-
Do I chart or do I take care of my patients?
I've had a similar experience as you. One thing that you have to accept is that computer charting will slow you down. I can't tell you how many times I felt my BP rise while standing in front of a monitor waiting for the program to respond. I now use those extra minutes to focus and prioritize. Unfortunately, your employer has spent millions of dollars to convert to this system, so it is not going to change. Our unit had a log to record problems/concerns with the program. You should right down all of your issues and present them to your NM. Be patient, and good luck.
-
Spine board policy
I'm fairly certain that you need to consult the ED physicians on this. It is not within my scope of practice to remove a pt from a spine board.
-
possible to go from nothing to BSN online?
It's offensive to many on this board because of the sheer hell we all had to go through to become a RN. Don't take it personally. Obviously, if you new any better, you would not have asked this question. If you were posting on any other professional board, you would get the same response. Yes, there are various Nursing degrees attained online. The major difference is that these degrees are available to those that are already practicing RN's.
-
possible to go from nothing to BSN online?
Just what the medical field needs, another person who doesn't like to put forth an effort to achieve. I believe you can get an online degree in laziness in two semesters. Good luck!
-
Survey on Causes for Nurse Faculty Shortage
While I agree with every thing you wrote, they all boil down to the money. Unless your spouse is wealthy, it's unrealistic to take that much of a pay cut. Kudos to anyone who can.
-
Survey on Causes for Nurse Faculty Shortage
It has always been about the money. Pay not just nurses, but all educators more. This will lead more intelligent individuals to pursue teaching as a second job and/or a career. I can't imagine having to support a family on a teachers salary. It is sad.
-
Kid fell off bike: what would you anticipate?
Seasoned ER doctor: Option 1. New ER doctor: CYA protocol. It's amazing how much money and resources are wasted just to avoid that one in a million missed diagnosis. I've seen people have the super deluxe work-up only to request a specific amount of days off of work once they get the negative results.
-
Are JCAHO's pain reassessments doing your patients any good?
I think a simpler scale would suffice. Maybe have a slimmed down rating system such as severe, moderate, minimal, and no pain. We have to reassess on all interventions. Pain is different because it is completely subjective. A pt can't exaggerate changes in HR or BP. It's not going to go away, so try to make it more efficient.
-
panic-attack reaction to compazine
Leslie, thank you for your comment, it was ever so insightful. The Dr. is notified, of course. I am a RN, I don't make medical decisions without consulting the Dr. I assumed this was obvious. I will be more clear in the future. Medications such as Benzos and/or Benadryl can alleviate the side effects of Compazine. However, it doesn't always work. Hence the bolting out of the ER. Some humans are overly sensitive to medication and adding the side effects of a Benzo and/or Benadryl on top of that sometimes freaks them out even more. Medication is not always the answer, sometimes you can actually comfort your patient without pushing a medication into their veins. Do you work in the ER? It is not terribly uncommon for pt's to leave if things are not going their way. Hence the "WHAT CAN YOU DO?"
-
panic-attack reaction to compazine
We give this for migraines a lot in my ER. I've seen more people freak out on Compazine than any other drug I administer. I just stay with them and give constant reassurance that the feeling will pass. Some pt's have run out of the unit at full speed, never to be found. What can you do? I'd run to.
-
What would you do?
Eventually, you will have to take report from this guy and be responsible for a pt. that he has cared for.
-
Things pts do that make you want to go hit your ahead against a brick wall.
Pt. enters triage, pt. has bleeding laceration, oozing abscess, etc. Pt. feels the need to jam finger in said spot to show you where the wound is because obviously you don't notice the 4 inch laceration the is bleeding down their face.
-
HIPAA And My Rights As An Employee
I would report it to the CEO. You were a pt. at the time. They had no right to look up your medical records. What if you had a pregnancy test that was positive? They would know before your family. This is actually very disturbing. People get sued and/or lose their license for this kind of behavior.
-
100% pro-life, considering nursing school
So what you are asking for is that your job as a RN comes with certain stipulations, made by yourself, on who you will and will not care for. While I respect your pro-life stance, I would not want to work on the same unit as you. I guess your coworkers are screwed if a lady partsl bleed s/p abortion comes into the ER. Do you just step aside while your TEAM tries to save this woman from bleeding to death? This career is about caring for others regardless of sex, race, religious denomination, planetary alliance, past medical history, etc. Please, stick with teaching instead.
-
How often do EMS crews show up to your dept unannounced?
Happened twice the other day. The same company called report to another ED and then showed up at our ED. Neither crew bothered to pay attention to the name of the initial facility they called. Yes, they were reported.