punkdmm BSN, RN

Any advice on program? Haven't really been able to find any old threads of those in the program to get any idea what it's like. Have been accepted and am excited to get started! Wondering how difficult it has been to find preceptors and how much mor...

We are using multiple agencies to fill holes in staffing. The few aides we have left of our own staff are slowly trickling out for higher pay. When the bulk of our aides left we did have some LPN’s willing to work as aides but it wasn’t required. But...

Yes. The interview wasn’t too bad. Pretty easy to answer questions. I was nervous but it was a pretty smooth conversation. It only lasted 15 minutes or less, I think, so it was over quick!

CONGRATS! I had considered going that route since I intend to continue to work in geriatrics, but opted for FNP just to keep my options open.

Fingers crossed! ? Let me know!

How do you go about doing skills competencies? I do not have an education room or a "dummy" to use. I used a stuffed animal the last time. I basically put the stuffed animal on the conference room table and had nurses review catheter insertion and ai...

What type of assessment are you all using to qualify residents to get meds crushed and cocktailed? I'm being told the IDT has to eval and make recommendations in addition to the Dr order.

I took the NIPP infection preventionist course. It was some old info with a few new pieces sprinkled in :) Not sure our line list satisfies the regs...fingers crossed!

We have not allowed trash/linen carts in the hallways for years. They must be kept in the soiled utility room. I think partly infection control and part so that they wouldn't be considered "stored" in the hallway.

Does your facility require daily control testing of open bottles of UA strips? Our old manufacturer recommended them but we are having trouble finding control solution through our new provider although the product insert states it should be done. Our...

That is our practice as well. They're used as more of an indicator that it needs to be sent to the lab for analysis.

I am working on a new policy for indwelling catheters because the one we have in place is from 1998...what are the most important points to have in place? Any certain verbage to add/avoid? Of course it has to be placed only for the appropriate, docum...

I work in LTC and we, like most other facilities, are experiencing a shortage of nurse aides. I am looking for suggestions for how to get them in the door and how to keep the ones we have. We have ads in the paper, and job offers on web sites; going ...

We are having the same problem and have tried most of the ideas here...but I don't believe we have done a direct mailing. What types of information did you include in this? And did you just gather names/addresses from the nurse aide registry?

http://www.nnpnetwork.org/Uploads/EBP%20aspiration%20poster%209%2025%2012%20for%20iowa%20.pdf The saga continues...I was taught only to aspirate for IM, but it never made any sense to me. Seemed like I would be damaging tissue or vessels by doing thi...

I am dealing with this now...shingles near/in the eye & debating whether staff need to wear masks d/t virus spread through the air? We have always used contact isolation but now this is coming into question.

How often does you facility require cleaning of wheelchairs and lifts? Are your aides documenting this consistently and honestly? Any repercussions for not documenting?

Wow, that would be nice! Our STNA's are currently spraying them down in the shower house on a regular schedule. I want to do away with the book they are signing though....one less piece of appear to chase!

At our LTC facility, we have a form to be completed by the STNA's upon admission accounting for personal belongings brought into the building. We are considering doing away with the former as it rarely gets completed nor has it been referred back to...

Thank you all! I will look at updating our form/policy to relate to items of value...and enforce staff completion of these forms

Has anyone used Mometrix study guide for the ACE tests? Wondering if they're any good before blowing $50 on it.