Yesterday, in the middle of a rather hectic shift, someone I have been working with and, helping whenever possible, let me know I was rather odd and stupid because I took the time, after completing a mid-morning med pass, to explain some new meds to a patient. Nothing too serious, just some new antibiotics and a new BP med. Guess I just should have run off some general info sheets and handed it to the patient. I don't have time to waste, according to this nurse, She needed me to help finish her meds so she could go on break. BREAK! Someone please explain what the word means. LOL!
Pat yourself for being a good nurse-so many of us do not take the time to go over mediation and their side effects-this may in the long run leave us liable. Your patient was on the winnning end- simply because you took the time to explain what can be very confusing drug information.I find that when I give this kind of informaton to patients- I learn something also. I make sure I look up the medication and possible side-effects so at lease I appear knowledgeable in front of the patient. I bet you make that patient feel special that day- just because you took a little extra time. Tell your co-worker she can get an donut on the way home.
Darn those pesky patients anyway. They're always needing or asking for something. If only we didn't have to deal with patients our job would be tollerable.:chuckle
I know how you feel. I had a coworker tell me I was not being a team player because I spent too much time with a patient on her first day after surgery. She had back surgery with an incision from L1-2 to her orifice, 420 lbs and she had to use the bedside commode. She couldn't wipe her behind and was weak and shaky. She was embarrassed and crying. I took the opportunity to bathe her and then help her into a bed with clean sheets. I recieved the team player preach and was told I should spend less "PR" time (this particular incident was the example given) and more time remembering that I had coworkers that needed help to do their jobs. I thought patient care and compassion was what was suppose to be important, not someone getting out of duties so they can break.
As a side note, the particular patient wasn't mine it was one of my coworkers, I just answered the call because she was busy. I thought all the patients on the floor were everybody's responsibility if need be.
I believe taking an extra step to provide a little more reassurance or information shows one to be more conscientious and compassionate. I don't believe you were stupid, I believe you were more thorough and caring.
I Think You Were Very Kind To Take The Time To Tell The Pt The Info Very Few Do And I Have Found It Does Make The Pt Much More Comfortable Knowing You Know What They Are Taking And Why
It is all about WORK ETHIC!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for being the nurse that you are.
Activism
Hmmm to sacrifice oneself is good work ethic? Lessee, a good work ethic for a slave was to unquestionably obey every order, to allow oneself to be bought and sold, and to take beatings with a thank you. If it's a good work ethic and expected to be passing out from hunger or have my bladder burst, maybe nursing isn't for me. This reminds me of the people who would whip themselves during the Black Plague, but then again, martyrdom and isolation from pleasures are somehow seen as virtues by humanity.
I love 12s. Go to work 2 less days per week. Home more often. My thought is since you are already at work you might as well stay there a few more hours and get more days off. Consider this, on 12s you only go into work 15 days per month.
By the way I am "stupid" too. Was told not to long ago by someone I really respect (and who respects me) that I was really an oddball because I explain so much to my patients, and spend so much time with them. I can't help myself, I just kinda feel that that's what I am there for. Not to visit with the other nurses (I love to do that too of course) but somehow I seem to almost always put my patients first. I'm a weirdo.
The other nurse and I had a talk after work, she was stressed out and said she did not think how her actions and remarks would be taken by me or other staff. I attempted to listen without anger, and I told her I just feel like she needs to look at her time management skills and patient needs a little closer. She agreed she is still new and under some invisible time line to complete a certain number of things by break time. She will find her way and I will be glad to have her working on the unit. No, there is never enough help to do all of the job.
This was a good reminder to me and, I hope, to many posters, what we do and how we do it effects us in many ways, not just on the job.
Have a great day.
My hospital has lately been offering us a $3000 bonus to recruit nurses to join us. I'll split it with you. You'd be welcome on my unit, anytime.
rach_nc_03
372 Posts
PeachPie,
You're my hero! I couldn't agree with you more.