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Discussion

Assignment Karma!

So here's what went down: last night I came in and went straight into an inservice. As I made my way out, into the break room, several people came up to me and said "Oooh, you've got the VIP!" Now, I don't have a single clue what they're talking about. I go into the break room to get my assignment and my charge nurse tells me I've got the relative of a very famous person. Let's just say that dealing with families is not my strong suit at the best of times - I (semi) joke that I've got a case of Asperger's. The idea of having this much scrutiny on me turns me pale, then red and breathless, according to those who were present. So I turned to the nurse nearest me and beg her to switch. She doesn't seem to care, so we all go on our merry ways. I have no idea what's wrong with the pt; I figure it's nothing big.

Cut to a short time later, when VIP is crashing and that poor girl is getting slammed, and I feel really bad, think about all the times I haven't been as nice to her as I should, etc. And then... my whole night goes to the hot place down below. My assignment is fairly busy but fine. My pod-mate goes on break and HER patient promptly crashes. I've got an intern on his first day in the ICU, who has to have the vent and monitor waveforms explained to him, and a fellow who is swamped with crises all over the unit. Then MY kids start acting up; nothing serious, just lots of little piddly things that require immediate attention. Leaking ostomy, a vented kid who would very much like to be suctioned NOW, thank you, lab says my samples weren't labelled properly and have to be resent, and that kind of stuff. Oh, and all three kids (mine and the other one) are on contact isolation. One of those nights where you leave feeling totally inadequate, even though you handled everything as best you could, you know?

So I figure the Assignment Karma gods, which I've just made up, got me. :lol2:

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it's times like those that remind you of the good old golden rule....

everything i ever learned, i learned in kindergarten.

dang that karma.

  • Experts

This stuff happens, Liz, don't read too much into it!! lol

  • Experts
This stuff happens, Liz, don't read too much into it!! lol

Karma has slapped me in the face:trout:..... I have your VIP patient tonight.... good thing I brought my paparazzi gun to work.....

  • Author

It slapped me right back, Steve. My post-op turned out to be intubated in his right mainstem, which only took seven hours of bradys to the forties and desats to six to figure out. Whee.

  • Experts

I've got this visual in my head of Steve, arms and legs outstretched in front of his baby's bed: "you're not getting past ME!!! and get the heck out of our trashcans!!"

I've got this visual in my head of Steve, arms and legs outstretched in front of his baby's bed: "you're not getting past ME!!! and get the heck out of our trashcans!!"

lol!!!

  • Experts
I've got this visual in my head of Steve, arms and legs outstretched in front of his baby's bed: "you're not getting past ME!!! and get the heck out of our trashcans!!"

You're not too far off......

I kept waiting for the dark-sunglass clad entourage to show up in furs and jewels...:idea:

  • Author
You're not too far off......

I kept waiting for the dark-sunglass clad entourage to show up in furs and jewels...:idea:

Okay, so this might take a moment to explain the layout of our unit: when you first get off the elevators, you have the UA desk to the right and four chairs facing each other in a square. These chairs are almost never used, because the family lounge is pretty awesome - lots of tables and chairs and couches. Behind the chair-square you've got said family lounge, which is separated from the lobby by a wall with two large doors to either side. The first night the baby was with us, I got off the elevator and the famous relative (who is famous in a way that said person is pretty recognizable) was sitting in the chair that faces the elevator. Front and center to anyone entering the unit. :rolleyes:

liz..that screams of "check me out, i'm famous"... A NICU is a NICU...no priviledge for fame, all the babies are equal, at least until they leave us!

  • Experts

The funny thing is that this person is kind of only D-list famous..... I never would have known who they were unless someone told me.

First off - you guys are funny.

Secondly anytime it seems like I try to change the order of things I get my a*# karmically (is that a word) kicked.

Also I have been wondering if most hospitals have a VIP section on the chart and what is the reason. Obviuosly I am still in school and just haven't thought to ask until now.

Also I have been wondering if most hospitals have a VIP section on the chart and what is the reason. Obviuosly I am still in school and just haven't thought to ask until now.

We have a certain "last name" that our hospital assigns all patients who wish to remain anonamyous. We have patients that need it for a variety of reasons - celebrity status, security reasons (hiding from an abusive relationship...)

Just this past week we had an incident where a supposed father of a baby tried to get onto the unit to see his child. The Mom and baby were both listed under this special "last name" because the Mom's boyfriend / father of the baby was being extremely abusive towards her and other family members. We had to call security - they came and told him to leave. We later found out that he had snuck past security on the Mom's floor and was chasing her down the hallway. I believe there is now a restraining order (or something to that effect) out on him protecting both Mom and baby. Thankfully he didn't cause too much of a scene on our unit - then again - he looked rather drugged out and like he could care less what was going on...

Scary stuff...

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