firemedic12

firemedic12 BSN, RN, EMT-P

Critical Care, ER, Cath lab

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All Content by firemedic12

  1. Why did you choose to be an ICU Nurse?

    firemedic12 replied to al3x117's topic in Critical Care

    I did the same this time last year. Life is immensely better now and I got a nice pay raise along with the change. About a month ago I started picking up in the ER on my day off just to get a little...

  2. California "travel" RN

    firemedic12 posted a topic in Travel

    I keep hearing about a lot of nurses from around town who have their California license and fly to CA for 2 weeks and work, then fly home. Im not sure if they work directly for the hospital or for a...

  3. ACNP in the military

    firemedic12 posted a topic in Government, Military

    Recently I've read a position statement about the military adopting Acute Care NPs. I've seen where Air NG has a specialty code for them but none of the other branches do. Does anyone currently...

  4. Army Reserve Nursing

    firemedic12 replied to DthurmRn's topic in Government, Military

    I'm looking at the same. I have 2.5 years ICU and CCRN as well as CFRN. By the time I finish my BSN I will pass my 3 year mark. If I get 50% time credit for my civilian experience would this mean I go...

  5. Pediatric CCRN

    firemedic12 replied to melaninatedSRNA22's topic in PICU, Pediatric

    Congratulations! I actually passed mine on 2/28/18. I used Pass CCRN myself as well as the CCRN review videos by Laura Gasparis. My computer froze 3 times during the test and my reaction the third...

  6. When to use a filter for PIV infusion

    firemedic12 replied to SnickerDoodle_RN's topic in PICU, Pediatric

    Only times I've ever used a filter is when infusing amio, mannitol, or TPN/PPN. There's possibly more but I've always been taught that it is used when there's a high probability that the medication...

  7. CPN Exam

    firemedic12 replied to cel589's topic in Pediatric

    Some people have goals that are personal to them and certification exams can be the difference between getting a job offer and being passed up. Plus, many RN-BSN programs will give you credit for a...

  8. Glutton for Punishment?

    firemedic12 replied to OrganizedChaos's topic in General Nursing

    As a former firefighter and paramedic, I can attest to this first

  9. Do you have a free charge nurse on your unit?

    firemedic12 replied to EllaBella1's topic in General Nursing

    My last job I was IV, code, RRT nurse most nights while the charge did her thing. I basically told them on my year anniversary to never orient me to charge. Charge nurse is a position of...

  10. Do you have a free charge nurse on your unit?

    firemedic12 replied to EllaBella1's topic in General Nursing

    We had one at the last place I worked. It was great having that resource available, but the idea behind it rubbed me the wrong way. Basically, it was management's way of having a scapegoat while...

  11. Glutton for Punishment?

    firemedic12 replied to OrganizedChaos's topic in General Nursing

    I'm 4 classes away from finishing my RN-BSN program and I'll knock it until the day I die. About half the papers I've written in this program were while I was either tipsy or flat out drunk (only way...

  12. Glutton for Punishment?

    firemedic12 replied to OrganizedChaos's topic in General Nursing

    If it becomes a "law" to have a BSN to work at a hospital, I'll be expecting a check for the full amount of tuition, books, and fees plus allotted PTO for class work and

  13. Leaving first job, did you have a pay increase?

    firemedic12 replied to Nurse3242's topic in General Nursing

    My base pay went up, but I went from nights at my first job to days at my second so technically it was a pay cut. I still pick up PRN at my first job so that helps. They're really hurting for nurses...

  14. Student nurse dismayed by bedside nursing attitude

    firemedic12 replied to new gal's topic in General Students

    I was a medic for 4 years before nursing school. The bedside isn't bad. Med-surg sucks. It's boring, monotonous, patients and families whine all the time, etc. I much prefer my ICU. It's far more...

  15. "I Narcanned Your Honor Student"

    firemedic12 replied to EAGirl's topic in General Nursing

    I'm a former firefighter/medic and currently an ICU nurse. Also worked in corrections in a past life. This is hilarious. Also hits home as I once had to Narcan a girl I graduated high school with. She...

  16. If you could redo it....would you choose nursing?

    firemedic12 replied to ICURNPA92's topic in General Nursing

    I'd do it again without question. I started out in a level 1 trauma ICU and loved it. I still work there PRN. I'm now in the PICU at a level 1 teaching facility and love it just as much. My patients...

  17. What is your dream job?

    firemedic12 replied to MHDNURSE's topic in School

    18D. I kick myself daily for not doing it while I was

  18. How old were you when you started CRNA school?

    firemedic12 replied to Nolander's topic in Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist

    I'm 29 right now and will be applying next year at 30. Planning to be finished by 33. I'd rather do an MSN/MSNA than a doctoral if possible. I'm so sick of school. CRNA will be my 4th degree

  19. Dilemna

    firemedic12 replied to Thegirlwhoneedstokno's topic in PICU, Pediatric

    All you can really do is either put your name on the wait list or look for other employment. Nights really aren't all that bad if you find a routine that works for you. When I leave the hospital for...

  20. Gender Pay Gap in Nursing: 2017 Salary Survey vs. 2015?

    firemedic12 replied to allnurses's topic in General Nursing

    Couldn't disagree more. I'm caught working 48-60 hours a week in the ICU and caring for a chronically ill wife and other family. I also have seen numerous men dealing with more than their fair share...

  21. How old were you when you started nursing school?

    firemedic12 replied to Joe V's topic in General Students

    Started my ASN at 26 while still on the fire department. Graduated at 28. Now I'm 29 and working on my RN-BSN. Should finish the summer after I turn 30. Then it's off to CRNA school! I want to get it...

  22. When to call Rapid Response Team?

    firemedic12 replied to LUCBSN's topic in Critical Care

    We have a designated nurse assigned to do advanced assessments and US IV access. They have advanced protocols written out of what they can do without an order. As far as I know, pain control is not...

  23. Blood Glucose Measurement: Arterial vs Fingertip

    firemedic12 replied to Catticus11's topic in Critical Care

    In my experience, the hierarchy for most hospitals is arterial > central line > finger stick. They say that an arterial draw is the most accurate. Pts on an insulin gtt get q1 sugars and I...

  24. Frustrated in the ICU

    firemedic12 posted a topic in Critical Care

    So over the past few months, I've noticed a trend in my nightly assignments. I don't ever seem to be assigned to sick patients. I have to admit a truly critical patient to actually be assigned to one,...

  25. Why did you choose to be an ICU Nurse?

    firemedic12 replied to al3x117's topic in Critical Care

    I came from an EMS background and had no desire to work in the ER. I did a few clinicals in multiple ICUs and immediately fell in love with it. We make similar spit-second decisions like they do in...