leesonlpn

Of course every situation is different. Some doctors refuse to make their patient a no code - feeling it would be a personal failure no doubt, unless a family member requests it. Here in my hospital a lot of doctors absolutely hate addressing the code status issue. They are there for just minutes usually, while we have the 98% the rest of the time. If a patient is going sour, depending on his age, secondary diagnosis etc, I will bring it up with the family. I encourage them to get together to discuss the situation, and whatever they decide, to let thier doctor know, or I will write it on the doctors board to be addressed. I think there should be a trainex film entitled "CPR. LIVE!" Then these family members who want everything done for their 96 year old father who has a history of everything and is dying of everything, can see dad's ribs cracking, and being zapped and the beauty of being intubated. By all means, save the ones you can, but be realistic. I believe in death with dignity. Some family members have even chosen to ignore their parent's living will for heavens sakes. As for discussing it with the patient, I can usually take clues from a conversation. Sometimes the patient will say, I've had a good life, or I'm tired of being sick, I hope I sleep and never wake up. Those are usually good clues, to perhaps expand on.

That's what it's all about. Every response from the nurses has been truthfull and wise. It is obvious in JHUnurse's response she still doesn't get it She wants to marry for money. What happens if a few years down the road, the money disappears? Does she? Still on the endless trek to find a doctor smuck to open his wallet for her. Like I said before, such a request as hers on tips to land a doctor, is an embarrassment for nurses everywhere. There are Mr. Rights out there who aren't rich. I have one. We don't have much but we love each other dearly. I know he is always there for me, and I am for him. Money can't buy you love, sweetheart. Pursue nursing because you have the heart for it, and you want to be the best for your patients and make a difference; not because you're down to your last quarter.

Excellent response! You turned the tables around beautifully. JHUNurse- you must not have experienced life much to even consider marrying for money. Your thread is an embarrassment to other nurses. Rustyhammer is so correct, - if you can't manage on your salary- never mind, - it's a pathetic search on your part. Keep this thread near you, and twenty years from now you'll see how shallow it is. ps/we had a "christian" doctor who worked emerg- a strong member of his congregation etc etc. Starting sleeping with my neighbour (emerg switchboard operator) also a strong member of the congregation. Guess they both wanted to strengthen their own congregation. He is married and has three cute little girls. She is divorced and has two teenagers.(She is known to be on the search for a doctor). Sickening.

Mario I hope your term re-tred doesn't refer to someone remarried, or there will be tread on your forehead.

a defense lawyer walks up to a farmhouse to serve some papers.As he walks up to the porch he steps in a cowpie. He looks down at his foot and cries out ..."I"M MELTING!!!!!":devil:

Hi rusty hammer - I presume it's celebrated the same world wide.Starts May 8th Florence's birthday.

In British Columbia, Canada, there are only three licensed bodies allowed to LEGALLY call themselves nurses. Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, and Registered Psychiatric nurses. Care aides do not belong to a licensed governing body, and though are part of the nursing team in some hospitals and facilities, they cannot legally call themselves nurses. They usually call themselves caregivers.This is the law here.

Way to go Night Owl - I read your thread and I wanted to start retching!!!!!It would almost seem like your shift was a Saturday Night Live skit! How about a million mg's of Maxeran all round? It's a russian roulette if you get sick. I had the flu -woke up feeling like I was beaten with a baseball bat during the night. Even when I farted it hurt all over.( And of course my farts are ever so tiny) We get alot of flack at work over sick time. It's that time of year for heavens sake. Patients cough in your face, hork on your hands, poop on your shoes, unless you wear a body condom you're exposed. You know how uncomfortable those things are. What we do of course is bring in a stool sample (beef barley soup if your diarrhea is over)and a container of our emesis ( cream corn and chili mixed together is effective)for our clinical co-ordinator (fancy name for head nurse) plus a note from our mother, even if she is deceased. I wish I could do projectile vomiting on command. That would show her wouldn't it?They want it? hey we'll give it. heeeheeeheee;)

melena stool, and suspension bridge sputum specs, the pstachio green ones. farts in your face when you are pushing a pt over to do the tidy bowl cleanup. colostomies. This one patient wanted tme to wash it out and put it back. Not. Hospital supplies yes. coffee ground emesis it's amazing how much we deal with, and how much it turns our tummies, but boy can we chat about it over lunch and not blink an eye. You can sure tell when going out, who the non-nursing guest is. Nurses are a fine breed.

Get evil - scratch her name off your christmas card list, with a dirty nail. No one can make you feel inferior without your permission

It always goes back to the fact of where you live doesn't it. In BC licensed practical nurses are responsible for their own scope of practice. We do not need RN's to co-sign.

this could be a prickly subject.I'll try to keep it warm and fuzzy. I was involved in our hospitals skills task force group. This group was created to address the under-utilization of licensed practical nurses, and whether or not nurses' aides have a roll in acute care.The pros and cons of primary vs team nursing were addressed. On our task force were new rn's, seasoned rn's new lpn's and seasoned lpn's (that would be me). Also on board was our nursing officer and two unit managers from surgery, medical, and two nearby hospitals. After much research it has been decided to upgrade all LPN's( that require it) in our hospital (100), and to utilize them to their full scope of practice.Nurse's aides in BC have a 2 month course, are not taught to do vital signs or care for the acutely ill patient. They work mostly as caregivers in private homes, or extended care facilities. I realize nurses aides in other parts of the country are trained and competant to do more than ours, but I am referring to the situation in British Columbia.Also in British Columbia, only Rn's and Lpn's and psychiatric nurses are legally allowed to use the term "nurse". We are from a professional licensed body. Nurses aides are not part of any profession licensing body in BC. Having said that.... We have documentation that shows skills between RN's and LPN's are 70% combined (overlapping)knowledge. I realize that there is a wide range of skills and scopes of practice between Canadian and American LPN's. It varies greatly even between province to province. The results clearly indicated Rn's and Lpn's are a preferred team in the health care system. LPN's in British columbia are throughly trained and compentant in their dispensing of meds, monitoring IV's, dressings and wound management, head to toe assessments, patient teaching, family support etc. etc. etc. I agree the team is only as good as the workers. A patient can only benefit from an RN and LPN dedicated to care for their patients the best way they can, and dedicated to work together as a team, the best way that they can. Primary nursing is no longer functional in todays health care crisis. As for the increase in mortality rates, when a patient isn't cared for by and RN, when would that happen, if Rn's and LPN's work together?. Your statement would not sit well with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of BC. I believe they would have documentation to disprove your information. Hope no toes were stepped on, you have to be totally informed before you make a decision. If patient care is our primary focus, why can't RN's and LPN's work side by side in a nursing partnership. It does work, believe me. It certainly won't work if you don't let it.

Up north we had a chiropractor named Dr. Mangle. My sister who is a physiotherapist said, he probably did.

let's see 10 tinkles,......how much are sprinkles??.

I graduated in 1980. I am an LPN. I wear a cap - it is white with a green and gold stripe horizontal across the top. These are the college colors as well as the green representing licensed practical nursing. I wear white uniforms, white hose and white duty shoes. I am not as old a florence nightengale, - I am 43. I receive daily comments from my patients, and family members, how nice it is to see nurse that looks like a nurse. It is a personal choice, and I choose to wear what I wear.I work a medical floor and have no trouble with my cap. It stays very secure on my head. I shall be buried in it.

I have nursed for 21 years, so I guess I am from the old school. The days before pastels were even allowed. I am 43 yrs old. I wear white uniforms, white support(remember, I'm 43) hose, white shoes and my nursing cap with a green and gold stripe. This is who I am. If I had a dollar for every patient or visitor who commented on a nurse looking like a nurse, I could retire early. I realize what I wear is impractical in some units, but where I am, med-csu, it is quite appropriate. Our clinician wears white too, with her cap. I have worked with girls who wear white jeans and a sweatshirt, or t-shirts. Our dress code is rather ambiguous, (obviously). The program manager does have a thing about hair not being tied back. I think patients feel secure when they are being cared for by someone who is easlily recognizable as a professional. My uniforms are all under $4.00, as I buy them at a thrift store. They are in excellent condition. Attire is obviously a personal choice.From the old school to the new school. I have worked with 2-3rd year students who wear blue nail polish, chew gum, inappropriate jewellry, and lack a professional attitude.The ones we have are so lacksadaisacal.I don't like it either when the young students address their patients right away by their first name. we were always taught address by mr or mrs. unless they tell you otherwise.I know I'm anal, but I hope in a nice way!!!

I wrote this a couple of months ago, after a typically bad day - I'm Sorry In Advance I'm sorry in advance Your bed's not made today But I have a patient here Whose chest pain won't go away I'm sorry in advance You're not happy with your meal Dietary does try hard sir, To give it some appeal I'm sorry in advance Your morning pills are late I've a patient climbing out of bed That I must try to sedate I'm sorry in advance Your mattress isn't soft We do need some new beds ma'am But these things do cost a lot. I'm sorry in advance I didn't get to comb your mother's hair I've a patient with emphysema She's scared, she can't get air I'm sorry in advance Your fathers still in pain I'm trying to reach his doctor I'll have to try again I'm sorry in advance Your dressings aren't yet done But a patient has just passed away, I offered solace to his son, I'm sorry in advance I'm not cheery as a bird I've worked 12 hours, my feet ache I asked for help, but no one heard I'm sorry in advance I've only two hands and two feet I'm trying to care for you, patient Your needs, I want to meet My 12 hours now are 16, No replacement could be found My aching feet they cry out My head begins to pound I'm sorry in advance I cannot meet your gaze My eyes are filled with tears Your face is just a haze If I could sit down for a minute And maybe grab a bite Phone my kids to say I love them And I'll be late again tonight I'm sorry in advance I didn't do all that must be done If I worked any faster I'd soon begin to run When I do get to hold your hand Or wipe your furrowed brow Please understand, dear patient I care for you and how I see your pain, I sense your fear Your anger in a glance, Our health care service is failing you I'm sorry in advance. Written By Linda Leeson Licensed Practical Nurse Vernon Jubilee Hospital Vernon. B.C. Canada [email protected]

I do love going to work.We get a laugh every shift, there is a broadway musical in me which leads me to a song in most situations.We I go home I say - I'm so glad we had this time together, just to have a laugh or sing a song,seems we just get started and before you know it, comes the time we have to say, so long. Only true carol burnett fans can sing along to this one. I also carry a hand held whoopie cushion in my pocket sometimes. People will forgive you for one pfhoooot, but when you do two, they make eye contact. It sepends on who you work with, as to how your day goes, but for the most part we can get our patients humoured as well as us. (If only the staff would take their meds on time, things would be alot easier for me!) Janet Barclay, I like your water gun idea.It would be neat to shoot a doctor and hide.

Way to go Larry! Look, Florence is waving her lamp at you. She is very pleased with you. We are too. Your patients must feel very secure with your presence.Thanks for sharing such a fantastic story. Don't you love it when you prove your instructors wrong.

Is 'calling'a religious connotation? I feel that my going into nursing was fate/destiny. For some reason, I am to cross the paths of my patients, and my patients are to cross my path. I had an aunt who suffered from MS. I remember her holding on to things as she walked, and eventually became w/c bound. We had an extended family of crazy ukrainians. Grandparents, aunts cousins. We kids helped feed 'Josie", ordered things out of the eatons catalogue for her, painted her nails, and put straws in her coffee so she could drink it etc. She was in her late 30's. Eventually she ended up in extended care. I used to ride my bike up there, and help feed at her table. There were other ms patients there, and I enjoyed doing things for them. Most importantly was my meeting with an LPN there. She wore her cap with a green stripe. She always made sure I had an icecream, as I was too shy to ask for anything. I used to watch her, and was truly amazed at her gentle nature. I always knew I was going to be a nurse. Ok, so my legs were too short to be a ballerina, and ukrainians don't piroette very well, but my point is that it was a feeling inside of me that steered me to where I am today. I think those nurses who answered the 'call' or followed their heart as I, are those nurses that we work with, who even after days from hell, wouldn't give up their career for anything. You can spot those nurses by how they are with their patients, how they conduct themselves at work, and if you peeked inside their hearts, you would see them glow. All of the other nurses, used to laugh and call them names they never let poor....oh there I go again,.... getting carried away .oops. bye [ May 25, 2001: Message edited by: leesonlpn ]

I'm confused. All this talk about grandfathers and trained monkeys. I thought this was a nursing site. I'm an LPN who could be grandfathered but I think the surgery would be expensive, and training monkeys should be left to the specialists. Nurses week should be holding each others hands, not slapping them away. We are all connected together in some way because we are nurses. The caring we provide for our patients is like an invisible bond between us. Kind of like superglue, which makes us tenacious on some subjects. Maybe that's what makes us such great nurses - our super sensitivity. leesonlpn is sending a hug out to each and every one of you. No strings attached, ('cept for a little glue)

I'm confused. All this talk about grandfathers and trained monkeys. I thought this was a nursing site. I'm an LPN who could be grandfathered but I think the surgery would be expensive, and training monkeys should be left to the specialists. Nurses week should be holding each others hands, not slapping them away. We are all connected together in some way because we are nurses. The caring we provide for our patients is like an invisible bond between us. Kind of like superglue, which makes us tenacious on some subjects. Maybe that's what makes us such great nurses - our super sensitivity. leesonlpn is sending a hug out to each and every one of you. No strings attached, ('cept for a little glue)

Great idea Wildtime88, about buying a gift. I think I'll buy myself a new legbag!

I'm sorry in advance Your bed's not made today But I have a patient here Whose chest pain won't go away I'm sorry in advance You're not happy with your meal Dietary does try hard sir, To give it some appeal I'm sorry in advance Your morning pills are late I've a patient climbing out of bed That I must try to sedate I'm sorry in advance Your mattress isn't soft We do need some new beds ma'am But these things do cost a lot. I'm sorry in advance I didn't get to comb your mother's hair I've a patient with emphysema She's scared, she can't get air I'm sorry in advance Your fathers still in pain I'm trying to reach his doctor I'll have to try again I'm sorry in advance Your dressings aren't yet done But a patient has just passed away, I offered solace to his son, I'm sorry in advance I'm not cheery as a bird I've worked 12 hours, my feet ache I asked for help, but no one heard I'm sorry in advance I've only two hands and two feet I'm trying to care for you, patient Your needs, I want to meet My 12 hours now are 16, No replacement could be found My aching feet they cry out My head begins to pound I'm sorry in advance I cannot meet your gaze My eyes are filled with tears Your face is just a haze If I could sit down for a minute And maybe grab a bite Phone my kids to say I love them And I'll be late again tonight I'm sorry in advance I didn't do all that must be done If I worked any faster I'd soon begin to run When I do get to hold your hand Or wipe your furrowed brow Please understand, dear patient I care for you and how I see your pain, I sense your fear Your anger in a glance, Our health care service is failing you I'm sorry in advance. Linda Leeson Licensed Practical Nurse Vernon Jubilee Hospital Vernon, British Columbia Canada