elephantlover BSN, RN

elephantlover has 5 years experience as a BSN, RN and specializes in ICU.

Latest Activity

1. Moderate sedation/ pharmacology question

   elephantlover posted a topic in General Specialties

   The Radonda Vaught trial has me wondering about my hospital’s policy on versed administration. Nurses are not allowed to administer versed unless the the patient has an airway and is on a ventilator OR if a physician with procedural sedation privileg...

2. ED experience in addition to ICU?

   elephantlover posted a topic in SRNA

   I am currently a RN in a med-surg adult ICU with two years of experience. I get a nice mix of medical, neuro, trauma, and other various surgical specialties on my unit. My five-year plan involves applying to nurse anesthesia programs. I plan to conti...

3. Lazy patient

   elephantlover replied to Katie622's topic in General Nursing

   It is a rare exception when things escalate to pulling lines. With education on risks, people are more often than not willing to comply with CLABSI bundles. To my knowledge, my organization was free of CAUTIs and CLABSI in 2019.

4. Lazy patient

   elephantlover replied to Katie622's topic in General Nursing

   Sometimes I am successful in encouraging reluctant patients to wash up just by saying: "you will probably feel better... you will look nice and fresh for your visitor today...." *hands patient supplies* Not going to waste my breath trying to convince...

5. Save your back, do powerlifting

   elephantlover replied to JackdLPN's topic in General Nursing

   I think OP has a good point and did not intend to undermine the need for safe patient handling practices and equipment in the workplace. Of course, not all nurses need to be nor can be powerlifters. There IS a body of research to supports even limite...

6. Residency or not?

   elephantlover replied to BreH's topic in General Nursing

   I graduated in May as well. I started right away at a large urban teaching hospital with magnet status that enrolled new grads into a mandatory "residency program." The program had watered-down content in my opinion. It involved monthly meetings wher...

7. Feeling incompetent as a student nurse...

   elephantlover replied to Nathalie Im's topic in General Students

   I am a nursing student and I feel the same way as you. I excel in my theory classes and I do well enough in clinical. But I have moments where I forget things or stumble on my words when giving report. Moments like these make me question I am cut out...

8. Late to clinical

   elephantlover replied to JePierreB's topic in General Students

   It is a good lesson. I am sure you will not make it again. Nursing schools have to prepare you for a real job where there would be disciplinary action. If you mind your ps and qs you should be fine. I use two alarms on my phone and an alarm on my wat...

9. Is it just me or is nursing school not as difficult as everyone makes it sound?

   elephantlover replied to Nicolecn's topic in General Students

   I am in my last semester of an accelerated BSN program. I think the hardest thing about nursing school has been balancing my priorities: work, clinical, school, staying healthy, etc. I had MANY times where I would go from clinical to work, work till ...

10. Med school drop out, now a CRNA. Ask me anything...

    elephantlover replied to MDdropouttoCRNA's topic in CRNA

    My understanding is that CAA school is the anesthesia equivalent of PA school. So with the proper prereqs you could get in with any bachelor's degree. Mier Kat is probably correct in that CNRAs are more widely used. Not sure what the outlook is for C...

11. Phlebitis management. Was this handled correctly?

    elephantlover replied to elephantlover's topic in General Students

    I appreciate your input everyone! I love learning from experienced nurses. In my opinion, the rise of ligation in healthcare has contributed to this protocolization of tasks as you describe JKL33. The way in which reimbursement works has also. Nursi...

12. Phlebitis management. Was this handled correctly?

    elephantlover replied to elephantlover's topic in General Students

    I appreciate your input. You sound like a good preceptor. I am trying to learn as much as I can about clinical decision making before I am on my own this summer. I agree there aren't excuses for incompetent care. This particular nurse was precepted ...

13. Phlebitis management. Was this handled correctly?

    elephantlover replied to elephantlover's topic in General Students

    Thanks for your feedback. I do not want to rip on this nurse. She is a new nurse figuring things out. I just wonder why the policy at my hospital is so vague about phlebitis. Perhaps a certain degree is acceptable, and simply needs to be monitored de...

14. Med school drop out, now a CRNA. Ask me anything...

    elephantlover replied to MDdropouttoCRNA's topic in CRNA

    You can get your masters in anesthesia and become a certified anesthesia assistant. Different from CRNA school. CNRA programs build off of the student's critical care experience as RNs. Not absurd. Makes them qualified, experienced, skilled.

15. Placed on oncology for first term in hospital! Advice please!

    elephantlover replied to Nicolecn's topic in General Students

    Hi there! I think your first clinical in the acute care setting is a big step regardless of the unit you are on. Some nerves are to be expected. General advice to calm your nerves before clinical: do thorough prep work. Wake up early the morning of ...