WestCoastSunRN MSN, CNS

CVICU, MICU, Burn ICU

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All Content by WestCoastSunRN

  1. WestCoastSunRN

    To Float a Swan

    WestCoastSunRN replied to rhinoroc's topic in Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, CRNA

    Digging deep from my past in the CVICU (been awhile since I've assisted in a PA cath insertion) -- floating the swan is when the wedge balloon is inflated as it passes through the right atrium into...
  2. WestCoastSunRN

    Annoying preceptor advice wanted

    WestCoastSunRN replied to 0blam0v's topic in General Nursing

    Hmmmm. It's wise to think this through. You will be working with these people and don't want to rock the boat. Have you asked the second preceptor her rationale for the extra charting? It seems...
  3. WestCoastSunRN

    Liver failure and lactic acid

    WestCoastSunRN replied to ArmaniX's topic in Critical Care

    This sounds like a sepsis patient? The serial lactate levels can guide treatment and be helpful in determining prognosis. It's like another sort of vital sign in determining response to treatments...
  4. WestCoastSunRN

    What Do You Love About Nursing?

    WestCoastSunRN replied to Allison007's topic in General Nursing

    I don't like to be bored. I'm never bored at work. Actually there is always this sense of anticipation tinged with fear (like when your approaching the big drop on a roller coaster) I get as I...
  5. WestCoastSunRN

    Nurses Eating Nursing Students

    WestCoastSunRN replied to Cisabel's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    oh dear. I have to say equating female nurses with being catty and nasty, as this post very strongly insinuates, will certainly ruffle feathers, if that is what you are trying to accomplish. That...
  6. WestCoastSunRN

    Nurses Eating Nursing Students

    WestCoastSunRN replied to Cisabel's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    Hi Cisabel and welcome to AN! I think you got some really good feedback in this thread. I know you may not feel as validated as you would like... it sounds like you did have a hard day -- and that...
  7. WestCoastSunRN

    Where are all of the Burn Unit nurses hiding?

    WestCoastSunRN replied to Cisabel's topic in Burn

    Well here's one! But I'm not sure how much help I can give you as I am new to this specialty. My unit sounds like yours though. I'm not a new nurse -- been a critical care nurse for most of my...
  8. WestCoastSunRN

    Phasing out CNS

    WestCoastSunRN replied to marigoldey's topic in Clinical Nurse Specialists, CNS

    Thanks, llg. I do know this and think it could be an alternative to advanced practice for me. But I am confused about how to go about pursuing a role such as a unit-based/hospital educator. There...
  9. WestCoastSunRN

    References/Help for Peds Burn Pts.

    WestCoastSunRN posted a topic in Burn

    Hi all! There doesn't seem to be a ton of activity in this forum, so I'm hoping some experienced burn nurses will see this. I'm new to burn nursing.... done adult ICU for 10+ years, but now I'm...
  10. WestCoastSunRN

    References/Help for Peds Burn Pts.

    WestCoastSunRN replied to WestCoastSunRN's topic in Burn

    Thanks merienm. I ordered Hazincki's Nursing Care of the Critically Ill child after perusing the PICU forums. Im excited to be delving into pediatrics without giving up adults in a critical care...
  11. WestCoastSunRN

    Mayo Clinic interview

    WestCoastSunRN replied to sj94's topic in Job Search, Interview, Resume

    Congratulations! I hear wonderful things about MN. As far as having stars in your eyes, I agree with BeenThereDoneThat that the Mayo Clinic may leave you disallusioned if you are not realistic. This...
  12. WestCoastSunRN

    Phasing out CNS

    WestCoastSunRN replied to marigoldey's topic in Clinical Nurse Specialists, CNS

    Thank, llg. I, too, am sad to see this role going away -- and am really trying to figure out which direction I should take my graduate education. I've been a nurse for 20 years and I'm not done with...
  13. WestCoastSunRN

    What age is "too old" to switch from RN to APRN?

    WestCoastSunRN replied to WestCoastSunRN's topic in Advanced Practice

    Right. I don't think there should be any sorts of cut-offs based on age -- for working or going to school. That said, I am an advocate for tightening up standards and testing competency. I share...
  14. WestCoastSunRN

    Nursing a prejudiced Pt.

    WestCoastSunRN replied to Avid reader's topic in General Nursing

    From my observations, asking an entire race (any race) to carry guilt for the sins of their ancestors is not proving to have healing/progressive results. But perhaps that's a discussion for another...
  15. WestCoastSunRN

    What age is "too old" to switch from RN to APRN?

    WestCoastSunRN replied to WestCoastSunRN's topic in Advanced Practice

    Thanks everyone for sharing and your encouragement! Reading your replies is helping me relax a little --- like it will be OK if I don't start a program in the next year. NP programs are tough to get...
  16. WestCoastSunRN

    Best PICU reference/patho book

    WestCoastSunRN replied to RNthenDoc's topic in PICU, Pediatric

    NotReady4PrimeTime ..... you are the bomb!! What great advice
  17. WestCoastSunRN

    Planning on moving to Florida to start Nursing school..

    WestCoastSunRN replied to NYCNative21's topic in General Nursing

    I lived and worked as an RN in Florida. Personally, I love it there -- it's actually a VERY diverse state, so your clientele will vary widely depending upon which part of the state you live in. I...
  18. WestCoastSunRN

    Whatever happened to going to school to be a nurse?

    WestCoastSunRN replied to indish's topic in General Nursing

    I suspect that the great divide in this conversation exists, in part, because those of us that have some years under our belt (and have literally watched and been a part of the changes in nursing and...
  19. WestCoastSunRN

    Whatever happened to going to school to be a nurse?

    WestCoastSunRN replied to indish's topic in General Nursing

    It is not naive. Bless you and good luck in your
  20. WestCoastSunRN

    Reentry nurse -- ICU? Grad School?

    WestCoastSunRN posted a topic in Critical Care

    Hello everyone! I'm new to AN, and will give a brief history. I have 11 years experience as an RN. Ten of that in critical care (CVICU and MICU). I was a good nurse. I was a preceptor for new...
  21. WestCoastSunRN

    Reentry nurse -- ICU? Grad School?

    WestCoastSunRN replied to WestCoastSunRN's topic in Critical Care

    Thank you for sharing that perspective JenniferhopeRN. You are right when you say community ICUs can be rewarding. I worked for one and it was pretty great and I felt every bit the ICU nurse -- but...
  22. WestCoastSunRN

    Potential job offer question...

    WestCoastSunRN replied to Lev's topic in General Nursing

    Well I'm gonna go ahead and tell you what you should do. Stay where you are. You can always leave and if you stay where you are it's the "devil you know" -- which is worth something. Not to...
  23. WestCoastSunRN

    New Nurse HELP!!!!!!

    WestCoastSunRN replied to stephi13's topic in General Nursing

    I agree with BSNbeDone. I think you need to get acute care experience. Look for med-surg. The fact that everyone besides you are agency nurses is a red flag. You need a proper orientation and you...
  24. WestCoastSunRN

    Physician called my manager and said I was "unprofessional".

    WestCoastSunRN replied to Smellnell's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    Good catch! Sometimes we have to escalate things. It's never fun, but part of the
  25. WestCoastSunRN

    DNR pt with SOB and alert

    WestCoastSunRN replied to Allend's topic in General Nursing

    Intubation needs to be discussed. DNR not the same as DNI as PP stated. But you're right.... aside from intubation there's no where else to go (besides tweaking medical management -- which could be...