Stcroix ASN, PhD, RN

cardiac-telemetry, hospice, ICU

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All Content by Stcroix

  1. Stcroix

    Cardiovascular certification

    Stcroix replied to michlynn's topic in Cardiac

    The exam is very difficult. I took an in-class course over two days, followed by the exam. It was an intense course followed by an even more intense exam. Obviously, the course was tailored to us...
  2. Stcroix

    Reasons patients turn on their call light

    Stcroix replied to diamondp17's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    "I'm in terrible pain" says the A&O 40 year old with the PCA pump control in her hand. And yes, she knew how to use
  3. Stcroix

    Zombie Apocalypse: WWND?

    Stcroix replied to ixchel's topic in General Nursing

    Bring on the ZA. You see, I work in south Fl and all I can imagine is the zombies chasing me in their Caddies @ 5 mph, or their hoverounds. I figure I can outrun them at a brisk walk, don't need a...
  4. Stcroix

    Furosemide

    Stcroix replied to brown rice's topic in Medical-Surgical

    Wow. Op lasix is a diuretic, right? Think about it, if the fluid is lost from the circulatory system the volume will be depleted. Less volume in the circulation, risk of lower blood pressure. Also...
  5. Stcroix

    Areas of nursing you would NOT like?

    Stcroix replied to Nursetobe25's topic in General Nursing

    Pediatrics- me no Oh I like kids ok- just depends on the
  6. Stcroix

    Social Skills in Nursing: The Art of Validation

    Stcroix replied to TheCommuter's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    OP, great topic, you are right on. I honed my people skills with an OLD book,"How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie. It was a huge best seller in its day and is still totally...
  7. Stcroix

    PICC line issues, blood draw tips.

    Stcroix replied to Nurse.NoFilter's topic in General Nursing

    Whenever flushing a PICC with a 10ml flush, 'pulse' the flow rapidly. It has been shown that the turbulence helps clear fibrin from the lumen. I have had luck clearing lines that won't pull using...
  8. Stcroix

    Making others faint and fall out at the dinner table

    Stcroix replied to Brian's topic in Critical Care

    When dining at my parents house someone will ask me something like: "anything interesting happen at work lately?" As I draw my breath to speak, my Dad's upper lip starts to curl
  9. Stcroix

    Staffing

    Stcroix replied to nursekellymarie26's topic in Cardiac

    Yikes. Are you titrating those drips? That would be a disaster waiting to happen. My floor has 5 pt with many on drips, but no titration- that is ICU stuff. Still 5 is overwhelming at
  10. Stcroix

    what did I get myself into

    Stcroix replied to new and confused's topic in First Year After Licensure

    Yes it will get better, but no advice here is going to make that decision any easier. If you get past a year and still hate going to work, then you need to make a change, what change is something...
  11. Stcroix

    Is your hospital in the Arctic Zone?

    Stcroix replied to Joe V's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    Ya it's cold. I tell patients the truth: "It's cold in here to you, but if it were any warmer your nurse would be melting from all the running around I
  12. Stcroix

    Altered Mental Status- a surprise diagnosis

    Stcroix posted a topic in General Nursing

    Recently had a 80+ year old man admitted for AMS (altered mental status) and pneumonia. No big whoop. He was given a complete workup and started on antibiotics. Elevated WBC, neg CXR, cat scans of...
  13. Stcroix

    Altered Mental Status- a surprise diagnosis

    Stcroix replied to Stcroix's topic in General Nursing

    Ya, me too. Apparently it's got to do with the 'blood brain barrier' thing. But I learned that high doses over long periods will treat it and I sure saw a vast improvement in the
  14. Stcroix

    Base Pay

    Stcroix replied to rbozzell's topic in General Nursing

    I would bet that almost none would tell
  15. Stcroix

    condom catheters

    Stcroix replied to 84RN's topic in General Nursing

    They are an overall lame idea to begin with (but I guess fulfill a niche). Consider any time you get it to stay on a
  16. Stcroix

    Nurses don't do anything

    Stcroix replied to Dtermnd2Bgreat's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    There are always going to be naysayers and critics. The fact is that nursing is consistently rated as a very trusted profession. That being said, I would infer most people see us as hard
  17. Stcroix

    Too much stuff behind ID badge!!

    Stcroix replied to NurseEric81's topic in Nursing Professionalism

    So yes, the badges. Let's not forget the buttons, etc, ("flair") that we can 'earn'. That is the certifications, magnet status, customer service awards and the like. There are some nurses walking...
  18. Stcroix

    If you could just pick up and leave, where would you go?

    Stcroix replied to JNursee's topic in General Nursing

    I hear Titan is
  19. Stcroix

    The Worst Hospital Visitor I've Ever Seen

    Stcroix replied to Ruby Vee's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    Just the other day a patient asked for an "escort" to her room. Now THAT is taking customer service to a new
  20. Stcroix

    The Worst Hospital Visitor I've Ever Seen

    Stcroix replied to Ruby Vee's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    Thanks for your input, it did occur to me it may be a cultural thing, however, policy is that NO meds be given to a pt while in house. That was explained very courteously. The visitor was non...
  21. Stcroix

    The Worst Hospital Visitor I've Ever Seen

    Stcroix replied to Ruby Vee's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    No, no wonder- overall the human race is pretty pathetic, I am
  22. Stcroix

    The Worst Hospital Visitor I've Ever Seen

    Stcroix replied to Ruby Vee's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    We had a pt who was middle aged man with various complaints. He was from an eastern European country, spoke little English. No clear diagnosis, malaise, N&V, change in mental status that came...
  23. Stcroix

    How did you change?

    Stcroix replied to openyourmind's topic in General Nursing

    I worked as a transporter while I was in school. I had the luxury of seeing all the different floors in the hospital. I was lucky enough to be offered a job in my favorite area, cardiac telemetry....
  24. Stcroix

    Cardiac Telemetry

    Stcroix replied to workingtomygoal's topic in Cardiac

    Telemetry floors are always busy. That is, for the pt to be there, they have a heart problem. From my experience it is rare for a patient to ONLY have a heart problem, they often have a bag full of...
  25. Stcroix

    Best men's watch for male nurses

    Stcroix replied to binggrad's topic in Male Nursing Students

    The problem with many of the watches recommended here is that they have 'knobs' and sharp edges that will catch and carry the nasties. I use a Swatch that has a very smooth bezel and profile with a...