NsgTiger

That's news to me! Just might be worth looking into a bit more.

Try finding a hospital that offers an internship. That way you start in a smaller group of new people and you are assisted in learning/relearning nursing skills.

I have been considering getting a Mac but I don't know much about them. As far as transfering data b/w Mac and Windows, how does that work? Could I receive a windows/word document from someone and have it work properly on a Mac? And things like powerpoint presentations etc, can you create/view them with a Mac? Thanks for any info... as you can tell, I belong to the Mac-illiterate club.

I have been considering getting a Mac but I don't know much about them. As far as transfering data b/w Mac and Windows, how does that work? Could I receive a windows/word document from someone and have it work properly on a Mac? And things like powerpoint presentations etc, can you create/view them with a Mac? Thanks for any info... as you can tell, I belong to the Mac-illiterate club.

Sometimes it's the "more holy than thou" attitude that can be a bear to work with... unfortunately it is common in this profession

My place has hospital week, nothing special for nurses

We also use room temp injectate

Thank you all for your responses. This particular situation was so frustrating. I knew how gravely ill this man was and so did the family member. Problem was that without an official discussion from the MD I couldn't talk to and comfort the family like I would like to have (and like she needed). With her being a nurse, she knew how really sick her father was more so than the rest of her family understood. She was really upset because she knew that this was the begining of the end for her father. The rest of her family did not see this so she needed someone to talk to. I felt like my hands were tied due to politics, and therefore, she found no comfort in me. And that just sucks! Pardon my expression. I feel like my job as a nurse is to comfort families, and here I couldn't. Any way, thanks again!

I know that there are lots of veteran nurses out there that can help me with this. I am new out of school and have been working in the MICU for about 4 months now. I am having difficulty in knowing just how much I can discuss a pt's condition with family members... not really pt privacy issues but MD issues. For example, recently I had a 90ish y/o guy COPD exacerbation bad heart problems (ejection fraction 10-15%). Anyway came to ER, intubated, etc etc.. Then his family member who is a nurse comes to me asking all kinds of questions about his condition, prognosis, what do I think about this, what do I think about that.... I just kept repeating what I had done on my shift and what I had seen on my assessment b/c I am so afraid of bringing up anything that the MD has not yet discussed with the family. I just don't know, I am not even sure what I am asking. Maybe I am frustrated b/c I don't know what to say and I feel like I am of no comfort to the family. This family really needed to talk to someone about this man's condition and I kind of feel like I let them down b/c I am too afraid of saying too much too soon. Do I make any sense? Thanks for any advise if you have it!

I agree with mkue...well stated.

Where I work, 3 12's each week (36h/pay period) is full time for benefits. I usually work 4 12's then 3 12's in a pay period for a total of 84 hours. Some work 3 12's then 3 12's and an 8 to get 80h in a pay period. I personally don't like to work 8's, if I'm there for 8 I might as well be there for 12 and get a few OT hours.

I would take that as: 26-35/hr base pay (depending on experience I'm sure) and an additional differential pay per hour added to the base pay for hours worked on nights and weekends....that's the way it works here in the US

I would take that as: 26-35/hr base pay (depending on experience I'm sure) and an additional differential pay per hour added to the base pay for hours worked on nights and weekends....that's the way it works here in the US

Hey Nekhismom, Congrats on passing! I guess you got things straight with the Texas BNE since you are moving out here, right? I totally understand your frustrations with them, but things are good now - got my liscense and don't have to deal with them for a while! I like it here in TX. Moving is a little stressful but I think you'll like it out west! Best of luck, keep us up to date on your move. BTW, do you know which type of unit you will be going into yet? Best of luck!

cute! very cute! :chuckle

I don't know anything about Boston but I have teched on a psych floor and know people who have teched on L&D, so those positions do exist.

"Let's not forget that BSNs are brainwashed while in school to believe THEY are the cream of the crop over associate and diploma grads. Has something to do with that "critical thinking" crap." Enough already.....we all know this topic has been argued to death, don't use this as an opportunity to insult others, give up the bitterness please!

I totally agree..it is their health. They need to take some responsibility b/c it is ultimately up to them how healthy they will be. Sometimes it is just a waist of time to invest so heavily in a pt just to have them turn around and not try to take care of themselves. Once they are out of our direct care, they need to be able to take care of themselves. I am all for offering guidance and knowledge but I refuse beat my head against a brick wall!

Good job... sounds like fun! I am still waiting for my first IABP. It is overwhelming but so cool to be in the CCU. I can't wait for the day when I get my first grain of confidence (it won't be for quite a while)! Best of luck!

In this situation, I would half jokingly make a few comments about the fact that I am not a child... like "geez, I feel like your my mother what's with all this kiddo stuff" (smiling ofcourse) Good luck, I can empathize as people have a tendency to treat me like this too!

Use caution when inserting a chest tube or you just might end up in the opposite side of the chest cavity (and if your attending tells you this happened and shows you the xray, don't try to deny it - the films don't lie) Luckily for the pt, his initial injury ended up not being compatible with life

Thanks, I'll check it out...sounds like what I am looking for

I recently started in critical care and was wondering if any of you guys could tell me what you have found to be the best quick reference for critical care - ACLS, labs, emergency/cardiac drugs, etc.. Thanks for any suggestion!:)

I recently started in critical care and was wondering if any of you guys could tell me what you have found to be the best quick reference for critical care - ACLS, labs, emergency/cardiac drugs, etc.. Thanks for any suggestion!:)

IMO, I would chose ICU over the med or surg floors, just for the extern experience. If you go through this externship in a unit where pts are really really sick, then you will feel quite comfortable once you start your clinicals in school. Also, as far as learning about what goes on with the patient... the nurses on the ICU floor may be able to explain more about the different disease processes, etc. because they will only have 1-3 pts at a time. On the floor however, the nurse may have 5, 6,... ad infinitum..pts. With more pts, it may be harder for her/him to really assist your learning. Maybe...just my thoughts. Although, if your into that whole "birthing" thing...you are totally on your own b/c that is so not my thing!