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SilverBells BSN

Rehab/Nurse Manager

Nurse Manager for Rehab Facility. Graduate Student.

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SilverBells has 5 years experience as a BSN and specializes in Rehab/Nurse Manager.

SilverBells's Latest Activity

  1. SilverBells
    Same thing happened two years ago. There was a lady that I really enjoyed working with who was eventually put on hospice that was gone between my work shifts. I've obviously had to attend to deaths before, but they're always for patients that I didn't know as well/work with as long
  2. SilverBells
    Update: Just found out this lady passed away this week on a day I wasn't at work. Disappointing, it seems like all of my "favorites" pass away when I'm gone.
  3. SilverBells
    I visited her because she was a patient I had been working with for a long time who transferred to another unit due to COVID. It’s not uncommon for staff to assist with residents on other units and is expected, if need be. Many of us become attached to patients we have worked with for a period of time, so checking up on a resident actually isn’t unheard of. With that said, in my case, 6 times a day was too many. It wasn’t fair to other residents who needed help or to myself, as it caused me distress that didn’t need to be there
  4. SilverBells
    I'm thinking at this point I probably should avoid making contact with her unless other staff members specifically ask for me to assist with her. Based on conversations with other coworkers, I'm not the only one that wants to see her. I think she'll probably be fine if I don't visit her for a bit; I'm not working this weekend and haven't received any notifications about her so far (as a nurse manager, sometimes staff members will send out relevant updates when I am not there). It appears that the separation is causing me more distress than it is anyone else; I feel as if I'm grieving someone that is still alive. For a while, I've had the mindset that since I'v worked with her the longest, I know her best, and should be the one managing her care, which is illogical. If staff members do reach out to me with any questions about her or want me to help intervene, I don't see anything wrong with that, and I'd be more than willing to do that. However, if no one asks for my assistance, it's probably safe to assume they are doing fine with her and there is no need for my intervention. In the past, staff members have noted that I am "obsessed" with this resident, even when she was on my unit. I also had some thoughts about leaving the nursing profession once this lady passes as I thought my work as a nurse must be done, but that makes no sense either since I did not even know this person prior to attending nursing school. It makes me sad, but for everyone's sake, I feel it's best if I don't visit her for a few days while at work.
  5. SilverBells

    New Clinical Instructor / advice

    SilverBells replied to Mmincey's topic in Educators

    No advice, but following as I am interested in teaching as well
  6. SilverBells

    Nursing School and Career with Back Problems

    SilverBells replied to person115's topic in General Nursing

    My suggestion would be to reach out to any schools you would be considering. What sort of accommodations would they be willing to allow? Would you be required to meet all clinical requirements or could they make some exceptions? Many schools are required to accommodate students with disabilities to a certain extent. Prior to reaching out to them, you may want to consider evaluating which area of nursing you are looking at going into. Evaluate the requirements of that specialty to see if you can truly meet the demands the job would require. If, after researching that specialty, you feel that you could be successful in that area of nursing, reach out to the nursing school and advocate that you are pursuing the degree for a specific reason. Outpatient or clinic areas of nursing may be more willing to accommodate you than a hospital or SNF might be.
  7. SilverBells

    Difficulty with respiratory issues as a new grad?

    SilverBells replied to Audacioustank's topic in General Nursing

    I think it is great that you had the charge nurse there to help back you up. While it really isn't acceptable that it is "just how the RT is," at least you know he is like that with other people and can hopefully not take it personally. It's also great that the charge nurse was able to validate your findings; I feel like it probably takes time to decide whether or not an abnormal lung sound requires immediate intervention. Perhaps you could ask your charge nurse why he felt, in this instance, he wouldn't have notified RT? For example, was it due to him expecting to find these lung sounds, the fact that vitals were stable, or that it is not uncommon for COPD patients to feel short of breath, etc? I've always found it helpful to ask someone with more experience why they chose to make the decisions they did so I can learn from them.
  8. SilverBells

    Difficulty with respiratory issues as a new grad?

    SilverBells replied to Audacioustank's topic in General Nursing

    The RT's behavior was unprofessional for sure, but I agree with @caliotter3 that it may be helpful if you ask another nurse to assess lung sounds prior to notifying RT until you become more comfortable. Even then, there will be times when a provider or RT will disagree with your assessement...better to have the patient to be checked out than to be sorry.
  9. SilverBells

    Low Stress Specialties

    SilverBells replied to Hayleyjc26's topic in Specialties

    You mentioned that you are looking at going to school for public health in the fall...have you looked at public health nursing? In my opinion, all jobs in the hospital are stressful, so I do not work there. I am currently working in LTC/SNF but the large patient ratio can be stressful. The continuity of care helps, but you still must be on top of things. If not public health, maybe see if there is a clinic or outpatient job that might interest you.
  10. SilverBells

    Guilt after patient passing away

    SilverBells replied to JabuJabule's topic in General Nursing

    @JabuJabule, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of a patient that you had a connection with. About a year ago, I experienced a similar situation. I was working as a floor nurse in a SNF and had a schedule that allowed me to have over a week off every 3 weeks since I worked many 12 hour shifts in the previous weeks. Anyway, there was a LTC resident who I had worked with for a long period of time, who eventually was placed on hospice. I, too, wanted to be with this resident before she passed but the timing of her death and my schedule simply did not make this possible. I knew that after having over a week off from work, she would be gone by my next shift. I have tried to minimize any 'guilt' that I might have felt by knowing she received the care and attention she needed while I was still there. I'm currently in a situation where another long-term patient of mine is now on hospice and due to change in room assignments as well as change in nursing roles, I am no longer able to be with this patient as much as I would like. This one is a struggle for me because I've known this person for 4 years now. I've had a hard time of passing on her care to other people, but know that there are capable nurses working with her now. As much as I would like to be there when the time comes for her to say goodbye, maybe it will be a blessing in disguise to not be there due to heartbreak. Just keep in mind that there are many other patients who will want and need our attention as well. You may eventually have the opportunity to say goodbye to another patient, although I realize that person won't take the place of this patient. In my case, I have had an instance where I know my voice was the last one a patient heard, and even though I hadn't worked with this individual nearly as long as the other two I've described, it was still special. I know she left the world in peace with a calming presence. Anyway, no real advice and I know I am ranting. Just wanted to let you know there are other nurses that get connected to their patients as well. Hugs ❤️
  11. SilverBells
    Please read my additional replies throughout the thread. As you can see as this thread progresses, I actually do not condone any of that behavior. I sought feedback because I felt that some of my behaviors/feelings were wrong, and I'm almost relieved that others were feeling the same way. With that said, if you've only read a few of my replies, I can definitely understand your response. I feel that at this point that if I can start maintaining more professional boundaries, I wouldn't necessarily need a psychiatrist, but am not trying to dismiss any suggestions of the benefits of therapy either. Regardless, this thread has become quite long so I can understand not wanting or having time to read through every post either. Thank you for your feedback
  12. SilverBells
    Shoot, that message may have came out wrong. A previous poster had questioned what my true motive may have been regarding devoting a large amount of time to this patient, and I thought it was possible that it may be because this patient had always shown appreciation. All I meant by this was that if I spent the time other patients needed, I may find that some of them would appreciate my help as well. I definitely agree that as a nurse, and especially as a nurse manager, my goal should be meeting the needs of each individual regardless of their reactions to my assistance. I am being paid to manage the care of many patients, not to be one particular patient's private duty nurse. If I truly feel the need to focus on only one patient, then perhaps a career change would be needed; at this point, I do not believe this is necessary. Also, as a manager, I am in a leadership position, so I should hold myself to higher standards. Showing favoritism to anyone, whether it be residents or other staff members, does not bode well for someone in my role. Hopefully that makes further sense...
  13. SilverBells
    Shoot, and that is the last thing that I am wanting. Thanks for your thoughts. Hmm, okay. It probably would be best if it came from me rather than someone else and/or before it becomes out of control. Not to mention the fact that other residents are capable of showing appreciation as well, not just this one.
  14. SilverBells

    New Nurse - unhappy with first job

    SilverBells replied to Flashsomefang's topic in General Nursing

    It seems odd that you would be getting fewer hours since these types of facilities are almost always in demand for more staff. I would ask you if there are extra shifts you could pick up, but I imagine if they wanted you to do so they would have scheduled you full time. One thought I have is that while your state is allowing you to practice without passing your NCLEX, you technically do not have an RN license. You have a degree but not a license. I am not trying to diminish your accomplishments at all as graduating nursing school is an incredible achievement. With that said, without having passed your NCLEX, they may view you more as a liability, and thus, the resulting fewer hours and lower pay. With that said, if you have only been there three weeks, I feel it is too soon to be seeking out other jobs. Any employer will be looking for commitment on your end. Also, if you enjoy this position and the residents and staff members you work with, staying may also be worth it because the time to accept more hours might come sooner than you think. Good luck and welcome to nursing! :)
  15. SilverBells
    All good resources, thank you
  16. SilverBells
    About 4 years ago, I started as a part time nurse in a LTC/Rehab facility. Since then, I’ve moved on to full time nurse, interim nurse manager and now, full time manager. Over the past 4 years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with one lady that I’ve always had a connection with. I used to spend 2 hours getting her to bed, including giving her a nightly foot soak. On Sundays, we used to pray together with Eucharistic Minister that would visit our facility. Because of the COVID pandemic, they have rearranged patients. Thus, she is no longer assigned to my case load as she is now on another unit. The other staff members and manager do not give her the same amount of attention. She will only eat and drink for me, and is now on hospice. She has no family in her life. Now that she’s dying, I want to spend as much time with her as possible regardless of whose patient she is. I try and always plan my day to start and end with a visit to her, along with four other visits. Because of my dedication to her care, I find myself getting irritated when patients on my unit take up time I’d rather be with her. These patients have family, are not dying and are overall annoying. I even got involved with repositioning the resident and taking her vital signs when a care conference for a different patient was occurring. However, if I do not make regular visits to this lady, she won’t get the attention she needs. I am just wondering if 6 visits a day is too many? Also, anyone else experience increased dedication when they find out a favorite one is dying?
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