Footballnut

Footballnut

CAPA RN, ED RN

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All Content by Footballnut

  1. 3 types of shifts

    Footballnut replied to Pepper The Cat's topic in General Nursing

    Had a number 2 shift yesterday afternoon but my charge nurse had a number 3. I felt sorry for him. I came in to help because the ED was totally overwhelmed. Within 10 minutes I had a 3 hour backlog...

  2. Apologizing for my prima donna ICU coworkers.

    Footballnut replied to NickiLaughs's topic in Emergency

    Part of our staff float between ICU and ED. I worked with one of those nurses yesterday on a 2:1 pt in the ED that we were resuscitating and stabilizing. She took primary care and charting since she...

  3. Apologizing for my prima donna ICU coworkers.

    Footballnut replied to NickiLaughs's topic in Emergency

    Brainkandy, Our older nurses in the ICU are quite seasoned and ready to help transition the pt from ED as much as possible. I really appreciate them. The ICU nurses that give me the most trouble...

  4. Your ER policy on giving rides home

    Footballnut replied to psu_213's topic in Emergency

    We can give a bus pass whenever we want. A taxi ride involves the charge nurse authorizing it. I give out only 1-5 bus passes a week and I am happy to do it after I am sure it will be hard for a pt...

  5. So frustrated with IV starts!!

    Footballnut replied to NeoPediRN's topic in Emergency

    You are still the IV queen! If you are using the Insyte they are great needles with a very sharp edge. It is easier to go through the back of the veins. Also, advance the bevel under the top of the...

  6. New CEN Exam

    Footballnut replied to TraumaJunkieRN's topic in Emergency

    Thanks Mark and Lunah RN! The test felt hard but I passed with the same score you had Mark, much better than I expected. I am sure the studying helped. There was only one question that I had to...

  7. ED Nurse as a CCRN

    Footballnut replied to iamderealthing's topic in Emergency

    I took the CCRN a number of years ago just to have it. I put my degrees, CEN and CCRN on my name tag. (The hospital where I worked wanted them all displayed.) It was fun and I learned a lot...

  8. New CEN Exam

    Footballnut replied to TraumaJunkieRN's topic in Emergency

    Thanks for the update Mark! It is good to know that there have not been sweeping changes in the test. I am taking the CEN exam on Wednesday after having not been certified for quite a while. ENA...

  9. It's Not MY Responsibility to Get YOU Home...

    Footballnut replied to Music in My Heart's topic in Emergency

    I'm happy to give out bus passes like candy if they will just not sleep all over the ED waiting room. But you know the patient that comes by ambulance just because they think they will be seen...

  10. I want to anticipate needs...but I am also scared....

    Footballnut replied to PinkRocksLikeMe's topic in Emergency

    You will do great. You should have an orientation and you will have many of your questions answered with that. The orientation will also help you define your role. True, you will not be able to do...

  11. How much time do you have to get the pt. to the admitting unit?

    Footballnut replied to I<3H2O's topic in Emergency

    We have a 30 minute goal although it is not a

  12. Time Management in ER

    Footballnut replied to MAL, RN's topic in Emergency

    Keep a game plan in your head (aka nursing care plan) going for each patient and work it. That way you will know if you are staying on track and moving each patient along. It works amazingly well to...

  13. What is your WORST ER story?

    Footballnut replied to NurseMaybeBaby's topic in Emergency

    Wow, big step from no medical experience to life in the ED. I've been there way too long to pinpoint any one situation. I realize that people are more themselves, more anxious and more in crisis...

  14. Why I'm sick of the ED

    Footballnut replied to RoyalNurse's topic in Emergency

    True, this is one of the most difficult areas you can work in, and there's little thanks in addition to everything else. If you choose to stay in Emergency Nursing keep track of the good...

  15. What is a good resource for learning Emergency Nursing?

    Footballnut posted a topic in Emergency

    I am looking at all the available resources for teaching Emergency Nursing. ENA has an online course. What else have you

  16. Questions from a Struggling ER New Grad

    Footballnut replied to NurseLene's topic in Emergency

    Jennash, Good ideas! It sounds like you are working your way through. In answer to your question, be clear with your preceptor about what your goals are. I would write them down and take 5 minutes...

  17. Questions for ER Triage Nurses

    Footballnut replied to nursesharkbev's topic in Emergency

    Our triage nurses are the most experienced ones. Our door to EKG times also need to be less than 10 minutes. Sometimes I have a room in the back, sometimes I don't. I keep a rotation through the...

  18. tPA Question

    Footballnut replied to punkstar's topic in Emergency

    In answer to your original question, watch for any kind of bleeding or any trend indicating that bleeding may be occurring. Hemorrhagic stroke is only one complication. I had one patient start...

  19. Common practice for any ER??

    Footballnut replied to BAMARN09's topic in Emergency

    I feel the need to clarify. I definitely use pumps when it counts - for titrating many, many meds, almost all antibiotics, infusions on patients with tricky fluid balance issues, when I want to be...

  20. Common practice for any ER??

    Footballnut replied to BAMARN09's topic in Emergency

    Hemolysis of blood cells varies by the type of pump used, age of blood cells, rate of administration, temperature of blood cells and smoothness of tubings and walls of pumps used. You need to check...

  21. Inept New Grads?

    Footballnut replied to imanedrn's topic in Emergency

    It takes a well thought out and directed program for orientation of new grads in the ED. Otherwise you need to plan on a couple of years before they are functioning well or at par in the department....

  22. A really bad day in the ER for a new nurse resident

    Footballnut replied to godbless-yute's topic in Emergency

    Sounds like a really terrible day! Give yourself a hand for doing such a great job. Your preceptor certainly could have given you more guidance. It doesn't sound like he was paying attention at...

  23. Advice for current nursing student

    Footballnut replied to CrazyCatLadyRN's topic in Emergency

    Spend some time in an ED where you might like to work or one that will give you a recommendation. We see students that do 3-4 month practicums in our ED and we have hired a few of the best. Work...

  24. "Accurate" Charting of Profanity

    Footballnut replied to RNCENCCRNNREMTP's topic in Emergency

    Too true, 5 years is a long time. I find myself wondering how many computer generated charting systems initiated over the last 5 years lend themselves to charting profanity without some sort of...

  25. Novice ER Nurse needs help please

    Footballnut replied to Lunar's topic in Emergency

    Lunar, let us know how you are doing. It sounds like things are back on track and I wish you the best. It is interesting that age has become a discussion in regard to precepting. It has sparked a...