litlamp

Where I work LPN's can do alot. The scope of practice in TN for LPN's is very minimal and mainly covers medication administration (push meds). We do everything but hang blood and there is a short list of meds we cannot administer (sedation, oxytocics...

I forgot to add.. always check the policy where you work :)

Where I work they go into the sharps boxes. Never into the trash.

When would you change the dressing on a *new* PEG tube if there were no written or standing orders besides "remove sutures 7 days postop"? Would you change the dressing with or without an order or would you assess the dressing and if being clean, dry...

Thank you all very much for the replies. I'm still learning that all cases may be different for post op dressings, initially I thought how I learned... that you initially just observe the dressing and change when ordered and it's is usually after th...

Our facility has been faced with unusually low census the past few months. This has lead to staffing changes and many nurses getting "called off" or put "on call" for the shift. The problem with this is there is no policy or procedure to do this fair...

I'm having an issue with my states scope of practice, how to interpret it compared to how our facility operates. First off, I'm practicing in Tennessee, I am not IV certified, and I do not have more than 6 months of experience as a licenced nurse. We...

I just wanted to post an update in case anyone was looking for the same information: I called the TN BON today and asked for clarification of the scope of practice with administering push medications. I asked if administering medications through a sy...

Let me know if you would have done this differently please... I had a patient whose IV was not infiltrated but at the point of access was showing irritation. I reported to my charge nurse and she assisted me with removal and assessent of the area her...

Nope, but it is similar in set up. It's unlike excel in that there are check boxes with pop up choices and small areas for type in comments.

The IV was KVO 30ml/h only for a q 24h antibiotic that the charge nurse changed to PO, and only required the doctor to sign off on it in the am.

I think I'm a bit perplexed being that we don't use meditech, however, when the information is entered the previous three entries are already visible to me at that time in the electronic charting system our facility uses. I documented in the flow she...

We use a different application. Entries are made with your personal login. After your digital signature upon completion, the entry is locked and uneditable. I couldn't change another nurses electronic charting just as I couldn't change their handwrit...

Yes it is sad and disheartening to see this happen. I've learned mostly through this forum and on my own that no matter what others may do, my actions as a nurse must stand alone. I know I am my patients advocate and as long as I do what I know is ri...

Thank you!! (((sigh of relief))) :)

I completely understand and I am a new nurse myself. Working on time management, as I have found out personally can have a huge effect on how your shift may go. For instance, when you receive your assignments and report, look at your patients and the...

The Lasix is screwed onto the pump and infused by the pump as a secondary infusion and at a slower rate, so is this considered "pushed" by me? Just making sure you understood it was on the pump and not "physically" pushed into a line. (essentially as...

A little backstory: I recently began orientation to our local hospitals med/surg floor. It's my first position since graduation and passing boards two months ago. I love nursing, I love providing care for and being my patients advocate. I want to pr...

No, I'm very sorry, I didn't mean for that to sound like an accusation. I meant it as how I'm being preceptored.. which has included all the short cuts but not anything as you just mentioned.... that it does not replace a full assessment. I observed ...

That is a valid point, thank you for making me look at it a bit differently. I don't want to jump to conclusions or misinterpret anything and I know being a new nurse I may be over critical which will change as I learn. I guess I just want to learn t...

I've been talking with classmates who are currently taking their NCLEX-PN this week. I know before taking mine last week I read as much as I could about the test itself. A question came up about some exams automatically going to 205 no matter what, a...

Thank you for clearing that up. I was certain if that was the case it would have been in the literature.

Can anyone recommend a good nutrition book or reference? I'm looking for a basic level reference that covers vitamins and minerals. ~danke

I read this awhile back, hope it helps. Link will direct you to the full article. It's directed more towards staging but the article is very informative. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/563159?src=mp National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel's Upda...

Well put and one of the best pieces of advice ever.