Yeah, I'm studying for the darn thing. I took a great review course for the PCCN through my workplace and I'm taking the exam very shortly. I'm choosing not to say the exact day. Only my boss and mother know for sure; that way, it's less pressure :)
What is Progressive Care Certification? It's administered by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, of which I am a member. They administer the CCRN certification and when I pass this exam I'll have the "PCCN" designation after my name and I'll be all sorts of smart. I hope. Progressive care is what's commonly called "step-down" unit in a hospital. It's a unit between the ICU and a regular med/surg floor. These are people who are not quite sick enough to be in ICU, but too sick to be on the regular floor. So, they're "progressing". :)
The review book I'm using is PCCN Certification Review by Ann J. Brorsen, RN, MSN, PHN, CCRN, CEN and Keri Rogelet, RN, MSN, MBA, CCRN. It's quite thorough and it was the only one recommended to me by my course instructor. It comes with a CD that has a ton of test questions for the exam certification. I've been trying to do about 25-50 per day. I'm really going to bump it up now since the exam time is drawing closer.
Why get certified? For me, it's a challenge. I'm a geek and I like to learn. Plus, I grew up with parents who had lots of professional certifications (Dad: CPA, MBA. Mom: RN, BA, MBA, EIEIO...Just kidding) and to me that kind of knowledge and credentialing says something. It proves motivation.
Nursing is always changing. Hell, life is always changing. I challenge you, friend, whatever your area of nursing may be, to find out what certification is available in it and see what it takes to obtain it this year. Who knows? You'll learn a lot and you might have fun doing it! Plus you can get new business cards printed!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Swine Flu: What's the Risk?
I haven't gotten any questions yet about swine flu at work.
Then again, it's only Tuesday. Anything could happen later this week. People tend to ask nurses strange questions; they trust us to just know the right information at the right time, especially about any of the latest health issues popping up. The latest one is the swine flu that's hit Mexico with a death toll of over 100 and now has come to America.
Per the Centers for Disease Control, it's now a "Pandemic Level 4", which means Verified Human-to-Human transmission of a virus or bacteria. There are currently 64 verified cases of swine flu in the United States right now. No deaths have been confirmed, but given that 36,000 people die yearly of the "regular" flu, this swine flu could very well turn deadly. People are muttering and worrying about the 1918 flu epidemic that killed 40 million people worldwide (including members of my own family in rural Kansas), but as nurses, let's focus on anyone who happens to look sick right now, shall we?
Normally, those who have the highest flu risk or risk of catching it are the elderly, the very young and the immunocompromized, but the reports coming out of Mexico have the deaths hitting the 20-40 age group. Symptoms are described as being similar to a typical influenza virus: fever, chills, fatigue, swollen glands, nausea, cough, vomiting and diarrhea in some cases.
According to the CDC website, if you have a patient in your clinic or hospital that you suspect may have swine flu and/or has recently travelled to Mexico or another area where there has been an outbreak:
Then again, it's only Tuesday. Anything could happen later this week. People tend to ask nurses strange questions; they trust us to just know the right information at the right time, especially about any of the latest health issues popping up. The latest one is the swine flu that's hit Mexico with a death toll of over 100 and now has come to America.
Per the Centers for Disease Control, it's now a "Pandemic Level 4", which means Verified Human-to-Human transmission of a virus or bacteria. There are currently 64 verified cases of swine flu in the United States right now. No deaths have been confirmed, but given that 36,000 people die yearly of the "regular" flu, this swine flu could very well turn deadly. People are muttering and worrying about the 1918 flu epidemic that killed 40 million people worldwide (including members of my own family in rural Kansas), but as nurses, let's focus on anyone who happens to look sick right now, shall we?
Normally, those who have the highest flu risk or risk of catching it are the elderly, the very young and the immunocompromized, but the reports coming out of Mexico have the deaths hitting the 20-40 age group. Symptoms are described as being similar to a typical influenza virus: fever, chills, fatigue, swollen glands, nausea, cough, vomiting and diarrhea in some cases.
According to the CDC website, if you have a patient in your clinic or hospital that you suspect may have swine flu and/or has recently travelled to Mexico or another area where there has been an outbreak:
- Isolate that patient in a private space or room.
- Wear protective gear: a mask, gown and gloves. Notify your hospital or clinic's chain of command for isolation protocol.
- Obtain sputum or nose swab samples per the CDC guidelines for culture to send for testing.
- Follow all other recommendations of the CDC or your local authorities. If you don't know, ask!
- Maintain patient privacy and dignity at all times.
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