rnccf2007

A Unit Secretary, who is a family member of our CEO, was recently hired. I was told who she was related to by other employees. To be honest, I don't care who she is related to, as long as she does her job. Many people have told me, "Watch your back...be careful what you say and do, etc." Once again, I don't care, because I am a good nurse. If I have what may be considered a "complaint," it related to things that effect the nursing care of my patients and advocating for them. I then follow the chain of command to my voice concerns. However, she (the Unit Secretary) is starting to overstep her job description. Some examples of my personal experience: Last week, she came into a room where I was starting a blood transfusion. She informed me, "You have 30 minutes to start that." I just ignored her. Last night, I asked another RN and an NA to assist me with a blood draw on a confused patient. The next thing I knew, she (the Unit Secretary) was at the foot of the bed talking to the patient, agitating her even more. Now, the charge nurse hearing the commotion is in the room asking "Do you need my help." My response, "No, we can do this, but I don't need an audience." She got the hint and asked the Unit Secretary to leave the room. Later in our "Team Huddle," my Nursing Supervisor asked me about the HPI of a patient, because she had not been there in several days. The Unit Secretary told her! "I just looked at her and said, "Wow, you know more about my patients then I do!" I have long suspected that she is looking at patient charts that have nothing to do with her job description and need to know...HIPAA violation. Nursing Supervisor said nothing. I am posting this, because I am not sure where to go from here. According to co-workers, they have voiced their complaints, but nothing has been done. I am just asking for any suggestions. I have never been in this position.

One fine day on a Tele unit, I was told in report that a totally a&o patient refused to have a Foley catheter inserted. The doctor who ordered it had been informed, and this was documented in the Nursing notes. When I assessed the patient, I educated her and explained why it had been ordered. Once again, she refused. A couple of hours later, a very rude Resident demanded to know why the Foley catheter wasn't placed, and I explained why. She stated, "I don't care, that is a doctor's order and you have to go in there and put it in NOW!" I said to her, "i guess they don't teach you about assault and battery in med school" and walked away.

Not the ATC in my area. Found out that the ATC franchise in my area has been undercutting me by $5.00 an hour compared to nurses from three other agencies that are working at the same hospital. DONE, after almost five years of loyalty to them.

HUC=Healthcare Unit Coordinator

Not in the area where I come from.

NedRN: Thank you so much for your input. I have already started planning my route...and love your rule of thumb r/t overpacking. And LOL, not paranoid, but since I am driving such a long distance on my own I purchased a GPS, car charger for cell phone, stun gun, and pepper spray.

Hi Everyone! I have been an RN for 10 years. In the past four years, I have been an agency nurse (local 15-60 miles); so I am used to going to different hospitals and learning their computer systems, protocols, and just fitting in, etc. So I have decided to take the plunge and start traveling. My first assignment is going to be in Reno, NV; which is approximately 2,300 miles from my home in Ohio. I'm excited...LOL but also terrified. What scares me the most is that I have tentatively decided to drive my car to the assignment, instead of leaving on a jet plane. Babbling here, but I would like to get any input from experienced travelers about traveling cross country.

I prefer 12 hour shifts, may be because that is all I have worked since I have been an RN. About a year ago, I took a position with four 8-hour shifts and hated it. And also depends on the facility you work at. At some healthcare facilities you have the same patients for the entire 12-hours. However, if you work at a facility who has both 8 and 12 hour shifts, expect to be moved after your 8 hours (if working a 12).

*****, 52 years-old. I will have to work until the day I die, if God willing.

Worked 4 12s in a row. Had two days off, but asked to come in for an extra shift on day one off. Was willing to do it, but I was so tired I didn't think that I could be a safe nurse for my patients.

Back in the day (way back) this was standard practice when I was an STNA in LTC. However, I have been an RN for 10 years in hospitals. We are NOT allowed to do this r/t to risk of bowel perforation and only a physician can do this...order or not (just remember a doctor's order will not mean JS if you find yourself in front of the BON). But then again, depends on where you work.

Why I stopped posting on this site.

I sure felt the same way. The NCLEX is a different breed of animal in test taking. AFTER you graduate, get a few reputable books on taking the NCLEX and take as many tests as you can, or take an NCLEX review class...many are very expensive. I opted to self study. Since you are in your senior year, there is enough anxiety. Concentrate on your classes right now.

Would like to read these articles. Please post.

Sad. Read about this in my local newspaper. I graduated from Youngstown College of Business and Professional Drafting (now ITT) in 1984 when I was 19 years old. Even back then they were "shady." Found this out related to misquoted tuition amounts. I am surprised that ITT has lasted so long. To all nursing students...please only apply to a reputable community college or university.

i am upset. The other day, I had a confused patient. When I walked into the room, her husband was there. I said hello to him, and he did not acknowledge me. In fact, the whole time I was in the patient's room, he never said a word to me; even after I tried to engage him in conversation. He later reported me to my patient's doc and my NM. Two charge nurses gave me a head's up about the complaint, while I as was at home later in the evening. So, expected to be called into the office the next day. However, what I was told by my NM the next day completely blew my mind. I gave this patient her meds with water, and her husband said nothing. However, according to her husband, he said to me, "She takes here medications with milk." My reply, "All I have is water, and I would have to get a doctor's order for milk." I can't understand someone's motivation to lie like that, but that is another issue. I would never say anything this asinine to any patient or family member. But, after my conversation with the NM, not sure if she believes that I didn't say this. Had a conversation with other nurses I work with that same day...they basically stated that management believes anything that patients and family members say, whether right or wrong. Has anyone else had anything like this happen to them. You input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

LOL, there are no easy RN-BSN programs...or any nursing programs that are easy, LOL My RN-BSN was on-line, and I am assuming that yours is too...wave of the future. I had to write papers and posts galore...and APA format accounted for a good portion of the grades. My suggestion to you is to buy the APA Manual, get to know the layout, so you will find what you need; and keep it by your side as a "bible" when writing. Also, I would not trust on-line APA creators, as you have found out. The newest APA manual can sometimes be confusing. Liked the previous edition, because it was more detailed. However, a good web-site is the OWL at Purdue, which can greatly help clarify some of the information in the APA Manual. Hope this helps. Good luck!

LOL, there are no easy RN-BSN programs...or any nursing programs that are easy. My RN-BSN was on-line, and I am assuming that yours is too. I had to write papers and posts galore...and APA format accounted for a good portion of the grades. My suggestion to you is to buy the APA Manual and keep it by your side as a "bible" when writing.

When you have heard about this phenomenon; but now you actually hear calls lights, tele monitors, IV pump beeps, bed alarms, vent monitors, etc...when your alarm clock goes off.

LO, sorry, meant patients.

To OP and all new nurses...the scariest nurses are the ones who don't ask questions when they are unsure of what they are doing. I remember how hard it was for me, as a brand-new nurse, to ask questions; oftentimes because some nurses can just be plain mean, especially to new nurses. But, I always asked questions...even if I knew I would have to endure snarkasim (yes know it is not a word). I still bounce questions off other nurses and they do the same with me....nobody can know everything. Think about this...why do docs consult other docs?' My best advice is to take a good look around your unit...and you will get the feel for other nurses who (don't forget where they started from) and will love to educate you. And...don't forget when you become an experienced nurse to pass it on. BTW, saline lock (aka hep lock) means the IV or central line has no fluids running through it. Caps and tubing vary by facility.

You know you have been a nurse too long, when one of parents deck you and you can't get up off the floor.

When you fixate on people's veins when standing at the checkout line at a store.

Tread very carefully. You can potentially damage a nurse's career and life. Have witnessed incidences where some nurses are afraid to give pain medications (morphine prn, for example) to dying patients, because they feel it will hasten their death...I then call the doctor and get a morphine drip. Nobody should die in pain, if it can be helped. Also, have had patients..."seekers" give me BS that when the last nurse gave me my pain meds they worked...are you not giving them to me...are you giving me less? I don't play that game and always CYA. I guess my point is to let management do their job. It takes a lot of investigation to identify a diverter. Been through this experience myself. A nurse was diverting drugs and setting up other nurses to take the fall. It took almost a year of investigation...including the DEA.

Excellent post. My first thought to OP was ere is one nurse who gives out WAY more pain medication then any other nurse. It has always seemed weird to me but tread very carefully, when you can potentially ruin someone's life. OP states that this