applewhitern BSN, RN

ICU

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All Content by applewhitern

  1. applewhitern

    [So] My hospital has banned disposable wipes...

    applewhitern replied to Thunda's topic in General Nursing

    We don't have wipes; we just use washcloths. They assure us that the linens are washed in something that kills everything, and they never have stains on them. Our towels and washcloths look...
  2. applewhitern

    Coreg med and no heart rate parameters?

    applewhitern replied to amber7591's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    I agree, Coreg is not one of the meds I would hold, simply based on a patient's heart rate. Yes, you do need to look at the whole picture. If there are no written parameters, then call the MD. I am...
  3. applewhitern

    Treating fever with acetaminophen

    applewhitern replied to Vespertinas's topic in Patient Medications

    I have worked with a doctor who would not let us give acetaminophen unless the temp. was >103. I have also worked with a doctor who would only let us give one, 325 mg acetaminophen instead of 2....
  4. applewhitern

    Should pediatric patients shower with central lines while in the hospital setting

    applewhitern replied to bonsairn's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    Most IV pumps have a battery-pack, so when un-plugged from the electrical outlet, the battery kicks
  5. applewhitern

    So the boss says "When a call light goes off, consider that an error"

    applewhitern replied to mindlor's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    Sounds like your boss has recently been to one of those meetings where customer service was the topic of the day. We have been doing hourly rounds for several years now, and we all have been taught...
  6. applewhitern

    Disappointed with my nurse last night

    applewhitern replied to BSNbeauty's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    Sorry, but other than not swabbing your IV port, I see nothing this nurse did wrong here. Seems like everything a nurse thinks, says or don't say, does or doesn't do, somebody has to complain about...
  7. applewhitern

    Putting in my letter of resignation today

    applewhitern replied to MomRN0913's topic in Home Health

    My biggest regret in life is that I had to work, instead of being able to stay home with my kids. I am glad you took that leap of faith, and my prayers are with you. Good luck,
  8. applewhitern

    Paper charting

    applewhitern replied to sasrn0988's topic in General Nursing

    What is your hospital's policy on charting? For years, I charted narrative style, as taught to me in nursing school. Then I went to work at a hospital that wanted you to chart by exception only....
  9. applewhitern

    Political hope for bedside nurses

    applewhitern replied to forrester's topic in Activism, Healthcare

    This is in regards to the comment posted about ICU nurses in Florida having 3 patients. At my previous hospital, we took 4 patients each in ICU, and floor nurses took
  10. applewhitern

    Giving Narcotic After Scheduled

    applewhitern replied to slauren's topic in Patient Medications

    I would give it, and if it is a "scheduled routine med" then just change the times due. What would you do if an antibiotic was due, but the IV was infiltrated, or the patient was in another...
  11. applewhitern

    the way I vew things or the way healthcare has become??

    applewhitern replied to blugreeneyez's topic in General Nursing

    Some medications can cause a false-positive drug screen. For instance, Protonix can cause a drug test to show positive for marijuana. Certain other meds, including some OTC ones, will do this also,...
  12. applewhitern

    Health Insurance rates...

    applewhitern replied to HippyDippyLPN's topic in General Nursing

    My major medical, including vision and dental, is $130 per month, single. After seeing what rates other people pay, I am thrilled with mine! We are paid lower hourly rates here in my southern state,...
  13. applewhitern

    What do you do?

    applewhitern replied to texasmum's topic in General Nursing

    Read Allnurses, of
  14. applewhitern

    OMG Say it correctly!

    applewhitern replied to seanynjboy's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    Rales is given a French pronunciation. Think of the word "rally." Rales is pronounced like the "ral" part of rally would
  15. applewhitern

    OMG Say it correctly!

    applewhitern replied to seanynjboy's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    "Oophorectomy." You pronounce both "o's." People pronounce it with an "ooooooph," and that is incorrect. The easy way to remember this is to think of the "oocytes," in which you pronounce both...
  16. applewhitern

    OMG Say it correctly!

    applewhitern replied to seanynjboy's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    My pet peeves are rales and yankauer. I hate it when people say rales with a long A, and say "yanker," like you are going to yank something. Both are incorrect, and that was drilled into us in...
  17. applewhitern

    sooo tired of staff without ANY compassion or empathy!!!

    applewhitern replied to nervousnurse's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    We have a problem with cell phone usage at my facility. They won't ban them, because they say a child might need to call, or some other emergency. Staff is on their phones constantly. It is...
  18. applewhitern

    Is it illegal to say you're a med student if you are not in medical school?

    applewhitern replied to psu_213's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    Well, I see nurses talk about being in "medicine" all the time here. Nurses are in "nursing;" doctors are in "medicine." Two separate things. Anyway, one of our patients told a doctor she was in...
  19. applewhitern

    What is the correct title?

    applewhitern replied to Redriver's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    All of the hospitals I have worked in require all nursing staff to be called by their first name. All doctors are Dr. So and So, and we are not allowed to call any doctor by their first name. Even...
  20. applewhitern

    Two VERY low ball job offers in the last month...(management and leadership!)

    applewhitern replied to SweettartRN's topic in Nurse Management

    This is why I have never had any desire to be anything but a staff nurse. I have an accounting and business administration degree. I was told many times during nursing school that I could make more...
  21. applewhitern

    Help with solving a Patient Sitter Staffing problem

    applewhitern replied to DogWmn's topic in General Nursing

    I can't offer any suggestions, as I know the other staff probably doesn't get lunch breaks often, either. Our hospital does not employ "sitters," if you need a sitter, the family has to provide (and...
  22. applewhitern

    Residencies: doctors have it figured out

    applewhitern replied to Amistad's topic in Job Search, Interview, Resume

    Not all doctors work their residencies for "dirt cheap wages." The resident doctors at my university teaching hospital are paid more than I make now, plus they only work 4 days per week. They have...
  23. applewhitern

    Need some advice...please

    applewhitern replied to dusoleil264's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    First, I am confused about why the blood bank gave PRBC's instead of platelets. Did the secretary actually order PRBC's? If so, then did you check her orders? Second, I am confused as to why...
  24. applewhitern

    Nurses and Dry Hands

    applewhitern replied to elementguy13's topic in General Nursing

    I thought the petroleum-based and/or mineral oil based products interfered with the integrity of gloves. This may just be true for latex gloves, however. I know at my old hospital (4 years ago) we...
  25. applewhitern

    What makes a "good patient"?

    applewhitern replied to moriahcat's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    I agree with "imintrouble" about getting off the cell phone. Don't lunge and grab the phone just because it rings while I have a stethoscope to your chest. Please turn down the TV when I (or a...