12/12 This week I have learned (as I struggle to stay awake)

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in critical care.

I have very little to share this week. Truth is, it's been the hardest week I've had in a very long time.

This week, I have learned (relearned):

Mental health crises do affect all of us at some time.

It's a good idea to have Life Crisis's phone number and a local phone number for a local group similar to life crisis saved in your phone whether you think you'll need it or not.

Hyper vigilant anxiety/stress will leave you utterly exhausted. It might also rip up your tummy.

We still have so much further to go before the stigma is removed from mental illness and the medications used to help treat those who need them.

Forgive the abbreviated post. I hope your week has treated you well!

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Specializes in Medicine.

Hi ixchel,

Agreed, rough week. Thinking about you, hope the weekend brings you a little quiet time!

What I've learned:

Nights are really exhausting me, and I find myself craving my early morning runs (now turned into late afternoon/evening runs).

I can't wait to see my family for the holidays but the travel we've set ourselves up for this year really might be the death of me.

It's really hard to please everyone.

Early in the year, my husband and I are planning a getaway for just the 2 of us, we have got to get away!

My dog is starting to struggle a little bit, and we may be making some hard decisions this next year.

Again, not a huge fan of my husband's med school rotations this year...

Have a good weekend everyone!

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Specializes in LTC and Pediatrics.

Hugs ixchel. I hope you are able to take some time to take care of yourself.

I had a rough night at work last evening.

I learned that drug addicted people will take desperate measures to get a drug. Fortunately, I was not working during the time it happened. To know that there is someone in your facility doing something like this is very sad.

I relearned that when it "rains it pours."

When big things happen, the Administrator gets into a micromanaging mode. We had the situation with the wayward hearing aids under control, you didn't need to take it on yourself and then make me and the aids look bad.

Sorry to the nurse who has complained that I don't get my work done. You know when I leave you a note to verify things with you, a reply would be nice. I know who it is. Our one RN who does not appreciate LPNs. All our other RNs appreciate us.

When all this has happened, along with my migraine type headache for which I tried to find someone to work for me, I made a med error. No biggie, but with all the extra one has to do with that, it added work.

Let's see, a resident with chest pains. Fortunately two Nitros did it and did not have to send it out. Yet, more charting.

Then the skin issue reported to me near change of shift (probably cellulitis) More paper work and a fax sent to physician.

That 2-10 sift went until 12:30 a.m.

Let my DON know that I had to leave a phone call for the day nurse, this is the nurse who I am 100% sure has been trying to throw me under the bus. As well as letting DON know that I still struggle with the skin assessment sheets so will be going over those with her again this week.

I feel for you Alicat and your Christmas plans. You can't please everyone so do the best and leave it at that.

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Specializes in ORTHO, PCU, ED.

This week I learned-

--That when people say, "kids grow up fast" they aren't kidding. My 6 week old baby is growing so fast I can't believe it. I'm cherishing every moment. One day he'll be 16 and I won't be able to sing to him and rock him to sleep every night. Getting up every other hour all night to feed him is actually worth it all!!! I've learned I love being a mom. It's the most awesome thing in the world.

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Specializes in LTC and Pediatrics.
This week I learned-

--That when people say, "kids grow up fast" they aren't kidding. My 6 week old baby is growing so fast I can't believe it. I'm cherishing every moment. One day he'll be 16 and I won't be able to sing to him and rock him to sleep every night. Getting up every other hour all night to feed him is actually worth it all!!! I've learned I love being a mom. It's the most awesome thing in the world.

Yes they do. One day you will turn around and wonder where that little baby has gone.

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This week I learned that I am simultaneously dreading and could care less about my final. I only need a 55 to pass. Need an 84 for a B+ and I average 90 on my tests.

I am holding out the tiniest teeniest glimmer of hope for an A. But that would require a 98/100 questions and I just don't have it in me to study that hard right now.

I can hardly believe this semester is over. And partially thanks to AN it was what I expected. Not hard, but time consuming.

I am super super excited for OB next semester. But I fear the midwife wannabe in me will get her woman centered care core crushed. #focus.

I need a rich friend that would be willing to just buy me a car. Doesn't have to be new, even something 7-10 years old works for me. Just something with some sort of warranty. I'm tired of having to take my car to the mechanic every other month. They know my face and all the unfixed issues my car has on sight.

Although my kids look nothing like me, I can't deny they are mine. My girls are always falling and tripping. On air.

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*hugs* to my sweet friend. I hope things get better, ixchel.

I've learned that my HH patients deserve a Cyracom phone when we don't speak the same language. It's frustrating for me and not fair to them at all.

I've learned patients don't really want to be seen on the weekends. I had to chase a few down.

I've learned docs don't want to be called on the weekend.

I've learned that yes, I can still smell Cdiff.

I've learned my Big Kid has mastered the art of giving amazing hugs.

I've learned this week what I've long suspected: School Nurses from all walks of life are batshit crazy, and I love it.

I've learned My Winter Doldrums have hit.

I've learned "Elf" never gets old. "Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?"

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I've learned "Elf" never gets old. "Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?"

I love that movie. One of my favorites to watch around Christmas, along with "Home Alone".

Not much learning this past week.

I've learned that it's easy to do nothing towards the end of the semester. I have no desire to do anything, yet I have 2 finals this Tuesday. It's a small conflict of interest.

I've learned many legal terms from watching "The Good Wife". It will be useful if I ever am subpoenaed in the future. I wonder if this is how people feel about their "medical knowledge" after watching Grey's Anatomy?

I've learned that chilled cabbage leaves can be useful for treating breast engorgement (who knew?).

I've learned that a copper-colored tinge can be found around an infant's mouth and orifice if they have congenital syphilis.

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This week I've learned (as a nursing student):

1. Got a kindhearted clinical instruction was very affect your performance.

2. Croup syndrome some times capable to self-healing.

3. Parents hygiene habit really influence children's health.

4. Children always bring happiness no matter what, especially neonatal babbies!

Have a refreshing weekend, ixchel! Hope your energy back on Monday!

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Crackle, the cabbage thing? I knew!

Good luck with your finals! We'll have a drink after!

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Specializes in OB.

I learned that I am so damn competitive that it drives me nuts. I want to be the top student, get the best grades. Passing just isn't enough.

I want a 4.0 so bad I can taste it. I was jealous that a classmate of mine said she could miss 12 questions and still get an A. I can only miss 7. I am even irked more because I helped her study! Stupid I know and I am not proud.

I have 5 months to graduation and I am so excited!

I learned that I have yet to find a good compression stockings that will stay up on my fat calves and not slide down.

I am admitting that I am a crazy crazy soccer mom. I so love watching my 12 yr old daughter play. I yell and cheer and jump up and down like a fool. I hope she remembers how much I cheered her on.

My husband is insisting that my kids 14,12 &12 need to watch their mother walk at her college graduation and not just go to the pinning ceremony. This involves traveling 4 hours one way and a hotel stay (I am part of an extended campus). I am secretly so pleased and feel so loved that even though I said that they didn't have to go, they are.

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Specializes in LTC.

This week I learned:

VRE is a hellavua infection

I'm a lot more of a fierce advocate for my residents than I ever dreamed I would be.

CNA'S are amazing people without whom I'd be lost.

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