regularRN

this is a situation in which you call the attending md and clarify the order. however the order states 1 or 2 mg q4, not 1mg q2...

8101 Not answering the phone at home in case it's work calling you in for an extra shift.

I have to agree... it never started.

Most of the germs we encounter at work are the same as the ones we are exposed to at home, at school, in the supermarket, at the pool, at the gym, in the park etc. So a certain level of personal hygiene seems prudent, regardless. As for scrubs, a clean pair every day is essential... I can't imagine not wearing clean scrubs every day (even though mine are all the same).

"You know those step in baths, where you sit upright and have the water swirl up around you? Did you know you have to let the water drain OUT before you unlatch the door to have the pt step out again? Well, I sure learned that one" Apart from opening the door before the bath has drained, these baths are so cool-people who have previously had no access to a bath can relax in the tub with bubbles etc. :redpinkhe

what does "cuny" mean?

Just wondering if mentioning a pt.'s name - especially one that is easily recognizable - could be of HIPAA concern?

"Bath salts" are not the same chemicals that we add to the tub for a relaxing soak; they are experimental drugs that are legal because they have yet to be officially controlled and are used experimentally to explore the potential of the human brain. Just Google "bath salts" and all will become clear...

I think I'd like to be a bed bath, a hair wash or a shower because so many patients are appreciative and feel way better after getting clean. Other than that, maybe versed because no one remembers having a endoscopy... typical comment, "Nurse, when am I going to have my procedure?" as they are wheeled back following a colonoscopy or an upper endoscopy...

You are not actually an RN until you pass the NClEX.

I always listen to lung and heart sounds, check for edema... listen to bowel sounds; and then, depending on the pt.'s diagnosis, I will perform a more focused assessment - e.g., neuro. I always perform a head-to-toe skin assessment, albeit during opportune moments such as transfers, ambulating, repositioning and bed baths.

I never wear makeup but I always apply moisturizer and sunscreen. I don't get the whole "full face of make up" - I've never seen a male nurse feel the need to wear foundation etc. etc. Why should I?

I am 32 DD - which is sometimes difficult but I always wear a T-shirt (mostly long sleeved) under my scrub top. Scrub tops tend to be V-necked and low cut - why?

Turd, you need to change your name.

PAs have a lot to say, but in reality they don't get to do a whole lot without an MD's permission... also their hours are longer than RN's so they may earn a little more money but they work way more. In the middle of the night, an RN will more likely call the PA before the MD.

Not that old chestnut... again!

On initial introduction, I always say Mr. ---- Ms. ---- or Mrs. ---- ; sometimes Sir, never Marm. I know from reading the H&P their marital/partnership status. I introduce myself using my first name. If they ask me to call them by their first name, which is more often than not, then I do. I will only use "dear" etc. in conjunction with their name; e.g., Sally dear, is it OK if I check your blood pressure/listen to your lungs/empty your catheter bag?

No! Never. Why would you be?

Yeap - I stutter too! And it's not the complicated words, mainly those beginning with "t"; ter, ter, ter, ter, ter, tomato... Fortunately tomato isn't a medical term, but it crops up a lot at meal times. I actually recently broached my affliction at work during a conversation with other staff - turns out no one had noticed. Maybe it sounds way worse reverberating inside our skulls than the actual words that come out of our mouths.

Fortunately, HIV has become a chronic illness due to HAART. As an HIV- RN, I am more than comfortable caring for HIV+ patients. If I were a pt myself I would be happy to be cared for by an HIV+ RN - standard precautions, the precautions we implement with each and every one of our pts regardless of HIV status, is a universal standard that protects both uninfected from contracting the virus and the infected from transmitting it.

Dr. Slaughter; Dr. Payne; Dr. Savage; and to make up for these gruesome names, Dr. Flowerdew and Dr. Rose.

What about nurses names... ? Many years ago I worked with an RN called Sister Goodenough.... she was actually way more than good enough, more like perfect.

I became a nurse because... (1) I wanted to help people; (2) I wanted to help people; (3) I wanted to help people; (4) I wanted to help people; and (5) I needed a job.

Sometimes when they call at 5 am on my days off it's difficult not to answer the phone in one's sleep - the phone rings and it seems in my dreams that it could be a relative calling in an emergency... I pick up the phone say no, because I have other commitments, but that doesn't stop them calling me again... and again... and again.

Let's hope this pt was sedated or under general anesthetic... and gave his/her permission for the procedure to be videoed and then broadcast on the internet...