lisaow

Help! I've started a new job and they want me to administer Prolixin and/or Haldol IM shots in a manner inconsistent with the Nursing Drug Admin books I reference. Specifically, according to the drug books, the needle I use to draw up the solutions should be discarded, and a new needle attached to the syringe. This guards against 1. a dull needle, and 2. a "wet" needle (whereas these two solutions can cause atopic dermatitis to skin). I want to do the right thing for my patient. How do I tell my new employer (who's been administering the "short cut" way) for years and years? I don't want to come off to strong, but my butt is on the line if something goes wrong. Thanks for any/all suggestions for talking to my employer!

although i'd heard that docs were nasty, i haven't found that to be true at all!

at the hospital where i work, we do the following, and we have a very low percentage of med errors: - take a polaroid picture of the patient upon admission and place it with the mar - put an arm/leg band on the patient and verify (both name, dob, and hospital number) with each med administration and at each shift, and document the verification on the nursing flowsheet. - bring the mar with us to the patient's bedside during med administration this might sound cumbersome, but, we'd rather take the extra time than to worry about med errors. it's true. get into an early habit. then its not so bad. and, great piece of mind.

don't you dare compare yourself to someone who's been working the unit for 11 years. when you are learning, it never does any good to go too fast. be accurate first, then speed will naturally come!

I would DEFINITELY go for a second opinion. I suffer from panic attacks, and although they feel physically awful, one has an inside sense that its "psychological" (does that make sense). I believe your husband would know, given time to mull over a diagnosis of "panic attack", if, indeed, his symptoms could be traced back to anxiety. He needs to have a thorough work up by a good internist (or cardiologist, etc) to rull out all possible cardiac, respiratory, other issues. Sometimes, the ER isn't the place to go for a diagnosis, just to be used in acute situations for stabilization, you know? Make an appointment with a good, thorough doctor.:uhoh21:

For a 33 bed peds specialty unit (some vents, some trachs, most with G tubes, all with some kind of neuro issue) we have 5-6 RN's plus one charge nurse (and 2-3 techs). Not bad, huh?

Uh, you'd better get used to the "icky" stuff as an RN, too! Don't ever have the assumption that the techs should do all the "dirty work". If you were an RN on a unit with an attitude like that, the techs (and other nurses) would give you a hard way to go!:angryfire If you don't like "gross" stuff, DO NOT become a nurse! That's my best advice.

Honestly, as a recent grad from nursing school, here's my advice to you. It is fine to explore the many possibilities once you are an RN, but, you need to become an RN first. You might want to take a few steps back and look at the here and now. Perhaps you need to concentrate a little harder in your studies, explore ways to raise your GPA, maybe take a summer science class, etc. A good RN needs a good jumping off point (i.e., decent nursing school grades). Good luck! You can do it if you really want to!:)

:) You are only as old as you feel... I started nursing school when I was 37, and I just graduated in December! I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOO glad I followed through with becoming a nurse. If I had listened to my own doubts, as well as the negative comments from others, I'd still be the age I am today, sorry that I'd never gone back to school, and I would be stuck in the same thankless job I was in. I'm telling you, those few years of school really go by quickly. Yes, it is a challenge, there's no denying that. But you are mature, you've lived life, and because of your age you may be a little more savvy about prioritizing, juggling, etc. Keep talking to your husband for his support. And once you start school, develop a network of students who share similar interests and goals that you do, and be each others support system! You will be surprised how many students are nervous, fearful and afraid of change. Before you know it, the whole group of you will be up on stage graduating, and you WILL be able to look back and be so thankful that you followed through with your dream of becoming a nurse. Look, we only get one life, so make the most of it. Things could end tomorrow but if you try and do your best, you cannot go wrong! GREAT LUCK!!!!

In Maryland, starting base is around 22.00 with 3 for evenings, 4 for nights and an additional 2 for weekends. 3K sign on, with 3 weeks vacation, 9 holidays, 2 "float days", 10 sick days, and 1-2 pay rate increases/year. Not bad.... Good luck!

I guess it depends where you live, shift differentials, bennies, etc. Sounds pretty good for east coast, where I live.

hi! does anyone have a really good, easy, checklist-type of patient planning sheet they can share with me? i need to keep myself organized and on-track with my rehab patients (and their rehab schedules, not to mention all of their nursing cares)! thanks so much!!!!!!! sincerely, brand new rehab nurse! [email protected]

Emptying colostomy bags. I feel guilty saying it but, gosh they stink!

:uhoh21: it's pretty expensive to live in the md/dc/va area. and compared to the cost of living, i don't believe rn pay matches here. plus, the traffic all around the tri-state area is terrible. you won't be able to rent anything decent for $1500 near dc/va or in maryland thereabouts. baltimore, yes. if you don't have to move to this crime-ridden, hectic, rude area, don't (i've lived here all my life). sorry for the downer!