Colorado1

I was always taught to take antibiotic piggybacks out of the refrigerator for an hour or so before hanging, to let them reach room temperature. Now I work with some newer nurses who look at me like I'm nuts. They take them directly from the refrigera...

I don't see traction ordered very much anymore. Our hip fractures usually get an ORIF or TH by the next day so we reposition gently and keep a large ice bag next to the hip.

• Receive patients from PACU, monitor post-op vitals, set up PCA, fluids, review post-op orders, orient patient to unit and review plan of care • Obtain admission history, entering collected data into computer system • Educate patients specific to co...

We do walking rounds at shift change. Before I leave the room, I ask, "Is there anything you need immediately?" If not, then I let them know I will be finishing report on my other patients and I will be back within an hour. We also do hourly rounds t...

For those "hard IV sticks"... close your eyes. Sit down, get comfortable, and close your eyes. Feel for the vein with your fingertips. You will learn to differentiate and find that sweet little bounce. You'll soon be "a pro". Often you can feel what...

Wow, there is a lot of anger and bitterness flying around here. Let me see if I can help by adding my two cents worth. First of all, our profession is exactly that... a profession. With this comes an expectation of a particular demeanor... profession...

That really isn't a significant $ difference. Go for it. You'll be happier and more rested. Priceless.

Our pulse ox probes, SCD sleeves, and BP cuffs all go back to a company to be reworked. We have several recycle wastebaskets around the floor for cans, non-patient-sensitive paper, etc. Many of our lights (supply closets, locker room, etc) have motio...

Yes. I am an ortho nurse and am a member of NAON.

Our floor is getting t-shirts and looking for slogan ideas. Any bright ones out there? Has to have something pertaining to ortho.... bones, joints...

You guys are great! Keep 'em coming!

Ortho can be a great place to work. I've done it for seven years and love it. You really need to know how to work together on the floor. Get up and help your co-workers whenever you can because there will be plenty of times when you need them too. Ma...

I have heard, more than once, contradictions in what Joint Commission requires when compared hospital-to-hospital. This leads me to believe hospitals sometimes use it as an excuse for implementation of new policies or procedures. I truly can't imagin...

so in the middle of the night i go in to give a patient his pain pills. i hand him his water pitcher (ours are opaque with the logo and a big bendy straw). he takes his pills and immediatley starts sputtering and spitting... "that was piss". i was sh...

I press my uniforms and jackets, put on makeup, style my hair, keep my nails done, etc. It's part of my preparation for getting in to the mindset. Take care of yourself, then you can take care of others. That is how you look more professional. You wi...

does anyone have ideas for boosting morale on acute care floors? my workplace is kind of in a slump and our manager has asked us to come up with ideas to help get us all working together better. just wondering what works out there.

One night, a month or so ago, while giving one of my elderly patients a footrub, she said, "This is what nurses used to do. I didn't know it still existed". She was so appreciative and thanked me over and over. The next day she had surgery. Unfortuna...

Why the heck not? As a mom you spend your life taking care of your kids. Why should this be different? You're certainly qualified to administer her antibiotics and you'll be more attentive than any stranger would be, right?

Well said. NorfolkRN

Clearly, there are a lot of unhappy nurses out there. I am one of the fortunate ones and appreciate it fully. As a whole I think nurses deserve more recognition. We have a tremendous amount of responsibility and take our jobs seriously. We worked har...

I like the message board idea. It can never hurt to acknowledge your co-workers' strengths. Doesn't that just make everyone feel better? After all, we are here for a common goal of caretaking and we really can't do that unless we are at our personal ...

Not all hospitals pay poorly. Not all have bad working conditions. Keep going. The profession needs you, as long as your heart is in it. Then shop around for the workplace that's a great fit for you. I emailed Oprah three years ago but never heard a...

ooops, sorry, I entered two posts by mistake and can't figure out how to delete this one.

What does your hospital do to show their recognition for its nurses? What little "kudos" do you get for acknowledgement? Looking for any ideas to promote retention of staff and awarding nurses. OR What kinds of things do you think would be nice to h...

As I understand there are at least 13 states who have said they will not accept Colorado nurses under this program, should it go through. Nurses would not receive a degree, but rather a certificate. Forget travelling. Suppose they're trying to make ...