NursSissy

Sounds like he went septic fast. Would be interesting to know what his blood cultures show. Where they drawn when his temp was elevated? Was his Lactic acid drawn? Keep us posted! And so true, they always tank during report! What is with that!? Take care and know you did all you could for him and hopefully he will fine.

I moved out of state with my family for my husband. Down South where there are few unions.

I loved working for a union hospital. For 5 years I worked the same schedule and felt like like I had a voice in making decisions for us (nurses). Yes, we had to work every other holiday. But at least if I worked this Memorial day, I would know that next year I would have off. The nurse to pt. ratio was manageble and enforced. I currently work at a nonunion hospital that is top heavy with clinical managers and supervisors reminding us constantly how lucky we are to have jobs. I see them walking around. Not quite sure what they do except dream up more busy work for us. They put us on call when the cencus is low, but "Betty" who posts "todays menu" on the computer works her Monday - Friday 8-4. Yes there are union dues, mine were about 72 dollars a month but I didn't pay a thing for my health benefits and my scripts were a dollar. Not so at my current hospital.

Good Luck!

Last week in our local paper there was an article about a book a gentleman just wrote about bad bosses, I can't recall the title or author but did remember him quoting Nurses are at the top of the list of abused employees. On the average are verbally abuse 6-12 a year by doctors. We have 1 urologist that probably abuses 12 nurses a day! I wish I could remember the title!

It was brought to the attention of our Clinical manager that many of the nurses on our floor are concerned that with our patient load and other reponsibilities on the floor( ex. checking and charting all refrigerator temps on floor) we may be endangering our patients and are scared we may not be able to deliver safe care. Manager's response, "Suck it up".

I discouraged all my children from nursing. Sad but true.....

Yikes! 7 ten hr days in a row? We work 3/12 hr shifts in our hospital and thats enough. I work nights so I don't know if it is easier during the day, but I imagine not. Good luck to you and be safe.

Melanie, You have me crying! That is a beautiful memory. Thanks for sharing.

I really don't think anyone other than another nurse or CNA can really relate to what we do or really understand what we do, especially in an acute care setting. Yes, we wipe butts, but honestly that is the easiest part of our job!