CalicoKitty BSN, MSN, RN

Med-Surg, Geriatrics, Wound Care

Three cats in the yard. Life used to be so hard...

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All Content by CalicoKitty

  1. CalicoKitty

    Terrible experience with nursing staff

    CalicoKitty replied to guest1074638's topic in General Nursing

    I'm just glad to have a better understanding of why many of my immigrant patients always have so many family members all the time. I figured it was a close-knit family culture thing, but learned that...
  2. CalicoKitty

    Screw Nursing Caption Contest

    CalicoKitty replied to Davey Do's topic in Nursing Humor

    I just don't think this position a good fit, Mr. Philips. Too many loose
  3. CalicoKitty

    Phrasing - how do you ask your patients about incontinence?

    CalicoKitty replied to AriRN36's topic in General Nursing

    Sometimes I joke a little.. Maybe say something like laughing so hard, crying down my leg.... I tend to use the word accidents. It sounds pretty blameless. Work from there.. Dribbling. Nocturia....
  4. CalicoKitty

    Gloves at all times?

    CalicoKitty replied to Tweety's topic in General Nursing

    I tend to use gloves for med pass. Really, never know when patient care will happen. I don't wanna touch their meds with my fingers, and I feel like so often, when giving meds they want repositioning...
  5. CalicoKitty

    What do you guys do after you hang the secondary bag and there's that little bit left?

    CalicoKitty replied to Marythenurse1994's topic in General Nursing

    If the primary bag is properly lower than the secondary (medication) bag, the chamber should empty pretty well and sometimes have a little bit left in the tubing. Backfill when starting new secondary...
  6. CalicoKitty

    Sexually assaulted

    CalicoKitty replied to Lurkndmurk's topic in General Nursing

    You are allowed to feel however you feel about it. Many abusers are "not in their right mind" (healthy people don't abuse other people). But, that doesn't mean they don't cause harm. You can forgive...
  7. CalicoKitty

    Scheduled and PRN Doses

    CalicoKitty replied to Newgurl17's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    It also depends a bit on the time. I would wait to give the pain medication a chance to kick in before adding to it (like 45 mins for tabs or something). But, if she is restless and pacing, she may...
  8. CalicoKitty

    Washington Hospital Center WHC "steps" pay scale

    CalicoKitty replied to rubyagnes's topic in General Nursing

    I believe you'd start at step 5 since you have 5 years of experience. Then the next part is the year/date or whatever. There are usually 2 pay bumps per year - hire (step) date and the annual one....
  9. CalicoKitty

    A challenging & rewarding job.... but a "dead end" in nursing?

    CalicoKitty replied to WildflowerFairy's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Some places may hire you as a "new grad" after you get your BSN. But, your LTC experience will surely count for a lot, especially time
  10. CalicoKitty

    Becoming a CNM

    CalicoKitty replied to Nc_momma26's topic in General Nursing

    If you can take both, would probably help. The CNA work will help with your nursing clinicals and pay some of the tuition. Don't think those courses are too long and don't think it should hinder...
  11. CalicoKitty

    Finish the Toon!

    CalicoKitty replied to Joe V's topic in Disaster Preparation

    Maybe we really did miss out on the Chicken Pox Parties of our childhood. Not nearly as fun as I expected. At least it isn't shingles?
  12. CalicoKitty

    Washington Hospital Center WHC "steps" pay scale

    CalicoKitty replied to rubyagnes's topic in General Nursing

    WHC - Washington Hospital Center. The steps are the years of experience (RN). So, new hires are step 0, step 1 is after a year of experience. I do believe they pay pretty well in general. They have...
  13. CalicoKitty

    Certified Medical Spanish Interpreter transitioning to RN

    CalicoKitty replied to Gabriel J's topic in General Students

    At some hospitals, if you are bilingual/translator certified, you are required to be available to translate when requested. I've seen techs do that. The hospital may consider the interpreter role as...
  14. CalicoKitty

    Which way is the right way?

    CalicoKitty replied to Nurseynurse11's topic in General Nursing

    I heard at some point, the patient is "charged" at the pyxis, not the documented administration. So, if a med is pulled under another patient's name, perhaps that person is being "charged" for the...
  15. CalicoKitty

    Job Search Anxiety

    CalicoKitty replied to Sharon626's topic in General Nursing

    Before you start, you need a job. Job searching is pretty stressful in itself, and with your delays, it may make it harder to find a job. So, while you apply for every job under the sun, try to...
  16. CalicoKitty

    Job search sites

    CalicoKitty replied to LunaO's topic in General Nursing

    The last 2 jobs I got were from browsing my spam filter in my e-mail about local hospital open-houses. ? I may browse the various job searches, but after seeing "available" postings, I go find them...
  17. CalicoKitty

    Punny nursing names

    CalicoKitty replied to Tammy90's topic in Nursing Humor

    Nurse Ratched, The Rollator, B52, Chill
  18. CalicoKitty

    Thoughts On Incentive Plans

    CalicoKitty replied to AHAACK's topic in General Nursing

    Could also add a bonus where each staff member is paid more for the staff members that are short. So, if you're short a nurse or a tech, that "money" would be divided among the staff that have to do...
  19. CalicoKitty

    I am lost

    CalicoKitty replied to apmarquez's topic in General Nursing

    Compact states are only compact if you are a resident of the state. If you move, you'll need to get a new one in your new
  20. CalicoKitty

    New grad @ LTC/SNF/Rehab Facility. Hating it

    CalicoKitty replied to FromMNtoCA's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Had a rant, but, deleted it. Seriously, though. "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless,...
  21. CalicoKitty

    I'm ready to pursue my dream of becoming a nurse but where do I start?

    CalicoKitty replied to Lisa.2019's topic in Pre-Nursing Students

    Some 4 year nursing schools pack all of the "pre-requisites" in the first two years. Many schools want previous grades, especially in pre-reqs to determine entry eligibility. The best nursing school...
  22. CalicoKitty

    How can I figure out if nursing is right for me?

    CalicoKitty replied to ShouldIBeNurse's topic in Pre-Nursing Students

    Please shadow. Here is an example of, well, most days for med-surg. Depending on your unit, if it is med-surg (where many people start), you have 4-7 patients. You get in at 7. You get report until 8....
  23. CalicoKitty

    How can I figure out if nursing is right for me?

    CalicoKitty replied to ShouldIBeNurse's topic in Pre-Nursing Students

    There is a lot of "subjectivity" in nursing. You can measure things like vital signs and labs, but sometimes you just "look" at your patient and can tell something may be wrong. Maybe a tad grey, a...
  24. CalicoKitty

    Three interviews on very different units - need advice

    CalicoKitty replied to Nurse Magnolia's topic in General Nursing

    It may depend on how many units your hospital has. Stroke/Neuro patients can have a lot of physical deficits, and combining that with ortho can have staff better trained to dealing with patients and...
  25. CalicoKitty

    Anyone know anything about accelerated nursing programs??

    CalicoKitty replied to 4pplepie99's topic in Pre-Nursing Students

    While I kinda wanna get more education, I generally remind myself that I do _not_ want to be "the doctor" (or Provider). When I think of my challenging nursing shift, I gotta remember there's a doc...