Daydreams of a perfect job

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Neuro/Med-Surg.

Let's all daydream for just a minute. . .

I arrive at work on my med-surg floor and take report on my 4 patients. The labs are all drawn. My CNA is already getting the stable ones out of bed. . .because she only has 10 patients. I have time to fully assess each and every patient. I smile at them. They ask when the doctor is coming and I actually know the answer.

Breakfast arrives on time and it is hot and nourishing. I pass my meds on time. I complete my charting and have time to return to each patient to reassess and TALK TO THEM. Over lunch (full 30 minutes where I leave the floor and sit in a relaxing environment where I eat a healthy lunch involving fruit and fresh veggies), I meet with my mentor to discuss my progress. She suggests working on my documentation skills and gives me some advice.

I return to the floor to enter new orders and round with the doctors. I am able to share any concerns with the doctors and they sit and talk to each patient. The doctor then reviews his plan on care/orders with me so I am able to share it with the family/pass it on in report.

I go to the social worker's office to ask about placement for Mr. Jones and she tells me she is already working on it. . .and does the family have any preferences? After rounding on my patients again, helping them to the bathroom and medicating as needed, I take a coffee break then return to wrap up my charting.

Unfortunately, one of my patients is deteriorating and, unsure of what to do, I go to my charge nurse who immediately goes to the room with me to assess and gives me advice on how to proceed. I call the doctor, who answers the call and gives me orders which I carry out. I then reassess and get ready to give report to oncoming shift.

Oncoming shift arrives a few minutes early to get settled in and is ready for report on time. I give her a detailed, concise report. We round together and take care of any last minutes issues.

Then. . .at 1930. . .I leave. Tired from a full day, but not in tears/screaming/desperate for booze. My patients received excellent care, I was treated with respect for all of my colleagues (and vice versa), and I got all of my work down on time.

A fairy tale? If nursing was like this I would be the happiest person on earth :nurse:

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

Here's my fairytale:

1. All of my patients are pleasant, compliant, and rarely touch their call lights

2. All visitors and family members are pleasant and never in an argumentative mood

3. The doctors are not writing very many orders, and their handwriting is legible

4. Management is helping when needed, without complaints or negative feedback

5. Aides and techs are not disappearing into thin air

6. Dietary is getting all the meal trays correct, and the patients enjoy the food

7. Nurses are actually taking uninterrupted lunch breaks and leaving on time

8. Census doesn't drop too low so that everyone receives stable work hours

9. No unreasonable STAT or 'now' orders are received

10. Supplies are within easy reach, with no need to hunt stuff down

11. Boring, repetitive inservice meetings have been minimized or eliminated

12. Coworkers have professional attitudes and avoid gossip, backbiting, and sabotage

13. Physicians answer the phone in a prompt and courteous manner

14. The other disciplines (RT, PT, OT, ST, SW, dietary, etc.). are agreeable

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Specializes in Trauma Surgical ICU.

Oh how I would love to have 4 pts... That would be a dream. We carry a load of 7 on a renal floor.

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Specializes in Neuro/Med-Surg.

yeah, I usually have 6-7. I can't imagine the joy of 4. The few times I have had even 5 patients it was such a difference!

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Specializes in Trauma Surgical ICU.

So true LOL !!!!

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dreams of the perfect LTC day--

We have extra staff today and Mr Jones is using his call light all the time, the float aide goes to help, Mr Jones won't fall today!

Mrs Wilsons daughter came in smiling today , she had a nice warm plate of fresh baked cookies to share with staff and residents, she didn't even ask about her Mom's lost slippers lost slippers ---( from 1999)

They just replaced the shrill bed alarms with a nice classical music tone, And I only heard one go off today!! so nice!

We had extra staff today, we took several residents out to the rose garden, we read nice summer-time poems to them and had a great time..

I got all my treatments done today, and the night Nurse had stocked everyting so well I didn't even have to look for one thing I needed, and guess what?? "No skin tears today!!

We had no call -ins today and neither did the next shift, they even granted me an unexpected vacation day for tomorrow, !! yeah!!

I'm going home on time today!, and guess what? I even have a three day weekend. now.. I love my job!!;)

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Here is my dream job:

I wake up refreshed and ready for a new day. I am called off with pay, due to low census. I check my bank account, well over 100K at this point due to my generous salary of $50/hr with full benefits.

I go online and plan my next vacation, one of several I take thruout the year. My manager calls mid day and says they may not need me tomorrow, so go ahead and book that spa appointment.

Because I have been so flexible, I receive a cash bonus at the end of the week. My documentation and skill level have been so awesome, that the new DON holds a banquet in my name at a local resort. All my nurse friends come and shower me with gifts. I, in return, give generous favors back.

Of course, I have no call, and because of my seniority, I do not work weekends. By Friday, I am bored and I am asked to come in and work 10-2. I do so, knowing my skills are needed and appreciated. I start IV's, insert Foleys, and do all the Picc line dressing changes. A catered lunch is served by our Nursing Department and we are all given massages as a special thank you.

On my drive home to my condo on a local island, with the top down in my car the breeze blowing thru my hair, I am so thankful I am a nurse and appreciated by all.

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Specializes in Endoscopy/MICU/SICU.
Here is my dream job:

I wake up refreshed and ready for a new day. I am called off with pay, due to low census. I check my bank account, well over 100K at this point due to my generous salary of $50/hr with full benefits.

I go online and plan my next vacation, one of several I take thruout the year. My manager calls mid day and says they may not need me tomorrow, so go ahead and book that spa appointment.

Because I have been so flexible, I receive a cash bonus at the end of the week. My documentation and skill level have been so awesome, that the new DON holds a banquet in my name at a local resort. All my nurse friends come and shower me with gifts. I, in return, give generous favors back.

Of course, I have no call, and because of my seniority, I do not work weekends. By Friday, I am bored and I am asked to come in and work 10-2. I do so, knowing my skills are needed and appreciated. I start IV's, insert Foleys, and do all the Picc line dressing changes. A catered lunch is served by our Nursing Department and we are all given massages as a special thank you.

On my drive home to my condo on a local island, with the top down in my car the breeze blowing thru my hair, I am so thankful I am a nurse and appreciated by all.

This is hilarious. Thanks for the laugh, I needed it. :lol2:

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LOL Pcbnurse, I'll be laughing all day

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A perfect job would be me receiving monthly installments from Powerball while I drive around North America site seeing with no certain place to be.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Acute Rehab.

My day would be perfect, even if I had six patients, and at least all of the rest that the OP mentioned.

Now if it could be mandated that any of the Officers, ie, CNO, CEO, CFO, etc, had to spend 3 shifts on the floor once every quarter, maybe, it could be like this.

I don't need the banquet or the convertible. I do not want it to seem like I am taking advantage of anyone! lol:jester:

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Specializes in critical care, PACU.

neuromuscular blockade w/ vecuronium, propofol gtt for sedation, morphine gtt for pain relief, and a vasopressor to keep my pressures up

and some cool physiological problems to fix

this is my ideal job hands down, although I would also go for your average comatose or sedated patient too.

(Ive had a rough couple of nights with neuro agitation ;) )

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