What She Couldn't Tell You

You've all had that patient...the mom with the frequent flyer child, and you want to scream with frustration because she's here again. Maybe she can't tell you why she keeps coming back. Maybe her behavior and lack of eye-contact makes your teeth itch.

Did you ever ask? Did you look beyond your own exhaustion and frustration and really see her? How much do any of us really see the people we talk to, sit by, or care for? Read More

Anyone go to a Nursing convention?

Has anyone ever went to these out of town nursing conventions that are in another city like FL, Vegas etc that are paid for?? I was wanting to sign up for one because I have never been to one yet and was wondering what your experience was like? I would like to learn a lot about different treatments available for oncology patients since I work on the oncology floor. I was also wondering since they are usually 3 days do you get any downtime to visit the city at all or is it strictly all day your in the convention and then you fly back?? Read More

[Toon] Merry Christmas from allnurses

Joyful like a tree,
Radiant like a candle,
Bright like a star...
That's what you are!

Merry Christmas with lots of love from allnurses.com. Read More

Seeking advice regarding Ultrafiltration rates

I am an RN of 4 years, although a new Dialysis RN (7 months now!). I currently work in chronics, in a busy, outpatient unit with 27 chairs for 2 RNs. I work in an area that has a lot of non-compliance (i.e.-very large fluid gains, missing treatments, not going to appointments, etc.), thus, determining ultrafiltration can be difficult at times since it is not always possible to achieve a patients EDW and keep them safe. I had a pt yesterday that... Read More

Right track?

My ultimate goal is to become a flight nurse. Right out of high school I received my CNA and EMT-B certification. I currently work at a level II trauma center, 250 bed hospital in the float-pool, where I feel like I have been able to network myself pretty well. I am currently enrolled at our university for a BSN and minor is business. I have a couple more prereqs to go before I start my clinical stuff.

1. Stay in the bachelors or take the associates degree and bridge later?
2. Is there anybody out there that works part-time ICU nurse and part-time medic?
3. About CCRN vs. CCEMT, is it worth pursing both, does one weigh in more than the other? Read More

Hanging It Up

Here are some thoughts on what goes into the decision to leave nursing and go in a completely different direction late in life: the hopes, the dreams, the disappointments, the fears.....and the relief that comes with hanging up the stethoscope for good.

It seems almost unreal: in six days, I will don my scrubs, put my name badge on, and go to work at the nursing home like I have almost every weekend since last July. I will pass meds, listen to hearts and lungs, change a dressing or two, greet visitors, answer questions, and do admission assessments in much the same manner as I have for the past sixteen-and-a-half years. Read More

Triage and Assessment Abbreviation

I am a new grad to the ED and have come across some abbreviations when reading ED Triage notes and ED Assessments specifically. I'd like people to add more to the list, to hopefully create a more comprehensive list of abbreviations, as I only know a few of them. Read More

2013 A dose of Holiday Cheer for Nurses PDF/eBook - Download Now!

Happy Holiday! We put together a collection of our Christmas nursing cartoons for your enjoyment. This is a free download! You can download, print, and share with friends, family, co-workers, and even patients. It will put a smile on everyone's face - GUARANTEED. Read More

How do you respond to rude patients?

How do you respond to rude and complaining patients? I took an earache patient back the other night who waited in the waiting room for 12 minutes before being called back. She stormed to the room yelling about how much pain she was in and how long she waited, and that she never comes to the hospital, "especially this one.", etc. (Hello....it says right on the chart when your last ED visit was....ah hem...6 weeks ago.) Read More

Exit Strategies For Nurses Who Deal With Overly Talkative Patients

How do busy nurses remove themselves from seemingly never-ending conversations with overly chatty patients and visitors without coming across as rude or abrupt? Keep reading for tips and strategies to smoothly extricate oneself from these sticky situations. Read More

Perceptions Equal Results

How a patient perceives her care can create healing all on its own. The human touch is often ignored in this world that demands evidence and hard facts, but it's arguably the most important part of what we, as nurses, do. If we make the patients feel cared for and acknowledged, and meet them where they are, then we can get great results. If we let them guide the process, we can find out what they need from us. When they perceive that we have done that, relationships grow and they feel healed. Read More