diane227 LPN, RN

I use a 2x2 sponge to open vials. It gives you a little more padding in case the edge is jagged.

It is legal. It would be a requirement of that job to have attractive staff because that is the business that they are in.

When unlicensed/ or minimally qualified staff work under the supervision of the MD in an office or clinic setting, they essentially work under his license and he/ she is responsible for the supervision/ actions of that person. If something goes wron...

Volunteer work looks good on a resume but will usually not count toward work experience time which is what is counted in order to place you into a salary grade.

I went back to med-surg after 30 years of doing everything else. It was very stressful but I really liked it. But it was easier for me because I had been a nurse for a long time. Patients who are in the hospital are much sicker than they used to b...

Some facilities post a minimum salary range on their sites, especially if it is a government job. Don't talk salary yet. But don't forget to ask about relocation allowance. What part of your move will they pay for. Do this in advance of accepting...

Make your letter professional. Don't use any of these people as a reference for your new job. All employment checks have to go through HR and they are prohibited from giving certain information. If you plan to use your manager as a future referenc...

If they mandate it as part of your employment requirements I believe they can.

I went though a similar experience this year, being over 50 and being out of a job for the first time in my life. I was out of work for almost 6 months but am happy to report that I did find a position. And I believe that this entire experience has...

You go to your new doctor, sign a consent for records transfer. They will fax the request for the records to your former physician and they will send the records to the new doctor. Now, as for the type of doctor, it really depends on your needs. A ...

You have fallen into the trap of trying to be logical with the illogical. When you get a call like this, you have to go into the "Delbert" interaction mode. Thank you for your concern. I am well now. I am aware of my work obligations. Thank you fo...

It sounds like you do not work in a very supportive environment. It has been my experience that management sets the tone for the unit. If management is unfair and struggling with their own issues, that cannot be good for the morale of the unit. It ...

With the current standards addressing the areas appropriate for an IM injection, I am told by nursing instructors that I have worked with that you no longer need to do this. However, being old school, it is a habit.

I strongly recommend that you not make any assumptions about what is going on with her. I would ask that you take her aside in private and tell her that you feel that you have always gotten along with her well and that she has been a great help to y...

It seems cruel but it is important to remember that while you are placing them into a bag you can also preserve the dignity of the deceased. As long as the body is clean that is all you can do. Remember that if the patient was a victim of trauma or...

In the state of Washington hospitals must post their daily staffing pattern: number of patients, nurses, CNA's and other staff. Nursing homes must do this also. Patients DO feel more comfortable with a nurse who is smiling and friendly. They oft...

I would be a nurse but I would travel and work in underserved areas.... and then I would write.

Men often get mistaken for doctors because we still continue to experience the same old prejudices: men are doctors, women are nurses.

I would take a refresher course if I were you. That may help you feel more on track, especially if it has been two years since you have practiced some of your skills.

I have worked as a staff nurse and as a manager. I believe that a person can learn to be a good manager if they take the time to do so. Also, it is imperative that managers be advocates for patient safety and for the staff. I have never met one pe...

I agree. As a manager I tried to get down to the facts. What this issue was and what needs to be done to fix it. I tried whenever possible to allow the staff to come up with their own solution because after all, the people doing the work are the o...

Trust me on this. If you have a manager who does not like you for what ever reason, they will figure out a way to get rid of you. Either by termination or making life such hell that you leave on your own. Any manager with just a little bit of talen...

No they were not on break when they were in the stairwell. Once, someone was actually in there with a hooker. If you want to have sex on your break I don't care. Just go out to your car. You just cannot imagine some of the stuff that goes on in ...

Competency is determined in a court of law but usually a psychiatric evaluation is required. Does this patient have a power of attorney? Had he had a recent, complete neuro evaluation? I would speak to the physicians, the manager and your social w...

Just take a job and get some experience under your belt. It is tight right now. I have never seen so many nurses having difficulty finding a job. I myself, with 32 year of experience just got a job after being out of work for 5 months. You might ...