stellaRN1983

Hi, We had a pt on my floor who I believe was on tele and we weren't aware he had an MI until an EKG was done which showed MI. He had shortness of breath, which is a symptom of MI. Was the tele tech asleep or EKG more accurate? Should an EKG be done automatically if someone is short of breath to rule out MI (if respiratory illness is not suspected)? Thanks.

Why do teds need to be taken off at night for bedside assessment of skin, circulation?

Hi, I'm exploring different areas of nursing that may be less hectic than med-surg/tele. Anyone in a different field that they love?

I'm in my early 30s, with many more working years ahead?

Hi, When should ted hose be removed? How many hours are they supposed to be worn? Someone else said assess their skin. What am I supposed to look for?

Hi, I've been a nurse for 2 1/2 years at a very busy med-surg/tele floor. It's very hectic everyday, pt care can be heavy with IVs, tube feedings, wound care, admits/discharges. I floated a couple of times to the psychiatric ward and the work load was SOO easy. No pt with IVs or tube feedings, most were able to ambulate, feed themselves, etc. I like mental health nursing but am afraid I would lose nursing skills that took a long time to learn. I feel like I'm still learning. I've thought about if the opportunity to transfer to the pysch ward came up I would transfer and maybe take a PRN job at another hospital in Med-surg so I wouldn't forget my skills. I have heard the risk for violence is much higher up in psych ward, but I'm getting tired of the hectic pace of my job. I don't feel like I have enough time to deliver the care that was taught in school. Thanks!

Hi, What is a narcotic agreement, how does it work?

Yes I talk to the nurses after listening to recording and checking orders and medication times.

Hi, I haven't been oriented to charge RN, but what is the role of the charge nurse? The day shift charge RN seems to make assignment, sit at the front desk and gossip, read her email and snaps at me saying she doesn't have time to help when I'm drowning. The day charge RN doesn't even take patients.

Hi, I'm an RN who works the day shift on a busy tele and general medical-surgical floor. A lot of time I get a sketchy report. I get so much more out of reading the MD notes. I don't understand all that is written in the MD notes but get much more info that from the report. It's hard to read the MD notes in morning report because I have 30 minutes to get listen to voice care (recorded report), look at orders, etc. I try to come in early, but we are required to get there by 730 and it's tough to get there earlier with dropping my daughter off daycare. I often feel like I run around and throw medications at my patients and move to the next patient. I feel like I really start to get to know them when I read the chart and take care of them for a few days. Anyone else have this problem?

Thank you!!:heartbeat

Thank you so much for this post!! I did pass the NCLEX on my first attempt and did well in school. I take my job very seriously that's why I'm not afraid to ask questions. Some negative responses sound like they come from Nurse Ratchet. I try to avoid asking The Nurse Ratchets questions.

Thanks!

I passed the NCLEX on the first time with 75 questions. People like you discourage learning!

Hi, I have a little over 2 years of experience on the floor as an RN. I went directly from nursing school to a general medicine/telemetry floor. I did well in school and passed boards with flying colors. I still feel at times uncomfortable with my level of knowledge because I come across patients with so many medical problems/procedures. An instructor told me when I graduated to keep reading which will help. At times, I'm afraid to ask a question about how things work in my hospital system because I'm feel like I should already know the answer working here for over 2 years. I try to go to people who I feel comfortable asking questions or go the nurse educator. Sometimes, I just need a review. I often try not to sit at the front desk (due to trying to avoid some hostile coworkers) where often there's discussion on pt cases which I can learn from. I was wanting some feedback from other nurses on when they felt very competant. I see nurses who have 6 months more experience than me becoming preceptors and to be honest I don't think I'm ready. I'm not sure they are ready either. I feel most confident going to RNs with much more experience. Also, when is an RN competant to be a preceptor? Thanks!