Ellekat

You are probably learning more than you realize. I worked in a clinic for several years, then went back into the hospital system. I was amazed, looking back, at how much I had learned that I hadn't realized I was learning at the time. You've recei...

Your situation is similar to mine. My manager was my aide 3 years ago. Took her 3 times to pass boards, but at least she was a decent nurse on the floor. Another nurse I worked with who READ BOOKS while the rest of us went crazy trying to answer c...

How do you deal with changes in your job? I have become very disheartened in the last month. On top of caring for a diverse population of patients (peds, ortho, surgical) we have been given a very user-unfriendly computer system to work with that w...

Thank you, abundantjoy07. I think it's the same throughout our hospital except in ICU. I just need to start looking at other facilities-and a new specialty.

Thank you; it is good to hear that it is not just me. No computer on-line course (no computer training beyond a two-hour course six months before we got the system). But you're right-I need to just realize I can't get it all done. What's sad is th...

I am now a med-surg nurse, have been a nurse for 17 years. My advice: find a position that is right for you. Specialty nursing is easier (fewer physicians, more understanding of care, a limited variety of meds other than home meds) for me, possibl...

Perhaps the real question is how the question is worded. A poor question can yield poor results. We'll probably have a survey regarding the Press-Garney survey to worry about soon.

It IS rewarding to know you've helped someone, made someone more comfortable, helped someone's life improve, helped resusitate a patient who wants to live. Nursing is about that. Unfotunately, there are many negatives, too. Many of us save our bes...

I gown up if I'm cleaning the patient, changing a dressing, etc. If I'm adjusting the IV rate, changing the channel for tha patient, etc., I wear gloves. It also depends on my knowledge of the patient's condition-C-diff contained in an ostomy bag V...

If you're a nurse and have the TIME to deal with a "code brown", then you're in a good job and should stay. Nursing, like any other job, has its good and its bad. The culture varies from department to department and changea as the individual staff ...

I moved often as a child, and it usually took about 6 months for me to adjust to a new "home". I would have crazy dreams involving houses, people, etc., from both my present and past places of residence. I think what you're going through shows a g...

I'm facing a similar situation twice this summer. The first was when myfirst husband and father of my 3 children died. My manager refused to let me off for the funeral, as it was my weekend to work. Evidently nurses don't understand that funerals ...

I like the Sprague; I hear well out of them and I can buy four for the price of a well-price Littman. I've always felt that people like the high-dollar scope to prove that they are dedicated professionals...and some probably really to hear better wi...

I use the deltoid, but if I'm teaching a patient to self-administer, I have them use the thigh. The route (IM or SC) is ordered by the physician; I've always given it as an IM injection.

I have a purple and a pink Littman, a black, a blue and a turquoise Sprague. Doctors "borrow" the black one often; less often with the others. The Spragues are inexpensive and I like them best; the Littman both make my neck itch if I use them for s...

We have no specific standards. After receiving the discharge order, I ask the patient what time they plan to leave (many of them need rides) and get the paperwork ready as soon as possible. I check back with patients at least once; if they are stay...

Our manager is threatening us with wearing white. We are part of the Via Christi system and have been told the Wichita Via Christi facilities are already wearing white. Having worn it 20 years ago, I know the underwear will show! I would prefer nav...

I have never seen a patient catheterized for a colonoscopy. I do agree with the previous post; what is a little urine if you have gloves and an absorbent pad of some type? I think it is a reasonable request. I see your concern-do you have a super...

Although economic status has been addressed in reference to the feminist movement of the '70's, no one has addressed where nurses come from on the economic ladder-especially when comparing nurses to teachers. Nurses in the past usually were consider...

You gave 15mg Toradall-a standard dose for a person of your patient's age. I would assume her medical doctor cleared her for surgery, as it does not appear to have been a trauma case. Her surgeon and her medical doctor are probably both aware of an...

We got something! A melted banana split that we didn't have time to eat! But we're grateful! lol. You'd think administration would realize by now that food we don't have time to eat does not show appreciation for the work we do. Oh-and we have to...

I've also considered the Nursing/IT option. I have a 4-year degree, plus an ADN (17 years). I don't see getting a BSN as a way to obtain more knowledge as much as a way to open doors to specialties. Much of the course work can be obtained by readin...

Simply don't pay for JCAHO to come in; do make certain that your facility maintains state standards, however. Reimbursement may be lower, and the facility cannot say it is JCAHO certified.

My favorite gripe is the social worker who consistently spells niece "neice". I do wish we had higher spelling and grammar standards in nursing, but since my abilities are declining rapidly I'd be the first one up for correction.

Ours smell pretty good; we give patients the option of soap & water or using the wipes; many chose the wipes. Our wipes do leave a lubricating film that the older people like. We also use different wipes for cleaning the peri-area than we do fo...