Jerez

Ok but it's not just 10mins, it is several times throughout the day and on top of that I would prefer zero exposure...otherwise I might consider working in a bar. Call it hyperbole if you'd like but second hand smoke does just as much damage if not more and I happen to love my lungs. I can see things both ways but I find this to be a real concern for many staff members that don't want the exposure.

With that said, the majority of our staff does not smoke and does not want to assist with smoking, so if your stance is not to force staff to assist with smokers but also feel like residents should be able to smoke even "if they can't wheel themselves", how would you handle the situation? Also, I disagree on smoking being the same as eating & participating in activities.

I think some of what you describe is absolutely normal as long as it does not interfere with your care. When I started in the ER, I was a mess with only 2yrs exp as a nurse, I wasn't so sure I was ready for emergency but I so badly wanted the experience. I had a lot of anxiety....EVERY time I had to go to work too! It gets easier with time & experience that's for sure. You will learn how to really get your time management skills down, multi-task and hone in on those assessment skills, all while gaining more knowledge in the process. It will and does get easier. I felt the exact same way as you and questioned my career choice. I think it is more common than you think. Sounds like you are overthinking everything. If you're like me when I started, I was always worried that I was going to make a stupid mistake and hurt somebody. That's not always a bad feeling to have. You have a big responsibility now and you should have a little bit of fear to keep you from rechecking that med or that dose or whatever but don't give up, give it time, you may surprise yourself and as long as you have good staff to support you, you'll do well! Hope this helps...good luck :)

True!

This is a good idea

Thank you for your comment! The patient was d/c after IVF and yes an incident report was filed.

I had just inserted the needle & this was after I had finished doing a straight cath as well.

The situation did not escalate any further after he had pushed my hands away. I felt that the environment that was created was too uncomfortable after that took place. I did not think to assess for any physical abuse :/ I did fill out an incident report though.

Thanks for your comment! I do feel very confident in my IV sticks even on pediatrics, however, it's a stressful situation for all involved and feel that the parents can play a larger role on how smoothly it goes or not too. Their cooperation is def key.

So I was placing an IV in a pediatric pt about 6mo and she was of course not happy. She was crying and the mother was comforting her the best she could. As I was placing the IV though, the dad reached across the bed while I had the needle in the child's arm and literally pushed my hands away and told me to stop & get another nurse. I was shocked that someone would do that and was taken completely off guard. The wife had jumped when he did it too and almost intervened but stopped herself. Anyways, I became angry and flustered over the whole ordeal as the doctor had explained in great detail what to expect and gave them the option of PO fluids & meds vs IV. I pulled the needle out and wrapped the child's arm, apologized, and told them I would send in another RN. I spoke to my charge RN about the situation and decided to transfer the child's care to another RN because I felt very uncomfortable at this point. I couldn't help but ask myself over and over what I did to set this man off but at the same time don't think any pt or family member has a right to lay their hands on any staff especially during a procedure. A simple "stop" would have worked just as well. Also, I do understand the frustration of having a sick child that ends up going through painful procedures in order to help them get better so I know that plays a part. I guess I just need to suck it up as part of the job. I just wonder as nurses, should we expect to be abused, whether physically or verbally? Or should I have said something about the inappropriateness of what happened right then & there? I'm not sure what was the most professional thing to do but I did not want to escalate the situation any further but at the same time I wanted to let him know that touching me or any other staff member in an aggressive manner would not be allowed.

Just wondering what other peoples thoughts are on residents smoking in LTC? I work PRN at an LTC facility that allows residents to smoke, basically I am told it is their right. So they do have scheduled smoke breaks for the residents throughout the day, however, we are often short staffed and are constantly looking for a staff member to take these residents out for assistance & supervision last minute. One of the residents fumes and fumes over it, bad mouths the staff & demands us all to stop what we're doing to take her out when we are not exactly on time and seem to be scrambling to help them out. I understand how frustrating it must be to lose that sort of control but I for one do not want to go out and light everyone's cigarette and expose myself to all of their second hand smoke and I really think it becomes a health issue for all our staff involved that is forced to do it. Additionally one of the residents is unable to hold her own cigarette and has to have full assistance to help her smoke, all but the actual inhaling...however in all reality we're doing this too. Does anyone know what legalities exist on this? Do I or any of the staff members have a right to refuse to expose ourselves to second hand smoke? I just don't know what laws exist but with our understanding of all the dangers of cigarette smoke, including second hand, should this "right" be changed? Please enlighten me