TX_RN_CAPA

I went to the AACN Certification web site. They list the following text which can be ordered through their site (as well as several other reference materials) http://www.aaacn.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/AAACNMain.woa/wa/viewSection?s_id=1073743919#P046 Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification Review Course Syllabus

You are looking for the ASPAN (American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses) Standards and Practice Guidelines. Please visit their website at www.aspan.org. You can find some of the information you need at the following link http://www.aspan.org/PDFfiles/Resource%203%202006-08%20Standards.pdf. Phase I PACU should have 2 RNs in the room whenever there are patients present. The standards will elaborate more directly as to staffing based on patient acuity. From what you describe, you definitely aren't meeting the standards. Susan

The following information comes directly from the Texas Board of Nursing Web site (http://www.bon.state.tx.us/olv/faqs-fp.html#faq7).... "Can I do the fingerprints on my own? No, the fingerprints must be done by someone trained to collect fingerprints. If you are unable to be fingerprinted through L-1 Identity Solutions (formerly known as Identix), you may be fingerprinted at a law enforcement agency (police department/sheriff's office). What is L-1 Identity Solutions (formerly known as Identix)? L-1 Identity Solutions (formerly known as Identix) is a company contracted by the Department of Public Safety to provide fingerprinting services in the State of Texas. They have locations throughout the state and specialize in live-scan fingerprinting. The BON recommends that Texas residents use L-1 Identity Solutions (formerly known as Identix) for fingerprinting services. Fingerprints done with L-1 Identity Solutions (formerly known as Identix) can be submitted electronically to the BON which results in fewer rejected fingerprints and faster processing."

I work in a major medical center in Tx and parking is definitely at a premium here. Garage parking near the hospital is $70 every 2 weeks ($1800/yr) and there is no guarantee you will find an empty space to park in. We can have free parking in a remote lot (several miles away) and ride the train in. They will also subsidize Park and Ride if you prefer and have a position that guarantees you can get off work in time to catch your bus. Susan

Lauren, I was in the same position 21 years ago when I started my first position. I graduated without ever having started an IV or drawn blood. My experiences in OR in school left me sitting with my head between my knees every time! :uhoh21: I was very fortunate to have a great preceptor and an understanding patient for my first IV start. Luckily I hit it on the first shot and I managed to stay upright and coherent. Since then, there have been 1000's of sticks and I have never had a problem with passing out. Doesn't mean I don't get grossed out with really bloody situations (and I don't do gory movies). Hang in there! You'll do fine. Take a deep breath (and don't hold it -- LOL) and you'll get through it! Good Luck! Susan :welcome:

Until recently, only the perioperative areas in my facility were able to use Lido for IV starts (an MD order was required). Our Day Surgery undertook a research study on the effectiveness of subQ lido vs 0.9% bacteriostatic normal saline for "numbing" for IV starts. The data supported the use of Bacteriostatic saline and the practice has now been expanded to the entire facility. It's written as a protocol so that all RNs can use it and no MD order is required. If you are interested in their data it was published in JOPAN (see below). A comparison of bacteriostatic Normal Saline and Lidocaine used as interdermal anesthesia for the placement of intravenous lines Kwan M, Windle PE, Warwick H, Sibayan A, Espiritu C, Vergara J Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing August 2004 (Vol. 19, Issue 4, Page 267)

I spoke with the VP today. She says they are definitely hiring GNs into the ICU. The hospital is hoping to hire approximately 50 in the residency program throughout the hospital. She doesn't know why they would have said they were not hiring into ICU. If you could PM me and let me know who gave you that info, she will follow-up to see if why that happened. Thanks and good luck with your interview!! Susan

I will see if I can find out anything tomorrow. I will likely see the VP of Nursing for Critical care at the Staff Nurse Council meeting and see if she has any info. Will get back with you asap. Susan

I also work at St. Luke's (Houston) and to the best of my knowledge the nursing residency (program for new grads) hires into all areas including ICU. I have been with St. Luke's for 18 years and wouldn't consider anywhere else. We were the first Magnet hospital in Texas and have just completed our recertification visit. The deadline for applying for the residency program is March 14. For more info check out website http://www.stlukestexas.com Hope you decide to join our staff. Susan

Stevierae, I agree, the changing is sometimes out of control. :) CPAN (Certified Post Anesthesia Nurses) are PACU/Recovery Room nurses. CAPA nurses (Certified Ambulatory PeriAnesthesia Nurses) are Day Surgery, PreAdmission Testing etc nurses. We hold certification the same way OR nurses hold CNOR certification. Certification is an means of validating the nurses knowledge in their field of practice. Not all PACU/RR nurses are CPANs and not all Day Surgery/PAT nurses are CAPAs. Our national organization, American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (ASPAN), also underwent a name change a few years ago. Hope this helps clarify it a little. Susan Of course, the only constant in life is change! :roll

Your nursing classes can be used towards your CPAN recertification. Depending on the type of class determines whether it counts as Direct Care or Indirect Care. I believe the 1st renewal must be 60+ hours Direct Care and up to 30 hours Indirect Care. The nursing Statistics class I took for my BSN counted as Indirect Care for my CAPA recertification (Also through ABPANC). The best part is that the 3 credit hour stats class counts as 45 CE for recertification (each 1 credit hour course for school = 15 CE). My last recertification application, I quit adding at 220 CE! Congratulations on obtaining your CPAN certification!! Susan

Need some feedback on what others do when confronted with a consent that needs to be corrected. We have had several episodes where the surgical consent was signed by the patient during the preadmission visit but when the chart is reviewed prior to being sent to the Preop unit for admission, an error is discovered (missed word, transposed diagnosis and procedure, seriously misspelled words affecting the meaning). The patient is no longer available at this point. We are having a debate on what to do with the signed consent that's on the chart. The debate is whether it's best to remove the incorrect consent and throw it out or leave it on the chart and have a new one signed when the patient arrives. We have checked with risk management - got no definitive answer. Options for leaving it in place include putting a post-it note on the consent with a note to correct (could fall off), placing a large red X across the form, etc. What does everyone else do in this situation? Any feedback would be appreciated. Susan

I love my Anywears!! Even better than Birkies. :)