NurseRachet

I am a Clinical Specialist. In my state, I enrolled in the Nurse Practioner Program. I finished with a Master of Science. It depends on meeting the requirements for the NP Program. I chose to take classes that pertained to management versus clini...

At our hospital, nurses that do not get a meal, clock out "no-meal" and get paid for it. They are entitled to 30 minutes, and if they did not get any breaks, (entitled to 2 15-minute breaks in 8 or 10 or 12 hour shifts), they can take that with thei...

That manager is way out of touch with reality. She could be part of a harrassment suit...and better get with the program! I would not take that crap from any surgeon. I had a physician once that used to throw things, and one day threw a stool out ...

I love the "look" approach. At our hospital, we have a written policy in the patient handbook when they are admitted Patient Rights and Employee Rights. That includes that we are to treat each other with respect and courtesy. Our administration su...

I have been a nurse for 32 years and a manager for 22 years. I like the quote of Harry S Trumen. If you are in charge, then take charge. I think these nurses may be testing you and kind of "feeling you out" to see how much they can push you. I ha...

The most embarrassing moment in my 32 years as a nurse, was walking into the restroom, and who did I find, the CEO of the hospital, sitting on the stool with his pants down around his knees. Needless to say, the only thing I could say, "Oh my God, ...

Living in a neighborhood of elderly people and on a "killer curve" we have had several accidents across the street from my home and illnesses in the neighborhood - and yes, guess who do they come and get??? One night at 3 am, we had a horrible motor...

We also chart by exception. All units have 24-hour Flow Sheets that have multiple boxes to check. The critical care units check boxes and write out long hand the same stuff....can't change them. All other units are pretty good about charting only ...

I work in a 224 bed hospital. We utilize admission/discharge nurses in the critical care units (CCU/ICU/Telemetry) and the medical/surgical units (4 units). They come in at 11 am and work until 9 pm. They work 6 days a week. Every Sunday off. We...

AMEN to the response - boy, have we all heard that response before!

Interesting, because at our hospital, the nurses believe that the computer is a waste of time and takes them away from patient care. From comparing QA results over the past 3 years, there is a definite improvement in clinical documentation from "pap...

Just when you thought acuity systems would disappear - here it is again:-) We had a trekking system that the nurses hated, never understood and "cheated on". The House Supervisors never enforced the rules, so needless to say, it just went to the wa...

I agree, if you can navigate around the NET, you can work on a computer. Don't be afraid of the computer, it is user friendly. I build nursing forms for CPR - so I have a little bit of edge on the programming part. I can tell you that the nurses re...

We have a system in place for reporting medication errors that is non-judgmental and doesn't count "numbers of errors per nurse". We also do a "root analysis" of a medication error of a potential or dangerous reaction. I was more concerned about th...

I am interested in what some of the House Supervisors role/responsibilities are in other hospitals. I work in a 225 bed facility, that averages 50-60% capacity. I currently work the 3-11 shift, but the night House Supervisor is wondering the same t...

Hello - the field of informatics, although not new, is growing leaps and bounds. I have found that most companies and hospitals are hiring nurses for these positions. they need our expertise. I went for training about 2-3 years ago for just buildin...

We also train our staff at yearly mandatories and upon employment. We have reduced our restraint usage by using sitters and/or family members to remain with the patient. Most of our patients that are restrained are those patients having total knees...

I agree with the other comments. Just take one day at a time. Organization is the key, you have children, so you know how to do that. I also had 3 children and a great husband that helped me through the worst days. Everyone has to adjust. I have ...

Hello - I wouldn't mind being your e-mail friend. I have been a nurse for 30 years, worked in all backgrounds, except in a factory, OB/Peds, and ER. Had no desire to work any of those area's. I am on the NET often and in the chatrooms. There are ...

I agree, we all put in lots of hours without being compensated with pay. Do you think folks working in a factory would do that? I think not! I am currently salaried, and I can say that on an average I donate 500 hrs or more per year, (others I kno...

We always have 2 nurses in the ICU when the census is down to 1-2 patients. We have also opted to move the patient to the CCU area to adjust staffing since the level of care is the same. I agree, that is pretty skimpy staffing. Could your other nu...

I use the net for this exact method of communicating with other nurses. I also can seek out legal issues, medication alerts, regulatory standards (via hospitalsoup.com), etc. It is a great souce of all kinds of information. Don't know what I would...

Ok another story - I experienced (I have been a nurse 30 yrs). While taking care of 2 elderly female patients on the medical unit, one alert, one dying and unresponsive -same room. The alert pt put on her call light. She said she heard noises besid...

I have a couple stories. An older nurse that mentored me, told about an experience she had. While making rounds on a medical unit, she looked down the end of the hallway and saw a woman dressed in a long white gown "glide" out one door across the h...

I have been a nurse for 30 yrs - and I also agree with the other comments - Med/Surg is a foundation for other types of nursing. It teaches you sound clinical assessment skills that you will never lose and great organizational skills. Is it the ger...