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thanks for responding. Only thing, I can't remember how many mg was in the 500 ml bag.. Hypothetically, how do I set up the calculation to get the ml/hr rate to run the drip?

Hey all I have been a nurse for 5 months, telemetry floor, although we have a large # of "why is this person on the tele floor?" pts. So starting cardiac drips is not a something we do regularly and it was certainly my first time receiving an order to start an Amiodarone drip. I was not comfortable about starting a such a drip by myself so I went to the charge to help with the calucalation. I had 5 other very ill pts, so by the time I came back to the pt's room, my charge had already calculated and had the drip running. I need help in calculating those drips in order to become more comfortable . We run all fluids on IV pumps in ml/hr. Yesterday's order was: Amiodarone IV bolus at 150mg over 1 minute, then 1mg/min for 6hours and then 0.5mg/min for 18hours. What is the simpliest method to calculate this into ml/hr. Note: Pharmacy sent the bolus in a separate 100 ml bag and the continuous drip in a 500 ml bag. I feel lost with calculating drip rates and sincerely need your help. tks

you and Suzanne have really clarified things for me. You are right on the attorney issue, at least in my situation. I was called and emailed to pay the fee and they can submit the I140 me. But I wanted the clear picture before I made that decision. I am glad I did. It sounds like TN gives me the most options at this point.

Tks Suzanne. The attorney is giving me the impression that the earlier I submit the I140, at least my application is in and all I have to do is wait . Which I know is correct, but to me (which he has not told me) it sounds like once I do that , (a) I may not be able to travel outside of the US,(b) I may jeopardize my TN application later on (3) I may not be able to work in the meantime. Is that correct? Say someone who applies or have applied for an 1140 and gets approved and is waiting, and I, who waits as I think I may do, go TN in the meantime and submit my I140/I485 when things do open. The only thing then is that I may have to wait longer for the actual GC, as the other person's I140 has been submitted ahead of time and approved already? Right? You advice is always appreciated, Suzanne.

Tks Suzanne I am really confused about what is the next step to take. We have all the paperwork to apply for the I-140 including visascreen, employer paperwork, etc. since Sept 2007. We have spoken to a lawyer who is pushing me to submit the I-140 in order to get in line and apply for TN when my current OPT expires in July, but I am seriously not sure about that. She states that there are explanations that can be given to the to US regarding the I-140. I am saying 1-140 shows immigrant intent, TN is nonimmigrant. I'd rather go TN and wait for the opportunity to file both I-140/I-485 and not have restrictions on my travel or ability to work. Our18yr old is heading back to Canada to start university there this fall, which means we have to make a couple of trips there this summer to get him settled. See my delimma? If I submit the I-140 now, that may be dicey. On the other hand, my most pressing question and confusion is,by holding back my I-140 application am I pushing myself at the back of the line? I sometimes think what if the US immigra declares that for example, all who applied by 2007 can go forward or something like that,would I miss that opportunity. does it work like that? In my situation, am I missing or will I miss anything if I donot submit the I-I40 now and go TN until I things become current and I can apply concurrently? Advice will be truly appreciated. tks

Hi Suzanne or anyone who knows. Advice pls. I have 2 burning questions? Once the I-140 has been submitted, can I travel outside of the USA, to Canada? Secondly, since the retrogression is in effect, can Canadian nurses working in the US, apply and work with a TN, will waiting for I-140 approval, which from all I have read may take some time? We are getting ready to submit the I-140 and want to know these answers before we mail it in.

hey I am a new nurse. just 3 days ago I took care of stroke pt for 2 days(Wed/Thurs of this week). for the entire 2 days he had watery stools. the med student/resident ordered a rectal tube on the 2nd day I had him and ordered stool samples for c-diff ,among other things. I inserted the rectal tube(my first one), collected the stool sample from the tube. Albeit to say, my gloved finger was soaked with watery stools.Yes, I did wear about 3 gloves to do the deed and washed my hands really well afterwards.! Went back to work today, and the pt is on contact isolation for having tested positive for c-diff. I had never taken care of a pt with c-diff before that. OK. I am worried, since I was sooo up close the infected stools. He was not on contact isolation when I had him and I did wear gloves all the time, standard precautions, but no gown or mask. What should I be looking out for, guys? If I did contact the c-diff how long does it take before I have symptoms? I googled s/s of c-diff. I donot have abdminal cramps, bloody diarrhea, etc. Anything I should be doing now or looking out for? I know the pt had watery diarrhea, is it always watery stools? any info pls would be appreciated.

I agee 100%. I work on a telemetry floor during the day. I got off orientation and its just crazy busy. too much going on. I come home thinkng if I have missed anything, did I do this or that. no time to read charts. I have decided that I am going to work mostly weekend days when its less busy, since I can't handle night shift.

I am coming to the end my oreintation and if there is only 1 silver lining is that I will not have to work through 12-13 hours with my preceptor who talks down to me, is rude, makes snide negative remarks about me being slow, disorganized to anyone who would listen, is more task oriented than detail-oriented. Does not explain why things are done or why something is probably happening to the patient and what to look out for. Completes things that I planned on completing( completely throws me off since I am learning to put my day together), as well as leaves me not knowing parts of what is going on with the pt. does skills intsead of giving me the opportunity to do it(because she "has to leave by 1915 and I will take too long". So needless to say, I have not done any IV starts, even if I told her I need to learn those. Go do this, no you don't have to do this now, who told you to do that....rush, rush, rush... many times I can't even think straight and feeling like just saying" back off,....don't u realize I am a new nurse, trying to learn?" I know its going to be crazy busy for me once I am on my own. I k now that there are many things I have still not learned or put together, but not having to deal with this person is going to take load off my shoulder. I have scheduled myself to work same days with a couple of "go to" nurses who I can ask questions without being made to feel like an idiot or who takes the time to say things like " we were all in your shoes. don't worry it'll all come together. ...it's your license on the line so take your time to understand what u are doing,etc.. I patiently hung in there for the length of orientation, and did learn many things from her, but I am sooooo ready to "loose this loser'!!!! Just can't deal with that attitude no more than I have to..

can someone tell me how to check the status of my application for visascreen certificate, online? I created a login, but the only option I can see once i login is, " order services from cgfns'. can someone guide me on this, pls?

SharonH I am interested in working with an insurance co. on my off days. Will PM you for the information. Thanks.

thanks guys

All my Visascreen documents are being mailed separately, does that matter? E.g. My transcript will be sent to CGFNS by the Registrar's office of my college( I asked if I could pick it up and have it mailed in the same envelope with the the nursing information, they said no); the nursing school will be mailing their info separately, the BON will be sending the license verification separately, and I mailed my VSC application. There's no way I could have mailed them as one package. Is that going to me a problem? I am kinda concerned and hoping CGFNS has some way of matching the names /collecting the documents as they come in.

That an RN who attended a government approved, accredited nursing school at a college or university right in the US, has to pay $398.00 plus $50.00 processing fee for a VisaScreen certificate to state that the nursing education that they received (ADN or BSN) at a US nursing is equivalent to what?...a US nursing school education! Who do we call or write to about this expensive redundancy? Has anyone told CGFNS about that? I am just getting ready to pay this $448.00, since I have no choice, but I had to vent. Anyone feel the same way?

My understanding from previous posts is that you can still petition(I-140) nothing more, while the retrogression is still in place. You don't necessarily have to wait until visas become current to do so. someone, correct me if I misunderstood.

I went to a nursing school here in the US.

Hey All need your help. I am given my nursing instructor/dean to fill out the section on on VisaScreen application that has to be completed by my nursing school. She needs some clarification if anyone how has completed theirs or knows how can help. I went to a small college and they are clueless on those things. How did your school fill out the sections.... Physical and biological sciences(A/P, chem, microbiology, nutrtions) Social sciences: T# of theoretical hours: # of clinical practice hours Does the school just break down and total the number in hours in each course over a semester (e.g. 3hrs a day x 2 days per week x 4 months) ? Would appreciate your help. Want to get this thing done by this week. Tks in advance

Hi all I am a Canadian living and working as an RN in the US. I am interested in writing for Ontario nursing license. Can anyone tell me what steps I have to take and how I start the process? what are good prep books to use? is it the same as NCLEX? are NCLEX preparation material sufficient or different? tks

Azor I checked out AMC as well. I find the staff great and fun to work with. Let me know how things are going there. I really want to know. PM me if u wish. A

Suzanne I graduated from a US nursing school in May. Wrote and passed the NCLEX in July 2008. I did not apply during the window in July. So again, does it even make sense to appy for the I-140 now and wait in line? For those of us just getting ready to start the paperwork, with over 300, 000 plus applicants jamming the system ahead of us, what should I do now? I am on OPT till Jun 2008. I am not from a high applicant country. Does it makes sense paying for an attorney to start green application that is likely not going to go nowhere for ???? # of years? or should I just start the process, at the least? tks

OK. So what do I do? Finished my NCLEX in May(US edu), spoke to 2 attorneys, one wants me to start the application for GC process and at least get in line and see what happens in OCT. The other is taking a do nothing approach, except wait and see what will happen in Oct. Both agree that I should apply for the VisaScreen certifcate in the meantime. With all what you guys are saying, I am sooo confused as to what I should really be doing at this point. Which attny's advice should I go on. What should I be doing right now? I need sound, non-biased advice. I simply donot know what I should be doing, right now. Does if even makes sense to start GC application right now? My mployer has agreed to sign the necessary paperwork.

tks Suzanne for your speedy reply to my question.. Appreciate it. Re the forms. Where do I find the VSC forms that I have to submit to my BON? Can I do it before I recieve my official license. I used the Quick Results option to find out my NCLEX results today, so I don't have my official licence from the BON as yet. Do Canadian citizens have to use CGFNS as well? tks

Suzanne or anyone who knows the process Found out today that I Passed my NCLEX. F1 student graduated in May 06, currently on OPT until Jul 2008. What is my next step? Do I apply for the VisaScreen cert. now or when I receive my official RN license? After this is done, pls walk me thru the process as it is right now. After the VisaScreen what is the next logical step? My employer has agreed to sign the green card paperwork as long as I pay for the lawyer. I have not looked up a lawyer as yet. Can anyone recommend an experienced lawyer, who is well versed in green card applications for RNs. How much do lawyers charge? do I really need a lawyer? Realistically, Where do things stand with the retrogression? tks

read nothing for 1 week. Find someplace where I can take a long, long walk. and then... look forward to my 1st RN check, which I know I will be "busting' my butt off for from day 1 on the job.

Hey all I am a new grad and need your advice on this one. I have two offers of employment after I pass my NCLEX. Hosp A where I work as a CNA has offered me a 7p-7a new grad position on the tele floor. Well known, prestigious hospital. Pay including shift diff is about $10.00/hr more than what Hosp B. Hosp B is offering the same floor, as mentioned $10.00 less an hr, but giving me the day shift ,plus $300.00 a mth directly towards my student loan repayment, no contracts. Urban hospital, less prestigious that hosp A. The money at hosp A where I work looks good for the nite shift, but I know personally that I cannot survive the night shift. After 1am, I can't think straight. and physically,just staying up extra late takes a toll on my body. A couple of friends suggested that my body will get used to the nights. and I should go for the money. But I just donot feel safe doing the night shift. People's lives are in my hands and I don't want to be driving home in the morning and suddenly thinking, did I give ??????? So to what do you think I should go? Your advice is kindly requested. tks