Luv2bnrn

Our hospital just rolled out these little caps that go on all ports. They have alcohol imbedded in them and they disinfect if left on for at least three minutes. Any port that is open should have one of these caps on at all times until ready for use (then a new cap gets put on). No need to wipe anymore if the cap was in place. It's very convenient. They are about halfway down the page on this link New Innovations to Keep Central Line Caps Clean We use them on regular IV tubing and pigtails. Prior to this our policy was to use alcohol wipes, scrubbing for 15 seconds.

I was a tech on a med/surg unit in a retirement community part of town and what you describe is what my job was like. I decided that it was really awful and got a job in an ER in another hospital. You still deal with some of the same stuff but not nearly as much. I learned a TON that is very very helpful to me now. I saw and learned so much there. We never floated because we were a self contained area. I did vital signs sometimes, toileting rarely, lots of EKGs, some splinting, wound care and dressings, visual accutiy, assisting with codes, worked in the trauma room maybe every other week. It was so much better. As a nurse you still do the activities you describe but only with your patients. All of them (hopefully) will not be total care and they are YOUR patients, so its just part of giving them care they need. I sit more now that I'm not a tech, as I am charting. Find a new department. Oh, and wait until you float as a nurse to care for post-op patients for some procedure you have never even heard of. It's much more stressful to float as a nurse. But, anyways, nursing school is hard enough, get a job where you will be happy and hopefully in an area where you will want to work when you get your RN. Being a tech in your department is a great foot in the door. Good luck!

Half of 5 is 2.5. So, 2 four times is 8. Then you have .5 four times. That is two. Total is 10. That is how I figured it out in my head. Keepng the wholes and fractions might make it easier for you next time.