ldymeg

We put them on a Cardizem drip, load them with Amio and get the Lovonox on board. Works like a charm and they often covert within two to three days without needing cardioversion.

I see a differance although I don't believe it's intentional on the experienced nurses' part. We're all so overworked, over stressed, and in attempting to get our own assignments complete that sometimes we seem unapproachable, keep our heads "to the task" ect. In our facility, our Nurse Manager insists we experienced nurses "hold the newbie's hands" yet there's not enough money in the budget to allow an extra staff member to float to assist the "newbie". Add to these facts how the acuity has risen. The result? We have to take a higher number of patients while they take the lighter load yet we are still expected to be a resource to the newbies. We have a House Supervisor and Resource nurse, but they are so busy filling beds, doing QA, and putting fires out that the entire nursing staff goes home exhausted!!!

As the House Supervisor in a hospital with a Vent unit which employs many new grads, hope the following input helps. My new grads get overwhelmed with the various alarms. Learn what accurate vs non accurate pulse ox and tele readings are. Asks the RT's LOTS of questions about the vents. They too often alarm - most frequently for problems easily fixed such as suctioning, resetting the heat alarm, clearing the vent circut, as well as problems that resolve themselves such as the patient coughing, being turned, etc. Learn to be organized. I find that ALL my new grads do very well when they are well organized. Finally, keep in close touch with your supervisor throughout your orientation. If you don't feel you're progressing well, tell her so that she can provide you further direction and training! Wish you the best!

WOW! I'd be willing to bet you've received several of our patients from where I work here in Jacksonville FL! Hope they're all doing well. May I ask you your facility can afford the cost of caring for these patients? They virtually bankrupt us (although we are an LTAC).

So sorry...my mistake for not being specific. I was referring to contraceptive gel. As I stated in my post, this patient used "jelly", grape flavored to be specific, LOL.

This one is sad since the woman we treated honestly did need to be seen but your story reminds me of this woman. She came to the ER I where I used to work with green, odorous vag discharge, temp of 103, and abdominal pain. When obtaining the history, she related that she had recently visited Planned Parenthood and chose the diaphram and jelly for birth control. As I dug further, she was using JELLY with the diaphram. ICU for three days, IV abx for an additional 28.

Could not agree more! This is especially true in states like mine with extremely high litigation rates. The doc's and hospitals are losing so much money on lawsuits>

[/b] WOW! The stories of those cases transported by 911 are amazing me! Thank Goodness where I live Rescue has polices in place where they can refuse to transport and refer to private ambulance services instead!