alphabetsoup

If you do not have "ostomy putty" then use stomahesive paste to fill in any crevices. Just use a small amount. Also, use a bridging technique to bring the trac pad over to the patient's side. This will help decrease tension on the trac pad tubing and...

I would not apply duoderm on open wounds that are around the anus. Getting those dressings to stay in place will be next to impossible. In cases like this, if the wounds are due to incontinence, manage the cause. The patient needs to be frequently ev...

Is the scrotal wound due to Forniers gangrene? Cancer? Pressure ulcer? What is the goal of treatment? Comfort only? Drainage control? Odor control? Is it dry gangrene or wet gangrene?

You need to check with the surgeon for specific wound care orders for a surgical wound. If the surgeon wants it irrigated then it should be irrigated. If the surgeon doesn't want it irrigated then it shouldn't be irrigated. It's that simple. Irrigati...

Sounds like you have an ADN/ASN, new grad, looking for entry level position, no prior experience in healthcare. So yeah, it's gonna be tough. My advice is to re-evaluate your resume because it might be lackluster. You might want to have someone coach...

First, I would look up the potential employer on the web and see what services they offer. Then, look up those services and see what is involved in terms of care. Be honest that you do not have the experience. But DO announce that you would be very e...

I think some of the issues of "shortages" and geographical locations have something to do with the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. Some nurses ended up delaying their retirement. Some nurses re-entered the workforce when their spo...

In state first and see if your employer will kick in some tuition.

Someone asked a while ago about why I have that perception about entry levels and education. I think I have seen these issues posted on the blog, whether it is a nurse with a certain educational background supervising another nurse with a certain edu...

That was an excellent point! Perhaps you are overthinking the questions (easy to do and even easier when you are a nurse). Are you also second guessing yourself during the exam?

Have you looked at online programs out of state? There are several reputable universities that offer online programs. They are no less rigorous than onsite programs. I have completed online coursework and some of my classmates lived in other states, ...

Florida.

Yes, always report a problem to the resident's nurse. Do you know for sure that the house supervisor was relaying information to the resident's nurse or to another nurse who just happened to be standing in the hallway? And if that nurse in the hallwa...

You should point out the error on the schedule to your manager (maybe it was a honest error or maybe the manager was given some erroneous information by another party). If you do not get an appropriate response, then you will need to concede that thi...

Don't worry about this at all. It's not worth the stress of worrying about it.

You were hired for a 3 10 hr/shift week schedule. Period. There is no swapping around hours unless the manager decides to realign the positions and offer full-times benefits. And if the clinic wanted to do this, they would have considered this prior ...

Hmmmm. In my experience most facilities give employees a "leeway"time- usually 6 minutes to clock in either before or after their scheduled time. You did not mention the nature of your tardiness so we can only guess. Were you a half hour late? An hou...

A BSN pays off in terms of opportunity. Does your employer offer any tuition assistance benefits? That was how I had my undergraduate paid for me and I graduated debt free. My obligation to the employer was not that big after graduation (and who was ...

Ah, the disgruntled frequent flyer. Stay polite and keep a smile on your face. Before you leave the room, ask the patient if there is anything else that he needs. Document abusive behaviors toward staff but keep it professional and matter of fact. If...

The bonus to having a BSN is that more doors are open. If you are content to have what you have in terms of your career with an ADN, then an ADN is just fine. If you end up wanting different opportunities, then you might want to consider earning a BS...

You will be dealing with more than just the day to day business of providing good care. You will now have staff issues/conflicts, family complaints, and other anticipated problems. If the plumbing is backing up in room 207 you will be the first to he...

Some of this sounds like the same routine from my old days romping in LTC. Except for the higher acuity. Very true though, hospitals are under pressure to discharge patients and those patients enter rehab/LTC in not the best of health. Other than su...

I like my specialty. I could do without the politics within the organization. And some additional staff need to be hired pronto as my workload is crushing me. But I like my specialty.

Good example that some nurses do have more earning potential than others with that $82K. Is that with shift diff, weekends, holidays? Also, some travel and agency can earn more. And someone pointed out location is also a factor. Other factors are emp...

First and foremost, averages are the dumbest way to calculate anything. Seriously- you want a median wage, not an average. Second, you have to factor in annual raises in those industries. And were bonuses or incentives also factored into those "avera...