CountyRat

CountyRat

Wilderness Medicine, ICU, Adult Ed.

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All Content by CountyRat

  1. Ethical advice needed for a new grad...

    CountyRat replied to AnnaleaRN's topic in First Year After Licensure

    I chart the time accurately so that, if there is an emergency, the time since last administration will be reflected in the record. It is impossible to give even as few as ten patients multiple meds at...

  2. The way we ask for someone's pain level?

    CountyRat replied to cmav8's topic in General Nursing

    Sounds like the therapist was attempting to go old school: "manipulation without anesthesia." He could have at least given you a shot of whisky and a bullet to bite on. Oh, and good comments on...

  3. Will it ever feel better???

    CountyRat replied to coopman712's topic in First Year After Licensure

    You have received a lot of good advice here, so I won't repeat any of it. I only want to put a few things on the table: 1. You are going to have horrible shifts some nights. Sometimes it seems like...

  4. No cardioversion due to risk of embolism?

    CountyRat replied to thelema13's topic in Emergency

    I can understand your concern, which I am sure was appropriate. We have received some good input in this thread, maybe we will get more over

  5. Waiting to hear back is so sad to do!

    CountyRat replied to RNReadyManc's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    I did not mean much more than keep on submitting applications; i.e., do not give up. As for interview tips, there are others here who can give better advice than I, but I will offer one idea that...

  6. No cardioversion due to risk of embolism?

    CountyRat replied to thelema13's topic in Emergency

    I apologize Thelma; it was not my intent to be argumentative. I thought that the comment required a response because (I thought) the poster was criticizing you for proposing your ideas about the...

  7. No cardioversion due to risk of embolism?

    CountyRat replied to thelema13's topic in Emergency

    Ouch! Isn’t that a little provocative, Biff? It certainly is the nurse’s job to participate in care planning. In an emergency, this is done quickly and quietly by discussing possible options with...

  8. I am the only nurse getting high blood glucose numbers

    CountyRat replied to ricksy's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Avoid squeezing the finger to get the drop bigger. Easier said than done, especially with a fast clotter, but if you "milk" the finger to increase bleeding, you will also squeeze lymphatic and...

  9. Books/references for new MICU RN

    CountyRat replied to GP8986's topic in MICU, SICU

    Also consider some of the better nurse references available as cell phone apps. It is good to have a quick reference close at

  10. Waiting to hear back is so sad to do!

    CountyRat replied to RNReadyManc's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    You are going to hear "no" more times than "yes" in your job search. That is no reflection on you; it is just the way it is. Take those classes and keep applying. You clearly have your head in the...

  11. Telemetry to ICU.... To stay or not....

    CountyRat replied to Katelyngrace's topic in MICU, SICU

    "the only response I got was, "Look at the matrix and see what it says.'" Ah yes; reminds me of why I loved patient care so much, and hated hospitals so much. "am I not cut out for this?" No, the way...

  12. Conversation with my kids this morning

    CountyRat replied to JeanettePNP's topic in Job Search, Interview, Resume

    It sounds like you not only have a great job, but also two really terrific

  13. How to protect self from needles?

    CountyRat replied to Brian's topic in Nurses Rock

    First of all, no, you did not commit a medication error, you suffered a worksite injury. Second, what happened is not a measure of your decency as a human being or you skill as a nurse. You had an...

  14. What to know before your first day in NICU

    CountyRat replied to lillycat's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Advice: Settle in your mind and heart how you will face death. Working in ICU, any ICU, is like combat. You are going to fight death often, and often you will lose. Be careful not to succumb to the...

  15. Medical Volunteer @ a Marathon

    CountyRat replied to PacoUSA's topic in General Nursing

    Maybe you are the volunteer who will change

  16. Medical Volunteer @ a Marathon

    CountyRat replied to PacoUSA's topic in General Nursing

    Not to belabor the point, but my county MRC team leader just sent athe link that follows, which some may find interesting: Medical Reserve Corps aided injured after Boston Marathon

  17. Medical Volunteer @ a Marathon

    CountyRat replied to PacoUSA's topic in General Nursing

    I have enjoyed many volunteer opportunities by joining my local Medical Reserve Corps. I am sure that you have seen the horrible videos taken in Boston. You might have noticed that some of the people...

  18. Habits you picked up from work...

    CountyRat replied to Brian's topic in Nurses Rock

    Yes, that is what I meant. I never got into the "Happy Birthday" thing, but I still perform the ritual with solemn reverence: Crank out the paper towel half way (lest I sulley my soon-to-be pristine...

  19. Concealed Carry...as a nurse?

    CountyRat replied to mcknis's topic in Activism, Healthcare

    What you suggest does not go far enough, Monkeybug. Since guns cause increased crime rates, all unarmed people should post large signs in front of their homes and businesses announcing "The occupants...

  20. Concealed Carry...as a nurse?

    CountyRat replied to mcknis's topic in Activism, Healthcare

    O.K. If there is no reason to "be afraid," why do you object to people owning fire arms? After all, there is no reason to be afraid of anyone. I dare to say that most of the people that use the "I...

  21. Habits you picked up from work...

    CountyRat replied to Brian's topic in Nurses Rock

    I sometimes notice people glancing at me in the bathroom when I wash my hands. If asked, I just say, "Ahhh, old habit” and slink away. Really, if our instructors succeeded in beating one habit into...

  22. Concealed Carry...as a nurse?

    CountyRat replied to mcknis's topic in Activism, Healthcare

    That is true, wooh, but it provokes two questions that we should think about. First, if someone does do damage with a knife or gun, how will they be stopped by unarmed victims? The second question...

  23. Concealed Carry...as a nurse?

    CountyRat replied to mcknis's topic in Activism, Healthcare

    We agree. And thank you for the link to the Time article. While I dispute a few minor comments written by the author, I agree with her completely on her major thesis; that violence (not just violence...

  24. Concealed Carry...as a nurse?

    CountyRat replied to mcknis's topic in Activism, Healthcare

    I am flattered by your quotation of my little comment, and I can assure you, that it reflects the attitude of most Americans. As to rates of violence and access to guns, I am not a scholar and so,...

  25. Concealed Carry...as a nurse?

    CountyRat replied to mcknis's topic in Activism, Healthcare

    Billybob, by going unarmed you are exercising your right to make your own decission on this issue, which is, I am confident, the best choice for you. I also ageee with you that the best defensive...