Altra BSN, RN

Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU

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All Content by Altra

  1. Altra

    Drawing blood from central lines

    Altra posted a topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    After several years working in the ER, I am relatively new to critical care. I have a question regarding drawing labs from central lines. Several nurses I work with now like to draw labs in the...
  2. Altra

    Question! I'm looking to advance in the nursing career but..

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

    If it is an option ... get the BSN. However, until you get some exposure to the OR environment and the critical care environment ... I think it's way premature to be considering the MSN in nurse...
  3. Altra

    Lost two kids yesterday

    Altra replied to Double-Helix's topic in PICU, Pediatric

    {{hugs}}
  4. Altra

    Veteran nurses.... I appreciate you!

    Altra replied to NurseLoveJoy88's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    I noticed that incongruity
  5. Altra

    "Tainted" nursing experience?

    Altra replied to NottaSpringChik's topic in Correctional

    If it makes you feel any better, I have heard similar comments about emergency nursing. And I wholeheartedly agree - you don't want to work for a manager who would make such comments. You'd be better...
  6. Altra

    7p-7a or 3p-3a...any insight?

    Altra replied to srobb11's topic in Emergency

    I'd take 3p - 3a. You'll get exposure to both day and night shift staff, management, and typical patient census. And you can probably be asleep by 5am, while it's still dark. Good luck to you.
  7. Altra

    why and how can people abuse the ER?

    Altra replied to esunada's topic in Emergency

    From your post I surmise that you are in Canada. Some clarification: No one in the US is turned away from a medical screening exam at an emergency department. This is a requirement of a federal law...
  8. Altra

    patient death from PE

    Altra replied to RockingItInTheER's topic in General Nursing

    http://www.emedicinehealth.com/understanding_birth_control_medications_contrace/article_em.htm Thromboembolism (blood clots): Women who use estrogen-containing birth control pills are at a 3- to...
  9. Altra

    Do your staff desert the floor during a potluck?

    Altra replied to pattyslattery's topic in General Nursing

    Sounds like your manager has dealt with the situation. Let it
  10. Altra

    what to do when pts aren't nice?

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

    Thanks - I needed
  11. Altra

    why and how can people abuse the ER?

    Altra replied to esunada's topic in Emergency

    One word: EMTALA OK, it's actually seven words: Emergency Medical Treatment & Active Labor Act. In a nutshell, an emergency department must perform a medical screening exam on all patients who...
  12. Altra

    Problems with the aging nurses

    Altra replied to RNGriffin's topic in General Nursing

    Yes, the one titled "Problems with the aging nurses"
  13. Altra

    Problems with the aging nurses

    Altra replied to RNGriffin's topic in General Nursing

    I've had a good chuckle, reading this entire thread. OP, if you want to work in a unit with only your same-age peers, you can find one. They're out there. That probably sounds all McDreamy-like to...
  14. Altra

    Shocked...Confused...& Terminated=SAD "(

    Altra replied to NrsLucky's topic in General Nursing

    Not quite. Though you correctly note that the incident took place in an office practice setting ... per the OP, the patient was syncopal, hypotensive, and bradycardic. An ammonia capsule was used to...
  15. Altra

    somebody tell me what this is?

    Altra replied to unsaint77's topic in General Nursing

    I watched the video and saw nothing carelesss, and nothing that varied greatly from the sternal IO insertion I have seen in practice. The video did not show the site being prepped - from the gauze...
  16. Altra

    Planned Parenthood, Women's Health Issues, Nurses could rule the US

    Altra replied to Karen's topic in Activism, Healthcare

    Umm ... what if I don't want to support the ANA? (I don't, at all) What if my priorities for governmental regulation of health care are not the same as yours, or the next
  17. Altra

    WHY do nurses apologize for doing their jobs?

    Altra replied to rntj's topic in General Nursing

    There are certain conventions of language that comprise good manners, including saying please, thank you, excuse me, and I'm
  18. Altra

    Bully?! Help,I need good comebacks!

    Altra replied to rn865's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    This is not bullying. OP, you have gotten some good examples of direct communication to
  19. Altra

    blood draw from PICC

    Altra replied to littlegreenfrog's topic in General Nursing

    LOL Muno, not going to get into a "my source says this, your source says that" ... My experience is that everywhere you work, there are protocols put in place based on available research and the...
  20. Altra

    blood draw from PICC

    Altra replied to littlegreenfrog's topic in General Nursing

    Heparin's half life is approx. 90 minutes. RxMed: Pharmaceutical Information -
  21. Altra

    If you had to do it over again would you?

    Altra replied to Tally4970's topic in General Nursing

    I do not discount the negative experiences of any posters in this thread. The thread has reinforced my appreciation for how blessed I have been. I also came into nursing as a second career. I am...
  22. Altra

    Cooling Line for a TBI patient

    Altra replied to nkochrn's topic in General Nursing

    Yes, this is a central line catheter with a temperature probe connected to a machine which delivers cooled fluids at a precise temperature to cool the patient to a specified temp over a specified time...
  23. Altra

    blood draw from PICC

    Altra replied to littlegreenfrog's topic in General Nursing

    Agree - don't use the vacutainers with a PICC. I turn off Heparin for 10 minutes before checking a PTT, and I draw that from a separate site from where it is infusing, even if it means another...
  24. Altra

    Shocked...Confused...& Terminated=SAD "(

    Altra replied to NrsLucky's topic in General Nursing

    I wish you well, OP. I too am curious just how low the patient's heart rate and BP were. But you don't have to share that with us if you don't want to. For your future reference, in my experience in...
  25. Altra

    Shocked...Confused...& Terminated=SAD "(

    Altra replied to NrsLucky's topic in General Nursing

    I completely disagree. Codes/emergent situations require more than one set of hands,