JulieCVICURN BSN, RN

First off, yes, OR experience counts just like any other. In fact, in my department we have had difficulty finding someone with expertise in that area and would welcome it. Some of the biggest informatics challenges come from periop or procedural are...

I have seen both sides of this. I think it should be required to have nursing experience, particularly in a hospital setting, to specialize in informatics. So much of what we do is about making the technology work for the workflow, and adapting the w...

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I must have worked in an unusual unit, because I can honestly say I'm surprised to hear that anyone doesn't appreciate a patient sitter. We got them so rarely and needed them so often that we treated them like gold.

Maybe you're taking it too personally. Perhaps the comment was in regard to that particular patient and not that a sitter isn't necessary ever. I've worked ICU, and believe me, when we have a patient who needs a sitter we are super grateful to get ...

I'm curious why you chose Epic. Are you sure you'll be working in a facility that uses it? My facility uses McKesson, the one across the street from us uses Meditech, and the one 20 miles away uses Cerner. Also, these applications are very user fri...

Just normal strength with no issues like back problems should be able to handle it. I'm not particularly strong even though I'm not a 100 lb girl (I'm a bigger girl than that!), but those carts are in general pretty easy to maneuver and push around....

Ha! I have done exactly this too! Boy, was I embarrassed.

It was unprofessional. It seems perfectly logical to me for the CN to load herself up with patients so that she doesn't have to take an admission, because she's got additional responsibilities. One of the most time consuming aspects of patient care ...

The doctor is an ass for shaming you that way. If I had a dollar for every time I called a doctor before I realized I already had a PRN (when I was new), I'd be able to buy dinner at Outback. Cripes. Nurses are busy enough, of course you're going t...

I would just highlight that you have extensive experience with vent dependent patient, including ventilator troubleshooting, if that's the case.

Two things - you are a little overly worried (just a little, though, not crazy) and your coworkers seem to have some pretty careless, disgusting behaviors. Bleh.

At our facility, when you show up for your free mandated flu shot there is a paper that you fill out that asks if you had a reaction before. You can check yes and a box that says "Refused due to allergic reaction" and you're allowed to refuse. I can'...

In most institutions there's a behavioral reporting structure for situations like a doctor treating you the way you describe, so if you're not comfortable confronting them, use the hotline/reporting. As far as other nurses go, you just have to have a...

We've been talking about it and I keep hearing it's going to become more of a standard, but it hasn't yet. At least, not in my facility.

Can't give advice, but I remember how worried I was about catching things like MRSA when I was a student, and when I think back on it I feel pretty silly. Half of my unit was pregnant for the last 3 years (they rotated, it wasn't one really long pre...

I would be completely comfortable doing this. I would just ask the doctor, "I've seen symptoms like these before and I was just wondering what your thoughts are about the possibility of XYZ..." Depending on the physician, you just have to tailor you...

I have never had a manicure in my life, and I have also gotten almost every job I've ever interviewed for.

You're never ready, just like you're never ready to have kids. There's always life, job, family, money issues to get in the way. So, you know you're ready when you know it's what you want and why you're doing it. Just do it.

You said a lot of great things that really just boil down to the fact that a little common courtesy goes a long way. I do not recommend the quoted action, though, because on the surface it may seem like it's a really great way to show initiative and...

I don't know if this counts as being totally out of nursing, but about a year ago I was hired to start a clinical informatics department at my facility. I have found that this is truly my calling and I love it in a way I never could have loved bedsi...

I have no experience with working in a country where the culture and language are different from my own, so I have nothing to offer in terms of that. I would just say that you should perhaps chalk it up to experience. I'm not saying that it's not e...

I wish I could post this as a permanent banner on the front page of this site. Do not EVER wear scrubs for an interview. The one and only exception I would make for this is if you are interviewing for an internal transfer job and you are doing it...

I'm not trying to be an ass here, but honestly it's not "normal" to get a gusher. You can improve that technique. Unless I'm using a large guage cath, I rarely get more than a drip or two escaping from me! Don't be afraid to use pressure above the ...