RN0820

I was an aid on a tele floor...and my patient was complaining of her PICC site hurting. I looked and noticed the cath had migrated about 4-5 inches out of her skin. I called the nurse, who proceeded to undo the dressing without gloves on, wipe the cath with alcohol...and reinsert it. This patient was on neutropenic precautions to boot.

Buttermilk perhaps?

Yea we both posted a thread without knowing we were until we looked at the board after it was done. Oops sorry for the replicas but we r both-needless to say- p*ssed! Yea next time I won't answer...the only reason I did was because they called twice in a row and I thought something was wrong.

Although that would work...I like to save my sick days and points for when I am sick...I'm always worried I will get sick (prime flu season) and I like to know I won't get fired when I am sick.

SAMSIES! Haha

I'm trying to get a feel for what fellow nurses would do in the situation that was just handed to me...any comments are appreciated. My facility requires RNs to take a certain number of "core classes" per year. We do these on our days off, and we are paid for them. We do self-scheduling and we make sure to write "class" in the day so we can have off. It was approved 3 weeks ago for me to go to this class tomorrow and work the next three days after and the weekend (evening shift) I just got a call from my charge nurse (2030 the night before) that I may get a call in the morning...and if I do...I have to work day shift on the floor. And not just my floor...but any of the 3 floors my manager is responsible for. There was no word of on-call pay, bonus pay, etc. My facility does not to mandatory OT...but this is manadatory OT...I'm already scheduled my required hours this week...and they are telling me I HAVE to come in if I am called. Mind you, I'm a med-surg nurse...we don't get on-call!! What would you do/say? This is being decided by my unit manager and the nursing supervisor. I simply don't know my options and I'm afraid if I speak up I will be fired.

We do rotating shift...I currently rotate D/E week by week (which sucks) but the schedule this month has me working off,D,D, off,E,E, off, D,D,D, off,E. Basically rotating shift multiple times through the week. I am usually able to stay on one shift a week but one of our girls left and now its fill-in. It just plain sucks...its better than nights but I'm still up till 4 or 5 in the morning

My hospital has been recycling cardboard/packaging materials, lab chemicals, and flourecent bulbs for a while. They have started recycling pulse ox probs, batteries on tele units, phone books and paper. We have recycling bins for glass and cans, and have done away with disposable sharps containers and now have reusable ones. We also have motion activated lighting, electronic pay stubs, and paperless billing. They are starting a community pharmaceutical disposal program to reduce drugs being flushed into the sewer system. Hope this helps :)

Strictly by number...unfortunately. also depends if we have an LPN. Also, the nurses that work 12s like to stay where they are and the nurses who have worked the day before keep their sections for continuity of care. Hope this helps.

I was always told during my clinicals that student can be held accountable for mistakes and they can be sued. It may vary by state but as far as I know you really aren't under the "umbrella" of ur instructor as you have experience and are going through classes you are accountable for the information taught to you. If you are unsure I know the NSO website can cover students with malpractice insurance...may be worth looking into for the peace of mind. And as always, look at the hospital policy before you do anything you have never done before. Good luck :)

Nope. As I've gotten older I have found greater passions than nursing. Yes, I chose nursing because I like to help people and I always heard it was an outstanding, rewarding, high paying career. Bogus! Althought the hospital pay is good, I'd gladly trade that for peace of mind and sanity. Some days I feel like this career has changed my personality for the worse. As a result of stress I have found other things I love so much more, and I wish I would have done those. Maybe once I get these pesky student loans payed down I will

Agreed! I am not a clinic nurse but I have been looking for jobs in this field. If there was a section I think it would be very helpful to not only the clinic nurses to vent but for us "outsiders" to get a feel for the issues/frustrations facing clinic nurses before we make a jump into a new realm of nursing. Go you :)

I guess I should clarify that I don't like floor nursing...not bedside all together. And most of the specialty floors are more intense and certainly more complicated. This leaves me with clinic/MD office or non bedside..

GI or endo wouldnt be bad...i will have to look into that. Thanks! I have thought about Dr's offices but it seems I'm either under-qualified or over-qualified in my area....everyone wants MA's, LPN's, or NP's...no in between unless its telephone triage and I know I'm not experienced enough for that. But in truth that is the environment I need! Low stress! I have applied to the local health dept....keeping my fingers crossed on that one. As for same day...my cousin works in Pre-admission testing and is trying to get me a job in there as I hear it is a less complicated environment and it sounds nice! We'll see....probably wouldn't happen until the first of the year. cookderosa- Your right, the people make a big difference. Most of the people have been VERY helpful when I ask them....but no one lends a helping hand when s--- hits the fan...we are all too busy keeping our heads above water! They have all helped when asked, but no one volunteers when it gets busy. Not that I blame them for this. Good point about the degree....I never thought about it that way. And I love your mother's story! I have thought about a culinary arts degree myself...my background was in the restaurant business before I discovered healthcare and I am nostalgic about it. Her story made me smile...I know I might screw this up but I HAVE to find what makes me happy. Thanks !

I have...PACU is too critical (high risk patients make me the most anxious), I will pass out in OR and OB I have heard is sooo hard to get into. I was thinking Psych but I'm not sure how the more manipulative patients would fair with me...I guess that would come with experience? I feel like if I can't handle the "basic" med/surg floor I wouldn't be able to handle a specialty. This might be me being to hard on myself...