medic2bsn

You mentioned you were having conscious sedation. Were any of the stories on Larry King about waking up with General Anesthesia?

Thanks to all who have responded to my question. I used to be a Paramedic so I have had ACLS for many years. There are only a couple of us in our OR that do have ACLS and are the only ones who give Conscious Sedation (other than the CRNA's of course). Our director is now having some of the other RN's take ACLS. Ones who have never had it before and have been there for more than 20 years. I guess so that more of us will be able to give CS.

Just curious. Does your OR require you to have ACLS? And for a friend of mine, do you have to have ACLS in order to administer IV Conscious Sedation? I am saying yes. Thanks.

double post

Now that's what I call comfortable.

Daily schedule, preference card for the case were doing and scissors. Phone in cell phone pocket. This is a hospital phone that only works in the vacinity of the OR, but it works like a regular phone. I also carry 2 pins, 'cause I am always laying one down or the Dr. may walk off with it. And a index card with phone numbers.

I'm pretty sure we have a dress code. Requires us to dress neatly. No jeans or such when attending classes. It's not strictly enforced though. We do wear shorts to work (OR) before immediately changing into our scrubs, but were not dressing like bums either.

10 hours for a ventral hernia repair!?! What took so long?

A position came open in the OR about a month ago. I applied, got interviewed, was offered the position and accepted it, RN Circulator. All in the same day. I started last week and so far it's great. Thanks....Bill

I thought all weekend about the position. I told my wife and myself that if I was offered the position, then it was meant to be. I put in a transfer request. Was interviewed the day after and offered the job that same day. I accepted the position, RN Circulator. I hope this works out. I'm exicted. I start June 5. Thanks for your responses.

I really enjoy working 3 days a week. I believe that OR would be M - F with call. What are your responsibilities in the OR?...and thanks for your input.

Our ER as been extremely busy lately. Same amount of help. 6 or 7 to 1 ratio. 4 to 1 in cardiac and trauma rooms. nonstop I am newgrad in the ER. Paramedic prior to getting my license in Feb. 2006. I feel overwhelmed and not up to the speed. I don't know how the Veterans do it. Or how I can do it until I retire.....lol. There is a position open in the OR. Last day to apply is Monday. What do you guys think? This sound like a good idea? I don't know what kind of hours they work. I also don't know if I'm eligable to leave the ER. Heard something about having to stay 3 or 6 months in a department. I also don't won't to disrespect my supervisor as she helped me by getting me in the ER.

Our ER as been extremely busy lately. I don't know how you Veterans do it. Or how I can do it until I retire.....lol.

4 to 1 ratio? 2 techs per Nurse? Where are you guys at? I am new in the ER, been a medic for 12 years, but that isn't helping me right now. I feel like I forget everything when I walk in the door. I get so stressed out...I literally hate it. Our ratio can be 7:1. Front is 7 to 1. Middle is 4 to 1, those are trauma and the back 7 to 1. Very little extra help. I made the wrong career change! Anyone have words of encouragement?

I have to say thanks too for those words of encouragement. I've been in the ER for several weeks. At times I feel ok, but there are others when I wonder if I will survive. Feeling like I am not up to the speed I need to be. The paperwork is the pits. Every shift is another learning experience. I know that things will come naturally after some time. I have been a medic on an ambulance for almost 15 years. But this transition to RN is taking some getting used to. Thanks again.

You sound just like me. I was 75 the first time then 254 the second time. I felt like I knew the stuff but was coming up short. I signed up to take it again as quick as I could. I myself didn't answer that many questions between the second and third time. Maybe 400 or so. What helped me was Maslow. I read the strategies and Maslow, in Suanders and Kaplan, a couple of days before and the night before the test. I had several questions related to Maslow's hierarcy of needs and I also focused on the nursing process (ADPIE) to help answer questions. Good luck and you will pass!

C = Continue. Whats the difference between a Nurse who made a C and a Nurse who made an A? Nothing, their both Nurses.

What bothers me most about starting IV's (this comes from working on an Ambulance) is being able to start IV's all day long, but having trouble when it comes to a critical patient and not being able to hit the broad side of a barn. With that said...be somewhat aggressive. Consider that your patient really needs the IV and that you are not the one being stuck. I have found that taking your time makes it more painful on the patient. Hope that helps. Bill....EMT-P, RN-BSN

congratulations

You will pass. I too failed twice. Took it again last week and passed. I posted what seemed to help me in a different thread. Hope it helps you. Good luck. I don't know if we are allowed to link to other postings or threads, but it is titled, "I Passed".

Suzanne method. Remember ABC's, Maslow.

I DID IT! The third time was a charm for me. I took it on January 4 and found out Jan 6 at 1:30am. Imagine the look on my wife's face when I woke her up to read what was on the monitor at that particular time. Thanks Suzanne for your study tips. Before I went back the second time, I did around 4000 questions, but did not make it that time. To prepare for the third time. I only did about 400 questions, but instead began to focus on strategies and Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Being a Paramedic, I must have been jumping to the good stuff without thinking about the basic physiological needs. I had numerous priority...ABC's and Maslow and a cranial nerve question. No math. 3 hours and around 100 questions. I say that because I was not wrapped up in what number I was on. I used the Saunders Book mainly. Helped alot. I also read the strategies and Maslow in the Kaplan Book. And remember the nursing process. I actually wrote it down on the erasable board they give you so I could see it. Thanks to all for your support and good luck to those who are getting ready to take the NCLEX. Bill

Congratulations...:balloons:

I think we have a final answer. So, I should have stuck with my "first" answer. anyone else................?

I believe this to be the entire question. Pt with heart problems is going to receive an antihypertensive drug. What should be reported first? Apical pulse of 56 or gaining 4lbs in 24 hours?