twarlik

twarlik

CICu, ICU, med-surg

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All Content by twarlik

  1. I hate microbiology

    twarlik posted a topic in General Students

    I have a micro exam on Thursday and I am having the most difficult time getting motivated. This class is so boring! The sad part is that this is my last pre-req before I begin the nursing program in...

  2. Staff "refusing" to work a schedule

    twarlik posted a topic in Nurse Management

    I am an assistant head nurse on my unit, and as such am responsible for putting together staff schedules. I recently posted the holiday schedules and am having a big issue with my unit secretary. She...

  3. How soon to give a prn??

    twarlik replied to candycane267's topic in General Nursing

    I'll give PRN about 30 minutes early if needed. However, with pain meds I try to see if the patient's pain is really being controlled. If a pt is consistently needing pain meds early, then I'm on the...

  4. Computer charting-what do you think?

    twarlik replied to RNperdiem's topic in General Nursing

    I assume you don't have computers at the bedside? We have a computer in every pt room and just chart as we go. No need to write anything down; just chart what you do when you do it. Sounds like your...

  5. Computer charting-what do you think?

    twarlik replied to RNperdiem's topic in General Nursing

    I've done both and prefer computerized charting. I think it makes information much more readily available for everyone to access; our physicians are able to pull up vitals and assessments from their...

  6. New Grad - Big Decision!

    twarlik replied to KrisssyKrisRN's topic in First Year After Licensure

    Who are "they"? Yes, day shift is busier. You also have much more support and resources that new grads

  7. New Grad - Big Decision!

    twarlik replied to KrisssyKrisRN's topic in First Year After Licensure

    Is the night shift job a 12 hour shift? I worked 12 hour nights for two years and loved it. I think the majority of people can adjust to nights with little difficulty. Remember that there are many...

  8. Work and Nursing School - is it possible?

    twarlik replied to gnomik79's topic in First Year After Licensure

    I worked 20-30 hours/week while in nursing school. It if definitely doable. I second the opinion of one poster who suggested working in a hospital if possible. I worked as a nurse tech and got...

  9. First two weeks on the floor...

    twarlik replied to KyPinkRN's topic in First Year After Licensure

    What sort of things were you doing for her? Were they things like fluffing her pillow and filling her water pitcher, or more serious tasks? I've found that those "time consumers" often benefit from...

  10. How do you get the courage to work overtime?

    twarlik replied to RNJayhawk's topic in First Year After Licensure

    I can certainly understand. I work 40 hour weeks as well and am usually hesitant to pick up overtime for the same reason. I just love my days off too much! Are you able to work half shifts? Sometimes...

  11. Nervous!! Advice please!

    twarlik replied to flygirls2's topic in First Year After Licensure

    If you ever stop asking questions or get to the point that you think you know everything, that's when I would start to be concerned. You're going to have a huge learning curve this first year. Soak up...

  12. What Do You Do....

    twarlik replied to abundantjoy07's topic in First Year After Licensure

    Good answers, TxPonyChic. I would add that for the 2nd question (low BP), I would first look at the patient and see how they're doing. Are they walking around and doing fine, or are they feeling...

  13. When you don't know the answer.. what do you say?

    twarlik replied to flygirls2's topic in First Year After Licensure

    All excellent answers! Don't ever be afraid to tell a patient or family member that you don't have the answer to their question. Better to be honest with them than try to fake it and give them...

  14. Is Joint Commission more hindrance than help?

    twarlik replied to oldiebutgoodie's topic in General Nursing

    The Joint Commission no longer announces its visits. Hospitals are given a window of time in which they could be visited (usually several months). This is suppose to keep hospitals in a state of...

  15. Single patient use BP cuffs

    twarlik replied to sharann's topic in General Nursing

    Have you done a literature search? There was a recent article in Nursing Management regarding a hospital which was able to drastically reduce the spread of MRSA through a new infection control...

  16. My family is getting tired...

    twarlik replied to BookwormRN's topic in General Nursing

    As someone who is responsible for putting together my unit's schedule, I can certainly sympathize with the position your manager is in. I know at my hospital, it is quite a lengthy process even...

  17. Meds before dialysis?

    twarlik replied to gospursgo07's topic in General Nursing

    I don't think you did anything wrong. Generally, we always hold medications prior to dialysis unless the MD states otherwise. This is especially true for blood pressure medications. I agree with the...

  18. Young Nurses?

    twarlik replied to MelBel's topic in First Year After Licensure

    I love this discussion! This has been happening to me since I first went into nursing. My favorite was when a patient asked me if I "worked at the hospital after school as a part time job"! She...

  19. Going back to the bedside?

    twarlik posted a topic in Nurse Management

    After two years at the bedside, I accepted a management position. I was sure it was what I wanted to do, but after 6 months I am feeling the desire to go back to the bedside. I'm a little concerned...

  20. Going back to the bedside?

    twarlik replied to twarlik's topic in Nurse Management

    Thank you all for your input. I met with my manager last week and we are working to find a way to make my position a better fit for me. She thinks I'm doing a good job and wants to try and keep me in...

  21. Question from a Soon-to-Be Student Nurse

    twarlik replied to lifesacomedy's topic in Oregon Nursing

    I moved from Florida as a new grad back in 2005. I had a very difficult time getting anyone to talk to me. There are several nursing programs in Portland that are putting out more and more new grads...

  22. Staff "refusing" to work a schedule

    twarlik replied to twarlik's topic in Nurse Management

    We have no such rule at our hospital. She actually had Thanksgiving off, so even if this rule were in effect she would need to work Christmas. This all actually worked out well for everyone. I was...

  23. Staff "refusing" to work a schedule

    twarlik replied to twarlik's topic in Nurse Management

    We have two secretaries; one is usually day shift and the other is for evening shift. They both normally work M-F on their respective shifts. They share holidays, in that on holidays one of them works...

  24. Staff "refusing" to work a schedule

    twarlik replied to twarlik's topic in Nurse Management

    Thanks for your response. I plan on speaking with my manager first. Our system for determining holiday schedules involves a few factors. First, all staff sign up for the holidays they want off by...

  25. When NOC calls off...

    twarlik replied to TopazLPN's topic in First Year After Licensure

    Wow, that is just crazy! I can not believe that you are responsible for making calls and staffing your unit. At my hospital we have a separate staffing office that handles all of this. If someone...