lifejourney

Hello, everyone! I recently transfused platelets for the first time, and I have a question. Why is it necessary to hang the platelets within 30 minutes of receiving them from the blood bank? I know that this is a general rule for blood products, an...

RNTEX- Who did you sign the contract with? A nurse recruiter? The manager of the unit? Nevertheless, have you attempted to talk with this person about your concerns? You may have more options than you think. Don't be afraid to talk to managemen...

Krysy, Does the company have policy for you to follow as you determine what to treat, etc.? That might be a good start. If there isn't, address that issue, because in this day and age, a company of any size should have some established policies and...

I started off with a purple Littman through school and my first few years practicing. I have recently gone back to basic black. I had enough fun :)

I am in nearby Northern Virginia, as of March of this year. I couldn't believe the nurse-patient ratios here in the DC metro area hospitals. I left the hospital setting completely and am working occupational health. It is a far-cry from my previous e...

I have around 23K to payback for my BSN over the next several years. I didn't touch the loans until I graduated, then I got on a 10 year consolidated payment plan with a fixed (low) interest rate with my lender. I do not plan on deferring the debt ...

If they said two weeks, I probably would not call. I would, however, drop a thank you note in the mail saying thanks for the opportunity to interview and that you are excited about possibly working there. I know it's hard to wait. I am in the pro...

After the interview, did they give you an idea how long they would need to make a decision? If not, it may be appropriate to call and check the status of things. All things considered, I think employers know that a person needs as much time as poss...

This is just one nurse's opinion... I began working at Fairfax Hospital in the Heart and Vascular Center in March. I just finished working out a 2 week notice. I worked in the cardiac telemetry unit, and the staffing there was terrible. Most of the n...

I am licensed in three states. All three have my address listed online. It bothered me how readily accesible it is. So, I opted to get a PO Box. Now I am listed as a box number in a town rather than having my street address listed. lifejourney

Not to beat a dead horse here, but I do have 2 cents to add. Yes, as a nurse, this will not be the last time someone in charge is rude, condescending, and inappropriate in handling something that shouldn't really be a big issue. So, those who have s...

Just curious. I am wondering what the hourly wages are for a 2 year experienced RN at an INOVA hospital. Any info. would be appreciated. I will be relocating to Northern VA in 2 months. Thanks. lifejourney

Wow. I've never worked in a place with laid-back dress codes. Where I am now all RNs are designated a scrub color, techs are designated a scrub color, etc. Very strict throughout most hospitals that I know of in Atlanta. There are a few who are r...

Absolutely! I was taking care of a post-cardiac stent patient one night. About 4AM he develops "classic" cardiac chest pain with diaphoresis, nausea, SOB. Initial EKG is completely normal. We draw enzymes, start NTG gtt, give morphine, and I get o...

Yes and no. For the most part, in my current hospital, I have been given a tremendous amount of respect from all of the healthcare team members. The evolution of the nursing profession has brought us to this place. Most of the physicians, PAs, and...

....sleeping on the job, whether on a break or not, has been dictated by policy as a termination worthy offense. What is interesting is that working both 12-hour days and nights, I have never seen a manager have a problem with a day-shift nurse "clo...

In many states, all persons with a license are listed via electronic database through a website. Thus, if I type in my own name into the license verification database in my state, my home address would appear, as well as my license number and any co...

Hello, allnurses. I am wondering if you all could let me know what you think is a reasonable amount of experience that a person needs to serve as a charge nurse in an inpatient telemetry setting. Before I had been nursing a year, I had been asked to ...

Maybe this thread has run its course, but I have to reply. As a nurse, I have seen many of my fellow nurses who can't even discuss certain body fluids, wounds, etc. without gagging or at least having a little chill of disgust. Currently, I lovingly ...

Dear NurseNut, Several Atlanta area hospitals have new-grad ICU opportunities. Many of them have 4-6 month orientations with 1-2 year contracts of service for the time they spend orienting you. Regarding tuition reimbursement: all of the hospitals...

I remember watching that particular show, and thinking to myself: if this woman is a nurse, she is taking a huge professional risk by allowing her behavior to not only be discussed but for very graphic tapes to be aired. I am not surprised to see th...

This is an interesting discussion, and I have to reply... Nursefirst, I don't know the specifics of your educational background, but you mentioned one is present. Perhaps some of the differences in educational philosophy you are experiencing is simp...

Angie, I agree that differing educational levels among nurses often divides our profession unnecessarily. Obviously, ADNs and BSNs take the same licensure testing, thus making both groups of nurses equally capable of performing the role of a nurse. H...

I don't smoke, and I never have. I have many problems with allowing smoking inside hospitals. However, I think it is necessary to have designated areas for smoking outside. I have worked in hospitals that are completely smoke-free and those with d...

You are doing a good thing to ask a lot of nurses. Now what you have to do is decide how you will practice. It sounds like you already know what you are comfortable doing. Go with your instinct. I, for one, tend to err on the side of caution rega...