Altra BSN, RN

Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU

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All Content by Altra

  1. Altra

    CS

    Altra replied to floridaRN38's topic in Emergency

    Etomidate - Versed - Propofol - Ketamine ... all depends on the patient and the procedure being
  2. Altra

    PSN Crazy

    Altra replied to bebbercorn's topic in Emergency

    I have not experienced this in any of the ERs where I have
  3. Altra

    How do you have non-confrontational conversations at work?

    Altra replied to lilund27's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    If an entire *program* is required to be *implemented* so that professional adults can have conversations ... the hiring process has obviously gone WAAAYY awry. How do I have a nonconfrontational...
  4. Altra

    Opinion of nurses

    Altra replied to Kristy02_RN's topic in General Nursing

    Um, did you educate the person spouting these *facts* that as soon as someone is willing to make their family member a DNR, all these efforts will cease? The power is in their hands. One word of...
  5. Altra

    Septic shock and reaction to Rocephin/Ceftriaxone

    Altra replied to biscuitmama's topic in PICU, Pediatric

    Agree with post above - ceftriaxone is a common abx, and abx reactions don't typically produce the s/s you described. Certainly not cardiac arrest. And as you know - a pedi arrest signals a very...
  6. Altra

    long day at work and legs!!

    Altra replied to Jenni811's topic in General Nursing

    TED hose are pretty low-end compression stockings -- there are much better quality compression socks & stockings out there that can make a big difference. Do a google search. They're not cheap -...
  7. Altra

    Would you accept this call out excuse?

    Altra replied to motherof3sons's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    So just to be clear - how many hours do I have to be awake before I'm unsafe to take care of you, or your
  8. Altra

    To RNs, what are your thoughts about the mandated nurse-patient ratio?

    Altra replied to kchilla's topic in Activism, Healthcare

    Hint: As you have no doubt researched the history of the CA legislation ... what groups opposed it? Why? What were/are their conclusions regarding implementation of legally mandated nurse-patient...
  9. Altra

    Would you accept this call out excuse?

    Altra replied to motherof3sons's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    This is a legal minefield which sets up the employer and employees for failure in the long run. Employers are free to set attendance standards - up to and including zero paid absences - but "valid"...
  10. Altra

    Nursing makes me hate fat people

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

    I'm going to try to say this gently ... If you are being pushed over the edge by 250-300lb patients ... I'm guessing you haven't been practicing very long. Where do you think 400-lb.+ people end up,...
  11. Altra

    Salaries

    Altra replied to d00d00butter's topic in General Nursing

    Residents have graduated medical school -- they are no longer paying tuition. Medical school tuition varies with the school - $40,000/year for 4 years is average. Depending on specialty, residencies...
  12. Altra

    Salaries

    Altra replied to d00d00butter's topic in General Nursing

    I have worked in teaching hospitals. Those salaries are typical for residents in that geographic region. In other regions $45-50K-ish is common. Don't really think weeding out is a significant...
  13. Altra

    Being a Patient Where you Work

    Altra replied to ChristineN's topic in Emergency

    Yes, and
  14. Altra

    Shouldn't that patient go the ICU??

    Altra replied to psu_213's topic in Emergency

    This is the kind of nurse who believes that if the patient deteriorates 2 days from now from some totally unrelated s/s ... "see, I told you he should have gone to the unit." As you have presented the...
  15. Altra

    Facebook complaints from Patients

    Altra replied to nursefor'ire's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    How would you know that a random patient was complaining on Facebook, unless you are somehow otherwise connected with them? In any event ... the general public is not bound by HIPAA, nor any other...
  16. Altra

    Reality Shock

    Altra replied to JLH86229's topic in Diploma, ADN, BSN

    "Reality shock" is not something that can be avoided -- it's a catch-all term for the process of transition from student to nurse. Real-life day-in, day-out nursing IS different than student clinical...
  17. Altra

    Hired for one shift but scheduled for another!

    Altra replied to Bsumer704's topic in Emergency

    In my experience, you generally need to be flexible during orientation. And legal holidays do not include the "eves" ...though SOME hospitals schedule holidays creatively to accommodate the...
  18. Altra

    Interesting Seizure

    Altra replied to Kooky Korky's topic in General Nursing

    psueo-seizures Agree with post above -- EEG is the definitive diagnostic
  19. Altra

    Doctors not talking to nurses

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

    I can't "like" the above post enough. This is an excellent point -- that meaningful communication needs to flow both
  20. Altra

    Best way to document daily issues as an RN?

    Altra replied to theantichick's topic in General Nursing

    I agree that your manager will not want a daily email from you. It's unnecessary. It seems to me that what you're describing can generally be more appropriately covered in patient charting....
  21. Altra

    Best way to document daily issues as an RN?

    Altra replied to theantichick's topic in General Nursing

    Agree with the above post -- reporting via incident/variance/occurrence report (whatever term your hospital uses) or discussion via email to a supervisor/manager/director provides a paper trail. Same...
  22. Altra

    Applying for a license

    Altra replied to lilcampy310's topic in Maryland Nursing

    You can call and ask, but the answer is ... probably not. There are most likely certain agencies set up with the state of MD to administer the fingerprint/background check. Road trip ... :) And...
  23. Altra

    Difficult situations

    Altra replied to Runner1989's topic in Emergency

    I've never met an ER nurse or medic who didn't have a small handful of patients permanently seared into their memories. And it's generally not, as you said, the most gruesome wounds or the most...
  24. Altra

    Impossible standards

    Altra replied to canoehead's topic in Emergency

    Level 3 patients can be a finger lac that needs an xray and a tetorifice shot. (2 resources) I can see no justification for q 15 min.
  25. Altra

    (Lack of) Mental Healthcare and What To Do?

    Altra replied to UrbanHealthRN's topic in Health, Stress Management

    A psychologist does not write prescriptions. And I believe OP discussed that this mom had been paying out of pocket to see a provider, but had exhausted her financial ability to do so. It is...