Charles S. Smith, RN, MS

Latest Activity

1. merit based salary increases

   Charles S. Smith, RN, MS replied to woo 2's topic in Activism, Healthcare

   This is just about square on the nose George. As a nursing administrator I knew first hand just how much funding went in to the merit system. The caveat from the CEO and CFO was...if you give a 7.5%...

2. Pot Smoking and Nursing

   Charles S. Smith, RN, MS replied to MrsNurseCA's topic in General Nursing

   Thank you George for putting it simply! Marijuana use is illegal and is cause for license revocation in every state of this country. If you need to be high to work, or high to forget work, get help...

3. Straight pay for 12 hour shifts?

   Charles S. Smith, RN, MS replied to susanmary's topic in General Nursing

   OT depends on how your facility manages the federal requirements or collective bargaining requirements for OT....1) OT after 40 hours/week or 2) the 8/80 rule..anything over 8 hours and anything over...

4. Responsibility for other nurses?

   Charles S. Smith, RN, MS replied to lever5's topic in General Nursing

   Lever, again...just know what your hospital requires and what your nurse practice act allows. You asked the original question about responsibility for others. We do when we know that a patient is...

5. Responsibility for other nurses?

   Charles S. Smith, RN, MS replied to lever5's topic in General Nursing

   In a word....yes. The reporting mechanisms of any hospital should clearly indicate that any/all unresolved issues or issues of risk are reported immediately to a manager (unit or house supervisior)....

6. Responsibility for other nurses?

   Charles S. Smith, RN, MS replied to lever5's topic in General Nursing

   The sad fact is that the charge nurse is responsible for whatever the hospital says she/he is responsible for. Get a clear definition of what the charge duties are and get some basic...

7. Surgical consent forms- using layman terms

   Charles S. Smith, RN, MS replied to SRainny9's topic in General Nursing

   In many hospitals now, the informed consent signature line states something like "witness to signature only" indicating that the nurse is only witnessing the signature of the patient or legal rep of...

8. Surgical consent forms- using layman terms

   Charles S. Smith, RN, MS replied to SRainny9's topic in General Nursing

   This is not a corporate lawyer requirement. The basis of this practice is to elicit from the patient the procedure she/he is having in her/his own words. You are not supposed to write it out yourself...

9. What to do about nurses who neglect their patients and their responsibility??

   Charles S. Smith, RN, MS replied to Terrie's topic in General Nursing

   Interesting post...I work with folks as described and I do not ever hesitate to confront them respectfully. I do not let them get away with anything and am relentless about patient care. If I have...

10. Anyone allowed to nap on their breaks?

    Charles S. Smith, RN, MS replied to dawngloves's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    Be careful to check your hospital policies regarding sleeping on duty, your break times, extended lunch times, documentation of time off the unit, responsible persons who are accountable for your...

11. How does your hospital/unit handle call ins?

    Charles S. Smith, RN, MS replied to deespoohbear's topic in General Nursing

    There is another issue at stake here. What about those of us who do not abuse our time off, but collude with others who do? You know the ones...they tell you on the sly that they had "something more...

12. How does your hospital/unit handle call ins?

    Charles S. Smith, RN, MS replied to deespoohbear's topic in General Nursing

    All too frequently policies are implemented globally that affect all staff when only a few need the sanction. Address the problem with the individuals involved and don't punish the rest of the staff...

13. Tired of being UNDERPAID!?

    Charles S. Smith, RN, MS replied to sockov's topic in General Nursing

    Consider Independent Practice and choose your own financial destiny...

14. Pain scale (Rated R)!!!

    Charles S. Smith, RN, MS replied to nurseyperson's topic in Nursing Humor

    I certainly have been in the same boat. My solution to solving the dilemma for me is to ask the next question and the next question and then offer alternatives to the patient. Asking questions will...

15. Pain scale (Rated R)!!!

    Charles S. Smith, RN, MS replied to nurseyperson's topic in Nursing Humor

    I am curious as to how a healthcare professional can argue with a patient about how that person EXPERIENCES pain? The pain a person feels is her/his pain and is not based on how we think pain is...