HouTx BSN, MSN, EdD

HouTx has 35 years experience as a BSN, MSN, EdD and specializes in Critical Care, Education.

HouTx's Latest Activity

1. 

   Nursing not for me

   HouTx replied to Gabsx123's topic in Pre-Nursing

   Have you thought about laboratory science? Nuclear medicine? Radiology? They are all healthcare fields that are more math-oriented than nursing. Here is a comprehensive list of healthcare professions so you can compare their characteristics.
2. 

   Parents want me to be a doctor, not a nurse....

   HouTx replied to chasethepup's topic in Pre-Nursing

   You're very fortunate to have supportive parents who believe in your potential. Many of us aren't so fortunate. Please let your parents know that Nursing has been rated as the MOST trusted profession in the US for the last 15 years. Salaries for n...
3. 

   JP/ Chest Tubes

   HouTx replied to greney80's topic in General Nursing

   CTs systems maintain a constant negative pressure when they're patent. In my organization, nurses do a 'fold and squeeze' to dislodge clots or occlusions rather than the old fashioned stripping technique. However, JPs are only under pressure if the...
4. 

   when to ask patient if they need an interpreter.

   HouTx replied to futurenaijaRN's topic in General Nursing

   Don't shoot the messenger. New (strict) rules for the use of medical interpreters is making the nurse's job even more difficult. Just like all the other regulations that roll downhill to the bedside. Initial assessment/admission should include de...
5. 

   nursing diagnosis

   HouTx replied to eman kekya's topic in General Students

   Uh oh, not again. Am I the only one who wishes that there was a way to trace these NDx questions so we could give some feedback to the 'guilty' schools??? They're obviously not providing students with a clear understanding of how NDx are establish...
6. 

   Best schools to go to compared to commercial type?

   HouTx replied to YukiSaranghe's topic in General Students

   Grumpy offers some very valid points in his very cogent assertions. But the fact remains - I'm not a huge fan of NCLEX because the current version (like previous ones) is not a true indicator of real life clinical reasoning skills. It still focuse...
7. 

   Is LPN worthwhile?

   HouTx replied to Brandonem's topic in General Students

   LVNs in my area are employed in LTACHs also... very much acute care, including vents and such. The patients just have longer stays. Some hospitals are also re-introducing LVNs in new models of care delivery - care teams led by RNs.
8. 

   Full time online student with a newborn?

   HouTx replied to weiny4089's topic in Pre-Nursing

   Unless the classes have synchronous (everybody online at the same time) requirements, it shouldn't be a problem. It should be pretty easy to fit your coursework around baby duties.
9. 

   Starting Phlebotomy school before nursing school

   HouTx replied to Zachtaylor1221's topic in Pre-Nursing

   You may want to double-check if you're counting on a phlebotomy job on weekend nights. In my area, most hospitals expect night nurses to draw their own labs... it's a very common cost savings measure.
10. 

    Stats of Alamo College (San Antonio, TX) Nursing Students

    HouTx replied to Sdg798's topic in Pre-Nursing

    I was a bit confused also, but I think OP is using the word "stats" to mean grades rather than an actual Statistics course.
11. 

    Nursing after alcohol?

    HouTx replied to Exigo's topic in Recovery

    Unless your treatment was a consequence of/related to events that are going to show up on a background check (e.g., DUI, Public Intoxication, etc), I would advise against disclosure. If you opted for treatment voluntarily, in order to deal with your...
12. 

    I Pads for patient education

    HouTx replied to classicalcat's topic in Education

    I hope a qualified educator is evaluating this new initiative. Many times, a snazzy delivery media can overpower the actual educational process. The overall effectiveness should be evaluated by measuring achievement of the learner objectives.... co...
13. 

    Secondary diagnosis

    HouTx replied to BurcuDoner's topic in General Nursing

    OK - now I am confused. Are you telling us that "secondary diagnosis of personality disorder" is a qualification needed by people seeking to fill the job??? Or is this a type of client that is cared for by people in this job? I really hope it's the...
14. 

    can anxiety be a nursing diagnosis

    HouTx replied to meonemine's topic in Student Assist

    It helps to always remember our scope of practice - "Nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, facilitation of healing, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatme...
15. 

    Help!! Nursing school

    HouTx replied to Xxibsoc's topic in Pre-Nursing

    You're still very young. You're obviously smart. You apparently have a supportive family. These are all wonderful assets. Can you talk to your parents and let them know how you feel? Most of us parents want our children to be happy, but we also ...