tiddleywink

I bought the flashcards. They are not question/answer cards, more of brief summaries about topics - for example, the cardiac section has multiple cards about anuerysms - where they are, how they form, and common treatment. Like " discuss thoracic aneurysms" I like the cards, I am moving through them slowly, then will start to work on practice questions.

How many total questions are on the CEN? Anyone know what the pass rate is for first time takers?

I agree with you in not asking for help unless you have a really sick pt, or you are just drowning. Where I work the techs are funny about who they will help - and they stay clear of the high maintenance nurses that ask them to get vitals on all their pts while they are sitting at the desk. I feel like I get help when I need it - because I rarely ask for it. So, if I do, they know I need them. Another thing I do, is if I have had a pt in a room with a delay in getting them worked up - I actually document "assumed care, delay in care initiation due to this RN with critical pt" that way, heaven forbid the chart end up in review there are no speculations on why the pt was in the room for 45min before you drew blood. It clarified that you were with another pt. The other day I had a pt that was coded for 2 hours. SO for 2 hours I could not get out of that room. No one checked on my other pts - so i wrote in all their charts the reason for delays in meds/labs etc... ugh!!

At my ED we start lines and medicate frequently in the triage/waiting room. Especially N/V/D patients, a little zofran and a liter of fluids hung on the wheelchair, and back to the waiting room! Anyone that is medicated with a narcotic is places very close to the triage nurse/nurses. Then, when a room is ready, their labs are back and the first time they are seen by MD, there is a plan of care initiated.