rileygrl11

I have always worked days, mostly 12 hour shifts. Now I will be working 12 hour night shifts 7p-7a. Can anyone give me advice on how to make this adjustment as painless as possible? I heard the hard part is from 3-6am then you get a second wind. When do you go to sleep? Seems hard to do right after work but I did it when I did back to back 12 hours day shifts. Did you need ambien at first to make the change to sleeping during the day? Any advice would be appreciated!!!

I have a question about my resume I hope someone has advice about. I worked for 2 different hospitals at 2 different times. When I list my employment history chronologically, I think it accentuates the number of employers I have had. Even though I returned to the same employer to work those 2 different times (as opposed to having totally different employers each time). Would it be professional to list the facility one time but where you have the dates of employment, just put in the 2 different spans of time? Then under the facility name cluster your responsibilities? I hope this makes sense.

The rumor-mill at Miami Valley Hopital is that new grads are getting $22.00/hr to start. Plus weekend/shift-differential, of course.

Maybe someone from the Columbus area, or familiar with Columbus, can help me with some info. A few of us are wanting to hit the shopping centers and want to check out the mall(s). If we are coming from the Englewood area (and I assume it is easier to come by way of I-70?), where are the hot spots? If I could get info on a large mall, that would make me happy. Thanks!

They just have us use the regular IV tubing off the clean cart. I do have a question about using the 18 guage needle, though. What if the tubing is the "needleless" type? Thanks for the helpful suggestions! :kiss

Last night, I had to give IV albumin and threw my hands up in disgust. It was SO hard to get the stupid tubing primed so that I could put the cartriage into the pump and run it. I had the vent open on the tubing (by the spike part). I remember awhile ago seeing another nurse prime her tubing somehow by using a syringe filled with NS. I can't remember how she did it but it was quick and it made it so she could just put it on the pump and go. Does anyone have any hints or advice on how to make this easier.

I did a search on them and according to CHEA (Council for Higher Education Accreditation) they both are. Very important to know this, of course. Thanks for reminding me to check.

Hi all! I just saw a post on another state board where someone was asking if LPN's were allowed to take phone orders? We do not have LPN's on my unit and that question got me to wondering what Ohio law says. Does anyone know?

I am considering taking the Wright State University on-line program (ADN to BSN). Has anyone completed the program or enrolled in it now? What do you think of the program? Does it take 2 years to complete (4 semesters)? I heard from an RN who started the program this fall that she does not have any tests, just LOTS of papers to write. I can't imagine that! After giving up so much of my life to complete my ADN, I hesitate to put myself through it again. But,....I know it will be worth it. Just getting started is the hard part, huh? Besides, I can't imagine being on the floor forever! Anyone else out there doing University of Phoenix on-line? Thanks for your posts!

I just got an update on this. The urologist told the nurse mgr. that the PCT inflated the balloon in the pt's urethra PCT says he did not get any urine back after inserting & did not mention this or any discomfort, etc. to the RN. Urologist is trying to change hospital policy that only licensed personnel can insert foleys. Also heard that since PCT was "trained and competent" with prior experience placing foleys and "checked off" on this skill, that liability does not fall on the RN who delegated this task. Wheewwww,.....the whole thing would of made me nervous!!! I remember learning in school that "you should always" have a return of urine if placement is correct. But then, after reading these posts I could see if tubing is inserted all the way, inflated, and pulled gently back until no resistance, that it is placed correctly. Our instructors reasoning was that the bladder is never fully empty and would retain some urine that would show up after placement. As far as the brand of foley used, it was a Bard,...hmmmmm Thanks for your posts!

I got an update today from another RN,.....seems the PCT DID inflate the balloon in the pt's urethra All you-know-what broke out b/c urologist was furious (as he should be). He is trying to change our policy that only licensed personnel can insert foley's at our hospital. I have to agree with him. Thanks for the posts!

We had a discussion at work tonight about the legal issues involved for RN's and UAP. I posted more specific details on this subject on the renal board. But, one of the things we were discussing is IF a PCT (who's done many in the past) inserts a foley into a pt (and works at a facility that provides training for this and it is part of their job description) ends up inflating balloon in the pt's urethra causing bleeding, etc., is the RN the one who is ultimately legally responsible for the PCT's error? Some RN's said yes, others said no and the rest didn't know (with me among them).

We had a discussion at work tonight and thought I would ask your thoughts. Pt is @ 70 yo male with lymphoma and was started on pyridium 2 days ago. Pt c/o constant pain, burning during urination and retention for last several days. Pt voided 1000 cc on own but bladder scan showed 600 cc urine. Pt voided 400 cc on own then foley placed per orders. After inserted, no urine in bag noted. Minutes after that bright, red blood in tubing (total of 250 cc). Irrigation done with several long clots noted. Just prior to irrigation, scant amt of urine noted mixed with blood. Eventually, unable to withdraw what was put in. Pt c/o increasing pain during entire span. Urologist mad b/c he said PCT who inserted foley probably placed balloon in urethra & then inflated it. Other RN's saying pt could have unknown prostate problem which was aggravated by foley insertion. Your thoughts?

We do at our hospital what Chad does.

Thanks for the reminder,......sometimes I get a little lax on watching too!