Spider Cat

Could someone help me finally understand what the ups and downs of PT's, PTT's, and INR's are? When we have someone on a heparin drip their PTT levels are drawn every 6 or 12 hours depending on what their previous levels turn out to be. When INR's ar...

I've seen lots of input on crocs but has anyone worn Holey Soles?? If so, which do you prefer? Also if anyone can recommend a web site I would be ever so grateful.

I'm so excited to see this forum!! Something I would like some info on is how to "trouble shoot" different things. A few things I have encountered on the floor is being unable to draw blood from a picc line/central line, leaking foleys, foleys that d...

Can someone explain to me what diminished lungs are and what is the significance of this?? Everyone I ask either doesn't know or they just say it means you don't hear the usual clear swooshing in and out (probably not a good way to put it). Grea...

Hi all - I'm hoping some of you lab experts out there can maybe give me some insight on my own lab values since I feel like my own health care group doesn't seem to be taking things too seriously. I had a routine annual physical and labs done a few w...

I am starting full time nights (5 - 7.5 hour shifts). I was working 3 - 12 hr night shifts and I got by with my sleeping by taking 2 Tylenol PM's on the 3 days I had to go in and slept like a log. Now that I am on 5 days I'm starting to wonder if tak...

are the core curriculum and study guide on the site enough to study and pass the exam or should I look for something else to study also? If something more - can anyone suggest something??

Can someone give a quick and easy explanation on small bore feeding tubes? Should placement be checked by instilling air, should residual be checked by drawing back (I guess in the same manner as a peg tube would be), and how often should you do this...

Sorry this is a late reply - but how about checking for residual on these??

What are everybody's favorite shoes?? I prefer walking shoes over regular nurse's shoes but have yet to find a pair that are really comfortable. I have heard New Balance is the way to go. What models of New Balance would be worth considering or any...

When we have pts with a fever often times I'm told to have them cough and deep breath and encourage fluids to help bring it down. Can anyone enlighten me on how all of this works to lower a temp??

Can anyone explain to me what this test is?? My lab book just confuses me more than I was to begin with. I guess I shouldn't feel too bad though because the doc that had my pt didn't even know what is was

What are some parameters I should look for in a pts condition when deciding to request a PRN resp treatment??

I live in a very depressed area of the country and am trying to talk my husband into moving "where the grass is greener" so to speak. Any recommendations where this green area might be?? In other words - good money with a reasonable cost of living....

Can anyone help me understand the theory behind this - I had a pt with a foley that didn't seem to be draining right and the pt was also complaining of "feeling like they had to go to the bathroom." The RN I was with came in and moved the tubing aro...

I also would like to look into this but don't know how, what, or who to contact about it. Does anyone have an address, phone #, web site or anything to get info on local reservations? I know there are a couple in the area but have not a clue where a ...

Another question about Davita - how long is their orientation period and what does it consist of?? For the class room end of things, is it done locally at your own clinic or do you have to fly to their main head quarters or somewhere for it??

Any advice from anyone on strategies for starting an IV on those elderly and other difficult people with "no veins?"

I just started working this shift because I wanted more days home with my family. My problem is on my first day on the shift I can't sleep. The second day is no problem because I am so dog tired from the first day. I usually have my weekend days t...

I am a new grad and have been working for only a few months. The biggest question I have on the floor that I haven't been able to get a good answer on is administering pain meds. I had two pts last night - one with Dilaudid and demerol - the other wi...

I am starting the night shift in a couple weeks. Can anyone recommend some earplugs, etc that I can buy online. Any other suggestions for sleeping during the day would be greatly appreciated.

Hi all - I'm a new grad and have been working med-surg for about 5 months. I guess JCAHO is coming in a couple weeks and I am a wreck. I am just starting to finally not feel quite so stressed out with my new job and now I feel totally imcompetent n...

Thanks for everyone's replies. I feel less stressed already. It's just when you are new you worry about everything ten times more than you need to. And I guess it's fear of the unknown like everything else is.

I just graduated from NCCC in May (Sanborn, NY). We started out with about 130 freshman and a little over 50 ended up graduating. Their pass rate for the NCLEX was something like 97 percent and they beat us up the whole way through. Most of us though...

I agree - getting the advice of an experienced nurse is so very helpful. It's just hard when they all have a different answer for everything!