It's An ED RN

On today’s episode we’re going to talk about The Johari Window. You may not have thought about this concept since nursing school or maybe in ever, but it can help us better understand ourselves and others. Let's get into it. 2018 study on journaling and lower cortisol levels

On today’s episode we’re going to talk about Safe Harbor. Not every State has it, and even in those that do, many nurses don’t know how to use it. Until now. Because I’m going to teach you what you need to know to safeguard your license when shit gets out of control.

On today’s episode we’re going to talk about working the holidays. Again. Between the increase in acutely ill patients and the decrease in staff and general resource availability, how could I not be persuaded to show up to work when the rest of the world gets to sleep in. At least the part that’s not heading to my hospital... The WHO shows 25% increase in anxiety, depression Violent assaults go up...

On today’s episode we’re going to talk about the super fucked up dynamic you could be placed in by being a part of the healthcare workforce, specifically the concept that you should treat them as family, but they get to treat you any way they want to. Sound fucked up? I sure think so.

On today’s episode we’re going to talk about engaging in a power struggle at work. With so many opportunities to be reminded of the fact that you hold almost no decision making ability over anything, it can be natural to hold on to what small scraps of power you are given; but is this the best use of your time and energy? The answer may surprise you.

On today’s episode we’re going to talk about how everybody’s everything is the most important thing. Or, to be more specific, we breakdown the Fallacy of Isolated Importance, a thought distortion that gives certain people the confidence to try and tell you what your job is based solely on the one thing THEY want to happen despite multiple other competing interests that may or may not be more impor...

I had a bad shift. It really sucked. In this episode I try to get to the bottom of why it was such a shitay day, and how to manage if you have one similar. 

Masks are gone and I have FEELINGS. This is all about that. 

Sometimes an RN is crushing it and sometimes she is failing a cardiac rhythm exam because she didn't study and heart blocks are hard. So let's review cardiac rhythms!  

On this episode we’re going to talk about how in my rush to ensure I don’t permanently fuck up my back performing the many physical requirements of this job, I accidentally joined a crossfit-style gym. RNs have a higher than average rate of workplace injury and illness Hilarious CDC article about preventing back injuries in healthcare workers made super hilarious by the comments section

The expectations placed on nurses in the hospital environment are ludicrous, to say the least. The key to  preserving your energy is maintaining compliance with the things that matter most (to your bosses, anyway) while being non-compliant with things that don't really matter at all. Let's discuss how. 

To err is human and in nursing, sometimes to err is to put another human at serious risk of harm. But why do these errors happen and who, or what, is really to blame? Turns out it's complicated. To Err Is Human (landmark study) Just Culture (a balanced approach to accountability)

The War on Drugs is and always was a tool of oppression targeting communities of color and the opioid crisis is the result of rich people trying to get even richer. Adjust your prejudices accordingly.  Sources: A seminar detailing The War On Drugs from content experts and scholars   TJC report on drug diversion in healthcare NPR article detailing ways patients suffer when we divert

The bonus plan. It's the only surefire way to make the money that more closely resembles what your labor is actually worth,  you simply have to work a shit ton more. The obvious upsides are you make more money, the hospital is better staffed, everybody seems to win. But what are the downsides? Let's discuss. The mental health effects of voluntary vs mandatory overtime Increased work hour...

As the famous movie quote goes, there's a difference between mostly dead and all dead. As a nurse, knowing what to do when someone who is mostly dead arrives in your ED is called ACLS; let's talk about it. American Heart Associations ACLS algorithms Traumatic cardiac arrest survival rates study UpToDate ACLS info

Some new years' resolutions for a better work life, including spending our time where it will do the most good and tips on how to avoid spinning your wheels on things that cannot be changed. 

It's a new year and what are you going to do with it? As nurses, we spend a lot of our thoughts and feelings and energy at work, so how are we going to spend more of those valuable things at not-work. I have some ideas. 

For some bedside nurses, working holidays can be a definite downside. On the other hand, getting paid more to work slightly less with lots of homemade food to boot? Sounds like a good time to me. Let's discuss. 

As nurses, there is a lot we can handle (like, a lot a lot), but there comes a point when you just can't take it any more. This is a tale of me hitting that point. 

It's been one glorious year since I went back to bedside in the Emergency Department and on this episode we're taking a look back at what has changed, what hasn't changed, and whether or not I deeply regret this life-changing decision (I do not). 

Unhappy patients, unhappy family members, unhappy coworkers; dealing with unhappy people is the bane of any nurses’ existence, especially when we’ve been doing our best and now we’re being told that just ain't good enough. So how do we deal? Let’s talk about it.

The thing that I have dreaded for some time has finally happened: they've oriented me to charge. Oftentimes charging a unit can be the start of something, but I am determined to make it the end. Why? I'll tell you. 

My path was simple: start out in med/surg, go to ICU, then become a nurse manager, then director, then ACNO, then CNO, then choke to death on an energy bar alone in my office on a weekend, an unfinished spreadsheet my only witness and friend. And yet, at 40 years old, I'm back to bedside in the Emergency Department. How did this happen? And why am I so damn happy about it?

Being chosen as a preceptor can feel like validation that you have finally reached competency, but it can also be tedious, frustrating and often involves a lot of paperwork. So how can you make it the best possible experience for both yourself and your new recruit? I have some ideas. 

Money isn't every reason we do this job, but it is the main reason and when we stay in the same position at the same hospital year after year we are missing out on some well earned compensation. The solution? Quit.