lucky1RN

Here's my experience: Found the job I wanted on USAJobs.com and hand carried my application to the VA hospital on June 30. Got the call for the interview on Oct 13. Got the official job offer on December 23. Started work January 19. I probably could have started a week or so earlier but had to give appropriate notice to my last job. I'm happy I was in a position (i.e. employed) to wait because so far, it's my dream job! Best of luck!

14 +/- years ago, I was taught to use filter needles with glass ampules. But things change. Occasionally, I run into someone who has never been taught to use them. I did a quick search and found this... http://classic.aacn.org/aacn/practice.nsf/a40dd285cb9efd8e8825669e00031e21/69d2c30ba9fa866c88256754006d7cde?OpenDocument

Our policy is to zero the A-line and check a square wave form q shift, check the waveform with each pressure check, and level the transducer PRN. If everything checks out ok, we leave the peripheral cuff off and only check a peripheral pressure q4h. I've heard people talk about "correlating" before and I don't get it. Why even bother if your A-line is functioning properly? Now the other day, I had a pt with an A-line that had a dampened waveform and inadequate square wave form test. I tinkered a bit with the lines/positioning/equipment, etc. but couldn't fix it. We left the line in for gases but monitored peripheral pressures. I just don't see why you would ever do both? Then your stuck trying to figure out which one to treat if they're significantly different. I work in a 17 bed mixed ICU in a somewhat rural location so I'm always interested to hear what other people are doing...

Please provide some evidence/proof/citations for the above!?

thank you thank you thank you nrskarenrn! i have been looking all over the web for a link to the actual proposed legislation. i want to read this stuff for myself because like you said, i don't feel i can trust any news source to present unbiased facts related to healthcare reform.

I like your idea Tait...would probably get more attention than the post-it notes I leave in the progress notes. It's hard sometimes to say what works since I only leave a note if I'm not going to be there the next day (I'm a day shifter)...and since I'm not going to be there, I most likely won't be able to follow up. In my experience, verbal pass-ons to the next shift are the least reliable way to get a hint/suggestion to the doc.

:yeahthat: I'm also a veteran and would advise you to a) explore all your service options b) talk to some active duty nurses and c) GET IT IN WRITING (whatever your recruiter is promising you). You have to keep in mind that the military's needs will ALWAYS come first...I'm always wary of the promises not to deploy. If you're joining the military, get it in your head that you'll be gone 4-18 months at a time about every 2 years. If you can take that, then you'll be fine. Another thing to consider is the type of nursing experience your likely to get in each service. Last time I checked, the AF only had 5 medical centers left...I think they try to station new nurses at them. But if you don't, you could get stuck in a clinic...not so great for a new nurse. I'm pretty sure the AF Still offers a program similar to the one the Army recruiter is offering you. The AF was also recently offering $20,000 cash (before taxes) or $30,000 toward college loans for new grads. But you don't get both...if you take assistance during school, you don't get the bonus as well. FYI, there's an entire area of allnurses dedicated to military/VA nursing. Look under the specialty tab at the top. You might find some good info there. Good luck!

I work Friday, Saturday, Sunday every week. On Thursday, I buy a rotisserie chicken, eggs, yogurts, nuts, fruit, and a bunch of different vegetables. I hard boil the eggs, pull the meat of the chicken, and cut up the vegetables (except for those I leave whole...pickles, cherry tomatoes, snap peas, etc.). I pack 6 plastic containers...3 protein (chicken and eggs), and 3 veggie. Then, in the am on my way to work, I grab 1 protien and 1 veggie container and some snacks (nuts, yogurt, fruit). This food is my breakfast, lunch, and dinner on work days. I tend to graze vs eating actual meals (it's easier to find 5 minutes to grab a bite several times a day than 30 minutes in one sitting) This only works if you're working 3 in a row...the veggies won't keep any longer than that once they're cut.

"Here's your baby bottle and your pacifier. When you're done having your tantrum, you can find me doing what you should be doing...taking care of our patients."

Me: "Do you have any medication allergies or is there anything that you can't take?" Pt: "I'm allergic to insulin." Me: "What happens when you take it?" Pt: "It drops my blood sugar." Me: Thinking...(oh geez mister do we need to do some education or what?)

4 sick days in 14 years. I very rarely get sick and I only work 3 days a week so...just haven't needed much sick time. Plus, I'd rather use my PTO for fun.

Say..."Thank you for the offer, I'm interested in the position and excited to work with you but I would like a week to think about it.". If they refuse the timeline, try to negotiate a shorter one. Then, tell the other facility that you are considering other positions and need a response ASAP (assuming you're still interested in the position after the interview). By the way, I think you'll be better off in med-surg considering your long term goals. Good luck!

I never use "expired". Milk expires and I don't like associating stinky old milk with a human being's death. "Passed on", "passed away", "died"...these all get the point across and with the right tone of voice and expression can relay the news gently.

You know what I'm thinking about after reading the OP and replies? This was a male DOCTOR that entered the room, right? While we, as nurses, make great efforts to report off to each other after every shift, perhaps if the doctors did the same thing, this incident would never have occurred. I know it's a pipe dream, and I know that we are ultimately the patient's advocate, but for once I would like to see a doctor come on call knowing something about the patient. Making cultural accomodations is important and every member of the healthcare team should be on board. Oh, and I like the idea about a sign that reads "See nurse first", but I wonder how many staff members would ignore it?

I want to come work with you guys. We get breakfast...in the cafeteria...the same food we pay for every other day...and if you're not working that day, you get nothing.