-MNC_RN-

-MNC_RN-

Staff Dev--Critical Care & Trauma

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All Content by -MNC_RN-

  1. Scrubs to tight? How do you tell someone?

    -MNC_RN- replied to Absolutely13's topic in General Nursing

    The hospital just needs to make a uniform policy. Quite frankly if... I can see your cleavage OR I can read your tramp stamp YOU ARE NOT DRESSED PROFESSONALLY. Don't get me wrong, I love seeing...

  2. Do you think you could pass now?

    -MNC_RN- replied to suanna's topic in General Nursing

    Actually, you can take it. Simply get an NCLEX study book that has sample tests... and take one. Any veteran nurse should be able to pass it--it is the very definition of competent BASIC nursing....

  3. Is There a Nursing Shortage in MN?

    -MNC_RN- replied to andpeggy's topic in General Nursing

    I think it just depends what you expect from a "fabulous job". Nursing is not a golden egg. Yes, there are several hospitals that hire new grads into critical care, PACU, L&D, etc. That is not a...

  4. Things you'd like to say to your co-workers, but never would ....

    -MNC_RN- replied to SoundofMusic's topic in General Nursing

    Here's one I've had to bite my tongue on in the Staff Development realm: Staff Nurse: I did these assessments when I was hired! Why do I have to do them again now?? Me, in my mind: Because you're...

  5. Is There a Nursing Shortage in MN?

    -MNC_RN- replied to andpeggy's topic in General Nursing

    I don't know about that. There definitely is a shortage. But the schools are passing on misleading information about the effect that shortage will have on post graduate jobs. There are lots of...

  6. IABP and internal cardiac massage

    -MNC_RN- replied to nurseabc123's topic in MICU, SICU

    I would have my friendly neighborhood medical or hospital library do a lit search for internal cardiac massage and balloon pumps. I already checked the AACN Procedure Manual for Critical Care and it...

  7. Nursing schools in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota?

    -MNC_RN- replied to pumpkin1984's topic in General Nursing

    Arrgh! Stupid sausage fingers! Anyway, I was saying emphatically that I hate winter! Lots of good schools. I won't name any for risk of offending, but plenty of choices--either ADN or BSN. I will...

  8. Nursing schools in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota?

    -MNC_RN- replied to pumpkin1984's topic in General Nursing

    In terms of cold... consider: the average annual temp in Minneapolis is 40-some degrees. We can get into the 90s (occasionally low-100s) in the Summer. You can figure out what the winter needs to be...

  9. Is There a Nursing Shortage in MN?

    -MNC_RN- replied to andpeggy's topic in General Nursing

    Well, on this point, I generally blame the schools. I don't know how many new grads I've met that state they have been told by their schools that they will be able to work shift-of-choice because the...

  10. Which ACLS course would YOU take?

    -MNC_RN- replied to Mannursemike's topic in MICU, SICU

    I would go with the cheaper one too, with one caution: LEARN THE MATERIAL. There are many organizations that allow everyone to pass ACLS no matter what. While I'm not a fan of the make-'em-cry Mega...

  11. IABP and internal cardiac massage

    -MNC_RN- replied to nurseabc123's topic in MICU, SICU

    You would do the same as with external compressions: switch to arterial pressure trigger--then be sure that the ICM creates enough pressure to trigger the machine. Keep in mind that AACN designates...

  12. Is There a Nursing Shortage in MN?

    -MNC_RN- replied to andpeggy's topic in General Nursing

    The shortage is evidenced by open positions. Our hospital has more open positions than just new grad positions. We don't take new grads into all positions; however, for the new grad positions we...

  13. Is There a Nursing Shortage in MN?

    -MNC_RN- replied to andpeggy's topic in General Nursing

    Heh. My apologies. My fingers didn't quite type what I intended to write. Currently I don't know of any hospitals that require a GPA that high. What I was trying to say was that I forsee a GPA...

  14. Is There a Nursing Shortage in MN?

    -MNC_RN- replied to andpeggy's topic in General Nursing

    Well, there is a shortage. But. There is also a swarm and increase in students/new grads. Which means that hospitals are not in the position where they will hire any warm body that happens to pass...

  15. Levophed vs. Neo

    -MNC_RN- replied to hell000nurse's topic in MICU, SICU

    Back in the day, you could tell where a doc did residency based on which vasopressor they prefered: Epi = West Coast, Levo = East Coast, Dopa = Midwest. With the introduction of phenylephrine (Neo)...

  16. New critical care educator

    -MNC_RN- replied to gapeachrn's topic in MICU, SICU

    In terms of *needs assessment*, I highly recommend the BKAT test. It's a comprehensive 100-point assessment test that breaks questions down into the various systems. It's a handy, quick

  17. You Know You're an Old(er) Nurse If . . .

    -MNC_RN- replied to hollyvk's topic in General Nursing

    Beats me. Ask the marketing geniuses at Ambercrombie & Fitch... it's their label. (I think it's a surfing beach, or city, in California,

  18. Trauma Neuro ICU interest

    -MNC_RN- replied to nursekatie22's topic in Neuro Intensive Care, ICU

    Maybe. I just finished with three who only had 6 months experience and they're doing wonderfully. It is very dependent on the nurse in question, though. There are many who wouldn't make

  19. You Know You're an Old(er) Nurse If . . .

    -MNC_RN- replied to hollyvk's topic in General Nursing

    When you see the kids these days wearing their fashionable t-shirts that say "Hollister" and all you can think of is a colostomy appliance (or a condom catheter--even

  20. Once I get RN licensure, can I still work as a CNA?

    -MNC_RN- replied to sam1998's topic in General Nursing

    Many employers don't have a say (nor would you) in whether or not you get paid as a CNA vs. RN. Many have rules, union or otherwise, that say that if you have an RN license, you get paid as an RN....

  21. Once I get RN licensure, can I still work as a CNA?

    -MNC_RN- replied to sam1998's topic in General Nursing

    The liability/licensure thing is an issue, for sure. To be honest, I don't know of any employers that would let you work as a CNA once you have your RN for the simple reason that most--most--employers...

  22. Trauma Neuro ICU interest

    -MNC_RN- replied to nursekatie22's topic in Neuro Intensive Care, ICU

    We would and do. In fact, we have taken new grads fresh out of school with fantasitic success. Of course, you have to be prepared... 1. Be ready to study. Forever. Critical care is a life-long...

  23. About Prisma Dialysis

    -MNC_RN- replied to sarahrain's topic in MICU, SICU

    I'd call the Gambro help line on that one. The circuit primes in reverse so, while it is not uncommon for air to be trapped in the filter, any air should be at the TOP of the filter and not likely to...

  24. How many hours of clinical/theory do good critical care programs have?

    -MNC_RN- replied to student456's topic in MICU, SICU

    I have described the program that we use at my hospital in this

  25. About Prisma Dialysis

    -MNC_RN- replied to sarahrain's topic in MICU, SICU

    Heating lights. We have them above every ICU bed to assist in active external