txsummerRN

A woman came to me to learn how to stop her continued breast milk production, 6 months after she stopped nursing her baby. I asked if she ever thought of just giving the milk to her son, since she was still producing so much. "Isn't it bad by now?"...

Hello All, I am halfway through a PNP program and am increasingly finding that my heart is just not 'in it.' For the past 2 years I have dreamed of becoming a CNM, but I also felt that I had already made my decision and needed to finish the degree I...

Yes, I imagine Dr. Hale would have some information on the subject. The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto also might have some good resources. I find most of the mainstream drug guides to be too conservative in their guidance on meds/herbs and ...

Thanks!

I know 2 managers who had to have the 'body odor talk' with an employee. They both felt terrible about it, but their coworkers were extremely grateful!

I have an interview for a PNP program coming up and they've requested that I bring along a writing sample. Does anyone have any advice as to what they're looking for? I figure they want some sort of research paper, but I'm a bedside nurse and I've ...

It may also depend on your state. Here in Texas, NPs are required to have acute care certification to work in hospitals. All of the PNPs I work with (in a pedi hospital) had to get a post-master's acute care certification. I think I remember heari...

Hey Guys, Thanks for the great advice! I worked all weekend on a paper that I think turned out alright. The interview went well and I found out I was accepted into the program before even handing over my writing sample. Haha! Well, at least I'm i...

I'll have to see what I can dig up, but I don't remember any incredibly well written papers from nursing school. That didn't seem to be a big priority. Thanks for the advice so far! :redpinkhe

Dear Annacnatorn, While you were correct in advising your colleague to check a patient's hx more carefully before deciding not to wear gloves, I hope you also told her that AIDS cannot be transmitted just by touching someone. Hopefully you also told...

Pediatric ICU is a great choice too! We are definitely Type A, overly cautious, follow-every-rule people, and people that aren't that way make us crazy! =)

All great advice! During my ICU externship I always worked under an RN. I could give some medications, chart, work on my assessment skills, learn more about interacting with the health care team, learn about reading EKGs and interpreting lab values...

I don't work at Methodist but I can answer some of your questions. Methodist is in the Texas Medical Center, inside the 610 loop, on the South side. Other hospitals in the TMC are St. Luke's, MD Anderson, TX Children's, Ben Taub, Texas Woman's, Shr...

I agree, it's time to lay everything out on the table. I bet if you broach the subject directly, in your typically nice manner, it might help. Good luck! What a rotten situation though! Ugh! Mean people stink!

Hey srleslie. Did you ever get your questions answered? I want to know about APNs finding PICU positions as well! It seems like there aren't that many positions available since there are so few PICUs around!

Hi JT, Well, there are benefits to each different degree. If you get and ADN you are done with school and working that much faster. I have a BSN but work alongside ADNs in an ICU and they know just as much as I do. Many of them decide to go back t...

Nursing certainly has a lot of negatives, but overall, for me anyways, it's a great field where you can really make a difference. It's true that you really have to be dedicated, that you see lots of poop and pee, adult diapers, angry families. HOWE...

Okay, no need to panic. Yes, you definitely should have told the oncoming RN as well as a physician and charted what you found and what you did about it. Were any labs ordered? Was the Foley left in place? What you should do now is at least call ...