Do-over ASN, RN

Any adult ICU nurse is expected to float to other adult ICUs. The specialty ICUs are expected to use common sense when making assignments for floats. Side note - pet peeve - the automatic bad attitude about floating. I generally have a good exper...

Recently had a family member of a patient comment on how young the night staff looked... His mother reprimanded him for not including me in the "young-looking" group... At any rate, it was a great opportunity to manage up the many bright, intelligent...

We don't have set days, but it seems so rare to have a dressing last 7 days anyway - especially IJs in intubated patients... Like unicorns, subclavian lines are rare and beautiful things.

I generally pack a lunch and its pretty healthy. Either way, it doesn't take me any longer to eat healthy food versus junk food.

Perfect - ER, ICU, tele here. ICU is definitely the most lifting, etc. in my experience. Especially with CNAs being almost non-existent - you not only do your own baths, turns, mobility you help your teammates with others.

I really like that I have actually laid eyes on the patient, and don't feel the need to run in the rooms immediately after report. Especially if I have one going sideways - I've already seen the other, even if I haven't done a complete head-to-toe -...

Learning how to be comfortable being very uncomfortable.

As for me, I think bedside report is essential - especially in critical care. If you find yourself getting bogus info - open that computer up at the bedside. We are supposed to, although it doesn't always happen. Believe me, though, if I know I am...

PS - God bless Kaci Hickox, and all the others willing to go and to serve. That are willing to touch the untouchable.

I will be willing to volunteer to care for Ebola patients when/if that time comes. I am far more afraid of false imprisonment by Chicken Little, though, for doing so. How long have international HCW been traveling from Ebola stricken regions back t...

I see both sides (I am ICU and have worked the floor and ER). The argument for more pay, to me, is that so much more is expected out of us (at least where I am). Knowledge, leadership, expertise, floating all over, etc. So I don't really see it as...

The most inconvenient spots - like radiology. Only partly joking.

What is with the poop that smells like mothballs? Wicked GI bleed = slaughterhouse

In all seriousness, I was terrible at first. Now, with oodles of practice I rarely have a problem. When I do, it is with females. Can't really explain my technique. Kind of like IV starts, I think there is a "feel" to it.

I prefer to go through it.

I use gravity on G tubes, but plunger on naso/orogastric tubes.

Which is a great reason to never come in extra when asked...

Sometimes, I think they go way too deep for nursing school. Yes to central line and ICU level monitoring for 3%.

as far as someone "not liking needles". I say, "Neither do I, and it is truly better to give than receive!"

I rarely sit down at parties / family gatherings for fear of falling asleep... Knowing that my family will let me sleep and probably throw an afghan over me "cause she is so tired". I'd miss the whole thing!

My worst is driving past my own driveway in the mornings. Happens at least once a month.

I have no problem saying no. Especially because they will force you off later because you are OT.

I found both 1302 and 1308 to be extremely tough - I took them both online at UTA and barely passed, although I am impressed that I did as well as I did without any help (legitimate or otherwise). I took them before the proctor requirement. I wonder...

Love House of God. Read it again a couple years ago - it renews my sympathy for new docs. I especially love the patients whose charts are buffed are the ones that did the best =)

5 or 6 months sounds like a lot of orientation, but depending on the hospital you might not get to see many patients that critical even on the unit during that time. And then, ER will likely either hustle those patients to the unit (and rightly so) ...