akulahawkRN ADN, RN, EMT-P

Emergency Department

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All Content by akulahawkRN

  1. akulahawkRN

    Laptop or pen & paper during nursing school?

    akulahawkRN replied to Néa archí's topic in General Students

    Pretty much this! I used a laptop for most of my own work and I did well... but I found that I retained info better when I wrote things down. Because of this, and the occasional hiccup with campus...
  2. akulahawkRN

    Expensive stethoscope for student?

    akulahawkRN replied to hellofish's topic in General Students

    I tend to stick like glue to whomever I lend mine to... and I get it back because I don't let them walk away with it. I also know where the disposable steths are... and I'll grab one of those for...
  3. akulahawkRN

    Expensive stethoscope for student?

    akulahawkRN replied to hellofish's topic in General Students

    I have never judged a person solely by what stethoscope was used, often because when the person is "new" to the field, the expensive steths were often a gift. I have a Cardiology III stethoscope that...
  4. akulahawkRN

    Y-porting potassium IV - what's your policy?

    akulahawkRN replied to sarmrn's topic in Medical-Surgical

    No, maybe 800mL total fluid. Of course another way to infuse a 40 meq dose would be to hang NS with 40 meq and run it at 250ml/hr... but that's a full liter infusion over 4 hours. If I know I'm going...
  5. akulahawkRN

    Y-porting potassium IV - what's your policy?

    akulahawkRN replied to sarmrn's topic in Medical-Surgical

    Just "my own" practice for doing K+ riders... I'll start a "small" bag of NS (enough to "cover" 100ml/hr for however long the rider is supposed to run with a little extra) and use that as a "carrier"...
  6. akulahawkRN

    diploma vs. bsn program, I can't decide...

    akulahawkRN replied to soon2beNP's topic in Diploma, ADN, BSN

    My suggestion is quite simple: take the BSN route. Why? Employers are looking for applicants with nursing degrees. An ADN is a degree. A BSN is a degree. A Diploma is NOT a degree, though it should...
  7. akulahawkRN

    "Registered Nurse - RN File #" on Breeze...what does this mean?

    akulahawkRN replied to BlueHearts53's topic in NCLEX Exam, Programs

    Since you are in California, that's exactly the meaning. There are a few states that do not participate in Quick Results and PV knows this, so their system inhibits the QR setting for your file and...
  8. akulahawkRN

    Dropping class with "W?"

    akulahawkRN replied to murse2134's topic in General Students

    First off a B in a history class is NOT going to greatly impact your overall GPA unless you're shooting for a 4.0 GPA. By the time you get done with your BSN program, you'll have other stuff on your...
  9. akulahawkRN

    Would You do This Commute?

    akulahawkRN replied to westieluv's topic in General Nursing

    My last job had me driving just about 2 hours each way, 3 days per week. Only a few times did I have to stay at a local motel there because I was too tired to drive home. A couple times when I would...
  10. akulahawkRN

    Getting better in codes?

    akulahawkRN replied to amzyRN's topic in Emergency

    Very similar... except I've only been working as an RN for about 2.5 years now, all of it in the ED... with 6-7 years working on the EMS side of things. Smaller/rural hospital EDs are typically going...
  11. akulahawkRN

    Getting better in codes?

    akulahawkRN replied to amzyRN's topic in Emergency

    I worked for a few years as a Paramedic and got used to running codes as the team leader. Back then I was usually the only advanced provider so I'd take airway (HOB) and direct everything either from...
  12. akulahawkRN

    Zosyn

    akulahawkRN replied to IvyRN2017's topic in Patient Medications

    On top of giving myself a few minutes to mix the stuff, one thing I also do is tap the container to knock the powder loose. Once that's done, then I'll actually start mixing the stuff. Sure it takes a...
  13. akulahawkRN

    IS ACLS SCARY?!

    akulahawkRN replied to dreamsdocometrue15's topic in First Year After Licensure

    The ACLS of today is a lot easier than it was 15 years (and longer) ago. They did replace the more linear algorithm with something that's perhaps a little more confusing at first but once you...
  14. akulahawkRN

    Hand IV trouble

    akulahawkRN replied to mariaconcetta's topic in General Nursing

    That's awesome! Keep at it, pick 2 sites, try the more difficult one first (experience when you miss, confidence booster when you nail it!) and eventually you'll be someone that can somehow manage to...
  15. akulahawkRN

    PROBATION

    akulahawkRN replied to 1235's topic in Licensure: Criminal History

    I'm going to be more direct than others in this thread. If this is your issue, you seriously need to contact a lawyer that knows criminal and administrative law that also knows how to deal with...
  16. akulahawkRN

    RMA vs EMT

    akulahawkRN replied to adommett27's topic in General Nursing

    Probably in terms of pure scope of practice, you probably have a wider scope as an RMA than you likely would as an EMT. Given that I'm not certain where you are in the world, but most EMT personnel...
  17. akulahawkRN

    If you could redo it....would you choose nursing?

    akulahawkRN replied to ICURNPA92's topic in General Nursing

    Would I do it all over again? Absolutely! Looking back on things, the only thing I would even remotely do differently is get started earlier. Had I gotten started down the nursing path a couple years...
  18. akulahawkRN

    Starting nursing school at 37...

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

    That's awesome that you're starting this September. I started when I was 37 or 38 and graduated a few years ago. It's been something like 6 years now since I was in your shoes. I've had a few...
  19. akulahawkRN

    When did you know?

    akulahawkRN replied to Sbhayes09's topic in General Nursing

    I've been a nurse for a little over 2 years now and I still don't know if it's my "thing" and for me it's certainly not a "calling" as other people say. My particular drive (or "calling" if you will)...
  20. akulahawkRN

    Simple IV Questions

    akulahawkRN replied to MAL, RN's topic in General Nursing

    If all I have is one IV access and I must infuse NS and insulin through that one single line, I would want to have either a Y extension set or a T extension set on that catheter, preferably a T set....
  21. akulahawkRN

    expunged grandtheft 1st degree trying to become RN then oneday have my BSN.

    akulahawkRN replied to msbella777's topic in Licensure: Criminal History

    While I cannot speak to your situation, I can only offer a couple suggestions. It's good that you're thinking of this stuff now instead of having to deal with this immediately before starting school...
  22. akulahawkRN

    LVN to RN 30 unit program

    akulahawkRN replied to guest1028966's topic in California Nursing

    I would be VERY wary of any LVN to RN program that does NOT end up with a degree being awarded. This is from their catalog: "Students who choose the 30 unit option will not receive a certificate or...
  23. akulahawkRN

    Hand IV trouble

    akulahawkRN replied to mariaconcetta's topic in General Nursing

    If you see a flash and then you see the cath curling, it's probably because you've inadvertently gone too deep and through the back of the vein. The biggest tip I can give is that you should have a...
  24. akulahawkRN

    Graduated as Top Student of BSN Class and Failed NCLEX at 75 questions.

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

    The NCLEX is generally pretty straightforward if you take your time to read the question, read the answers, go back and re-read the question (look for key words/phrases associated with the answers you...
  25. akulahawkRN

    CA NCLEX Results

    akulahawkRN replied to berry100's topic in NCLEX Exam, Programs

    If your sister is seeing "License/Registration Number:" and an 8 digit number, "License/Registration Type: Registered Nurse" when she signs into the BreEZe system, then she's an RN. If she's looking...