mgababyko

I love working in 2 places! But not really happy about not getting benefits. What do you do to save for your retirement and where do you get health insurance?

YES! Our Nurse Educator spelled the word VIAL, V-I-L-E.

Med-Surg/Oncology. Do not feel discouraged about doing hospital again. Of course you'd feel rusty at first but there are refresher programs in some hospitals specially catered to people who want to return to Nursing. Keep in mind that even the most seasoned nurses still have lots to learn. I am a foreign-educated nurse and came to the US in 2003 w/ practically no relevant experience. If I can do it, you absloutely can do it too!

I graduated in 1998, got married, had 2 kids, worked for only 3 months, then quit entirely to be a full-time wife and mom. I returned to work in 2003. It can be stressful at first but if you are enthusiastic about it, you'd get used to it in no time.

Your manager was the idiot, not you. Always check for blood return. Although it doesn't necessarily mean the port is malfunctioning if you don't get a blood return. You must check signs like patient discomfort while flushing and swelling around the site. Inform the MD and obtain an order for a dye study to check catheter placement. Ports can migrate or get dislodged or fractured (pinch-off syndrome). One time I reported to the MD about a port that seems occluded and the patient was complaining of pain during flushing. MD insisted TPA then OK to give chemo. But I have a gut feeling something else is wrong. Pt. went to IR and they found out it was a fractured catheter. The port had to be removed ASAP in the OR. Patient safety comes first.

8 yrs. ago my son was left inside a hot car for about 1 hour by a relative- it was in the middle of summer in a tropical country. It was a miracle the window on his side was 1/2 inch open. I'm traumatized by that incident and still feel heavy on my chest whenever I remember it!

We do computerized charting and my boss called my attention about an entry I made that said the patient DIED. I charted on the wrong patient! I could not correct it because it happened 2 weeks ago. We can only edit within 24 hours. I know the entry would be permanent on the patient's record. What can I do about it? I realized one factor was that I had 2 pt's w/ the same first name.

I almost resigned from my job because of childcare issues and conflict w/ my husband's work schedule. My boss gave me the option to work Registry. So far it's working well. My husband and I alternate so one of us could always stay with the kids. Good luck to you!

is there actually a law or regulation related to this?

i work in an oncology unit. an MD asked me if i could give chemo in his office (outpatient). he will pay me to do it . is it OK? i'm not technically his employee. what do you think?

JCAHO was in our facility recently. My pt's chart got audited and I had to stay 1hr w/ a surveyor. She had the chart and asked me questions. These are some important points: - document, document, document! - orders have to be timed, readback and verified (verbal orders) - document pt. teaching/ education - advance directives (if pt. don't have one, offer them help to get one) - timeliness of implementing orders, reporting criticals to MD - med- reconciliation etc.,etc.- MAKE SURE YOU COMPLETE YOUR ADMISSION ASSESSMENTS AND PAPERWORK! and KNOW your patients.

I work in Oncology and deal with a lot of dying patients and frantic families every single day but I can say I'm a happy nurse. Why? My co-workers are fun! We have teamwork and we manage to have good laughs once in a while.

I work 12-hour shifts. I get days where all I do is chew on gum- no water, no food...then I pig-out as soon as I get home- mostly because I'm hungry AND I feel so sorry for myself for being NPO for 12 hours. No wonder I gained 40 lbs. since I started working in 2003!

We have hospitalists too, called "rounders". They usually have on-call and clinic time as well. All are MDs.

Break? In our hospital we all carry wireless phones. You still can be reached whether you're in the restroom or having a lunchbreak. I fyou can't be reached they'll page you overhead!