billythekid

I did excelsior for my asn, then Utica college (online) bsn, and I got into crna school without being asked specifically about them. Depending on which school you are applying, GRE, GRADES, EXPERIENCE are most important IMO

My EC update - paramedic 06/99, EC ASN 09/07, online BSN from another college 08/10, CRNA bound 06/11!

Some states have RN-Medics designated MICN's I believe... one of my medic turned RN friends does this and seems to like it

Whenever I call pharmacy, they log into the micromedex (I can hear them typing) and clicking on each drug I need to run as I tell them over the phone. Much easier to do it myself! I've also found it a good idea to print out the micromedex screen and tape/rubberband it onto the front of the bedside chart as a clear reference for this patient's drips. That way, at shift change, when the oncoming nurse (politely) questions compatibility of drips, they can see you've done you're homework and there is no room for confusion or second-guessing. lol

These situations can be difficult to handle properly, especially when another person is involved doing 'crowd control' as you mention. If the lady really seemed to need help (semi-conscious), then I would assist. An appropriate comment to the person that 'pulled you away' could have been 'Take your hands off me' and 'I am trained to help people in situations like this.' Most of the time, the other person will back down. If they don't then you have to decide how 'involved' in this situation you want to become. Take comfort in the fact that there is no truly correct way to handle the situation you were presented with. Also consider, Unless the victim is 1. in cardiac arrest, 2. actively vomiting (turn to side to prevent aspiration), or 3. actively bleeding out, there is little definitive care you can render with no equipment. At best you will conduct a neuro check with a few A&O questions, assess pulse rate and quality, assess breathing... again, unless the patient is unconscious and requires CPR, the medics are going to do their own assessment and treat based upon that anyway. The moral: You had the right intentions, but things didn't work out as smoothly as you envisioned... so don't be discouraged from offering your assistance the next time someone needs help because the situation might be different and you could be the difference for that person. :)

Haven't had the chance to research it, but I've been told concommitant infusion of Zyvox and phenylephrine can cause uncontrolled hypertension...

Referencing the manual can be tedious, and of course, is not hands-on. My suggestion would be to ask for clarification from the nurse educator on your floor or institution. If you've never been trained or inserviced with CVCs, it really isn't fair to expect you to empirically know what to do. Anytime I come across a piece of hardware I've never seen, I will check with the educator on the floor. If they're not familiar with it, they make it a point to investigate the hospital policy and educate the nurse on it. It's a win-win in that situation - you get an 'official' answer and the educator knows the answer for the next nurse who asks.

during the interview process, they generally ask which hospital you prefer and/or what unit you are interested in. Be prepared to provide a quick (short) rationale for the unit you want.. did you extern in a similar unit? other nurse recommendation?

check out Utica.edu I'll be graduating at end of summer semester, and would recommend this program... #325/credit... professors reasonable... easy to use online platform

I do not believe there is a truly online route to obtain your initial ASN/BSN that would qualify you to sit for the NCLEX and become an RN. It is a common misconception that Excelsior College offers "online" nursing degrees. EC is actually a distance learning program that allows you to self-pace the ASN nursing curriculum, which could work for someone that meets the admission requirements - namely, a license as an LPN / Paramedic / Respiratory Therapist / PA. Initially, EC allowed admission for basic EMT (~90 hr course), but now only allow EMT-Paramedic (~1500 hr course) with higher clinical requirements.

Having been on both sides of the RN-EMS table, I can tell you that both professionals deserve the utmost respect. Regarding skill sets, EMT basics (entry level in NY State is EMT-D(efibrillation) generally perform head-to-toe assessments focused on identifying respiratory, cardiac, neurological and peripheral vascular abnormalities. It is not specifically in the realm of an EMT-Basic to distinguish certain medical nuances (ie - cardiac wheeze vs. respiratory wheeze).

Absolutely true.. there are alot of nice paragods out there :)

Sounds like you made a terrific effort :) I believe the spirit of the AHA guideline was to encourage people to take actions that would benefit a victim, and still be within their 'comfort' limits, in the absence of appropriate medical equipment. The theory behind doing chest compressions, even without ventilations, is to circulate the existing oxygen bound to hemoglobin. While not as potentially beneficial as fully saturated hemoglobin (think oxygen dissociation curve), there is a benefit for vital organs to receive any amount of oxygen, thereby prolonging the initial 4-6 minute window to irreversible brain damage. Understandably, a potential caregiver might balk at the concept of mouth-to-mouth, especially if the victim is a stranger, or has vomited/drooled. The revised AHA guideline seeks to sidestep this hesitation by encouraging rescuers without equipment to perform compressions rather than nothing at all. A few years back, as I was leaving for work, I came across a crowd of people surrounding an elderly man who had collapsed while shoveling snow. He had already vomited (and likely aspirated), so I was not inclined to give mouth-to-mouth ventilations. However, I started compressions until the FDNY engine arrived with a defibrillator (almost 10 minutes during snowstorm). Once I attached it, he was in VF, and delivered one shock. EMS arrived shortly after and ran the code, but he expired at the hospital. The anecdotal point of this story is that even after being down for 3-5 minutes, followed by 10 minutes of good compressions, the pt was still in a shockable rhythm (and had a slim chance). With no compressions, he likely would have been asystolic after being down for 15 minutes with no circulation.

I wouldn't say 200k income is anywhere near 'rich' in many parts of the country... mortgage, taxes, daycare.. not even close! Unfortunately, a number of nurses and their families will fall into this too 'rich' catergory. To a multi-millionaire, and extra $10k might not make a difference, but to a couple making $300k, an additional $8000 tax liability is quite significant.

I had a patient who was a retired anesthesiologist (didn't introduce himself as one). Post-surgery, he asked what side effects / complications he might experience. I went on about possibility of voice being hoorifice b/c of the tube, potential blood pressure issues, monitoring of chest tubes, etc.. later in conversation, he admitted the profession he had retired from, and was just checking to make sure he was in good hands. Turned out to one of the best patients lol