nyteshade

Psych nursing might not be for you.

The red flag for me is when you mentioned what you didn't like about psych peds as a new grad nurse. To quote the literature: "It is very important to consider the implications of PRN medications, especially as related to litigation, patient safety, professional ethics, and clinical efficacy, especially in the light of the target of human rights litigation as has been the case with the United States Department of Justice opposed to psychiatric facilities in the different states." https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5659075/ In my honest opinion, you should probably look outside of psych nursing. Maybe try a clinic.

Nurse Sosa, I know you just got here, but what could you have done to prevent this?

If a hospital can charge close to $1000 for an IVP, they can cough up better health insurance options. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/06/28/1007198777/a-hospital-charged-more-than-700-for-each-push-of-medicine-through-her-IV

OP, do what makes you happy and what makes sense for your life situation. Even in the hospital, you get nurses who think they are superior to other departments like ICU > med-surg. Personally, I think you may have a future advantage securing a FNP mentor when you are ready to begin grad school in a clinic setting. If you really are worried about losing certain skills or knowledge, remember that life-long learning can occur anywhere if you make the the time for it.

Nursing/medical textbooks definitely need to show pictures with variations and how to assess. I once read somewhere that even medical students do not get this in their training.

I'm not trying to discourage the OP, but I'm a bit confused here...if the first job caused anxiety attacks, but was higher acuity, wouldn't the ER do the same?

Hey all, I see many posts about new grad RN pay questions, but I'd like to know how much RNs with over 10 years experience get? I have 13 as a RN and 4 as LPN (so 17 years total of nursing). I have a BSN and CMSRN if it makes a difference in that market. I'm looking at central Florida, and all settings acute, LTC, clinic, case management, etc. Thanks!

We don't need more research that attempts to figure out how one nurse can safely give meds to 20-30 residents in a two hour window. It simply cannot be done and it's absurd to continue to think it can be done. Lets look at some math: If I had twenty residents in a 120 minute (2 hour) window to give meds, I would have to spend no more than 6 minutes pouring and administering per resident. Now if I had thirty residents, that would be no more than 4 minutes a person pouring and administering meds. Oh yeah, and everyone has multiple meds and routes on top of that!

WC has very specific language and laws. I'd start with a Google search of your state work comp laws/regs. As someone who's done WC, you definitely need to be aware of this stuff. They really should be formally training you on this!

As someone who has changed jobs for lifestyle reasons, yes I'd say look elsewhere. There's more to life than just your job and I have been clinical and nonclinical.

MunoRN is right.

Curious MD, why not just try posting online on a popular job search site and specifically state this job would be great for retirees? What's the worst that can happen? Either someone is interested, or they are not.

You will always hurt...

It seems most newer nurses are confusing empathy with sympathy. It is very well possible for me as an experienced nurse to anticipate the needs of my patients, understand their feelings, and respond in a professional therapeutic manner all without feeling pity or sorrow for them (sympathy). After doing my job, I go home, shower and wash the shift away. And what does compassion look like for real? To me, it's letting the patient whose had a rough night sleep in a little, or advocating a way to minimize IV sticks in someone, you get the point. Compassion in nursing is being able to look at the big picture of what's going on, and making it a little better. Newer nurses may not fully appreciate just how compassionate experienced nurses can be...more often then not, we just show it differently. And no, I do not consider nursing a calling, but something I got pretty decent at.

I would triple like this thread if I could!

Most nights I'm a barista, plumber, chef, electrician, and NASA engineer (who else could fix a faulty bed?).

I go home & wash it all away!

So, I kinda cloned myself in order to clock out on time around here.

Have a license number in hand before applying. The employer gets many applicants and I'm sure they filter. Also, you don't know for sure how long it may take to get the license, so it's best to have it beforehand.

C'mon guys take it easy on the OP. It's easy for anyone to get freaked out or second guess especially if another nurse placed the idea in their mind.

Thanks guys! I've consulted with pharmacy, and will be working to get that changed.

I wasn't trying to calculate the initial rate, pharmacy already set that. This is for a rate change based on aPTT 6 hours after.

Well, the doc ordered a cardiac (ACS) protocol, and pharmacy started it at max rate of 1000 units/hr or 12 units/kg/hr (arbitrary for the protocol). Both figures were listed on MAR for the initial start. Pharmacy also noted the pt weight to be used. I agree it should be either or, and that this is an error waiting to happen. I just needed fresh eyes to tell me if I am overthinking this or it really does look screwy.

"If possible, heparin drips should be set based on units/hour or units/kg/hour...not based on the drip rate" I totally agree with you there psu. If pharmacy is putting "increase by 150 units/hr (2 units/kg/hr) isn't the 2 units/kg/hr supposed to result in the same answer? The parenthesis comes across as if the two were equal to each other. This is where I feel something isn't right. If they are supposed to be equal then it should read: Increase by 200 units/hr (2 units/kg/hr). This is where I'm lost.