Altra BSN, RN

Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU

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All Content by Altra

  1. Altra

    Charcoal/NG tubes

    Altra replied to Sassy5d's topic in Emergency

    Exactly true, and the reason why it's only used when there's credible evidence that ingestion has occurred pretty much immediately prior to arrival at the ED, i.e. ... self-reported
  2. Altra

    Fentanyl Patches

    Altra replied to Devon Rex's topic in Patient Medications

    This is no different than administration or waste/disposal of any other controlled substance. You do not (generally) need a witness to verify that you have given the med - applied the patch, in this...
  3. Altra

    First Male Nurse I've Seen

    Altra replied to Fire Bird's topic in Men in Nursing

    Call me crazy, but I think the number of things an 11-year old HASN'T seen would far outnumber the things that he HAS seen. Dad is an idiot ... but I'll give him one pass as he's got an ill
  4. Altra

    Charge Rn's. How many beds on your units?

    Altra replied to oldiebutgoodieRN's topic in General Nursing

    Narrowing it down a bit - type of unit, type of hospital, etc. ... will probably get you more responses that will give you meaningful
  5. Altra

    Bad Day, How do you get over it?

    Altra replied to crystalNC's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    I get over it because I never had the expectation that everyone would like me and never say a cross word to me. In fairness, did you really think that your manager would challenge the CEO publicly?...
  6. Altra

    Immediate emergency ?

    Altra replied to McBambi's topic in General Nursing

    What specifically are you asking? When to call the patient's
  7. Altra

    Your Experience with Your Hospitals Cath Lab Personnel?

    Altra replied to Nursing_Mamacita's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    Again - our situations are clearly different. 60-ish% of our STEMIs do not stop in the ER. Cath lab staff is in-house 24/7 - they *MAY* require a max of 30 minutes to get ready but that 30 minute...
  8. Altra

    Your Experience with Your Hospitals Cath Lab Personnel?

    Altra replied to Nursing_Mamacita's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    The 30 minutes is a MAX acceptable
  9. Altra

    report from a sloppy nurse

    Altra replied to edbed25's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    It may well be that this particular nurse has a time management issue or simply substandard performance. But the part of your post I quoted above stands out to me. IMO and in my experience, 90% of...
  10. Altra

    Your Experience with Your Hospitals Cath Lab Personnel?

    Altra replied to Nursing_Mamacita's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    As I work in a hospital with an in-house cath lab, my experience is similar to Stargazer's description above -- IF the patient even stops in the ED. If the team is ready, the patient does straight...
  11. Altra

    Too cheerful to be a nurse?

    Altra replied to FlowersInTheWindow's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    Your demeanor and communication style may well have worked up until this point in your life, in the interpersonal situations you have encountered. The nurse's role, particularly in acute care, can...
  12. Altra

    NTG gtt weight based?

    Altra replied to ajacks122's topic in Emergency

    What info/rationale has been given with the implementation of the protocol? I'd ask your pharmacy
  13. Altra

    did you have trouble buying a house?

    Altra replied to 16mm's topic in General Nursing

    Lots of variables -- debt to income ratio, amount and terms of the mortgage loan, percentage of down payment, overall credit history & FICO score ... The student loan is only one part of the...
  14. Altra

    Charcoal/NG tubes

    Altra replied to Sassy5d's topic in Emergency

    1. NEVER handle charcoal without wearing a gown. 2. Warm water or handling the tube in your warm hands for a few minutes helps tremendously. 3. Make this verbage work for you: "Dude - it's much...
  15. Altra

    Importance of Continuing Education in the Nursing Profession

    Altra replied to Beverly Sampson's topic in Nursing Career

    CE Requirements by State at Nurse.com | RN and LPN Nurse Continuing Education Requirements State by state info (including the double-digit number of states which do not require any continuing ed) for...
  16. Altra

    PSN Crazy

    Altra replied to bebbercorn's topic in Emergency

    I read the info Esme12 googled, and the verbage is very similar to the occurrence report system in place in different hospitals where I've worked. What I have not encountered, is the petty use of a...
  17. Altra

    Rude/ Inconsiderate nurses during clinicals

    Altra replied to Nonetheless's topic in General Students

    OP, you have displayed zero understanding that the NURSE is responsible for every single thing that happens to/with his/her patients. Even if my student goes into a patient's room and strangles him...
  18. Altra

    Asked to work every other weekend, 16 hr. shifts!?

    Altra replied to Nola009's topic in Collective Bargaining, Union

    This is not uncommon, among employers that utilize a weekend program to staff weekends. Would those be your only hours (32 hours/pay - part time)? If so - you'd have a part-time gig, every other...
  19. Altra

    Where/Who do you turn to for advice when buying scrubs?

    Altra replied to Mar1234's topic in Scrubs, Uniforms, Gear

    In time you will probably develop some pretty specific preferences based on your personal work habits & environment. You'll know what fabrics work for you, where you prefer pockets, whether or...
  20. Altra

    HIPAA and Advocate for competent patient

    Altra replied to akn1563's topic in HIPAA Challenges

    This is easy-peasy ... that info cannot be shared over the phone. If a patient is A & O, I always defer phone calls to the patient. If they have A&O family with them - that's my second...
  21. Altra

    Violent patients.

    Altra replied to 0.adamantite's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    So even if you were in a position to change policy/practices ... you
  22. Altra

    What sorts of Nursing Students should drop Nursing School? Am I one of them?

    Altra replied to Vysection's topic in General Students

    I agree with posts above -- you have excellent insight, and have drawn some valid conclusions. I agree with your conclusions -- nursing is probably not for you. To continue in nursing classes,...
  23. Altra

    How Hard is it to Start in the ER?

    Altra replied to madisenclaire's topic in Emergency

    I agree with the posts above that you may well not get an ED job right out of school, and that should not discourage you. Regardless of where it is ... your first job will be a gigantic learning...
  24. Altra

    Set up - like a bowling pin. Knocked down - it gets to wearing thin

    Altra replied to Music in My Heart's topic in Emergency

    Been there ... and will find myself there again, no doubt. Recharge, blow off steam, count your blessings ... I'll throw in some other lyrics: "I'm at a place called vertigo ... it's everything I wish...
  25. Altra

    Opinion of nurses

    Altra replied to Kristy02_RN's topic in General Nursing

    Very unsettling, but good info - thanks