smalltownLVN RN

smalltownLVN has 23 years experience as a RN and specializes in Psychiatry, geriatrics, hospice.

Latest Activity

1. Pt cant forgive...

   smalltownLVN replied to smalltownLVN's topic in Hospice

   Update: somehow we were able to work through all of his issues and he and his wife regained the closeness they had lost years before. They were able to spend his last weeks together in a way they hadn't in years. He passed last week just as he had p...

2. Pt cant forgive...

   smalltownLVN replied to smalltownLVN's topic in Hospice

   Thanks for all the advice, guys. He, of course, refuses the chaplain and it's not a topic that he feels comfortable talking about with someone he isn't close to. Luckily, I was able to muddle through and mainly just listened and asked open ended ques...

3. Pt cant forgive...

   smalltownLVN posted a topic in Hospice

   I have a pt that I have grown close to both he and his wife. Physically, I have gotten most of his symptoms relieved. The main problem is the emotional issues. My pt and spouse are only in their early '50s and are having a very difficult time dealing...

4. Attending Dr not on board with hospice meds...

   smalltownLVN replied to smalltownLVN's topic in Hospice

   We have an oncologist that refuses to give terminal dx! He says we will put you on hospice to get pain under control then restart your treatment knowing full well they will never last that long. So frustrating.

5. Attending Dr not on board with hospice meds...

   smalltownLVN posted a topic in Hospice

   Does anyone else have an issue with pts attendings wanting to stay on but not educated on hospice meds for comfort? It is so frustrating at times to care for pts that you know a med would help them but attending refuses to RX due to lack of educatio...

6. Question about the FAST scale

   smalltownLVN replied to amagicalmind's topic in Hospice

   That does make it hard but also remember just because they can say their name doesn't mean they are oriented x 1. That is a conditioned response they have answered all their lives.

7. It shouldn't have happened this way....

   smalltownLVN replied to nerdtonurse?'s topic in Hospice

   I have to admit I am thankful I know nothing about the billing aspect of hospice except that our patients do not pay for our services out of pocket. However, our hospice has our aides provide care because they have been trained to be our eyes and ear...

8. Patient refusing Hospice

   smalltownLVN replied to jammycakesRN's topic in Hospice

   My suggestion is to visit with a few hospice companies yourself for info and present it to the pt and family so they can make an informed decision. Let them know it's hard to think about going that direction but as a nurse who has the pts well being ...

9. It shouldn't have happened this way....

   smalltownLVN replied to nerdtonurse?'s topic in Hospice

   I'm sorry that you have obviously had bad experiences with hospice in the past. I have been a mental health nurse for 8 1/2 years and just recently changed to hospice RN case manager 3 weeks ago. I have to disagree with you about hospice only being u...

10. Stay with a job for the money?

    smalltownLVN posted a topic in Career Support

    I have been a nurse in mental health for past 8 1/2 years. Last year I went back to school to get my RN. While in school, I remembered what it felt like to be a nurse for physical health reasons. I am fairly burnt out on mental health and I applied f...

11. Need Info on LVN to Scrub Nurse Certs

    smalltownLVN posted a topic in Texas

    ]Hi! I am new to this site and would really like some advice. I am currently a nurse in a psychiatrist office and have been here for 3 1/2 years. I am no longer challenged and would like to change my field. Being a scrub nurse really interests me...