AznMattRN

the trick to prevent hemolysis is not to draw with too much negative pressure. If its not drawing with a 10cc syringe, step it down to a 5, and if that doesnt work go down to the 3cc syringe... i rarely have problems drawing off existing lines.

theres no contamination if 5ml are wasted from PIV lines... I always draw from existing lines...

Its not just the amount of fluids required that should determine what size IV to use, but what exactly the treatment is also. If large amounts of fluids need to be placed into a pt and a short amount of time, the larger IV's are safer for the pt. The...

If its an elderly person, try starting the IV w/o a turnoquet if you can already see it... the veins are usually more frail and too much backpressure may be building up causing the vein to blow. Also, be sure to a good job stabilizing the vein befor...

I had one of my ER docs tell me that the other week...

if anyone "looks sick" vs "not sick" I always think having a lg. bore access is good... The way I see it is we work in an EMERGENCY room, and we must always be prepared for things to go downhill very quickly.

i learned how to access mediports in nursing school, and I will access them at work if needed... with a physician's okay to access it that is.

i dont neccesarily start AC IVs because its the quickest access.... I start AC IV's because the vein is usually bigger there in case I need to do a quick resuscitation, or I need to adminsiter blood, or I need a CTA Pulmonary... I don't do things jus...

what state are you guys in where you can carry concealed in a hospital??? It is illegal here in Texas for a CHL holder to carry in the hospital... I must be in the wrong state lol

I concur that it seems like bed assignments are finally made at the wrong time all the time... What kills me is when people do not want to take report at shift change... it comes down to "Do you want report from the person that knows the patient the ...

yeah I was surprised to hear that myself. She told me that the earliest she could even get in would be next year... and thats if any slots opened up.

Navy Reserve Bonus is actually only $10K... my buddy is thinking about doing it herself. She was trying to go active duty, but there aren't any slots open for nurses in the Navy.

Just remember, even if you go to DO school, you have to do a residency after your 4 years of schooling... then possibly a fellowship. Timewise, you are really looking at 4-12 years depending on what specialty you choose. Other then that, if time is n...

I got in the ER under an internship... I am having to deal with alot of BS with the internship other then working and learning on the floor, but it was a step into an area I was really interested in so I just had to bite the bullet

I just graduated from nursing school in December and went straight into ED. The biggest encouragement I've received from other nurses is this: "You will mess up, make some mistakes, and probably some big ones at that, but always remember from those m...

Nice! Thank you for appreciating all our hard work! Happy Nurse's Week to all my fellow nurses!

I went home with 2mg Dilaudid this past Sunday morning after work. I drove back to work, and wasted the med with charge nurse. He just laughed at me and told all I had to do was call him about it. If you just call or go back, they will be less suspic...

They say 500ml out at most at one time if there is urine retention. Bladder spasms are pretty awful for the patient. I have had this happen to one of my patients before while I was in nursing school.

I would not worry about doing the ACLS during school... your place of employment will pay for it if it is required on your unit.

Dallas, I sent you an email

HESI means nothing to these recruiters... you have to look good with you app/ cover letter/ resume and then really get their attention at the interview. Good luck with yalls interviews and stuff. Dont forget about Methodist... I am interning in their...

Whats the worst that can happen? You don't get the job? You already don't have the job, so its nothing different. Whats the best that can happen? You get the job... I say go for it, and go to the units you're interested in and talk to the nurse m...

MONA protocol (morphine, O2 @ 2L, Nitro Sublingual, ASA), STAT 12 Lead EKG, IV, Labs including cardiacs, monitor, v/s, and beta blocker if indicated, and nebs if needed.

As a current Student Nurse Tech, thanks for that post! Its a great encouragement to keep busting my tail and helping out on the floor as much as I can!

I won't hessitate to boot guests out of a room if they are impeding with my ability to provide care to the patient. I try to help my pt.'s family to the best of my ability, but the minute they begin to impede, they are out of there until I get what ...