LuvDaTrauma

I understand your frustrations at that nurse's reply. I do think that it makes a nurse better if she/he can look at tests (labs, ekgs, xrays, etc) and have some kind of idea what is wrong. I used to fly on a helicopter for an air ambulance company and we would walk into very small town ERs where the Drs, PAs,ARNPs would literally have us look over everything to make sure they didnt miss anything. They would wait for us to intubate, insert chest tubes, etc. The look of relief on their faces was amazing. We took classes on EKGs, spent time with trauma docs, etc to be able to be competent enough to give our educated opinions about care of the patient. Our medical control (a trauma doc) was always a phone call away if we had questions, or if we just needed to make sure we were going down the right path. Plus, we had to be able to look at chest xrays to determine if there was a hemo/pneumo because if so - a chest tube had to be placed before flying because of flight physiology with air expanding, etc. Education will only make us better - even if it is just a doc explaining the why and what for of a situation, etc!! Keep askin questions!!

I went to my regular dr after my sore throat and stinky breath just wouldnt go away. I had a negative strep screen but my doctor ordered a PCN shot anyways. The nurse that gave me my shot first dropped the uncapped needle on the floor and was going to stick me with it until I protested and after changing the needle - the IM injection was so high on my GM that I had shooting pains down my leg for a week. I have never had a problem before with shots! I was soo mad. She acted like I was an idiot when I told her that her site was a tad bit too high (like in my lower back!!!). She was snotty when she asked how I would know and i hated to throw the ER Nurse Card out there - but dang - I was upset. She then apologized and said I might be right! Might be? I always go to my mom's doctors appts with her. She recently had a major surgery so my sisters went with us as well. I felt bad for the doctor because I am an ER nurse, my sister is a flight nurse, and my other sister is a nurse is CVOR. The doc was way cool and said that it was nice to know he had to be on his best behavior! We immediately said we werent there to check up on him - we were there for her. I trusted this doctor completely or she wouldnt have had him do the surgery. Its nice to have the inside track on docs, facilities, and what not.

Isnt against medicare policy or Cobra or something to ask for insurance information before being triaged? We cant ask for that information until after because we dont have the right to refuse patients and we see everyone no matter if they have insurance or not. Am I way off base here?

We have a boat load of flyers - so one doc likes to give thorazine and benadryl. Guess it helps them sleep if nothing else!!

I have tried several different shoes - anywhere clogs, crocs -- but I still prefer my good ol Nike shox. I know that they are a little bit more expensive but if I can run 3 miles, workout,etc - then they can take the beating of a 12 hour shift in my busy ER. I like that I can throw em in the washer (shhh dont tell the Nike folks) and then air dry em. Try ebay - good shoes for lots cheaper! Good luck!!

I gave Atomidate tonight for CS. I have pushed Diprivan while the ED doc stood there ready to intubate. I have give ketamine IM. I have done numerous check offs to do this. We routinely do CS in my ER and we all have to be up to date. I would NEVER give these drugs without my doc standing right there beside me ready to intubate, reduce fx, etc. My nurse practice acts cover this and my hospitals policies say that I can.

I was visiting a patient at Children's Mercy in Kansas City and they had posters EVERYWHERE saying not to use cell phones because it can mess with the equipment and then had the example of an insulin drip on an IV being messed up because of a cell phone. At my hospital - everyone has a microcellular phone that they carry around. I dont like having to wait for my patients to get off of their cell phones so I can do my job! I work in the ER and it is a big problem here.

I have learned that helping even just one patient, family, etc is the reason to come to work everyday. I have learned I am here for the family and friends - not just the patient. I have learned not to be offended by the f word - no matter what adjectives follow it. I have learned how important life is and how quickly it all can change. I have learned to understand how stupid people really can be. I have learned that since we see people at their worst and often at a time they wont ever forget - we have the opportunity to make a difference in the way the events play out if not the final result. I have learned men can stick things in their member that dont fit and yet they keep pushing it in. I have learned that when one frequent flier quits - another one starts. I have learned not everyone was taught to shower, brush their teeth, or wear clean underwear. I have learned that I am a very lucky person to love my job (not always the politics) and I know that I make a difference to my patients.

Here is another fabulous ER tale - had a 450+ pound lady that somehow rolled out of bed and onto her wrist - EMS had to call the firefighters to bring in the FLT (fat lady tarp) to get her to the ER. She was admitted with a colles fracture and when I took her up to the ortho unit with the paramedics and firefighters in tow to get her to a weigh bed - she stated that she might weigh a little heavier tonoc because of the orthoglass splint we had applied in the ER. Everyones face dropped! We still chuckle about it! :chuckle

I have a family member which is a flight nurse in the same town where I am an ER nurse - they get paid about 15,000 more than I do. They work 10 24hr shifts monthly - where I work 12-15 12hr shifts during the month. They dont get paid overtime like I do nor do they get holiday pay. But - if ya like "the good stuff" - its definitely the way to go. I am hoping to start my paramedic schooling to be more marketable so I can fly too!! Good luck!

My fiance recently got accepted at the American University in the Caribbean and I am looking forward to going but I am worried about nursing jobs there for me. I am an ER nurse now and would like to continue this but I am not sure what is available there for me if anything? How can I find out? Do I go through a travel agency? Someone please help! Thanks!

How about anal beads in a member - ALL the way into the bladder! Can you say Hello Surgery. The killer is that the guy came back 2 weeks later with a newspaper in his rear. Some people never learn. Had an "exotic dancer" come in one night at 0300 - I presume after her last dance - CC - her privy parts ring had been ripped out by a patron on the club when she was dancing too close to his face. Got some stitches and wanted to know if workmans comp would cover it. Can you say ahhh NOPE!