RRT/RN

That isn't really accurate for Orlando. I have worked for Orlando division since Jan 2005 and I was hired at a higher wage because I had RRT experience. I know they pay more if you have a BSN. Also, all current RN staff are getting a 5% across the board pay increase (not including our annual 3%) because they are raising the hiring rate. Should be on our next paycheck (This coming Friday). Orlando is the best FL hospital division to work for out of the Florida Hospital system. Can't speak for ORMC....

Our hospital requires us to "Red Line" each chart at the end of each shift. We of course sign our orders off as they are written. We must verify that each of the orders has been entered into the computer. Our MAR is computerized, so as you are checking them on the computer you are comparing them with the chart at the same time. At the end of your shift, a red line under the last set of orders written, along with your name, credential, date and time shows that you have checked all of the orders and have verified that they are entered into the computer or on the kardex correctly. This system seems to work pretty well at our hospital. Hope this helps.

When I worked as a resp therapist, I extubated conscious people all the time. We would wean them off the vent and take the tube out. Some times the pt and/or family would make a decision to withdraw life support to let the pt go peacefully and we would do that too. Two very different situations.

As a nurse on a med surg floor, we get many pain sufferers, questionably drug seekers. I agree that these patients have a problem, many of which started out as pain. Dilaudid seems to flow like water in our hospital, though. It just seems to me that if you can complain of 10/10 pain, cry for Dilaudid, get the Dilaudid 2mg IV, then literally hop of fthe bed (and I mean immediately after the drug gets on the pump, because we rarely push it) and leave the floor to go smoke, there is a problem. It happens constantly in my facility. And no, it isn't everyone. We get people who have legitimate medical complaints, but they aren't caught in the cafeteria, out smoking, etc. Seekers manipulate and they know how to get their fix. I just hate that people who are really in pain and really sick have their time with a nurse stolen by someone who knows they can complain of "abdominal pain" just to get a high. There really must be a better way to help these people. They really are sick, but giving them more of what they want isn't helping anyone. They need help that an acute care hospital isn't designed for. We aren't a rehab.

Just curious about a few things. Have you talked to your nurse manager about this problem you are having? Where are your co-workers while you are struggling? Are you delegating? I had a hard time with the delegation until I learned what our techs can actually do. Sure, I'm going to have them put the Foley or take out a saline lock if it gives me a few minutes to do an assessment or even for me to take my lunch. I just make it a point not to abuse the techs. I don't ask them to do things just because it is something I don't feel like doing. Every day I learn just how important the whole delegation thing is to getting things done. I can't and shouldn't be expected to do everything for everybody.

Duoneb doesn't contain any steroid. It is albuterol and atrovent which are both bronchodilators. Has anyone ever heard of nebulizing lasix? We actually did this with one of our cancer patients and is was effective in relieving the air hunger. Not sure of the exact mechanism of action and only used this method on this one patient...

Hi! I work in Altamonte if you want information on the hospital. I'd be happy to tell you about my job. I don't live in the Altamonte area--I live one county away, but any info you need I'd be happy to help...

Deland is VERY antiquted compared to other hospitals. Halifax is a little more progressive, then there are the hospitals in Orlando...I work in Altamonte (FL Hosp) but not L&D.

I am an RN at FL Hosp Altamonte and have worked there since January. I work on the same floor as the oncology unit (I work med surg), just down the hall. Starting pay for new grads is $17.81. I actually started at more than that because I have another license. I'm not sure exactly what pt/rn ratio is, but our unit is 1:6 which is pretty much the norm in the hospital.

I live in Volusia County and work at Halifax, but not as a nurse. I work at Florida Hospital as an RN. Comparing the two, I would recommend Orlando over anything in Volusia County as far as pay goes. I also wouldn't recommend any of the Daytona Beach schools. If you want to live in the Daytona area, the better schools are in Port Orange or Ormond. If you want to e-mail me, I would be happy to talk to you about this some more. I can give you more specific info. :) just post here if you want more info from me...

SICK AND WRONG! :rotfl:

You can also count resps the same time you listen to lung sounds or heart sounds. You've already go the steth to your ears. I listen for 15 seconds and multipy x4.

Lippincotts Review for NCLEX is an excellent resource. I highly recommend the CD rom that comes with it. The more of those NCLEX questions you do the more comfortable you will be. Good luck.

I graduated from the RRT/Paramedic bridge at DBCC May '04

I had my lap chole when my baby was five weeks old and went back to work a week later (as a resp therapist). I probably should have taken more time in retrospect, but I just didn't have the time off from work. After a week I felt like I was back to normal, though. Hope that helps.