kafo

Seems that nursing itself is a love it or leave it type of career. Iv'e been in this profession for over 23yrs. There have been many a day that I have come home completely wiped out. I did OB nursing for the first 19, and now dialysis. I've been in amazing, wonderful situations, and I've been in the worst possible situations, but thru it all you have to pull yourself out of the equation and focus on the patient and the family before you. I know the frustration of the non-adherent patient who is a total fluid abuser and won't do anything to help themselves, but it's their choice. They are all on a life ending course. They are all very ill and we are just catching a final glimpse of their life. This is just your introduction to nursing Don't let this frustration stop you. Go back with a change in attitude. Talk to your preceptor as to your daily goals. Spend time talking to the patients and get to know the others around you. We all have been where you are at the beginning. Nursing has many doors and maybe this isn't what you thought it would be, but give yourself time.

I did travel nursing for 5 yrs with OA. in labor and delivery. Quit the road in 2004 and took permanent position in dialysis at home. Loving the change. OA is a great co. I had excellant recruiters. I can't speak to assignments in dialysis, but I wish you luck. I worked from coast to coast. New hampshire to Oregon , and places in the middle. Got to see alot of the US that I would never have experienced and took care of a diverse group of patients that I woundn't have experienced at home. Travel can be lonely, and you have to be on your toes, as you are the "new " kid all the time, but it was a great time over all for me. Good luck!!

In reply to the post re: white noise. I was an OB nurse for 20 yrs, the fetus must hear all sorts of muffled noises. The sound of voices around, the city, the mothers heartbeat, etc. Seems like Tom should have kept Kate in some kind of seclusion, instead of criss-crossing the world in promos. She should have listened to soft music, and read poetry outloud to the little one. To each their own. I witnessed the whole gambit of births. The famililies who thought of it as a party and all where invited to witness the event, to those couples that wanted to share only with each other. Each was unique and beautiful in their own way. I even had a woman who laughed her way thru. She stood with her arms draped over my shoulder and the mid-wife and when time came, she climed into bed and with one gigantic howl and laugh, out popped the babe, and we all laughed and cried. Good luck to the new family, may they all be happy.

Thanks for the reply. I have my yearly eval soon and this will give me somewhere to start.

So sorry you have to go thru this. I agree nursing is such a hard job and we are not kind to each other. I have been at it for 20 yrs and have seen such a turn in how we all seem to work. There was more team effort before, and seemed like alot more careing. I love dialysis for just the reason you said, it is for the patients. Sounds like you deserve this break. Do something healing for yourself. Reconnect with the real you and God will keep your patients safe in his care.

Greetings to everyone! I am new to this board and fairly new to dialysis after 20 yrs in OB. My question is re antibiotic administration. The hopspital I am with has both a free standing chronic and a smaller acute unit. The practice I see re: antiobitics is to infuse thru the needle after the run is finished. The med is allowed to free flow. This makes me shudder. Is there a protocol or reference I can refer to re this. I hope to approach my manager to improve our care, as there is no policies re this. Thanks!