robfall

IF you can scream "I'm in shock" at the top of your lungs: you're not.

If you are drunk/high or haven't bathed in weeks; please don't hit on my female coworkers. You'll end up with my male, middle aged self as your nurse.

The best source for information regarding public transit in the Bay Area: http://www.511.org/. use the 'trip planner' under the transit drop down.

Any report begins; "I'm really sorry about this..."

The main point of this course is; development continues across the entire lifespan. Be familiar with the various theories of development: esp. Piaget and Eriksen. Don't stress you can do this!

Never say: I haven't seen (fill in name of PITA frequent patient) lately, for he will appear within the day!

Perhaps the issue is a basic misunderstanding of how EMS/ambulance service works. There are essentially two levels of service: 1. Non-emergency transports; i.e patients being transported for evaluations, appointments, etc. 2. 911 calls for lifethreating emergencies. One of the consistent frustrations with LTC's, when I was a paramedic, was being called code 3 (lights and sirens) only to find a conscious, alert, NAD patient being "sent out" for a long term issue. While I understand that being asked questions by EMS (i.e. being grilled) is frustrating for LTC nurses; you have to realize that the paramedic/EMT does not know the patient, and is responsible for assessing/caring for him/her during transport. The issue of lack of respect is two sided; for every EMT/paramedic who thinks that LTC nurses are unskilled/uncaring; the is an LTC nurse who thinks EMS personnel are 'just ambulance drivers', who shouldn't ask questions.

The one I took is run by an Excelsior graduate; Tina in CA. It involved four days of review, testing strategies and practice stations. I found it to be more useful than the Excelsior workshop. Passed CPNE in Racine last month!

Also; yes you can take these course's as an LVN.

ACLS = Advanced Cardiac Life Support PALS = Pediatric Advanced Life Suport. These are both specialty certifications; not required for licensure. Usually required to work in ED/CCU etc.

NTG is also used to treat CHF/pulmonary edema. It's a quick way to reduce cardiac preload.

Sorry to hear about your CPNE outcome; I failed the first time as well. In terms of practical advice: Apply for a new date as soon as possible. Take a day or two for yourself, and de-stress. Invest in the Excelsior Lab practice bag; then practice until it's second nature. If you haven't already; take one of the private CPNE workshops (Tina or Lynn). Have faith, it's easier the second time!

Just finished Excelsior's prgram; passed CPNE last weekend. Most of the info you're looking for is on the schools website. Short version: 1. You're transcripts will be reviewed to see what credit you can be granted. 2. There is no minimum experience requirement for LPN's; however you have a better chance of success if you have some exposure. 3. The 'clinicals' for Excelsior are a test (CPNE); not a teaching situation. The testing staff is supportive, but cannot instruct you during the test. 4. I've occasionally heard rumors of hosptials not hirig Excelsior grads; but every one I know personally has had not problems getting employment. You might want to talk to HR at you're ocal hospitals. 4. Good luck!

As a general rule; a closed shop means union membership is a condition of employment. For those who have a moral or religious objection to membership; a 'fee payer' status is usually available. Your best bet would be to check the contract language, and see what it says; occasionally, there is a grandfather clause when a closed shop is instituted.

From the EMS side; using MAST pants on hypotensive patients. And having the ED staff cut them off! Cleaning contaminated MAST at the local self serve car wash. Using EOA's instead of ET for codes. Having to call in to the base hospital for orders to defibrillate.

Tina (west coast) and Lynn both offer valuble prepatory workshops

My mistake; it's NGT's that you don't insert with this injury!

A basilar skull fx; d/t possibility of defect in sinus floor. ET can end up in the sinus space

There is only one test involved; which you take when you feel ready. A test outline and study guide are available for free on Excelsiors website. There are also several commercial test prep services (istudysmart, RUE, etc.).

Took micro and A&P through EC within the past 6 months; found both to be difficult, but doable. If you plan on pursuing a BSN; you'll need to take these subjects someplace with a lab component for them to be acceptable.

Don't worry about it; paramedics have a wide variety of names or abbreviations (EMT-P, MICP, PM, etc). Which is used depends on location and local practice. Also, you can point out to your brother that nurses don't have to work out in the weather!

Hi; this sort of attitude is common for new paramedics; it's a function of the technical & procedural emphasis of EMS training. A few years of street experience will usually cure it; the best reply is a knowing smile and nod of the head. You might remind him that nursing and paramedicine have different focuses and goals. Also, from a 25+ year paramedic; this quite annoying for us to when the new guys act this way!!!

While it may seem less valid coming from a nonsmoker; 'just quit' is an important breakover point in the process of quitting. I was able to stop smoking after I realized that I could control the addiction, rather than having it control me. In the interest of full disclosure; it was the Welbutrin that helped me get to that point!

2-4 packs/day for 20+ years; smoke free for 4 years now. No one method works for everyone who is trying to quit. The most important advice I can give is to keep trying, no matter how hopeless it seems. It took me dozens of attempts to quit before it took. Good luck!

(LOL) Actually, it's a good simile. I agree that time spent providing bedside care would be an absolute before going on to a specialty education program. Also; I apologize for hijacking Dean's thread.