TitoG

I'm a newbie ICU nurse too and made these two SBARs, one for usual report and the second for admitting a post-op patient. I hope its, helpful. Post-Op Patient admission - Google Docs.pdf SBAR - Google Docs.pdf

I transitioned from tele to Float Pool ICU at a teaching facility. It's my first week on my own and I'm just really nervous. I have a few questions that I've been thinking about and your input would be great. I've learned a lot and feel a little better after reading some of the threads on AN so thank you to everyone for sharing. 1. When do you ask for another vasopressor? One preceptors told me to ask for another once I'm titrating up and reach half of the max dose, another said once I reach my max dose. Can some of you walk me through your thinking process when it comes to this question. My inclination is not to wait until I'm maxed out since I probably want to have something else ready to go just in case. 2. Any assessment advice on deciding if a patient needs more fluid or not? I know CVPs are a coin toss and even the Flotrac is only accurate under certain conditions plus very few patients get this. I'm just wondering what numbers or assessment findings you guys use to decide that they need to ask for more fluids or question giving more fluids. 3. What have you learned that you wish someone had told you sooner? Any experiences/mistakes that thought you valuable lessons int he ICU that you can share?

zbb13 I am petite, it was a 20 oz beer, didn't take into account that it was 11%. I wish we could all be like you, always making the right decision, this world would be a better place. Keep it up.

Thank you for sharing CryssyD, in my journey to find information I met some people who were in a similar situation but were not so lucky. We made a terrible mistake, I am not trying to minimize it but the punishment seems extreme in some cases. Some nurses lose their job, and are unable to find another one, therefore they cannot go through probation, losing their livelihood. This one mistake can ruin our entire future, even if before it, we spent our life doing the right thing. What made me very angry was that MD's, and others specialties such as Respiratory therapist are not punished as severely as nurses. They have an equal responsibility to the public. Again, I am not trying to minimize the severity of our bad decision, I know that at then end of the day I am blessed I didn't hurt myself or others. I just feel for some fellow nurses that I met who were truly good people, and excellent nurses, they just made a really bad decision. The fine, the shame, the DUI offender program was enough to set them straight, but now they will spend the rest of their nursing career having to explain themselves.

Hi everyone, I am writing this to help anyone in a similar situation. I got a DUI 2 years into my nursing career. I had a hard time finding information about the process so I want to make my story available. I got a DUI fall 2014, BAC .13%, no property damage. I complied with the courts and completed l the classes and AA meeting required. Early on in 2015 the BRN sent me a letter asking if I wanted to participate in the diversion program, please avoid this unless you truly have an addiction problem. October 2015 I got a letter asking me to send a statement of what happened, court documents, proof of rehabilitation, and support letters from managers. These documents will play a crucial to the BRN's decision between a fine or probation. A fine is your best outcome, the case will not be public information when someone looks up your license, and the board will take no further action. From what I've read and heard from people probation is a horrible 2-3 year process, many nurses lose their job and employers won't hire nurses on probation. With my career at stake I hired a lawyer that had experience dealing with the BRN and knew what they expected. It was the best money I ever spent. She helped me edit my statement, and gave me guidelines to give my managers and supervisors when they wrote their letter. I got letters from my manager,supervisor, charge nurses, and coworkers. I also got a letter from the organization where I volunteered. These letters letters should demonstrate to the BRN that you are a great nurse that shows no signs of addiction with drugs or alcohol, and that the DUI was an isolated event. I got lucky that my place of work was super supportive and everyone came together and wrote me support letters. Second, I sent them proof of completion of my DUI list offender program. Also, I sent them certificates of the many classes I took throughout the year. I have a membership with flex ed and have been taking many courses, they served to demonstrate that I am trying to continue to grow. Also proof of volunteer hours. A few weeks later I heard from the BRN, I was blessed to come out of this ordeal with just fine. Hiring a lawyer is very important, she made my statement and letters much stronger. Also, while you wait for the BRN to reach out to you take classes and volunteer, do everything you can to demonstrate self-improvement. Also, make sure you report your DUI right away to the BRN, I think we have 2 months to report any criminal activity, if you don't it might count against your case. BIGGEST lesson I learned is that a DUI can happen anyone, I work really hard, and I've never been in any kind of trouble, it never crossed y mind I would ever get a DUI. I had 1 drink, and thought I was fine, I didn't take into account what a lightweight drinker I am. PLEASE be smart out there, don't drink and drive. It's dangerous, irresponsible, and the consequencse are not worth it. We make enough money as nurses to uber if we are planning to drink.

Thank you for the insight hoperules, I wish you the best of luck with your situation. Reading my previous post I understand why some of you were being so harsh. I know I am 100% responsible for the bad decision I made, and I know that I am lucky I didn't hurt myself or another person. It was an isolated event. The last time I had a drink was the night of my DUI, and previously it was my friend's wedding months before. I respect your thoughts on it. I was just hoping to get some insight from someone in a similar situation.

Hello Everyone, It's been a year since I received my first and last DUI. I've completed all the requirements demanded by the court, but my great fear is what is going to happen with my RN license. Nursing is everything to me I've been asking fellow nurses and reading blogs on DUI experiences with the BRN but they greatly vary in severity. I am hoping to find some current information on what the process is like. One fellow experienced nurse told me that no matter what my DUI story is I will have to go through minimum of 2 years probation like her. Her BAC was .16 and she collided with another car, no one was hurt. My BAC was .13 and I did not hurt myself or anyone else. I was pulled over because I forgot to turn on the headlights. No prior criminal record. DUI's are a serious matter, and I understand that I must suffer consequences. I am just hoping that I won't be treated like a drug addict, being forced to attend support groups, random urine test multiple times a week for months, and evaluations from MD's. This was an isolated event. I've learned my lesson, I just want this to be over so I can move on with my life.

So I had my interview today, felt it went horrible. Completely blanked out in the critical thinking questions. When others went to the interview did they just ask two behavioral and one critical care and nothing else? or did mine just get cut short because I did so horribly?

anyone interviewing Nov. 6?

Congratulations! I'm so nervous about this interview. Would you mind sharing if they ask clinical scenario questions? or only behavioral? What units are you all choosing? I put med/surg and telemetry as my top choices. Good luck everyone!! Only interviewing 50 candidates from 600 applicants!! I guess I feel happy I made it this far.

I finally got back, I'm scheduled for an interview Nov. 6th. Did anyone else receive a call for this date? I also asked about the 5-year plan essay and I was informed that it was not necessary. Good luck to all those going in today. Let us know how it went.

Yes. I tried calling back a few times and left a message. Did you have choices in time slots? I have an important appointmet at 11 on Monday and I just hope I dont have to reschedule but ofcourse I would if I have to. Thanks for the info!

Hello, i received a called from White Memorial today but missed it. Hopefully I get in touch soon. I was wondering if the only option to interview was the 29th or did you have other choices? Congratulations to everyone!