Programs

    Re the PVT: If you are unable to register for the test, this USUALLY means that you have passed. So take heart. You will know for sure soon enough. Hang in
  4. Meriwhen

    Help with LPN-RN & Psychiatric Nursing Questions

    Meriwhen replied to Summert7's topic in Psychiatric

    As a new grad RN, you would have an advantage in that you have actual nursing experience (albeit LPN/LVN experience)--that gives you a leg up over many new grads who have zero nursinng experience...
  5. Meriwhen

    how to get certified as a psychiatric RN

    Meriwhen replied to rpnrn's topic in Psychiatric

    IMO, you need to actually work in psych before attempting to get certified in it. The certification test is far more difficult than the psych portion of the NCLEX, and you really need to have the...
  6. Meriwhen

    Made an uh oh

    Meriwhen replied to momo_2013's topic in Psychiatric

    You may be OK, If there were two seperate orders (and not a "if can't/won't take PO give IM" order) then the shot would be under the seperate IM order. And if you felt that the PRN was necessary AEB...
  7. Meriwhen

    Psych nursing is easy

    Meriwhen replied to studentnurse9806's topic in Psychiatric

    I wouldn't say it's easier so much than it's different. It utilizes a different skill set that is less task-oriented and involves more patient communication and interaction. Psych isn't "drug 'em up...
  8. Meriwhen

    New grad advice: psych?

    Meriwhen replied to jessmurph's topic in Psychiatric

    The way I see it: Any nursing job: RN/LVN experience on the resume, skills learned and mastered, networking opportunities, a chance to get your foot in the door at a facility. Or: No nursing job while...
  9. Meriwhen

    challenges in psych nursing.

    Meriwhen replied to 1981go's topic in Psychiatric

    The key is to take it a shift at a time--focus on what's going on right now. Also, a degree of flexibiltiy is necessary, because you never know what's going to happen. Psych can be delightfullly...
  10. Meriwhen

    Am I doing something wrong?

    Meriwhen replied to x19amanda's topic in Psychiatric

    The Z-track should settle any oozing problems, though if it's a very large amount of medication injected and/or a small muscle,you might still get a trace of oozing anyway. As for why your patient's...
  11. Meriwhen

    Job Interview On Tuesday....

    Meriwhen replied to NurseQT's topic in LPN, LVN Corner

    Best of
  12. Meriwhen

    question about withdrawal protocols!

    Meriwhen replied to sassyann85's topic in Addictions

    Clonidine is often used in opiate withdrawals as it can help alleviate some of the physical discomforts as well as help with anxiety experienced during withdrawing (per my addictionologist). A lot...
  13. Meriwhen

    How to Dress for Psychiatric Nursing

    Meriwhen posted a topic in Psychiatric

    Many psychiatric facilities and settings allow or require that nurses and support staff wear street clothing instead of scrubs. Those entering into psychiatric nursing often ask, "If I can't wear...
  14. Meriwhen

    Nurse Staffing agencies

    Meriwhen replied to wendy30's topic in Job Search, Interview, Resume

    A lot of agencies are happy to try to place a nurse as permanent staff in a facility for a percentage of your salary for the first year or two. If you are trying very hard to get into a specific...
  15. Meriwhen

    BRN Stipulated Agreement

    Meriwhen replied to leena123's topic in Licensure: Criminal History

    Moving to the Criminal History forum for more targeted responses. Please be aware that this is a moderated forum, and all posts are screened before being published. So it may take a bit for your...
  16. Meriwhen

    Charting on psych patients

    Meriwhen replied to studentnurse9806's topic in Psychiatric

    Here's some AN threads that may help you: https://allnurses.com/psychiatric-nursing/psych-charting-255388.html https://allnurses.com/psychiatric-nursing/i-seriously-need-370599.html...
  17. Meriwhen

    A non-psyche nurse needs advice

    Meriwhen replied to alpha omega's topic in Psychiatric

    If it's LTC, it's safe to presume that your population tends to run on the older side. So have you ruled out physiologic causes? For example, we all learned in nursing school that...
  18. Meriwhen

    Is it ever full time work?

    Meriwhen replied to amzyRN's topic in Agency Nurses

    I find it's like working as a per-diem: often feast or famine. And yes, as agency you are often one of the first to get cancelled. That being said, some agencies will offer short- or long-term...
  19. Meriwhen

    Nurse Staffing agencies

    Meriwhen replied to wendy30's topic in Job Search, Interview, Resume

    They do have those same issues. But there's still a few agencies that will take on new grads for HHC/PD, and more than a few new grads desparate enough to do it. Now, just because they will take on a...
  20. Meriwhen

    If you are not a nurse, do NOT use the title, please

    Meriwhen replied to RNsRWe's topic in General Students

    Thread closed for time-out. It may be reopened after staff
  21. Meriwhen

    Job search

    Meriwhen replied to Elle18's topic in Psychiatric

    How much experience do you have? I'm referring to both experience as a nurse in general and experience specific to psych
  22. Meriwhen

    Have you ever worked through a agency?

    Meriwhen replied to whslee01's topic in Agency Nurses

    I remember when I was a new grad and applied at an agency (I didn't know then what I do now). I submitted my resume online. A woman from the agency called me back and asked about my experience....
  23. Meriwhen

    What are some typical things you do as a Psychiatric Nurse

    Meriwhen replied to cd365c's topic in Psychiatric

    Assessments of both physical and mental status; stabilizing patients in crisis; administering medications and medication reconciliation; lots of therapeutic communication (perhaps my greatest...
  24. Meriwhen

    Relocating to California

    Meriwhen replied to africanbelle's topic in California Nursing

    It's expensive. Yes, hourly rates are higher out here in CA, but the cost of living is so ridiculously high in a lot of CA that it cancels it out: you might make 40-50/hr and still find yourself...
  25. Meriwhen

    Relocating to California

    Meriwhen replied to africanbelle's topic in California Nursing

    The only places you're really going to find 8 hour shifts are in psych, or outside of acute care/hospital settings (SNF, rehab, etc.). Also, we do have state ratios, but not every speciality/setting...