mycatmax

hello all!! i have been a cardiac nurse for 2 years. i went into this immediately after graduating nursing school. i also began to work on my bsn immediately after i earned my associate degree. tonight is my very last bsn class and i am graduating with a 4.0 :) (just had to throw that in) last week, i accepted a full time position as an rn in a long term care psych facility. i believe most of the consumers are coming from state hospitals which have closed down in the last year. i believe our goal is to use a holistic approach in helping them to meet goals. the reason why i am writing this thread is because i am concerned about therapeutic communication techniques. i feel that i would be perfectly capable, but i must learn them first. i realize that someone without training or knowledge in this area could actually harm patients and that is the last thing i want to do. i think that i desperately need help in this area in order to keep patients safe and be an effective nurse. i do not believe there will be any experienced pysch nurses to mentor me, because this is a new 14 bed facility, and i believe staff consists of 1 rn each shift with additional techs. the other rn that works there is only a few months into psych herself. the main thing i am concerned with is therapeutic communication, assertiveness... etc. although there is probably a whole lot more i could be concerned about.... i guess i was wondering if any of you knew of a book on therapeutic communication. i wouldn't have the patience to read a long drawn out book. i would be excited to read it if there were short stories/case studies which described a situation, the interventions, and the therapeutic communication techniques in detail. does anyone know of such a book?

Thanks:) this is the very first post I chose to read on this forum. It makes me feel more comfortable and happy to read and learn.

I was a brand new nurse still on orientation. Was taking care of a guy who had a lobectomy d/t lung ca. I work on a step down unit. This guy was obviously affected by icu psychosis. He was completely nuts and wanted to take his CHEST TUBE out and go home. He thought his bed was a car, thought there was bugs on the wall, crazy crazy crazy stuff. But I about crapped my pants when he grabbed his chest tube and tried yanking it out... Then, while in nursing school doing my L&D rotation, I was helping to care for a woman giving going into labor. She was nice up until the transition phase (is that what it's called?). She was 9cm and wanted to leave. She threw her phone and wanted to get dressed and leave! Leave at 9cm....

Last week I was assigned a patient that I was not qualified to care for. The supervisor said that I HAD to take this patient so that I may get the training even after I protested very strongly. He said that the other nurse on the floor would be there to help, as would auxiliary staff. This is were I had the problem: the other nurse had very little experience with this type of patient and could not even answer my questions correctly and It was a ventilated patient. I have never taken care of a ventilator. At 11pm that night when I began my shift and was told that I HAD to take this patient, I did not even know how to suction a vent. However, the supervisor tends to think that I was in a safe situation (As was the patient) and that I needed the training, so this scenario was mandatory. However, I feel that patient safety was compromised. I am angry that he did not listen to me when I said, I HAVE NEVER TAKEN CARE OF A VENT BEFORE. And I am angry that he thought it would be okay to assign me this patient and have an inexperienced nurse to "oversee". I would just like some of your input. Thank you, Jill

That is quite disgusting!

Had a guy who was just getting over a sm bowel obstruction. He was on complete best rest. He had to move his bowels so i put him on the bed pan. Couple minutes later I go into his room to clean him up. His poop looked like a think soft slimey gray snake.. and stunk SO FLIPPEN bad. I was emptying in in the toilet and I threw up right on top of it. I just wonder how long that poop was in his instestines before he was able to pass it. It was the NASTIEST thing I have ever encountered. I still get the dry heaves just thinking about it.

Recently I worked in an area of of the hospital that I do not normally work in. A couple of the nurses were nasty. No reason to be that way, just catty. I just don't understand what is inside these people to prompt them to act that way. I can't imagine being nasty to someone for minor minor reasons. Did you ever meet someone and you know right off the bat that you want to steer clear of them; it's like you can tell they are a trouble maker, liar, just a nasty attitude all over... I just don't understand why people feel the need to act that way. It just amazes me. I thought this was highschool bs, apparently it continues way into womanhood. How immature. What is it inside those nasty coworkers that makes them that way? I truly do not understand.

One year in and I just do NOT want to do it anymore. I went to PRN status because I just did not want to be full time anymore. I have 8 more months and my BSN will be complete. My fiance and I plan on marrying at the end of this year and we want children. I have to work, but I just pretty much hate bedside and I do not know what I can do. I love the people and the problems that need to be solved, but there is just something else that makes me hate bedside and I am not sure that I can pin point it. Maybe it is the confused patients who try to get out of bed but can't walk... sends my anxiety level through the roof. Or maybe it's the guy with a chest tube and wants to pull it out so he can "go catch the bus"... he's crazy.. the anesthesia got to him. I just can't take it. Last night i had a 68 year old lady who could not keep her hands off the call bell. I undestand it was probably because she was anxious about being hospitalized, but I could NOT get my work done... I was ready to poke myself in the eye with my pen. She just kept calling for no reasons. It was so terrible. I plan on going to grad school in fall of 09, but I am not sure what for. I guess my question to all of you is... what else can I do besides bedside? Any ideas? What might I want to do my grad work in? I almost feel hopeless and I question sometimes whether I should have done this:(

I have been a RN for almost a year now. Work on a fast paced telemetry step down unit. I work (3) 7p-7a shifts a week, but also go to school (RN-BSN program). I used to love my job, but for the last few months I have hated it. I dread going in. I call my mom everyday in the parking lot and whine about how much I do not want to go in. I think it is mostly because of the scheduling and because the weather is starting to become beautiful in my area and the midnight shifts are causing some depression. I am looking for another job. I almost want to just put a two week notice in before I have even found a new job. I am so sick of it. Guess I just needed to vent about it. Thanks for reading:)

I too work nights, and what you said is very true!

Currently, I work on a telemetry step down unit. I work 3 12h shifts each week, midnight shift, and I work every other weekend. I am ready for some structure. I would love to work straight monday through friday, 8 hour days with weekends off. I have NO idea where I would look for such a job. I could only think of a doctor's office. Can you think of any others? Also, this is my first "professional" career. How do I apply? Do I just put together a resume and submit it to the company?

New 7 month old nurse here. Kind of embarrassed to ask this question. Is there a difference between lungs sounding "decreased" or "diminished"? I always assumed they meant the same thing. They do, right?

I am a new nurse too- 6 months in. Last night I worked on out telemetry overflow with another nurse who had 27 years experience. She wasn't very friendly at first, but since it was only the two of us working together, she started to open up to me after a few hours. She said, (FROM HER HEART) that she hated nursing. She hated taking care of patients. I told her that I thought that was sad. I told her that she should try to find another field and renew her passion, but she just laughed. She saw me as a new happy go lucky nurse. But I felt bad for her. I told her she should make an honest effort to try to find a new job. I really felt bad for her... and her patients:(

This article was so CUTE! I loved it! JUst adorable!! I'm going to email this page to one of my close friends! It's way too cute to not share. Thanks!

I have been an RN now for 4 months now. I love it! There are times that are difficult, but the good drastically outweighs the bad. I love people. I love the stories they have. I love taking care of truly ill people. Being able to give medicine to take their pain away and having them say thank you. Sitting down and listening to them tell you about their day, how frustrated they may be with their illness. I like listening to their personal stories. I have met some wonderful people. I was recently taking care of a man with cancer, older man. He was also in CHF. His feet were the biggest feet I have ever seen! Anywhoo, I accidently made the comment..."do you live with your wife?" and he told me his wife was dead. She died 2 years priorwhile he was ion surgery. So we sat for about 15 minutes and talked about his wife. He told me about what they used to do when they were younger...etc. It was great! It gave him so much happiness to talk about it with me! And it made me happy that i could share that happiness with him. I just love nursing. I love the scientific part of it and I love the caring part of it. It is sooooo awesome! When I was ending my nursing education, I had severe doubts about my ability and if this profession was really for me, but I think everyone has those doubts at some point. Because it is hard. It can be very hard on a person, metally, physically, emotionally. But the doubt passes over time and soon you realize what an awesome and rewarding career it is. I love it! I would do it all over again in a heartbeat! Good Luck!

What does it take to be a hospice nurse? I am a very new RN (3 months) working on a busy telemetry floor. I am currently working on a BSN and will graduate in April of 09. I have planned to stay on this unit in the hospital until then, but have made no plans for after. My friend works as a CNA for a hospice. She loves it, but she cannot really tell me about the RN side of it. It sounds like an AWESOME field! One of the aspects I like most about nursing is the "caring" part of it. I truely LOVE my patients and want them to be comfortable, both emotionally and physically. It's hard because sometimes i do not have the time to talk to a patient about their feelings associated with their illness while they are in the hospital.... I am so busy with my assignment. Hospice nursing sounds appealing to me. But I do not really know too too much about it. I would love to be able to make patients comfortable during the end of life... Be there for them and their family... and give them that one on one care without other call lights going off. it just sounds like a great, awesome, fulfilling job. Can you tell me about your hospice job and what your duties are? Thanks!! Mycatmax

holy crap

p.s. My cat Max IS black. I named him Maxwell.... I drink my coffee black.

Thanks for all of the wonderful responses! I guess I was just feeling a little depressed about everything yesterday. I missed my honey.... and the thought of working on Xmas just made me sad! I have never in my life had to work on Xmas. I know that is a part of bedside nursing. I know I am going to have to deal with it. Just the whole thought of missing the family get together made me sad. But I do know that I NEED this experience! Also I am currently working on a BSN. I guess I will have more options later down the road. Thanks again everyone!!

I am a new nurse. Been working a a hospital as an RN for 3 months now. My significant other works 5p-5a sunday thru thursday. I have to work every other friday and saturday 7p-7a. So that means we only get to spend time together every other weekend. It's only been three months, but i am sick of it. I miss him. Another thing.... like everyone else, I LOVE the holidays. I started my Xmas shopping 2 weeks ago. Today I am getting somewhat depressed because I know I will be working 7p-7a on both xmas eve and xmas day. I guess I am just curious... What types of nursing jobs (other than doctor offices) are out there where I would work striaght weekdays, weekends off, and holidays off. I am new to nursing, so i really don't know. I don't think I am going to run out and apply to these jobs, but it would just be nice to know I DO have the option ... especially when I am feeling depressed about not seeing my honey, or being with family on holidays. Thanks in advance!

I am a new nurse. Been working a a hospital as an RN for 3 months now. My significant other works 5p-5a sunday thru thursday. I have to work every other friday and saturday 7p-7a. So that means we only get to spend time together every other weekend. It's only been three months, but i am sick of it. I miss him. Another thing.... like everyone else, I LOVE the holidays. I started my Xmas shopping 2 weeks ago. Today I am getting somewhat depressed because I know I will be working 7p-7a on both xmas eve and xmas day. I guess I am just curious... What types of nursing jobs (other than doctor offices) are out there where I would work striaght weekdays, weekends off, and holidays off. I am new to nursing, so i really don't know. I don't think I am going to run out and apply to these jobs, but it would just be nice to know I DO have the option ... especially when I am feeling depressed about not seeing my honey, or being with family on holidays. Thanks in advance!

Hi! I am writing an essay on why writing skills are necessary to successfully fullfill the nurse role. I have been brainstorming for HOURS! I guess I finally came to the conclusion (after doing some rapid writing) that my thesis would be something about writing skills and maintaining patient safety. But I am NOT limiting myself to that at this point. Things I can up with so far... *reading previous nursing notes helps to evaluate whether patients are meeting their outcomes or how they are responding to treatments *developing policies and procedures *writing skills have the ability to influence what decisions people make about you But I think my main focus might be patient safety and staff nurse's documentation. Just wondering if anyone had some suggestions for me as to why writing skills are important for a nurse. I have only been an RN for 3 months and I am VERY stuck. Thanks in advance!

I just ended orientation as well. I have been working on my own for about 3 weeks now, and yes it is scarey! It is comforting to know that there is always someone working next to you that can help if need be. I just had to respond to this thread b/c I felt a lot like you did. I just graduated from nursing school in may, and I developed an anxiety disorder while attending nursing school. I knew I had it, but could not get medical attention b/c I had no insurance or money. I started my job as an RN and got insurance, then made an appointment asap. I worked for a few weeks without any treatment for my disorder and I would sweat, not take breaks, my heart would pound and I was just all over scared, and I mean SCARED. I started the med and felt better 2 weeks later. I honestly think that if I had never started the med, I would have probably quit my job and tried finding an office RN job (I work on a telemetry unit). On top of helping with my anxiety, the med has just made me an overall happier person all together. I even love/enjoy my boyfriend more, and I can enjoy little moments that before I had taken for granted b/c I was too busy worrying obsessively about work or school.... I wasn't expecting such a change! If you have symptoms of an anxiety disorder, talk to them with your doctor. I hope you do well! Take care! And good luck!!!!!

I have read this before and I love it!! Thanks for posting! I am going to copy this and email it to all my friends! Thanks!

Yes Ken I agree! I want weekends and summers off as well. However, in the state that i live in you only need to have a Master degree in nursing (any nursing master degree) to teach. I do not know if it is like that in all states, but in my state it is. So if I go to NP school, I feel that it will give me the most options. I can be an NP and teach if i want to. Seems like a great opportunity! Good luck to you and thanks for your comment!