onconurseRT

:uhoh21: Yeah.. As a nurse, I would need a lot of "other MD orders" to occur prior to even starting to think about giving Lantus to someone with a BS of 20 or even 45. I personally would see the "20" and really not be thinking about how much more insulin I could give them. I personally have had a blood sugar of 28 when I was attempting to drive home after a long shift at work with no lunch and I felt like crap and then passed out! I was not a "happy camper" for several hours after that. That low of sugar makes folks feel REALLY BAD, nauseated in which they can and do vomit, have a massive headache and my muscles ached something horrible. I was not interested in my "HS snack" or fruit juice to say the least. As a nurse, I would need to see some stabilization of that pt and their blood sugar for a few hours before I would even contemplate insulin administration and that is exactly how I would approach the conversation with the MD. Good Luck....

:uhoh21: :uhoh21: :uhoh21: Yeah.. that is weird and a little scary!:uhoh21:

I believe in investing some money in a good stethescope which is what I did. I have had mine for 7 years and it was worth every single penny. I cannot hear with cheap ones. Be sure to mark yours very well and if a MD decides to "borrow" it, you should keep a close eye on them. Honestly, I have had several docs hand it back to me and say "wow.. that is a nice one..where did you buy it". I think that when they know you have invested the money ($300), they are more apt to give it back- at least that has been my experience. good luck

I think the poster was saying that basically these days, there is a really strict policy and procedure for needle sticks and there would be "questions" if you did not have gloves on. Hospitals (at least some) are not looking out for you, the nurse, remember that. I was taught to wear gloves for everything! I feel "naked" if I go to give an injection without it. I even wear gloves to change sheets. :uhoh21:

I was wondering if anyone can point me in the direction of an "acuity" system that is used in hospitals for just regular medical nursing. See, my hospital assigns pts to nurses based on their room number and could care less how much actual care they require. I worked in a hospital back in CA and there was such thing as "acuity", now, I don't even think that the word is written anywhere in the hospital where I work here in VA. Anyone know of a place I can view basic acuity Low-Medium-High?? Thanks

;) ;) Lets just say I thought it was funny and I chuckled. ;)

:yeahthat: :yeahthat: :yeahthat: I have seen it with my own eyes-- they will push and push as though it is their place to do it and I have seen new nurses cry over it. Not just to me but to many others who are new. This bothered me for about a year and then I started to picture myself (my love for nursing, my compassion for my patients, my drive to do a good job) as a big speed train racing down the hall with my face plastered on the front of it. I have said it before to someone that continues to push non-sense on me, "get on the train or get the he!! off the tracks." Hang in there and don't work there!

I live in northern virginia and one of the most populated areas next to DC. IF there was a 1 way train out of here I would take the next one... no offense to those who love this RAT RACE!!! It is not for me!!!! You can't really touch a "nice house" for less than $650,000.00 and the pay scale for nurses has not increased at the rate of the increase in cost of living. We pay $3.00 a gallon for gas and sit in traffic forever! Of course, everyone around you does not really know there is a lot of traffic because they are too busy eating, talking on the cell phone, checking their email, tuning their IPODs and reading the newspaper all at the same time as their race down the roads at 65mph. Physically driving their vehicle safely seems to be a real inconvenience here. I lived in the bay area of San Francisco and the cost of living was comparable and I made a LOT more there. I would not go back there either. I am ready for the normal life to return.

:lol2: :lol2:

We get breaks??:uhoh21: :uhoh21: :uhoh21: :uhoh21: :uhoh21:

What an unfortunate case. I wasn't able to read the entire section and all of the posts, but was there any legally binding information like a health care advance directive and living will prior to this deterioration and placement on a vent? I know she could always change her mind but was there one to begin with? I filled mine out at 20years of age. Why? So my family would not have to make the hardest decisions like that one and live with the question "Did we make the right decision? " for the rest of their lives. I highly encourage even the patients that are admitted for an infected hang-nail to complete theirs and make it legal. I did see posts regarding "patient advocacy" and I truely believe in that, however, patient advocacy started the first day of diagnosis (5 years ago) and the nurses responsibilities started the day of diagnosis as well.

1. Not getting the IV's and then refusing the IV start is likely not the only reason she was "fired". In most facilities, there is some progression to this unless it is a BIG mistake that is made. 2. If there is a fear, perhaps she needs to see someone outside of the hospital to work through that issue. If the fear is preventing her from performing her job and she just can't get past it, this almost appears to be an anxiety that is a bit more complex and much bigger than the task of IV starts. 3. I really stink at IV's. I try my hardest 1 time and if I do not get it then I find someone else. I kick myself for not getting it but I never give up and say "I can't" but I also don't torture patients and stick them 4 or 5 times! There is something to be said for the person that tries but has enough self realization to say "I need someone more experienced than myself for the benefit of the patient".

I as well have a thick southern accent and I do get the comment "you are not from here.. are you?" I live in the DC metro area of Virginia. I say "No maam/sir, my heart and where I grew up is in Texas but my husband has defended this country for 18 years and the military does not see state lines- home is where the air force sends you." Ending that with a very large smile! I have never had anything negative said to me after that. Your competence and knowledge will shine through and to be honest, you know what southern hospitality is and it will get you far. Respect for the person, polite behaviors and a genuine caring personality is something that many do not get to experience on the streets of what I call the "RAT RACE". Good luck to ya!

2 bottles of gatorade. On my floor there is this "Strict" policy of no food or drinks anywhere in sight of the rooms, desks, etc. We are not even allowed a bottle of water on the unit. It has to be neatly tuck away in our lockers which are in the break room clear on the other end of the hospital- literally! HOWEVER, I carry 1 bottle of gatorade with me and the other I hide behind a printer until I am ready for it. I work 8 hour shifts and that is my only chance for consumption. I could care less about the policy in place and I have made it clear that I either drink the gatorade or I will visit the ER each and every time I get off of work because I am hypoglycemic and dehydrated. I burn the glucose, calories and fluids too quickly! I lose about 2 lbs every time I work and I spend my days off trying to gain it back! :uhoh3: Good luck to you!

When entering the room your eyes should direct to the patient first. I would assess the patient, intervene with something for pain even if I needed to call the md for a 1 time order and have the secretary call the nursing supervisor to meet you on the unit to discuss the situation for family intervention. Good luck...