I feel semi-competent and clueless a lot of the time. This promotion to unit manager had me thrown into the deep end over Thanksgiving, no training, and I have finally picked everything up but we worked VERY short for a few weeks there and paperwork got ignored.
The nurses on my unit are a generally great bunch, but they are, as are many, passive-aggressive and if I say, "I feel good today. I think I'm getting a handle on it" I will her, "Yeah, you should be busier. Makes me wonder if you're missing something."
I no longer nurse. I argue with obstinate people about changing treatments that aren't working and document to we don't get dinged or sued.
... We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next.
I admire our nurse managers, because I could not take those positions, they seem to be too stressful for me. I have enough stress when I have to be the charge nurse on a shift, and everybody runs to me with their problems. In general, being a manager is a hard work, I'm also an introvert so such position would not suit me. I don't have much advise for you here, but wish you all the best and let you know that I hear you and you're not alone!
Hi Sue. Being a manager is just as thankless a job as being a nurse can be, but worse, because you don't get the feedback from patients that make it worthwhile despite everything. When I first started, they were using heat lamps on wounds! I saw them heal despite the heat lamps, and I have always suspected that it is the daily attention, cleaning and care of the wounds that ultimately make the difference. That being said, I love the continuing advances made every day - new treatments are what keep me interested in Nursing, and I do think you see much faster, better results with what is available now. Sometimes the drawbacks are that the new way of doing things are more time consuming (Duoderm=fast/slap it on and go-useful in LTC.) Wound Vacs come to mind as marvelous, but horrifying in terms of time. As far as this LPN, commiserate, but say that you have no choice - the standards of care dictate x tx and that's what the state surveyers will be looking for. I also recommend that the duoderm disapear off the floor.
Oh, if you can help it, make sure that what is ordered for the wound is actually available on the floor, or even in the building. I would fill in as unit manager, checking the wounds and the wrong treatment would be on - they'd want us to write up the nurse, but we'd find that were wasn't any of "x" on the floor or even in the stockroom. Of course, if you don't order the supplies you are subject to who does.... The fun never ends, does it?
Be the nurse that we know you are, caring, an advocate for patients, professional, and the do best you can and don't worry about what others think. People are always critical. That never changes whatever job you do. Your opinion is the only one that matters. Hang in there!:)
Try to stay focused, you are acting as a patient advocate, if the charge gives you a hard time, say let's do one your way and one my way and see which out come we like better.
Don't take things personally, you know who your real friends are,.
It's ok. It starts to get to all of us sooner or later. For every post or thread about something that works right in nursing it seems there are 499 posts or threads of us feeling bad about something. That would depress the Pope and all the cardinals and bishops!
I wish I could give you a big hug Sue, I really have nothing to add. I know you are doing your very best and hope you can try to not take it home with you.
Sometimes the drawbacks are that the new way of doing things are more time consuming (Duoderm=fast/slap it on and go-useful in LTC.)
My DON also loves Duoderm. Feh.
You know what has worked marvelously on a sacral decub on a sweet LOL? I removed the Duoderm and cleansed, applied skinprep as a barrier, antibac ointment, with a Primapore. Ordered that it be changed Q shift and PRN if soiled with feces or wet. The Duoderm had rolled up and had poop under it.
Her wound is now closed, just since Friday. Know what charge wanted to know? Was it granulating "properly." Um, ther eis no more maceration, the wound edges have adhered to the dermis again, and the center is pink and the slough that was there because of the magical changed Q wk poop-accumulating Duoderm was entirely gone sans collagenase.
Her wound is just fine, thankyouverymuch.
What IS this about with her? I value her knowledge tremendously, but that is not working! WHY can't you grow in your practice?!
And I am now doing all of the superficial/stage II or lower sores. I need to see those suckers every day. DUoderm my butt.
I used to have a slice of duoderm in its wrapper that I carried around like a good luck charm. I'm sure a lot of people have access to duoderm and could fix your butt Sue!
Heck, I feel semi-competent and clueless MOST of the time. Oddly enough, most of people around me seem to think that I am quite competent, and not at all clueless!
Take it easy on yourself a little, allow yourself to make a few mistakes as you transition into your new position, and for heavens sake, stop listening to the people who WISH they were as competent and intelligent as you but are too insecure to give you kudos!
She probably can 'grow' some but sometimes people get a notion in their head and that is that. (Besides, Being muleheaded and stubborn can also be a good trait under some circumstances.) I love all my coworkers, but I can't think of one that I always agreed with. And I am sure that they have looked at me crosseyed at times too. But I still value and respect them. File that in the "not worth banging my head over" column about the why she doesn't want to change, and just keep insisting that it get done your way.
kocheli
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