Altra BSN, RN

Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU

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All Content by Altra

  1. Altra

    What is your policy on PCA pumps?

    Altra replied to sunnyskies9's topic in Patient Medications

    The orders you received were inconsistent, but if I had an order to record "vitals" q whatever ... I would not omit BP. Particularly when giving meds which can affect
  2. Altra

    Getting a job - from the employers perspective

    Altra replied to Nascar nurse's topic in Job Search, Interview, Resume

    Listing clinicals as employment ... ? OK, now I've had my "now I've heard it all" moment for the
  3. Altra

    Pulled from floor by "Men in Black"

    Altra replied to mikala3's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    The situation, as it has been presented, strains credulity. Maybe some important details are
  4. Altra

    Would you become an RN again if you had the choice?

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

    Yes, I would, without
  5. Altra

    Special touches

    Altra replied to kewlblu65's topic in General Nursing

    ^^THIS^^!!!
  6. Altra

    Salaries according to Specialties

    Altra replied to Faint's topic in General Nursing

    See www.bls.gov - lots of wage data by occupation and geograhic location. Also peruse the job listings on websites of hospitals in your area -- not all list pay, but some do, and there is generally...
  7. Altra

    Special touches

    Altra replied to kewlblu65's topic in General Nursing

    I mean this with all sincerity: if you have staffing sufficient to allow time for this sort of thing ... you have the time to think of something that will be meaningful in your particular setting....
  8. Altra

    Patient fx hip after family refused alarm

    Altra replied to Emilyinsc's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    It sounds to me like the LTC had a policy that bed alarms were to be used if resident met xyz criteria ... but no back up plan if alarms were refused. So they feel like they have no choice but to fire...
  9. Altra

    What is the least you'd be willing to get paid as a new grad BSN?

    Altra replied to ixchel's topic in First Year After Licensure

    Realize that entry-level pay varies by as much as $25/hr. depending on what region of the country you're in, and you'll understand the difficulty of inferring much useful information from the random...
  10. Altra

    Anyone started an unskilled, private pay home health agency/service/business?

    Altra replied to BA.LVN's topic in Nurse Entrepreneurs, Innovators

    Also think about all the things related to being an employer ... your hiring process, payroll, withholding taxes and submitting them to the state and IRS, compliance with all employment laws,
  11. Altra

    Interns takes credit for my idea!! so unfair sometimess

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

    This
  12. Altra

    Dropped pills

    Altra replied to mandaaRN's topic in Patient Medications

    I don't view this as irrational, erratic, or worthy of documentation. The patient is simply dulicating what would be common behavior at home. And ... please consider that the patient may very well...
  13. Altra

    Appointment setting / triage question

    Altra posted a topic in Ambulatory Care, Clinic

    Hello office practice nurses, a couple of recent experiences have left me bewildered. 1. I called PCP to schedule annual physical. I was asked if there were any areas of concern, and I did describe...
  14. Altra

    A nurse has an RN but did not get a diploma or BSN

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

    I'm guessing this person is a CA resident. There is a weird quirk of CA RN licensing law which allows LVNs who complete a significant portion of an RN program to sit for NCLEX. But they do so with...
  15. Altra

    Interns takes credit for my idea!! so unfair sometimess

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

    This is the nature of working in a teaching hospital. For your own sanity, you'll have to make peace with this fact, and incorporate it into a team approach to patient care. Otherwise you'll...
  16. Altra

    Autofill errors?

    Altra replied to nurseprnRN's topic in General Nursing

    Someone I know refers to our dictation software's quirks as
  17. Altra

    Perspective and sympathy

    Altra replied to KelRN215's topic in Pediatric

    This is certainly not limited to peds ... my definition of a Very Bad Day is not the same as that of most of the general population, ya know? My threshhold for "terrible" is a lot higher. But I...
  18. Altra

    Is my clinical instructor picking on me or am I overreacting?

    Altra replied to crunchytaco's topic in General Students

    With each semester you should be moving further along the curve, so the level of performance that was acceptable last semester is not necessarily sufficient later on. Does that make sense? If you are...
  19. Altra

    New grad in the ER-How do you know if a new grad will make it?

    Altra replied to whichone'spink's topic in Emergency

    I precept frequently (by choice) and I don't agree with that statement. A great beginning with a joke and a smile at 0700 does not guarantee success. Motivated, capable individuals may start at the...
  20. Altra

    Patient requests

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

    I will say, though, that cell phone chargers would be a useful personal care item to have for sale in the hospital gift shop ... if they weren't so well stocked with holiday giftware and home...
  21. Altra

    How much personal info do you share with pts?

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

    Be confident that these are indeed inappropriate questions, and there is absolutely no reason to answer them if you don't want to. Change the subject, give the patient a *look* ... the same half...
  22. Altra

    New grad RN in the ED. Am I being hard on myself?

    Altra replied to phlebitis's topic in Emergency

    You can take some of the pressure off of yourself if you recognize that you will *NOT* be "a good nurse" aka competent for at least a year. And in the ED, it will take up to 5 years for you to be...
  23. Altra

    Medical Terminology

    Altra replied to Newbie_1's topic in General Nursing

    Question for you, OP: is it even possible to work in xyz field without using the terminology appropriate to xyz? "Medical terminology" is not a foreign language superimposed on nurses. It is part of...
  24. Altra

    Sexual harrassment?

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

    That is not the EEOC's definition of sexual harassment. The harassing party does not have to be a superior to the party being harassed. Sexual Harassment "It is unlawful to harass a person (an...
  25. Altra

    Verbal er orders...help me understand this

    Altra replied to tiltgirl's topic in Emergency

    Verify the policies of your department and your hospital -- are PAs permitted to order