CalicoKitty BSN, MSN, RN

Med-Surg, Geriatrics, Wound Care

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

Platinum

  • Content

    1,017

  • Visitors

    21,169

  • Followers

    2

  • Likes

    1,394

All Content by CalicoKitty

  1. CalicoKitty

    Useless Shift Report Information

    CalicoKitty replied to Davey Do's topic in General Nursing

    I tell stories and try to let the next shift know the things (I feel) are important to be addressed, since there are things the night doctors won't do. I get annoyed when things weren't cleared up...
  2. CalicoKitty

    Valuable life lessons from an ER nurse....

    CalicoKitty replied to Momma1RN's topic in Emergency

    Was a lot easier when cars had "cigarette lighters" in their "electric sockets". Did you try tylenol/advil/tums/anything first? Death scooters are
  3. CalicoKitty

    Can you work as a home health RN and still apply for new grad RN residency

    CalicoKitty replied to nursespongebob's topic in General Nursing

    You are usually considered a "new grad" for the first year after graduating. They may consider home health a slight bit of experience, but not relevant to floor nursing. Perhaps the "new grad" year...
  4. CalicoKitty

    Should I just leave my job or wait for a job offer

    CalicoKitty replied to abu123's topic in General Nursing

    Yeah, it is easier to get a new job if you have a
  5. CalicoKitty

    The Worst Interview of My Life! Ever!

    CalicoKitty replied to Forest2's topic in General Nursing

    My last 2 jobs I essentially got through job fairs. Fast and furious few minute talk. Literally "interview" now, apply later (to do the official paperwork). But, those are simply staff RN positions. I...
  6. CalicoKitty

    First Emergency RN Job After Graduation?!

    CalicoKitty replied to Stone Woodring's topic in Emergency

    Many hospitals will hire new grads for ER positions. For first jobs, the biggest challenge is usually getting the first job. It may not even be ER, although you probably have a better chance due to...
  7. CalicoKitty

    Integrity - Should I say something

    CalicoKitty replied to MickyMb2's topic in General Students

    It sucks, but honesty is probably the best policy. Your school may even have a policy regarding "informing the school" of things like cheating and stealing. The racist stuff is also "not becoming of a...
  8. CalicoKitty

    Cleaning patients after bowel movements.

    CalicoKitty replied to Kidsrablast's topic in General Nursing

    Wanting more information is not being a troll. Cleaning a patient after a bedpan and after soiling themselves are quite different. Is the patient small and mobile, or 500 lbs and flaccid (how many...
  9. CalicoKitty

    Birth Control and 12 Hour Shifts

    CalicoKitty replied to sillymu's topic in General Nursing

    The first time, I think I had a vagal reaction when it went into the cervix. A little crampy, a some cold sweats, almost fainted. Maybe hurt a little. The pain was temporary. Took a few minutes for...
  10. CalicoKitty

    Birth Control and 12 Hour Shifts

    CalicoKitty replied to sillymu's topic in General Nursing

    Like 8pm, you can try for a time you are most likely going to be awake. Like, 5pm. Meds with breakfast or try to remember before leaving shift. Maybe you can do it for the PM (or AM) trip to/from...
  11. CalicoKitty

    Birth Control and 12 Hour Shifts

    CalicoKitty replied to sillymu's topic in General Nursing

    I used the Nuva Ring for a while. It was ok. I did get some depression when I would take it out (for a week), I don't think the drastic hormone changes were good for me. Digging around for the ring is...
  12. CalicoKitty

    What does your username mean?

    CalicoKitty replied to LifesAJourney's topic in Nursing Humor

    I am playing a Dungeons & Dragons campaign with some friends. My current character is a Half-Orc Cleric (Nature Domain) who has a Cat Herder
  13. CalicoKitty

    Is working per diem worth it ?

    CalicoKitty replied to Lovethenurse2b25's topic in General Nursing

    It is about seeing what fits into your schedule. And making sure you can meet the "minimum requirements" if they have them. I need to do ~1/3 weekends, and a summer and winter holiday for mine. But,...
  14. CalicoKitty

    Is working per diem worth it ?

    CalicoKitty replied to Lovethenurse2b25's topic in General Nursing

    Per diem is better than no job. My job, I can usually get full time hours. If you get another job, you can still keep your per diem job for extra money. People sometimes have multiple per diem jobs,...
  15. CalicoKitty

    manager proposed promotion

    CalicoKitty replied to JabRN17's topic in General Nursing

    If you are interested in the job and are qualified, go for it. If the director doesn't think someone else would be a good fit, maybe they won't. When/if you become a manager, your staff will no longer...
  16. CalicoKitty

    Why did you choose that nursing program (current or past)?

    CalicoKitty replied to NurseBlaq's topic in General Nursing

    I wanted a nursing program that would prepare me for the NCLEX. I got it. Massive class/lecture sizes. Mediocre clinical experience. I was mostly able to use my bicycle and public transportation for...
  17. CalicoKitty

    ABSN Program

    CalicoKitty replied to Jazzi_CNA's topic in General Nursing

    No regrets in my ABSN program (2nd degree). I did feel like my program "taught to the test" (ie 99% NCLEX success rate). I did not find my clinical hours to be terribly useful, and generally very...
  18. CalicoKitty

    From psych to ICU?

    CalicoKitty replied to Grogon's topic in General Nursing

    I don't know how it works in Germany. In the US, you would probably want to get any hospital med-surg or specialty med-surg (telemetry/cardiac, neuro, oncology/cancer) type unit, then transfer to the...
  19. CalicoKitty

    Joint Commission and Ligature Points

    CalicoKitty replied to Davey Do's topic in General Nursing

    Why would the door need to be locked if a staff member was in the room?? And how is that safe, or even legal? In many cases, you can't lock a patient room (seclusion aside) because of safety. How is...
  20. CalicoKitty

    The Worst Interview of My Life! Ever!

    CalicoKitty replied to Forest2's topic in General Nursing

    I had a horrible interview that I really should have just cancelled. I had a terrible cold, my nose was beet red and I couldn't stop sneezing. My throat hurt so much I nearly cried when I would...
  21. CalicoKitty

    I feel like giving up

    CalicoKitty replied to ScaredRN's topic in Emergency

    If you read the forums, a lot of people feel overwhelmed during orientation and getting off orientation. It is not unusual. Crying on your way to/from work is not too unusual, but it isn't good for...
  22. CalicoKitty

    Employment drug screening

    CalicoKitty replied to VampireBaby's topic in General Nursing

    I've had drug screens upon hire for jobs. I've had drug screens when taking nursing courses with clinical time. I've never had a random drug screen, but I believe they are always an
  23. CalicoKitty

    Help with extra class

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

    Depending in your regional area, a foreign language class like Spanish may be useful. A sociology or world history class may be informational. It really depends on what you are interested in. Some...
  24. CalicoKitty

    How long do I stay in my first unit?

    CalicoKitty replied to bhy7124's topic in General Nursing

    Typically, people would stay at least 1 year. You may want a second year to gain knowledge and
  25. CalicoKitty

    4 Types of Difficult Patients and Tips for Dealing With Them

    CalicoKitty replied to J.Adderton's topic in General Nursing

    I seem to do well with some types of patients. I pick up on the patient needs/wants, and while the first shift may be a challenge, subsequent shifts are usually better. I try to remember patient...