Charles S. Smith, RN, MS

Consult the Board of Dentistry in your state for the standards of practice/standards of care before you get into costly legal fees... You might find some good info there. good luck chas

Nicely put Zumalog and I too applaud your position on the subject. Sometimes suicide is a choice between alternatives. I do not live in the other person's body or mind, so have no clue what goes on there. I can only ask the questions, pose alterna...

Well, I remember coming back to the ICU after 4 nites off and got assigned to a "sweet little 96 y/o man". It was a set up! Everyone had taken care of him but me. He rings his call bell, I dutifully go to the room and slide open the glass doors, p...

Actually, if your facility is part of the VA system your guidelines come from the Federal level. I think it will be very difficult for anyone to litigate against the Federal Government. Talk with your Chief Nurse openly about the ramifications of ...

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 to continually pick up the slack for these folks, I...

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 patients while off unit, etc. Get the facts from your...

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 important to do than work" so they called in. Wh...

Perhaps you need more structure than agency nursing allows you. Consider going back on staff somewhere to get a thorough orientation with a mentor. I sense you are feeling a bit underconfident. Agency nursing is not the place for underconfidence. ...

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 who are acting responsibly. If you look at all th...

One from the late 60's and early 70's when nurses began watching monitors... FLBs....funny looking beats. chas

Ah Molly! So wise, much beyond your years. I am proud to stand beside you as colleague! chas

Nicely said PSnurse...and I might add "at this moment in time". What we must focus on is not what has gone before, but what we want to look forward to next. I personally envision a very different nursing future for us all. I have posted on this to...

Hi Beach...thanx for your comments. The reality of the situation is that we don't have to have all or nothing right this minute. The emphasis is placed more effectively if we move the dialogue to how we must adjust our thinking so that our actions ...

[ First, most NP's are CERTIFIED through a MSN program. They have a separate board to sit for that is designed by the American College of Nurse Practitioners. Point of clarification Essarge...NPs are EDUCATED at the Master's Degree level through s...

Matt and others..this debate has raged on for over 40 years now...yes 40! The biggest surge in the debate was in the 70's and it died a horrible death. Without casting aspersions on anyone's choices in life, here are a few things to consider: 1. W...

What is it about nursing that led you there in the first place? How much passion for nursing and the hard work that comes with it was there in the beginning? What changed? best chas

Courtesy dictates that when one is introduced to someone new or when you are meeting someone for the first time on your own, ask how the person prefers to be addressed. You have the opportunity to also state your personal preferences. To assume one...

In a certain context, the CEO is correct. There are people who believe that a certain level of healthcare is a right. Others believe that healthcare revenues should be controlled by the laws of supply, demand and the ability to pay. He is also co...

Many different disciplines were long white labcoats. Most MDs I know, do not. I wear long white labcoats for comfort. I also where a name badge and have my name and title clearly embroidered on every labcoat. What is the underlying theme behind t...

Jessica..your concerns are valid ones. The first person who needs to know them is your manager and the sooner the better. If you can get your manager's ear, what will you say to her/him that gets the attention that you deserve? best chas

The use of Medics in the ED has some great potential. We use them in our ED with great success. The issue you seem to be addressing is the use of Medics in lieu of RNs. Well....this is a nursing practice act issue. If Medics are "practicing nursi...

The only way you are covered in a malpractice or negligence claim by the hospital insurance carrier is if you followed policy and procedure to the letter without exception. If you deviate from policy and procedure for ANY reason, in ANY way, the hos...

Ask your instructors what research there is to back up this admonishment..It may be what I call "nursing witchcraft"..those things that we do because they are tradition, not based in fact or science. best chas

JF...u better learn these skills well, more importantly learn what each means to providing for the needs of your patient. You will certainly use them repeatedly. I have been in healthcare for over 30 years starting as an orderly and moving up and e...

In the Coaching Profession we call sincere, genuine acknowledgement of someone else's moment as "celebrating what is" or "championing". There are many moments to celebrate or champion others in the simplest of ways. An authentic acknowledgement bui...