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You know you've been a nurse too long when you can't enjoy a movie because of the half minute of CPR compressions only being given at about 50 per minute, with bent arms and there's a flat line on the monitor DURING the compressions. Oh, and it's the obstetrician doing the compressions.
How about when you avoid all ill, frail, decrepit looking person in public, for fear of something happening that will require your help?Or when you are unloading your groceries at the checkout line, and notice that your package of meat has leaked. I automatically "look" for gloves before touching the bloody liquid!
I always grab a produce bag and stick my hand in it before picking up any meat pkgs! I don't want that stuff on me! Esp poultry w/its Salmonella.
When heading to bed at 9am, you say, "Don't wake me up unless...." and one of the kids finishes, "...the house is on fire- visible flames, someone fills the four-cup measuring cup with blood, Dad's stopped talking long enough to turn blue, or Helio Castroneves comes to the door! Good night, Mom."
When I watch a movie or tv show in which birth is given and my immediate statement is "Congratulations on the birth of your squeaky clean 4 month old! By the way, that birth was rather precipitous- perhaps a drug screen for mom is in order and the baby should be bagged?"
Or just being with friends and family and when someone mentions an ailment, my ears perk up and I go into triage/assessment mode and present them with a care plan they didn't ask for.
nrsang97, BSN, RN
2,602 Posts
I have personally given my dad the scary nurse lecture more times than I can count about his BP and DM meds. Still non compliant.
When grandma passes out in Meijer and you have to convince EMS to take her to the ER. Never a dull moment around me.
When your aunt says "I'm glad your a nurse. My son can stay with you after his surgery when I move." She is moving out of state. He has to stay for rehab. Seriously even at home I wonder what a day off is like anymore LOL.