pyrazen

The problem seems to me that non-nursing staff interupt nurses for EVERYTHING. If a person is qualified to do OT or PT, then they are qualified to take someone to the bathroom, help them call their family, fluff the pillow or any of not critical thinking stuff. I totally got your point Mermaid, but it might have gotten a different response from other posters if you didn't use a pain example.

At many facilities I am familiar with the policy is that LIP's or "specially trained" RN's can complete the face-to-face. However, if the policy states that it has to be a MD, then it has to be a MD.

The OP has explained that at this workplace "charge nurse" is not really a charge nurse. I have worked in places that had this type of charge. It just meant that if something out of the ordinary went down, that person would would be the first one to try to fix it. Teams were split evenly and all experienced nurses took their turn at it. The other type of charge nurse (the one who helps room pts, starts admits, facilitates discharges, puts out fires, coordinates with other departments, etc..,) of course would not have the same number of patients if any at all.

I think (with the available info) you acted correctly. Better to take precautions than call the morgue. When I was a med/surge nurse I cared for a SI pt. I was told by mgmt he was fine, not to worry, didn't need a sitter etc... Two days later I'm called into a incident debriefing, and he was dead. Caution and following the P&P is a good thing.

I'm guessing that you have never been in a "relationship" with someone who knows that you find the bank account sexy. Men and women in positions of power who "buy" their companions know what the going market value is. It is not the same as other relationships. If the power player wants an "equal" relationship, it is more likely to be a dynastic situation where each can help the other on the ladder of social status. Not saying that all doctors fit this profile, but those that make it to "rich" just might. BTW, Most of the docs I know fit in the "comfortable" catagory, not "rich". This is my opinion, not a condemnation of anyone who hunts the pampered lifestyle, or anyone who provides that lifestyle.

Cleaning the wheelchairs. When did this become a nursing task? I'm too busy, and we have housekeeping, but this for some reason has been assigned to nurses.

Pyra= fire Zen=at peace with my universe so basically a contradiction, I spend part of my time fired up and the rest in a state of bliss.

NicenurseLPN, Here's a hug :hug: sounds like the balance between being a good nurse (which is a job) and being a mom (which is so much more) is tough on you right now. It sounds to me like you handled the situation well, with the help of supportive co-workers.

We are not around enough to have the right to complain, and anyway my aunt and the other residents there seem well taken care of. I do say thanks, but I bet they would remember us better for the cookies:) My concern is more that it could be confusing/disconcerting to my aunt. She has only been there a short time and I am hoping she will adjust to her new situation. I would not want our visits to hinder that. I am thankful that all replies have indicated that this would not be the case, as I would hate to lose the time with her.

Thanks for the replies! Obviously, my issue is guilt, she is the first relative to go into care, everyone else was kept home with family, but she refused to move back here with us when she was able to make quality decisions. Systoly, what I mean by "mental slide" is memory loss, confusion, regression ect... She doesn't know who we are & we don't push it, just kind of hang out. Again, Thanks for replying, you all have helped me feel like we are doing more good than harm even though we can't be there often.

I have a great, great auntie who 2 months after her 100th Bday started the mental slide & had to go to LTC. We live over 4 hrs away but have always visited her 4-6 times a year. I have read on other topics about family who rarely visit making things worse, and don't want to do this (I have always worked in the hospital so have no exp c LTC x clinicals). When asked, the staff at the facility said in a very PC way "no problem" but I know at my job I frequently have to say no problem even if it is. So the question. Is visiting infrequently worse than not visiting at all? Thanks

Some states have "compact" agreements with other states, like 20 are in the compact and you are kinda already lic in those states. Otherwise you have to endorse BEFORE working or you are unlic & in trouble. for RN.

I am a big fan of "working it out" before you kill someone.

Funnily enough, I just finnished helping my DH write his first ever resume. (He graduates nursing school in 2 weeks!!!!!:hpygrp:)He has been a self employed artist for almost 20 years, so his resume is alot of skills, not jobs. Creative phrasing is the way we went on this project! Congrats on graduating to you. you earned:hpygrp: (dancing happy faces) too!

It wouldn't do anything about dementia related violence, except change the way facilities handle violent demented pt.s, however, not all violence is done by those populations! In fact, not all is done by patients. Sometimes it is family members or friends who harm health care providers. I feel that if legislation would be created protecting us it might become pervasive in society to not treat nurses badly. Anything that demonstrates to the public that we are a vital, necessary, skilled profession rather than some kind of subsitute mother/whipping post/servant has to be good for us as a group. Everyone knows that if you hit a police officer you get in big trouble, but abusive people have learned from experience that you rarely are legally reprimanded if you hit a nurse. Many facilities do not want employees pressing charges against violent people for fear of looking bad in the press. If it was mandated to report, you can bet your favorite pair of shoes facilities would figure out more safety measures for decreasing violence, again for fear of looking bad if too many incidents were reported! I am very lucky. My NM is supportive of filing charges, however, not all are. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my views on this matter, as you can see it is something I feel strongly about. I know it will not stop all violence but even some decrease would be nice. Prior to legislation about child abuse, more kids were brutalized. Prior to legislation about elder abuse, more were mistreated. That is where I am coming from on this issue. PS. Totally not offended

Sorry but I gotta say it again. Write to all congresspersons & even the President! Let them know we want people who assault us to get in as much trouble as they would for assaulting a police officer. People want us to be waiting in the hospital when they need us, & we are obligated to help them when they get there just as police officers are obligated. Write them frequently. If we all did this it would get the attention it deserves, & if we could get a bill passed, it might make the public stop hurting us! I get pretty tired of taking abuse, both physical & verbal.

Please follow me to this little office here & we will get you that psych eval you so obviously need.

"As I said before, he is notorious for refusing his meds, but will usually consent at some point during our time there. (I think it depends on who is trying to give them to him, and with what kind of attitude.)" I think this statement is the answer. This pt had the right to refuse. The student could have gained compliance simply by waiting or having someone else give the meds.

I had a patient the other day allergic to marijuana. Reaction: coughing

My MIL makes all my scrubs, tops & bottoms. She says it is easier than trying to tailor the commercial ones to fit me. I am TINY so the only scrubs to fit right are little kid ones. I am learning how to make them. Pants are easy, tops not so much.

I don't understand why you thought this was funny? Lots of people are allergic or sensitive to KY jelly.

I am feeling sympathy for nurses who have to take abusive crap. Anytime a staff member has been injured on the unit I work on, they are asked by our management if they want to file charges, not as a punnishment but to express to the patient that actions have consequences. I have been told by the director of the unit (when we have verbally disruptive or abusive family members who have been told to quit it) to just call the police if that person returns & goes off again, then call management when it is convenient/ safe for us to do so. Granted I work in psych, but even the mentally ill are accountable for their actions.