melbnurse

At my facillity, all Ortho post ops wear TEDs until they are fully ambulant

Aha ! at last ! something I might be able to help with ! Isn't it the pits, when you have hung the bag , set the rate ect , and triumphantly " hit " the switch, .....hold breath, and " beep beep" We have inserted a simple cup hook on the end of the cupboard where we prepare flasks , and before priming the line , ensure that the clip is closed directly under the drip chamber, before ypu spike the bag. Fill the drip chamber , BEFORE priming the rest of the line . Also LEAVE the guard on the bit that goes in the pump, til the line is primed . Has worked a treat for us This may be of help

I am quite at loss ! I have never had any involvment with Computer charting . if you guys have the time, would you mind explaining the set up for me ? I am in OZ. Do I understand that the Nurse assigned to the patient care , does NOT take her own VS ect ? I would find this very hard to cope with, and if the primary Nurse can just " get her Obs , sorry VS off a computer , could this not lead to the possibility of nnot actually doing a physical assessment on the patients she is responsible for ? I am not being critical, just enquiring as to the set up there

We use the saline , to both prime the tubing, and flush same, we do not necssarily run the entire 100ml. It also is routine for our Docs to order Lasix between units

I too have made many friends online, and just last year , a friend from Texas came over to stay with me ( melbourne) and we had a great time! Mind you , we had been online buddies for 4 years , but it was as if we knew each other so well. Good Luck! I think it is a great idea, house swapping is also an option Cheers

Isearl, your point about us using the Process without really thinking about it is so true, I fully support your concept, regarding individual NCPs, as each person's needs are different

Oh! how I agree! Yet another " draft copy" of more paperwork to " trial" Very funny , I have e-mailed it to my Nursing unit Managr! lol

We usually give 1000u/s/ml, three monthly

Well, Majikbear, I must disagree with you! I . too have worked night shift for a long time at one stage , and as far as I am concerned , if you , meaning any N/S staff, have contracted to work nights , you should accept the responsibilty for THAT shift ! Sleeping while on duty , is NOT acceptable , under any circumstances

yeah! But Gwenith, don't you think it was wrong , for RNs to give not ordered meds ? There really is no excuse ! wake the bloody Doc , who cares ! I may well think wrongly re this , but as you know Gwenith, there are " nurse initiated " drugs , but I don't think this was 1 of them Leigh

Hi Gwineth Can't really help you there ! I m not from Brissy, and hav been working in an isolated area , ( RFDS) for 21 years , prior to returning to Melboure . I heard about it , but don't have any info. Will ask around tho leigh

It is dreadful to feel that nursing staff would be too intimidated to ring a Doctor! I NEVER hesitate to ring them if need be, I would rather safe guard my patient, and my Registration. They can yell bloody murder for all I care . While there are incidences where as professionals , we should be able to use our discretion, drug admininstation is not one of them

It is Policy at our facility, to double check all insulin, anti coags , and IV meds

Anywhere I have worked , sleeping on nights , is " instant dismissal" material! and the Union backs this to the hilt ! it is totally iresponsible behaviour

LOL@ gwenith! aint that the truth! Actually , we use either Inolet , or Pens, for administering insulin, thus the needle is new each time , each patient has their own, dispensed by pharmacy . We also have a " needle taker offer" , to prevent needle stick injury, when removing the used needles .

It has always been best practise procedure , anywhere I have worked , to draw up with 1 needle, and inject with a new one

I believe that a Nurse , be they AIN, Div2 , or Div 1, ( ozzie terms ) are nurses in their heart ! You either ARE or ARE NOT you will know ! and so will the patients

Well, I have been working as an RN for nearly 41 years , in many areas , from ICU, to CC, and A&E, then with the Flying Doctor Service for 21 years , and now I am back in a " civilised " hospital! and loving every minute ! Admittedly, I am in OZ, but a Nurse is a Nurse , I would not ever consider doing anything else ! I do believe that Nurses are " born" , if it worries you , don't do it ! It would not suit you

Posey restraints are now illegal in Australia , for about 7 years I think! DONT ever leave a patient restrained in any kind of restraint , if it is likely to hurt them. Dementia patients are unable to localise pain, nor express it , so it is totally correct to administer pain relief as ordered , if they are disturbed . As for the IV drugs , don't ever " force " a flush or a drug , if it needs forcing , it needs resiting

This post has opened a big window for me ! Here in OZ we used to have " Hospital trained " Nurses , ie they did their 3 years on the job, and studied as well, but in the end , had time management , and priorties sorted . It was extremely hard , but we got there . I feel very sorry for the " university " traind nurses , who after a meger oriantation, are expected to handle case loads, which are daunting to them, and given the shoratage of staffing, leaves them vunerable, because everyone else is stressed with their case load , and may not have time to help them

I totally agree with Barb, even tho I am in OZ, and our policies may be different , you are being too hard on yourself ! Sounds to me as if you were due out of there anyhow ! Certainly would not have been a ": termination" issue where I work, an " incedent form" would have been filled in by you , and at the most , the NUM would have slapped your wrist ! Relax, and learn from the mistake , you will never do it again! I bet Best wishes Leigh

How nice is that " Patient" thank you for your message ! It restores my faith in what I do! TY