gambitlizard

I work in an 18 bed surgical/trauma ICU. We are barracks style, meaning that only curtains separate each bedside. We are the state hospital and currently service the poor, uninsured, homeless and underserved. That said, we are having a difficult time determining how to institute HIPAA regulations about visitations and condition report phone calls. We offer 5 visitations throughout the day. Most of our nurses adhere to this, and exceptions are made for special circumstances such as pre/post op, near death status changes, etc. However, some nurses feel free to allow visitors to remain at the bedside throughout the 12 hour shift. I believe this is a HIPAA violation, as any visitor can hear the details and goings-on at the next bedside (curtains, remember?). Additionally, phone calls have become increasingly out of control. We use passwords to allow family/friends to call and obtain status reports. However, now we are often getting 10-20 phone calls in the course of a 12 hour shift. This limits time at the bedside. And most calls are asking, what I consider, trivial questions such as "how much of Daddy's lunch tray did he eat?" I don't mind giving an update, but I don't consider these things essential to patient outcomes. Additionally, administration has not been supportive by creating a policy re: passwords, phone calls, or visitor behavior. HIPAA reads so vaguely.... we are allowed to release "limited information" based on our "professional judgement." For me, that means "stable, ventilated, sedated, no changes from previous status, etc." I've read the other threads on this... but didn't find out what exactly HIPAA allows. Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks.

Thanks for the advice. I tried that last time, asking her to tell me why she was upset and what I could do to correct it. Her response "LEAVE!" I think I am most likely just going to have to suffer through these next 8 weeks. Thanks again. Kim

I graduated in December and passed boards in February. I also began working in February. Now 4 weeks in to my orientation/preceptorship, I am starting to wonder if this is the best place for me. My preceptor is a 16 year veteran nurse. We are in the ICU and she has been there since her graduation. I guess I'm telling all this because I don't know where the problem is. Our days are great and she consistently tells me what a good job I'm doing. However, she seems to get angry and will not communicate with me when this happens. I don't ever know what is going to set her off. Just the other day, she told me to go home before I'd even finished charting because I'd done something to make her mad. Any advice on this situation is appreciated. I'm beginnning to think I should find another job. And I can't get a new preceptor - she's the "angel of the ICU," the house supervisor and the only person working there who will precept new nurses. Thanks in advance, Kim

Suzanne4 - can you tell me where I can find out about my state's process? I'm in Louisiana. I've tried looking on their website (https://www.lsbn.state.la.us/default.asp), but it's not helpful at all. LA doesn't allow early results from Pearson. This waiting is just about to make me sick. I can't even concentrate on simple tasks. Thanks, kk

I have heard that Pearson uploads the scores on Thursdays at midnight. This was confirmed by my local Pearson testing center. However, what does that mean with regard to licensure? I was hoping that meant that my license would be issued today (Friday). Would I be nuts if I called my SBON (Louisiana)? Our state is notoriously slow in issuing stuff. I'm leaving for vacation (my first in 3 years) on Sunday and can't wait a week to find out how I did. TIA, kk

Don't let this get you down. You very well could have passed with 265. I honestly think that nobody outside of NCSBN has the "magic formula" for what passes or fails the boards. Some computer algorithm has been written that calculates this. We, mere mortals, cannot without the special decoder ring. Try to stay positive (I'm also saying this to myself today!) and just do something that makes you happy. Today is your well-deserved break! Hugs, kk

I'm sure we both did fine... but you can't help but worry. Don't forget to post your results here. I'll be praying for us both... kk

Well, everything about this test is so confusing. I just don't know how to feel about it. My test cut off at 75 (which can be good or bad). I had lots of priority and multiple answer questions (again, good or bad). Does the anxiety go away anytime soon or do I just have to wait for my results? Any advice appreciated. Thanks, kk

Is Georgia a state where you can get the "early" non-official results? If so, maybe that can put you at ease. Louisiana is not, but I understand that scores are uploaded to the state website on Thursdays at midnight. Maybe you can check your's there on Friday. Good luck! kk

Bumping to see if ANYONE has some other pointers for me between tomorrow and Thursday (NCLEX). Also, do practice test scores really mean anything in comparison to boards? Thanks, k

Well, I'm going to take my boards on Thursday. I'm really nervous and trying not to let that distract me. I took the Hurst review and okay on their mock NCLEX (69%). During my last school semester, I completed the Kaplan book and scored 67.2% on that test. Also, I've been doing the Mosby's CAT-RN and getting between 92-99% passing with varying difficulty. Can anyone tell me what that means with relation to the actual test? Also, what should my preparation for tomorrow and Wednesday be? Thanks much, Kim

Is there anywhere I can just download this program? I can't wait the 7-10 days for mail delivery. Thanks, Kim

I've noticed a job called a perinatal nurse. However, I'm not sure what that is. Can anyone please give me a brief description of job duties? Thanks! Kim

We will graduate on December 16th. A Hurst review (live) has been scheduled for January 17-20. That is 4 weeks after graduation. I was planning to take the boards the next week. Is that too long between graduation and boards? Today, an instructor said that studies have shown that after 6 weeks, your chances of passing NCLEX go down exponentially. I'm trying to reschedule the review for earlier, but what with New Years and all that.... Thanks, Kim

Sorry, I guess I didn't think that anyone could be pro on this issue. Guess that was narrow-minded of me. I'm opposed to this idea. Not that aides are not skilled, but I don't believe that a 24-48 hour training class can truly prepare a person for the potential effects of medication error. So I guess the short answer is: con. Thanks again, Kim