nannymcpheeRN

Hi Everyone, I'm in my second year PhD in nursing. I will provide my experience so far, which is really an individual perspective. The PhD is an advanced degree that requires perseverance and determination. It's a long haul emotionally and intelle...

Dear New Grad, Some states do have nurse:patient ratios of 4:1 days; 4-5:1 eves; 6-8 nights. That does not account for the acuity of patient however. Many new RNs struggle to keep up, so working as a team (promoting health work relationships) is ke...

I am interested to survey which clinicians ( other than a RN or LPN) in home health care can accept verbal medication orders? Your responses are valuable. Does anyone know which Federal regulations govern this topic? Thanks Everyone.

Kali, Thank you so much for this comprehensive response.

A critical care or ER background is an asset in HH. You will feel more at ease with sudden acute situations. HH requires good time management and creativity. Good documentation is essential in HH. I left PACU and now work as a case manager RN for ...

Hi, Have you checked out nursing-informatics.com ? What a wonderful site. All about the field.

Hi Rachel, I too just started HH in Jan 2012. Our agency is computerized and we have the Visiting Nurses Association of America's website loaded on our home page. We use their guidelines for treatments/procedures. It includes tons of reliable and e...

Hi Fellow SJC students, I'm in the distance ed MSN/ED. I live in Massachusetts and I'm planning on doing the summer residency on Sebago this summer 2012. Anyone else going? I'm on my first course: Nursing Informatics. I find the distance learning...

Hi everyone, I'm interviewing Wednesday for a visiting nurse position with a reputable VNA. I'm a hospital nurse in PACU with experience in clinical teaching, critical care, and surgical/post-op care. I really need a change, as I feeling de-valued ...

Did you have bad experience? I know the grass isn't greener; I,m looking for different surroundings and was wondering if others had made the transition. Thanks for the input.

Hi nmred, Yes. We had the same recommendation. Here's what our "anes md's" did: We have a pre-printed order form that lists meds with doses based on patients pain levels. We start with the number one analgesic/narcotic, say, Fentanyl up to 200mcg...

Our PACU is loaded with nurses who have been working in the same unit for 20, 30 plus years. Some of the personalities are horrendous. Since joing the team a few years back, I have witnessed some real low-blow interactions among them. I intervened...

Thanks for replying. Where are you working now? The stance I've taken in PACU is to stand up for myself and others. (I have 27 yrs RN exp). I truly believe that people develop bad habits when dealing with others, and of course if you don't stand ...

Take a deep breath....you've studied hard for your RN...it will all come together. If you have to re-do the exam...get some mentoring before the next test date. Agree with Morte, take a break.....you'll accomplish your goals...just pace yourself. ...

We have the same issues....good rapport between nursing units is sooo important....but let's be realistic...it's tough. Our situation has improved somewhat with the implementation of RN bed managers, available 24/7. They work hard to maintain rappo...

PACU is not exclusively critical care...it is indeed post-anesthesia which requires a unique set of skills to provide optimum care. (I've work both ICU/PACU). High critical situations are not the norm in PACU...especially with advances in anesthesi...

We rarely see our ICU patients go direct. When we do, we are thrilled....those nurses are certainly well-prepared to recover. The issue for us (PACU 25 bays, ICU 50 beds) seems to be timing. The ICU nurse is not ready to receive the patient and th...