I ended up buying a pretty powerful/compact LED flashlight that has white, and red LED's. It works great! I used it today on a patient with no palpable, or visible (beyond the flashlight) veins, and...
Lol. Don't worry, I've got thick skin. The idea of using the light/markings is towards those who are difficult sticks. I've only 18 months experience, but I'm pretty proficient at starting IV's....
I've been reviewing different vein finding products this morning, and it seems the cheapest route would be a red LED flashlight. The problem with them is, they work better in lower light settings. So...
It seems like most of which you wish to learn more about will come simply from experience. Am I correct in assuming that you haven't had orientation yet? If so, you'll likely be paired up with a...
If I am ever unsure of what is, or isn't compatible, I simply call the Pharmacist. If they're unavailable, I look it up. As others of said, you'll eventually start to memorize what is, and isn't...
I've seen fellow nurses struggle with similar situations. When asked what do to, I always ask them, which decision would you regret less? Will you, a couple of years from now, regret it more if you...
Couple of questions: I know that you need to be in Med-Surg for at least 2 years before taking the test. It doesn't matter that 3 months of those 2 years were orientation, right? Meaning, if I...
I'm willing to wager that a great deal of your experience this last year has indeed stuck, more so than you might realize. I imagine you know medication a great deal more, organization, stress...
As many of mentioned, this type of anxiety associated with our position is quite common, especially if you're still relatively new. I've been in Med/Surg for about 18 months now, and though my...
I've been working at my hospital for over a year now. It was great when I started, because there were so many people I went to school with working there as well! Our hospital and school are linked...
There are always the basics that will likely apply to most patients. Risk of Injury Knowledge Deficit Ability to return to previous living arrangements Some others that could apply to your patient:...
If you really wanted to do correctional nursing, then go for it. However, I see an advantage of taking the Med/Surg position, and that is, if you didn't like it as much as you originally thought,...
Nurse glorifying, and nurse cynicism, neither bother me really. Honestly, I think we've earned a bit of glorifying. The idea that what we do every day is thanks enough really is fine with me, but...
^^ What should be, and what usually is, varies in almost every environment :) I don't have a problem getting vitals, I just don't like waking up the patient. And the charting, mang. Nurses usually...
If I'm doing primary care, yes. If we have a PCT on the floor, I still wait for my vitals to pass meds... Unless they only have something like Protonix, or Insulin. But pain meds, cardiac meds, etc.,...