Heartman

Please everyone do protect your back! RN for 21 years and because of improper lifting for all that time,I herniated L4-L5. Surgury last June and just got back to work on "light duty" in September. Nerve damage resulted in Caudal Equina Syndrome (CES)...

Greetings all, I'm a critical care RN and have been since '81. Last June my chronic low back pain developed into incredible back pain with siatic pain on the R. This resulted in surgery to remove the disc between L4-5 and installing hardware @ L-5/S...

Thanks I'll check it out.

In over twenty years of critical care nursing I've seen one blown PA. Nothing you can do unless you have a thorasic/vascular team in the OR standing by. We didn't have this. MSO4 for comfort as pt. bled out. Make sure you get those consents signed...

I agree, dopplers are easy to use. Anyone can learn in about 1 minute. I would be interested in getting one for myself. I frequently detect my own pulse in my fingertips when palpating for a pulse. Especially in a pt. with compromised vascular status...

Always with Swans. Usually with propofol, NTG and dopamine @ renal dose. Docs pay no attention to PCWP. Swan is usually DC'd by following AM.

Never wind up drunk in the ER telling the Doc to go **** himself repeatedly. This angers the physician. The physician has pavulon and an Ambu bag. He whispers in your ear. " Now I'm breathing for you. Now I'm not." Probably just one of those urban my...

I'm working in a SICU new to me and they call insulin gtts here "CZI". They've been calling them that for so long that no one can remember what it means. I've done a couple of searches with no luck. Can someone help me out? Just curious.

I'm a guy. Wearing white and have always worn white. In my hospital just about anything goes. There is a dress code but no one seems to enforce it. All the rest of the staff wear colors instead of white. We are all high quality competant nurses so i...

I have used a doppler in codes when one is available. I have not seen them generally included on the crash cart as standard equipment but think it would be a good idea. In the PEA algorithm if no pulse is detectable, CPR is initiated. If a pulse is ...

Dear Steph, I agree with crjnursewarrior. We all have bumps in the road. Dust yourself off and keep trying. You need to shop for a good orientation program. I've neen a nurse since '81 and I'm sure I wouldn't have been comfortable in a hospice situa...

Speculating, So well said. I have always worked in hospitals and make it a point to know the name of everyone I come in contact with. All the ancillary staff, from supply , pharmacy, lab, x-ray, OR, ER etc. etc. It's nice to know the person on the o...

A lesson to us all. Get malpractice insurance, it's less than $100 per year. I don't know how good it is, thankfully never needed to find out. Walter :redbeathe

Wearing a full beard. Must wear a positive pressure hood for airborn bacteria situations but this only happens a couple time a year wear I work. I'd shave if it became a problem. Walter :redbeathe

Nurse since '81 Never thought about it. Walter

I've been an RN since 1981. All but six months in Critical Care areas. Nursing has been good to me. I have been able to buy a house, support a family and keep two new or fairly new cars in the driveway. I leave my job at work. I very seldom bring m...

Dear Paul, I would have to agree with the previous poster, that ICU nursing is quit variable through out the United States. I can tell you a little about my experiences. I graduated from a 4 year bachelors program in 1981. I have worked in the ICU ...

Check out the Littmann II SE. Cost is $45 to $50. Available online from multiple venders. This is a quality scope for every thing you will probably need. Lung sounds, bowel sounds, carotid bruits etc. IMHO you only need an ultra sensative, re: expen...

Over twenty years ago a stethescope salesman told me " It's not the stethecope, it's what you have between the earpieces" One of those thoughts that has always stayed with me. Especially in July when you see all the shiney new scopes around the neck...

Greetings, Considering purchase of a PDA (hp iPAQ) for use in the SICU. I like the idea of having all that info at my fingertips. Any suggestions for what kind to get and what software to purchace? I'm not familiar with pocket PCs but hey look good. ...

Don't want to seem heartless but this guy needs a code status. Sounds like a family meeting with the Docs is in order for this pt. What does oncology say? Can they treat his CA? Has the pt. stated his wishes to anyone? Family member? Heathcare provi...

Regarding the little old nursing home pt. that upon arrival is confused, disoriented, tachycardic, hypotensive, and not making any urine. After rehydration with about 3 liters normal saline, he wakes up and asks "Hey, where's my cigarettes?" IHBJAW -...

Rhode Island winters are typically unpredictable but we do occassionally have significant snow. It seems that it has been a matter of pride to get in to the hospital through the worst that mother nature has thrown at us. And if you get stuck there,...

I've been a Critical Care RN for over twenty yearsand I love to have a student to teach. I like to have someone who is into what we are doing. They are not expected to know everything but I do expect them to try, and be enthusiastic. I usually knowt...

Thanks for the hint. I'll check it out. TIA stands for Thanks In Advance. Heartman :)