KnitterMama

LOL - visit my unit recently, did ya? I think you are dead-on, though. One of my buddies turned-in her 2-weeks notice the other day (she went into med-surg for her year experience and out), and was told "Thanks. You're the 11th person this week".

The simple things I can do which make all the difference. The complex things I can do which make all the difference. Connecting with other people at such a fundamental level. Being the person who can make a grieving family's experience more tolerable. Being the person who can make a completely desperate person laugh. Forming bonds with my co-workers on The Roughest Shift That Ever Was. Providing comfort.

I've worked with a lot of challenging pain patients as well. It is so difficult. What I have found to be helpful is limit-setting and boundaries. This has been difficult as a new nurse because, sheesh - I barely know where the limits are, sometimes. First and foremost, people who are infringing on the rights of other patients or caregivers to feel safe in their environment are crossing the line. In this situation, one should not hesitate to seek support, in the form of other nurses, aides, or security PRN. We have to be safe, and we have to keep our patients safe. Any behavior which violates the confidentiality, dignity, or security of another patient (yelling into a room from the hall, walking into the room to demand something of the nurse) is beyond inappropriate. Violating the safety, or feeling of safety, of a staff member is similarly inappropriate. The best case scenario in these situations is anticipating the potential for crossing that line and setting boundaries early. Calm, honest, straight-forward communication is essential. It is also essential that other personnel be aware of the boundaries, particularly nursing assistants. In my facility, on a busy day, it is not uncommon for them to be more on the "front line" in this aspect than myself, because they are the first to answer a bell, or are in the room more frequently. It is not their job to create the boundaries, but we can help ourselves, and our co-workers, by ensuring we are all on the same page.

"Simple things" is precisely the point, IMO. I think a lot of really useful, basic nursing care gets lost in all the details associated with modern health care. It does not matter how precise your monitoring is, or how technologically advanced - if you're not also ensuring that the patient has regular bowel movements, is monitored for skin breakdown, has accurate I & Os, etc - it's all for naught. I'm not sure who imprinted this on me, perhaps my experience in long-term care, but I tend to focus on basics first. The rest comes after, and is often enhanced by attention to these areas.

Heck NO you don't have to get used to it! Nursing Against the Odds by Suzanne Gordon - read and learn, sister. Read and learn. Also, I am really icked-out at the idea of pulling the "crying card". Last thing we need is to confirm MDs suspicions that nurses are just hysterical women. Ick.

Also, my son is 2. That's a key piece of the equation. He's unlikely to listen when I say I need to do my work. The key to my success has really been making the time to study and leaning on my family members. My Mom has been a total lifesaver in this regard. Guess who's getting a bouquet of roses at the pinning ceremony next month? :1luvu:

I am about to graduate in about 4 weeks ... this has definitely been the hardest thing I've ever done! I had my son in the middle of my pre-req year, started a new semester about a week after he was born. I think the best way to do it is to take advantage of sleeping/school times. My DS is in daycare full-time, so I study when not in class while he's out. I also study while he's asleep - either stay up late or get up at 4-5am. It works. Sometimes it bums me out that I'm not as on top of things as my single classmates, but we do the best we can. I get good grades, I just don't know every detail of say, some pathophys or what-have-you. Too many balls in the air, ya know?

I graduate in May and I started applying in January. I'm still waiting on my 3rd interview (the interview with the unit where I'll work). It's a long process - I don't think 5 months in advance is too early at all. A surprising number of my classmates, even ones that already work as CNAs in the hospital where we do clinical, still haven't applied for a job. I have no idea what they are thinking! :lol Sometimes I wonder if they're so freaked out at the autonomy one has after graduation that they are procrastinating (relative autonomy that is :Lol).

Tompkins-Cortland Community College, scheduled to graduate in May 07.

1. Financial stability for my family. 2. Medical benefits for my family. 3. Intellectually stimulating field. 4. Job stability, security.