canoehead BSN, RN

ER

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All Content by canoehead

  1. canoehead

    What are your perspective on Mandate Fairness?

    canoehead replied to ashagreyjoy's topic in General Nursing

    I wouldn't put up with mandatory overtime, and I'm brave enough to say so in the employment interview. If I somehow wound up in a position that required it, I'd let my manager know that the amount of...
  2. canoehead

    Looking for advice; "handling" situations **LONG**

    canoehead replied to Miss.LeoRN's topic in General Nursing

    I think you did well in some very difficult situations. Your charge nurse is looking for errors (to inflate her own ego probably) and your manager is writing you up without looking at the whole...
  3. canoehead

    On call - what is it like for other ERs

    canoehead replied to WiseAtHart's topic in Emergency

    I haven't worked in an ER that had on call. We had core staff, and only one of four ERs ever floated their core
  4. canoehead

    Help. Input. Agree. Disagree. Thoughts.

    canoehead replied to NRNPH's topic in General Nursing

    I would give it unless the patient was immunocompromised. But even then, if not giving it meant they would go without feeding for the night, I think the nutrition is more important than the small risk...
  5. canoehead

    Curiosity Killed the Cat and Got 50 Hospital Employees Fired

    canoehead replied to Lorie Brown RN, MN, JD's topic in General Nursing

    I have checked to see if a patient is still in hospital with the purpose of finding out whether they survived the night after their ER visit. That's just looking at the name, and death is public...
  6. canoehead

    When to call for IO access

    canoehead replied to LibraNurse27's topic in General Nursing

    I'm working in the ER, and we look for three minutes, or two tries, then place an IO if the patient is unstable. Nursing can do it where I
  7. canoehead

    Insulin drips patients on L&D

    canoehead replied to Upgrading_Status's topic in Ob/Gyn

    What do you think about that? With the stress of labor I wouldn't be surprised if nondiabetics were normally over 100, and diabetics could likely run higher. An extra drip adds to the confusion, my...
  8. canoehead

    Being investigated for a patient the nurse didn't even treat

    canoehead replied to angeloublue22's topic in General Nursing

    I've been investigated twice and both times got a letter back saying "we consider the matter closed." They looked, they didn't see anything wrong, all done. This sounds like one of those
  9. canoehead

    12 patients for a new grad to much?

    canoehead replied to Stitchcat's topic in General Nursing

    It would be difficult, possibly impossible to do a good study, because of ethical concerns. But common sense says that if a new grad bursts into tears on her break, we're pushing her too
  10. canoehead

    Short acting vs regular insulin

    canoehead replied to ForeverYoung018's topic in General Nursing

    If you are covering for a sugar that's already high... you can give it immediately. If you are giving it because they are eating...you need the food in front of
  11. canoehead

    Platelet Administration

    canoehead replied to rn39648's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    I've done it this way. If they have a hub on the catheter, they can just disconnect and push a saline flush, for the same effect as a NS drip, in the event of a
  12. canoehead

    Trials

    canoehead replied to anony8204's topic in General Nursing

    So, I don't know you, and you might suck as a nurse, but my gut says you don't. Everyone makes mistakes during orientation, that's why they pair you with a preceptor. New nurses don't tidy up behind...
  13. canoehead

    What would you do

    canoehead replied to nagar's topic in Emergency

    You have to put honey soaked dressings on their feet to prevent skin breakdown. Lack of sugar can cause necrosis...we see it in a ton of diabetics
  14. canoehead

    LPN or EMS triage

    canoehead replied to canoehead's topic in Emergency

    Unfortunately the LPN and RN boards have both signed off on LPNs triaging. So, it's hard to fight, no matter how crazy the idea seems. We're going through issues in my ER. I love my coworkers, but our...
  15. canoehead

    LPN or EMS triage

    canoehead posted a topic in Emergency

    In our triage area we have the RN triage nurse and either an LPN or advanced EMS member to do reassessments. At times they will also do triage if the RN is busy, but the RN is expected to sign the...
  16. canoehead

    What is most important to chart on?

    canoehead replied to Red_Diamond's topic in General Nursing

    When the poo hits the fan, charting is great, a live patient is better, and a patient and family that feel understood and cared for is best. Chart the facts, but if you have to choose between giving...
  17. canoehead

    Nurse Charged With Homicide

    canoehead replied to Nurse Beth's topic in General Nursing

    It's not murder, but its reckless endangerment. V..E... ah, close enough...that's
  18. canoehead

    Tugging at my heartstrings

    canoehead replied to babychickens's topic in General Nursing

    I'm a mean old cuss, so when I see McDonalds runs for the OD patient, I see them rewarding bad behavior. OF COURSE the addict will go back to their drug, and will OD again, because what are the...
  19. canoehead

    Advice please I’m torn.

    canoehead replied to Yourfavoritenurse13's topic in General Nursing

    Report it to CPS, and that's hopefully all you have to do. You could also talk to the pharmacist, see if they would be able to test the strength because someone may be diluting the med. If they can,...
  20. canoehead

    You must watch me!

    canoehead replied to Emergent's topic in General Nursing

    I think a camera in the med room should be mandatory these
  21. canoehead

    In and Out Privileges

    canoehead replied to LibraNurse27's topic in General Nursing

    It needs to be a locked unit, to start with, and revolve around earning the right to go out, or have
  22. canoehead

    Threatened by employer

    canoehead replied to wengee's topic in General Nursing

    I wouldn't bother looking for another job, they are like that, he was just dumb enough to say so. Have malpractice insurance, document well, and when you communicate about patients, or about issues...
  23. canoehead

    Seriously?!?

    canoehead replied to AngelfireRN's topic in General Nursing

    I generally just reassert that I don't agree, and maybe they could ask their pharmacist, or their specialist, or another nurse, or look it up(!) because it sounds
  24. canoehead

    Is it normal to be so tired on days off after working 3 12s?

    canoehead replied to FNPStudentLife's topic in General Nursing

    I quite literally run out of brain chemicals when we have busy shifts. At times to the point where I need a day of recovery for every day of work. I ALWAYS need at least 24h. If I push through because...
  25. canoehead

    Bowel Obstruction treatment

    canoehead replied to poolchick88's topic in Nursing Student Assistance

    Correct, NS would be the first choice, but if the patient has diabetes type 1 they can't generate their own sugar while NPO. So we'd add the D5W and moniter their glucose. The dextrose would be...