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

    Second needlestick in 2 weeks

    CalicoKitty replied to Dreamer323's topic in General Nursing

    When your needles have a safety lock, it should be basically out of habit to remove the needle from the patient and slide the safety on. Same hand that holds the needle. Practice with a few needles to...
  2. CalicoKitty

    Does the exhaustion go away?

    CalicoKitty replied to AnnieOaklyRN's topic in General Nursing

    Set an alarm clock. Generally transit runs on time or late. So, set an alarm clock for a few minutes before expected stop. When I take transit, I often fall asleep on the trip
  3. CalicoKitty

    Shift Work Calendar App for Android?

    CalicoKitty replied to A.M. Wolf's topic in Coffee Lounge's Lounge

    My current job uses Shifthound so I put my schedule in there. I use it on my phone, can be done on the computer. It has a link so I can add my shifts to my google calendar. My old job didn't have an...
  4. CalicoKitty

    3 weeks into orientation as new grad and already want to quit!?

    CalicoKitty replied to ns808's topic in First Year After Licensure

    Everybody makes mistakes. You are a new grad at your first job. Your mistake may have hurt someone. It sucks. You will learn to live with this. Going back to work after a mistake (or an otherwise...
  5. CalicoKitty

    If you could start all over, would you choose nursing again?

    CalicoKitty replied to FutureMrDrNurse's topic in General Nursing

    1) Would you choose nursing as a career if you could choose again? Yes 2) Why or why not? I do enjoy nursing. My 2nd career. I did an accelerated 2nd degree program. My first career was research...
  6. CalicoKitty

    Research Results are in: To Suction or Not To Suction, End of Life & Hospice Patients

    CalicoKitty replied to NickICU-RN's topic in General Nursing

    I think it depends on the situation. Suctioning can help clear the airway. But, sometimes the patient gets too distressed from it. It is a balancing act to have the patient suffer the
  7. CalicoKitty

    Denied from nursing school...

    CalicoKitty replied to callmeachilles1's topic in General Students

    Many schools require some (science/biology) pre-requisites to be within 5 years old. I had to retake A&P and Microbiology to make them
  8. CalicoKitty

    Charge Sheet

    CalicoKitty replied to Wayne47's topic in General Nursing

    Doesn't your bladder scanner tell you how much you've saved from
  9. CalicoKitty

    MY UNIT IS IN CHAOS

    CalicoKitty replied to kiowasteph's topic in General Nursing

    Man, I feel like 5 manages a year is insane. I don't think many places can replace floor nurses that
  10. CalicoKitty

    Back on med/surg after 15 years

    CalicoKitty replied to unknownjulie's topic in General Nursing

    Wow. That sounds like a crazy fitness test. I mean, drug screen is typical. I've done titers and mandatory flu shots. But, I never had any of that physical stuff. I think "can you bend over and kinda...
  11. CalicoKitty

    Nights only

    CalicoKitty replied to nessib's topic in General Nursing

    Some employers would not let some people work nights because they felt they still had room to learn. Day shift can be hectic, but it also can have more support if you need it. More eyes on you. Not...
  12. CalicoKitty

    Severe Depression/Anxiety

    CalicoKitty replied to grobertson10's topic in General Nursing

    You could see about getting into PACU or IR or something. A critical care with less "involvement" with the patients, since you only see them for a few hours. Not saying to change your medications, but...
  13. CalicoKitty

    New mom working full time

    CalicoKitty replied to aship's topic in General Nursing

    I don't have kids, but one of my friends has 2 small boys. She works Fri-Sat-Sun. Not sure how Fridays work, but she's primary caregiver for the kids during the week, and her husband takes on the...
  14. CalicoKitty

    Can I please get a Parking Spot!

    CalicoKitty replied to ArrowRN's topic in General Nursing

    My old job had a parking garage across from the hospital that you could use after 3pm. It was $25/mo. There were other parking lots on the campus that day shift would use. But, I think for "ancillary...
  15. CalicoKitty

    Misuse of the ER

    CalicoKitty replied to ShortFuse's topic in General Nursing

    My favorite so far was "Flu Like Symptoms".. Oh, and can I have a pregnancy test,
  16. CalicoKitty

    What I Wish I Had Known Before

    CalicoKitty replied to BlinkyPinky's topic in General Nursing

    Rarely, there are those touchy guys. Generally, we've had it where nobody would go into that patient's room alone. Always bring another nurse or tech with you. A guy if you can muster it. Just make...
  17. CalicoKitty

    Transitioning to the workplace

    CalicoKitty replied to KBStuRN's topic in General Nursing

    Make sure you start with a good orientation program. They break you into nursing to help you become successful. Book knowledge is great, but orientation programs help you learn the critical nursing...
  18. CalicoKitty

    New Grad with Broken Foot

    CalicoKitty replied to Jellybeans823's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    Can you use a scooter for the broken foot? I know I've seen people use them at my hospital sometimes. May not be ideal, but doable. Not sure how you went from a 3 month offload to a 9 month gap. Big...
  19. CalicoKitty

    RN or Surgical Tech?

    CalicoKitty replied to BabyTurtle2k11's topic in General Nursing

    If you only want to work in the OR, perhaps you can get the ST first, and then continue working towards getting your RN. You will probably have an easier time getting an RN OR job if you have that...
  20. CalicoKitty

    How to become a wound care nurse

    CalicoKitty replied to Solnce1981's topic in General Nursing

    What nursing experience do you have outside of school? Wound care can be a great specialty, but most wound care nurses have nursing experience dealing with wounds for a while before beginning to focus...
  21. CalicoKitty

    Pregnancy Loss and Unhappy New Grad

    CalicoKitty replied to Nurse Beth's topic in Career Advice Column

    You can try to speak with the people in charge of your orientation to see if they could move you to another unit. The hospital has invested a good amount of energy to help you become a better nurse,...
  22. CalicoKitty

    Will my natural hair prevent me from getting a job in the future?

    CalicoKitty replied to cinderfloof's topic in General Students

    Job interviews typically are the places you want to assimilate a bit. Kinda like nursing school, not the place to rock the boat. Not entirely, but you want to be remembered for how you interact with...
  23. CalicoKitty

    Refusing patient or assignment

    CalicoKitty replied to NightNerd's topic in General Nursing

    For the most part, I only refuse a patient if I've had bad experiences with that patient/family before. Sometimes that happens. The families may not want you back, but you were accidentally assigned....
  24. CalicoKitty

    Wearing secular head coverings?

    CalicoKitty replied to Oregon, My Oregon's topic in General Nursing

    I find it bizarre that fake hair, hair and wigs are okay, but a piece of readily washable cloth is "unsanitary". I guess people only touch their head coverings, not their hair? I don't understand how...
  25. CalicoKitty

    Initial License Information

    CalicoKitty replied to Kevontko's topic in General Nursing

    You can search your name online to see if you have an active license. Google your state nursing license lookup, and it should get you to a form. You can see if it is active (and you'll see your...