findingmywayRN

Hi, I'm just interested in seeing where nurses have taken (or started) their careers if they aren't working in direct patient care. I love my patients, but after nearly 10 yrs at the bedside, I'd like to find out what other paths nurses can take. Thanks:)

Thanks for the great links!

Hi, I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this, but I'm interested in learning about what kinds of telecommuting nurse jobs there are - and most importantly how to find these postings. I've had 5 yrs of acute physical rehabilitation nursing and am looking for new opportunities. If anyone telecommutes I'd appreciate hearing the type of work you do, and how you made this transition. Thank you!!:)

Can I also ask here how does your unit staff for 12 hr nurses? Where I work the 7a to 7p nurse gets an assignment and whoever follows them at 7 pm picks up their assignment and carries this through on the night shift. Unfortunately, these 12 hr night nurses assignments change constantly even when they come in for 3 or 4 days in a row because they always follow the day 12 hr assignment. This is just how it's always been done. This can make for long night shifts when the staffing goes down, and if your 4 hr eve shift assignment was on the heavy side. Plus I'm a believer in consistency and getting down a routine with treatments, meds, etc. Also, the 7p nurse is very likely assigned an admission or picks up an admission that has come in on evening which most likely isn't done yet. Many times I've signed off admission orders that have been sitting in the chart for hours right after getting my report on my assignment. This can make for a chaotic 8pm med pass for sure.

I honestly didn't even know there was such an acuity system - at least how it relates to a nursing assignments, anyway. Must be it is done primarily for staffing of the unit only (FTE's etc.).

Glad to see I'm not the only one trying to fix a broken system. Hopefully this discussion will find answers for everyone!

Although possibly time consuming, this is really a great way to not only make fair assignments, but back up assignments as fair when questioned. Also this gives the charge nurse a good overview of the floor acuity - something not always known by everyone.

I'm curious to see if other charge nurses have some sort of strategy for ensuring (to the best of their ability) that the assignments made for the nurses are fair in terms of acuity, time factors in care, treatments (tube feedings, straight caths), incontinents, emotional/psych issues, etc. If anyone can post what works best for their unit or institution I'd be very happy to hear it. Currently, it seems our assignments often have no rhyme or reason: sometimes entirely light or rediculously heavy. I'd like to find a system to bring to our unit that will ensure a fair assignment is more than the opinon of whoever made the assignment. Thanks:)

This is some great advice! That nurse must have been a great person to learn from:)

9.) Pee when you can, never know if your going to get another chance! 10.) If you don't know, ASK! I use this advice every shift!!

I was just thinking back to the advice and wisdom I'd received over the years and laughed at how true so much of it was! Can anyone post the best nursing advice they've been given here? Here are some of my favorites: 1. You control the room, the room doesn't control you 2. The best doctors are the ones who listen to nurses 3. Always trust your instincts 4. Never suction anything with your mouth open Anyone else?

hi lisa, what types of products are you refering to? medical devices or general ideas? are these ideas patented or patentable? many manufacturers are open to product suggestions - but many are also reluctant to sign non-disclosure agreements to protect themselves in case they were already working on a similar idea. these companies may request a "non-confidential" descriptions of your idea. this basically means using only the most extremely vague terms - in a way which no one could possibly imagine what your product could be or look like. you still always need to be very careful, not to disclose too much. using a lawyer is recommended to set up agreements on what to discuss, etc.

The only true protection of intellectual property is patenting. Copyrighting is for written work - not establishing legal protection of intellectual property. In fact, mailing yourself an envelope is not legal proof of anything - what if you sent the envelope unsealed and put in the information later? Inventors must go to great lengths to ensure that their inventions are protected - patenting, always using a Non Disclosure Agreement, and having a lawyer assist you in the negotiations with whomever you would like to speak with about your product.

Hi, Have any nurse entrepreneurs here started their business after receiving funding? Does anyone know if there are any business/associations/agencies/angels that look to provide funding to nurse-owned businesses? Thanks, Sarah

Hi Everyone, I haven't checked my original post in a while. I'm glad there is such an interest in nurse inventors! I am a nurse inventor. I've invented many medical devices, as I'm always inspired by problems I come across in my job as a nurse. Looking for ways to improve things or making something "better, cheaper, faster" is a good place to start when looking to create an invention. I must tell you that although some people may have a genuine interest in your product there are also untrustworthy companies out there, too. You always have to be very careful to protect your invention, or "intellectual property." A non-disclosure agreement won't stop a company from working around your device or patenting it first before you do. That is why it is so important to work with a patent attorney to protect your ideas! If you have any other questions about inventing or nurses creating products please post your questions here and I'll try to answer them as best as I can. Good Luck! Sarah RN, BSN

Hi, Just wondering if there are any nurses who are also inventors out there? Thanks!

Thanks to everyone for all your responses! It's interesting to see the different things being done with ET tubes. For everyone who uses tape: Could you please tell me how often it is being re-wrapped on each patient? Also, what do you think is the best and worst thing about taping the ET tube? For those who use devices: How often are they changed? Any idea how expensive they are? sicushells: Are the ties easy to work with? How quickly can the knots be removed (or do you cut them off?) joeyzstj: how do you secure the tube when the patient is awake?

I am an RN who worked in an ICU a while ago, and there the standard for ET tube securement was adhesive cloth tape. I am now doing a research project and would like to find out how common it is for ICU's to use adhesive tape. Is it still a common practice or is it more common to use an ET tube holder, or even some other method? Also, could you tell me what you find the pros and cons of your ET securement methods? Thanks for whatever insight you can provide!

I'm really glad to hear this thread opened up a discussion about this practice! The patient this concerned did not take insulin prior to being admitted to the hospital. I will speak with the nurse manager about this practice to hear her thoughts. I agree that BG's should be checked closer to the end of shift, especially since the trays don't arrive until long after night shift leaves.

I guess it's hard for me to do things differently. I think I'll be bringing mine in with something to drink, too. Thanks for your help Leslie!

Thanks for your reply. My concern is - what if the trays are late, the patient gets sick or just doesn't want to eat? Wouldn't that put my licence on the line if the patient bottoms out?

I know this is nursing 101 here, but I just started a new job at which I've been told twice (by two different charge nurses) that night shift nurses give the breakfast insulins - even though the trays don't arrive until around 8 am. At my 7 am sign off report (nights leaves at 7:30) the oncoming nurse was a little huffy that I hadn't given a patient 2 units of Reguar insulin due AC breakfast. This patient also had 8 am meds due. Ever since nursing school I have ALWAYS brought the tray directly into the patient with the insulin, and would never dream of doing otherwise! Are other units having night shift do this, or is this just plain crazy???

ready4crna? You've given me a lot of important things to hone in on once I do decide to shadow. Sounds like you've got a lot of experience in this area - thanks for sharing it with me:)

Thank you both for your input! Nurse-lou I am glad to hear that you are a type B and working very well in a critical care environment. Your enthusiasm is very encouraging to me! ready4crna? is there anyway to know if there is a toxic ICU environment before starting the position? I would like to shadow, but are there any red flags I should look out for or questions I should ask that may reveal this type of situation?

Hi, I am a floor nurse who is interested in the science, physiology and acuity of the critical care environment. I also feel best focusing 100% of my nursing care on a smaller number of patients - rather than spread thinly over a six or seven patient assignment. In the near future I would like to transition into a more acute setting but would like input from experienced critical care nurses -are there are personality traits common among critical care nurses? I consider myself a quieter and more laid back nurse, but always working my butt off to take care of my patients and helping out my co-workers with whatever they need. Will I get eaten alive by more take-charge nurses, or can a "Type B" stand their ground? Thanks.