JennInColumbus

JennInColumbus's Latest Activity

1. 

   RN's leaving drugs in lines

   JennInColumbus replied to JiffyGriff's topic in MICU

   I'm fresh out of my training as an SICU nurse and one of the very first things I was taught was to always aspirate my lines before doing anything if I don't know 100% that they were flushed. It's not usually a problem for patients being handed over at shift change on the unit, but with transfers from the floor it is one of our first tasks. A lot of people come to us with pressure issues and have had vasoactive drugs running previously. IMHO, you were lucky (yah!) that you learned this lesson with a patient who was unharmed because you will never allow it to happen again. You were right to be freaked. I hate it when I learn something the hard way, after never having been told the right way! I wouldn't have wished this experience on you, but as long as you walk away having learned from it, I think you should let yourself off the hook.
2. 

   treatment of post-op hyperglycemia

   JennInColumbus replied to barb o's topic in MICU

   In our unit the fresh hearts have a glucose stick as part of the first fifteen minutes post op. If they are over 150 they are placed on a gtt at 2 units with sliding scale dosage changes q2h and a bolus as necessary for levels 200 and higher. I would estimate at least 75% of our patients end up on the gtt in the first 12 hours post op, even though the majority do not have DM 1 or 2.
3. 

   Blood transfusions-how fast do you go?

   JennInColumbus replied to Genista's topic in Med-Surg

   Good question, I find the different answers/policies & procedures interesting. I guess I expected more uniform answers since evidenced based practice is in our faces at every opportunity :) At our hospital (I'm in the SICU) we do everything from 3 minutes per unit on a rapid infuser in emergencies to 20 minutes or so off pump with a pressure bag with unstable fresh hearts. For someone who is not critical but needs blood to correct labs, we run them in at less than four hours, as policy is that the blood must be disposed of at the four hour mark.
4. 

   Info RE: Moving to Columbus Ohio

   JennInColumbus replied to Treeta's topic in Ohio

   Wow, the difference between Shiprock and Gallup vs Columbus is like night and day. Shiprock is extremely rural, with a high level of poor residents and I would imagine a fairly small health care system. That said, I think it could be a very rewarding place to work. Columbus, by contrast, is the home of some very large hospitals that draw patients from other states for care. There are also very specialized hospitals here, CA, MI, Trauma, etc. As far as Dublin goes, it's far more developed than you probably remember, on both sides of the river. More restaurants, grocery stores, shopping, new schools etc. I hope this helps a bit, feel free to PM me, I'm starting my own job search in Columbus so I may be of some assistance.
5. 

   There was a full moon last night. Can you usually tell when you're at work?

   JennInColumbus posted a topic in Nursing

   Is it true that the hospitals get a little nuts on the full moon, or is that just something that television uses for drama? Have you experienced crazy shifts on the full moon?
6. 

   "Don't waste your time getting your BSN..."

   JennInColumbus replied to HeartsOpenWide's topic in ADN/BSN

   I really think this is one of those issues that is very personal. It's about your goals, not what anyone else thinks. While there are advantages to more schooling that include ease of promotion and higher pay in some cases, there are exceptions to every rule. My mom is a diploma RN. She is the vice president of a multistate health care corporation. There are many who would say that a diploma grad couldn't rise through the ranks like that, but obviously that isn't always true. I, on the other hand, will graduation with my ADN in September. I plan to get my BSN because my end goal is CRNA school. When it comes to education beyond attaining your RN, there is no one answer for everyone. However, I would never say that furthering your education (nurse or otherwise) is a waste of time.
7. 

   My patient fired me!

   JennInColumbus replied to InfoNurse1595's topic in Nursing

   The fact that the charge nurse didn't spend too much time on the situation, talk to you about it or really take too much time with the patient regarding what was going on says one thing to me. It says that she trusts your abilities and isn't concerned. Even if she was busy with an ICU transfer, if she thought there was any merit to the patient's complaint, don't you think she would have sat down with you and discussed it? Sounds like she thinks you are doing well. :)
8. 

   RNS with depression - r u out there?

   JennInColumbus replied to zacsmimi's topic in Psychiatric

   #1 Has anyone else heard of this rapid reaction to this ssri? #2 Am I just hiding out from the possibility that I should be on anti-anxiety meds? #3 Is it possible Ive just become too "used" to this drug and need an increase? 1. I have clinical depression and I feel a missed dose (Zoloft in my case) or a change in dosage in 24-48 hours. It isn't supposed to happen that fast, but it does. I just happen to be very drug sensitive. 2. That is really up to you, the fact that you are asking may be the best indicator that you do. 3. I have had to up my dosage twice in the two years I've been in Nursing School. That may be due to stress or just becoming acclimated, who knows, I am just happy that it continues to work! As far as RNs who have depresssion being out there, I know that something like 20% of my nursing class, that I know of, is on antidepressants.
9. 

   Ohio SRNA Programs

   JennInColumbus posted a topic in CRNA

   Does anyone have any experience or information about Akron or Cinci? I'm trying to narrow it down between these two schools and their RN to MSN (CRNA) programs. There seem to be slight differences in prereqs, and Cinci requires a year of on the job experience, but other than that they seem quite similar. Is anyone willing to share their thoughts on these two schools?
10. 

    Do all online BSN programs require 1 year of work experience?

    JennInColumbus posted a topic in Online Learning

    I'd like to continue my education ( I graduate with an ADN in September) when I finish my RN program, but the three programs I've researched so far all require 1 year minimum to apply. Are there any programs that do not require one full year of experience?
11. 

    Online BSN information, please.

    JennInColumbus replied to JennInColumbus's topic in Online Learning
12. 

    Online BSN information, please.

    JennInColumbus posted a topic in Online Learning

    I'm having trouble finding clear cut information on a BSN online. Is anyone currently taking/taken classes online? Can anyone recommend a program, or tell me about the pros and cons of Drexel and Phoenix, etc? I'm having trouble finding out if there are grants or scholarships available as they would be with a local school. Any information you can provide would be appreciated. Jenn
13. 

    BSN to SRNA (BSN Online)

    JennInColumbus posted a topic in CRNA

    Will I be at a disadvantage for CRNA school if I do my BSN online? My grades in my ADN program are good, I will graduate with (approximately) a 3.85. There are several schools in town that offer RN to BSN but they are either very expensive or have very long waiting lists. Thanks for your input!
14. 

    What Is Your Most Gross, Yucky, Disgusting Nursing Horror Story?

    JennInColumbus replied to yazisizit's topic in Humor

    This thread is like a big car accident on the freeway... I don't want to look but I can't seem to help myself.... I tell myself I'm not going to read anymore, I'm done... oh look I'm on page 54! I really am done :) Jenn
15. 

    Fibromyalgia

    JennInColumbus replied to veetach's topic in Emergency

    I'm not a hypochondriac as I've been truly ill once in my life and that was when I had strep throat and the flu at the same time last year. I'm not clinically depressed. The only drugs I take are ibuprofen or naproxen and that's usually once per month. I'm 31 and have had FM since I was 23. If I take care of myself and get enough sleep and exercise, the only way I know I have it is my trigger points which are always sensitive. If I sit still for too long (road trip etc) sleep too little, am extremely stressed or any combo of the above I am in a world of hurt. My Mom also has FM, unfortunately worse than I do.
16. 

    Any other new students getting really nervous?

    JennInColumbus replied to louloubell1's topic in CRNA

    Your worries about not being smart enough sound so familiar to me because I've been there myself. So I think I will share a little story with you. Last Thanksgiving my boyfriend had to work and I didn't feel like spending the holiday at home alone so I piled my two great danes in the car and drove to Michigan to spend the day with family. It is a 2.5 hour drive so I had lots of time to think and I was mostly thinking about the acceptance letter I had received from nursing school the week before. I started out excited at the idea that I would be starting soon, but I couldn't help but wonder, am I smart enough for nursing school? How can I even think about potentially being a CRNA when I'm not sure I will even become a nurse? I'm probably not smart enough to be an RN, let alone a CRNA. The longer I thought about it the more positive I was that didn't have a snowball's chance in he** of becoming a nurse and that donkey's would fly before I would become a CRNA. The closer I got to Michigan the more upset I was. I'm sure anyone in a passing car was wondering what is up with that clown car... 2 huge dogs hanging out the windows and a sobbing basketcase behind the wheel. I had allowed my negative thoughts to get me so down that I was alternating between sniffling and sobbing, utterly convinced that a moron like me could never be a nurse. Between sniffles I became aware of a car passing me... a nice car, a lexus SUV. Nothing out of the ordinary really, until it passes me and I read the license plate. I did a double take GAS PASR. I was flabbergasted. I can be dense sometimes but that struck me loud and clear as a sign. I'm now in my second quarter of nursing school. I was the only person from my entire nursing class that got an A in into to nursing... 70+ people and I was the only A, but I didn't need that grade to prove my worth anymore, I know I'm good enough because I saw a license plate that told me so. :) I guess I owe a thank you to an MDA or CRNA somewhere in Ohio who has vanity plates. The moral of the story... listen to all of the people who believe in you, especially those who chose you out of so many applicants to be an SRNA. Don't worry about the money, don't worry about school, everything will work out fine. I hope to be following in your footsteps in a few short years. Jenn