ER: A Family's Emotional Well Being

We are inbound to your facility with two patients involved in a MVC with multiple injuries... - Jackson County EMS to GWER

The nurses took report on both patients and prepared the trauma bays for a couple in their 80's who had been T-boned when the husband pulled into an intersection. No current life threatening emergencies were reported. Each patient was assessed and stabilized. A recurring theme was each spouse asking about the other spouse. Read More

Trouble understanding PPHN...

I'm a NICU RN (kinda new) and I am having such a hard time understanding the physiology of PPHN. I have read descriptions over and over and just have a mental block with this subject. I understand that PPHN occurs when fetal circulation fails to covert to newborn. So, the blood is still bypassing the lungs because of the PDA and PFO, correct? Why does this fail? Read More

[Toon] Finding replacement for time off...

A special occasion is around the corner and you want to take the day off. What to do when there are no volunteers? Has this happened to you? If you plan ahead maybe it isn't so difficult but for some it's not that simple. What's your workplace policy on taking days off? Please share your stories... Read More

How to begin to be a traveler nurse

I have been a nurse for one year. I play to stay on for one more year. I know I should have at least two years experience before I begin to travel. How does one go about finding the right nurse traveling agency? I want to make sure I am getting in with a good company. Read More

Standards for ICU set up

I was wondering if anyone knows of standards of care for ICU room set up? I was called to intubate a patient in the icu and when I got there, there wasn't any suction set up, no ambu bag was in the room and the intubation roll was missing several items. Is there a professional organization that sets the standards for what must be immediately available at the bedside? Read More

A Nurse's Choice

We, as nurses, make choices each and every day in regards to our own personal lives and the lives of those in our care. Life is full of choices both large and small and some have long reaching, unforeseeable impact. This is one nurse's rambling tale of the power of choice.

Life is full of choices both large and small and some have long reaching, unforeseeable impact. Sixteen years ago, a young woman named Nancy decided that nursing was a career with the ability to provide for her growing family. Nine years ago, she chose to leave the bedside in order to have greater control of her hours. Seven years ago, she almost left because healthcare wasn't what it used to be. I remain grateful she decided to stay.

The face of healthcare is changing. This is news to no one. Read More

Uncontrolled pain- how to approach the Doc?

We've all seen patients with uncontrolled pain, and many have stated the physician failed to act. Any insider tips that have worked to alleviate this issue, to advocate for the patient, even if the physician is obstinate? Read More

The Admission Process: Make sure you actually say something of importance!

If you don't put in the details, how is anyone else supposed to follow your work and pick things up on the next shift? This article is about how clear expectations need to be set. Your admission is the first procedure the resident or patient experiences in your facility. Make it worth your while as well as their time. Read More

[Poll] Should the ICU Charge have a patient assignment?

I work in a facility in Manhattan that until recently did not assign the charge nurse a patient load. It was understood that the charge nurse would pick up patients as the need arose. A recent decision has been made where the charge nurse is now assigned two patients and they need to manage that assignment in conjunction with all the many other duties of a charge nurse. I am wondering if this new practice is common in other facilities? Does your ICU charge have a patient assignment? Read More

"State's Here!": Demystifying the Long-Term Care Survey

Everybody dreads it: that morning when a group of official-looking people walks into their facility and announces the beginning of the annual survey. Here are a few clues as to how to help make yours go smoothly, what surveyors are looking for, and why we do what we do. Read More

"Essential Personnel"

I live 15 miles from my dialysis center and couldn't get out of my driveway today because of a snowstorm. I feel utterly sick and devastated that I couldn't get there. This is the first time ever in my nursing career that I've missed for foul weather. How do I deal with this? Read More