MadRedneckRN

Thanks for the replies. We have a Social Worker involved, just no suggestions yet except "everyone has to tell her the same thing, she can't go home right now". The Lasix is early in the morning but noc bed wetting has also been an issue. She will wear the brief at night without too much trouble. She is on Lexapro, and Elivil. She has had Home Health in the past, but she doesn't like them to do anything. She just will smile and say, "Well, Lynn can do that for me." (Lynn is my uncle, who needs a cane to walk) He won't say a word to her, but will tell the family, he can't do it. He just doesn't want to be the bad guy

I have a bit of a problem. My Grandmother, age 96 was just placed in a LTC/Rehab center. She has lived at home with her son up until 3 weeks ago when she had to be hospitalised. She is very stubborn, depressed and angry. While I understand her wanting to go home, if we took her to my Mother's house, (she and my Dad are thinking about it) I feel it would not be a good idea. Gram has Diabetes, and all the health problems related to it. She isn't able to ambulate without assistance and refuses a wheelchair. Needless to say, falls are a major concern. She is incontinant and must wear a breif which she fights. Her hospital stay was for CHF and UTI. She had been cheeking her Lasix because she didn't want to have to pee so much. She is a bit paranoid and has started hallucinating a bit. Every time we try to get her to take a PRN Ativan, she refuses saying she's not having anxiety. When the nurse leaves she is crying and begging us to take her home. She won't admit to any pain, ( she has a fx wrist from a fall) because she thinks they will keep her longer. My real concern is that my Mom or Uncle will take her home. They are both in their upper 70's and not in great health. I know Grandma will never "adjust" to life anywhere but home. I don't think she qualifies for hospice and I'm looking for any advise you can give. This is really tearing the family up. My Mom goes to the center at least 3 times per day, as does my uncle. I try to go every day. We all want her to be as comfortable as possible, but I'm at a loss as to how to help her. :bluecry1:

My favorite when doing an IV or injection is "Don't worry, this is my second time after the...incident. They finally let me back with the real people again"

I had to place my 96 year old Grandmother in a SNF last week. The first thing I did was pulled a CNA aside and ask her how much she made and if this was a good place to work. I did this at several places we visited before we decided where we would place her. I asked if the nursing staff helped the CNA's and how admin treated them. I'm happy to report I found a place where the staff works as a team and are well compensated. Thank God for loving, wonderful CNA's who are there when families are unable to be. I make an effort to thank them every day. CNA'S; YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the care you give :saint: :pumpiron: :pumpiron: Lori

Go to SRMC in Atlanta. I just passed there. The CA and the CE's were wonderful. Everyone is polite and they want to see you pass

I was in Atlanta at SRMC Sept 8-10. I passed with only one lab repeat. The CA and CE's were wonderful. They would help out as much as possible and really wanted you to pass. Here is the key IMHO: Know your pneumonics and critical elements. STRESS MANAGEMENT is 80% of this test. If you appear confident, (even though you are not) the CE's will be more likely to step back a bit. I did a few assessments before my vitals. I waited so I couldn't hear my own pulse pounding so loud. I also wanted to prove to the CE that I could do a good assessment in case I messed up. Talk through your assessments. When I did PVA, I talked to the patient: You have good strong pulses in your feet, your skin is warm and pink, great cappilary refill..... I forgot to chart cap refill but since the CE heard the comment on it, she let me fix it!!!! I admit, I was very lucky to pass. They could have sent me home over the charting area, but I appeared to be confident and they were very nice and fair. Atlanta is beautiful, SRMC is laid back, I had a great experience.

I have a patient who takes 1500 Seroquel, 30 Ambien, 2 Klonopin and 1 Ativan every night. He is still able to walk around an hour later!!!! Ya gotta wonder how much meth, crack and heroine he was doing on the streets

Hi Meerkat In my facillity (adult forensic), if a staff member is assulted and charges are pressed, the staff member will be moved to another unit while that patient is still on the unit. For example, one of our techs was punched a couple of months ago and needed surgery. He is back to work but, cannot work on my unit since the patient who hit him is still here. The DA sometimes will press for more jail time but often the fact that the patient is "mentally ill" means it will not go very far. So, for me, the question is would you be assigned to a different (worse) unit while the legal system and the facillity work this out??? Should charges be pressed?? YES... Will it make things better or worse for you??? Will it make ANY difference to the patient's outcome???? Tough call Psych is a tough field. I honestly don't know what I would do in your shoes. On my unit I wouldn't press charges because I don't want to be moved to another area of the hospital. Good Luck to you Lori

Leslie If "orienting a patient to reality" will agitate them, I won't do it. While playing into the delusions isn't a good thing either, I think your response as "one of the good guys" is appropriate. It's important to gain the trust and establish a relationship early. You could follow your comment with "all the nurses are good guys". Patient safety is first and if being one of the good guys makes the patient feel safe, that's what it's all about. IMHO, your instructor needed to put down the book and talk to the patients. Every patient is unique. Your approach needs to be unique.

I've had that dream!!!!!! I had to start locking the Boston's out of the bedroom!!!!!!

This is am EMS one DRT= Dead Right There

SLC is a good place to be a nurse. You will find just as many Non LDS as LDS. Most people are friendly. IMHO, the "anti mormons" are worse than the mormans. You get a lot of religon bashing from the anti's. Most non mormons just keep their opinions to themselves, like anywhere else. I grew up here and work in Provo. (the shadow of BYU, Happy Valley.....) Cost of housing is pretty low, cost of living in general is low. The only gripe I have is we have a fairly high state tax.

I used College Network guides for my RN through Excelsior. They worked for me. You may want to check on Ebay for guides before you sign a contract. You can get them much cheaper. Keep in mind the wait time for the CPNE is about 6 months once you've paid for it. It's tough, but doable Good Luck

Grandma got rid of the plant.... but not for 6 months:eek: She thought it was pretty. Cousin was in jail for other drug charges:rolleyes:

OK, I can't resist. My Grandmother had a flower pot that a cousin of mine pot marijuana seeds in. They grew into one of the most beautiful plants I've ever seen. Grandma, being the sweet old lady she is, pampered the "strange tomato plant", trimming it and feeding the leaves to her parakeets. She had a bumper crop of baby birds and was really upset when we told her she was growing pot plants:roll I know this is way off topic but, ya'll need to lighten up IMHO. To the OP, I think your manager was wrong for treating you like crap. I'm not sure I would have reported the plant, but I respect your decision for doing so.