sunnycalifRN

sunnycalifRN

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All Content by sunnycalifRN

  1. How did you get into the ICU?

    sunnycalifRN replied to missbutton's topic in MICU, SICU

    I was able to get hired directly into ICU because I had worked as a respiratory therapist at the same hospital for 5 years prior. When I started nursing school, I spoke with the Nurse Mgr of ICU and...

  2. Turmoil with salary vs lifestyle - need advice.

    sunnycalifRN replied to IcanHealYou's topic in General Nursing

    A wise person, my father, told me that you have to live within your means. If you cannot control your spending, no amount of money will be enough. You say that $100K is enough but if you made that...

  3. why is the pay so low?!?!

    sunnycalifRN replied to cawkazn's topic in LPN, LVN Corner

    Yes, the sad reality of health care salaries. Some areas pay much better but most skilled tradesmen make much more than RN's. I took care of a cabinet maker a while back and was quite surprised to...

  4. Report from OR: What do you want to know?

    sunnycalifRN replied to BridgetJones's topic in MICU, SICU

    in ICU, cordis is just the term used for the large bore insertion sheath, through which a PA cath, or single, double or triple lumen cath may be inserted. you're right, it's a brand name but it's...

  5. Two Associates degrees ?? Does it make sense ?

    sunnycalifRN replied to Back2Nursing09's topic in General Nursing

    Sure, go for it! Since you don't want to accumulate a lot of debt, the AS nursing degree is much less expensive than the 4 yr BSN or accelerated BSN programs. Many "2nd career" RN's have multiple...

  6. What is a vascular icu

    sunnycalifRN replied to Riverhopper's topic in MICU, SICU

    I've never heard of it either. But my guess would be an ICU that specializes in vascular patients only (AAA repairs, various types of bypass grafts, etc) I don't know why it makes sense for an ICU...

  7. Can I bolus this patient? A legal / practice question about sedatives and narcotics

    sunnycalifRN replied to simvee's topic in MICU, SICU

    Well, the "by the book" answer is that you're medicating a patient without an order . . . you can only titrate a drip within the ordered range, and I seriously doubt that the order for versed says...

  8. bolus and GI bleed

    sunnycalifRN replied to fiveofpeep's topic in MICU, SICU

    Old Ben Casey, MD used to show that to our baby docs in teaching rounds as a quick assessment tool for patients with no central line. Sure, there are lots better more scientific methods, but, if you...

  9. Can I bolus this patient? A legal / practice question about sedatives and narcotics

    sunnycalifRN replied to simvee's topic in MICU, SICU

    I agree. We have some docs who start off with 400 of fentanyl and 6 of versed because they don't want their patients to even twitch! Others, will use just propofol and a little fentanyl. Variety is...

  10. bolus and GI bleed

    sunnycalifRN replied to fiveofpeep's topic in MICU, SICU

    A trick you can do to prove that the patient is dry: With patient supine, note patient's BP, then lift both patient's legs to 45 degrees and maintain, note BP now . . . if there was a significant...

  11. DNR Status

    sunnycalifRN replied to TangoLima's topic in MICU, SICU

    Yes, I started a thread on Inappropriate ICU Admissions a while back because it was happening often where I work. The joke about our ICU is that it is a "gero-psych" unit with old codgers who pull...

  12. FFP with diprivan?

    sunnycalifRN replied to photomom's topic in MICU, SICU

    create sterile field, local anesthetic, scalpel, incision through skin and fascia, find vein, cannulate, close

  13. Poll: Do you donate blood?

    sunnycalifRN replied to pna2388's topic in General Nursing

    I donate platelets every month along with 2 units of plasma. 133 donations and counting. (I used to donate blood but they wanted my platelets

  14. I passed my Boards!!!!

    sunnycalifRN replied to BeOne77's topic in NCLEX Exam, Programs

    Nice

  15. FFP with diprivan?

    sunnycalifRN replied to photomom's topic in MICU, SICU

    Right on, Neo! What if the pt's BP tanked? Somewhat likely with propofol . . . are you just going to keep juggling with one IV? If you have to, use intraosseous access! Oh, I didn't see the...

  16. is nursing even a good career choice right now?

    sunnycalifRN replied to tware's topic in General Nursing

    But, the economic reality is that there is NO guaranteed job. I was laid off three times in high tech, twice in aerospace, and once in a factory job. I have no illusions about nursing . . . there...

  17. is nursing even a good career choice right now?

    sunnycalifRN replied to tware's topic in General Nursing

    I agree. No matter what state the economy is in, people still require health care services. And, someday, the economy will perk up a bit and hospitals will hire again. And, the 65 to 70 yr old...

  18. patients family photographing your badge?

    sunnycalifRN replied to melgrek's topic in General Nursing

    Yes, you're right . . . but a lot of our patients and their family have many loose

  19. patients family photographing your badge?

    sunnycalifRN replied to melgrek's topic in General Nursing

    Unfortunately, our ID badge has our first and last name, so that cats already out of the bag, so to

  20. patients family photographing your badge?

    sunnycalifRN replied to melgrek's topic in General Nursing

    I believe that you are correct. The patient is entitled to know our full name and credential. Now, obviously, not any other information. If the client is litigious and decides to bring a lawsuit,...

  21. ICU Staffing Ratio & (Floating icu nurses)

    sunnycalifRN replied to urbanRN's topic in MICU, SICU

    We also get floated any time that we are overstaffed and we often don't have an NA, we just have to help each other. Fortunately, 1 RN : 2 pts is the maximum patient assignment by state law. And, to...

  22. IV Certification

    sunnycalifRN replied to Garnes44's topic in General Nursing

    I wouldn't spend money on brushing up on IV's. Maybe you could volunteer in the ER of the hospital you're hired at and just put in a couple dozen. You'll be comfortable with IV's in a few

  23. Considering a Nursing Career

    sunnycalifRN replied to ttpurtee's topic in General Nursing

    If you're concerned about that, you just wear a face shield and a gown, anytime that exposure is possible. It's a good practice anyway, although I admit that I don't always anticipate

  24. RNs, does your salary let you live cormfortably?

    sunnycalifRN replied to JonB04's topic in General Nursing

    Yes, that is certainly true. The SF Bay area is highly unionized, hence, the high salary. The Los Angeles area, which has probably 10x more hospitals, pays considerably less. And, the rural areas...

  25. RNs, does your salary let you live cormfortably?

    sunnycalifRN replied to JonB04's topic in General Nursing

    In SF Bay area, starting salary is around $50K to 70K. After 4 to 5 years, most all RN's are making over $100K. Even with the high cost of housing, you can still live comfortably. But, as I'm sure...