WestCoastSunRN MSN, CNS

CVICU, MICU, Burn ICU

Member

  • Content

    496

  • Visitors

    7,296

  • Followers

    1

  • Likes

    492

All Content by WestCoastSunRN

  1. WestCoastSunRN

    Do You Have To Be Religious/Spiritual to be a good Nurse?

    WestCoastSunRN replied to Soliloquy's topic in Spirituality, Religion

    I would be very scared to work under someone like you. The way you talk here in these forums makes me think if you ever got the chance to make policy regarding who could and could not be a nurse, we...
  2. WestCoastSunRN

    PA curriculum

    WestCoastSunRN replied to Jules A's topic in Nurse Practitioners, NP

    But at least 1200 are real clinical hours. That is more than twice what other programs require. My program was going to require 1000 real clinical hours, and I thought that was good compared to many...
  3. WestCoastSunRN

    To Suction or Not To Suction, End of Life & Hospice Patients

    WestCoastSunRN replied to NickICU-RN's topic in General Nursing

    I'm sorry you found yourself in this situation. I can't imagine how difficult that must have been. Regardless of whether she "needed" the suctioning (none of us were there, you were) you most...
  4. WestCoastSunRN

    To Suction or Not To Suction, End of Life & Hospice Patients

    WestCoastSunRN replied to NickICU-RN's topic in General Nursing

    I wouldn't put myself in the 'should-suction-death-rattle' camp, but I will say that I think it really depends on if you really know you are dealing with terminal secretions. I have cared for people...
  5. WestCoastSunRN

    Regret Becoming an NP

    WestCoastSunRN replied to psych.nurse's topic in Advanced Practice

    I think there is a huge amount of cost-counting that needs to happen when considering whether or not to pursue the NP role. I always wince at the thought of someone who became an NP and then wasn't...
  6. WestCoastSunRN

    PA curriculum

    WestCoastSunRN replied to Jules A's topic in Nurse Practitioners, NP

    Yeah, I hear ya. I will say - not to open up a DE debate - that I see a definite difference between a PA student with non-clinical background Vs an NP student with nursing background. But even then,...
  7. WestCoastSunRN

    Direct MSN/ CNS/ CNL/Advanced Practice Nurse

    WestCoastSunRN replied to YellowMaskrosbarn's topic in General Nursing

    If your end goal is to be in nursing leadership/administration, I suggest you get nursing experience. While there may be direct entry pathways to advanced degrees in nursing leadership, I cannot...
  8. WestCoastSunRN

    Are you discerning with your "likes"?

    WestCoastSunRN replied to klone's topic in General Nursing

    I'm willy nilly when it comes to "likes". Sometimes I've been glad I didn't give a "like", as the poster later dove off the deepend in a thread. But then I think I'm putting way too much thought...
  9. WestCoastSunRN

    Getting yelled at by a doctor for the first time....

    WestCoastSunRN replied to NewbieNurse93's topic in General Nursing

    OP, you did great. It's really a 'no no' these days to keep patients in the hospital when it's not medically warranted. I agree that you could have called him again and let him know what the new...
  10. WestCoastSunRN

    Is it legal for your boss to dictate where you poop?

    WestCoastSunRN replied to klone's topic in General Nursing

    So it's not really "official" in my unit, but we all have an understanding. Some of us have code words to indicate the need to leave the unit... but all of us are in agreement about not pooing in...
  11. WestCoastSunRN

    To Suction or Not To Suction, End of Life & Hospice Patients

    WestCoastSunRN replied to NickICU-RN's topic in General Nursing

    Hi Nick, Great article! I fall right about where you do on this. There are times when some strategic suctioning can be very therapeutic... not only for family, but presumably for the patient as...
  12. WestCoastSunRN

    Beyond Bedside? Advanced Practice? Really?

    WestCoastSunRN replied to EGspirit's topic in General Nursing

    Firstly, let me say that I also consider assisting a patient with ADLs holy work. It is so humbling for both the giver and receiver of such care. Some of my favorite times with patients is when I am...
  13. WestCoastSunRN

    Male Nurse Disgusted by Female Nurses

    WestCoastSunRN replied to Nurse Beth's topic in General Nursing

    This has been my experience as well. I absolutely welcome men into nursing. Men and women are different -- with each gender having strengths and weaknesses. And I think it's easier to have a...
  14. WestCoastSunRN

    Beyond Bedside? Advanced Practice? Really?

    WestCoastSunRN replied to EGspirit's topic in General Nursing

    If the work environment is good (staffing, adequate professional support, recognition/pay, etc), then it can make a lot of sense to stay bedside. That said, the physicality of bedside nursing is no...
  15. WestCoastSunRN

    Beyond Bedside? Advanced Practice? Really?

    WestCoastSunRN replied to EGspirit's topic in General Nursing

    This. It's a beautiful thing, isn't it? Many times the reality of this work is that it is not sustainable for the length of a nurse's career. I can understand nurses who want to get into the next...
  16. WestCoastSunRN

    Have you literally prayed over your workplace?

    WestCoastSunRN replied to gibsongirl's topic in Spirituality, Religion

    I havn't read this thread -- just this comment, so only speaking to this last comment. This is a good reminder that even asking can be insensitive. That said, I have been in situations where I...
  17. WestCoastSunRN

    Freezing During Critical Situations

    WestCoastSunRN replied to jsrn88's topic in Critical Care

    Excellent advice on how to practice critical thinking!! Love it!! I will be using this language with new
  18. WestCoastSunRN

    Care for the Older Adult: ICU or Not?!

    WestCoastSunRN replied to traumaRUs's topic in General Nursing

    In a perfect world, the whole team will be trained in and willing to talk to patients and families. As this fabulous article pointed out, nurses are, by definition of their role and proximity, in a...
  19. WestCoastSunRN

    ER RN to BICU RN!

    WestCoastSunRN replied to nursemaryzzel's topic in Burn

    Hi NurseMary! Welcome to burns! If you scroll down in this burn forum, you can find some good advice for the new burn nurse -- so instead of restating all of that, I'll just direct you there. But I...
  20. WestCoastSunRN

    RN with medical marijuana card

    WestCoastSunRN replied to youenjoymyself's topic in General Nursing

    I think it's naive to think you will come to any arrangement that the CBD is OK with your employer. This is what I call playing with fire, for sure. An employer would be foolishly putting themselves...
  21. WestCoastSunRN

    Nursing Spirituality

    WestCoastSunRN replied to EGspirit's topic in Spirituality, Religion

    It's unfortunate this thread went in the direction it did. I am a believer -- and actually prefer to keep that under wraps in many circles, including work. My faith absolutely informs every aspect...
  22. WestCoastSunRN

    Dilemma! Cardiac PCU or CVICU??

    WestCoastSunRN replied to Jmlr's topic in General Nursing

    I think it's funny that you think the pace at Level 1 CVICU will be too slow. I don't mean that snarky -- I think maybe you haven't spent enough time in one? If you are getting offered CVICU as a...
  23. WestCoastSunRN

    You don't need RN experience to get an NP job

    WestCoastSunRN replied to FullGlass's topic in Nurse Practitioners, NP

    Oh golly. I think your coffee overlooking the Pacific is getting
  24. WestCoastSunRN

    Being hired into an ICU

    WestCoastSunRN replied to BlondieMSNRN's topic in Critical Care

    I hear you. I finally realized the NP payoff was just not going to be what it needed to be for it to make sense for me to pursue. I make good money and I love my job. I will still get my master's...
  25. WestCoastSunRN

    Needless Intravenous Connectors

    WestCoastSunRN replied to rj27's topic in Critical Care

    We use micro claves I think. Very low rate of Clabsi. We change them out every 96 hours or if needed sooner. We never (and I never have anywhere else either) use connectors with pressure