I have been a nurse for ten years, and originally went to nursing school in the Southeast US. Now I live in the New York City area and am very happy working in ambulatory care in a community health center that was founded in the 1970s. I also work in the CCU from time to time when coverage is needed (since I have experience in that area), and I have also been both a lecturer and clinical instructor for several LPN programs.

I know there are several different networking sites for nurses out there, but I like the feel of Nurse LinkUp. The site is much less "busy" than other sites, and I also feel that they need our support as the "new site on the block", so to speak. I have also followed NurseKeith's blog, Digital Doorway, for several years, and was interested in checking out what he is doing here on Nurse LinkUp.

Hoping to get to know some people here over time!

SunnyRN

greetings and Salutaions sunny. I leave in Jersey, south ya'll. been a nurse for a total of about 11 years(5 on off 20 been back six)in one sense. I'm trying to get handy with the digital/wireless world. I've done appox 5/6 online classes with UOP but refuse to attempt math online. Due to finaces I'm hanging right now. Wonder if I'll be able to fine this spot again. Will ear/bookmark it. I work on a telemetry unit at night 3days aweek.

Are you needing to learn a lot of digital and computer-oriented technology on the telemetry unit? Is it becoming more and more advanced?

I tried replying once and it didn't take, I think ?!!. Yes it is increasingly technical. Esp after returning after 20 yrs off , Some to the good, some to ... not so good. The glucometer is way better then urine testing ac meals. The autocuff sucks for atrial fib, little stick arms, big fluffy arms, and patients with looooow bp. Aids are not taught manual bp or is there one around. Heart monitors have limited brain power-can't diff tween v fib or the hair left on the hairy chest. Many people don't know how to use the equipment to work smarter not harder. Ex- bed alarms that alert you to patient weight coming off the bed. Or setting the count on the cardiac monitor to other than default 50/120. I set the low purposefully high like 60/70 when I have a pt on a drip to controll their heart rate so I know when it is working. When you have 4-6pts you can not stare at the monitors and we have no techs watching.

Hmm. Sounds interesting---and frustrating! How do you balance the technical and the non-technical?

i balance it by a lot of verbal communication and knowledge that in the grand scheme of things I cannot break a computer (so I'm told). I also follow the philosophy that if I have a question someone else does too and it may even be the ? I'm thinking. If one person breaks the barrier and asks a question and the teacher/speaker doesn't berate/belittle them free flow of information goes so much smoother.