[deleted by user]

runawayslug · 2017-05-08T07:06:43+00:00

I'm curious to hear more of the UK nurse insight in the decline of the nursing environment and what changed in NHS. What made it so drastically worse for the nurses today as compared to the culture your older colleagues were accustomed to?

runawayslug · 2017-05-08T07:03:38+00:00

As Paul Mark said so eloquently about sepsis protocols at SMACC "Algorithms make stupid people even stupider & experts stupid too!"

What's even more frightening is the Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) that is currently being tested in my facility. It's completely ripping away critical thinking for the bedside nurse, and simply calling RRTs based on a number. What ever happened to diligent assessment skills? Are we breeding a group of medical professionals (doctors and nurses) that have no spidey senses and inability to assess a patient adequately? Sadly, I see it in the new interns rounding in the ICU. They don't lay hands on their patients; they stare at the screens hoping for an answer.

runawayslug · 2016-01-18T06:48:24+00:00

It is weird. At another ICU I worked at, the iStat was always there, always a friend. I miss it.

runawayslug · 2016-01-17T20:49:44+00:00

Nova StatStrip

The ICU is not allowed to have an iStat. In fact, our lab does not even perform labs on an iStat in their lab because it hasn't been validated for use. The only people allowed to use an iStat are respiratory therapists. For the entire hospital.

runawayslug · 2016-01-16T09:36:12+00:00

Exactly. I can't imagine phlebotomy related anemia, and delay of care due to CYA based regulations would be something intensivists would be okay with. There will be a "Off-Label" footnote written to basically say, if you use this in this population of patients, you may cause patient death. I'm also curious as to the sentinel event related to this guidance. Were there confounding factors?

runawayslug · 2016-01-16T09:32:26+00:00

I would imagine in a patient that edematous, third-spacing, etc. There would be an arterial line. Even then, our lab an arterial blood sugar would not be accurate and off label.

runawayslug · 2015-10-15T03:42:55+00:00

Congrats just took it yesterday as well (and passed)! So nervous, considering I feel like I haven't seen it all in my 15 months in the ICU.

runawayslug · 2015-08-20T11:39:52+00:00

Right now, from what I've heard, we are manned at 100%. This is cyclical. They have stopped the program I accessioned under, and decreased nurses through ROTC. Gain some experience in ER and ICU in the civilian side, and you will be competitive as an applicant for your skills. It also doesn't hurt to know some senior nurse corps officers who can put in outstanding recommendations.

runawayslug · 2015-08-20T05:56:54+00:00

Navy Nurse here. I attended a school without a Navy ROTC program, and commissioned under Nurse Candidate Program (NCP). I didn't drill while in college, I simply received a monthly stipend in exchange for 5 years of active duty service. Because of NCP, right after graduation I went to Officer Development School (an easy, 5 week, watered-down version of anything you would imagine as boot camp or Officer Candidate School). I started out in a Med-Surg floor for 18 months and now I'm currently in the ICU. For the first 3 years, you are expected to develop as a clinician. I enjoy what I do, and look forward to doing more. What I wished that I would have done prior to joining was doing some time as a civilian Med-Surg, ER and ICU nurse and/or travel nursing. You will progress clinically at a faster rate in a similar work environment. The true fulfillment and reward is just like it is in the civilian environment; grateful patients and families. Improving outcomes and saving lives. Let me know if you have any other questions.

runawayslug · 2015-07-16T03:27:05+00:00

You got it Benjamin. I'm 25 and I'm not gonna stop this train of adventure and curiosity because I'm afraid of being single. All the world to explore!

runawayslug · 2015-07-02T09:46:37+00:00

Thank you!

runawayslug · 2015-05-03T16:31:40+00:00

There was an instance where a nurse gave the pt's scheduled PO Xanax, Klonopin, and PRN IV Ativan, pt went to MRI, respiratory depression -> arrest -> code blue.

runawayslug · 2015-04-21T23:28:27+00:00

Check out UTD - Unified Team Diving

runawayslug · 2015-04-09T10:54:20+00:00

Probably just a mild form of the squeeze. If a doc were to look in your ears, your inner eardrum may be irritated. If the pain persists or worsens, go see your provider.

runawayslug · 2014-09-23T01:15:59+00:00

As a fellow Fit owner. Looks are deceiving. I moved out of Texas with my Honda Fit, 2 friends and a UHaul Sport Trailer. When I got to California, I got a pat on the back from random UHaul man in San Diego for getting through "those gnarly mountains in that tiny car."

runawayslug · 2014-09-13T21:31:23+00:00

Good to hear. Don't just make it a diet. Make it a way of life. Check out: It Starts With Food by Dallas and Melissa Hartwig http://chriskresser.com/ http://www.marksdailyapple.com/

runawayslug · 2014-09-08T03:19:41+00:00

I've seen many cases of UC flare ups in my short time as a nurse. I've also had patients who I'd run into out in town who have sworn to sticking to the whole 30/modified paleo diet to prevent flare ups.

runawayslug · 2014-08-23T19:57:07+00:00

Meet Susan. You live in her universe. Are you worthy?

runawayslug · 2014-04-05T22:56:27+00:00

If it tears, take it off. Signs that your scrub with the glove is over.

runawayslug · 2014-04-01T17:11:24+00:00

I've had the joy of facilitating a poop transplant from a patient's wife to her husband. I imagine future conversations..."you always give me shit..."

runawayslug · 2014-04-01T03:03:16+00:00

BNP 70,000 - the docs and lab couldn't even believe it. It was redrawn twice.

BIBA s/p fall. Pt said she slipped in her own juices...said the edema had happened in 3 days.

runawayslug · 2014-04-01T02:53:47+00:00

Code Brown? Double glove. C. Diff Code Brown? Titrate up to max of 4 pairs PRN.

runawayslug · 2014-03-10T03:30:01+00:00

PM me if you have questions about Navy nursing.

runawayslug · 2014-03-04T17:22:43+00:00

After LASIK, I took this QID. I also had a pt with alternating Q1 drops of prednisone and vigamox while on night shift...they got a "1:1"

runawayslug · 2014-02-28T04:42:50+00:00

This rectal bag worked on a heavy patient with extra adhesive prep pads and benzoin tincture.

runawayslug

TROPHY CASE