mlbnocnurse

For MD's I write Dr. _______, When referring to coworkers, I use 1st initial & last name, If I don't know (&can't find out) the last name, I chart first name RN (or RT or whatever applies). If any of my charting is used in court, I want to be...

Based on the very limited amount of info that you have been given, I would say that I would do exactly what your answer was. I find it hard to believe that prioritization is something that you need to work on so much. You have responded to the limite...

That level of caring is what makes a 'real" nurse. How sad for that family. I work in an ICU, we see that same lack of caring, concern, understanding (or whatever) from family members way to often. Our society does not accept death as a part of life,...

I have worked nights for 18 years. I chose to work nights because my choices were swing shift or nights (8 hr shifts). 11-7 worked out well for me, but my kids were 1st grade & up when I started. I slept while kids were in school, had time for af...

What you are feeling is fairly normal. Any ICU can get really intense. The most important thing is that you know that how much you still need to learn, you are not trying to work outside of your skill level. It will get better!! You will learn new sk...

There is no right answer to this question. It all depends on what is going on w/ each patient @ that moment. If the CHF pt is SOB w/ /low O2 sat, he/she will be a priority. If the CVA pt has an acute change in mental or neuro status, he/she would the...

I am very involved w/ the CNA as a nurse rep @ my hospital. We just finished negotiating a new contract. I have been told NOTHING about any potential change in the ratio language. I have asked our union rep (he has heard nothing about it either). I t...

If you are working in a union hospital, check your contract. Most contracts have a provision that states being placed on call must be done in rotation. Most hospitals also pay a percentage of your salary for being on call. If your hospital is not uni...

Hypotensive septic pts usually have a high HR already. Dopamine increases the HR. Levophed doesn't, making it the drug of choice most of the time, there is always an exception to the rule though.

If you have children, go for the 11-7 shift, 3-11 just doesn't work if you have children in school. I slept while they were in school, was awake for dinner, homework, after school activities, then put them to bed @ 8pm so I could take a nap before wo...

As a female I have got to say I do agree w/your statement that if nursing were male dominated the pay would be 1.5 x more, actually I think that it would be more than like 3x(but that is another argument). I also know that there are many MD's who res...

I to am sitting here w/ tears in my eyes. I too, was a single parent going through nursing school. Your essay echoed some of the things I told my 3 kids over our "champagne" One thing that you may not realize yet is that you have taught you son the v...

I am sorry for the nights you had that lead you to write this, but I am glad that you did. This great! Every pt (& their family) needs to read this when they are admitted!!! Thank you

The life of the child who dies because the car wash did not raise enough money to pay for needed treatment is more important than any profit an insurance company makes, or the bonus the CEO makes.

I am a member of the CNA (CA Nurses Assoc), a union made up of staff RN's, not managers. I have negotiated 4 contracts @ 2 diff hospitals w/ a CNA negotiator's help. The negotiators have always been on the side of us nurses, & have done a great j...

I started @ Gavilan College in the LVN program in 1990, when it was only a 1 year program. I went straight into the RN program in 1991. They have a great program there. I got excellent clinical experience. I know that they changed the LVN program int...

I have worked both 8 hr & 12 hr shifts. I would NEVER go back to the 5 day/wk 8 hr shifts now that my kids are grown. When my kids were younger, I worked the 11P-7A shift. I did not always get enough sleep, but I did have time to spend w/ my kids...

"Now, the hospital fired all the secretaries and aides and I have primary care of my 5 patients and legal responsibility to oversee the LVN's 5 patients as well. Do the math and you'll see things were better before AB 394. If the LVN's patients have ...

I agree, first & foremost you need to protect your license. And don't forget to report them to any licensing agency that oversees them (DHS {dept of health services}, & the BRN to name a few). The most important role for any nurse is that o...

1) Can you retake the ACT? Have you taken the SAT's. Being a native of CA (w/ kids as well) my experience has been that most school here look @ the SAT more often (tho they will also look @ the ACT). I never took the ACT & neither did my kids. I ...

The biggest RN union in CA is the CNA/NNOC (California Nurses Assoc/National Nurses Organizing Committee). It is the only all RN statewide union. There are a few smaller unions that represent a few smaller hospitals. Southern CA Kaiser hospitals &...

PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY! what in the heck has happened to personal accountability. the fact that we see people at the worst stages in their lives is true. that gives the patient an out to act like a jerk and most of us would just let it roll off ...

How much orientation are you going to get? How familiar are you w/ ventilators & critical care drugs & drips? I moved to ICU from med-surg about 2 yrs ago. I got 3 months of orientation that included classes as well as working in the unit. On...

I am looking for information on what the risks are of infusing blood over longer periods of time than the usual 4 hrs., 6 hrs to be specific. The only info I have been able to find so far are an increased risk of infection due to bacteria growth on ...