akulahawkRN ADN, RN, EMT-P

Emergency Department

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All Content by akulahawkRN

  1. akulahawkRN

    Patients afraid of needles...

    akulahawkRN replied to Brian's topic in Nurses Rock

    Most of the time, the patients I've had to stick were more worried about the actual stick than the pain/irritation/soreness from the medication. Incidentally, I prefer some really sharp needles and I...
  2. akulahawkRN

    Patients afraid of needles...

    akulahawkRN replied to Brian's topic in Nurses Rock

    I just usually use a little guided imagery, a little breathing coaching, all with the goal of producing someone who is quite relaxed. I've been usually pretty
  3. akulahawkRN

    Stethoscope

    akulahawkRN replied to ilovemythreeguys's topic in General Students

    I'd have to agree with the above posts. If you can hear what you need to with your current stethoscope, keep using it. It's more important that you be able to know what you're listening for rather...
  4. akulahawkRN

    What is the "best" stethoscope for the ED?

    akulahawkRN replied to jrsRN07's topic in Emergency

    I have used my Cardiology III in EMS for several years, and I've had mine now for about 10-12 years. It's still going strong. They're very durable, to say the
  5. akulahawkRN

    Method 3 LVN-to-RN

    akulahawkRN replied to emymante's topic in LPN to RN

    It's called the "30 unit option" at all RN schools. Those are designed to do exactly what you are looking for. Some of those programs will result in simply being eligible to take the NCLEX, some...
  6. akulahawkRN

    Ordering used text books on Amazon??

    akulahawkRN replied to ilovemythreeguys's topic in General Students

    I would say that you should always do your homework about buying through the bookstore. Usually they do charge you way too much... When only the current editions will do, I would suggest looking at...
  7. akulahawkRN

    Tech vs. RN

    akulahawkRN replied to ER Soldire's topic in Emergency

    If you're referring to a Tech that's nothing more than a glorified CNA, I can agree with that statement. However, if your techs are Paramedics and they're allowed to perform to their level and you...
  8. akulahawkRN

    Rhythm interpretation a fib

    akulahawkRN replied to lolakbolak's topic in Cardiac

    A-Fib is, by definition, irregularly irregular. If you see a rhythm that's quite regular in a patient who's got A-Fib and there's no pacer... start looking for junctional or ventricular rhythms. I...
  9. akulahawkRN

    Excited, Nervous, and About to Jump Out of My Skin!

    akulahawkRN replied to Reaching4MyDreams's topic in General Students

    When I first got my letter of acceptance to nursing school, and actually got two of them, one of the programs accidentally sent me a rejection letter. I still felt really good because I had at least...
  10. akulahawkRN

    Best day of clinical ever

    akulahawkRN replied to ruralnurse84's topic in General Students

    You should cherish days like this every time you get them. It is especially good when you get a day where everything comes together and you get to see/have experience that you did not have earlier. I...
  11. akulahawkRN

    So this clarified ACLS......

    akulahawkRN replied to Esme12's topic in General Nursing

    Not a bad idea, actually. I'd just expand upon that a little bit, perhaps to include post-resuscitation and a couple other algorithms like VT with pulse, SVT, and Bradycardia. That would fit on what,...
  12. akulahawkRN

    Additional certifications

    akulahawkRN replied to Kencanwin's topic in General Students

    Would it help you during school? Maybe. You wouldn't likely be allowed to utilize all of what you've learned though. I'm going to be renewing my ACLS certification this year because it's about time...
  13. akulahawkRN

    So this clarified ACLS......

    akulahawkRN replied to Esme12's topic in General Nursing

    Rhetorical question aside... that algorithm is not just poorly written, it doesn't offer any other suggestions besides epi or amiodarone. Of course this "new" version is a lot simpler... just that...
  14. akulahawkRN

    So this clarified ACLS......

    akulahawkRN replied to Esme12's topic in General Nursing

    Then what you're supposed to do is CPR for 2 minutes, look for reversible causes, administer Epi every 3-5 minutes and at the end of every 2 minute cycle, check for a shockable rhythm. Unfortunately...
  15. akulahawkRN

    Need help on where to get my RN from in Sac, CA

    akulahawkRN replied to MPatton1's topic in School, College Programs

    You should also look at Sierra College and Sacramento City College. You're certainly past SCC's application period for next year. Their next application period will be early spring 2014 for the 14/15...
  16. akulahawkRN

    How can I get into nursing school?

    akulahawkRN replied to lucy19's topic in Pre-Nursing Students

    Quite honestly, you'll have to check with the schools you're planning on attending. I would further imagine that you'll have to repeat that "D" course so that you'll have a far better grade as that...
  17. akulahawkRN

    Need help with careplan please

    akulahawkRN replied to Nyde21's topic in Nursing Student Assistance

    There may be an issue with any copyrights and it's possible that your instructors may already be familiar enough with those sites that they'd spot a copy/paste job right away. Certainly those should...
  18. akulahawkRN

    Need help with careplan please

    akulahawkRN replied to Nyde21's topic in Nursing Student Assistance

    Another potential issue formatting of your care plan. If it's a table as shown in the above links, those may be a time-saver. However, if the school requires you to use forms they designed, there...
  19. akulahawkRN

    GRADUATED!!! Do I call myself RN yet?

    akulahawkRN replied to Nurse-84's topic in Diploma, ADN, BSN

    It won't likely be the last test you ever take... but it may be one of the hardest you'll ever have to take. Any tests after that, and getting your RN license are for showing competence in some area...
  20. akulahawkRN

    iv piggyback

    akulahawkRN replied to intelcore's topic in Patient Medications

    Simple reason, actually. Most meds, even if incompatible with everything else, are usually compatible with NS. Think of it like this: the NS primary is really a flush. A really big flush container....
  21. akulahawkRN

    Shock Priority: Oxygen or IV ?

    akulahawkRN replied to souleater11's topic in NCLEX Exam, Programs

    Another way to look at this is that in shock, cells need oxygen. There's some, but not a lot, of circulating volume. While you likely want to do both Oxygen and IV fluids, your priority is oxygen...
  22. akulahawkRN

    Class of 2014

    akulahawkRN replied to Tinkx RN's topic in General Students

    I also became a class of 2014 because I failed a class. The program changed (for the better, IMO) content around, however that meant that I had to fall back 2 semesters instead of one. Had that change...
  23. akulahawkRN

    The "Q" Word and Other Mysteries

    akulahawkRN replied to Liddle Noodnik's topic in Nursing Humor

    The "Q" word? That's one word that must never be uttered... I do not speak of such things lightly. We all know what happens when we
  24. akulahawkRN

    Sometimes I think I'm not good enough to be a nurse

    akulahawkRN replied to Kali_Dreams's topic in Pre-Nursing Students

    Courage isn't the lack of fear and doubt. It's having all that fear and doubt... and saddling up and doing it anyway because something else is more important. I am one of those people that are going...
  25. akulahawkRN

    Tech vs. RN

    akulahawkRN replied to ER Soldire's topic in Emergency

    I understand (and I would hope that other Paramedics do as well) that I'm not a Physician Extender at anywhere near the same level or sense as a PA or NP is. I never implied that Paramedics were....