MNmom3boys

I know this is a super old thread, but I'm looking at major surgery in a few days. You can bet your sweet bippy that there will be an advance directive in place and a DNR order on my chart...

Honestly, in my limited experience, I've gotten fairly good at telling when someone is in pain - there is a look about them, and usually when given the prescribed dose of whatever there is some relief (even if not complete) noted. However, when your ...

Congrats on your immense piece of happiness. (And vast lifestyle change. ) My sons are the greatest joy in my life!

I think this, along w/ pre-existing dehydration, is something that we are seeing in some of our total hip/ total knee patients. We run in D2 1/2NS at 75mL/hr for about the first 24 hours, assuming PO intake is good after surgery. The first couple tim...

To draw a parallel - I am a CDA - certified dental assistant, just like you are a CNA - certified nursing assistant. Never in my wildest dreams would I refer to myself, or let anyone else refer to me as a dentist. You are not (yet) a nurse, and sho...

I just had to laugh when I found this thread! I just figured I had loud finger joints, as I had never heard any other professional mention a similar problem. Glad to know I'm not the only one who has had to figure out how to work around the problem. ...

I'm currently working 64 per pay period, also EO weekend. On my unit there is only two out of fourteen nurses working 72 or more hours. Most of the RNs work less than 64 per pay period. I personally don't want any more hours, so really haven't looked...

argh - double post, trying to fix quote in first post...

The second nurse needs to manually enter his/her employee number and password after the first nurse has accepted the dose, route, etc. His/her initals then show up on the EMAR next to the original nurse's. I suppose if someone knew your employee numb...

Not sure if it gets easier, or if you just get used to it... I remember feeling the level of frustration you are expressing when we did our go-live in April. At least I no longer feel that level of frustration on a daily basis. They have been pretty ...

North Memorial will be starting another new grad orientation in July - the deadline for application is either very soon, or may have already passed. Both the Star-Tribune and the Pioneer-Press have great web-sites for job hunts. Good-luck!

My experience was similar to sam1998. The only thing I would add is that I was very deliberate about being a student of record there when I applied for the nursing program. I had done some of my pre-reqs elsewhere, and had several other credits trans...

I knew orientation was over when my first night shift on my own (as a new grad) I was informed I was Charge for the night...

I have given double reds. Yes, plasma was returned. The amount of time between possible donations was increased from approx. 2 months to approx. 4 months. I didn't notice any additional ill effects as a donor, but I was able to do this for the last t...

You have received good advice here. The only thing I would add is: in the future, you would be very wise to re-check the computer MAR before you give a dose of anything. The printed MAR is only valid until the minute you printed it, at which point it...

this is definitely one of those issuse where i can identify with both "sides". i feel that generally i am well paid for my level of education and current skill set, however there are days when i am not paid enough to put up with the things we are fo...

I have a couple pairs of the pants - the ones with the drawstring in the legs. I've only been wearing for a couple months, but the are comfortable and seem to wear and wash well. I think they ride a little low on my waist, which I'm not a big fan of,...

Yes, I agree. The other option that I'm research is on-line, and I have serious resevations about the lack of "human contact" for my learning style. I think I would also prefer the give and take of a classroom setting, as well as the one class at a t...

It is one of the two options I am considering, although I will not be starting in April. I will be interested to see how the program works for you. Good-luck!

I work on an ortho floor w/ critical care pathways in place for each type of patient we see. This made organizing much easier for me, but what I did was: I typed up a list of things that most patients needed per shift, including meds, therapies and p...

I did not have nursing experience, although I did volunteer as a Candystripper in high school. But, I was a dental assistant for about 15 years, and so learned some of the technical skills (like taking vitals) and basic patient interaction and docum...

It totally depends on the shift for me - I have done shifts w/ NAs and shifts w/o. The "difficulty" of a given shift for me is more dependant on the acuity of the patients rather than the presence or absence of NAs. The NAs on my floor tend to be wor...

Hugs, prayer and best wishes to you both. School is rough, take a deep breath and hang tight, you'll get through!

Our CDU (Can't Decide Unit ) has changed into a "Short Stay/ Tele unit" But, the patient population still seems to be those who are waiting on testing before an admit, waiting for a bed on another unit, and other short stay situations w/ a huge varie...