Nursezine for Nurses #502 - Apocalypse: One Survivor's Tale of Surgical Proportions

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Healthcare / Medicare / Medicaid

Apocalypse (You mean, right now?): One Survivor's Tale of Surgical Proportions

It's just a Bunionectomy you reassure your family with flippant lightheartedness as you head to surgery. Nothing to worry about and definitely not the end of the world. The nurse skillfully piloting your surgical cart pauses to mention the apocalypse conveniently scheduled at 9:50. You laugh it off. Your surgery is going to start at 9:30. Besides, you quip, wouldn't you want to sleep through the end of the world? Read More

What lies were you told when you were first hired in LTC?

I was told that I was hired to work on one specific unit only. I then discovered one day that I was actually the "float nurse." No one bothered to tell me that I was now the "float nurse." I was told that I was going to make a certain amount of money per hour. When I got my paycheck it was $2 an hour less then what I was told. I had to "fight" to finally get the wages I was promised. So what about you? What kind of lies were you told? Read More

New Grad nurse wanting to join the Army

I have to admit after reading some of the posts; I am feeling like it's going to be a tough road ahead of me. This is a dream of mine and I am willing to put in the effort. The only issue I have found is my GPA. I was not the strongest student when I first went to college. I was never the strongest student in the class, but I worked hard. Now that I have returned for my BSN, I have gotten all As and Bs but has not significantly changed my GPA. My GPA is not where. I would like to be. I'm looking for any advice, suggestions, comments.I am a little lost on what to do. I want to thank everyone for their input and advice. Read More

MD refuses to sign a telephone order

I'm a new grad working on my own for almost a month now, starting in ICU at a hospital where the acuity of the patients is rather low, so I consider it a SICU. I had a pt with a history of cvs with right sided weakness. She was obese and refused her scd stockings. I knew this woman was a huge risk for clots, so I educated her and charted the education and her refusal. To cover my butt, I called her attending md to let her know, and asked if sag wanted to try an alternative DVT prophylaxis. She stated ..this pt was on a Helprin protocol right? I said yes but it was stopped. She said ok give her 30mg lovenox sq daily. Read More

That Dreaded 3-11 Shift

One of my patients, a hard-nosed nurse who retired from the profession after more than 30 years of duty, struck up a conversation with me not too long ago about shift work.

“What hours do you work?” she interrogated. Her New Jersey accent was notable, especially considering the fact that southern drawls are the most common intonation in the geographic region where I live and work. Read More

Nurse Practitioner in Palliative care

Any NP's here working in Palliative Care/Hospice? I am currently working in hospice and was wondering if it was worth it to get my NP. If you are, what kind of NP degree did you get? What does your day/work life look like? What does an NP do in hospice/palliative care? I am trying to decide if it is worth the stress and the loans! Read More

Perfect shoes for the "flat footed" male nurse

I'm a new graduate nurse and I've accepted a position in a Step down unit. Woohoo!!! I need some advice regarding foot wear for the flat footed people! I've worn New balance & Nike Ms 78 as a student in clinical and the comfort level was not there at all. I've heard of Clark's being an awesome pair of kicks but of course, I wanna be sure. Appreciate the help folks! Happy Holidays!! Read More

Moving Missouri to Boston, MA. Do you need BSN to work at most major hospitals there

I'm moving in about a year and a half from small town in Missouri to Boston, MA. Can someone tell me what most major hospitals require as a nurse. LPN? RN? Or BSN? What is the average salary of a starting RN on a Med Surg floor in a major hospital in the area. Any living recommendations that are close by any of those hospitals? Do they offer many incentives or contracts to sign with them? Read More

The Shortest Distance Between Two Points is a Straight Line

Countless people who are interested in nursing ask questions such as, “Should I work as a CNA for a few years? Would it be better to become an LPN first? Should I just go straight for the RN?” When it comes to getting an education, the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. However, many people must zigzag and take indirect steps to reach their goals of becoming registered nurses. Read More

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