txlucky1

I'm frustrated with myself! :angryfire I work on a busy med-surg unit. We have a new policy in which the floor nurses must start the pre-op IV site. We are suppose to have a 20 gauge or larger cath in before the patient goes down for surgery. I'm not terrible at IVs, but I miss these big ones more than I would like. The other nurses and I would like a book or video to review to help with IV placement. Any ideas? Also, has anyone ever used an ultrasound or venoscope to find the veins on obese or dark-skinned people? I appreciate any help or advice. Please feel free to write to me at [email protected]. Thanks, Julie

Hello everyone. I just wanted to introduce myself and say thank you for the discussions. I have been a nurse for about 10 years and have worked mostly med-surg/adult health. I started out in med-surg but hit burnout after the 4th year. I was miserable! I left the hospital to do home health, Hospice, clinic work, dialysis, nursing home, LVN/LPN clinical education, and management. (Which I found I was frustrated with because I couldn't make any changes for the nurses.) I returned to med-surg...God knows what possessed me...and have already started with the s/sx of burnout again. I have been floating to ICU lately, and have found that even though the patients are more critical, the patient load is more manageable. I have decided to transition into ICU full-time. Anyway, what brings me here is a recommendation from an MD that I should become a CRNA. I never considered this career field, so I am just gathering information at this point. I know I'll need to work critical care for year or more before applying to schools. I have a highschooler I want to get closer to college first anyway. My questions are concerned with the actual work of the CRNA. What is your work routine like? What do you actually do in your position? Do any of you place central lines or PICC lines? What hours do you work? Rotating schedules? How about call? I plan to shadow a CRNA here in the next few weeks if I can work it out. Thank you for your time and assistance. Julie

I agree that this is insufficient protection. Some facilities are even applying Betadine swabs to the site before dressing, much like a central line. Perhaps this is overkill, but to the patient and the good nurse...better safe that sorry!

6. And in my opinion-computer charting-it makes life a lot easier when you do not have to try to decifer orders. Clarify this by asking about computer order entry. This is rare but nice. However, it is different than computerized charting which is becoming much more prevalent. Just more nursing confusion. Julie in Texas