StarBrownRN

StarBrownRN

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All Content by StarBrownRN

  1. Is it legal for your boss to dictate where you poop?

    StarBrownRN replied to klone's topic in General Nursing

    I wonder if we work in the same facility... I almost died of laughter when I saw a sign saying "Do Not Defecate" Like how do you even enforce something like that??

  2. Ethics: "Every minute counts..." or not?

    StarBrownRN replied to parolang's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    The FA told you to push back, but didn't say they would address it?? That sounds suspicious. Have you spoken with the clinical coordinator? And I'm curious as to why the LPN and Charge RN are...

  3. CDC disinfection guidelines for hemodialysis machines?

    StarBrownRN replied to Angelrn2008's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    Many times you won't even know the patient's HIV status. Like TwinMom said the biggest concern is HepB. It's more virulent than HIV. As for internal disinfection, biomed usually handles that. You may...

  4. Acute vs. Chronic Dialysis

    StarBrownRN replied to nurseontheway's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    I think everyone should experience both, but I find that nurses who are really nurses and into Evidence-Based practice and critical thinking like

  5. Salary

    StarBrownRN replied to dream06's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    You can make all the money you are willing to work for, but how long can you work 60+ hour

  6. Davita Star RN Program

    StarBrownRN replied to ladynesh's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    I'm not sure how things turned out for you, but please RUN AWAY from any FA position that requires you to work the floor. That's a red flag. That clinic likely has staffing, management and retention...

  7. fistula needle research

    StarBrownRN replied to supfiq's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    May I ask why you are doing this research? Might I suggest you conduct a thorough literature review...because all of your questions have been answered and are almost common

  8. burning out in acute care

    StarBrownRN replied to lawandaluxnurse's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    I hated chronics with a passion and couldn't wait to get to acutes. Then the unpredictable long hours of acutes started to wear on me. So, I went back to chronics on a PRN basis and I find doing both...

  9. Gross Things Patients Do

    StarBrownRN replied to bluegeegoo2's topic in General Nursing

    We were out of urinals, so the patient peed in his reusable coffee mug--while on a hemodialysis machine. (He could have asked to pause the Tx and go to the restroom.) And that mug of cloudy pee sat...

  10. Rookie mistakes in dialysis

    StarBrownRN replied to thelittlenurs's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    The effects of Epo on blood pressure is in the medication's prescribing info. Hypertension is one of the side effects in patients with CKD/ESRD. You can visit the manufacturer's website for a copy of...

  11. Advice for family...

    StarBrownRN replied to Cwalz5's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    I feel your family's anguish. My family faced a similar decision when my grandfather was diagnosed with cancer at 81 and already had CHF with frequent episodes of pulmonary edema. We had to ask...

  12. Change in nursing role

    StarBrownRN replied to thelittlenurs's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    You may want to consider joining ANNA, if you have a local chapter that is active. They have some great educational and professional development resources. It's also a good networking tool. (And...

  13. Dialysate Temperature and Sodium Modeling/Profile

    StarBrownRN replied to southernbelle07's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    Where I am, sodium modeling has been discontinued and exact dialysate temperatures are not prescribed. There is a temperature range, but we can use nursing judgement to adjust within the allowable...

  14. Washing scrubs?

    StarBrownRN replied to dd131's topic in General Nursing

    I have had the same experience with scrubs and other clothing. In my dry clean only items, I use dress shields. In scrubs and other things, I spray the pit area with white vinegar right after I take...

  15. Am I the only one who thinks this is an accident waiting to happen?

    StarBrownRN replied to Alex Egan's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    Be diligent, but don't be scared. A patient prescribed a 3k and ends up on a 2k will most likely not go into cardiac arrest after one 3.5hr treatment. When I was in chronic, we switched to using only...

  16. What is like working on Hemodialysis?

    StarBrownRN replied to aldrich21's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    Also, because you will be new to dialysis, you will most likely be required to perform the work of the techs and the nurse for the first six months before you are eligible to be trained for charge...

  17. Starting pay for Davita or Fresenius

    StarBrownRN replied to brownsc2's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    In my area, Dialysis Nursing's hourly rate is higher than most Hospitals--but there are no paid holidays (unless you actually work on the holiday), no shift differential and often you do not get 40hrs...

  18. Working in an outpatient vs in-hospital dialysis

    StarBrownRN replied to reginalin's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    SmilingBlueEyes makes some good points about the unpredictable schedule of acute care. I was fortunate to work with great techs that I trust; but at the end of the day, a tech--no matter how...

  19. Burnout

    StarBrownRN replied to Andix's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    I'm sorry to hear of your difficult experiences. To be a profession of caring, nurses can sometimes be very cruel to their colleagues. And chronic dialysis can be especially grueling. As long as you...

  20. How did you spend your first nursing paycheck?

    StarBrownRN replied to NewGradRN114's topic in General Nursing

    Auto insurance, full tank of gas, groceries and a pair of Jimmy Choo pumps

  21. Working in an outpatient vs in-hospital dialysis

    StarBrownRN replied to reginalin's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    It's a individual decision. However, just from a liability standpoint, I'd rather be an RN in acutes than chronic. In chronic you are responsible for too many patients and too many techs. It isn't...

  22. getting trained in dialysis

    StarBrownRN replied to Macedonia9's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    The big 2 hire and train people with no experience all the time. Even people with prior dialysis experience still have to undergo training on the employer's specific policies. There's a lot of...

  23. Dialysis Technician

    StarBrownRN replied to jeancarreon04's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    In Maryland, you will have to obtain a CNA first, then be trained in an approved DT program. The DT programs are basically the training CNA hires receive when they are hired by Dialysis clinics; after...

  24. How old is too old to become a new RN?

    StarBrownRN replied to CathyH's topic in General Nursing

    I went to nursing school with someone who was 70. So, to me, 58 isn't old. You have 10 years to retirement. And if you are in good shape, you should be ok. I say it's never too late...sort of. Once...

  25. Do you overspend on luxury items as a nurse?

    StarBrownRN replied to Neywel120's topic in General Nursing

    YES!!! ABSOLUTELY!! I find myself buying full price from the thrift store. Before nursing, I only bought when it was 50% off. I even freely indulge in goodwill online and eBay. (Actually, I bought...