Spring152

Hi everyone! I am currently in Walden University for my MSN and in a couple of months I need to start the process of selecting a preceptor. Anyway, I need help in finding hospitals with a nursing informatics team. I called one hospital and they did not know what I was talking about. Should I have asked for the IT team or nurse educator instead? My hospital has a nursing informatics team but everyone was grandfathered in and are only BSN prepared. Any help will do. Thank you.

In my hospital, there are mandatory flu shots. However, if you sign the waiver, end up getting the flu, and take sick time, you will not be paid for that time off. I always take the vaccine, since I have Sickle Cell, but I think it is ridiculous to force people to take the vaccine. I read that the vaccine varies in effectiveness from year to year and this is why I believe it should be someone's choice and not mandatory. One person I work with never took the vaccine, but did take it this year. She ended up very sick a few days after and had to take a few days off. Then she thought she was getting better and became worse and ended up take off another couple of days. Many of the other people I work with became sick after taking the flu vaccine and then were working around the patients, which is not the smartest thing to do.

On my med/surg/oncology floor: vs q8hr, i&o q8hr On my telemetry floor: vs q4hr or more often if on a cardizem drip, i&o q8hr

At my hospital, you are required to either receive the flu vaccine or sign a paper saying you refused with all of the possible consequences to patients and co-workers listed. It is one of JCAHO's new "goals" for the year.

Have you tried remedial classes? Before taken my boards I attend Kaplan. Before you do anything, you take an exam. When resulted, the results shows your weaknesses and strengths. From there you can take exams in areas where you need help. Also it shows you how to pick the right answer if you are stuck on the question. There are other programs like Kaplan if it is not in your area. Good luck!

I always watch. My hospital has a pyxis, so you have to be in the med room to type in your ID number to witness. The sink and sharps box is right there. It only takes a second and can save you trouble later on.

Hi! I have been on a telemetry floor for 7 months after transferring from a med/surg unit. I want to transfer to the OR, but the manager blocks people from transferring to other units. I truly hate this unit. I work the night shift. We are always short staffed. I hate being the aide, tech, and US and still being blamed for things not being done. I love the people I work with, but I am tired of not having help. Now, I sent the transfer form without telling my manager. When I schedule my interview, I know that I will be asked about why I am leaving so soon. How can I answer this question without being negative about my manager and my unit?

I work for a facility that became Magnet in 2002 and renewed their status in 2006. Staffing is bad, retention is low, especially on my tele unit, and everyone is unhappy. The only time we have great staffing is when the State or JCAHO comes for an inspection. I do not know how many more months I can stay at this facility.

I have been a RN on nights 12 hr shifts for 4 years now and what you say is sooo true! Another advantage days has over nights is visiting hours usually doesn't start until 11am. So they have a few hours to assess, give meds, change dsg, etc without family and friends bothering you with every question under the sun. When I start my shift at 1900, there are a bunch of friends and family there and they bombard you with questions before you get to assess the pt! Also the short staff issue causes me to run late almost everyday! The other week, I had 7 patients on a tele floor, no aide and no tech. So we had to do our own VS every 4 hrs, give meds, clean patients, and do the 7am BS checks. Plus a nurse had to transfer a pt to the unit because they went bad and transfer another pt to a med/surg floor to make room for 2 new admits and all of this happened around 4am. Then a day shift nurse was mad because my pt was going for surgery and they expect the pt to have a full bed bath. I just did not have time. I made sure the patient was cleaned, but a full bed bath with no help? Please..... And the day nurse had an orientee and 2 techs, 3 aides, and less pts. They just don't understand.

Med Surg week is next month and I am on a committee to design a poster to display what med surg nurses do. I am stumped on what to put on this poster or how to arrange in a professional way. Any ideas? Thanks for any help!