syckRN

Dear jjened: You do have a "whole bunch" of experience lady. Wow. Nice that you are so encouraging of others! Thanks for a positive post. SyckRN

For pain you should always doc location and quality: dull, sharp, shooting, etc For no CP you should put, "denies chest pain." Hope this helps SyckRN

I live in a community where we have an epidemic of "Community acquired MRSA." We don't even isolate MRSA patients (unless they have it in their lungs...it does happen and often fatal). We DO place them on contact precautions. And I agree with the "don't ask, don't tell" philosophy. No doubt I would culture positive from a nasal swab. SyckRN

Like a couple of previous posts, I also have seen some programs that bridge ADN to MS. However, depending on where you live, there may be fewer of those to choose from. You might want to check that out. SyckRN

I am LOL at all of us...a famous theorist places a basic bodily function in his hypothetical "tower of needs" and even while some of us simultaneously DENY the need...we sure are dedicating some blog space to it. Humans. Can't live with 'em...can't shoot 'em. Told ya I was SYCK

NO, you don't. unless your employer asks specifically. And I have left this blank before and gotten away with it. However, if you put on your resume a job that you held in the state where you are not in good standing...they might think to check your record in that state. Also, when I moved from NC to CA, it was the NC BON who sent the complaint to CA and that is how I came to be a participant in CA's program. Hope this info helps. It is just my own personal experience in a nightmare similar to your own. SyckRN

Crunchymamma, Too true. As Yoda might put it: Kicking psychological ass Freud does do Not at all.

OK, The reason for sex being included is that it belongs to INSTINCTUAL requirements. Freud knew this too. Remember the "id":devil: I am not a know it all...I just know these things from back in the BA in psychology days...oh so very long ago.

I absolutely abhor chemistry...but I would not safely practice nursing without a basic understanding... Think acid/base balance... Think potassium pump... Think Normal saline... Are you feeling me yet? SyckRN

Nurses are not only intelligent, they actually receive much more communication skills training and patient teaching skills than do physicians. The latter two skills would be more than enough to overcome and outstrip the value provided by professions who may (or may not) have more book knowledge...Hands down! Syck (but amazingly smart) R.N.

I went for the BSN because once I had taken all of the prereqs for the local ADN program, I realized that it would be another two years for either program. Also I knew that I would eventually get an MS, so the BSN made the most sense for me. I DID get the MSN about 13 years later and am on to the PhD at long last....my dream!

Soooo much depends on where you are applying. Some faith-based hospital systems have all kinds of rules, even about how many piercings one has in their earlobes (I am talking...not more than one). Others allow tongue rings. Different everywhere.

Do any of you psych or other kinds of nurses practice Screening Brief Intervention and Referral to treatment...or have you heard of it. I will do my doctoral dissertation on willingness to perform this motivational interview type intervention for substance abusers. I'd like to hear from you. SyckRN

Leaving the siderails down...and a patient gets hurt. Or, if you are targeted, anything that can be blamed on you. Or, certain disabilities that prevent you from performing your usual and customary duties...happened to me.

These have all been thought-provoking responses. One thing that has not been mentioned is that when our service men and women who are fighting in the war right now come home...well, there will likely be a chaotic dash for more nurses. Already the US government is trying to recruit nurses to the reserves to care for the soldiers who have returned and those who soon will...there are a multitude of physical and especially psychological repercussions and not enough nurses to deal with them. Food for thought. SyckRN

I believe that the standard of care is not to deliver a patient to the floor until they meet certain LOC and VS criteria. Thus, it shouldn't be too important how much they received since, as everyone else has said, that is on an individual basis and can be based on patient tolerance and pain threshold. Fentanyl has a short half-life and that is why they use it. Versed can be reversed by romazicon if need be (but cautiously since reversal can cause seizures)

Healthcare has become a consumer driven industry. People will die because we try so hard to please them. Just another irony in the system.

Wow, I read it and was non-plussed. Of course, that's what he intended. If he only knew just how hard it is to get into NURSING school. He often mixes nurses with mid-levels as far as scope of practice. Also, there is a lot of new EVIDENCE that much of what is taught in medical school is irrelevant to their eventual practice and that much much more time needs to be spent on learning psycho social skills. He is behind the times. SyckRN

For trauma protocols there is a door to CT goal. Doesn't matter if CSF no CSF...need to know where, what, how bad the inury, and whether to transport if no neuro at your facility. Whatever...gotta have that CT

Don't feel guilty. The hair test is for long term use/abuse of substances. It seems unfair to be able to invade you privacy for the last 10 years (since you last cut your hair). Let it go. You do have the right to be ok with your actions when they were done innocently.

"What is the ER RN's role nd responsibilities and what are they allowed to do patient care wise. I know each position has its own scope of practice. Ilove the high paced atmosphere of the EMS system. Would this be a good fit? Any information would be greatly appreciated :)" Hey there, As am experience ED nurse who has seen numerous Medic to RN converts, all I can say is...we welcome you. You guys rock. One option you might consider is flight nursing. Big pay. Excitement, and you would still get to work in the field a little. (Yet some of the work is purely transport, which can be boring. Hope this helps. SyckRN:)

Hate 'em. I have often, and can do this now that I am in a doctoral program...asked to do my project alone. Sometimes I get the nod. Other times I am stuck. I was interested in a previous post's experience (kgh31386) with the procrastinating co-student/team member. I am that procrastinating person. I still get good grades, but I, and there are many others like me, work on the "adrenaline" principle...we do the work when the stress level is high enough to motivate us. I am certainly not excusing the person she describes...sounds like she really dropped the ball. However, my procrastination is the reason I don't like being on teams with people who do things in a timely manner. I just know myself!

The "research hot spots" right now have to do with underserved populations, geriatric issues, sleep distrubance, brief interventions for smoking, alcohol, and drugs, and palliative care. There is a TON of recent literature on all of these things. Use PubMed for general stuff and PsyInfo for any topics that have a psycho social bent. Finally, when you have found one or two articles that interest you, pick through their reference lists for more relevant articles. Stop when you need to stop. Trust me, as one who is currently writing a 25 page literature review on "Interventions to increase empathy in care providers toward substance abusing patients"...I find myself buried in articles. The best of luck to you! SyckRN

Dear Babylady, I was told this, and thank GOD! Because in many places, nurses do still eat their young. Even when I began to teach at a Community College, the experienced instructors were so mean I had to quit. No support. I am getting a doctorate so I can teach in places that have mentoring set up. What I wish I had been told...that although frightening....my nursing career would be a roller coaster ride of friendship, camaraderie, ups with patient saves and downs with patient losses...but that I would learn to take all of and not lose myself. Take care of yourself in school. Know that it will be what YOU make it. SyckRN

Dear traumagyrl, Keep the faith lady. Take care sister.