SafetyNurse1968 BSN, MSN, PhD

Education, Informatics, Patient Safety

If I were in charge of the universe, there would be staffing ratio laws and unions in every state and you'd get written up for NOT taking your breaks.

Patient Safety Columnist / Educator

Safety Rules!

This blog was a joy to write and covered many aspects of patient safety. I am no longer updating it, but enjoy getting comments and questions.

General Nursing

Four Days of Nausea, Vomiting and Fever

by SafetyNurse1968, BSN, MSN, PhD

What is most important in this case study in which an older Vietnamese woman presents to the ER with fever, nausea and vomiting?

14 replies 13,209 views
Are you prepared for the BIG changes coming to NCLEX?
NCLEX

Next Generation NCLEX - What Is a Bow Tie Question?

by SafetyNurse1968, BSN, MSN, PhD

3rd in a series: the Next Gen NCLEX will roll out in the Spring of 2023. Read on for a sample “bow tie” question – one of the new “stand alone”...

9 replies 34,589 views
Why is this man dizzy?
General Nursing

I'm Dizzy, Tired and Can't Remember What I Ate for Lunch

by SafetyNurse1968, BSN, MSN, PhD

A 74-year-old white male presents to the ED with confusion, fatigue, dizziness, headache and distal right arm paresthesia. Experienced nurses, model your...

17 replies 11,256 views
How to pass the SATAs?
NCLEX

Select All That Apply: The Most Hated Question Type Ever

by SafetyNurse1968, BSN, MSN, PhD

There are a lot of changes coming on the new NCLEX in 2023, but Select All That Apply (SATA) questions are here to stay. The good news? Partial Credit is also...

6 replies 8,977 views
Excruciating Pelvic Pain: "Why is this happening to me? Why can't anyone help me?”
General Nursing

Agonizing Pelvic Pain: What's Going On with this 17-year-old? | Ca…

by SafetyNurse1968, BSN, MSN, PhD

A new case study in which the patient, a 17-yr-old African American female, is having ongoing, excruciating pelvic pain. This case study is based upon the very...

22 replies 10,216 views
NCLEX Changes - What & Why
NCLEX

Next Generation NCLEX: Are You Ready?

by SafetyNurse1968, BSN, MSN, PhD

This fall, new nursing students will be preparing for not just the nursing school experience, but to be the first group preparing to take the Next Gen NCLEX...

6 replies 12,425 views
What's happening to this woman?
General Nursing

A Fracture from a Fall: What's Going on Here?

by SafetyNurse1968, BSN, MSN, PhD

A new case study in which a 77 yo white female arrives to the emergency room by taxi with a suspected skull fracture. This topic was suggested by a reader –...

25 replies 9,437 views
General Nursing

Breathless, Coughing and Run-down: What's Going On? | Case Study

by SafetyNurse1968, BSN, MSN, PhD

A new case study in which the patient, a 32-yr-old white male presents to a local free clinic with fatigue, moderate dyspnea, and a persistent and...

30 replies 10,526 views
What is going on with this young woman?
General Nursing

Unexplained Diarrhea and Weight Loss: What's going on? | Case Stud…

by SafetyNurse1968, BSN, MSN, PhD

A new case study in which the patient, a 28 y/o white female presents to a primary care clinic complaining of recurrent diarrhea. She first experienced diarrhea...

28 replies 12,489 views
Should nurses be allowed to refuse to administer COVID vaccines?
General Nursing

Nurses Refusing to Administer COVID-19 Vaccinations!? | Nurses Wee…

by SafetyNurse1968, BSN, MSN, PhD

As a nurse educator, I’ve been discussing the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines with my students. During my volunteer shifts at local COVID vaccination...

84 replies 13,337 views
Patient states, “I just don't feel like anything matters. I used to be so happy.”
General Nursing

Suicidal Ideation and Muscle Twitches | Case Study

by SafetyNurse1968, BSN, MSN, PhD

A new case study in which the patient, a 40 yr-old mixed-race woman presents to her primary care physician with concerns about suicidal ideation. She has some...

25 replies 9,466 views
This guy keeps mimicking me. Is he "NUTS"?
General Nursing

Repeat After Me... What's the problem here? | Case Study

by SafetyNurse1968, BSN, MSN, PhD

A homeless man is brought to the ER by the local police after he is found sitting at a bus stop with a bloody rag pressed to his left knee. The temperature...

12 replies 6,542 views
What's causing mood swings and outbursts of anger?
General Nursing

Wild Mood Swings and Outbursts of Anger: What's Wrong with this M…

by SafetyNurse1968, BSN, MSN, PhD

A new case study in which the patient, a 50-yr-old male of mixed race visits his primary care physician with concerns about wild mood swings and outbursts of...

17 replies 7,422 views
Is this a case of dementia? Delirium? What is it?
General Nursing

Case Study: Does this Cherokee Woman Have Dementia?

by SafetyNurse1968, BSN, MSN, PhD

An 85-yr-old Cherokee woman living in a skilled nursing facility has lost weight since admission and won’t socialize or join in activities. She won't...

7 replies 6,322 views
Does this woman have breast cancer?
Critical

Case Study: It's a Lump, but is it Breast Cancer?

by SafetyNurse1968, BSN, MSN, PhD

I am so excited about this Case Study because I feel it will be useful to so many of you! Welcome to a new Case Study in which the patient, a 45-yr-old, white,...

6 replies 9,178 views
Why is my baby vomiting?
Critical

Case Study: Newborn with Vomiting and Diarrhea

by SafetyNurse1968, BSN, MSN, PhD

A three-day old male infant is brought to the ER by his 22-yr-old mother with vomiting and diarrhea. Diagnostic results will be released upon request, with the...

16 replies 10,582 views
Can you figure out the diagnosis?
Critical

Case Study: Joint Pain, Rash, Hair Loss - What's Going On?

by SafetyNurse1968, BSN, MSN, PhD

A new case study in which R.W. presents to her PCP with a cough, mild fever, joint stiffness and pain and a history of rashes, anemia and hair loss.

69 replies 16,673 views
How Good of an Investigator Are You?
Critical

Differential Case Study: Lyme Disease or Covid-19?

by SafetyNurse1968, BSN, MSN, PhD

Lakeith, a 35-year-old black man living in New York State, presents with a fever of 101 degrees F. He is concerned he might have contracted Covid-19. Based upon...

36 replies 11,250 views
Are nurse unions a dire need?
Union

Unionizing during a Pandemic: Another story from the bedside

by SafetyNurse1968, BSN, MSN, PhD

This is the fourth in a series of interviews that were done during the 3rd week of April 2020 in response to the global Covid-19 pandemic. This ER nurse is...

13 replies 5,580 views
Are you curious about what happens on the frontlines?
COVID

At the Bedside with Covid-19 -Part 2: John

by SafetyNurse1968, BSN, MSN, PhD

This is the second in a series of interviews were done over the phone during the 3rd week of April, 2020 in response to the global Covid-19 pandemic. I wanted...

1 reply 3,212 views