bigredrn57

Call the doc with VS. Tell him about the patient's pain and/or lack of BM and bowel sounds, any abdominal distention. I would also ask for permission to place an NG to low intermittent suction before the patient perforates. It sounds like an ileus. While you're at it ask for an abdominal CT with contrast. This happened to a patient of mine not too long ago. I had to fight with the doc to get an NG order. The patient drained 9000 cc of gastric fluid in about 20 minutes. Before hand she had been vomiting all day. When I came on just one whiff was all it took. She was barfing stool. She said I saved her life. Be good to yourself.

It is an air leak. I would take the dressing down and ensure it is patent and leave the patient on wall suction. The latest information I've read said not to use vaseline impregnated gauze around the chest tube, and only to tape the dressing on three sides to prevent crepitus. There is also some debate on whether the air leak will resolve better with or without suction. Sometimes though this is doctor specific. Some do some don't. It's best to call.

Really? Where do you find the time? I have a full team of five CABG's. I am primary and I am charge.

If you know so much. What are you doing here? I can't help people that won't help themselves

A lot of guys gravitate to critical care areas. I don't care if a nurse is gay or not, just do your job and be professional. When someone asks me, I tell them I'm not that sweet. As far as ADN vs. BSN. I have found the ADN usually have spent more time in clinicals. Their bedside manner and skills reflect this. Be good to yourself

Hi. I work the night shift on a CV-Stepdown unit.

We always managed to get to work. Although sometimes the snow was deep and you had to wait for a plow to go through or take an alternate route. Wisconsin has advantages and disadvantages like anywhere else. Spring is usually cool and wet. Summer is fine until about August when it does get hot and humid. But there are lots of lakes, rivers and public pools around. Fall is my favorite season, warm days and cool nights. Winter starts around Thanksgiving. You have your car winterized in the fall. Or you will breakdown. Last year they had 133 inches of snow. School is usually called off if they have 6 inches or more at one time. The coldest I had ever been up there was -35 below zero. Outdoor activities are year round. Schools are excellent, but property taxes are high to pay for them. I would recommend a small town outside Madison and commute. Look up my home town of Fort Atkinson. The air is fresh and the people are friendly. What are you waiting for?

I have had similar experiences. If you give a bully an inch they will walk all over you. They will continue to do so until you stand up for yourself. No one can take advantage of you without your permission. Forget the people pleasing and co-dependence. Exercise: For the next week look in the mirror and say, I am not a piece of crap. I am somebody! Do this every time you go to the bathroom. I know, sounds crazy, but it works. Then tell nurse ratchet to lose her s*itty attitude. Nothing is worth losing your self- respect. Be good to yourself.:wink2:

Do you have any solutions? Or do you just like to instigate things and let others clean up?

Have you talked to a lawyer? Did you pay your fine and fulfill your obligations? If so, speak to a lawyer about having your record expunged. Experience is what we get when we don't get what we want.

I grew up taking care of my non-compliant diabetic mother. In 1985 I was found dead in a housefire. I died twice more in the hospital. The nurses and docs did not give up on me. I survived for a reason. The best way I could think of "payback," was to become a nurse.

I gave up on agency nursing and am about to return as a CVICU-Stepdown staff nurse. Now if I can just put up with BS. Wish me luck.

It sounds like you are trying to work your program instead of the program of AA. My way did not work. I needed the input of people from all walks of life. The 1st Tradition states: Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon AA unity. In other words we are inclusive instead of exclusive. Meetings that ignore the traditions tend to forget why they are there. I would suggest you talk to your sponsor about this.

Nine years! That's a lot of days, and all in a row.:urck: Keep up the good work and be good to yourself.

Talking about this in a forum is irrelavant. Try calling and writing a "real letter," to your congressman. However, I'm not sure more bureaucracy will provide a solution.