vampiregirl BSN, RN

Hospice

CHPN, WCC

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All Content by vampiregirl

  1. vampiregirl

    question

    I wouldn't let this experience deter you from hospice if this area of nursing is something you are truly interested in. Maybe look for a well established agency in the future. I think from reading...
  2. I would encourage you to get clarification (preferably a reference to a written policy) in case this comes up again in the future. Good for you for catching this need for an order though during the...
  3. vampiregirl

    Laundry Bins

    I know I've worked several places where we were required to bag all laundry prior to leaving the rooms but everywhere I've worked we've always had the bins on wheels. I've never seen the triple bin...
  4. vampiregirl

    Struggling to be a Christian Nurse

    One of the other posters inquired if you had considered a different speciality. Do you feel that your current area of nursing is a good "fit" for you? How about your unit? And your employer? Are there...
  5. vampiregirl

    nurse doesn't do her charting

    I'm another one that missing assessments/ info drives me nuts and see the potential to affect patient care/ safety. Having been in management in the past (I finally decided I'm much happier in a...
  6. vampiregirl

    Macbook Air or Macbook Pro for Nursing School?

    I agree with the above poster who recommended you check to see what software is compatible with your school - I ran into one program during my RN to BSN program that didn't work fantastic on my Mac....
  7. vampiregirl

    Contact Precautions and ESBL

    I was floor nurse in a LTC and encountered a similar situation several years back. Struggled with the same lack of resources for guidance. If I recall we retested urine and still cultured positive. I...
  8. vampiregirl

    Hospice IDG/IDT protocols/rules

    Good questions! I'd be interested to know more about the regulations themselves. I know that IDT/IDG review and update of each patient's care plan must occur a minimum of every 15 days per Medicare...
  9. vampiregirl

    Down Time

    I'm another reader. I've already begun collecting a stack of reading material for my week of camp later this summer. I also took a puzzle book last year. My camp week is kinda a technology vacation...
  10. vampiregirl

    Please help. Career over before it starts.

    Hospice RN Case Manager is an awesome job - but I will say it can involve a lot of not-so-ergonomically correct back positions/ maneuvers for skin assessments, repositioning patients/ educating family...
  11. vampiregirl

    I'm so lost :(

    I've worked with many nurses who've gotten their start in med-surg with no clue what they wanted to "specialize" in. Some have ended up specializing in med surge. Others have discovered another area...
  12. vampiregirl

    new grad OB interview

    A strategy that has worked well for me for various interviews I've had over the years is to do some research about the facility. Look up the mission statement and core values (or whatever this...
  13. vampiregirl

    Thoughts?

    Another consideration would be to inquire what the hourly rate for inservice etc
  14. vampiregirl

    Need help with redness/open areas

    Agree with the previous poster that fungal would be a consideration for this area. In addition to what you are already doing, it might be worthwhile to consider if there is need to address moisture...
  15. vampiregirl

    Nursing Student Asks Should I Do Peds or CRNA?

    I chuckle because I was 100% sure I knew which nursing speciality I wanted to do when I got my license... yet I found my niche in a speciality that couldn't be more further from my original "plan". I...
  16. vampiregirl

    How To Sell Myself...

    Looks like you've assessed your skill set thoroughly! I see lots of great selling points on your positives list - customer service/ networking is very important in HH. I would encourage you to maybe...
  17. vampiregirl

    Question about bowel programs

    We typically favor senna and bisacodyl with opioids as they are the most effective on Mu receptors. We don't have a set formula for increasing bowel regimens since everybody is different (and disease...
  18. vampiregirl

    Mental Health & Nursing School

    Have you considered exploring this from a different angle, like focusing on what challenges in life have taught you? This can be done without defining the challenges themselves. I'm one who did...
  19. vampiregirl

    Transitioning from paper charting

    I was working at SNF when PCC was implemented. Change is never easy but in this case, so much for the better! If I recall correctly, the charting/ assessment modules were implemented in all units on...
  20. vampiregirl

    Denied by clinical sites, now what?

    Have you looked into Excelsior College? They don't have "traditional" clinicals. I'm not sure what their policies are regarding students with a history such as yours. It wouldn't hurt to call and...
  21. Learn all you can about your speciality, no matter what it is. Join a professional organization in your speciality. Look up meds or diagnosis you aren't familiar with. Learn from your colleagues and...
  22. vampiregirl

    ER to Hospice

    Hospice is a fantastic area of nursing. I don't see myself looking to get out of this area. Regarding your question... For your pros - keep in mind some residences of hospice patients are not going to...
  23. vampiregirl

    Hiring an RN into private practice

    Regarding $20/ hour, there is quite a spectrum of wages related to what part of the country one is in. In my area, $20/ hour starting pay actually reasonable. Maybe consider hiring 2 part-time nurses...
  24. vampiregirl

    Discharging Patient With Opioid in Hand?

    In certain circumstances, we do the same when inpatient hospice patients are being transferred to their homes to continue hospice on our service. These are meds that have been dispensed from the...
  25. vampiregirl

    Chart Auditing and education

    I agree with Nurse on the Go. Not in home health, but I ran into this at a SNF as the inservice director was an LPN. Actually she a did a great job orienting me to the policies and procedures of the...