DoGoodThenGo: We still use cotton washcloths! My hospital refuses to give us disposable wipes. The nasty washcloths (complete with poop) go right into the same linen as everything else. They have assured us that whatever they wash the linens with, kills all germs. Grosses me out, but the linens always look clean and white, with no smell.
I didn't read all the posts but what I remember and HATED, was tying the sheets onto the bed. We had to "tie" the top, then "tie" the bottom, because the sheets were not fitted back then, because the nylon or whatever it was, would break down in the Clorox wash. The sheets would finally shrink, and the mattress would bow up after you managed to tie them![/quote']
Ha ha... I remember tying sheets! I've been out of floor nursing for years and didn't realize fitted sheets were now used.
I remember in nursing school learning how to miter sheets! Do they still do that?
as every illness or complaint under the sun was due to not having a BM.....
That is my philosophy on life. It also shuts up people who want free health advise!
Actually I work on an abdo surgical ward so a poop is often what holds people up for discharge. No bowel action, do not pass go, do not collect your meds, do not leave!
We still use flat sheets. Not sure if proper corners are still taught as some students and younger nurses ideas if corners is not mine (the matron of 28). But I HATE when people tie bed sheets.
"drip and drain" for pancreatitis. NBM NGT on drainage and iv fluids and a catheter with 4hrly urine dips.
Paragoric - now that's an oldie! And the old Coke syrup for upset tummies and whiskey on the gums for teething babies.
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Help! To all you grande dames out there. What was the name of a liquid med that we used to give for acute DTs/alcoholic withdrawal???
I just remember it smelling sooooo nasty (made me gag)! I used to pour it inside the old med closets we had back then because there was a circulating fan inside that could suck out the odor. What was it???
There was a TV episode on M*A*S*H where Col Potter orders it STAT for a nsg school friend of Margaret's who flips out on the chow line from her alcohol withdrawal.
Passing water and linen at the beginning of each shift. All white nursing uniforms...white shoes, white hose and white uniform. PM care with back rubs for everyone. Emptying garbage cans at the end of each shift and leaving the tied up bags outside the door of the patient rooms. Maalox and heatlamp for pressure ulcers. Lambs wool booties. Smoking and non-smoking patient rooms. Smoking at the nurses station. Hazmat suits for AIDs patients.... and there were alot more AIDS patients. Back then it was a death sentence. Oh and who could forget the narc keys? One nurse would be dedicated to the narc cabinet each shift. She would count out each of the narcs and document in a log book with the nurse on the previous shift. Whenever someone needed to give a narc, she had to hunt down the narc nurse to open the med room and then count and waste and record in the log. The keys were always on a stretchy cord and we all wore them around our waist.
We had 2 sets of narc keys (large floor), and anyone might have them. We'd go around asking "who has the keys?", since they were small everyone denied it because they'd get lost in those cavernous pockets in the white uniforms.
I made brightly colored neck lanyards, so no one could deny having them anymore.........
and went one night to a favorite watering hole of hospital staff at 2330, where the evening shift supervisor looked at me and said "narcotic keys?" with a smile. Looked down, and oops! there they were! Immediate about face and rush back to the hospital.
Specializes in Gerontology RN-BC and FNP MSN student.
Full vest restraints and wrist and ankle restraints were used in the nursing homes...back in the late eighties when I was a CNA. I had not (until the last year) been back in a nursing home since then now even side rails are considered restraints. Everyone gets a pressure or tab alarm now a days with of course only a Dr. s order.
I think that at least part of the reason that older nurses leave the bedside is the insanity of ONLY 12-hour shifts. You may work more days/ week with eights, but at least you can DO SOMETHING on the days you work besides work, sleep and shower.
Back in the eight hour days - you could go out to eat, grocery shop, make a dentist appointment......and still work your shift. Not any more.
*rant over- we now return you to your regularly scheduled programming
I think that at least part of the reason that older nurses leave the bedside is the insanity of ONLY 12-hour shifts. You may work more days/ week with eights, but at least you can DO SOMETHING on the days you work besides work, sleep and shower.
Back in the eight hour days - you could go out to eat, grocery shop, make a dentist appointment......and still work your shift. Not any more.
*rant over- we now return you to your regularly scheduled programming
Okay....so I am allowed to openly admit that I HATE 12 hour shifts?
It is one of the reasons I left the hospital for home health. I love my 10p-6a shifts. And I never leave with the feeling of utter exhaustion and weariness that I did during the (seems like they will never end...) 12 hour shifts.
OCRN3
388 Posts
Lol!! We still have those!!!
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