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Showing posts from 2012

Obama is Yo Momma

Earlier it didn't look great, but then we knew the big college votes were yet to come. Then it looked better, then it was a nail bitter till the end with a slight marginal victory. The days after it was apparent the race wasn't as close as some may have thought. Obama takes popular vote (although we still remain a fragmented USA), takes presidency, and essentially propels the Republicans back to the drawing board since their 'data' pitted them in contention (there's work to be done.) So what does it mean for nurses? Obama Care is a sure thing now and that has its pros and cons. More nurses will be hired in all sorts of different areas. ERs will start to fill up too as more people look for care, and hospitals will take the brunt of that increase since they have the greater margins and can turn a profit vs. smaller health care outlets that would have to go around cherry picking patients. More nurses but not necessarily better healthcare, however, more accessible h

Don't nail it

*Guest Thought* There is obvious chaos that is routine in any ER, even at night on a Sunday. One thing I can do, tongue in cheek, is recommend, if you want to off yourself, don't use a nail gun. I've seen it twice now. People trying to, unfortunately, end their lives by using a nail gun to the head. Maybe it's actually a cry for help because people have a suspicion a nail gun doesn't have the umph to finish the job. What you'll be left with is a 2-3 inch nail sticking out of your skull, some blood, and you blinking away in disbelief. Oh yea, PS, it will hurt when we use a pair of pliers to pull out the nail. I've been tempted to pry out using a hammer, but you know, win some and lose some.

Debrief or Die...Slowly

How do you debrief from all the crazy stuff you see everyday at work? Do you just keep it bottled up inside? Have you been in the game so long that you've been desensitized? Do you have a support group? Hang out with other nurses? Head straight to the bar? Chat with a spouse? Or just unload unpredictably to someone you love? Finding ways to deal with the things that are seen in the ER, and anywhere in healthcare, is important to simply remain sane. It also helps maintain a less stressful job. What are some of your tactics? Does your workplace offer any solutions?

How Are Volunteers Treated in the ER

There aren't many of them, but if any lowly volunteer meanders through the ER, or happens to play a small role in its function, how are they treated? ALthough this is a blog for ER nurses themselves, sometimes it's worth pursuing questions about our own attitudes and treatment of other workers in the unit. After all, we're supposed to be in pursuit of offering emergency healthcare, and anyone who contributes to that process is on the same team. Any experiences or things you've seen in the workplace? Suggestions or comments on the use of volunteers in the ER?

You know you're an ER nurse when....

Fill in the blank in the comment section :D Let's have some fun....even if it's a bit gauche.

Get Your Brand Name Drugs to Sue!

If I had Twitter I'd use it to post this: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/21/business/drug-lawsuits-hinge-on-the-detail-of-a-label.html Essentially because of a Supreme Court decision generic drugs that harm the patient don't provide recourse for the patient to sue successfully. Meaning, only people suffering from brand name drugs that fail can sue successfully..... Your thoughts?

How's Your Nursing BS Meter?

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One of the gifts of the nurse is an exceptional BS meter. Now, this skill must be honed, and some have a natural disposition to sniff out BS, but as a nurse it's an important tool when it comes to diagnosis. What tips do you have to sniff out BS? How do you tell if patients aren't telling the truth about their ailments or pains? What tactics do you use to get most of the 'real' story? Does anybody have a cool story about how your BS meter went through the roof and you ended up saving everyone time, money, and perhaps lives? Better yet, any times when you called BS but were wrong?! Don't suspect many will want to admit to this one. Have you say, just please, no BS :P.

Most relaxing job as a nurse?

Fair to say that most nurses are not only busy, but they are usually working on units that are understaffed and lack resources. Most of us are on our feet all day caring for patients and pushing paper. Some of us get the 'luxury' of roaming around training new recruits. All in all 'busy' doesn't begin to describe the typical day for the average nurse. But then there are those jobs that aren't so 'average'. Ones where sitting around the computer killing time is a common occurrence. Any stories, anecdotes, or observations from the most relaxing/easiest nursing jobs out there?