DowntheRiver

DowntheRiver has 6 years experience and specializes in Urgent Care, Oncology.

“All of us take pride and pleasure in the fact that we are unique, but I'm afraid that when all is said and done the police are right: it all comes down to fingerprints.” 
― David Sedaris

DowntheRiver's Latest Activity

1. 

   Graduating with a DNP without prior nursing experience. Thoughts? Suggestions?

   DowntheRiver replied to scribe1290's topic in General Students

   Is this a thing now? My MSN program has a requirement of being a practicing nurse for at least 2+ years and currently practicing.
2. 

   Cisplatin Pre & Post Hydration

   DowntheRiver posted a topic in Oncology

   What are your orders or facility policy on Cisplatin Pre & Post Hydration, including Potassium and Magnesium? Do some do just Potassium, or are they always Potassium and Magnesium? For low doses, some order sets say 250-500 mL pre, 250-500 mL with Cisplatin added, and 250-500 mL. Most do 500 mL pre, 500 mL with Cisplatin, and 500mL post for a total of 1500 mL which seems pretty reasonable. Example Cisplatin dose: 23mg Q1W For higher doses, order sets say 1000 mL pre, 500 with Cisplatin added, and 1000 mL post. Total volume 2500 mL. Example Cisplatin dose: 93mg Q3W The 2500 mL just seems like a lot of fluid to me in one sitting. The patient is also there ALL DAY. We typically also hydrate these patients at least one other time a week with a liter bag. I've seen some nurses run pos hydration concurrently with Cisplatin and am curious if others do the same? I'm not a new nurse, not even new to Oncology, but new to infusion/chemo/immuno. I've discussed with co-workers and we're pretty much divided, most newer/inexperienced nurses think it's too high while the more experienced nurses think it is fine. I trust my nurse managers and fellow co-workers, but maybe someone can give me an explanation in different terms where it will "click" for me? Thank you for input.
3. 

   PLEASE HELP! I am prohibited to practice because of a speeding ticket 5 years ago. What should I do?

   DowntheRiver replied to Pairmyhair's topic in Criminal

   I can believe it. Laws vary greatly between states on speeding charges.
4. 

   School is cancelled but clinical is not? (COVID-19)

   DowntheRiver replied to nurseann11's topic in Disasters

   My clinical were cancelled because my site decided they no longer wanted students through the end of April. I'm lucky I'm just a MSN ED student because you really can move a lot of that stuff online without it really hindering the quality of education. Since my program is already online it was an easy transition. I'm in a different state than where my program is based and both our states are heavily affected by the corona virus so the instructors are very understanding and helpful regarding how everything will work out.
5. 

   How would you improve the nursing profession? (beyond better staffing, higher pay, etc)

   DowntheRiver replied to labordude's topic in General Nursing

   Go back to diploma nursing education programs. Well, better incorporate those programs into current nursing education programs. We need to start from the bottom up. Better preparing students will hopefully lead to better prepared nurses.
6. 

   UTA RN-BSN Program Answers 2018

   DowntheRiver replied to DowntheRiver's topic in Texas (UTA)

   If I recall correctly, the management class was pretty simple time wise and heavily worksheet based. I remember having to write a paper about the manager I shadowed and having to fill in a worksheet about budget along with discussion boards. You can always check out Chegg - sometimes they have study guides available that can help go more in depth to assignments.
7. 

   UTA RN-BSN Program Answers 2018

   DowntheRiver replied to DowntheRiver's topic in Texas (UTA)

   This question would be better suited for UTA. This post is about students who are already RNs and are completing the RN to BSN program. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
8. 

   What to do about DNP and flu shot?

   DowntheRiver replied to Travelingon's topic in General Nursing

   I'm just going to leave this here.... Cancer-Causing HPV Almost Eliminated From Young Women In England Thanks To Vaccine Program
9. 

   Haven't worked since I graduated

   DowntheRiver replied to nnasser83's topic in General Nursing

   A lot of the HCA facilities will put nurses through their Nurse Residency program if they're drastically switching specialties or have less than a year of hospital experience. I am a nurse with over 5 years experience but 6 months hospital experience only and they wanted to put me through a Nurse Residency program for a Med Surg position. The nurse recruiter told me that even if someone had 20+ years experience in Long Term Care or Home Health they'd put them through the Nurse Residency program.
10. 

    Such thing as too late to negotiate?

    DowntheRiver replied to Sheika34's topic in General Nursing

    Is it a clinic or unit? If it is a clinic then the pay is typically lower because of the no nights/weekends/holidays perk. One post you say unit, another you say clinic, so I don't know...
11. 

    Help, I feel like a failure

    DowntheRiver replied to Uriel95's topic in General Students

    Honestly, if what you are saying is true, I'd appeal you grades based on medical/mental health reasons. I know this can be done, even when the grades have been finalized. When I found out I had cancer, I appealed the grades for the semester leading up to my diagnosis (Spring) and the semester I actually withdrew from (Summer). Once I had a medical necessity letter and filled out the school's paperwork, nobody questioned a thing.
12. 

    Doctors offended by TV show about nurses

    DowntheRiver replied to FullGlass's topic in General Nursing

    I'd like to see a show about other areas of nursing, not just the ER. A lot of crazy interesting things happen in other areas of nursing.
13. 

    Pursuing Nursing - Need Direction

    DowntheRiver replied to southike's topic in Pre-Nursing

    RN is not a certification, it is a license. I'm assuming you mean ASN or diploma, but nonetheless thought it should be mentioned.
14. 

    Change from software to NP

    DowntheRiver replied to MayaSwiss's topic in General Students

    There are a few direct entry MSN programs but I don't think any of them are part time and they're pretty rigorous.
15. 

    Between a Rock and a Hard Place

    DowntheRiver replied to StillSearchingRN's topic in General Nursing

    Can you file for disability protection? Sounds like you have some issues that would qualify. I would research the ADA and ask for accommodations.
16. 

    UTA RN-BSN Program Answers 2018

    DowntheRiver replied to DowntheRiver's topic in Texas (UTA)

    If you're certified that actually covers your one of your nursing electives, FYI Easy courses that I took: NURS 3309 Medical Terminology NURS 3352 Legacy of the Family