Sick...

TexasPediRN · Mar 5, 2006

Hi, I'm a new nurse and I just started working in an ER. We have a pediatric ER that we rotate through and I've been in there a lot lately. I like working with the kids, but I'm having the same problem I had when I worked with them in school. They're contagous! I've never been the type of person who gets sick easy, but every time I work peds I get sick. I was in there one week and came out with a stomach flu, I was in there last week and now I have the that cold that every baby and his brother came in with. I wear gloves, I was my hands, constantly. Is there any way to keep the little people's germs from getting you?

Dont you love kids? They always find a way to get around your precautions to get your sick.

I feel for you though- I have bronchitis right now-given to me by a lovely 2 year old who decided to stick her fingers in my mouth after having them in hers. I do peds private duty so it wasnt a hospital patient, but I was down on the floor playing with her and she grabbed my glasses. I went to tell her no and right when my mouth was opened..in came some fingers. I love this kiddo, but i hate being sick!!

I dont have any ideas for you on how to keep their germs away, but I wanted to symphasize with you!!

-Meghan :nurse:

kids · Mar 5, 2006

Kids are some germy little boogers.

Really, all you can do is follow precautions and make sure you're doing what you can on your end to boost your immune system.

It is no fun for the first few months but eventually you'll stop catching everything that comes down the pike, much like school kids and kids in daycare eventully do.

Drysolong · Apr 1, 2006

I also sympathize - I did clinicals for 3 days in a child care setting with two-year olds and was sick as could be (flu-like symptoms). I got well after 2 weeks just in time for the second 3-day stint at the same facility with 3-year olds this time. Evidently, I'd developed immunity by then. But I was very apprehensive about that second week.

holmgirl21 · Apr 3, 2006

I have been working in peds for almost 2 years...and I still get sick. Like you said, even with wearing gloves, and hand washing, you still catch those little bugs. I did come to the conclusion that I don't get sick as often if I wash my hands rather than using an alcohol based hand wash, and to take off my uniform and wash it right away when I get home. Well...maybe it is in my head too, or maybe I have just built up my immunity...

PedsER-RN, BSN, RN · Apr 4, 2006

hi, i'm a new nurse and i just started working in an er. we have a pediatric er that we rotate through and i've been in there a lot lately. i like working with the kids, but i'm having the same problem i had when i worked with them in school. they're contagous! i've never been the type of person who gets sick easy, but every time i work peds i get sick. i was in there one week and came out with a stomach flu, i was in there last week and now i have the that cold that every baby and his brother came in with. i wear gloves, i was my hands, constantly. is there any way to keep the little people's germs from getting you?

when i first started working as a tech in our pedi er (where i still work), i was sick about 7-8 times that winter alone (5 times with the flu-and i got the shot, too). i still get sick occassionally, but it's usually not as severe. i do tons of handwashing (so much that my hands crack). this may be in my head, but i drink alot of orange juice (lots of vit. c) and i think that's helped. i think the main thing is it just takes time for your immune system to become accustomed to being exposed to so many bugs.

also, don't be afraid to remind kids that are old enough to cover their mouths when they cough and sneeze.

provnurse · Apr 4, 2006

Just a thought: Maybe you are picking up those bugs in inconspicuous places such as : the phones, after you have washed your hands.... Remember, just because you washed your hands, doesn't mean the nurse or aide before you did.... I make sure to not touch my lips to the phone receiver and if I use a dedicated phone, use a antiseptic wipe on it first thing your shift.... I don't get ill much, also use alot of the PURELL hand sanitizer.

GOOD LUCK

jillyk*rn · Apr 4, 2006

hi,

don't you love the little snot monsters!!!!!! :lol2: :lol2: :lol2:

it takes a while to build up some immunity to the little darlings. i've done peds for 13 years and look forward to getting good and sick about twice a year.

i imagine it would be a little harder in the er, because you don't know what they are in with :uhoh21: until after you are done with them. at least on the floor we have a heads up (especially for rsv) and can mask up.

lots of hand washing, and the sanitizers (which we know have in every room and in the hallways).

good luck!!!!!!