[nursegrl1974]

Hi everyone, I am a new LPN as of May 2005. My name is Tonya. I started off 3 years ago in april as a nursing assistant at the same facility I work at today. I wanted to share one of my first experiences as a fresh face in the medical field. My first day as a tech began as any new day with orientation, etc. Then I was put on the floor to go to work. The aid that I was orienting with took me around and introduced me to all my patients. My first experience was with a gentleman with ALS, "Jimmie". "Jimmie" was a very particular, picky man. He had already been there 1 year or so. Anyway, he needed to be cleaned up and me of course not knowing what to do, nervous as heck. This man was hooked up to a vent and all kinds of fluids, tube feeding, etc. Well not yet knowing what ALS was and what his symptoms were (paralyses). I said "OK will you please turn for me so I can help get you cleaned up". "Jimmie" looked at me like I was crazy. Sam said "he can't move Tonya, we have to move him ourselves". I'm like ok, now I'm embarrased. After all that, "Jimmie" accepted the fact that I was new to all this. He mouthed "don't worry about it". Get this, if he didn't like a particular aid or nurse he'd fire them from his room. Well I was one of the lucky ones. He began to trust me. We used to talk about everything, I'd tell him about my family and what was in the future. I just talked and he'd listen. I learned how to read lips from him, he never talked just mouthed words. He became one of my favorite pts. Besides, we the staff were about his only family for the 3 years he was on our floor, besides his wife whom hardly ever came to visit and when she did only stayed for about an hour. When she didn't come "Jimmie got depressed". Anyways he passed away 2 years ago this september from complications of ALS. What I learned from him was patience, caring, and the skills that will help me in the future as a nurse. He helped push me into the decision to go to nursing school. He had faith in me,told me "you can do it,I know you can." This is my first experience I hope you enjoy it. Thank you for reading it.

[RainDreamer]

Hi and welcome to allnurses!!

First off, congratulations on your graduation!! Thank you for sharing that wonderful story! You're going to be such a great nurse! Good luck in all you do, and it's great to have you on the boards!

[Tweety]

Thanks for sharing. Welcome!