MackNJacks mom

Hi to all you first year nurses. I have a couple questions. I had an interview on Thursday with the nurse manager, then on Friday a nurse recruiter called me to say that the manager wanted to "move forward with me". I am so excited, but I don't un...

I wouldn't recommend using your own money. IV starts are just something you do and only get better with practice. For me it depends on the kid as to whether I use it or not. If it is a big, well hydrated kid I usually don't use it. But if your pa...

We have one for our floor. I love that thing. Really helps.

I work on a neuro floor at a children's hospital. Unfortunately we see this stuff more often than I would like. I have seen quite a few of these types of situations, although rarely knowing the outcome. I am so sorry that you had to find out the o...

I know how you feel. I think it usually ends in April here in GA.

As for the OP blowing the vein, I have found that the "hooded technique" can help with this problem. After you get your flash pull the needle back a little and advance with the catheter sticking out a little. This sometimes prevents blowing the vei...

Great response!! I have been a pedi nurse on a neuro floor for a little over a year. I love my job and the kids, but I definately struggle with the what ifs when the family reminds me of my own. I feel like I am waiting for my tragedy many times, ...

Great post llg! I agree. Nurse recruiters at my facility don't have much to offer. I think of them as gate keepers as well. My advice would be to get the job you want at the faciltiy you want, then move toward getting what you want. I didn't kno...

I also have a GED. I couldn't pass high school chemistry, and wouldn't graduate with my class so I got a GED. I went to community college then to the university. I made a's and b's all through college. When I went to get my job, I was worried abo...

I would give it more time. You will learn a lot and build your confidence. At four months I was usually a basket case. At one year I am still learning. You will get better and it will build a good foundation for your career and then you can move ...

WeekEnd Option

I work in a pediatric hospital and the only needles we use are for IVs and injections. We use blunt tip plastic needles to draw out of most vials. If you have enough help when starting an IV you will not be stuck. I would think that it would be ea...

I got off orientation in December and started WEO in Feb. I work Sat/Sun, but you could make a lot more money working F,S,S.

Weekend Warrior gave you some great insight on the field. I would add that when working with kids it also seems that the parents are your patients as well. The child is just your actual patient. Parents are usually so stressed about their child's ...

That is exactly what they started me out at last September when I started working for CHOA. Their shift differentials are really good. $6.50 for nights and I think 3.25 for weekend days. Lots of raises plus a great place to work. I get an extra 1...

We give/get report at the nurse's station. I know there are some nurses who don't even think about who is listening to their report, because they just wanna go home. I try to stop or lower my voice if anyone might be listening, but as someone else ...

I agree, but it is always our license on the line if something were to be given that was not intended. I think the line is drawn on high risk meds like lovenox, insulin,and narcotics, but we have to trust pharmacy.

I have to agree with Newfie. Pharmacy makes so many errors as it is. Who would be liable if I gave a mislabeled drug from pharmacy. Anyone know?

We have to give lovenox injections occasionally at our hospital that is drawn up by pharmacy. In the past I have given it, although reluctantly, I think I am going to file an occurance report about it and explain why I think it is dangerous.

I get cancelled or put on call about once a month. Just wondering if I really have a dream job or if this is common. So how often do you get the 5 o'clock call?

I have Dansko clogs and my feet never hurt anymore, but when I first got them they hurt like heck trying to break them in. Took about 3 12 hour shifts, but now they are great.

I work on a pedi neuro floor, and we have never used versed to stop seizures and I wouldn't think they would. You were definately right to use ativan. When MDs at our facility write PRN orders it always says what to use it for. Like Ativan for sz ...

I have three kids and work nights. I have found that most of us night shift moms with small kids try to catch up on sleep on our days off. I know that I can't do three nights in a row. I do two in a row then another during the week. My smallest i...

I think that nursing is just one of those professions that you love and hate. I have days where I just can't imagine doing anything else. Then there are those other days, occasionally where you get so stressed out you could blow up. I think it is ...

I used to be shy as well. I think it is a confidence issue. Believe me, going through nursing school has a way of changing that. I had to give several presentations, and most schools require you to take speech. I dreaded speech and took it last s...