Altra BSN, RN

Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU

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All Content by Altra

  1. Altra

    Nurse Educator without nursing experience.. (?)

    Altra replied to bsnwnab's topic in Nursing Career

    OP, if what you are after is an academic career, why not pursue a degree in a "pure" science such as biology or chemistry and teach that? Any *applied* science, such as nursing, inherently requires an...
  2. Altra

    IV forms of Zofran and Decadron given PO???

    Altra replied to GleeGum's topic in Emergency

    I think this misrepresents the original question: OP asked if anyone was familiar with giving certain specific IV meds p.o. The oral suspension steroids (OraPred, etc.) taste terrible ... much easier...
  3. Altra

    Spouses being asked to leave the room

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

    This is something of a pet peeve of mine: I am caring for your family member. In order to do that, I need to be able to move freely throughout the room. I cannot think of any instance where I would...
  4. Altra

    Conveying shadow experience--HIPAA?

    Altra replied to celticsgirl17's topic in HIPAA Challenges

    You can list your shadowing experiences at XYZ facility if you wish ... you are not saying anything about any specific patient so there is no HIPAA issue. You might want to brush up on exactly what...
  5. Altra

    Stretching the truth...

    Altra replied to FaithGurl93's topic in Job Search, Interview, Resume

    OP, take a look at your thread title ... and ask yourself, "would I hire this
  6. Altra

    Does your supervisor call & text you at all hours?

    Altra replied to CrazyGoonRN's topic in General Nursing

    That scenario ... would prompt a discussion with human resources or that supervisor's boss ... or
  7. Altra

    Let the next shift deal with it...

    Altra replied to night owl's topic in General Nursing

    Ten year-old thread which appears to have been resurrected into its current zombie incarnation for the purpose of debating lab vs. nurse. And that topic, in my book, is about as productive as new...
  8. Altra

    New ED Program: Charting vs. Patient Care

    Altra replied to heidi5093's topic in Emergency

    Agree with the previous poster -- keep the lines of communication open. There is an adjustment period with any new system and it's likely to dramatically slow productivity in the short term. Work with...
  9. Altra

    Behavioural Management in Emergency, need ideas...

    Altra replied to NO50FRANNY's topic in Emergency

    Wow, this is a handful, NO50FRANNY. In most US states, the repeated self-harm with that much acetaminophen would have produced an involuntary psychiatric commitment. And if his IQ (and therefore...
  10. Altra

    Super Discouraged New RN

    Altra replied to juliam's topic in General Nursing

    If you have spent a full year in a specific area of nursing out of the ICU and still feel drawn back to the critical care environment, I'd say that's probably sufficient time to make that decision....
  11. Altra

    100k salary?

    Altra replied to pilot833's topic in General Nursing

    Overview of BLS Wage Data by Area and Occupation OP, wages and costs of living (housing, transportation, state & local taxes, costs of food and everything else) vary dramatically by region. Start...
  12. Altra

    Would Emt certification help to get into the ED?

    Altra replied to Faro's topic in Emergency

    The certification without ever having worked as an EMT - no. Actually working as an EMT - yes. As for the DUI issue, you need to think about how this will affect your candicacy for nursing licensure...
  13. Altra

    Assessing the hyperglycemic patient

    Altra replied to flyingchange's topic in Emergency

    This is something you will see frequently in the ED. Diabetes is a tough disease to manage as it requires major lifestyle changes, diligence, and can be associated with significant out-of-pocket...
  14. Altra

    Management demanding perfection from a new grad

    Altra replied to lmd-RN's topic in First Year After Licensure

    As I precept regularly, your story angers me. It is self-defeating and costly to both the new grad AND to the organization to mismanage orientation programs. In your particular case, I don't see in...
  15. Altra

    Can I live this lifestyle as a nurse?

    Altra replied to lrosen95's topic in General Nursing

    Typical pay for registered nurses in those areas: Overview of BLS Wage Data by Area and Occupation Local newspapers/real estate listings ... Travel sites on which you can hypothetically plan the...
  16. Altra

    Have been in the ER for 3 hrs now....

    Altra replied to MadpeysRN's topic in Emergency

    Exacerbations of chronic pain are typically a 4-5 hour wait to be seen in my ER. Usually no prescriptions, just the notorious "3 to go" ... but if a provider does write a script it will be for a...
  17. Altra

    RNs being drafted during World War 3

    Altra replied to Laboratorian's topic in Activism, Healthcare

    How do I feel about something very hypothetical? The U.S. ended its draft in 1973 - reinstituting it would require action from Congress. And how are we defining "the next world
  18. Altra

    jehovahs witness- refusing to..

    Altra replied to Skylar86's topic in Emergency

    Certain Caribbean cultures consider blood like "life force" and are reluctant to have blood
  19. Altra

    Do you give mag off pump?

    Altra replied to BellaInBlueScrubsRN's topic in Emergency

    I have run 1 or 2 g Mag in a 50mL bag wide open via gravity in respiratory distress patients as VICEDRN described, in all 3 hospitals where I have worked. Unreal ... that pharmacists at your...
  20. Altra

    Where are all the young nurses?

    Altra replied to bestallaround's topic in General Nursing

    The only thing I can generalize from your post is that you have worked in places with low turnover, and that's probably a good thing.
  21. Altra

    Does your personal doctor work where you work?

    Altra replied to Calder's topic in General Nursing

    Yes, this. I also switched PCPs after observing that mine ... clearly hates
  22. Altra

    changing from FT status to PRN, thoughts?

    Altra replied to loving2's topic in General Nursing

    The previous poster makes an important point about stepping off the "career track" ... but this can be temporary. You can both aggressively pursue a career and have time with children ... but you...
  23. Altra

    What I have learned to HATE about Nursing

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

    Some important clarification on post-discharge surveys ... HCAHPS surveys are sent by the CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid) division of the federal Dept. of Health & Human Services (HHS)...
  24. Altra

    Skill's Fair for the E.D.

    Altra replied to CapeCod2424's topic in Emergency

    Agree with the above posts. Want people to take skill proficiency seriously? Then leave out silly themes. Focus on the task at hand. Some useful token of appreciation is nice if there is a budget...
  25. Altra

    IVs on baby-Am I too sensitive?

    Altra replied to RN4kidz11's topic in Pediatric

    A kiddo whose fluid deficit has progressed to the point of dry mouth/no tears/decreased urine output -- NEEDS IV FLUIDS. A break to attempt to rehydrate orally? Does this fit into the urgency of the...