kek5931

Everything in the cart, whatever may be there; syringes, dressings, ekg electrodes, unopened packages of IV start supplies, IV tubings, IV bags, blood draw supplies, ABG kits, anything and everything even if the patient has not been deemed 'infected'. We do start out the 'drawer' with minimal supplies and try to tailor that to the individual being admitted, but inevitably supplies are added and not used and we have to throw them out. We have been instructed to only supply the drawer with what we need for our shift. Great. We try. But for example, after running to the supply room 4 times for extra flushes after I was 'sure' I was done with syringes for the day, I will certainly grab 4 extra and throw them in the drawer. I know that happens with other supplies as well after nurses find it easier on them and safer for the patient to just have the 'just in case' supplies right at the bedside.

We do have a locked cart of supplies in each room. Those supplies are all thrown away when a patient leaves the room.

Some months ago, our ICU started the practice of throwing out all bedside stand supplies that remained after a pt. was transfered out of a room (in the name of infection control, even if a patient wasn't 'infected'). This is now costing our unit almost $50,000 a month in supplies (syringes, dressings, tapes, blood draw supplies, etc.) despite our efforts to limit what we bring into a patient's room. Does anyone else do this? What are your practices as far is 'in room' supplies for pt. rooms/ICU's? Does anyone know of any evidence that might support this practice? It seems like a waste with no measurable benefit. I see how it might be beneficial to dispose of items from rooms of patients with C-diff/MRSA/VRE, but after EVERYONE? Thanks.

I passed it yesterday, first try. I used the LGV cd's and PAss CCRN computer test questions. I did questions from another book as well, but I won't even mention the book because the computer program was so flawed. I would not have passed the exam without the cd's AND the Pass CCRN test questions. I did not read the core curriculum. I did not read the Pass CCRN book. I listened to the cd's in my car to and from work for 2 months, and did practice test after practice test with Pass CCRN on the computer. I have been in ICU for 10-ish years. If I did not understand a topic in one of the pass ccrn questions, I googled it for more information.

I just passed yesterday. I found the exam mind boggling. I also think it is absolutely rediculous that they can put in 25 questions that have no "right" answer and do not count. I mean, I am the one paying the fee and THEY are 'trying out' questions on me. And do you know how stressful it is to stare and stare and stare at a question and wonder...maybe THIS is one that doesn't count? Maybe that is why no answer is great? Or do I just not know the answer and I am going to get this one wrong? I definitely found some questions that simply did not have enough information to choose one of the answers provided. Unreal. I do NOT think the LGV cd's were enough to pass this test. I do think that I would not have passed without them. But, for me, it was the CD's in combination with endless computer practice test questions. Had I not done the questions (Pass CCRN especially), I would not have understood HOW to think for the test; why 2 answers might be arguable, but only one the best. Doing the computer practice questions also taught me to slow down and really READ each question and evaluate all of the information. The Pass CCRN test questions give you the rationale for the correct answer, AND the strategy: why you should've thought to pick that one over the others. Very helpful in learning how to think for the test and come to the right conclusion, even if you are not 100% sure what the answer is. "Mental aerobics". I did 150 practice test questions at least once a day for 2 weeks prior to the exam. I did additional test questions prior to that, but in the 2 weeks just prior to the exam, I sat down and did 150 non-stop. So yesterday, doing 150 was no big deal. My brain was used to it. I listened to LGV cd's in my car every time I drove to and from work for 2 months.

Ok, I have been a critical care nurse for 10 years. I have been studying for the CCRN for a month (Gasparis cd's and Brorsen/Rogelet Adult CCRN certification review book). I feel the exact same way I remember feeling for the n-clex exam. Too much information to remember. I am scheduling my exam for May 22nd, just to get it over with. I seriously feel that no matter how much I listen to the cd's or review the questions in this book, I will still feel unprepared. I don't want to fail it, of course. But I just don't know how to prepare for this thing. I listen to the cd's and think I'm fine. Then pick up a book of review questions and start to panic. The cd's are 'supposed' to have all of the info you need to pass, but the books of questions out there cover a TON of information not covered on the cd's. Any advice????????

Are the Laura Gasparis-Vonfrolio review CD's ENOUGH to pass the exam? After listening to the cd's, I picked up a book of CCRN review questions, and did not know many of the answers. On the cd's, I know LGV says that she is giving all you need to pass the exam, but after doing the review questions, I am wondering if that is really the case.