Brekka ADN, RN

Brekka has 6 years experience as a ADN, RN and specializes in Geriatrics.

Latest Activity

1. Price of Patient Satisfaction

   Brekka replied to knoxnurse236's topic in General Nursing

   I work in a rehab/LTC facility, and the rights of employees is far outweighed by the rights of patients and families. We're told to refer to patients as guests, as if we're striving to achieve a 5 star resort rating. Anything they want, whether it's ...

2. What's the strangest phone conversation you've ever had at work?

   Brekka posted a topic in Humor

   I had a funny, frustrating call at work today that was too good not to share. I changed the names, but the rest of it is factual. I'm still debating whether or not it was a prank, or someone was really truly having difficulty. This is between myse...

3. Black Humour

   Brekka replied to Tenebrae's topic in Humor

   Truthfully, when I was a nursing student, I believed that the black humor I heard from the nurses was simply a burnt out nurse who needed to find a new career. I swore I'd never be like that, I insisted that since I genuinely cared about my patients,...

4. the ten most hilarious excuses by patients for more pain medications.

   Brekka replied to pmccarthy287's topic in General Nursing

   Patient: "I need another percocet, I threw up the one you gave me." Me: "When did that happen? Can I see?" Patient: *shows me a kleenex with some clear saliva inside.* Me: "I can give you some Tylenol." Patient: "No, that's ok, I'll wait for the next...

5. Why do you think nurses leave the profession?

   Brekka replied to Nacki's topic in Professionalism

   I see that you've gone ahead and made the assumption that nurses who complain about legitimate concerns have done so without any evidence or conclusion. I'm not denying that some nurses complain and don't take action, but I do get irked when people a...

6. Why do you think nurses leave the profession?

   Brekka replied to Nacki's topic in Professionalism

   They do, at least once a year when State comes. Twice if corporate visits.

7. Why do you think nurses leave the profession?

   Brekka replied to Nacki's topic in Professionalism

   For me it comes down to 3 big issues: Staffing, workload, and management. The sad thing is, even with mediocre pay, if these three areas improved, the retention of nurses would rise. Not enough staffing leads to increased workload, which weakens nurs...

8. Dealing with calls from work

   Brekka replied to Katniss88's topic in General Nursing

   I have a special ringtone for calls from work (Exorcist theme fit well) and I just don't answer it if I don't want it. For my first year, I volunteered and worked so much overtime, I burnt out and pretty much just refuse everything now. Don't feel g...

9. State Surveyors

   Brekka replied to jessicaRN32's topic in Geriatric

   Definitely one of the most stressful times working as a nurse. Always puts me back into the mindset of being in nursing school where I second guess a bunch and get intimidated. By far the worst survey we've had was when state came for their survey a...

10. Sometimes I just feel terrible

    Brekka replied to axhutch's topic in New Nurse

    Hello, welcome to AN! You've worked at a nursing home for 8 years, was it as a nurse or CNA? 8 years is a long time, what made you want to leave? I had worked at an Alzheimer's unit as a CNA long ago for several years, and decided I wanted to become ...

11. Working as a nursing student

    Brekka replied to KnottyNurse17's topic in General Students

    I'm assuming you're referring to working in a health care role as a nursing student, and not Starbucks on the weekends. I did not personaly work while in school, but remembering back to my first year of practice, I can spot some negatives and positiv...

12. How important is your 'look' as a nurse

    Brekka replied to Nola009's topic in Professionalism

    This is not about the health care professional, it's about the patient. I could afford to lose about 20 lbs, but at the same time I'm well aware of the risks and how to reduce them, I just don't. The same can be said for most other overweight health ...

13. I feel like a glorified maid

    Brekka replied to CaffeinePOQ4HPRN's topic in Career Support

    I completely know the feeling. I went into nursing because I love helping people, and I genuinely care about them. That's all we heard in nursing school - how wonderful nurses are respected, and how much they're there for their patients. Unfortunatel...

14. Benign stroke symptoms in the elderly population?

    Brekka posted a topic in Geriatric

    I am doing some research regarding benign stroke symptoms in the elderly, and thought it may not be a bad idea to stop here to see if anyone else has experienced this. I am still a new nurse, a few months away from my second year, and I work rehab an...

15. Working the holidays

    Brekka replied to Karebear29's topic in General Nursing

    At my facility we're not allowed to buy gifts for residents unless we buy for all of them, and I can't afford to buy 200 people gifts... Luckily my facility does give gifts to the residents here so I just have to bring a cheerful attitude. I do buy l...