PedsDrNurseTheo ADN, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, EMT-P, NP

Thank you so much for this. We get a run of soul-crushing tragedy, and then we get a good run, and then there's months like the last few where it just seems to be so numbingly pointlesssometimes. Thanks for reminding me that almost every graduate i...

OP, FWIW, I think you are right to be upset. If this were one of those Code of Conduct scenarios, I would call it a HIPAA violation; so it may very well be. The practice needs to stop; not just for you but for anyone using that pharmacy. Please repor...

This. And you don't even really need tweezers - a slow, steady pull will do. He doesn't want to have his face pulled off any more than you want to have it lost in you - he'll let go. But the right tweezers won't hurt. Honestly never dealt with remov...

true enough. just pointing out that testing is unnecessary and expensive in most cases, as well as running the risk of keeping the critters around for longer than necessary. remove 'em and get rid of 'em. clinical signs warrant treatment and maybe...

Testing the tick? Seriously? You've got to be kidding me. The tick has to be fastened for over 48 hours in order to transmit any disease, unless you squeeze the abdomen and force them to disgorge the contents into the bloodstream. If your patient...

"fresh heart" - first 24 hours post-op open thoracotomy case, generally valvular surgery and/or CABG "pump case" - any surgical case placed on cardiopulmonary bypass "Thorc" or "thoraco" - unilateral thoracotomy approach, usually for lung biopsy, mas...

If that's the stethoscope, let's get out of here before she comes back with a rectal thermometer!!

We can have all the clinical expertise in the world, but the moment we forget that nursing is a human art, we have failed. Thank you for reminding me, dianah - and Miss Tander.

I've never had a problem. Of course, I'm exceptionally bright, unfailingly helpful, a pleasure to work with, a lot of fun to be around, and smokin' hot, so YMMV. seriously, though, I've not had issues with respect from fellow nurses or from MD's, RT'...

Orientation is generally considered part of your probationary period where both you and your employer are determining your 'fit' for the position in question. With that understanding, the professional relationship can generally be terminated by eith...

Always hardest to ignore the hungry one, though, isn't it?

Well. That was certainly constructive and helpful. Thanks ever so much.

Yeah, that sounds just like ours. I suspect we work at the same place. According to my NM, the discipline piece is designed to prevent cases of abuse of call-outs; though how this is differentiated from legitimate illness is problematic. On one han...

While I don't disagree that the OP should take action to protect her license, up to and including finding another job - that does not solve the issue; the tech in question will still be employed to terrorize other nurses, misrepresent herself, and en...

3 in a six month rolling calendar period. Fourth is subject to escalatable disciplinary action (verbal, written, suspension, termination.) Also, on your 4th call-out, they won't pay PTO for the first day - only starting day 2 for a multi-day absenc...

Operating outside the scope of one's practice (i.e., adjusting medication rates when one is not certified or licensed to do so) and representing one's self as an licensed professional when one is not are both punishable offenses under most states' Nu...

Oh, I know. Was being tongue in cheek with it. Getting ready to start graduate school, so I know all about the frustration aspect. Learning for me is as much about the process as the answer, sometimes - hence the comment. No offense meant, and no...

I was kind of aiming towards pointing the student in a general direction rather than giving them the answer entirely, bless your kind heart.

We cannot give medical advice on this forum - see the TOS. That said, it might be wise to suggest that your father see a physician; unusual and drastic changes in body chemistry may be cause for concern.

Research the condition first. Once you know the pathology, you get a pretty good clue as to the generally recommended treatment. So once you know that choledocholelithiasis is gallstones, you can pretty much feel your way along from there. Another h...

I am starting in August, same as y'all - I'm in the acute care adult/gero track. Looking forward to seeing y'all on the discussion boards! As far as the program goes, I work with an NP who is an alum and she directed me to USA. I've heard no negati...

White scrubs are not necessarily feminine. Just be thankful they're not asking you to wear a cap.

Holy smoke. That sounds like a process error! For anything over 250, our lab just says **** >250 HI!*** And we say "Hi, busy day."

It depends. While ST-segment depression is most certainly a common sign of ischemia, it is not always definitively caused by ischemia. So the ST-depression might very well be baseline, while not a sign of an ischemic condition. Hypokalemia, digital...

Now that's funny. (Just a note - If you are going to flame someone on spelling and grammar rather than content - do make sure your comment is free of typos and grammatical errors.) As far as the 'ridiculousness' of the content - I have been a manag...