Jill - Pa

Hi. I graduated with my ADN and instead of heading straight to the trenches, decided to attend school for my BSN. The RN to BSN program I attended was 30 credits; I went full time and completed it in a year. Was it worth it? Yes and no. Financial...

A girl I worked with had them. She "demonstrated" their fluid resistancy by pouring a glass of water on her thigh....the water just rolled off. I can say that the material didn't feel very comfortable when I touched it. Made me think of dark blue ...

Hey. I was never one who developed UTIs until I became a nurse...long hours without enough bathroom breaks, maybe? I've had five UTIs in the past year and now my MD is recommending that I see a urologist. Has anyone out there gone this route? What ...

My husband likes "Designer Whey Protein Supplement." It is made by next Proteins. Jill (Pa)

I take melatonin to get me through my nightshifts and my switch back to normal life. I take 6mg (2 3mg tablets) a half hour before bedtime. My sleep is always natural-feeling and I wake up refreshed. Benadryl/Tylenol PM makes me have weird dreams,...

Look into melatonin. You can purchase it over the counter. http://www.sleepfoundation.org/publications/melatoninthefact.cfm I swear by it to sleep when night shifts have thrown my body out of whack. Jill (Pa)

I also occasionally get itchy bumps that occur between my knuckles. I get three or four insanely itchy bumps every few months. My dermatologist diagnosed "Dyshidrotic Eczema" and says it is related to frequent washing of hands with harsh, hospital ...

Why I work 12-hour shifts: I like stretches of days on and then stretches of days off. If I schedule it right, I can have off for 6, 7, or 8 days in a row. With working days in a row, the continuity of care is at optimal levels. I feel like I'm th...

Hi. I graduated from Pitt's RN to BSN program in 2001. I'm now in grad school there. Do you work locallly? Jill

Hi. I currently work at UPMC Shadyside. I know the school has a good reputation and the graduating students have done really well in my unit. I know there is no real "waiting list" and even a generous scholarship if you commit to working there for ...

I wish surgeons would be more truthful about outcomes for surgery (I work in a cardiac ICU). Instead of words like "high risk" and "10-15% mortality." I wish they'd say, "With you being 300+ pounds, a smoker, dialysis dependent, it is unlikely this...

I sent the one I used when I worked on a cardiothoracic post-op floor to your private email. Let me know if you don't get it. Jill (Pa)

I currently work at UPMC Shadyside. From what I understand, Shadyside no longer uses outside agency personnel (for at least a year now). The float pool solely covers staffing holes. Jill

I know people who work per diem at Mercy. I can forward your post to them. I'm currently at UPMC Shadyside. Jill

Nursekeck, I had a posterior discectomy a year ago in April. I herniated two discs after a cough (yes, a cough...not even a violent one either). My right hand was numb, and I had severe, shooting-type, neck pain. I was only comfortable with my lef...

I work for a UPMC hospital and had to take the PBDS prior to starting employment ( 2+ years ago). Deb provides a great summary. My advice would be to sit close to the television for the vignette portion. It is supposed to be a measure of employe...

Hi. Are there any long-legged nurses out there frustrated with the fit of scrub/nursing pants? I am tired of returning pants (I do a lot of shopping online) that are long enough but have a waistband far to high for my liking (mid torso). Does anyon...

A quick search came up with this informative site: RT: The Journal for Respiratory Care Practioners http://www.rtmagazine.com/Articles.ASP?articleid=R0304F05

Our facility has a wonderful in-patient cardiac rehab program. Patients are seen pre-operatively (if possible) and then again on the first post-op day. They are seen 2-3 times daily until discharge. On each visit, the patients walk with the rehab ...

First try: http://www.icufaqs.org/Pacemakers.doc A lot of it becomes clear when you actually get your hands on one and can play with it while it is connected to an actual person. A mneumonic I developed when trying to determine what wire goes where w...

The only time our ICU reacts patients is on nightshift when our PACU (recovery room) staff is not there. Jill (Pa)

From what I remember, the new ACLS guidelines are now saying to not use the "informal" tape method, but recommend the commerial-type secures. Our unit uses the type mentioned in the first post. When we tape-secured ETTs, we repositioned every 24 h...