daydreaming

Off the top of my head..... generally all pressors are compatable typically sedation is compatble (ie fentanyl and versed), but if you give a bolus, everything gets a bolus for insulin, generally i run it alone, just in case for boluses, and same applies, if you bolus, then you bolus everything i would think in this case, that the pressors would be running thru the cordis, and everything else peripherally.... versed/fentanyl can run peripherally, bumex peripherally, insulin, d5 periphally. while this was going on, they should be establishing additional access. what other access did this patient have? picc, tlc, portacath, peripherals, etc.? usually cordis are placed for high volume quick, ie gi bleeds. lastly, why was this patient on d5 and insulin together? j

Hello, I work in a large teaching hospital with electronic health care records, with WOW's at each patient bedside and outside of their room. I find this helpful for looking up values and entering data when I am scheduled with a patient assignment. However, when I am charge I must utilize a paper clipboard to cover 56 ICU beds and sometimes keeping track of everything can be daunting. I must find an unused nearby computer to look up new patients, patient data when staff nurses call for help, or reference several other paper trails for creating assignments. I think you know where I am going with this. Anyways, does anyone have experience working in a hospital as a charge nurse with access to a tablet computer and the hospital's electronic health record system? Do you find it more helpful than carrying around a paper clipboard and notes shoved into your pockets? Does anyone know where I can find any additional information on this, ie research articles, etc? That maybe I can bring to my manager to show the efficacy of implementing such devices? I envision having charge nurses with tablet computers, will really help out with work throughput and patient safety. Thank you. Julie

I feel the crunch every day I go into work. On many occasions I have been told by my manager "run short." But with economic times, and hospital losses it seems that they are unwilling to create new positions. If anything they'll hire experienced per-diem or part-time RN's. Many of them are either retired nurses re-entering into the workforce or nurses approaching retirement who are working "just a few more years" to put aside a little extra reitrement. At the moment, we are "getting by," but will we be able to manage with the years to come? The average age of CT's RN's are the oldest in the US. What's going to happen when they retire?

I think there are several factors as to why there is such a nursing shortage in CT. We have an aging workforce approaching retirement, the average age of CT nurses is much higher than other states. Like others have mentioned, faculty positions are underpaid. Many universities require a doctorite/Phd, where these same nurses could work elsewhere making a considerably higher income. Many students who attend our 18 nursing school programs are out-of-state and typically won't work in CT after graduation. Also, nurses who work in bordering states, ie MA and NY make significantly more per hour than CT nurses do. I know this reply is somewhat late, but given our economic times and with many hospitals on hiring freezes. It still doesn't resolve the nursing shortage issue we are facing both in CT and nation-wide.

i am very comforted to see this thread. i have been diagnosed with bipolar 2, panic disorder, generalized anxiety, ptsd, with disassociation. i consider myself to be a very safe and conscious nurse. i put my patients first, double and triple-check everything i do. i will admit, some times can get triggering, but i try to remove myself from it personally and be a good patient advocate. the crash doesn't usually happen until after my shift and i am at home. i am currently in therapy, and am playing the med merry-go-round, as i haven't found the perfect med-match for me. but i will agree, there definately is a mental illness stigma in the field. it breaks my heart just hearing other health professionals (nurses included) making wise remarks about patients and their mental health. i envy those here who have had the strength to discuss their disorders with their co-workers, but i don't feel i'm at that point yet.

i got many check all that apply, my test shut off at 75 questions, and i passed. i'm sure you all did great!

Congrats!!! I'm so happy for you!! :monkeydance:

i had at least 7 check all that apply. and those are my worst ones too! one day and counting, please keep your fingers crossed for me!!

my husband is also giving me a hard time... he just doesn't understand how important this test is to us?? i'm getting worried, i didn't have any math calculations, which is something i feel really good about.. go figure. i hope to God i passed.

i didn't get any strips or any med calculations... is that good?

I am in the same boat. I also had 75 questions, and I know for sure I got the last one wrong. I am so scared, that I dont know how I'll survive the next 48 hrs, as I will be at work. I'm afraid to check and see if I passed at work, because I left not feeling "good" and would be mortified to find out I failed. I had many of the same questions as you.

((hugs)) i'm saying prayers for both of us

okay. so today i took my nclex and got 75 questions, as many of you got here. i got tons of check all that apply, prioritization, teaching and a lot of meds. i am freaking out, because i know that i got my last question wrong. i read a post somewhere saying that doesn't mean you failed, but i just can't stop thinking of the worst. i feel sick and i'm so scared, because i am working as a graduate nurse right now, and will be devistated if i didnt pass and would loose my job. thse 48 hours are probably the most stressful, that i have ever been thru. *please God, let me be one of the ones who passes at 75!*

eeeeeek. i was wondering the same thing. i took the nclex today and had 75 questions, and i know i got the last one wrong. this is going to be an awful 2 days to wait and find out my fate.

I keep telling myself to calm down, but my anxiety is through the roof. I take my NCLEX this Tuesday 7/24 and I am starting to freak out. I have been doing tons of questions for the past 2 months and my scores weren't bad. The past few days my practice exam scores have gone down. This is making me feel unprepared. How can I calm my nerves? :trout: