Altra BSN, RN

Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU

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All Content by Altra

  1. Altra

    now what.

    Altra replied to pm2rn's topic in Emergency

    It helps to realize that in this case "the powers that be" is/are Joint Commission and your state health department. Your department/hospital management most likely did not unilaterally seek out this...
  2. Altra

    Volunteer organization requires me to sign a statement of faith

    Altra replied to EarthwormRN's topic in Spirituality, Religion

    This clinic is a mission of this group. There is nothing "unfair" about their requirement that their volunteers share that belief. Surely there is some other secular group, such as the Red Cross,...
  3. Altra

    Patient Picking At Clothing/Bed Linens

    Altra replied to 84RN's topic in Home Health

    Agree with what's been said above: check for hypoxia, anxiety, pain ... or if the patient is simply *getting on the Jesus
  4. Altra

    What would you do?

    Altra replied to KyPinkRN's topic in Emergency

    Divert her from the waiting room in her POV? Epic EMTALA violation. The patient must be seen by a provider, stabilized, and agree to the
  5. Altra

    Photos of patient info - Inpatient setting

    Altra replied to gemini81sg's topic in HIPAA Challenges

    I'd like to pose this question to you: the images of rhythm strips, wounds, anatomical abnormalities, etc. that you have viewed during your education ... where do you think they came from before...
  6. Altra

    Is pain still the "5th Vital Sign"?

    Altra replied to SuzieF's topic in General Nursing

    I agree that medical culture has changed. It is now the goal, and the expectation, for patients to be pain-free. This is a very different concept than that of pain control. Outpatient prescribing...
  7. Altra

    Career Guidance

    Altra replied to ogerpus's topic in Nursing Career

    You might like emergency nursing. See if you can shadow an ER nurse for 4 or 8 hours. If at all possible, make the time between 11am and midnight -- 7am just really doesn't accurately represent what...
  8. Altra

    The math doesn't add up

    Altra replied to noyesno's topic in General Nursing

    "Dear Patient A: I'm so very glad that we got a chance to know each other after you fell down 6 stairs and broke your femur. I hope that you can recall your excellent stay at Most Awesome Hospital...
  9. Altra

    What's your patient load?

    Altra replied to germsjackson's topic in Emergency

    That is a heavy load. 3-5 patients is typical at my Level I trauma center ... even urgent care assignments are generally no more than 5 unless it's a very bad
  10. Altra

    National Nursing Licensure v. State Licensure for Healthcare Professionals

    Altra replied to fraziea2's topic in Activism, Healthcare

    The authors might want to consider the larger context of professional licensure by states. Is there any licensed profession with "national licensure"? What national board/licensing body would issue...
  11. Altra

    Number of silly questions about PICC lines

    Altra replied to seks's topic in General Nursing

    What do your Google searches have to say about PICC insertion sites and size of syringe used with PICCs? I'm not sure what is being asked in your 3rd
  12. Altra

    12 hour shifts...dangerous?

    Altra replied to ThePrincessBride's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    As you can see, OP, state laws and individual employer policies regarding breaks and overtime vary considerably ... you'll need to find out what's applicable where you
  13. Altra

    Infusion Pumps, oxygen administration, central vascular access lines etc.

    Altra replied to rateyes's topic in Nursing Student Assistance

    These needed to be discussed in the clinical setting. I hope that you can make up the
  14. Altra

    What are the nurse's rights regarding difficult family members?

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

    What concerns me most is the part of your post where you state that you have been told you may lose your job. Is it your management who has told you this? If so, then they have made clear how this...
  15. Altra

    Moving up in the world...

    Altra replied to nfdfiremedic's topic in General Nursing

    I agree with a previous poster - there is quite a bit of information on the JC website about stroke accreditation. It's not always a pleasant process. Attention to detail / minutiae is paramount....
  16. Altra

    How do you prime a nasogastric feeding line?

    Altra replied to DichloroacetateAl's topic in General Nursing

    Our feeding tube pumps have a prime
  17. Altra

    Ethical/moral issue

    Altra replied to dee78's topic in General Nursing

    This discharge plan was doomed to failure from the start, and I do wish someone would have said, "hey doc -- by the time Mr. X gets his PermaCath and completes dialysis it's going to be too...
  18. Altra

    Why is it okay for Doctors to yell at Nurses?

    Altra replied to GlowBear500's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    Have never been yelled at, nor witnessed anyone else be the target of yelling. Coworkers will, from time to time, be upset with you for justified or unjustified reasons, depending on your point of...
  19. Altra

    SEPSIS QUESTION.....

    Altra replied to nurs1ng's topic in General Nursing

    Sepsis does not require droplet precautions. Here's some info for you to review: Sepsis - PubMed Health If the patient's underlying infection is determined to be or suspected to be caused by an...
  20. Altra

    On a need to know basis? How would you approach such situation?

    Altra replied to rksgray13's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    I'd say the "pi$$y facial expressions" you mentioned earlier were pretty harsh too. I'm sorry -- this smacks of the "I'm SuperNurse, here to save all the patients" mentality. And I'm not buying it....
  21. Altra

    On a need to know basis? How would you approach such situation?

    Altra replied to rksgray13's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    Respectfully - your patients don't. Your patients have been put in the unfortunate position of not only having you call attention to what you feel are shortcomings in care, but also making them feel...
  22. Altra

    Nursing presentation HELP!

    Altra replied to Kandyrain22's topic in Nursing Student Assistance

    You might want to post your question in the Nursing Student Assistance Forum while you continue your research re: patient safety/error prevention in the OR setting. Nursing Student
  23. Altra

    Rude and demanding co-workers- non-nurse

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

    No, I can't really say I've encountered that. I've worked with plenty of folks from other disciplines/areas of the hospital who clearly have little idea what I do ... but I have not dealt with the...
  24. Altra

    If you could pick your ideal job in nursing, what would it be?

    Altra replied to madwife2002's topic in General Nursing

    Clinical educator job - 4 days per week, 10-hour days, 7am - 5pm, Monday through Thursday, 2 holidays per year, 4 weeks vacation.
  25. Altra

    Giving iv meds through running line

    Altra replied to fiveoclocksomewhere's topic in Patient Medications

    You might be referring to the FDA-required black box warning labeling, effective in 2009. The black box labeling warns of potential tissue damage from extravasation of the drug, and suggests IM...