Altra BSN, RN

Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU

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All Content by Altra

  1. Altra

    Use of Restraints on Intubated patients - ER and ICU

    Altra replied to MassED's topic in Emergency

    I agree with what you're saying, except the implication (might just be my interpretation) that orders aren't needed in an ED setting. And that is simply not the case. Orders are needed -- it might...
  2. Altra

    How into detail do nursing studies go?

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

    Did you consider a non-internet source of information, such as a course catalog or admissions information from a school in your
  3. Altra

    HIPPA and Parents of Minors

    Altra replied to vintagemother's topic in HIPAA Challenges

    The dentist did this in reverse ... exam first, then consultation with parent. The pediatrician group had the parent present while vital signs were obtained and height & weight checked, to...
  4. Altra

    HIPPA and Parents of Minors

    Altra replied to vintagemother's topic in HIPAA Challenges

    The pediatrician and even the pediatric dentist who saw my children when they were still minors strongly encouraged parents of adolescents to remain in the waiting room. In my state, 13 is the age at...
  5. Altra

    Use of Restraints on Intubated patients - ER and ICU

    Altra replied to MassED's topic in Emergency

    You do need an order. When our ER docs are leaving the room following an intubation, I make sure I remind them to enter the orders for restraints and whatever we're giving for
  6. Altra

    Family...my OWN family...discourages me from nursing...

    Altra replied to Jc1982's topic in General Students

    I'd put an end to those comments with a firm MYOB, and add that if my full-time education bothers them so much, then we can mutually agree to limit contact for the duration of nursing school. And as...
  7. Altra

    What is "Leapfrog ' recognition ..and how did this facility earn it?

    Altra replied to Been there,done that's topic in General Nursing

    The Leapfrog
  8. Altra

    Should penmanship be a mandatory course for physicians?

    Altra replied to DichloroacetateAl's topic in General Nursing

    Not a problem where I work, as we utilize CPOE. (computerized physician order
  9. Altra

    So tired of managers who play favorites.......vent

    Altra replied to happygrandma3's topic in Nurse Management

    A thousand kudos for the post above. Want to be a smart, effective professional? Then you've got to look past the end of your own nose and look at the unit and the organization as a
  10. Altra

    Against our Policy to give Professional Reference??

    Altra replied to jodyangel's topic in General Nursing

    I'm not saying that I agree or disagree with such a policy. But why is it "lame", from the organization's point of
  11. Altra

    What to do?! Waiting to hear back from employer!

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

    Congratulations on passing NCLEX. Filling that open position is just one of that manager's responsibilities; in fact, it is tacked on to more normal, day-to-day stuff. He also likely has to...
  12. Altra

    Against our Policy to give Professional Reference??

    Altra replied to jodyangel's topic in General Nursing

    OP, as you state, you have been a nurse for 30 years. Hopefully you have accumulated enough contacts along the way that there is a managerial-level colleague who is willing to provide a personal...
  13. Altra

    Non stemi

    Altra replied to TT2seven's topic in MICU, SICU

    Recognizing ST elevation and actually activating the cath lab are two different things. Anyone ACLS-certified should certainly be able to recognize such. A physician needs to be notified immediately...
  14. Altra

    Question re: rape

    Altra replied to RainMom's topic in Emergency

    There is an "obligation" to collect evidence only if the patient agrees to the exam, and it is impossible for any of us to know exactly what the conversation was between the patient and the physician....
  15. Altra

    Ruptured Appendix

    Altra replied to MassED's topic in Emergency

    While I work in a Level I trauma center with "gung ho" surgery residents, no one is ever gung ho to open up an abdomen. I have never had a patient with this exact scenario, but I can see a...
  16. Altra

    What are your tricks for leaving work at work?

    Altra replied to ixchel's topic in General Nursing

    Can you identify what exactly you are ruminating about when you're away from work? And consider, too, that if you are a new nurse ... anything challenging will seem to occupy much of your...
  17. Altra

    Hypothermic policy

    Altra replied to cparra's topic in MICU, SICU

    Here's a link to one system/protocol: http://www.med.upenn.edu/resuscitation/hypothermia/documents/ChristHospitalHypothermiaProtocol.pdf In our unit, post-arrest patients being cooled are not...
  18. Altra

    Moving On

    Altra replied to RN-767's topic in General Nursing

    I completely agree with you, OP, that nursing is not for everyone. I am curious about your experience in nursing school clinicals -- did you get any inkling that you would not enjoy nursing? And I...
  19. Altra

    She got fired...

    Altra replied to StL_Momma27's topic in General Nursing

    Did I get so caught up in the vein-suturing that I missed the part where the nurse chewed the patient's
  20. Altra

    Nursing is slavery Period!!!

    Altra replied to sonia211's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    Thank you RubyVee, for an excellent
  21. Altra

    Career Change and need SERIOUS help

    Altra replied to TrynafindmyCalling's topic in Nursing Career

    i wondered about this too. agreed! i agree that benefits in public-sector jobs (public education, government, etc) are unmatched in the private sector. unionization in nursing varies widely...
  22. Altra

    New grad in the ER, yes or no?

    Altra replied to FORTHELOVEOF!!!!'s topic in Emergency

    My answer is a qualified yes -- for the right new grad who is prepared for the reality of ER nursing AND who is in an ED with a well-planned orientation program that fosters the development of skills...
  23. Altra

    HR lied to Unemployment!!

    Altra replied to jodyangel's topic in General Nursing

    Not embittered at all. I have received unemployment benefits in the past when I was abruptly downsized out of a job along with 140 other people working at the same location. I do have opinions on the...
  24. Altra

    Nursing Boundaries...can I go feed my patients cats?

    Altra replied to srg4784's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    Many things wrong with this. Please don't put yourself, your patient, or your employer in this inappropriate
  25. Altra

    How would you react to a corrective resignation letter?

    Altra replied to EarthwormRN's topic in Nursing Career

    Meaningful feedback on the employee's experience can be enlightening. The feedback mechanism works well in an exit