EmergencyNurse2012

Hey everyone. I'm an ER nurse and have been since graduating nursing school in 2011. Question: I've heard that OR nursing is a huge learning curve and I'd like to learn as much as I can before I start in the OR of a Level 1 Trauma center in mid Ma...

Just my two cents here. Six years ago, I graduated with my ADN at age 40. When I was in nursing school, our instructors drove home the Institute of Medicine's study, The future of Nursing. To make a long story short, the Institute recommends that ...

While working on an Intermediate Cardiac Unit, I had a patient that was prepped and went into the Cardiac Cath lab for a "routine cath" but came out without any stents and a diagnosis that led to open heart surgery two days later. His wife was very ...

NYCNurse17, Your post hit a serious nerve with me. I graduated from a regionally accredited (Western Board of Governors and approved by the California Board of Nursing) ADN program. Shortly after graduation, I moved from California to Georgia and ...

My question is how the flip does a resident walk into an intubation with propofol in his/her hands???? Who pulled it from pyxis? Why was it already spiked? This is a MAJOR no, no in our facility (level 2 trauma center). Nurses with over 20 years e...

Keeper Mom, I feel your pain…Had one myself the other day. Up in my face, literally calling me to the room every 2 minutes to put mom on the bedpan, fluff her pillow, dress her wounds, on and on. I had a new CVA in my trauma room and a criticall...

I must agree with other posts stating that having a DUI when young is different than having your third as a 38 year old. It shows a pattern of worrisome behavior. It is highly unlikely that a reputable nursing school would grant acceptance into the...

Hey everyone. I need some advice regarding travel nursing from nurses that have or are traveled. I've been an ER nurse for 5 years and would like to travel. Is there anything you wish you had known prior to traveling? What are some things that a...

You need to take into account the location as well as the work situation. If you are accustomed to northern winters and you like winter, then that would not be a problem. If you are accustomed to the south east and have never lived away from family...

I have no where near the amount of years in as you, but I feel burnt out too. I have my ADN and will graduate with my BSN next summer-but I'm soooo over school and working and all the demands on my time-just want to be able to breathe and not have t...

YES! YES! YES! NursecatRN! I'm paying $2000 per course to learn little to nothing new over what I learned from the Associates degree program from which I graduated. To say it's frustrating is an immense understatement. I want to learn things that b...

Everyone is different, but it took me every bit of two years to feel comfortable…Stay open for suggestions, seek feedback on your performance from people who will tell you the truth and never stop learning… Welcome to the ER!

feelix, I think she was referring to changing out the plug for a pigtail which screws into the actual catheter in the vein in order to draw blood from the site. I will change the plug for a pigtail and change the dressing to one we can assess the si...

Just an Emergency Department Nurses perspective here…I had a patient come in via EMS and the EMT's were stating they were called for altered mental status with facial droop. No family present. The patient is asphagic, staring straight ahead, able t...

Dear undecided, Breathe. If your coworkers are supportive and telling you that you are doing a good job, you most likely are doing a phenomenal job. You are in a very challenging speciality. It will take some time to feel comfortable and confident...

Regarding the post that delineated the differences between an RN and BSN as the Bachelors prepared nurse has a degree and RN takes the licensing exam in order to practice. This is not entirely accurate. While I am an RN without a Bachelors Degree, I ...

So, I'm having a surreal moment right now and just thought I'd kick it out here into cyberland. I applied for and was hired on as an ER nurse in a competing facility in town. The thing is, I feel like the whole thing isn't real and not happening, e...

Seriously??? what the world?

"throat sore for 1 hour". Have you tried anything for it? "I came here". Have you tried to help your sore throat at home prior to coming to the emergency department? "I came here". Exit room, bang head on clip board, and gaze at co-workers in utter ...

Grntea, I don't understand what possessed you to write this post. Not only was it unhelpful, judgmental and uncalled for but did NOTHING towards forwarding my understanding or growth as a nurse. Until your post, I thought this was a "safe environment...

Hi everyone! I'm in a RN-BSN program and need to write a paper on 3 different nursing leadership situations that might occur in a practice setting. At least one of them must involve a financial reimbursement and patient outcome factor. The goal is to...

Kasey, I'm not sure what the instructor is after for question Number 1, I would ask for clarification including an example. For Number 2, I can think of a few off the top of my head… Think about Electronic Medical Records (EMR's). When a patient ...

Michael, I love that we can bounce ideas and comments around here in this space and learn. I love to learn and appreciate sharing what I know and gaining knowledge from others as well. Thanks again for your post.

MunroRN, We use still use Kayexalate in our facility as part of the hyperkalemia treatment. It's given along with Calcium gluconate, IV Insulin and an amp of D50. Some of the providers also order an amp of sodium bicarb along with the cocktail-depend...

Zmansc, Just curious, are you an ER nurse? If so, how long have you been working in the ER? How many visits does it process in a year? One statement in your post concerns me; "only a very cursory knowledge is necessary" I'm not sure what you mean by ...