Vanilla101

Latest Activity

1. Bad preceptors and the demotivated state of nursing.

   Vanilla101 replied to Axmann, RN, BSN, NREMT-B's topic in General Students

   I've worked in large teaching hospitals for most of my career, and have been a student, a preceptor & a clinical instructor at both the undergraduate & graduate levels. I've been seemingly...

2. No pump, no drip rates - OR

   Vanilla101 replied to anathema's topic in General Students

   Before pumps, Dial-a-Flows were the BOMB! The first generation of pumps only measured rates in ml/hr. Weight based drugs had to be calculated by hand, fortunately pocket calculators had been invented...

3. Nurse residency programs--be aware!!

   Vanilla101 replied to LexiRN6's topic in General Students

   When applying for a new job, the hiring hospital will call HR of the former employer. HR will let the hiring hospital know if the candidate is "eligible for rehire". Its basically a way of finding...

4. My preceptor is everything they taught us NOT to be...

   Vanilla101 replied to Live..&..Learn's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

   The standard process for orientees in virtually all hospitals is to have regular meetings with your preceptor & a representative from your units leadership. At these meetings issues in practice...

5. Every other weekend & holidays??

   Vanilla101 replied to LuciaRN2b's topic in General Nursing

   Is this a joke letter? Why didn't you go into teaching? If you are unwilling to do weekends/holidays, you probably won't get a job. These jobs go to experienced nurses. Oh, get ready for night...

6. Anatomy of a Code

   Vanilla101 replied to Lynda Lampert, RN's topic in General Nursing

   It's why mock codes are so important. The room doesn't need to be full, the room should be clear of extra people. It's more help to the team, especially when (as the author noted) the other patients...

7. What can I do to these scrub stains? Help Me!!!!

   Vanilla101 replied to BostonTerrierLover's topic in Scrubs, Uniforms, Gear

   For an extra whitening boost, use blueing. It's in the laundry section at the supermarket, look for it carefully, it's one of those things that's hidden away and there are usually only about three...

8. Rookie ICU Nurse Headed Your Way

   Vanilla101 replied to mariebailey's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

   First thing, travel light, everything should fit in your pockets. I recommend a stethoscope. Second, a penlight. There are some nice ones for physical exams, but I assume you will be working nights...

9. Do you chart lies?

   Vanilla101 replied to RNdynamic's topic in General Nursing

   My mistake, I should have clarified. To decrease self extubations, in restrained or unrestrained patients, there also must be other interventions put in place by the team, such as sedation vacations...

10. Do you chart lies?

    Vanilla101 replied to RNdynamic's topic in General Nursing

    "I don't believe a single nurse, save possibly the ICU, who doesn't admit to "copy paste". Trust me, it's done in the ICU. It's not considered illegal if the nurse accurately documents changes from...

11. Do you chart lies?

    Vanilla101 replied to RNdynamic's topic in General Nursing

    About self extubations: it's been shown in the literature that unrestrained patients do not have significantly higher rates of self extubations than restrained patients who use all sorts of creative...

12. Dealing with calls from work

    Vanilla101 replied to Katniss88's topic in General Nursing

    Trust me, management/administration doesn't mind if you say no. They also don't mind if you don't answer your phone. As a bedside nurse for 25+years! I learned this. I also figured out that if we...

13. Stereotyping Male Nurses

    Vanilla101 replied to lvansick's topic in Male Nursing Students

    Honestly, there is no big philosophical question here. Gay people are ordinary people. There really isn't anything to talk

14. Is the CVICU for open hearts the most acute ICU?

    Vanilla101 replied to RNdynamic's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    EVERY ICU in the hospital gives you something to learn. All ICU patients are sick, their illness, medical, surgical, trauma, etc., requires a higher level of nursing care. Any ICU will sharpen your...

15. trauma floor clinicals

    Vanilla101 replied to 2016New's topic in General Students

    Patients who are admitted to med/surg/trauma floors are there because their condition might change for the worse. (They may need an ICU/ICR setting if it does). Be aware of S&S of worsening...