chip193

Hi Maisy, It sounds like the problem isn't so much with changing the process, it seems to be the lack of input from the folks in the trenches. When we do something new (that we invent - remember, there are still directives that come from above!), we ...

We see 65,000 a year, three nurses in triage - one out front, two triaging either in their offices or in the rooms (depending on whether there are rooms available). Ratio is 1:3 in the trauma/cardiac area, 1:5 in the general area, and 1:7 in psych/E...

Let me tell you a little story... First a little background about me and the department. I've been doing ED nursing for about 5 years, the last 2 as a manager of the ED, and prior to that I held every EMS title that you can imagine, right up to COO....

We had a whole batch of catheters about 18 months ago that were bad. I always have tested the balloon (which is the institutional policy), and we quickly found out who did and who didn't!

I am a big believer in going right to the ER when you graduate. Some of the best nurses that I work with graduated from school, took a position in our department, and were mentored well and have grown into great ED nurses, with many of them doing ba...

Not in our trauma room! Seriously, make sure that all you have all the information that you need should a run to the OR be needed. Look at your paperwork while you look at mine - make sure all the "i"s are dotted and the "t"s are crossed. Remember t...

Patients can refuse and/all care at any time. So why would the access be any different? Seems to me that the manager is misinformed.

hey, hey, hey...watch those management comments...i resemble that remark :)

I did it in '03-'04 in 9 months...and would have been six if I didn't get married in the middle! Two exams every Wednesday...then about 5 mo wait for CPNE. Chip

Anyone want to take bets on how long it takes the "OMG, you're so uncaring, I can't believe that you're a nurse!" to show up here? I think the OP's work is wonderful...and will need to bring it to my next meeting! Chip

If you don't want to be a Paramedic, don't go to Paramedic school! Your EC base will be your Paramedic training and, if you really have no desire to be a Paramedic, you will not have the interest in it that you really need to have. Then, when the ti...

We start NS wells on patients in our waiting room, so this wouldn't really bother me!

The clinicals are actually life-long. The competancy exam is three days.

The reason for this is that the VA will employ you if you are licensed in any state, not necessarily the state where the particular hospital is located. The OP has an RN license somewhere - just not FL. So a VA hospital (or any federal hospital for ...

Having done both jobs, let me give you a little of my insight. RN and Paramedic are two completely different jobs. Some of the skills may overlap, but the whole thought process, autonomy level, and physical skills. A good RN does not necessarily mak...

Whether you get an immediate bed or not is based on your complaint and what other patients are there waiting. It has nothing to do with mode of arrival. The detox patient, so long as he's cooperative and not urinating all over himself, can go to Tri...

I've done this twice in 18 years - both times in an ambulance. Both times it made a huge mess. You did fine with what you did. Crazy things like this happen!

You're welcome. I'm actually at a conference right now discussing solutions to handle employees just like the one that you've mentioned. And good luck growing into the RN role.

Was it the amoxicillin or the time that did it?

Disclaimer: I am a 2004 graduate of the ASN program at Excelsior College. California has a time limit in place - I'm not sure when it was - that states that if you are not enrolled in the EC program before "x" date, you cannot obtain licensure in C...

There are two kinds of people who are trying to climb the ladder. There are those who excel and do whatever it takes to make themselves better (like attend CME, conference, read journals, become a resource for others, etc.) and those who make themse...

Ear infections – well, most of them are caused by a virus. Using antibiotics immediately out of vogue per AAP and most of our ER docs are sending parents home with a prescription to be filled in two days if no better. Decongestants are sometimes gi...

I've read this thread with great interest. To give my background before I get onto my soapbox, I'm in a leadership role, at night, in a busy emergency department. In my past life, I served in all sorts of leadership roles in the ems world. So, for th...

I have firmly believed for a long time that there needs to be an ativan lick in the waiting area. And, the best way to get your Press Ganey scores up is to hand out crack at Triage!

Nah, just late enough that the bars are already closed and a Saturday morning so there's no "I can't possibly work today with my..." crowd.