sunflower3,RPN

I'm sorry for the loss of your mom

Thank you for your kind words, and you're right, it is just so very frustrating. I'm not sure of how their conversations with the docs have gone, they seem to want to treat aggressively. I love palliative work, I just seem to be better at it with non-family

Sorry for the rant in advance, I just need a knowledgeable sounding board. My family has always turned to me (like every other nurse) for medical issues. My uncle was diagnosed Stage 4 Lymphoma in Jan. Hgb below 100, hypercalcemia, weak and comprimised. His family is in complete denial with diagnosis, he's still a FC. Two weeks ago he finished his last round (6 total) of chemo. Extreme weakness, Hgb still in his boots...but I know this is expected...they expect him to be at the cottage this weekend. Fast forward to last Thurs., diagnosis of pneumonia- feeding tube inserted, intubated and sedated. Family still in denial, pt remains FC in ICU. This morning I received a call asking what I thought of them doing a bronchoscopy to isolate the bacteria in his lungs to use a more effective antibiotic. I do not agree with their efforts, although I understand why they are pulling out all of the stops. I guess my question is, how do you help people understand just because we can doesn't mean we should? I have no issue working through this with my hospital pt's but this is family and I feel the need to tread a little lighter. I've attempted to explain what happens in a code, it's not like TV. I've asked what my uncle wants for end of life care, if any arrangements have been discussed. This has always ended up in my cousins being hysterical and my aunt saying it's not time for that yet. I feel like I'm failing them and him. Any advice would help my heart.

Correct code status is a big one for me. Last week I admitted an ER pt to med floor. ER nurse stated pt was FC, papers I found while compiling the chart 1/2 hr after the fact read pt was indeed signed DNR.

We have walked through it, we have educated, management has talked to these nurses but to no avail. We do have an aide on the floor but usually utilized for 2 per washes. Everyone has the same load, and if we don't, we help. We are a team...just some like to play more than others

This is exactly how I feel as well. I treat everyone as if that was me or my loved one in the bed. There really is no excuse for this behaviour, the rest of us carry the same loads and give quality care.

Hi Everyone, I'm a long time reader but first time poster! This is something that has bothered me for quite some time but finally came to a head today. I work med-surg in a smaller hosptial, we have a fairly decent employee base but our team on this floor is small. My issue is with nurses "washing" during morning care but not completing the genital region or doing mouthcare...ewww, just eww!! I relieved one of these nurses today. I went around to the pt's to introduce myself and one lady asked if I could help her. She is admitted w broken pelvis, dislocated L shoulder, fractured R wrist..obviously not capable of self care. She asked if I could wash her "lady bits" because it wasn't completed in the am. She then told me she had requested a thorough wash d/t it being missed yesterday as well (same nurse), and was told there wasn't enough time. I washed her right away. Management is aware, turns a blind eye. We have offered assistance, team washed, educated etc etc to deaf ears. My question is how much slack do you pick up for co-workers? Of course I'm going to wash a pt, but where is your line? Sorry for the rant...off to wash my lady bits..lol

Not a real magnet, referring to the pull of nurses congregating @ the med cabinet or @ the nurses station. What she's trying to teach you is that some nurses spend "idle" time (seriously what is that) being idle and socializing. As a new nurse, don't follow the herd...always find something to do and it will keep your nose clean.