Do you know this nurse?

Specialties Private Duty

Published

I seem to be meeting the same type of pdn nurse again and again.

She is 45+, divorced/never married, works 7 days a week, will pick up any open shift because "I might as well, I would just be at home anyway." Also, she is tired.

Have you encountered this nurse?

Are you this nurse?

Specializes in Pediatric.
I've known a couple of those nurses except that they work their backsides off to support their no-account adult children who are perpetually in a crisis of some sort. I think, why are you killing yourself for these people?

For entertainment purposes I'll just mention the one that mooned her patient. The others had habits so whacked out they are sure to recognize themselves if they read this forum.

MOONED her patient? Ok, you have to share the whole story...

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
MOONED her patient? Ok, you have to share the whole story...

Oh yes...this was back around 10 years ago when I first started working PDN...take what was then a shortage of nurses to cover all the cases, mix an agency who would literally send any warm body to cover even the most complex cases and combine with a client who was small in stature and large in verbal abuse and you get a last minute night shift 'fill-in who did the full moon and walked out. This person eventually refused all licensed nursing care and hired caregivers who he could control. I believe that choice most likely shortened his life but that was their call in the end.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Oh, Lord. I am 29, and that is totally me. Working 6 12's this week, but I also go to school full-time. I'm so busy that free time makes me jittery and uncomfortable, and I always feel guilty when patients can't get coverage. My clients are all infants fresh out of NICU, vent-dependent with heart/lung issues who can de-sat on a dime, and my agency has either new grads nurses without ample experience or older nurses who don't want the stress. Meh, I have an iphone, so I can stream the same stuff I'd watch if I were at home vegging in front of the TV.

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Specializes in Pediatric Private Duty; Camp Nursing.
I've known a couple of those nurses except that they work their backsides off to support their no-account adult children who are perpetually in a crisis of some sort. I think, why are you killing yourself for these people?

YES!!! Now that you mention it, I too have several colleagues who have loser adult children who always are having crises.

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Specializes in Home Health (PDN), Camp Nursing.

My favorite was the night nurse who dyed her hair in the bathroom sink.

I use my phone, to type, I work at night, and I'm a bad speller. Pick any reason you want for my misspellings

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I'm kind of at a loss as to why there's an entire topic devoted to this "type" of nurse. I can think of much wackier types which are probably more entertaining to discuss!

Someone pointed out a great reason to work 2 jobs:

If you get fired from one,you will have another one,sort of a back up plan.

Makes super sense to me,esp with private duty.

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I do full time hours with my PDN client and pick up PRN shifts at a nursing home. When I leave today I'll have 58 hours logged for the week.

By choice, mind you! It's also by choice that I usually decline extra hours at my PD case. I am here quite enough, thank you.

So I guess I am not that nurse.

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