nursemike ASN, RN

Rodeo Nursing (Neuro)

Member

All Content by nursemike

  1. nursemike

    One year in, yet still making errors -- stupid ones!

    nursemike replied to SoundofMusic's topic in General Nursing

    One of the things I always did during my first year was making sure to check for a pulse before starting an IV. By my second year, I was getting fairly decent at sticks and even had favorite veins...
  2. nursemike

    working at same hospital as my mom!!!!!

    nursemike replied to coffee4metech's topic in General Nursing

    This is not too uncommon at my facility, but we are a moderately large one (485 beds) so family members typically don't work together. I was a partner with my Dad for years in a small home improvement...
  3. nursemike

    how you become a better critical thinker? independent decision maker? more confident?

    nursemike replied to mashamontago's topic in General Nursing

    These are timely questions, because a couple of my newer co-workers are going through the same issues, and I would really like to be able to help them along. I've seen them both--caring, hard-working...
  4. nursemike

    Would you look at your friend's bottom if they asked you to?

    nursemike replied to Sash123's topic in General Nursing

    These days, a lot of my friends are women, and I look at their butts pretty regularly. Professionally? I suppose I probably would, if asked. I can't diagnose, but I can assess and report what I...
  5. nursemike

    Keeping sharp, male nurse finding purpose in job?

    nursemike replied to Johnnyonthespot's topic in Men in Nursing

    During my first year as a nurse, a classmate who worked on my unit would often comment, "Gee, do you remember when we thought school was hard?" We were both happy just to survive each shift and not...
  6. nursemike

    CMA working as CNA?

    nursemike replied to JonJon88's topic in General Nursing

    At my facility, most aides are not required to be CNAs, although a good many are. The minimum requirements, if I recall correctly, are a high school equivalent and the ability to lift fifty pounds,...
  7. nursemike

    Male nursing moments.

    nursemike replied to Ariko's topic in Men in Nursing

    Sorry, I don't have any specific stories off the top of my head, just now. Well, I just woke up and was starting to get ready for work when I suddenly realized I'm off tonight. I'd say I'm having...
  8. nursemike

    New to Charge

    nursemike posted a topic in General Nursing

    I was reading the thread on the "mini swat team," and it reminded me of some things I've been trying to figure out in my own situation, but I don't want to derail that thread. My situation is that...
  9. nursemike

    New to Charge

    nursemike replied to nursemike's topic in General Nursing

    Thanks. Sorry about the experiences you described. That will not be happening on my unit. For one thing, we rotate charge. I'm in charge this weekend, but next weekend someone else will be, and...
  10. nursemike

    you know you are in for trouble when.....

    nursemike replied to ktwlpn's topic in General Nursing

    I made the mistake of complaining to my CN (in jest) that I never get the 19y.o. female admissions. So, the next admission was--you guessed it. But the very first order on my Kardex was: "Absolutely...
  11. nursemike

    TuTonka wants to know--what keeps you in nursing?

    nursemike replied to Cobweb's topic in General Nursing

    After many years as a carpenter, a reliable income is something I definitely appreciate. Being off four days a week--even though I usually sleep through one of them--is also pretty nice, since it...
  12. nursemike

    Hey, New Grad!!!!

    nursemike replied to barefootlady's topic in General Nursing

    Welcome aboard, albeit belatedly, MrBill and lilred. At the risk of being maudlin, I can honestly say, you could do worse. Anyway, best of luck in your new positions. And good luck--maybe just not...
  13. nursemike

    the "dream" has come to an end

    nursemike replied to summersent's topic in General Nursing

    I don't mean to minimize anyone's woes, but do bear in mind that hardly anyone, including me, ever thinks, "Wow, I had a really great shift! I think I'll post about it on allnurses!" Also, my father...
  14. nursemike

    Crappy Nurses Day

    nursemike replied to RunningWithScissors's topic in General Nursing

    My facility cut way back on the snacks and cheap plastic crap, r/t the recession. That's okay. I was off for Nurse's Day, but still had some tequila left over from Cinqo de Mayo, so it all worked...
  15. nursemike

    Tough shift. First death.

    nursemike replied to notanumber's topic in General Nursing

    My condolences. Do you have someone at work to debrief with? I found posting on allnurses to be helpful with my first unexpected death, but not really a substitute for talking to (and hugging) my...
  16. nursemike

    the "dream" has come to an end

    nursemike replied to summersent's topic in General Nursing

    When I was a carpenter, lateral violence meant punching someone in the side. In nursing, it can encompass anything from rolling your eyes as someone gives you report to punching someone in the side,...
  17. nursemike

    the "dream" has come to an end

    nursemike replied to summersent's topic in General Nursing

    I'm sorry to hear you're leaving, but I can't imagine anyone better suited to make that decision for you than yourself. Best of luck in your future endeavors. Hey, it's ten to six--where's my Nexium?...
  18. nursemike

    "Your patient in 520 is in pain!"

    nursemike replied to FireStarterRN's topic in General Nursing

    I have what I consider a related beef. We sometimes assign "sitters" to patients as an alternative to restraints. When I was an orderly, I got this job pretty regularly. I usually disliked it....
  19. nursemike

    My God, these family members!!

    nursemike replied to SoundofMusic's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    Yeah...probably. But they might call less often if you leave them
  20. nursemike

    My God, these family members!!

    nursemike replied to SoundofMusic's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    Of course, the CEO and DON won't get the full experience of always having the phone ring as soon as they are in the middle of a sterile dressing change in MRSA isolation... Hmm. "I'm sorry I wasn't...
  21. nursemike

    My God, these family members!!

    nursemike replied to SoundofMusic's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    Ya got that
  22. nursemike

    My God, these family members!!

    nursemike replied to SoundofMusic's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    I've seen promos for a show with Jada Pinkett Smith, I think, called HawthoRNe. Looks promissing, but I don't recall when or where it will be on. I'm still not convinced the world is ready for...
  23. nursemike

    I'm starting to change as a person. Is this what nursing is like?

    nursemike replied to summersent's topic in General Nursing

    Well, yes, this is what it's like. Sometimes, anyway. Actually, it can get worse. But it also gets better. Like, when you're practicing on your own, you don't have an instructor breathing down...
  24. nursemike

    My God, these family members!!

    nursemike replied to SoundofMusic's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    Good point--especially since the behavior might not be baseline. Had a patient who came from ICU on an insulin drip. Dayshift nurse didn't realize he needed Q1H fingersticks, because they weren't...
  25. nursemike

    Any one wprk at Ruby?

    nursemike replied to edchunt's topic in General Nursing

    I'm really happy to read this post. It's always nice to hear about a happy patient with a good outcome. We've had a bit of a dip in morale, lately, but I think a lot of it has been due to conversion...