blufoxtrot

I just ordered Kathy White's ringbound bible and also added the app for my iphone. Thanks! I'm looking into getting the AACN's essentials of critical care nursing

I'm so excited after 2 years of applying I finally have an ICU job in a university hospital! I'm thrilled. I am so nervous. Even though I've been and ER nurse for a while I'm super nervous about this job. Do any of you have recommendations for text books, reference books, reference downloads or anything else that may help me. I'm trying to find some reading about CRRT because I know they do that but I don't know much else! I start in 2 weeks and would like to study up a litle beforehand. I feel like I need some studying on my labs as well....any recommendations for that?? Thanks in advance!!

http://www.chcm.com/services/RBC/rbc.asp Here is a website about it. There is also a book. Relationship-Based Care A model for transforming practice. By Mary Koloroutis

My hospital is getting ready to take on a Relationship-Based Care model throughout. I was wondering if anyone has heard of this and used it in their ER? I'm on the committee to help get this started but I'm having a hard time figuring out how to apply it to the ED. Any info or suggestions would be really helpful. Thank You in advance.

Yes, I'm currently in a paramedic program and I finish in May 2007. I was hoping to start pratt in June 2007. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Just in case anyone wants a fun reading book about flight nursing check out Trauma Junkie: Memoirs of a flight nurse. It is funny and interesting. I can't wait until I start flying so I can start writing my book!

The one I am looking at is about $75-80. I played with it a little. It seems like it has a stiffer, thicker tubing. It is amazing when they drop a small bit of kleenex on it and show how clear/loud the sound is projected. The sound seemed good. It also has very comfy ear pieces and "microbial resistant" covers for whatever that is worth. (I know that you can add those pieces on to any stethoscope.) I'm getting one and trying it anyway. I like new toys anyway. I'll let you all know if it is any good. Kelly

Is anyone doing the Pratt online LPN to RN program?

Has anyone tried the Pure Tone Stethoscopes. I've heard that they are good and I can get a discount on one but I'm wondering if it will be any better than my Littman master classic. I can't hear very well from my Littman and I'm not sure why. Does anyone have any suggestions or know anything about PureTone? As Always Thanks

Hello, I was wondering does it cost to audit a class like ACLS or PALS?

Wow teeituptom. you sound a little bitter about this subject. I wasn't asking your personal opinion about whether or not paramedics should be in the ER. I was asking if anyone works with paramedics in the ER and what do they do. Personally the best ER Nurses that I have worked with are the ones that were medics first. (Just since you brought up personal opinions.)

Do any of you have paramedics in your ER? If so what do they do?

Every hospital I have worked at has that protocol. BUT I'm trying to make a change in my class so they know to clean the sites properly. not that it will change the protocol but at least 30 medics from my class will do it right.

Hello, Do you have ER Department Scrub Colors. We currently can wear anything and it is impossible to tell the ER Staff from housekeeping. What colors do you wear? What do you like or dislike about that color?

I am an IV certified LPN and I have just started my paramedic class. We are starting IV's and one of the assisting instructors has painfully bad technique and teaching ability. He says to just swipe once with an alcohol prep and go in as fast as you can with the IV. He doesn't stress aseptic technique and I find that several of the students are touching the catheters before insertion. I plan on talking to my lead instructor about this but I am wondering according the the INS how long should you clean the site with alcohol before inserting and should you let it dry? I know my answers but I want to know according to the INS so I've got some back up. Thanks as always.

I don't think I made it very clear what I was talking about. When new hires or transfers start in the Emergency Department we want to do an orientation based on chief complaints. For example if a patient comes in with abd pain think about or do the following: could it be surgical? Important for picking IV sites and gauges, is it a female that might need a pelvic?, urine sample obtained, pt in gown, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea? Could it be GI bleed? Appy, ovarian cyst. etc. Currently we use a checklist. checked off for IV starts, checked off for placement on monitor, checked off for catheter completion, etc. but we have found that nurses aren't preparing pt's very well or being proactive when the physician arrives.

I chart word for word. If you don't like it welcome to my world in the ER. That is the way it is in the ER. We don't like being called that either. That's why if it goes to court. I want the judge, lawyer and pt's mother to know exactly what he or she said.

do you or have you pressed charges against violent patients?

Hello, I was wondering if anyone uses a complaint based orientation or if you use checklists. We had an idea about orienting based on chief complaint so the care is more specific and orientation is more specific. We are in the ER. Such as laceration. So you would assess lac, control bleeding, check tetorifice status, set up lac tray, dressing, etc.

I'm writing a newsletter for my department. We are going to have nursing students this fall and I am writing an article about tips when you have a student nurse. Any ideas or tips would be appreciated. Thanks

We are kinda steering toward a star wars theme also for ER nurses week. I am finding there are ton's of great things you can come up with. ER Nursing...may the force be with you. ER we are your only hope. Don't underestimate the force of ER nursing It is useless to resist...ER nursing Emergency Department "Watch your step. This place can be a little rough."

oooohhhh good idea. I went to target and got a bunch of tablecloths and party supplies to tell everyone about it.

These are so great. Thank you all so much for your creative ideas.

OK I have decided to try a star wars theme for my team building stuff for the ER. When people do good they get nominated for stars. The one with the most stars wins a big prize at the end of the month. (A star war among ER staff) Also I was going to make t-shirts for the ER using some sort of stars wars quote. Any ideas. We came up with ER we are your only hope.

Does anyone have any ideas about ER t-shirts. We had one ideas ER...you watch it...we live it. Any others would be great. Thanks