Category Archives: RN stories

Some people earn instant respect by the credentials after their name. Others earn it by the school they went to, the awards they have won, or the position they hold at their job.  In pediatric nursing, these achievements mean absolutely … Continue reading →

After certain abdominal surgeries, passing gas can help relieve pain. I learned yesterday that farting is such a powerful healing tool that even fake farts can make someone feel better. My patient was a grade-school aged boy recovering from a … Continue reading →

Before entering my new patient’s room, I read his triage notes. “Diarrhea at 0300. Mucous membranes moist, patient playful, drinking Gatorade at triage. No fevers, no signs of distress.” I looked at my watch and noted that he had only … Continue reading →

The day began like a normal morning in our busy ER. I had Ben, a student nurse, working with me, and we were taking care of two patients having difficulty breathing. While we were examining one of our patients, I … Continue reading →

Ok. Blood culture, urine culture, lytes, CBC, rapid RSV for room 3. Has the baby in 2 peed yet? I still need to do his urine dip, and why won’t his line flush? He still needs his Rocephin, has it … Continue reading →

I am no longer an ER intern. I am now an ER nurse. Saying these words is exciting, yet terrifying at the same time. My first day on my own started off nicely, with most of my patients only having minor … Continue reading →

Some days the ER gets hit with the "breathers"- the kids having asthma attacks. While the rest of Dallas is enjoying the sudden change from cold to beautiful weather, we are suffering from all of the asthma attacks it caused. … Continue reading →

"Possible seizure at school," the EMS said to me as he wheeled his patient into my room. The patient had never been diagnosed with seizures, but this was his fifth similar episode. At school, the boy suddenly became quiet and … Continue reading →

Here are a few of the things I have learned from my patients over the last few months:~ Slamming your finger in the doorknob side of the door hurts. Slamming it in the hinge side of the door will take … Continue reading →

Every patient who comes to the ER is triaged when they first arrive. When triaging a patient, a complicated formula is used to determine what "level" to make that patient. Here is my own version of our levels: Level 5 … Continue reading →