because I find myself sounding like an old foggy.. I thought i would start a new thread to illustrate how times have changed...!!
my training started in sept '79. my group consisted of 26 women and 4 men. so 30 of us in total! we started with 9 weeks introductory block during which time we learnt how to make beds.. how to make the beds into theatre packs/admission packs (do they still do that), how to change sheets with a patient in the bed ( we were the patients). we learnt how to do a bed bath on each other (in swim suits) how to give injections to oranges and how to pass an NG tube as well as lots of theory..
then it was on to the ward for 9 weeks. we joined the work force so we worked a 40hr week, days were from 730-5 or 1230-9pm. we got a half day when we finished at 3 one day a week. our week ran monday to monday and your days off were at the vagaries of the sister.. so we never got weekends off (we were supposed to have one in ten off!). there was a sister on each shift and at least 4 staff nurses,plus SENs, plus HCA's and of course the students.. usually 6 of us on each shift! each ward had a team of housekeepers and heaven help you if you tramped dirt onto clean floors.
my first day, I gave an NG feed (terrified i would kill the patient) then made beds and did as i was told! we did all sorts.. from back rounds to urine testing. I learnt how to give last rites- we had 21 deaths in 9 weeks so I quickly learnt that the debrief down the pub was vital. we had a clinical practice teacher who visit us on the ward and do teaching sessions- dressings/injections, all kinds of fun things! I learnt about nelson inhalers.. and how to clean bedpans! how to take blood pressures and put up a giving set. I was sent for a long wait on another ward!
christmas day on the ward meant the consultant and his wife arrived and did a ward round with sherry and whisky for the patients before going home. we had written work to do.. I never did mine on time! it was a very busy ward and we worked hard. I remember crying in the sluice when the first patient died and I still remember his name and I will never forget his wife telling me that she would get the co-op to bury him because they give stamps!
so it was a busy ward and I learnt a lot.. how to drink and party was part of it!
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
oh.. more memories!
does anyone remember being taught how to test urine for suger in those little test tubes ? or how to set up a nelsons inhaler? or a kaolin poultice.... and rememeber giving patients egg, milk and brandy to drink? that used to be prescribed instead of sleeping tablets!
Silverdragon102, BSN
1 Article; 39,477 Posts
I remember these :)