StrwbryblndRN

As a nurse I've seen little racism amongst coworkers at the hospital. Some patients have been awful though. We had a good mix of staff at the hospital. Many white. black (of many nationalities), indian etc. My DON and nurse manager and assistant manger were black. No issue there. Probably the only thing I noticed was there was a comradery between them and other black nurses. I did not take offense. People of similar cultures tend to flock together. I get it. It did not affect how we worked together though. Same with other nurses of similar backgrounds. I currently work with majority black staff on night shift. There is one nurse and I that are white. Opposite shift there is one staffer. Total night staff for one shift is about 25 people. I tend to be left out of conversation that really does not pertain to me. Like hair styles and skin care and certain trends. Sometimes I chime in with questions. Sometimes I get asked questions. No negativity but we are different. I am OK with that. There might be talk behind closed doors but for the most part it's good. I accept the differences. For a little background: I grew up in a small white neighborhood surrounded by black neighborhoods. All upper middle class. I was integrated into a school with majority white along with fellow black students in elementary school. School bus bypassed 3 different elementary schools to get to the "white" school. The 3 elementary schools were good schools too. Not sure why integration took place except to "mix us up". To top it off my family was racist. I was taught that. Took me many years to realize I had a tendency for racism but nothing blatant. Parental teachings have a lasting affect. So I am always working on it. Luckily living in a predominantly black area taught me a lot. Everyone is different, even amongst people of similar traits. Whether it be race, religion or just anything. Lucky for me my kids benefited from my experience and appreciate everyone and what they bring to the table. Many muslim, black, gay and transgender friends. And they are all welcome in my home. There is hope for our future if my kids are an example.

Maybe consider looking into in-house Hospice. Some hospitals have it or lease an area in the Hospital to a hospice group. Not very common though. You have less meds, except frequent end of life and a lot of education for family. This is what I want long term but it is highly coveted and hard to find openings. I am 100% night shift and prefer 12 hour shifts too.

I am a big believer in having my kids pay for their own college. One can live off little if the need arises. I paid my way and I am student loan free. (Would be debt free but things happen). It's good for them. I am more than willing to help financially occasionally, but that's it.

I have noticed. Some coworkers were hired during pandemic, so I am not completely sure what they look like otherwise. But many looked warped to me. Like I am remembering them wrong or something.

Any infection in dementia residents or elderly without dementia will increase/induce confusion and put them at risk for all sorts of things. Covid is just one of many but is more challenging due to infection control. I would prefer hospitals discharge patients/residents back home when they are medically stable. To keep them in the hospital because they are not back to baseline puts them at further risk of decline. Elderly, after an infection, are very vunerable and weak. Get them home. They will heal way better being placed in a familiar environment. The longer in hospital, the weaker they are, the greater they will fall. A covid outbreak just makes it even more difficult. Best solution, but not necessarily doable, is to increase staff. (There should always be PPE to care for them) But I would not want anyone to stay in hospital longer then necessary no matter how challenging it will be when they come back. Absolutely no restraints.

Also, could be allergies and your positive. A large portion of our staff were asymptomatic when they came up positive. Some just thought it was there allergies too.

I will get it. Not due to fear but because I want to. But it should absolutely not be mandatory. I completely support anyone who refuses.

Our staff are tested weekly with or without covid positive residents. If even one staff is positive, all residents that were in contact with staff are tested and quarantined for 14 days.

I can't imagine being able to successfully restrict travel state to state. I can see employers not allowing employees to work or inability to seek certain services until after quarantine but that is about it . How would states be able to enforce it?

Meh. I've seen the benefits. My favorite cardiologist, who probably should be retired now, has been married to his nurse wife for over 50 years. He has a soft spot for nurses (not the creepy old man soft spot). He understands our plight and never raises his voice. Another nurse just recently married a surgeon, after meeting in SICU about 8 years ago. He was such an a**. When they started dating, he lightened up big time. If it is just a hook up, well good for them. Sometimes that's all you need. I disagree with facilities disallowing it. As long as it does not interfere with the job, who cares.

Being that I work nights I have always heard/seen things happen. Very minor. However, things have started happening at home in past 2 weeks. While trying to fall asleep around midnight, my phone fell off the night stand. I was laying still and not close to night stand when it fell. Well it fell face up and started playing a song on Pandora. In order for this to happen, I would need to tap screen, swipe up, open app and tap play. (I have not used Pandora in months) Freaked me out somewhat, only because it made me worry that someone needed me. I checked the kids, checked my puppies, the doors, you name it. I even checked the song to see if it was significant to someone I knew. Nope. When I went to lay back down, my sister text me. She was in the ER with a tib-fib compound fx. While sitting with my 18 yo daughter on the couch, we kept seeing a shadow on the back door glass. I could not tell if it was outside or inside but it just flicked away after a few minutes. I know bugs will fly around the light but this was much bigger without any definitive shape. We sit in direct line of site with this door and have never seen anything like it before. Could probably be easily explained but who knows. Then today, as I was trying to nap, the door to the room opened. It opened 1/3 of the way and just stopped. I called one of my dogs who is notorious for coming to disturb me while sleeping. Nope, not him. No one was home. I just layed there, waiting to see if anyone would text. No one did. But I could not sleep after that. Every once in a while for the last year, I swear I hear our side door shut like someone has come into the house. It is an older door that can be heard easily when closed. I happen to mention it to my daughter and she hears it sometimes too. I always say Hello! (like Mrs. Doubtfire) because I am not sure if anyone is coming in or not. I've gotten so used to it, it does not phase me. Well maybe a little. I should put a small bell on the door and see if it rings when no one is there.

Don't fix what is not broken. Go for your CMSRN. Expand on what you love. I worked medsurg for over 10 years. Loved it. I left for a change of pace but miss being busy. If I did not have family I would do travel med-surg.

I know this does not really answer any of your questions but hope it gives some positive vibes your way. I work with an aide that transitioned while working with us. Changed name during that time too. (Old fashioned 80+ year olds, strong chrisitan faith clientele in a christian based facility). A few ended up refusing care, because he was a man not because of the transition to being a man. It took a bit to remember to say his preferred new name. For the most part it was a positive thing. Still works with the same people and residents.

I have to admit I would rather hear all sides of a discussion, no matter how absurd. When it is too far out the box, it's just entertainment.

Homebody here. Quarantine did not change my life much. However my vacations usually involve a lot of travel to different parts of the US. I had plans to vacation internationally 2021 but probably not now. Otherwise I just miss going out to eat.