hollysunshine

We have triage protocols that are complaint driven. Anyone not being seen for crisis or urgent care gets lined and labbed. We can give IV/PO narcs, antiemetics, and fluids. I've really only given Zofran. Makes me too nervous to give IV Dilaudid t...

We self schedule 8 weeks at a time with the following rules: 3 Mondays 3 Fridays 5 W/E shifts We have a holiday package (A or B) that flips each year. We get one request off per week.

I'm convinced there is aerolized THC and Imodium in our department. Every patient who has had diarrhea for days is suddenly unable to provide a specimen and everybody has the munchies.

When those of you who are new look back in a year, you won't recognize yourself. I've been a nurse for 18 years, and spent the last 5 in the ED. I was an experienced nurse when I went to the ED, but it's a completely different animal. I remember s...

Anything can be a suppository if enough force is applied.

They show up unannounced all day long. We only get called on the box if the pt is critical or the medics are requesting the doc to order a med they can't give just based off protocol, like Cardizem.

I think we might be at the same hospital. We got an email about the 5 P's. Can't remember the 5th one either.

We just started this in my ED about a month ago. I was already seeing my patients at least every hour, but now we have to document that we updated the plan of care with the patient. We only actually have to document every 2 hours. The nurses docum...

#? No, I can't give everyone of your family members a work note because they came with you to get your stitches out.

I couldn't have said it any better. Thanks!!

I recently had an 18 y.o. female come in via EMS. She had been seen several days before and given a script for Cipro for a UTI. She got it filled at the pharmacy and when she got home, realized the cap had a crack in it. She didn't think she shou...

Amen!!!

Platon20 is very wrong about Franklin Square. The ED sees between 350 and 400 patients per day. I would definitely not recommend it for a new grad. Other ED's in the vicinity see approx 160 to 200 per day. Franklin Square ED practices team nursing, s...

A fellow nurse brought this in the ED where I work and I thought it was cute. THe C.R.A.P. Score by D. Slow P., MD CRAP=(OPS+AF)(SC)(EC) OPS=Old Pain Score AF=Adjustment Factor SC=Story Credibility EC=Exam Credibility Situation: We are supposed to do...

We use Meditech for documentation and the program generates a report. When we get a bed assignment, we call the nurse to let her/him know that report is in the computer. This gives them an opportunity to review and ask question. The pt is transported...

I'm an RN in the ED of an urban hospital. On many days we may have 30+ people waiting to be seen. We already do second triage when the wait time gets to be about 3-4 hours. The nurses are allowed to order labs, xrays, CT, and other tests based on ...

And people think we're morbid. When the code box announces an arrest on the way, the first thing we do is bag the stretcher. Of course it doesn't look to good when you transfer the patient to the unit and when you pull the sheet off the stretcher, t...

I thought I was the only one who knew about "smile oh mighty Jesus" (spinal meningitis)

Stomack ack Massive fever of 100.8 I'm sick. Really really sick. But my all time favorite (in fact we kept a photo-copy) "My pussy on fire and I have hair on the tongue in my mouth."

I was in your position 1 year ago. I left med-surg after 3 years and moved to the ED. I love it, but it was definitely an adjustment. My hospital had a 12 week fellowship program that included class time as well as orientation to the floor. We le...

I'm an LPN who just started into the actual nursing part of an LPN to RN transition program. I think it's great that you are going back to school as well. For me, working in an acute care setting has been a big help. It will help you immensely in ...

Are you kidding me? So the night shift nurses get differential and get paid to sleep? As a day shift nurse, I'd like to know what additional benefits I'm going to receive.