LPNJessi

I was trying to start an IV the other night when the patient's son was trying to play in the needles and catheters that I had nicley piled in a small container to take to the sharps container. The only thing is the son was older then my dad, therefore he should have known better. He grabbed one used needle and asked if he could chase his kids around the house with it. I was shocked he wouls even think to touch them let alone paly with them. I was so glad to find out that his mom had been moved to a different facility. He was really something else.

By helping them pass on I mean that I help them to prepare and help the family and help the patient to be comfortable. I often sit in the room or have a CNA sit in with a patient that is preparing to die to help make sure they are comfortable and not alone. I never meant anything related to euthanasia. When they are in denial of how sick they really are it is nice to beable to help them understand and prepare to end this life without a lot of pain and discomfort.

LTC is no longer just about geriatrics. We have had several young patients in their teens and twenties. Where I work we have a lot of cancer patients and VA patients that are not that old at all. I have gained a lot of knowledge at my job and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I have worked at different facilities and would never go back to them. I even tearned one place in to the state it was so bad. But if you find the good place and one that is right for you it can be one of the best jobs ever. I love getting to kknow the patients and seeing them progess or even being able to help them pass on. It is very rewarding and well worth working in. I have also done home health and hospital work and LTC is my fav.

We had a patient at my work that seemed healthy when she went to an appointment. While at the appointment her bowels ruptured and in less then 12 hours she died. But she si the only person that we have had at my work in the last 2 years that has died from bowel probs.

I have a hard time sleeping at night even when I work days. I work 3 12hr shifts in a row then I have 4 days off in a row. It is nice and I have the weekends off to be with the kids. My husband works days and I get scattered sleep because of our 1 year old. But it is do able and I enjoy the more relaxed night shift and not having so many people-family, management, and therapies around. I am able to give more to the patients and not feel rushed in my job. When I worked days I didn't feel like I was ablet o give my best to my patients and i had to deal with three meals, therapies, Dr's appiointments, and the Dr's doing their rounds. I

We have several feeding tube patients at my work. At the moment we have 2 trach patients as well. There was a time when we had 5 trach patients. We also get a lot of behavior patients and hospice and cancer patients. I don't see why it would be so hard to have a feeding tube patient. Even if the patient had behaviors. I thought that is what SNFs and LTCs were for. I could see how an assited living facility would not take them but not a SNF/LTC.

I think I know who you are working for. I worked for a hospital in the Redmond/Kirkland/Bellevue area. I didn't paid a lot but the free medical was worth it. Also I was fresh out of school so I made enough for a first job.

I have had quite a few opportunities to "be there" spiritually for my patients. The majority of the patients at my work are the same religion as I am and so I know what things would be of comfort to them. I had one patient that had a very hard night and we talked for over an hour and she ened up coding in the am just as I was getting ready to give report. She came back to my work a few weeks later and she told me how greatful she was for me talking to her and how much it meant to her and that she was glad I took the time to be with her. I had another patient that knew she was dying and asked me about my beliefs. It ended up being a very spiritual experience and until she died she referred to me as the nurse that opened her heart and helped her thru a very hard time. I don't go around and pressure anyone to believe what I believe. I also have had others of different religions include me in the prayers and I felt very honored by them welcoming me. I personally don't think it really matters what religion you are as long as you are the best you that you can be and don't pressure others with your beliefs.

I have never heard of a non-smoker being forced to go out with the smokers. At my work there are enough smokers to take the residents out that I rarely have to. I quit smoking over a year ago and the staff is good at making sure I am not around it too much. My DON smokes and still gives the staff the right to not go out with the smokers. I would try to talk to the DON ans see if something else can be done. She should underastand the risks with second-hand smoke and not force it on anyone.

Question: Why do they give the men nursing homes Viagra? Answer: To keep them from rolling out of bed.

I have done post mortem care too many times to count. I have also been theer for my CNA's when they do it for the first time. Just remeber to treat the body with respect and you should be okay. Also the body will be warm to cold depneding on how long the person has been dead and will be yellow pale in color. But it is an amazing exprience that one has to experience to appreciate.

I say report it imeediately. Then the authorities can handle the neglect or abuse.

Here is one that happened last Thurs at work. A very level headed CNA went to the basement to get something and heard people talking. Mind you she was the only one in the basement at the time. She was a little un-nerved by it. Also that same night the basement bathroom had the sink water on and it was going out into the hallway. It was nice to have her hear the people talking as she works days and doesn't get to see and hear the ghost like we do at night.

Okay here is one of mine. While at work a couple of weeks ago, a group of us were sitting at the nurse's station. And the room right across from the station has a patient that is totally dependant for everything. She has a trach and feeding tube. We were sitting there talking and suddenly her tape player came on and it sounded like the tape was being eaten. There was no one else in the room. And the tape player was the kind that takes some strength to turn on. (We have a few ghosts at my work that roam the halls.) We went in her room and her eyes were wide open and she was scared.

Don't feel guilty. You did a great job! I would love to have more CNA's like ou where I work. Keep up the good work. :w00t: