Altra BSN, RN

Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU

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All Content by Altra

  1. Altra

    Pharmacy Techs in ED

    Altra replied to wildlaurel's topic in Emergency

    Our ER pharmacist sometimes fulfills this role. If techs are going to be responsible for doing this for all ED patients, though ... I would take advantage of the opportunity to get this function out...
  2. Altra

    What is your ER's PCI med protocol?

    Altra replied to NeoPediRN's topic in Emergency

    We have a cath lab. About half of the STEMIs discovered in the field bypass the ER entirely -- if the cath lab can be ready then there's no need to stop in the ER. For ER patients the meds given are...
  3. Altra

    ER Pharmacist?!

    Altra replied to PatMac10,RN's topic in General Nursing

    In larger hospitals, particularly academic ones, there may be pharmacists assigned full-time to certain units - most typically the various ICUs and the emergency department. They monitor meds...
  4. Altra

    New RN in the ER

    Altra replied to *lorie's topic in Emergency

    It will take you 2-3 years to feel comfortable and 3-5 to really know your stuff. So you're not off pace yet
  5. Altra

    Bug-Out-Bag for natural disasters

    Altra replied to cyntrim's topic in General Nursing

    Change of clothes and undies, my old glasses, contact lens case & solution, feminine hygiene stuff, deodorant, granola bars & cell phone charger. In winter: snow shovel, kitty litter, ice...
  6. Altra

    Forced to stay and work under mandatory evacuation?

    Altra replied to squatmunkie_RN's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    No attacks on character here, but I will say that some, including the OP, have apparently not taken sufficient note of the role that hospitals play in the public safety system - even private...
  7. Altra

    NG tube in an intubated patient

    Altra replied to stephynic21's topic in Emergency

    If the patient is already intubated ... why an NG instead of an OG? Agree with 313RN -- if the NG got past the cuff on the ETT, there's a little more that went
  8. Altra

    Lost my first peds pt

    Altra replied to That Guy's topic in Emergency

    You will not forget that patient. The experience becomes part of you and with a little time ... becomes part of what makes you stronger.
  9. Altra

    Benadryl and Inapsine

    Altra replied to brainkandy87's topic in Emergency

    I think the OP's concerns are valid. But sometimes I miss Droperidol
  10. Altra

    Just found out my partner's dad is a DNR

    Altra replied to ionatan's topic in General Nursing

    "Family" as defined by the OP, her partner's father, or any of us, means little here, IMO. It's all about attempting to comply with a person's wishes. The lady in line ahead of me at the grocery store...
  11. Altra

    Just found out my partner's dad is a DNR

    Altra replied to ionatan's topic in General Nursing

    Agree - unless a copy of the valid DNR document is present with your partner's dad ... all resuscitative efforts will be attempted. You really don't need to pursue this with the out-of-state POA -...
  12. Altra

    SANE/Sexual Assault Nurse (training differences, experiences)

    Altra replied to grace_lorraine87's topic in General Nursing

    I'm not sure what you mean by the NLN. You may mean that you are currently taking prerequisite courses with the intention of applying to one or more nursing programs which utilize a pre-admission exam...
  13. Altra

    Patient Abuse

    Altra replied to DichloroacetateAl's topic in General Nursing

    The things you describe in you post may be immature, unprofessional, and unkind ... but not
  14. Altra

    average age of a nurse?

    Altra replied to mee9mee9's topic in General Nursing

    The typical adult's working life spans roughly ages 20 - 65, give or take a few years. In nursing, or any other field, you will find individuals throughout that
  15. Altra

    Maybe I just don't know...

    Altra replied to Kdids520's topic in Emergency

    It does depend on the protocols of your department, but in the ED it is often expected that the nurse will initiate certain treatments - fluids for vomiting or diarrhea, neb tx for SOB, Tylenol for a...
  16. Altra

    The ER Doctor's Point Of View

    Altra replied to Erdoc75's topic in Emergency

    Your points are all valid, OP. But depending on the culture and management expectations of the hospital where you work, please be mindful that the nurse may be expected to do just about anything...
  17. Altra

    Handling rude or dishonest patients

    Altra replied to wildlaurel's topic in Emergency

    I've done this. In an ICU setting I have also pulled up days of care conference documentation on the computer in the patient room, to *review* with family who state that "you people don't tell us...
  18. Altra

    Hospitals paying for our kids' education

    Altra replied to NurseLumpia's topic in Operating Room

    I know of some university-affiliated hospitals which offer this benefit, because they are divisions of the university itself. Tuition benefits for spouses/children to attend that particular...
  19. Altra

    funny blog

    Altra replied to pm2rn's topic in Nursing Humor

    Yes, this kind of thing can lead to trouble ranging from deterioration of workplace relationships to serious consequences for employment. I have also learned from experience that the general public...
  20. Altra

    Vent: Why I won't accompany my mother to the ER anymore

    Altra replied to BelgianRN's topic in Emergency

    Respectfully, I wouldn't worry much that the RNs taking care of this critically ill patient were much concerned with the perception(s) of a nursing student right at that moment. Glad to hear of your...
  21. Altra

    Report On Nursing & Nursing Education - circa 1980

    Altra replied to DoGoodThenGo's topic in General Nursing

    The descriptions/projections for LPNs seem pretty accurate. The Occupational Outlook Handbook is an annual publication, now online, although print copies probably still exist. Home : Occupational...
  22. Altra

    Punching out within 6 minutes of shift end, anyone??

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

    Clocking out within a certain time frame that does not incur unplanned, incremental OT has been an expectation everywhere that I have worked ... although I have to say that I have never seen someone...
  23. Altra

    Question on skin to skin touching

    Altra replied to germsjackson's topic in Emergency

    My serious question to the OP is ... do you shake hands with people? Hand them an object which might involve some brief touching of hands? Hug others? Kiss? Kiss cheeks? Pick up children? If not,...
  24. Altra

    African American male here. I have some questions for my fellow nurses

    Altra replied to Shack502's topic in General Students

    Congratulations and good luck to you!
  25. Altra

    Military Nursing Book Thread

    Altra replied to JustADream's topic in Government, Military

    Great thread! :) Women at the Front: Hospital Workers in Civil War America (Schultz; ISBN-13: