AIS52

I had a similar experience except that my false positive was for HIV!!! If I remember correctly they do two screenings, one for the actual virus (very specific) and one for antibodies (non-specific), and my antibody screening came back slightly positive which only means I just got over something. It was quite the scare but worst of all, the Red Cross assured me that I could donate again and if it was negative there would be no problem. I called my doctor right away to be retested and it was negative so a few months later I tried to donate again. This time they rejected me right away despite telling me I could donate again. Apparently the Red Cross changed their policy on donations and even if you test negative they don't want your blood- but not before putting me through the humiliation of being rejected at the last station before you lie down to donate. I guess I should be happy everyone was very professional about it and I didn't have to deal with any giggling.

Two good ones- On the floor census, "S/P CABBAGE" or on the preop checklist in the belongings section "family took toilet trees home"

I've never had anyone ask me if I'm gay, in fact many of the women when they find out I'm not married want to introduce me to their granddaughter, daughter, niece, etc. so I'm not worried if the patients think I'm gay or not. Besides would you think your child's teacher was gay because he was a man? I didn't think so- you don't hear the term "Male Teacher" used very often so why do we use "Male Nurse?"

At the last hospital I worked we had a Cardiothoracic Surgeon who underwent a sex change. She had to send out a letter to all her patients informing them and while a few left, most stayed. In fact many said they felt more comfortable seeing her now because SHE was more comfortable. The majority of the staff who knew this surgeon as a man and as a woman say it was a great move. She is much more pleasant and friendly to the staff than as a man. The staff treats her like a professional and she treats the staff likewise. As far as I knew it was never a problem.

Jimmy Buffett's "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes" for my personal favorite line that sums up just about everyone in healthcare- "If we weren't all crazy, we would go insane." I can never resist singing (in my head at least) "Fins" when rolling a patient.

Well, often times they will split the money recovered with you 50/50! I know insurance companies do this because my aunt is an attorney who specializes in medicare fraud. When she had surgery a few years ago she requested an itemized bill for her stay and found such charges as respiratory therapy. Mind you, she did not need or receive any respiratory therapy- but because there is oxygen availible in your room insurance gets charged several hundred dollars. Anyhoo, she disputed some charges and out of policy- NOT because she was an attorney, her HMO split the recovered costs with her. Pretty cool if you ask me.

When I started 3-11 and many patients were sleeping when I left, I started waking up thinking I WAS IN A PATIENT'S BED!!! Thank god those dreams stopped but I swear my computer's fan sometimes makes a sound like the call bell.

I usually wore scrubs but once in a while I would wear regular clothes (maybe kahkis and a sweater, etc). Once for Halloween I dressed up really scary- that's right, I wore a tie to work. My costume? A 9-5 person! Actually, I found it really doesn't matter what you wear, the families will still be confused. Never was I bossy or rude. Sure its really annoying when a nurse would use my phone to take report with 3 open ones or lean over my shoulder to check labs with two other computers open but I generally took it all in stride- unless it was early July and found a new intern in my seat. Look out! I definately appreciate the Unit Coordinators and everything they do. I also think EVERY nurse should spend a week as a U.C. to see what they have to deal with on a daily basis. Sure the job isn't physically demanding (usually) but it definately is mentally!

Here's a good one I witnessed: Biomed has this cool little tool (or toy) that tests the tele monitors. It can produce a perfect arrythmia so while testing the monitors, the tech put in a name and room then set his little box for VF! You should have seen the looks on everyone's face when he confessed!

We recently had one of the newer residents diagnose a patient with "Left Middle Lobe Pneumonia!" I guess anatomy wasn't her strong point!