[scarymary]

how not to laugh out loud when the family really believe that their loved one can have a brain transplant and then be 'cured'

[Daywalker]

Originally Posted by DNRme

That the stable patient who tells you they feel like they are going to die....will

The power of the human mind and will is truly amazing.

[SavingSage211]

For me, in LTC (as a CMA, Im still in school), people failed to tell me that I would come to love these residents as my own flesh and blood, and that sometimes I would feel like I know them better then I know my own family since a good majority of my time is spent with them.

I have to second the poster that mentioned how cut throat nurses are to one another. Sheesh! Wanna know what happens when the same 12 women (potentially PMSing) spend 10-14 hours a day together? Ask a nurse!

[gillytook]

That you need to exhale though your nose when the smell is overpowering or you will be still smellling it for 5 minutes after your leave the room.

[elizabeth8503RN]

Originally Posted by AMY30

Honey, I just finished my third year of my BScN. I am here to tell you that poop is everywhere all the time so hold your breath and get used to it.

For instance, I worked in a LTC in between 2nd and 3rd year. One guy had to be supped every 3 days cause he didn't go on his own. Well I have him on the sit-to-stand and am just pulling down his brief when he starts to go. Had poop down my arms, legs and shoes - cleaned up as best I could and finished my shift that way.

What is really funny is that you get used to it, not to long ago I was having a quick snack and a friend needed help. Here I was washing an enormous amount of poop off of this little old lady and realized that I was still chewing the last bite I had taken - and I wasn't grossed out

Now, even when family has complaints, one of my first questions is "When was your last BM and what was it like - hard, soft, colour?

It was maybe my fourth week of clinicals in a LTC facility and within an hour I was spit on, **** on, bled on, and vomitied on. Not to mention I was almost hit and punched, and I was kicked.

A couple of my sisters have bowel issues, and when the complain of stomach problems, I tell them they need to have a BM, and they roll their eyes at me, but the few times that they actually listen to me, they feel better.

[talaxandra]

Originally Posted by scarymary

how not to laugh out loud when the family really believe that their loved one can have a brain transplant and then be 'cured'

What?
Do you mean... they can't?