Spiker ASN, RN, EMT-P

OR 35 years; crosstrained ER/ICU/PACU

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All Content by Spiker

  1. Spiker

    Don't like nursing at all, what can I do with my BSN?

    Spiker replied to lostrnugh's topic in First Year After Licensure

    I can only say "wow" to the fact that youre "burned out" after only six months on the job. Many of us last 30, 35, 40+ years in Nursing (I just retired after 39 years an OR nurse). Honey, it takes a...
  2. Spiker

    Words You Hate

    Spiker replied to OyWithThePoodles's topic in General Nursing

    I agree! Either Orient someone, or put them through Orientation!! Don't ever try to "orientate"
  3. Spiker

    Ask an OR nurse (Questions about what we do or how to become one of us)

    Spiker replied to Rose_Queen's topic in Operating Room

    I guess I'm on the minority: I still believe it's a team effort as far as initiating the count. I work with excellent scrub techs, who have no qualms about saying "can we count?". As I often scrub,...
  4. Spiker

    Ask an OR nurse (Questions about what we do or how to become one of us)

    Spiker replied to Rose_Queen's topic in Operating Room

    Absolutely not just up to you! As you say, you're running around, or sitting at the computer trying to catch up on your charting! And you should should still be paying attention to the conversation...
  5. Spiker

    Ask an OR nurse (Questions about what we do or how to become one of us)

    Spiker replied to Rose_Queen's topic in Operating Room

    Our Ortho docs want it cool for 2 reasons: total joint cement sets up too quickly if the room is too warm, & if we're doing any procedure using fluoro, that lead gets really hot under a scrub gown...
  6. Spiker

    Ask an OR nurse (Questions about what we do or how to become one of us)

    Spiker replied to Rose_Queen's topic in Operating Room

    Omg....it takes MANY more days than 23 to "know it'! Especially if you've been through several specislties! When I started in the OR 34 years ago, there was a set rotation we went through. ENT was...
  7. Spiker

    Ask an OR nurse (Questions about what we do or how to become one of us)

    Spiker replied to Rose_Queen's topic in Operating Room

    Agreed: the OR is very team-oriented. Our anesthesiologists knew I was capable of handling any emergency, from starting more IV's to giving meds, setting up drips, Swans, A-Lines, etc. I was a...
  8. Spiker

    Ask an OR nurse (Questions about what we do or how to become one of us)

    Spiker replied to Rose_Queen's topic in Operating Room

    I understand exactly what you mean! I too, started on a floor before the days of "same day" surgery. We cared for them preoperatively, then postoperatively, where they stayed for several days. We...
  9. Spiker

    Ask an OR nurse (Questions about what we do or how to become one of us)

    Spiker replied to Rose_Queen's topic in Operating Room

    It all depends on the place you work, & their staffing policy. You may need to take weekend & holiday call, as well as night call, & still work your shift. I'd go to the OR in your...
  10. Spiker

    hiring older nurses

    Spiker replied to KThurmond's topic in General Nursing

    I've been an RN since the late 70's; I'll bet a lot of you weren't even born yet, lol. My husband's company transferred him in 2009 to Charlotte, NC from Albany, NY. I was absolutely furious that he...
  11. Spiker

    Ask an OR nurse (Questions about what we do or how to become one of us)

    Spiker replied to Rose_Queen's topic in Operating Room

    Sop832, how long have you been a nurse? Prioritizing & organizational skills usually develop with experience, over time. My very first job as a GN was on a Surgical floor; I learned in a hurry...
  12. Spiker

    Ask an OR nurse (Questions about what we do or how to become one of us)

    Spiker replied to Rose_Queen's topic in Operating Room

    AORN is only for Operating Room nurses. PACU has their own version, & I think Pre-Op may as well. While we put Pre-Op, Intra-Op, & PACU all under the "Perioperative" umbrella, be assured,...
  13. Spiker

    Ask an OR nurse (Questions about what we do or how to become one of us)

    Spiker replied to Rose_Queen's topic in Operating Room

    Hi maggieb14! A great book to get your hands on is Alexander's Care of the Patient in Surgery. It will have a wealth of information for you about many aspects of surgery. Look into joining AORN -...
  14. Spiker

    Ask an OR nurse (Questions about what we do or how to become one of us)

    Spiker replied to Rose_Queen's topic in Operating Room

    Future_RN2016, there is a lot to learn in order to function well in an OR. I worked for almost 25 years in an OR where we took night, weekend, & holiday call. I'm not sure what your facility is...
  15. Spiker

    Ask an OR nurse (Questions about what we do or how to become one of us)

    Spiker replied to Rose_Queen's topic in Operating Room

    Well Paul, a typical day starts with most of us getting to work early, in order to get into scrubs, & I usually go to my OR & do a wipedown of everything with antibacterial wipes, including my...
  16. Spiker

    Should I Wear this to Work?

    Spiker replied to lilgop's topic in General Nursing

    I wear a necklace given to my by my grandchildren, two heart charms. I wear a long-sleeved t-shirt under my scrubs in the OR, as it's so cold. I simply keep the necklace tucked inside my t-shirt,...
  17. Spiker

    Ask an OR nurse (Questions about what we do or how to become one of us)

    Spiker replied to Rose_Queen's topic in Operating Room

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  18. Spiker

    Ask an OR nurse (Questions about what we do or how to become one of us)

    Spiker replied to Rose_Queen's topic in Operating Room

    Tomascz, I started as a GN on a strictly Surgical floor, back before the days of Same Day Surgery & Ambulatory Surgery Centers. We had patients come in the day prior for pre-op care, & of...
  19. Spiker

    Ask an OR nurse (Questions about what we do or how to become one of us)

    Spiker replied to Rose_Queen's topic in Operating Room

    As an evening shift OR nurse, our staff was more limited, therefore, besides being a Paramedic (& comfortable running codes) I was ACLS, PALS, & ATLS certified. My surgeons&...
  20. Spiker

    Ask an OR nurse (Questions about what we do or how to become one of us)

    Spiker replied to Rose_Queen's topic in Operating Room

    Hit us with whatever you want to know! 33 years in the OR
  21. Spiker

    Meet Miss Colorado 2015 (Kelley Johnson) - The Nurse Behind the Stethoscope

    Spiker replied to tnbutterfly - Mary's topic in General Nursing

    This was a great article to give us the chance to get to know Kelly. Her pageant monologue accomplished more then opening the public eyes to the importance & strengths of those of us in the...
  22. Spiker

    What's the funniest most unusual baby name?

    Spiker replied to nirvana1's topic in Nursing Humor

    There was a set of twins who were often in our small city newspaper for various crimes, such as stealing cars, shoplifting, occasional assault. You get the picture? Their first names were "Sir"...
  23. Spiker

    What's the funniest most unusual baby name?

    Spiker replied to nirvana1's topic in Nursing Humor

    I posted somewhere in here about a new mom who gave birth while I was stationed @ Darnell Army Hospital, Fort Hood, TX (now it's Medical Center, I think). The girl spoke little English, & seeing...
  24. Spiker

    The Controversy: Mandatory Flu Vaccines

    Spiker replied to Julie Reyes's topic in General Nursing

    Yes, I always take the free flu vaccine @ work, with no concerns, other than my arm aching for a couple of days! Carolinas Healthcare System went mandatory last year, after being voluntary...
  25. Spiker

    New grads in specialties without the basics

    Spiker replied to Emergent's topic in General Nursing

    Thank you....my feelings exactly! I attended an ADN program (after attending college to be a teacher). I took the same boards as you did in your wonder-program. And passed with flying colors....