Here's my day in a nutshell: heart rate up then way down, b/p down (started pressors), O2 sat's down (bagged, BiPap then intubated), dropped an NGT and got 1500ml out, kidneys failing, actively bleeding, no IV access, tiny tiny veins, numerous attempts to draw labs to see where the numbers are, accessed her PAC but no blood return to pull STAT labs, doc comes to put in a central line (emergent) but prefers the "right" side of patient and expects me to flip flop every piece of equipment to the left side of room- wires/IV poles BiPap, suction while his Majesty is standing there tapping his foot and looking annoyed, had to go on road trips to CT and MRI with vent patients (nightmare). No MRI compatible ventilator requiring bagging thru the entire MRI. "Its only an MRI, just take the patient down there" ringing in my head (per neurologist), 6 or 7 consults for each pt all writing NOW/STAT orders- me running from room to room getting them done as best I can. Numerous phone calls to pharmacy, ancillary dept's and docs. Numerous family members in/out. Constantly updating them (or trying- they do not speak English) Big family drama- one sister has POA but rest of family disagrees w/ her decisions- no social worker here on weekends, totally ignoring my "less critical" patient. Coworkers are my life line as well as charge nurse.
