Altra BSN, RN

Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU

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All Content by Altra

  1. Altra

    What are "vasoactive drips"?

    Altra replied to Nolander's topic in Critical Care

    Agree ... how can one decide to pursue nurse anesthesia without understanding what it is that they do ... or why experience requirements are what they are? Google result for phrase "vasoactive drips":...
  2. Altra

    Bedside... Really?

    Altra replied to Jennie.K's topic in Certified Nurse-Midwives, CNM

    I'm curious why you would hone in on nurse-midwifery as a career, when you indicate that you don't have a particular interest in delivering babies. IMO, that is why women choose a midwife as a...
  3. Altra

    Not impressed and depressed

    Altra replied to BitterSweetSN's topic in Pre-Nursing Students

    A lot of excellent advice here, particularly the posts from Stephalump &
  4. Altra

    Bedside... Really?

    Altra replied to Jennie.K's topic in Certified Nurse-Midwives, CNM

    Pretty derisive thread title chosen ... for a post on a NURSING
  5. Altra

    A week in the ER?!

    Altra replied to tigerlogic's topic in Emergency

    Not typical where I have worked, though demand for mental health services certainly outpaces supply just about everywhere. An ER stay of 10 - 20 hours is typical for our psychiatric patients -- from...
  6. Altra

    Nurses: Have you ever had to show compassion to someone who didn't want it?

    Altra replied to nursingstudent2458's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    People refuse meds/tests/treatments all the time for myriad reasons. You can re-educate on the rationale why it's being ordered, but competent adults are free to refuse. I don't interpret that as a...
  7. Altra

    Fast Track Nursing

    Altra replied to Ryan RN's topic in Emergency

    Are you sure about that? Low acuity patients from the waiting room have typically waited 1 - 6 hours before being seen where I work ... they're already ticked off before you even say hello. Fast...
  8. Altra

    Fast Track Nursing

    Altra replied to Ryan RN's topic in Emergency

    I've never been a fan of the attitude that ... if you're not up to your wrists in blood, or wrestling a drunk, or running multiple drips ... you're somehow less of a nurse. There's a great deal of...
  9. Altra

    I have a question about back boards

    Altra replied to Mystic_30's topic in Emergency

    1. What kind of race track are we talking about here? A horse or dog racing track, where those requiring medical attention are probably spectators or staff? Or a race track for cars/ATVs/dirt...
  10. Altra

    New RN, 3 weeks into orientation, total screw up.

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

    Another thought: Years and years from now when you are an experienced nurse ... your patients will still from time to time have adverse effects of meds, and physicians and others will still sometimes...
  11. Altra

    You know it's nursing when ...

    Altra posted a topic in Nursing Humor

    Enjoy!
  12. Altra

    Has anyone taken a Patient Experience Profile assessment?

    Altra replied to jobhunting's topic in General Nursing

    Have you looked at the website/link that they sent
  13. Altra

    What's in your pocket - ER Style

    Altra replied to Frizbeeboy's topic in Emergency

    Some of you carry a lot ... For me it's stethoscope, pens, trauma shears, lipstick, lip balm, and a little cash. And that's all. Everything else is stocked where I would need
  14. Altra

    Going too far?

    Altra replied to kellycinalli's topic in Emergency

    The textspeak makes your post very difficult to interpret, but I do note that this was not a work situation, but one with a personal friend. You are not that child's nurse, and her father was not...
  15. Altra

    How to draw post mortem blood sample for toxicology

    Altra replied to bekpow's topic in General Nursing

    It's just a peripheral blood draw. The number/color of tubes required will be specific to the lab doing the testing. If resuscitation of the patient was attempted, good documentation of all meds...
  16. Altra

    What kind of little "Thanks" does your hospital give, or are they too cheap?

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

    I, like, have been a professional in a field other than nursing, so my contacts outside of healthcare are many. Maybe my point was better demonstrated in this post: Just picturing the scenario of a...
  17. Altra

    alternatives in admitting dx: hiv

    Altra replied to SNB1014's topic in General Nursing

    A few points: HIV+ status does not require contact precautions, only standard precautions. What concerns do you have about "spreading the disease" as an RN caring for the patient? What "cultures" are...
  18. Altra

    Nurse mommies! Need advice!

    Altra replied to magn1jes's topic in General Nursing

    A wise woman (Mom) taught me this: You can "have it all" ... but you can't have it all at the same time. You'll need to decide what is the priority right now - your career or your home
  19. Altra

    Lacking Conflict Resolution and Delegation Skills...Really?

    Altra replied to determined2doit's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    Agree with Asystole RN's post -- the organization would be shooting itself in the foot to promote someone who has obvious disrespect for coworkers, and possibly the organization
  20. Altra

    a question i like to ask RNS

    Altra replied to learningriss's topic in General Nursing

    This varies from state to state. In my state and others, school districts can only hire nurses with the state-approved school nurse certification. In my state, this involves 1-2 semesters of...
  21. Altra

    I think - I've Got It - Double Check Me?

    Altra replied to JayCimone's topic in Pre-Nursing Students

    Essentially, yes. Many universities do not have students declare a major until sometime in the sophomore year - this is common. So for now set about picking a college/university (if you haven't...
  22. Altra

    a question i like to ask RNS

    Altra replied to learningriss's topic in General Nursing

    If you are considering school nursing or other non-bedside care positions, you would be best served by pursing a BSN and RN
  23. Altra

    What kind of little "Thanks" does your hospital give, or are they too cheap?

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

    Trinkets and gift cards are a slippery slope, IMO, to trivializing performance. Do adult professionals in other fields expect gift cards for exceptional
  24. Altra

    Is dating or flirting with an another nurse or patient is acceptable?

    Altra replied to Beautifulvirgo's topic in Pre-Nursing Students

    Bold emphasis is mine. So you've already crossed this important boundary, and are just now asking if it's acceptable? Think long and hard about your personal definition of professionalism, and whether...
  25. Altra

    Nursing and coaching high school athletics

    Altra replied to langston.4's topic in General Nursing

    If you are pursuing your MSW ... why are you also looking to be a nurse? As far as the high school sports, as a nurse or a social worker you would have to find a job where you could be free and at the...