The following questions may assist in developing a priority list for choosing an appropriate route for drug administration: What is the drug prescribed for? Why is the patient receiving the drug? Has the patient been interviewed for any drug allergies? Is immediate drug action necessary, or is the drug being used to achieve an effect over time? Did you determine the prescribed route? Is there more than one possible route to select from to achieve the desired...  Read More »

Myra Aldana is the HR director for Huntington Hospital in Pasadena, CA. Visions of recruitment dance in her head when she goes home at night. Okay, maybe not, but Aldana has been in her position at Huntington for more than four years and is always thinking of fresh ways to bring new, qualified nurses to her facility. How and why does her organization do it? Aldana takes us behind the scenes after a successful event that drew 440 nurses last week. “I...  Read More »

The nursing program at Wichita State University (WSU) in Kansas, like many colleges in the country, has a waiting list of students eager for their chance to tackle pharmacology and care plans. WSU is hoping to put a dent into the list by adding 30 students to its regular register of 120. The additional students will face a new, accelerated baccalaureate program that will cost them $20,000-double the cost of the regular program. The extra charge earns the students...  Read More »

Think of everyone’s life as an incredible story. As wonderful as any book is, there is always a last chapter. As nurses, our primary role is to ensure that the last chapter is: Defined by the patient rather than imposed by the institution or family members Consistent with how they lived their lives (i.e., the theme of their story) For example, patients may want to die at home, contact a friend, or be surrounded by their pets. Your role is to help patients...  Read More »

These days, business is booming for travel nursing agencies. Once a vehicle for nurses who simply wanted to ski in the winter and surf in the summer, travel nursing is quickly becoming the hot trend in nursing. Although not a new phenomenon, travel nursing agencies are actively recruiting nurses in record numbers, largely due to the national nursing shortage. Currently, California is the largest market for travel nurses in light of its 2005 introduction of...  Read More »

“Sorry, new regulations from above.” And the winner is . . . (drum roll, please) . . . Janet Himmerich! Congratulations, Janet! Thanks to everyone who submitted a caption. They were all hilarious! And, we’ll be back next week with a brand new cartoon! Will YOU be the next winner?   Read More »

Myra Aldana is the HR director for Huntington Hospital in Pasadena, Ca. Visions of recruitment dance in her head when she goes home at night. Okay, maybe not, but Aldana has been in her position at Huntington for more than four years and is always thinking of fresh ways to bring new, qualified nurses to her facility. How and why does her organization do it? Aldana takes us behind the scenes after a successful event that drew 440 nurses last week. “I think...  Read More »

Keep in mind that immediately following an adverse event, documentation may be reviewed by the quality and risk-management departments, the physician, the patient/family, and others. Also remember that what is written at the time of the event will have to stand on its own merit for five years. It may take that long for it to go through the legal process. Read your documentation after it is written and ask yourself these questions: Is my documentation factual,...  Read More »

Stressed Out columnist Heather Grondin, RN, has guided us through some intriguing topics in the past few months. She’s taken us into the world of nursing portfolios, given us some guidance about financing college, and provided tips on how to balance a nursing career with a personal life. Now, she brings us into a sticky, difficult situation. Fortunately, she also shows us how to get out of it: I’ve had various people from many fields ask me how...  Read More »

The process of finding a replacement staff member can be an all-day affair. The hassle of making phone calls and talking to answering machines can take hours and can often leave nurse managers with staffing holes to fill. Text-A-Nurse hopes to change all that. Created by Advantix Communications, a company comprising healthcare clinicians, staffers, and technology experts, Text-A-Nurse is a software program that seeks to save time and energy in the hospital...  Read More »