Anal retentive Nurses UNITE.

[lumbarpain, ADN, RN]

Yes, I am an Anal retentive Nurse....I do like things done by the book if not at 100 percent but at least 98 per cent, but I understand the system and don't make people lives a living hell.....but I do it with a smile and finesse and I don't like to make enemies.....you get more flys with honey than with vinegar....did I say that right????? Anyway, I like to RELATE to my subordinate staff....I came up from the ranks as a nurses aide...went to an EMT...then an LPN..then an RN.....I worked in a hospital setting, a doctors office and now a nursing home for many years.....I admire those who have had certain experiences and like to put those to use when I work with them....I consider myself a person who loves to learn but find that many doctors don't like to TEACH nurses.....I find I get along better with my aides than the nursing staff.....why???because I came from the bottom of totem pole..I KNOW what it feels like to be an aide....I can relate....I can even relate to being a patient.(being in the hospital for surgery is frightening) so I am savvy on that....

.........I like consistency in staff. and my...patients to get into a good routine and feeling comfortable with their Nurses and Aides. And everything being just so.....but....we live in a chaotic world of medicine. Things don't go smoothely, drugs don't get delivered on time, patients aren't always in pretty good shape when we come on on shifts. I know I tend to go into a despair before going to my job. KNOWING something will be overlooked, not reported, not documented , or a drug not given, and nurses just lolly gagging about and hanging out jiving over who has the prettiest nails. I cant handle that...I am NOT there to talk about my beauty treatments....call me anal...call me anything you like....I think and know God put me on this earth to care for those who cannot care for themselves.

Unfortunately I have just started to work in a REhab center that needs some real help in the organizing arena.......I see the discontent...the grumbling, the angry nurses, the OH WHO CARES about that attitude... ......I cant handle that...It upsets me greatly...the get up and go with the staff has got up and went. I am still on probation....I give out all my meds...I am there after my shift is done...and I still cant find out why the other nurses get done so quickly....is it because they don't give out meds to many of the disorientated elderly...do they take advantage of this? I find this insane and a disgrace to the nursing profession.....If I take longer its because I have 30 cards of narcs to sign off....getting used to the NEW way of working with the computer....and have been out of touch for a few years from my profession.....but please....if I ask about a Post mortem kit for a dying patient....don't say you don't know what it is.....I thought all nursing homes had some kind of protocol for caring for the dead right after. Its only respect for them, and their families.....they shouldn't look like they got dragged through the streets or covered in feces or smell like urine, it does nothing for the facilities image and the care that is provided during the time of death and people are besides themselves....I wouldn't want to see my parents..or anyone I knew disheveled....odiferous, reeking from foul odors, drool, drainage or anything ....but...that's my opinion.....some simple basic cleaning of the body I feel is ok.....simple...not a scrub brush kind of thing.....just remove secretions, excretions and anything like that.

Just my opinion.....dignity.....isn't that what this post was about?

[Aurora77]

Why do you assume your coworkers are simply not giving meds? Perhaps they have developed a more efficient workflow. If someone doesn't know where the post mortem kits are, don't get mad, show them! Maybe they don't have kit as such, and you're essentially speaking a different language. Proper post mortem care is important and the best way to develop that practice is to to teach it, not belittle or get angry. I know this was a vent, but your attitude is very adversarial, which could be why you're having trouble at work.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

I'm not sure why this is in an LTAC forum. Anyway, our postmortem routine in the SNF I used to work at was: call the funeral home. In the meantime while waiting for them to come pick the person up, if there was anything on the face we used wash cloths and water. If the bedding was soiled we covered them in a clean sheet and bedspread. If someone had asked me where the post mortem kits were, I would have said, "Post mortem kits? What are those?" If you have them though, and know where they are but the CNA doesn't...what is s/he supposed to say? Why not show him/her?

[newbieRN724]

I was always told not to worry about what other nurses do but to do what YOU know to do. When I worked in LTC it was said that the ones that can get done with everything on time cut corners somewhere. Unless the hall was not med or treatment heavy. Not to say everyone that did leave on time had to cut corners. If I was on an specific hall for a while, I knew how to plan my shift and what my treatments were and when was best to do them.

[RNlove17]

Don't forget you are new and learning everything at this particular facility, so things are going to take you longer. After awhile you learn the routine and go quicker. Doesn't mean they're not giving out meds or neglecting patients... that's kinda of a big conclusion to jump to. Also, some people are just better at organizing their time than others. Doesn't mean it's better or worse, just how it is.

[lumbarpain, ADN, RN]

I guess I blew off steam at that point but failed to mention I Have been doing LTC/Sub acute for over 20 years.......I work with a lot of part timers who do not KNOW many things they show already know being they have been nurses at this one facility for some time. One nurse goes off the floor and goes OUT of the facility to get food...is out an hour, comes back and then eats.....we are designated a half hour for our break..but she seems to dodge this all the time and I don't know how she is getting her meds/ treatments done.....I KNOW she isn't doing it all. I have since then developed back my speed..but being the considerate anal retentive nurse I am...I do spend time with my patients in a humanly compassion mode. I get to know them a little better each time I am working.......its not minutes I am spending with them all....its only maybe a few more seconds to ask an important question or just say How did your day go today.?

This was always me. I am not going to change..However, ........getting older myself is giving me more insight to my patients needs and wants.....because I see myself getting to that point of life and understand more of what they are talking about. So.....sorry gang........It bothered me about this one nurse(about 20 years younger than I) just hop, skipping and jumping through her work...when I know that this is impossible to do. One time I mentioned to some nurses at report that one facility used to actually count and label all the meds on the bingo cards to make sure that the meds were being given.......you had to see their faces.......it was an OMG reaction....so ...I am right.....NOT giving out meds does exist out there, I have known this since I started as an RN. I also try to complete my work and not leave it for another shift......this facility seems to drop everything into the Nurse managers hands which can be done by staff nurses.....I can see she is terrifically overloaded and if I can help when I can I will. Thanks for your helpful comments....I was off on a tangent that day and had to clarify my outburst there.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

thread moved for best response

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

On the other hand... Maybe you're too anal and that's why you finish later than some of your co-workers.

When I worked 3-11, I almost always finished my 40 pt med pass with time to spare, while many of my colleauges would run around like chickens with their heads cut off. I was brisk, focused and efficient. And I was a new nurse. If any of the slower nurses ever suggested I "wasn't giving meds" because "it's not possible", I would have given them an earful.

And I would have had an OMG expression too if someone mentioned counting every pill in all the blister packs. Not "OMG, I'm going to get caught", but "OMG, that's so effing stupid".

[LaRN]

.this facility seems to drop everything into the Nurse managers hands which can be done by staff nurses.....I can see she is terrifically overloaded and if I can help when I can I will.

by doing what?