Altra BSN, RN

Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU

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All Content by Altra

  1. Altra

    Preceptor woes

    Altra replied to SarahIN's topic in General Nursing

    I would ask for a meeting with whoever is "in charge" of your orientation. Start off the meeting asking for specific feedback on your performance to date and feel free to toot your own horn a little...
  2. Altra

    Chart Audits....you have to be kidding me!!!!!

    Altra replied to mcleanl's topic in General Nursing

    Like every other nurse here, I have 1000 things to do in any given shift. There is never "enough" time, so as a professional I go through the same mental process every shift that every other...
  3. Altra

    ER nurses not calling report anymore...

    Altra replied to plinytheRN's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    Have you considered the role of bed control at your hospital? Apparently
  4. Altra

    Stooopid

    Altra replied to Ciale's topic in Emergency

    Of course it
  5. Altra

    UnitedHealthcare and Cigna don't plan to participate in PA + NJ insurance exchangesn

    Altra replied to NRSKarenRN's topic in Activism, Healthcare

    Is it possible to fix the link to the source
  6. Altra

    Skyrocketing health insurance costs-This is crazy!

    Altra replied to MyUserName,RN's topic in General Nursing

    Premiums rose an average of 4-5% from 2012 to 2013, and yes, there is a continued trend to shifting a greater portion of those premiums to employees. Health Benefits In 2013: Moderate Premium...
  7. Altra

    ER nurses not calling report anymore...

    Altra replied to plinytheRN's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    I'm sorry, but this comment has no basis in reality. You say "empty a room" like it's some kind of completed task that has some benefit for the nurse. There will be another patient in that room...
  8. Altra

    Food in the ER

    Altra replied to Sassy5d's topic in Emergency

    We have sandwiches and ginger ale. They are for patients. Unless there are extenuating circumstances or it's the middle of the night, family members get directed to the vending machines and/or...
  9. Altra

    ER nurses not calling report anymore...

    Altra replied to plinytheRN's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    Given that the national average of reported LOS from decision to admit to the patient leaving the ED is 96 minutes (FY 2012 data published on hospitalcompare.gov) -- I cannot agree with your...
  10. Altra

    Online nursing clinical skills on video/streaming

    Altra replied to happyface27's topic in General Nursing

    Ask your preceptor or unit educator, as your hospital may well have a library of learning aids of this type. You can also search YouTube, but be aware of the limitations of watching procedures...
  11. Altra

    would like to be a nurse aide instructor

    Altra replied to lumbarpain's topic in General Nursing

    What kind of setting are you looking to work in? I ask because this will largely dictate the educational credentials likely to be required. A vo-tech type school, either community/school-district...
  12. Altra

    Discussion: Making Nursing Easier &Effective

    Altra replied to The_Optimist's topic in General Nursing

    Voice-activated electronic documentation, similar to dictation systems used by providers.
  13. Altra

    Chart Audits....you have to be kidding me!!!!!

    Altra replied to mcleanl's topic in General Nursing

    You know, I probably agree with you on that point. There are nurses who have been around long enough to see the possible consequences of review of care provided to a specific patient on a specific day...
  14. Altra

    ER nurses not calling report anymore...

    Altra replied to plinytheRN's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    Do have a reference for the "goal" of 4 hours? I have slogged through the actual JC Specifications Manual and the CMS throughput measures and found no reference to "4 hours". All...
  15. Altra

    Advice needed

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

    If you are able to do this financially and have other access to health insurance for yourself and the baby for that time, that is wonderful. Wishing you & your little one
  16. Altra

    Saw a nurse yelling at a patient in ICU

    Altra replied to inspiredbynavy's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    Did you listen to anything being said, or just conclude that the raised voice was out of order, no matter what the context? And, just a question ... have you ever cared for anyone who was extremely...
  17. Altra

    ER nurses not calling report anymore...

    Altra replied to plinytheRN's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    As I've said earlier in this thread, Esme ... the process can pass muster with surveyors from JC and the state DOH, so apparently they are not interpreting the NPSG in the same way that you
  18. Altra

    Benefits - I'm In Shock

    Altra replied to Kooky Korky's topic in General Nursing

    Putting aside the holiday situation, which is unfortunate but perfectly legal ... What you're describing appears to be a pattern of calling out sick approximately once per month? Just a suggestion...
  19. Altra

    Mixed Unit

    Altra replied to CindyStPat's topic in General Nursing

    "Mixed unit" could refer to many things, so if you want helpful input you might want to include some specifics about the patient population of your unit prior to and after the change in
  20. Altra

    Benefits - I'm In Shock

    Altra replied to Kooky Korky's topic in General Nursing

    25 "days" per year ... assuming 8 hour days. 6 legal holidays are generally recognized in the U.S. (New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day). 10 days for...
  21. Altra

    Chart Audits....you have to be kidding me!!!!!

    Altra replied to mcleanl's topic in General Nursing

    So now you know, both from your own management and some insight from posts here in this thread, that complete restraint documentation is important and
  22. Altra

    Advice needed

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

    Agree with the above posters -- do yourself a favor and check your emotions before this meeting. Deal in facts, not emotions. And please remember that unless your patient assignment somehow violated...
  23. Altra

    ER nurses not calling report anymore...

    Altra replied to plinytheRN's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    The "threat" is likely the result of prior unsuccessful attempts to streamline the movement of admitted patients out of the ED. ED throughput is now a core measure with financial impact -- and as...
  24. Altra

    ER nurses not calling report anymore...

    Altra replied to plinytheRN's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    JC is a de facto regulatory agency, as accreditation is required for Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement as per CMS. I'm just relaying information to readers that nonverbal reports have not incurred...
  25. Altra

    ER nurses not calling report anymore...

    Altra replied to plinytheRN's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    It's probably not a "threat" ... but a procedure defined by