robfall

robfall

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All Content by robfall

  1. Rules for the ER (long)

    IF you can scream "I'm in shock" at the top of your lungs: you're not.
  2. Rules for the ER (long)

    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.
  3. sf bay area transportation advise

    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.
  4. You Know the patient is going bad when...

    Any report begins; "I'm really sorry about this..."
  5. Excelsior Lifespan Psych Exam Help!

    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!
  6. The Unwritten Rules of Nursing

    Never say: I haven't seen (fill in name of PITA frequent patient) lately, for he will appear within the day!
  7. Rudeness from EMTs and Paramedics

    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 lifethreat...
  8. "Private" CPNE workshops?

    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!
  9. Pals And Acls

    Also; yes you can take these course's as an LVN.
  10. Pals And Acls

    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.
  11. Nitrospray for Respiratory Distress?

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

    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 un...
  13. Excelsior questions :)

    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 ...
  14. Can the Union make the hospital fire nurses?

    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, a...
  15. Let's play I Remember When.....

    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 ...
  16. Tina (west coast) and Lynn both offer valuble prepatory workshops
  17. When don't you insert an ET tube?

    My mistake; it's NGT's that you don't insert with this injury!
  18. When don't you insert an ET tube?

    A basilar skull fx; d/t possibility of defect in sinus floor. ET can end up in the sinus space
  19. has anyone taken micro through ec??

    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.).
  20. has anyone taken micro through ec??

    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.
  21. ER RNs vs. Paramedics

    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!
  22. ER RNs vs. Paramedics

    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 migh...
  23. Nurses who smoke - I'm a smoker

    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 in...
  24. Nurses who smoke - I'm a smoker

    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 i...
  25. Excelsior College and CRNA

    (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.