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

    Anyone know anything about accelerated nursing programs??

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

    The accelerated program I went through was a 2nd degree program. I did have to repeat a few science courses since they needed to be less than 5 years old. I got into one with about a 3.0. I got A's on...
  2. CalicoKitty

    Question regarding overtime

    CalicoKitty replied to Hopefulnurse1823's topic in General Nursing

    Salary variations happen for many reasons. Overtime is one of them. Shift choice is another (night shift often has differentials, as do many weekends). Full-time benefited employee vs Per-Diem/Float...
  3. CalicoKitty

    September 2019 Caption Contest

    CalicoKitty replied to Joe V's topic in News, Announcements

    With advances in Telehealth and computer algorithms, nurses can be replaced by robots... keeping death at
  4. CalicoKitty

    How often do you wash your scrubs? :)

    CalicoKitty replied to RNinheart's topic in General Nursing

    Right now, I just started a new job, so haven't bought all those scrubs. 3rd job. 3rd color. My job should send me a link for 3 pairs free..
  5. CalicoKitty

    September 2019 Caption Contest

    CalicoKitty replied to Joe V's topic in News, Announcements

    No! Our party is NOT in the On Call
  6. CalicoKitty

    How often do you wash your scrubs? :)

    CalicoKitty replied to RNinheart's topic in General Nursing

    I typically have 6 sets of scrubs (3 for each week, 12 hour shifts), and do laundry at least every 2 weeks. It is my husband and I. I wash it
  7. CalicoKitty

    Non-Hospital jobs for new grads?

    CalicoKitty replied to carti's topic in General Nursing

    What do you want to be when you grow up? Some people really enjoy Psych. Some people feel "pigeon holed" after starting in Psych. As far as "Home health" is concerned, yes, some places may hire you....
  8. CalicoKitty

    Infection Control issue? - Pre-set up of yaunker and tubing to wall suction "just in case"

    CalicoKitty replied to TheMursingMurse's topic in General Nursing

    I wouldn't keep an open yankauer. If I need a new one now, I typically just push the back through the paper side of the wrapper and attach it to the tubing. Then the wrapper slides off as I bring it...
  9. CalicoKitty

    Medical Emergencies in Public

    CalicoKitty replied to nurse4321's topic in General Nursing

    On my way to my nursing pinning ceremony, I was on the subway to work. A cute little girl started choking on her apple. Myself and another woman fumbled and did the best we could, and the bite popped...
  10. CalicoKitty

    Medical-surgical job interview

    CalicoKitty replied to nb1104_'s topic in General Nursing

    Med-surg is a good foundation. Many psych patients have medical conditions as well. And even pregnant women have more medical conditions. So, knowing how to care for all the patients will help. Plus,...
  11. CalicoKitty

    Forgot to unclamp the secondary

    CalicoKitty replied to DH1234's topic in General Nursing

    Half the time, if I don't clamp the secondary, the primary runs back and then starts to drip and pours all over the floor and I look like an idiot (and maybe the floor gets sticky). I'd rather not...
  12. CalicoKitty

    Sick Days?

    CalicoKitty replied to newbienurse97's topic in General Nursing

    I hear generally "do not call off" during the first 90 day "trial" period. I think I'd probably show up if dead and get sent home rather than call out during this period - or perhaps I would call in...
  13. CalicoKitty

    Forgot to unclamp the secondary

    CalicoKitty replied to DH1234's topic in General Nursing

    I've seen that happen often, and even some nurses that forget to mix the powder into the pouch, so I find an empty bag attached to a vial of powder. Recently, a well experienced nurse, did that with 2...
  14. CalicoKitty

    I've Been Employed at 7 Facilities as a New Grad RN

    CalicoKitty replied to Shookclays's topic in General Nursing

    Some people are less tolerant of crappy situations. Some people prefer to work smarter, not harder. I held a job for 5 years that generally had a lot of turnover and people are surprised I could have...
  15. CalicoKitty

    Central Line Securement Devices

    CalicoKitty replied to Moe12PMs's topic in General Nursing

    I've always placed it under the dressing and have only seen it that
  16. CalicoKitty

    I hate being a sitter

    CalicoKitty replied to NurseJamCA's topic in General Nursing

    You can sometimes use other people as "supervisors". Some places are okay with "charge nurses" as a reference, also other nurses you've worked with. Perhaps even a house supervisor or something. I...
  17. CalicoKitty

    Day/Night shift?

    CalicoKitty replied to elainebenes's topic in General Nursing

    My first job was rotating. At that place, you self-schedule your "ideal" schedule, the scheduling committee may have to move your shifts around a bit, so what you want isn't always what you get. That...
  18. CalicoKitty

    pre-employment

    CalicoKitty replied to fishinRN's topic in General Nursing

    I know hospitals in Maryland and Virginia test for nicotine. I think of this when people ask if "legal" (prescription or otherwise) marijuana would be OK for
  19. CalicoKitty

    What city do you work in and how much do you get paid hourly?

    CalicoKitty replied to Mortaaaay's topic in General Nursing

    In DC Per Diem pool (med-surg, no bennies) 45-55/hr In Maryland hospital (outskirts of DC), 36.50 nights (no diff?) 7 yrs
  20. CalicoKitty

    New Onset Afib

    CalicoKitty replied to donotenter's topic in General Nursing

    Sometimes, people with new afib get a treatment like cardioversion (usually if their heart rate is high - like the 130s) or perhaps an ablation (interventional radiology where they essentially burn...
  21. CalicoKitty

    Tips for a new grad

    CalicoKitty replied to Lovethenurse2b25's topic in General Nursing

    New grads need to learn different skills for different jobs. I think all of them can use a bit of psychology, but not sure you can really "study" that to
  22. CalicoKitty

    Income as part time RN

    CalicoKitty replied to Wuulie's topic in General Nursing

    It could be rough, but some places offer weekend shifts that would pay more. The benefits are you could be home all week, and the weekends your partner could care for the baby. It is rough, since it...
  23. CalicoKitty

    First acute care job: is it possible that they can switch me ove to night shifts without warning?

    CalicoKitty replied to ~Shrek~'s topic in General Nursing

    I think if you have a contract that states a specific shift, that should be your shift. A change would be a breech of contract. Could be
  24. CalicoKitty

    New Grad making small mistakes!!!

    CalicoKitty replied to DH1234's topic in General Nursing

    I know some hospitals are more "picky" about documenting the q2 turns, others just give reminders that patients are to be turned q2, but don't necessarily discuss documenting it real time (or q2...
  25. CalicoKitty

    New Grad making small mistakes!!!

    CalicoKitty replied to DH1234's topic in General Nursing

    Q2 turning is something that can be worked out with your techs, such as nurse/tech being expected to do alternating q2 turns - say tech at 8, nurse at 10 (with meds), tech at 12 (with meal set up),...