PacoUSA BSN, RN

ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology

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All Content by PacoUSA

  1. PacoUSA

    Tele RN Pursuing PCU Assignments

    PacoUSA replied to PacoUSA's topic in Travel

    I've tried that, but ironically every time I have looked to see if there are openings there aren't any. And it seems internal candidates at this hospital get priority. These two phrases you...
  2. PacoUSA

    Learn new specialty or pick up another travel assignment

    PacoUSA replied to amy0123's topic in Travel

    I am in the same boat as you. I have done tele for almost 6 years and I am not learning anything new, or should I say it's rare that I learn anything new. My wanderlust in traveling is pretty much at...
  3. PacoUSA

    UC San Diego Emergency Department Nursing Certificate

    PacoUSA replied to darlink's topic in Emergency

    Thanks! I was a pcu/tele nurse for 4 years at the time I finished the course (about 3 years when I started). You probably read my last update above so that is what has transpired since. Good luck to...
  4. PacoUSA

    UC San Diego Emergency Department Nursing Certificate

    PacoUSA replied to darlink's topic in Emergency

    I can't believe it has been a year since my last post. A lot has transpired since then so I will briefly update: I completed my 60-hr preceptorship at a major trauma hospital and it went very well....
  5. PacoUSA

    CCRN with tele experience?

    PacoUSA replied to jennysong81's topic in MICU, SICU

    I have worked PCU and tele for almost 6 years now, and in my experience there seems to be more "prestige" attached to the CCRN than PCCN. I don't believe it as a fact, but that is the impression I get...
  6. PacoUSA

    PCU vs. Medsurg

    PacoUSA replied to Lhorn808's topic in General Specialties

    In my experience, PCU is easier than med-surg due to the lower patient ratio. More time to critically think about your patient's
  7. PacoUSA

    Medical Volunteer @ a Marathon

    PacoUSA posted a topic in General Nursing

    Given the recent tragic events at the Boston Marathon yesterday, I have been motivated to volunteer as a medical personnel at upcoming marathons near me. Has anyone done this? Please share your...
  8. PacoUSA

    Femstop?? I am confused!

    PacoUSA replied to PacoUSA's topic in Cardiac

    Thanks! I guess the nurse I was handing off to didn't understand that the femstop order was there only to be used if needed. It clearly was not needed at that time since the patient's site was CDI and...
  9. PacoUSA

    Femstop?? I am confused!

    PacoUSA posted a topic in Cardiac

    So I was working a tele unit today and I had a patient come up from the cath lab this evening. He had 4 stents placed in his left leg and iliac vessels. Cath site was left groin, which I observed was...
  10. PacoUSA

    I am bilingual ... should I be paid more?

    PacoUSA posted a topic in Travel

    I have been traveling for about 3 years now. I speak fluent Spanish and English and am quite proud of this skill. I enjoy having Spanish-speaking patients because I feel they are more comfortable with...
  11. PacoUSA

    Questions regarding traveling

    PacoUSA replied to NICURN7's topic in Travel

    Personally, I would wait until you have 2 full years as staff before traveling. You will be more comfortable with your skills overall (you will be surprised how much one more year makes a difference)...
  12. PacoUSA

    telemetry vs med surge

    PacoUSA replied to ffliper27's topic in Cardiac

    Currently working tele unit in California, we never have more than 4 patients at once as regulated by law. On med-surg units where I sometimes float, the ratio goes to 5 patients per nurse. The only...
  13. PacoUSA

    Is this reasonable or just over the top?

    PacoUSA replied to Lakeshore18's topic in General Nursing

    Quit. Quit now. Your manager is an out-of-touch idiot. Watch your HCAHPS scores plummet. If I were a patient, I would forbid you from waking me up for this nonsense and I would refuse this while I had...
  14. PacoUSA

    Unit Clerk Reading Allnurses.com ..

    PacoUSA posted a topic in General Nursing

    So the other day I happen to glance at the computer screen of the unit secretary (who I have since learned is doing prereqs) as I walked behind her and noticed that she was reading a post on this...
  15. PacoUSA

    Unit Clerk Reading Allnurses.com ..

    PacoUSA replied to PacoUSA's topic in General Nursing

    I have since left that hospital, and I'm pretty sure I barely made a memorable impression for her to remember me and make a connection, so I believe my anonymity is still intact
  16. PacoUSA

    Inappropriate nurses?

    PacoUSA replied to hgraves64's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    None of your business? Sounds to me like YOU are the inappropriate one. I guess me walking by your patient's room when you are in the med room and seeing he is about to fall should not be any of my...
  17. PacoUSA

    Left Travel to Go Staff ... I'm BACK! :)

    PacoUSA posted a topic in Travel

    So I left travel nursing several months ago to start a new staff job in a new specialty at a new hospital. Most of my experience up to that point had been at large university hospitals, several of...
  18. PacoUSA

    Another RN wanting to come to Florida

    PacoUSA replied to njc2rn's topic in Florida Nursing

    How funny, I just read this old post of mine in passing and wouldn't you know I DID in fact take an assignment in FL from Jan to Apr 2016. It was simply to avoid the winter up north and also be closer...
  19. PacoUSA

    UC San Diego Emergency Department Nursing Certificate

    PacoUSA replied to darlink's topic in Emergency

    It has been about 6 months since my last post, so I thought I'd write a little update. I am not even sure if anyone is following my thread but the info I am sure is good for anyone who chooses to look...
  20. PacoUSA

    New Nurse Exhausted from Extremely Long Shifts? Help?

    PacoUSA replied to KellySpencer800's topic in LPN, LVN Corner

    You're a sucker. Learn to say no. You're going to kill yourself with that kind of schedule. Is it worth your health to work like that? No, it's not. Keep working like that and you only have yourself...
  21. PacoUSA

    Are there any Psych/Medical Units?

    PacoUSA replied to NursesRmofun's topic in General Nursing

    My first job was on a med/tele unit with an inordinate number of patients with heavy psych co-morbidities. We were not an official med psych unit per se, but it turns out we were a dumping ground for...
  22. PacoUSA

    How old is too old to safely practice?

    PacoUSA replied to traumaRUs's topic in Nurse Practitioners, NP

    Age is just a number. It should reflect physical and mental capability. Some 60 year olds still run circles around 20
  23. PacoUSA

    took nclex.. tried trick within 1 hour of test.. took my money.. is that a definite fail?

    PacoUSA replied to heartbroken43's topic in NCLEX Exam, Programs

    I don't feel sorry for you people that lose $200 in an attempt at instant gratification. Take test and forget about it, do something more fun with your time. The $200 could have been spent celebrating...
  24. PacoUSA

    Second career nurses: what if you ended up not liking nursing?

    PacoUSA replied to Infofreak411's topic in General Nursing

    This is the best 2nd career I could have ever
  25. PacoUSA

    What would YOU ask the E.R.? (interview)

    PacoUSA replied to Crux1024's topic in Emergency

    I know this thread is old, but I would like to say THANKS for all the insight. I have THREE ED interviews this week, two tomorrow and one on Tuesday. I am transitioning from travel nursing (MS Tele)...