Meriwhen ASN, BSN, MSN, RN

Psych ICU, addictions

Member

All Content by Meriwhen

  1. Meriwhen

    Nurse to patient ratio

    Meriwhen replied to psychRNmom2's topic in Psychiatric

    I can tell by your avatar that you're in SC. I can't speak for the others, but I'm in CA, the land of nurse-to-patient ratios :) This doesn't mean they can't and won't try to abuse us, but we have a...
  2. Meriwhen

    Outpatient psych

    Meriwhen replied to Caffeine_IV's topic in Psychiatric

    You may also have to place patients on holds and/or arrange for inpatient
  3. Meriwhen

    Are bras contraband?

    Meriwhen replied to laurenp_rn's topic in Psychiatric

    In most of the facilities I've worked at, underwire bras were considered contraband and locked away until the patient discharged. There is one unit that I work at where underwires are allowed;...
  4. Meriwhen

    New Grad Programs

    Meriwhen replied to Stefff10's topic in Job Search, Interview, Resume

    Check the hospital websites daily, and be ready to apply when you do see the new grad residency posted. Hospitals often post these with little fanfare, and they're not up for very long: often a week...
  5. Meriwhen

    Moving to California

    Meriwhen replied to Rshells's topic in California Nursing

    Agreed: many places want to see 2+ years of experience, especially if you don't have a BSN yet. Agencies/registries may consider you with 1 year of
  6. Meriwhen

    Nurse to patient ratio

    Meriwhen replied to psychRNmom2's topic in Psychiatric

    Nurse-patient ratio is 1:6 max. Average census is 15-20, can go up to 24. Usually 1-2 techs for the unit, with additional staffing as needed based on census, acuity and 1:1s. Unit secretary on...
  7. Meriwhen

    Should I do my preceptorship in psych?

    Meriwhen replied to BlackBettyRN,OCN's topic in Psychiatric

    If psych is where you want to be, then do it. Many nurses don't do a year in med-surg first...it definitely can't hurt, but it is no way essential to a successful psych nursing career. You learn the...
  8. Meriwhen

    Injured on the job?

    Meriwhen replied to nursegreene's topic in Psychiatric

    Same here. Keep in mind that unlike a lot of other places, we in psych are trained to expect the worst, so we are prepared accordingly. We don't wait until a patient/situation escalates to the point...
  9. Meriwhen

    Interview tomorrow but just got an email. . .

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

    I'd go as scheduled, or at least call. It may be a auto-message, or the position may have really been filled. But as no one had the courtesy to cancel your interview, presume that it's still on....
  10. Meriwhen

    Confused/decisions

    Meriwhen replied to dina11's topic in First Year After Licensure

    If you are planning to return so soon, I'd say then it'd be beneficial to finish the year. However, even with the year, I can't guarantee that you'd have no problem going back into acute care in 3-5...
  11. Meriwhen

    About That Avatar...

    Meriwhen replied to Ruby Vee's topic in General Nursing

    That's why Meriwhen exists only here and my website: I don't use my username anywhere else. Actually, there's tons of other Meriwhens on the internet, which is kind of comforting...and also makes it...
  12. Meriwhen

    Confused about how one year experience is calculated?

    Meriwhen replied to rhp123's topic in General Nursing

    I don't think anyone is telling her not to apply at all, just that she shouldn't be dishonest about how much experience she actually
  13. Meriwhen

    Nosey nurse

    Meriwhen replied to Caleb_RN225's topic in HIPAA Challenges

    Playing devil's advocate for a minute... Hw do you know this nurse wasn't authorized to look in the chart? Could be that the patient has just left/is going to come to this nurse's care, or nurse is...
  14. Meriwhen

    Website asking for social security for a job

    Meriwhen replied to JEEE's topic in General Nursing

    Could be: SSNs are often required on job applications. However, I'd be very wary about giving a SSN to any website that is NOT the facility's website. I'd be far more comfortable providing it to the...
  15. Meriwhen

    Contacting hospital employees

    Meriwhen replied to remotefuse's topic in General Nursing

    I agree with the others: you may not find this technique as effective as it used to be, given the glut of nurses/new grads out there looking for work. Depending on HR's hiring policies, this may even...
  16. Meriwhen

    N4455 Nursing Leadership and Management

    Meriwhen replied to Quest4sure's topic in University of Texas Arlington

    This one wasn't too bad, IMO. The PowerPoint is pretty time consuming
  17. Meriwhen

    Confused about how one year experience is calculated?

    Meriwhen replied to rhp123's topic in General Nursing

    If you started working 1/1/13, your first anniversary would be 1/1/14. Quitting in December leaves you short. In addition, it doesn't look like a full year on the resume. January-December...
  18. Meriwhen

    What is more reccomendable for nurses now a days?

    Meriwhen replied to Gaby_rmz77's topic in Scrubs, Uniforms, Gear

    I would check your facility's dress code to see what they prefer. I can wear scrubs of any color, or business causal. Personally, I prefer solid scrubs in dark colors. I work with psychotic patients,...
  19. Meriwhen

    Colorful Shoes - Unprofessional?

    Meriwhen replied to applesxoranges's topic in Scrubs, Uniforms, Gear

    Who cares what you wear on the night shift? Seriously, it's not as though you'll be dealing with administration or tons of visitors...as long as your shoes are within the dress code, it's all
  20. Meriwhen

    SHARP Winter 2013/2014 New Nurse Residency

    Meriwhen replied to SD_RN13's topic in California Nursing

    Check the website daily, as Sharp publishes the new grad announcment without a lot of fanfare. Also, it is usually open for only a week or so, so be prepared to apply as soon as you see the...
  21. Meriwhen

    Here we go..... I have 24 Class C Misdemeanors...

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

    You won't know until you try. However, I would first check with the BON of the state you plan to apply for license in. I don't know what your criminal history entails, but before you embark on...
  22. Meriwhen

    Meds & jail

    Meriwhen replied to both sides's topic in Addictions

    That would depend on your prison's P&P. For the patient to stop Xanax cold turkey can be very dangerous, especially if he/she has been taking it for an extended period. I would hope that if they...
  23. Meriwhen

    History 1312

    Meriwhen replied to NclexSally's topic in University of Texas Arlington

    Unless the course changed drastically from last year, you will need all the books for HIST 1312...even thought you will have a ton of online readings to do in addition to the textbooks. This class is...
  24. Meriwhen

    Nursing in Quebec

    Meriwhen replied to Sonia Doherty's topic in Canada

    Moved to the Nursing in Canada forum. Best of
  25. Meriwhen

    EEK what would you do?

    Meriwhen replied to stashia's topic in Ob/Gyn

    Refer her to the patient advocate or compliance line. Continue to uphold HIPAA. Keep any relationship with this patient above-board and professional at all times, lest you get roped into the matter...