AceOfHearts<3

A PICC line IS a central line, so yes- anything can be run through it and at rates and concentrations of other central lines. If you ever get a chance to see how long the catheter is (like when one is being removed), it will make sense. In the ICU if...

I had a similar commute when I worked night shifts. The traffic was so unpredictable I’d have to give myself 1.5 hours to get in for work so I wasn’t stressing about being late (and sometimes it would take close to that). I had to give myself even mo...

I hate 3 in a row and only work that if I absolutely can’t help it (or if it’s for a trip, which wouldn’t be the case right now). I hit a wall come 3pm on day 3 and there is no way I’d be able to work 4 12 hour shifts in a row. I’ve worked an extra w...

No mandates, but the messages from staffing constantly looking for help is tiring. They keep increasing the pick-up bonus, but eventually that doesn’t help since people are so tired. I work in a very large ICU, so while it’s definitely hard we at lea...

Got mine! My arm has been sore and my back/neck a little achey, but I think that’s from the position I fell asleep in (I already have known issues with this). I did crash pretty hard after getting it, but I also had a busy day at work, so again- corr...

It sounds like they might base the call on seniority and you’d be low person on the totem pole. It might be that all the other staff have paid their dues so no longer have to take call. I’d be asking on average how often do they hire someone new to t...

The good managers and assistant managers I’ve worked with have all had experience working on the type of unit they are managing. I think it’s important that when crap hits the fan they are able to jump in and help. I had a couple managers o...

Absolutely unacceptable. Plus, if you never start driving in bad weather you will never get used to it. I packed a bag just in case, took it extra slow going home, and adjusted my route to include more main roads and less hilly, winding, side roads.

You’re work is so very important. You’re helping to keep those patients OUT of the hospital, which means there are more beds for patients that need them. That is just as important as the work I’m doing in the hospital in the ICU.

Keep things cordial and don’t stoop to their level. If they need called out on something do it professionally and don’t get into a fight with them. Do your job and don’t let them get to you. I had an issue with someone on my unit at one poi...

I was about to say the same about fresh cider donuts! I grew up close to an orchard. Now, if someone was kind enough to get a box of donuts from Dunkin on the way in to work then I totally go for the plain donut with the chocolate frosting and s...

I rather have a nurse be a little nervous coming off orientation rather than being cocky. Take a deep breath- as others have said, you wouldn’t have made it this far if you weren’t capable. Just be alert and never be afraid to ask for help- run a sce...

We can’t save everyone, despite our best efforts. GI bleeds are particular beasts that can rear their ugly heads hard and fast. Some times we know a patient is decompensating but we don’t know why or we can’t stop it. Please look into using you...

I can get a couple shifts out of this stuff, but I haven’t found anything besides gel or dip from the salon that holds up longer. The alcohol in the hand sanitizer is the enemy. I’ve tried some nice nail strengtheners from Ulta and Sephora with this ...

Here is a link about a boy in New Zealand that contracted tetanus. His family was anti-vax until they experienced first hand the consequences. This happened in 2012, but it’s a story I’ve never forgotten and like to share in these circumstances. ...

I find it’s easier to get a witness to waste a controlled. I worked on a unit and we always just had to say loudly, “I need a witness” and voilà!

This clearly demonstrates that you need to review what a PICC line is and proper care for it in addition to the safe removal. You have no business caring for a patient and accessing/using a PICC line until you do so.

Most places have a general phrase in job applications and contracts about “needs of the organization”. While I agree that the idea that a nurse is a nurse is a nurse (meaning a nurse should be able to work anywhere there are nurses) is flawed, the po...

This is a dangerous practice for several reasons as others have stated. It’s very rare for me as an ICU nurse to hold someone’s beta-blocker if it’s ordered and when I do I have a discussion with the team notifying them. There are many reasons for th...

Honestly, you aren’t going to like my answer, but if you are going to be leaving within 6 months you shouldn’t transfer- not to a unit like ICU. A nurse new to the ICU should have roughly 3 months of orientation. Transferring knowing you will be quit...

The Four Seasons is offering free rooms to healthcare workers and they are hoping other hotels will follow suit.

Icu nurse here. We have a continuous ekg going and have the patient hooked up to the defibrillator any time adenosine is given.

I’m in an ICU and I can’t see this working in that setting. However, I worked on a tele unit before that and carried a pager that was programed for my patients and another nurse’s patients. It didn’t show me the monitor, but would vibrate and alarm t...

That might be the way it is done at YOUR facility, but it does not mean that is how it is done at every facility. You never having administered a neb does not mean other nurses don’t or can’t. At one hospital I’ve worked at just RT gave the nebs and...

My area is already struggling with hospitals being on overflow. It’s not feasible or possible for a whole hospital to shut down and transfer out their patients to other hospitals- the beds aren’t available. Patients still need the care, so when nurse...