Nine Lives

I swear, my nursing career must have more lives than a cat.

I knew it was over when I had a nervous breakdown and walked away from the hospital I'd worked in, off and on, for five years. I knew it was over when I aggravated an old knee injury and had to have surgery that (supposedly) ended my floor-nursing days. I was REALLY sure it was over when another meltdown cost me my 'dream' job. And then, two months ago when I realized I no longer had the cognitive ability to continue in an active nursing role, I became absolutely, positively certain that my career was dead in the water.

Now......not so much. Read More

Bullied for reporting a med error by another nurse

I've just been called a number of names and criticised for incident reporting that a colleague made a drug error despite it being clearly prescribed. This isn't her first error in fact its one of many but this one I felt needed to be reported so I submitted an incident report form to my manager. My colleagues now think I'm the devil and say I should of spoke to my manager first. I have voiced concerns previously with no action taken. I even triple checked with the doctor that it was indeed a medication error. Has anyone been in a similar position? Read More

[Toon] You are Awesome!

It's great to get some recognition for all the work you do. I know it doesn't happen as often as you like but you are appreciated. With everything you do - nursing career, taking care of patients, husband/wife, kids, finances, etc ... you are bound to make someone happy today. Give each other a ((virtual hug)). You deserve it. You are AWESOME!!

Nurses, share your stories! What do you juggle on a daily basis? Read More

Can My Director Of Nursing Do This?

Our DNS who is fairly new <1 yr is trying to restructure our job roles/descriptions. She told us that she would like to expand our roles, basically increase our workload because she wants to make our department look good. Yes her words. Can she do this? Or would we have a case to HR if she tries to expand our role without expanding our salaries?? Read More

Smokers need not apply?

I've reached my 2 year mark & getting a little restless, toying with the idea of moving into a different dept or facility. I was looking at a website for another hospital & they have posted that they will no longer hire anyone that uses nicotine which will be screened for during the employment physical. Not an issue for me, but I found the bold underlined statement a little jarring. I understand that in healthcare we want to promote healthy lifestyles, but dictating personal legal habits to employees is a bit of a push don't you think? Is this common in other areas & just reaching my neck of the woods? Read More

Are we tyrants?

In the interest of being the best I can be...am I out of line on this issue?

This particular RT is fairly new to our unit, and I have metaphorically slapped his hand several times, because of his tendency to want to suction babies as the answer to any problem. Also not keen on his habit of pouring in the NS when suctioning. So, I've told him to never suction my babies unless I request it. In fact, just don't ever do it...I'll take care of it. If you can't assure me that you got all that NS out that you put into my preemie's lungs, then just keep your hands off. Read More

Is it age, or is it overwhelming to be a nurse?

My first job was at my local large medical center/teaching hospital on a trauma unit, which was a great place to learn but completely overwhelming for so many reasons. I stayed there almost a year until I found a day/ambulatory position. For which I am sincerely grateful.

Do others of you my age (now 48) feel like to work on a floor is just physically and mentally impossible? I can't help but think that this type of nursing is for the young.

And I must reiterate, the average person has no idea what a nurse does or needs to know to take care of patients. A good, experienced nurse is worth their weight in gold. Read More

Survey about med administration for a class

I'm working on a project for my RN-BSN class about medication administration safety. I've created a short survey (6 questions) and would love if some of you wouldn't mind responding. It's completely anonymous and I would really appreciate some responses! Read More

How much is too much when you catheterize?

I have been a nurse for about 7 years and I remember in nursing school hearing that when you straight cath or put in a foley you should clamp at 1000 mL and wait a while, to prevent bladder spasms. Another, more experienced, nurse was told in school that it was to prevent hypotension. Some newer nurses had never heard of either. This became a topic of discussion at the nurse's station... Read More!

My interview at a Hospital with the lions

I had an interview at a Hospital this morning in Ga for one of their ICU units. Basically the interview went horrible and I was ripped to shreds from the moment they walked in through the door. I was interviewed by two nurses and the director. I went to shake their hand one of the RNs did not even extend to shake my hand upon greeting. The entire interview process made me feel horrible. Read More

Signing your title in everyday signature

At my job, and with most nursing jobs I guess, I sign my name and title A LOT. SO much that I sometimes catch myself almost signing my title in normal every day signatures. Like signing a check, I almost always want to add RN after my signature. I have been able to catch myself because I feel it would be pretty corny to do that. Do you sign your title after your name in non work situations? Read More

Words of wisdom for a new grad starting in the ICU?

I'm a new grad (Aug '13) and have just passed boards at the beginning of the month. I've accepted a position in an ICU internship beginning in October in a 70-bed ICU at a L1 trauma center and am curious if any of you wonderful nurses have pearls of wisdom--not necessarily what to expect etc as programs vary, more so things you know now that you'd wish you'd known as a new grad? Any advice for a newby is welcome. Read More