brattyone

OH! I can so relate! In Nursing School I had a friend that could imitate the sound of suctioning a Trach! Needless to say I never had a very good appetite when we were on the same clinical rounds! I have overcome it to a large degree, but it took time. I have always taken great care of my pts., and it's very true that if you want to be a nurse, you'll be doing many things that aren't "pretty or pleasant". That is all a part of Nursing. If your heart has led you into it, you will be amazed at what you are able to do.

Hey, I just read about your concern regarding your ability to handle feces. What I have learned to do over the years, especially as a student, don't focus on the fact that you are cleaning up poop. Actively focus on the task and the well being of the pt.,but if you find that your internal voice begins to focus on "I'm doing the very thing that I have difficulty even thinking about doing!" Refocus on the task and do your best not to become overwhelmed. There are somethings that have to be mind over matter, inaddition to using a tried and true remedy. Vicks Vaporub burns the heck out of my nose, but there are other nasal preps. I believe there is a spearmint ointment that may be used under the nares. Believe it or not, you'd be surprised by what you be accustomed to. I'm not saying its always easy, just give yourself time and see how things go. Good Luck!

Hey lizz.Geez since it is 2006 the ratios you point out as "soon to be" have been in place for a couple of years now. 2004 the date on your reply has come and gone. By the way Welcome to Cali. Nice to have the knowlege of your presence in such a pleasant way.

To test or not to test..that is the question. I will continue to test. Something had to have happened at some point that made testing the foley balloon before inserting it into the bladder a nursing standard. Most likely the balloon failed (likely more than once) resulting in negative pt. outcomes. Change is good but debating this issue seems a bit frivolous. Especially when there are far more relevant and pertinent issues that hospital's should be re-evaluating. The "foley focus" the hospital is having is moot. That horse has been dead a long time. Why start beating it again? I've been a nurse for a few years now and I continually learn. Something that I feel we as a profession should be aware of (this is NOT legal advice). What ever your hospital's policies and protocols are and we follow them down to the very last letter. If litigation is brought about,the hospital's P&P's do not cover us, something that I had always thought they would. We are ultimately held to National Nursing Laws of Practice in a court of law. Just something I feel compelled to pass along to others.

I'm also a CA Native also - 47 years. I agree with you. The State has and seems to be continuing to deteriorate at a rather rapid pace. The allure that it continues to have on those that decide to move here will eventually at some point turn into a culture shock. The California that you see on TV and the vacations to Disneyland that you may have taken, are not by any means indicative of what it's like to live here. It may be good to take a good long look before you leap..and I wish nothing but luck to those who do come. I'm not trying to be negative-just a realist. Lizz your reply is off topic. RN to pt ratios have nothing to do with what I was talking about:monkeydance:

I'm in complete agreement with fotograf. It is our professional duty to disclose and correctly inform the patient. The patient's cultural, spiritual and personal beliefs should NEVER be ignored. It is our duty to incorporate these things into their care. America has a diverse population and to impose our own belief system on others is unethical. Would you give blood products to a Jehovah's Witness? Cultural ignorance is no excuse. All the information you need to know is readily available, ask the patient or the patient's family members. Takes a few minutes out of our already over taxed time, but it has been proven to avoid misunderstandings and increases patient satisfaction. Studies have recently been released : patient's that have been deemed difficult i.e. demanding, angry, rude etc. by staff members have been found that they are acting out because their belief system was ignored. It makes more sense to me to take the extra few minutes upon receiving a pt. to explore and incorporate their needs, initiate a careplan or make an addition to an existing one. Than to spend the extended time it takes in problematic resolutions. Of course there are always going to be difficult, demanding and outright annoying pts.. The ones that can,in one shift, make you start asking yourself why did I chose nursing? What the (BLANK!) was I THINKING?????!!!!

burnout is really a problem is our profession. i had to learn the hard way. i was taking care of everyone else except for me and at about my 7th year i decided something had to change. i made it through nursing school raising two kids on my own. my ex was court ordered to pay child support and spousal support. that was a joke! he decided that he wasn't going to and he didn't, he managed to avoid not only his obligation to support his own children, but he chose to step out of their lives as well. the irony regarding the spousal support was although our marriage lasted 12 years, the ca law states he would be obligated to pay until i remarried or died. all i requested to my attorney's dismay, that my ex pay for 5 years, long enough to get my nursing degree. this may not seem to be following the topic. my point is burnout begins in nursing school and flows into our career. take care of yourself first! mind, body and spirit. if your own needs are ignored you aren't going to enjoy life to the fullest. my advice is to start taking care of yourself now. the sooner the better. you deserve it! life is meant to be enjoyed not endured. your career is young. take charge of you. write a careplan for yourself and see if your needs are being met, you may be surprised at what you find. good luck! i hope this helps...

Thanks! A lot of great information:yeah:

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CardiTrans welcome and bless you!

cardiotrans what a wonderful explanation! thanks:yelclap: