CapeCodMermaid RN

Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health

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All Content by CapeCodMermaid

  1. CapeCodMermaid

    Demotion from DON, self report to BON

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

    I'm flabbergasted. The BON in Massachusetts wouldn't get involved in something like this. Last time I renewed my license there were 3 questions-have you paid your taxes, have you completed the...
  2. CapeCodMermaid

    New Staff Development Nurse

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

    The best SDCs make the learning fun and don't hesitate to jump in and help when the other nurses are in the weeds. Let's face it, there really isn't anything interesting about blood-borne pathogens...
  3. CapeCodMermaid

    adopting a facility for holiday

    CapeCodMermaid replied to mbtsab's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    This is a perfectly lovely idea. If there is an activities director, I'd call her to ask her what she thinks would most benefit the
  4. CapeCodMermaid

    state inspection

    CapeCodMermaid replied to nellern71's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Surveyors in Massachusetts would NEVER offer personal advice on a job or try to hire you away from your
  5. CapeCodMermaid

    Any Notice Required?

    CapeCodMermaid posted a topic in LTC: Directors, Assistant

    I've been at my new job for two weeks. I HATE it. The place smells (and those of you who 'know' me know how I despise smelly nursing homes) no matter how many times I ask the housekeeping staff to...
  6. CapeCodMermaid

    Any Notice Required?

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

    I sometimes spout off. I would give notice now that I'm at the end of my 3rd week. They told me a bunch of lies during my interview....the place is top heavy with corporate types but the staff is...
  7. CapeCodMermaid

    RANT: You're an RN, suction them yourself.

    CapeCodMermaid replied to Alex_RN's topic in Long Term Acute Care

    At my last facility we had a 'pulmonary rehab program'...NO respiratory therapist was hired. One of the patients had a BIPAP and wasn't doing well. The Pulmonologist wanted the settings changed. None...
  8. CapeCodMermaid

    Dining Room Duties

    CapeCodMermaid replied to NurseQT's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Most facilities swear there is a reg stating a nurse must be in the dining room. I have NEVER been able to find such a reg. I took the nurses out of the main dining room....it was 2-3 hours at...
  9. CapeCodMermaid

    Doctors orders for the small stuff and third shift

    CapeCodMermaid replied to tsm007's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    First off I'm concerned that you're an Agency nurse as a new grad...scary stuff. Secondly, you get to know the docs. I've had several over the years to "write whatever you want and I'll sign off'. I...
  10. CapeCodMermaid

    At my wits end...

    CapeCodMermaid replied to DierkyBrewster's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    May I use this in the book I'm writing entitled "You Can't Make This Stuff Up'. I got called to a resident's room by her son just to tell me her "s**t" smells bad. No joke. It's all part of the
  11. CapeCodMermaid

    PEG tube replacement

    CapeCodMermaid replied to Anne36's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    We don't get an x-ray. Had a woman who pulled out her tube at least 4 times a day (family didn't get it....said she really wanted it)---look at your facility's
  12. CapeCodMermaid

    My DON came to my house today

    CapeCodMermaid replied to mtjoanna's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    One facility I worked at as a supervisor got tagged because the MD wasn't notified of an abnormal lab. There was absolutely no harm to the resident but such is life in a SNF. We had to write a plan of...
  13. CapeCodMermaid

    MAR how should it read?

    CapeCodMermaid replied to newrnontheblock's topic in Patient Medications

    I only know the regs in Massachusetts for long term care. Assisted Living has different regs. I've worked in a few places that got cited by the DPH on annual survey for having the MAR read one thing...
  14. CapeCodMermaid

    MAR how should it read?

    CapeCodMermaid replied to newrnontheblock's topic in Patient Medications

    When you get to write the regulations, you can have what you
  15. CapeCodMermaid

    Sticky situation help!

    CapeCodMermaid replied to freespirit2's topic in Long Term Acute Care

    Call your pharmacy nurse consultant if you have one and ask her what you need to do. Or go to the
  16. CapeCodMermaid

    My DON came to my house today

    CapeCodMermaid replied to mtjoanna's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Just when you think you've heard it all you come to Allnurses and hear more. She went to your house?!?!?!.Holy crow....what a lunatic. It seems the problems are the doctors who don't call back. If I...
  17. CapeCodMermaid

    MAR how should it read?

    CapeCodMermaid replied to newrnontheblock's topic in Patient Medications

    We write the dose and the # of tabs to be given. It's a regulation in Massachusetts in long term care. For example: Tylenol 325 mg tabs-give two tabs to = 650mg every 6 hours as needed for pain. Some...
  18. CapeCodMermaid

    Allergic reaction to dressing change?

    CapeCodMermaid replied to tsm007's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    1. Please don't just 'experiment' on this resident without speaking to the MD and getting orders. 2. Benadryl is on the Beers' list and shouldn't be given to elders....it causes dizziness and...
  19. CapeCodMermaid

    Rant About the Administrator

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

    Thanks for asking.....what a saga. Had a job...was going to start and then was told the position was no longer in the budget....really??? But I accepted a job at a small skilled facility. Start in 2...
  20. CapeCodMermaid

    Rant About the Administrator

    CapeCodMermaid posted a topic in LTC: Directors, Assistant

    I don't really expect an answer...just need to vent. My admnistrator is not a good manager. He tells the CNAs how hard HIS job is. Really? You're telling this to kids who make 10-15 dollars an hour...
  21. CapeCodMermaid

    anxiety vs. agitation; Ativan vs. Haldol

    CapeCodMermaid replied to aging1's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    High doses of benzos aren't good either. They can prevent REM sleep which can cause more confusion and
  22. CapeCodMermaid

    Overly agressive hospice

    CapeCodMermaid replied to CoffeeRTC's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Hospice nurses are guests in your facility. They are an adjunct to the services and care you provide. It sounds like there needs to be a meeting about team. Although, with a respiratory rate of 38, I...
  23. CapeCodMermaid

    Terminated after two months and in need of help please!

    CapeCodMermaid replied to WorriedNurse25's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I've been a nurse since 1982. People get fired for all sorts of reasons. In Massachusetts you would NOT have to report this to the BON. The facility should probably report it to the DPH as 'alleged...
  24. CapeCodMermaid

    Nursing home NPs

    CapeCodMermaid replied to lmccrn62's topic in Nurse Practitioners, NP

    I've had discussions with NPs asking them NOT to specify an amount of fluid for a resident. They often flat out refuse to drink what we think is enough. And, I've worked in plenty of buildings where...
  25. CapeCodMermaid

    Rant About the Administrator

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

    Something is going on. The DNS from a sister facility was fired one week after she got a perfect survey. I'm sure I'm better