11/28 What I've learned: My son will rule the world (through science)

Nurses General Nursing

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  • by ixchel
    Specializes in critical care.

So, it's been a lame few weeks. By lame, I mean really crappy. I am thankful for our guest OPs! You've helped keep the party going! Thank you [emoji5]️

Some stuff I've learned.....

I just walked in on my ten year old taking notes on radioactive and stable isotopes. This kid. OMG.

DNP will cost me $60k. And by all the anecdotal banter around these threads lately, it seems my program will be a bit better than many.

My kids are excited to see me more when I go back to school. Problem is... If I don't find enough aid, I'll still have to work. (I do want to work maybe a day a week.)

Apparently my forte is critical thinking. My crutch is apparently time management.

The words "I can't even" have not come out of this mouth more than they have these recent weeks. For real. I can't even.

If you haven't worked at a hospital where the CEO and all senior management are nurses, do it.

I could not get back on night shift fast enough.

Receptionists need to be taught that "stable" is not the same as "not a problem". Or, maybe just hand the phone to a nurse with common sense.

Our med/surg floor sees no problem with keeping discharged patients' names on their census to maintain staffing. IN FACT, they have no qualms with short staffing another floor to do it, and they'll give the pulled nurse a full patient load and the rest as few as literally two patients.

Good performance ratings = bigger bonus

I know I'm the last person on the planet to think this through, but I was reading a summary of HCAHPS and I realized the MOST important thing that SHOULD be measured wasn't on there at all. The ONE thing that would make all the rest really not matter. What's that one thing? OUTCOMES! Holy stethoscope but why?!

I hope your week has been awesome! What have you learned?

Farawyn

12,646 Posts

I've learned I miss the clinic, women's health and OBGYN in general. I'm not feeling school right now, but if I consider more in the future that's where it will be. I miss it as a nurse as well.

Could I be finally finding my niche after 20 something years?

The reason I'm not feeling school is because I have 2 jobs and feel spread really thin. I'm blaming the jobs, but really spread thin for lots of reasons.

"Buddy, that fart was ripe!" Overheard from The Big Kid to The Kid today made me realize what I miss about The Big Kid being away is the banter.

I've learned the 18 year old (see TBK, above) does not have to get the flu shot if he chooses not to. When I launched into the reasons he should get it, he told me he was making an uninformed choice to not get it and I can't do anything about it. He's right. The 16 year old called him a "needle fearing pansy", and may have just called his bluff on it. Stay tuned.

If my sons rule the world it will not be through science.

Welcome back, ixchel! :)

Lev, MSN, RN, NP

4 Articles; 2,805 Posts

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Some people (with more experience) might think this is stupid, but I never thought the day would come where I would be in charge of RSI meds, and it did last Thursday night! It feels good to be an (almost) fully functional team member.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN

102 Articles; 27,612 Posts

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I've learned that working the remaining days of a 30-day resignation notice makes me antsy to leave even sooner. However, I will not stiff my current employer.

I've learned that dealing with a background check company whose labor pool is outsourced to a developing country can be challenging. It's been almost two weeks since my background check for my new job was initiated and it still has not been completed.

I've learned that short sleep can cause a myriad of health problems.

I've learned that I'd rather accrue pleasant experiences instead of material things. Therefore, I am going to take an extended vacation this coming summer. I'm going to see cities and states that I've never previously visited.

I've learned that I'm thankful for Allnurses.com and its members.

Farawyn

12,646 Posts

Psssst, TheCommuter, where ya going and can you squeeze me into your suitcase?

JustBeachyNurse, LPN

13,952 Posts

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

I learned that I have more fight in me when I thought. And when pushed and patronized I just fight harder. Knowing laws and regulations are pretty handy in getting haughty school administrators to back down (apparently the principal has finally realized if he ignores me I will just go over his head for my child) I learned that my son's school nurse is an awesome ally especially when the cafeteria staff is ignorant and poorly trained. I learned that I will not cook at 6AM but I can make an awesome lunch for the teenager.

I learned the teenager is fascinated by the cash price of medications and apparently has been keeping track as to whether my Rx vs his Rx. But the real kicker that actually is helpful in many life skills...the state requires a signature for all Rx pick up on CHiP. The local chain pharmacy lets teen pick up & sign for his meds. They are very patient and have learned how to prompt him when he panics and can't say his own name. He's also more apt to take his meds when he's in charge of signing for them at pick up.

I learned that a simple act by a nurse in conjunction with a school team can make a dramatic difference in a worried teen's school life. A $1 token as an anchor that I got in a whim for this teen has already made a difference.

Even if princess coworkers want to rule the roost there are other places my skills, talent and personality can be put into use. And even with change I can make a positive impact with my nursing skills and experience.

I've learned that CBD (cannabinol oil) when ordered by an experienced practitioner and used correctly can make an amazing magical difference in a pediatric patient with drug resistant epilepsy. To go from 20-50 seizures a day to seizure free is nothing short of miraculous. It's not appropriate for every case but for those who meet the criteria it can work well.

I learned if I trust my education, experience and assessment (as opposed to just monitor displays) there is nothing to panic over and the kiddo will be fine if the nurse knows what to do.

allnurses Guide

Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN

11,304 Posts

I've learned the 18 year old (see TBK, above) does not have to get the flu shot if he chooses not to. When I launched into the reasons he should get it, he told me he was making an uninformed choice to not get it and I can't do anything about it. He's right. The 16 year old called him a "needle fearing pansy", and may have just called his bluff on it. Stay tuned.

If my sons rule the world it will not be through science.

Welcome back, ixchel! :)

Umm, if parents are helping pay for college, parents still get a say. In my opinion.

I hope little brother shamed him into getting the vaccine. ;)

I learned I needed to renew my medical !

I also learned that I left my nurse bag at the local LTC last week and didn't miss it until Thanksgiving night when my niece wanted me to look in her ear because it hurt and when I went out to my car to get my bag and otoscope, the bag was missing. A nice nurse called me this morning asking me to renew some Ativan for a patient and she also mentioned finding a nurse bag. Yep, it was mine.

Nothing much other than that. Haven't learned much this week :bookworm:

Specializes in OB.

I learned grudgingly that actually typing out a concept map helps cement the information.

I learned that I am nervous to apply for a local new nurse residency program. My school handed out 10 applications. This will fulfill our preceptorship and should end in a job offer. The only issue is that they want a year commitment. You get to request your top three choices but no guarantees. I learned that this is the first running of this program. I am leaning towards doing it.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

I learned that I am a trusted go to person for information and that my critical thinking skills has helped me bridge a lot of what I do in the ED-I have arrived at my a-HA moment 10 months into this new specialty!

Farawyn

12,646 Posts

I learned grudgingly that actually typing out a concept map helps cement the information.

I learned that I am nervous to apply for a local new nurse residency program. My school handed out 10 applications. This will fulfill our preceptorship and should end in a job offer. The only issue is that they want a year commitment. You get to request your top three choices but no guarantees. I learned that this is the first running of this program. I am leaning towards doing it.

Do it, Half Pint.

Farawyn

12,646 Posts

Umm, if parents are helping pay for college, parents still get a say. In my opinion.

I hope little brother shamed him into getting the vaccine. ;)

I learned I needed to renew my medical malpractice insurance!

I also learned that I left my nurse bag at the local LTC last week and didn't miss it until Thanksgiving night when my niece wanted me to look in her ear because it hurt and when I went out to my car to get my bag and otoscope, the bag was missing. A nice nurse called me this morning asking me to renew some Ativan for a patient and she also mentioned finding a nurse bag. Yep, it was mine.

Nothing much other than that. Haven't learned much this week :bookworm:

I did have a say. And I do lay down the law with a lot of things, but I'm going to let this one slide.

It is his body. Yes, he's just being contrary for the sake of it. At 18 he thinks he knows it all.

But no, I'm not playing the I'm paying for college so I own you stuff. Not with this.

I feel as if he will come around, and if not, well, I hope he doesn't get the flu.

Specializes in OB.
Do it, Half Pint.

Just for calling me half pint, I will! Lol!

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