petulip in Alabama

I work in Neuro ICU..newbie really...10 yr experience..1 yr Neuro...but my understanding is that the side effects of Coumadin and Heparin are what they are looking at...Nowadays, it seems the favorite SQ is Lovenox,not Heparin even for post-op/post CVA..again, the only thing I can get from the docs is less side effects...hope this helped some...by the way, welcome back!!!

it is a small wonder I do not see cat claws across my screen between Natalie and KDay...this is a never ending issue in nursing and one which brings out our frustrations to the forefront!!!!First of all the pt comes first...and she did. the poor transferring nurse needs to go either back to orientation, or to a seminar on time mgmt ! ..but really can you not remember at least one time in your busy day when that one pt ate up all your time and energy and boom!! it's time to report off!!! I sure can. But I would like to think that while I am in that room and helping the pt..be it physical or emotional,...I would like to think that my fellow nurses--or co pilots--are out there monitoring in some way. Just tonight I had a emotionally distraught lady I was "patting "--and sure enough another of my pts went into flash CHF..and sure enough a fellow nurse found me and at least had the decency to put O2 on her....see??? if only we could do that to each other all the time..you know??? makes me thankful for the people I work with!!!

I say GO FOR IT!!!! I was 28 when I decided to be a nurse...and thought on my first day I would be the oldest fool there...unitl I met a 52 yr old grandma!!!!You are NEVER too old....and by the way..one of the best RN's I have ever worked with...was an LPN for 12 years. Best wishes!!!

Okay, you're in school..getting a BSN--which by the way will be an asset I think in the years to come...my advice??? Study hard..do your first year strictly on a med surg floor for experience,never stop learning once you become a nurse, and always look at both sides of every issue. As far as you're "being sure"...honey, you already have the heart!!!! we desperately need souls like you!!!..and yeah, working as a tech or aide would defintely firm things up for you!!!

What does everyone think about across the board raises?? Do you think the area hospitals secretly get together to limit them??? Seems like everytime they give one, other facilities also get them...we just recieved a whole 1.25 more an hour.."for staff retention" I'd like to donate mine toward another nurse salary and be properly staffed,wouldn't you???

yes, it does indeed sound like the intiation process has begun for you...I have been a nurse 10 years...and with each new area I went into, I found the very same thing. The new one gets the worst pts.,the worst schedule, and seems to be the hot topic. What I have come to realize is indeed, you are being analyzed and tested by your peers...to see if you "can handle it" ..to see your weakness..and your strengths. Hang in there...in 6 months you will know who can be trusted, who the troublemakers are, who thinks they are "the Queen" , and most importantly..who really cares about being a nurse. After all is said and done, we all came from the same desire..to help others. Next time you feel tested by someone..try to think of it that way. Good Luck!!

Wait until you finally graduate...then you will worry about needle sticks,AIDS,Hepatitis,TB....I think it is only natural...but it will pass..it is just part of adjusting to being a nurse in public healthcare.Believe me, we all at one time or another have secretly preferred NOT to take a pt be it because he is on isolation, has ? HIV status,or is a pt that decompensated fast and has recently been out of the country!!! But have heart..it is all part of the molding process we go thru on our way to being a professional!!! good luck on your boards...and I agree...stay away from the ER in your career..Ha HA !!!!

I bought my Littman for 40--go to the uniform store that gives discounts..usually one that has payroll deduction lined up with your employer is best - a Littman is a Littman..only if you plan to go to medical school do you really need a super duper one..and then..you will spend the rest of your career protecting it !!! trust me, once you have one be careful..they walk faster than your favorite pens !!!! as for external noise...turn down the pt's tv,close the room door...ask visitors to be quiet while you assess..you have that right and 9 times out of 10, they comply...everybody feels better if thier nurse is assessing them seriously..time and experience will then help you...best wishes !!!!

awww c'mon everybody...when the good doctor said"good lady" he was just in a good mood. that is the problem with some of us...we get all bent out of shape if RESPECT isn't in every communication with ' the other side' ...heads up you all, it is not us against them !!!! we are all in this together. I think it was a sweet gesture from a tired doc who saw how tired his nurses are...I would take that anyday over...thank you Ms Nurse...you are soooooo professional.....

Dear Friend, As a former Yankee myself(I am steeped in the South for 20 years now) I can understand how the challenges and changes of being new to the South can have you turned upside down...in addition I'd like to say to you--- Wow !! a few things struck me as I read this...you are dealing with a new house(CONGRATS!),a new area,a new job, 2 children who need extra TLC as they adjust,plus trying to connect and make new friends...well, on a stress scale, you are off the charts !! The Nurse you described is something all Critical Care Nurses deal with at one time or another..you have met the "I know what I am doing and you don't,nah nah" there is one in every unit. I have been in critical care 7 years now and I have also had the pleasure of dealing with this one. What you come to realize is that after you get your sea legs...and trust me you will...you look at that nurse and realize everyone else around you is on to her as well. What does her actions of watching you drown and then saying you couldn't handle it say to those around her??? Do you really think that makes people think highly of her?? Think again. They probably have a red light going off in thier heads --she'll do this to me too. they will also be less inclined to help her out in the future too. The Manager sounds like she is too much part of the "IN" group to discipline..she should have reprimanded her for not being a team player. May I also say that in the first 6 months of this new job, you will cry,question why you are a nurse,and learn all kinds of new stress levels..as you navigate CCU.But one day, the tears and frustration cease, and you go along and have a day where you have conquered the beast of the unknown..and realize you will be okay. You have survived the hazing the older nurses are now doing. And you will laugh at the nurse who made you so stressed you changed weekends. This is a period of intense learning...revel in it. And leave work at work. Learn your new city and customs. Take time out each day for just you. Play some Kenny G, take a bubble bath, learn yoga. laugh out loud. Each nurse should take care of themselves FIRST before they take such good care of others. You sound like a sweet,caring nurse who really is sincere. YOU WILL BE FINE...just follow your heart and your instinct. Choose your new friends in the unit carefully, avoid the gossip and politics. Help everyone who needs it. And smile...life is good. Best wishes,and I hope to see a followup to your dilemma in six months!!!!!!

first I want to say to you VISTARIL!!!!! I had a severe itching/rsh that no one could figure out. I went to an allergist who did 500.00 worth of tests...and all he told me was that I was allergic to nothing and I had a form of CHRONIC ANGIOEDEMA...he prescribed 25 mgs of Vistaril prn..and it worked. I still have periods of outbreaks ..but the Vistaril works everytime. When I worked in Dialysis,my pts. all had ithcing..due to crystal formations secondary to kidney disease.(something steroids can do...)..benadryl never worked...when I suggested to a kind and LISTENING MD he try Vistaril..it worked. so obviously, Vistaril is not a common thing to think of with itching..but it worked for me and a few others....so have them check out renal status...rule out anxiety disorder..and get 25 of vistaril for him...i feel sooo much for him...and he should thank his lucky stars he has a strong sister for him !!! good luck !!!!

welcome !!!! I am an RN with 10 years of experience...and I think you would be an asset to any hospital in this critical time!!! First call the nearest American Red Cross and ask to get into a CPR class...then go to local nursing homes and hospitals and fill out all the applications you can..apply for Nursing assistant,lab phlebotomist,anything you can do...ususally they post jobs and thier descriptions. I would also call the Nurse recrutiers at these places and explain your dilemma. When you fill out the applications be sure to incluse a copy of your diploma...that is sure to help..best of luck to you!!!!I hope you come to love our country!!!!

you do not say whether you are a CNA,or nurse...but the best rule of thumb is to go by the accu check manual...there are alot of school of thoughts out there...but realize that this pt is in a hospital full of germs...and nosocomial infections are a risk...stick with the antiseptic alcohol kiddo...a few points really doesn't add up to a hill of beans if it indicates the need for coverage

try to log on to American Journal of Nursing and review articles..I think they recently did one. On a personal note...I work 12 hour shifts...and sometimes I wonder HOW beneficial it is. You get up before the sun rises and go home after dusk...you lose the entire day...and 3 in a row is a killer...it isn't all it is cracked up to be...good luck

try to tap the net on the Board of Nursing in your state...or call and get a current copy of scope of practice...also why not get input from the real world from nurses you know and give examples of standards and scope of practice??? good luck !!!