CalicoKitty BSN, MSN, RN

Med-Surg, Geriatrics, Wound Care

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

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  1. CalicoKitty

    How Much Junk do you Keep?

    CalicoKitty replied to Accolay's topic in General Nursing

    No kids. But, chances are we'll move after we retire. But that's like 15-20 years away. My hubby is reasonable at sneaking behind me and tossing junk. I try really hard not to go behind him and grab...
  2. CalicoKitty

    How Much Junk do you Keep?

    CalicoKitty replied to Accolay's topic in General Nursing

    I keep piles of crap. Many old textbooks. I have textbooks from the 90s. Do I ever look at them? No. I use Dr. Google. I have gotten rid of the printouts for many classes.. I'm generally too lazy to...
  3. CalicoKitty

    how to use fishbone for lab

    CalicoKitty replied to mmartinez50's topic in General Nursing

    The CBC is H&H, WBC , Platelets. Think Hemoglobin & Hematocrit (on top of each other). WBC On the left, Platelets on the right. Usually when you look at the labs in the chart, they will be in...
  4. CalicoKitty

    J-tube. RN/LVN

    CalicoKitty replied to cjkekoa's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    You don't need to check residuals for post-pyloric (past the stomach) feeding tubes (J-tubes). They often are kept in place with a balloon, and that may need to get checked weekly. Pacemakers are...
  5. CalicoKitty

    Question on Davis' s Drug Guide for Nurses

    CalicoKitty replied to khrfx4's topic in General Nursing

    Not positive what the CD words mean, but it looks similar to ER (Extended Release). "While the abbreviations used to denote sustained activity refer to different technologies with different...
  6. CalicoKitty

    Infusion Interoperability

    CalicoKitty replied to leellis's topic in General Nursing

    We just started using it at my hospital. While I like the concept of it, I still have some issues. 1) Sometimes the machines don't "program", so it has to be done manually (this usually happens more...
  7. CalicoKitty

    Prereq rigor vs nursing school?

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

    There are a bunch of components to nursing school. The clinical aspect, where you're trying to do everything your clinical instructor wants their way (which changes with each clinical) and doing the...
  8. CalicoKitty

    Changing Specialties

    CalicoKitty replied to ShadowsGirl101's topic in General Nursing

    I can't really give you advice on the other areas (I do medsurg), but you could read through the threads in the different specialties (under the Specialties tab). There are probably threads asking...
  9. CalicoKitty

    Non productive overtime

    CalicoKitty replied to Minn_RN's topic in General Nursing

    My hospital has rules about doing lots off stuff off the clock. No checking email. No doing the required online modules (we can request to do those at home, but need to document the hours in order to...
  10. CalicoKitty

    Would I test positive for marijuana if my client smokes it

    CalicoKitty replied to Kitiger's topic in General Nursing

    I have tested positive for marijuana despite not smoking it. It was 20 or so years ago when I was in a program to quit smoking cigarettes (still quit!). But, I had gone to a friend's house, I forget...
  11. CalicoKitty

    Is it easier to get into an ADN program VS. a BSN program now?

    CalicoKitty replied to nhayes1984's topic in Pre-Nursing Students

    Every school is different. It depends on the area, and probably the price. State schools may be less expensive, but more people looking for the lower tuition fees. I'd just look at the minimum...
  12. CalicoKitty

    Competencies

    CalicoKitty replied to PsychRNPA's topic in General Nursing

    So, last round of JC, lancets for glucometer devices now have to be kept safely guarded. No lnoger can they be left in the glucometer boxes with the other supplies.... Those little 4mm one-time use...
  13. CalicoKitty

    How long did it take for you...

    CalicoKitty replied to Jedrnurse's topic in General Nursing

    Heh, when I took my boards, I felt pretty confident because with the computer algorithm I was getting lots of hard questions and SATAs and it stopped at 75. For snacks and giggles, I did the PV...
  14. CalicoKitty

    Canceled! Jerks!

    CalicoKitty replied to Scooter59's topic in General Nursing

    I got cancelled last night with my 2 hours. But, yeah, 30 mins is pretty short. I got cancelled 1 hour early one day - I was walking into the train station (but didn't get to the turnstiles). 30...
  15. CalicoKitty

    Taking a sleep aid when on call?

    CalicoKitty replied to boquiabierta's topic in General Nursing

    I think most of the repliers are saying they feel their own judgement would be impaired if they took a sleep aid, including benadryl. So, when you ask their opinion, they're giving it. I get super...
  16. CalicoKitty

    RN's are you happy with your career, why or why not?

    CalicoKitty replied to anjoku13's topic in General Nursing

    I'm generally happy with my nursing career, although I've felt uhm... "challenged" the last few
  17. CalicoKitty

    Legalized Marijuana on your Unit?

    CalicoKitty replied to RNrhythm's topic in General Nursing

    I'm sure there won't be smoking types (vapes) allowed. As for edibles, I'd assume that any medications would have to be approved/checked by pharmacy, otherwise we'd be letting people take their home...
  18. CalicoKitty

    New nurse job

    CalicoKitty replied to sunny12345's topic in General Nursing

    From what I hear, California is a challenge for a new grad to get a job. The new grad program will be your best option out of school. Few hospital units, and probably none near LA will hire a new grad...
  19. CalicoKitty

    Accused of not giving dilaudid

    CalicoKitty replied to KMULL002's topic in General Nursing

    I've always tended to view it as "the patient has the right to refuse". So, if the patient refuses a portion of a medication, and it does not harm them, then I am fine with refusing part of a dose....
  20. CalicoKitty

    Blazer to a nurse extern interview?

    CalicoKitty replied to themurse133's topic in General Nursing

    Well, sweaters are better at keeping warm, while ties can help prevent stains.. So, not entirely equivalent. Mr Rogers wore
  21. CalicoKitty

    Roll Call - Who's Been Around the Longest and Your Accomplishments

    CalicoKitty replied to traumaRUs's topic in General Nursing

    I've been here for a little over 10 years. Looking back at my "history" I seem to come back for a bit every 2 years. I peek a bit other times. Biggest AN accomplishment, I won September's Caption...
  22. CalicoKitty

    Advice for changing my major. Leaving nursing?

    CalicoKitty replied to Nursls21's topic in General Nursing

    It is a chance to see and work in the inside of a hospital. Being a sitter will give you chances to talk to people. You'll also have the opportunity to see other roles in a hospital. Getting a tech...
  23. CalicoKitty

    Advice for changing my major. Leaving nursing?

    CalicoKitty replied to Nursls21's topic in General Nursing

    Before continuing an education, you could become a sitter in a hospital. You'll be 1:1 or so with an unruly patient. You can interact with them or just observe them (depending on hospital rules). Many...
  24. CalicoKitty

    Yet another ethical question...

    CalicoKitty replied to BishopLPN's topic in General Nursing

    It may also depend on the comfort level. Being intubated is very invasive. People may feel like they are being choked. Their throat may hurt. It can be very scary. If this system doesn't cause the...
  25. CalicoKitty

    New Grad Nurse - step down or oncology?

    CalicoKitty replied to jlp10's topic in First Year After Licensure

    I'd think IMC would get you more transferable skills than Oncology. Much of oncology is med-surg, but after a while you'll be hanging chemotherapy and getting that certification. With IMC, you can...