heynurse1971

To stephanieshae27...Ha! Classic case of RNitis. Bet my license on it that you have never been a CNA, nor an LVN. 'Chip on their shoulder'?? Really? Inferiority complex? Why in the world would you assume that? And, of course we are nurses, too! Why would we not be?

I live in Texas, and got a DWI in 1997 prior to nursing school. I was on probation for 1 year while in nursing school. I had to write a letter to the board when it came time to graduate and take boards. I had no problem, nor have I ever had a problem getting/keeping a job. THANK GOODNESS. And, I learned a valuable lesson...I DO NOT drink and drive now. EVER.

I agree...if you're not 100% sure you want to be a nurse, get some experience 1st. I do agree with going through the LVN (or LPN, depending on where you live). I have been an LVN for 14 yrs. and am very happy. I learned alot of skills that most R.N.s don't learn, and have taught them what I know. Just as they teach me what they know, it goes hand in hand. :)

Update: The patient of course, is fine. :) It was decided it was not a med error on my part, because nurse #1 took the order, signed it, and didn't follow through by calling the pharmacy to notify them that we needed the med ASAP. I did not have a reason to look at the M.A.R. because no meds had been delivered. I reviewed the original orders, but this order was added after admit. The order was not copied and attached to the report sheet (policy), nor was I informed of it. HOWEVER...I learned a big lesson. LOOK AT THE M.A.R. !!!!!!!!! The lesson is the most imoprtant thing! :) And, glad the pt. is o.k. Although, I am still wondering WHY we accepted the pt. with those labs! I do not work in a LTC facility...I work in a private rehab and have patients that really should still be in the hospital. We don't do I.V. therapy, yet we are all certified. ???? ANYWAY. Lesson learned. Next time, I will simply send the patient right back to the hospital, and avoid this mistake altogether! :)

I did check the admit orders. The order for Na was given verbally to the 1st nurse. She did not pass it along. I did not look at pt. MAR because no meds had been delivered for her yet, therefore I had nothing to give her.

When I got to work, I find we are in the process of getting 3 admits. The nurse I was relieving stayed late, and took the first admit. (THANK YOU!) I was busy doing the other 2 as they came in an hour apart. For the 1st admit, the NP was there and based on hospital labs, wrote an order for Na 1 Gm po Qd x 2 days. Start today. When the 1st nurse left, she did not tell me about that particular order, nor did she call the pharmacy to make sure it would be delivered STAT (within 4 hrs.)...they don't usually deliver until 11p.m. While passing meds that night, I didn't look at pt.'s MAR because she had no meds delivered yet. I left at 10:30, and did not tell the oncoming nurse about the patient needing the med NOW because I DIDN'T KNOW. The med was NEVER delivered, and the patient went to the hospital for Na 123. We admitted the patient with Na 124 so WHY DID WE TAKE THE PATIENT IN THE FIRST PLACE?? We don't do I.V. 's in the Rehab Dept. I work in. AND there is no Na in the E.R. kit. My D.O.N. is asking all 3 of us to write up an incident report???

I work for an interesting company...We have independent living duplexes, apts., then assisted living, then LTC when it gets to "that point". We also have an AWESOME rehab for when our "indepenent" patients fall and break a hip! :) I LOVE my job...I work the Rehab floor. It is SUPER busy, and it only holds 12. It is just me and one awesome C.N.A. on the floor. I get everything from hip/leg/pelvic fx., to bowel resections, to very fragile cardiac patients, ALS patients, etc...Ya never know. I love going to work every day, because the smile on my patient's face lets me kow I am appreciated. I have been a nurse for 14 yrs., and this is absolutely my favorite job ever. I have done Med/Surg, Home health, MHMR, Wound Care, LTC, and CNA teaching. Even better, this company APPRECIATES the nurses. We are treated very well, and have great benefits and pay! AND we are a non profit! :)