avigail

gastrograffin=bedpan You're so right about that. Powerful enough to defeat some small bowel obstructions! Ugh, it's not a question of if you'll get the runs, but when. And you always know the wait is too long when the pt gets to the toilet before s/h...

Gastrograffin + Reglan 10 mg IVP = scan in 1 1/2 hours.

I have frequent visitors to my "fast-track" who are simply there to obtain narcotics; they know I'm a softy. But I gained this attitude in part from doing numerous diaper changes and avoiding airborne vomit while caring for someone in narcotic withdr...

Baptist Health System in San Antonio has a "winter RN" program with high pay rates and bonuses on completion, http://www.baptisthealth.org. There is a hospital about 30 miles north of SA which may be a good bet, http://www.mckenna.org.

I make well over $100,000 a year. I am an acute care nurse practitioner who runs an ER "fast track." I am affiliated with an ER physicians' practise who does my billing and provides benefits like health insurance and retirement. Nurse practitioners ...

St David's is owned by HCA and is for profit; Seton is a non-profit organization. Of the two systems, Seton wins hands down for pay and benefits. I think the nursing culture is vastly superior at Seton as well. I've worked agency at both institutions...

UTMB has alot of educational opportunities integrated with nursing in the hospital. I almost went to NP school there because of their work/school program. I don't know about pay issues in detail but I know that the benefits are the same as those who ...

It wasn't clear to me when I read your first post that, because you contested their decision, TPAPN was ruled out. Ugh! I have never known anyone in that particular situation. Have you tried to talk to anyone on the Board about your case? Maybe they ...

The practise I work for never refers to me as "their" NP, but as the NP - i.e., a member of a different species. For example, if they are walking by my rooms and a pt asks when s/he will be seen, the answer is "Oh, the nurse practitioner will see you...

Unfortunately, with TPAPN involved, you are going to have to comply with their requests. You might request a peer counsellor, which TPAPN provides. The counsellors have often gone through the same thing. They may be able to provide some insight on ho...

I always wear 1-2 t-shirts and shorts beneath my scrubs. Here in south Texas, cold weather outside is not the problem. It's the blasted AC on the inside. It's probably 50-55 F in my ER. Yes, I know the staff is moving around with dizzying speed but t...

Actually, in my flight nurse life, I must say that etomidate is the preferred drug for RSI in the trauma pt. Of course, this seemed beyond the scope of the initial question. Kevin is very correct in stressing the need to know the ins and outs of any ...

Yes, I do think this nurse is possibly guilty of negligence, and therefore, malpractise. I think the standard of care is very plain for complaints of CP, and nitro with no follow up does not meet this standard. The question is whether the nurse infor...

To go back to the original posting, I think that the ER md is really the problem in terms of admissions and treatment. I hate to say it but I've sent pt.s with kidney stones home with a RX for Motrin (and worse, but I fear to admit it). There are som...

Etomidate is great stuff, although those myoclonic movements can be a bit freaky. Our ER uses it for intubation (no ICP problems) and for reductions and bone setting. I do not administer the drug until the doc is at the bedside and ready to go. The ...

We had a liver CA pt come into the ER in need of a pericentesis. Equipment is set up and the moment of truth arrives. The man removes his shirt to reveal a huge tatoo mural of nazi symbols with the words "white power" above. The ER md was Hispanic, t...

Don't forget to make a complaint to the Board of Medical Examiners in your state. These complaints are subject to discovery, if Dr Nincompoop is ever in legal trouble. Besides, the Board will inform him that a complaint has been made. Issues on the l...

I think San Antonio College (or the ACCD schools affiliated with it, i.e., St. Philip's, Northwest Vista, Palo Alta) are the best place to take nursing prerequisites. They offer evening and online classes and they're the cheapest in town.

Becky, C'mon, it's not that bad. I am a nurse with Type I diabetes (34 years without complications and counting!). Nutrasweet is bad for you, anyway. There's Splenda (a reconfigured, indigestible sugar molecule) and stevia (a plant so sweet it hurts ...

I worked in an ER with a physician who shoved me up against a desk while stating, 'I'm a violent man.' He also sent a PEG tube whizzing by my face at full speed (fortunately it did not hit me, but it was close) because I criticised his hateful speech...

Cara Catherine, Conas ta tu? I am an Irish nurse in San Antonio. There are very few natives here (other than religious-loads of them!) under 35. I understand that Dallas is the 4th chosen destination of Irish immigrants to the USA, although many h...

It takes 6-9 months to feel entirely comfortable in a new job situation. It sounds to me like staffing pressures may have cut you loose too early. You will speed up with time but here is some practical advice: 1. Think of required treatment for all ...

That's a really bizarre attitude since I do lots of conscious sedations both in the ED and when accompanying pt.s in radiology. I do the set-ups for ketamine and etomidate (fabulous but freaky) and titrate diprivan for newly ventilated folks. If this...

There is research that indicates switching from nights (while working) to days (when off) takes a significant number of years off your life. The effect is somewhat mitigated by keeping to the same schedule and sleeping in a totally darkened environme...