CapeCodMermaid RN

Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health

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All Content by CapeCodMermaid

  1. CapeCodMermaid

    IV Certification

    CapeCodMermaid posted a topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Do you all require a certification course before you all staff to do IVs? It used to be we were all taught the basics in school and then someone who knew what they were doing would watch and sign off....
  2. CapeCodMermaid

    IV Certification

    CapeCodMermaid replied to CapeCodMermaid's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I found out from corporate that it WAS something the former DON made
  3. CapeCodMermaid

    How long??

    CapeCodMermaid posted a topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I love to hire new grads but I'm getting weary of having to repeat myself. I have one new grad who has been with us since the end of June. He and I started at this place the same day. He has yet to...
  4. CapeCodMermaid

    Counting Liquid NARCS

    CapeCodMermaid replied to ltcnurse4u's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I don't know the regs in all 50 states, but it isn't a reg in Massachusetts. I would call your pharmacy consultant. Often 'regs' are urban
  5. CapeCodMermaid

    CPR certification for facility

    CapeCodMermaid replied to JBMmom's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I've always had the local ambulance company come in to do the training. If we make it mandatory, we pay for
  6. CapeCodMermaid

    **HELP!! ICU RN Working PRN in LTC??

    CapeCodMermaid replied to Spoiled1's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Perhaps it's because of heard during my entire career that nurses who work in nursing homes aren't real nurses. Or perhaps it's because last week I worked 60+ hours getting ready for state survey and...
  7. CapeCodMermaid

    **HELP!! ICU RN Working PRN in LTC??

    CapeCodMermaid replied to Spoiled1's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    1. 10 patients on nights is a whopper of a lie. 2. I am mightily insulted that you don't think working in a nursing home is a real
  8. CapeCodMermaid

    Mylanta For Nausea?

    CapeCodMermaid replied to downsouthlaff's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Phenergan is not a good med for older people since it can cause sedation. Compazine is classified as a sedative/hypnotic which isn't good. Mylanta has fewer side effects. My favorite treatment for...
  9. CapeCodMermaid

    Is the RN--->BSN push a clever way to get older nurses out of the way

    CapeCodMermaid replied to Nola009's topic in Diploma, ADN, BSN

    Who do you consider to be an "old fart"? I'm 61.... Neither old nor fart-like. I'd put my education and experience up against
  10. CapeCodMermaid

    New Grads With Attitude

    CapeCodMermaid posted a topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I have seen what I consider to be a trend in newly graduated/newly licensed nurses. Many of them are so entitled. "What do you mean I have to pass meds? What do you mean I have to work every other...
  11. CapeCodMermaid

    questioning state reporting regulations

    CapeCodMermaid replied to LPN9200's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    If the resident has significant dementia and there is no injury, it no longer needs to be
  12. CapeCodMermaid

    Good manners

    CapeCodMermaid replied to CapeCodMermaid's topic in LTC: Directors, Assistant

    No. I'm in a beautiful 5 star facility that smells like
  13. CapeCodMermaid

    Good manners

    CapeCodMermaid posted a topic in LTC: Directors, Assistant

    This is going to be a rant. I've been a nurse for more than 30 years--in long term care for most of them and have been a director for 10 years. I have recently applied to several director jobs. Not...
  14. CapeCodMermaid

    Narcotic counts

    CapeCodMermaid replied to CoffeeRTC's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    The supervisor or DNS is notified. We take all the cards out of the drawer and check the bottom of the drawer because sometimes the meds fall out. I always investigate if I think it's diversion. Who...
  15. CapeCodMermaid

    Narcotic counts

    CapeCodMermaid replied to CoffeeRTC's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Any discrepancy means a call to the supervisor or DON. We always check the math first. Most times it's just a matter of someone forgetting to document. Remember to have two nurses sign in every narc,...
  16. CapeCodMermaid

    Different business models in LTC

    CapeCodMermaid replied to ShelbyaStar's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I've worked in tiny -40 bed- places and large -181 bed- places and all sorts in between. For profit and not for profit. It really depends on who owns the building. I worked in a not for profit that...
  17. CapeCodMermaid

    When to ship pt out to hospital? WWYD?

    CapeCodMermaid replied to tsm007's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Hmmmm he made himself cough up blood? From what you said, I would have sent him. The second guy, I might have asked for nitro paste order... Old fashioned but it works to bring BP down quickly. I...
  18. CapeCodMermaid

    Back talk

    CapeCodMermaid replied to Grasshopper11's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Why would new nurses be hired as supervisors? Can't you talk to them peer to
  19. CapeCodMermaid

    New Grads With Attitude

    CapeCodMermaid replied to CapeCodMermaid's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I appreciate the input from the new grads who've responded. Perhaps your parents or your school clued you in to the real world. I only know what I've seen in this area. PS....still looking to hire...
  20. CapeCodMermaid

    How old is too old to safely practice?

    CapeCodMermaid replied to traumaRUs's topic in Nurse Practitioners, NP

    What happened to "60 is the new 40"? I know many nurses and physicians who practice well past their 60's. They are still mentally and physically able to do so. My dad was a radiologist. He retired the...
  21. CapeCodMermaid

    Fear of losing my license

    CapeCodMermaid replied to Aryea, LVN's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    The nurses I know of who have lost their license abandoned residents in their care. It's not easy in Massachusetts to get your license yanked even for drug
  22. CapeCodMermaid

    Pulse Oximeter discrepancy question

    CapeCodMermaid replied to Robinbelle's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    The pulse ox is merely a tool. If the resident was fine but the tool showed a low sat, what would you do? Always rely on what YOU can assess
  23. CapeCodMermaid

    case management vs adon

    CapeCodMermaid replied to stella789's topic in LTC: Directors, Assistant

    I've been an ADON and a DON for more than 10 years. Just started as a case manager thinking it would be less stressful. HA!! Everyone thinks I know everything there is to know about the 26 residents I...
  24. CapeCodMermaid

    Being Evicted from the Nursing Home? Hunh?

    CapeCodMermaid replied to traumaRUs's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    There are some people we just can not take care of in nursing homes. I've been in the business for 25+ years and can count on one hand the number of residents sent out and not let back in. All of...
  25. CapeCodMermaid

    Are state surveys conducted on weekends?

    CapeCodMermaid replied to 2737's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    In Massachusetts, the DPH can come any time for a survey. In one building which had a horrible reputation, they showed up on Thanksgiving. That's not the norm because they are state employees and have...