deemalt

deemalt BSN, RN

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All Content by deemalt

  1. What did you find helpful in preparing for NCLEX?

    deemalt replied to Very tired student's topic in NCLEX Exam, Programs

    Cough up the bucks, do the Kaplan course and enjoy your peace of mind. It's worth it, it's structured, and organized. 75 questions and out the

  2. Best way to unclog a PEG?

    deemalt replied to BrazoriaLVN's topic in General Nursing

    I have seen people use an NG guide wire (a bit expensive but works). Putting a blue tipped attachment on a 3cc syringe will give you extra pressure to clear a peg (don't know what it's called but is...

  3. Can you piggyback critical meds like IV Potassium or Mag at your hospital?

    deemalt replied to UM Review RN's topic in Patient Medications

    I think that one thing should be made clear (this took me a while to figure out too). When you piggyback or run something as the secondary, your primary fluid is suspended. That primary infusion stops...

  4. New Grad in LTAC

    deemalt replied to mandyc8047's topic in Long Term Acute Care

    DookieMeisterRN had a very accurate assessment of what it is like to work in an LTAC. I went into LTAC as a new grad. It was not easy. Minimal resources w/ very difficult patient cases that almost...

  5. Unsafe Staffing

    deemalt replied to **LaurelRN's topic in General Nursing

    You should leave. By staying, you are all saying everything is fine, keep pushing us and we will stay because we are loyal to each other. Management will only learn when they have to pay through the...

  6. LTAC interviews

    deemalt replied to SimplisticRnx's topic in Long Term Acute Care

    I wouldn't worry about a test. All of the interviews that I have been to, including LTAC want to know how you handle difficult pt and family situations. You will be asked to give examples and how they...

  7. The Right Way to Collect a Urine Specimen from a Patients with an Indwelling Catheter

    deemalt replied to thehipcrip's topic in General Nursing

    It may become very obvious that you are doing it wrong (ie taking sample from the bag) because many foley bags are actually

  8. Deciding on my first Nursing Job

    deemalt replied to NurseNancy88's topic in General Nursing

    An exceptional and prestigious hospital will be more likely to make sure that you get good training. A hospital w/ a high turnover rate will be more likely to push you to be on your own because they...

  9. Nurses not making enough...wait what?

    deemalt replied to Reese2012's topic in General Nursing

    Bottom line is nursing is simply hard work in every sense of the word. Emotionally, physically, mentally. If you have never done it, you can't even begin to understand the breadth of what we do on a...

  10. No nursing shortage: roll call!

    deemalt replied to gigglymo's topic in General Nursing

    If jobs in CA are listed on Craig's list they are probably not for hospital jobs. Most likely dialysis or people looking for home health. Southern California for sure is tough for new grads right now....

  11. Lunches: Brown bag or cafeteria?

    deemalt replied to PediNurse3's topic in General Nursing

    I always make extra dinner and bring leftovers for lunch. I forgot yesterday and had to eat in the cafeteria. Really hard to find anything remotely healthy and

  12. Gah! So much judgement on all nurses.......

    deemalt replied to tele jelly's topic in General Nursing

    I totally see what you are saying. I have literally logged off and said "I'm never going on that site again!" So far, I always come back. Seems akin to road rage at times. People act a certain way...

  13. They won't stop calling me!

    deemalt replied to optimist's topic in General Nursing

    Good for you. Stand your ground because you are setting the tone for your future. If they want to make it really worth your while than they should pay you accordingly. I have seen this happen before...

  14. Looking for work in hospital >:(

    deemalt replied to miMOMMYof3's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Sounds like you actually work at an LTAC (long term acute care). You may have a better chance using that terminology. Make sure you clearly list your duties in your resume. Good

  15. IM multiple med compatibility & technique

    deemalt replied to flyingchange's topic in General Nursing

    Totally anecdotal but if I picture having to explain to someone that I taped two syringes together (Joint Commision, a jury, etc) does not sit well with me. Combative pt's can be difficult to give...

  16. Union

    deemalt replied to necc2008's topic in General Nursing

    Yay for you!!! You now have rights! Seriously, I have worked for both union and non-union. It was a major difference in pay, resources, staffing,benefits etc. I would be curious to see how the...

  17. Are we overworking the CNA's or are we lacking teamwork?

    deemalt replied to abbaking's topic in General Nursing

    One CNA for 20 pts is crazy. I don't see how this is remotely safe. Your facility is asking for trouble such as patient falls, pressure wounds, and missed abnormal vitals. You have to approach this...

  18. Percocet PRN

    deemalt replied to ChristineWV's topic in Patient Medications

    Well, you have some good points here. The problem is we are talking about narcotics. I know that we have such strict parameters at my facility because of past incidences of drug diverting by RNs. The...

  19. Percocet PRN

    deemalt replied to ChristineWV's topic in Patient Medications

    We have parameters at my facility that will specify 1 tab percocet for pain levels 4-6 (or mild pain) and two for 6-10 (or severe pain). This would be a good suggestion if changing the order. Not such...

  20. What ridiculous things have you seen happen in the workplace?

    deemalt replied to pink_shoes99's topic in General Nursing

    Respiratory therapist out side smoking with his patients. No

  21. Transferring to another unit

    deemalt replied to madfowl's topic in General Nursing

    Great. You can just say that you were looking for a more "autonomous" position. Don't feel bad about trying to stay sane. Your patients will appreciate

  22. help, failed a nursing program, what can i do next?

    deemalt replied to raya's topic in General Nursing

    City of New York (CUNY). Don't give up and dont' forget that schools want your money. This works to your advantage as most schools will work with you to do remedial training to progress to graduation....

  23. Is the nursing experience better or worse than when you started?

    deemalt replied to KalipsoRed's topic in General Nursing

    Sometimes I wonder too if this site has a skewed view of nursing. Most of the nurses that are blogging and posting are likely to be of a younger generation. This is not to say that "older" and...

  24. Does your school have preceptorships?

    deemalt replied to d2k2ross's topic in General Nursing

    Whoops! Didn't mean to sound snarky! Just a new concept for

  25. Does your school have preceptorships?

    deemalt replied to d2k2ross's topic in General Nursing

    What? You can have nursing schools w/o