ladylynx

Until you've had a chronic pain problem, please don't withhold meds because someone is sleeping. Sometimes exhaustion takes over, but when I have a migraine, I only wake up with a worse migraine if I had not taken anything. Pain meds do have side effects and believe it or not pain meds work in different ways affecting different receptors. For example, Morphine is considered the strongest, but it is not the most effective. Although you get the "high" (as nurses often call it) it does not take away all types of pain. It's like taking Tylenol for a toothache, when Ibuprofen works better. Work with Hospice and you will learn much about pain and what works by talking with the patients. I wish everyone would remember Anatomy and Physiology 101...pain and sleep are different parts of the brain.

I too exercise, don't smoke, drink alcohol rarely, don't eat pork, have decreased eating most meats and all that other good stuff, but after 17 years I can tell you that although I am not overweight, my blood pressure is significantly higher when at work, I have frequent migraines, I have back aches and more. I have co-workers that have been attacked violently or have contracted various diseases from being stuck by a needle. Of course, their are more physical risks. All you have to do is take a look at the Workman's Comp claims that are actually being approved. Those are just the one's that are even turned in. Lifting, turning, bending, and more...who do you call when everyone is tied up?

In another world maybe this would be true. But please, I advise all to speak with the Risk Management Department in their facility and go to a court session involving a health facility law suit. Yes we all can be held responsible and now that nurses are being named in law suits and not just hospitals (I have had the experience), even the charge nurse is held accountable for all those under them. The red line also means nothing when a med order or any order is missed...all can be held liable from the first day the order was written (had that experience too). These are the reasons new nurses are quitting. There used to not be "accountability", but now with increased knowledge and the "internet"...accountability is demanded and situations are not going unnoticed. As an LPN, I truly feel for the charge nurse, because unfortunately the nurse practice acts and the facility job descriptions clearly states the responsibility the charge nurses have. And we wonder why facilities don't have many volunteering to be the charge nurse (especially for $1.00 - $2.00/hour more).

Good for you...many need to follow suit. After 17 years of working the night shift, I see so many that don't realize that when they are sleep deprived, they are easily agitated and very unsafe. It's like the mentally ill person that says, "everybody else is crazy". So get some rest, call in if you haven't, because eventually your body will shut down anyway, if you don't heed now. The psych units and nursing homes are full of young to middle-aged nurses. Hardly anyone cares that you were a martyr. Be safe and take care of YOU

Not to scare anyone, but now it is shown that "as little as 0.5 mL of air in the left anterior descending coronary artery has been shown to lead to ventricular fibrillation", (http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic787.htm). I've also seen other literature in various hospitals. But to this situation, probably not because the pump will usually stop when alarming. To eleviate "air" in piggybacks you can always back prime prior to setting up pump. Those pumps that allow the machine to back prime are even better because it recognizes the primary calculations when back primed and then allows the rate to change when its time for the secondary.

If only this were true...I have often been labeled a rebel and been shunned, so I have learned to send letters to the entire chain of commands and be ready to quit. In general, people would not be able to do this (bad behavior) if the "higher chiefs" cared. There is a fine $, states HIPPA. If you only heard what those higher chiefs said and do at conferences and meetings.

You should also think about the fact that they too are sick. "Drug-seekers" (the word I really hate to use) have a history also. Many come in different forms and many started because of some kind of pain. But the stats from those in healthcare recognize the truly sick patient outweighs the amount of "drug-seekers". Giving pain meds, sleeping pills, and anti-anxiety drugs on time and as ordered often heals the sick person faster and will get the non-sick person discharged quicker. In regards to safety...if someone is in an unsafe situation give them the "complaint hotline" that is given to them upon admission (many forget they have at bedside). Sometimes this number is directly to Administration. Then there is always security. They often joke with me on how hard they work when I am their. Oh, well, "safety first" is what they say and I went to school to become a nurse not a security officer.

In one of the hospitals I worked in, C-Diff was rampant so we started reporting even the Dr.'s that did not follow protocol. I found that in most facilities I have worked in, the Infectious Disease departments are very serious about their jobs and often want to know (we often joke about them being anal). So they are a very good resource for reporting to, even anonymously. When C-Diff showed up with a new Mom, everyone got serious. If that doesn't work you always have the famous, "Ethics Compliance hotline".

Due to moving around for clinicals and "stress" you might loose many stethoscopes. I suggest trying those least expensive ones first and maybe as a graduation gift to yourself by yourself a Littmann. I still carry a colorful least expensive one and when someone borrows it they comment on the clarity. Somethings are still overrated. Also when in the hospital you can try a few for yourself.

For some reason many of us seem to forget about a "law" that exists outside the workplace. If someone hit you outside of home, criminal charges would be filed immediately. You might want to seek the advice of a legal representative, including risk management. To many nurses are on disability due to workplace violence by patients. Many facilities are teaching self defense...if it is you vs. the patient...run and get security and/or police help. If the family is refusing, then they should be sued for damages. We still live in America, abuse is never acceptable. Peace and love...nothing less! Cathy

I see I am not the only one. I just left December 2004, after visiting Georgia during one of the hurricanes passing through Florida...I decided to leave. My next choice would have been Nashville, TN. I am much happier although even Georgia is in a class by itself, but at least it is overflowing with opportunity. I lived in Orlando for 3 years and St. Cloud for 1 year. After 1 year in a house in St. Cloud I sold my house with a profit of $27,000 (after paying both Realtors). I too found central Florida rediculously "overpriced and underpaid" and my children hated it also. Even having to pay for those crazy toll roads was draining our pockets. I realize this does not answer your question, but even 3 other ladies moved here right after I did and I hear more from the Orlando Hospital where I worked and are moving out of Florida. Just remember the stress of unhappiness is never good for oneself or the family. There are too many of us nurses in the Psych Units already. Good luck.

I thought someone would mention K-Swiss (the thicker soles). A few years ago, a nurse that had many problems with her feet mentioned that her Orthopeodic (sorry if it's spelled wrong) Doctor referred her to an expensive orthopeodic shoe (I can't remember what kind) or K-Swiss ($50-60) and she chose K-Swiss. So I decided to try it and now 4 years later that is still all I will buy...NO PAIN! I always work 12 hour shifts 4-6 per week...NO PAIN Also my fiance has neuropathy and that is all he will wear...NO PAIN!

Although this is an older post, I must have input because I am still not sure of the rationale. For the past year or so, Dr's, Pharmacist's and other nurses often get upset when Vancomycin is being held after the "random" troughs. Now, most places there are no "Peaks" required or ordered anymore (thank goodness for the records in the attorney's hands). As for the "times" to draw, I have learned from working in various hospitals, that the most important answers you can get regarding peak and trough times, as well as how to flush an type of intravenous lines, etc. is all in the "Policy's and Procedure Manual". It doesn't matter what another nurse tells you, even though P & P are considered as guidelines (if an attorney asks you). Like "laws", these can be changed, but it keeps a little more consistency in place.

My title is based on an answer given by a 100 year old when I asked her how did she get to be 100 years old. But back to the question...there apparently is in various literature, including the physicians and the nursing drug books that talk about deep subcutaneous. Here is one reference I found online http://www.medicinenet.com/cyanocobalamin-injection/article.htm In the past, I have had to give it subcutaneous before, but did not quite no the reason since when I too looked it up years ago, the references stated that it could be done.

I do agree that most agencies will not hire new graduates, but after as little as 6 months, I have worked with those that are working through agencies, as well as having travel nurses who are in charge that have worked less than a year. My point was that working at a level lower than your expected license often gets you in the door. Besides the local papers, which are available on the internet and the official city sites are available and usually show the median incomes of various occupations. This also allows you to see the cost of living and whether are not they have a state tax or not. You can also get a rating of the various schools in neighborhoods.