thatldo

IMO It's my dream job! Still in long term care, but off the floor! An office to shut the door, yet still interacting (interviewing) the residents. I'm an MDS assistant but I'll learn all the ropes, which all my years of being on the floor are a big benefit! I just started this new job 5 days ago and state came in, but I go to sleep at night not stressed. So much better for me, it's a blessing! I hope you like it as much as I do!

I refuse to learn bad habits and I've been in long term for 8 years. I'm stubborn and want to do it right. If management gets upset because I can't finish as fast as the other nurses on a med pass, well guess what???? I'm only doing what is right and I won't back down! If only all the other nurses out there would have the same work ethic, instead of "look how good I am, I'm leaving on time" attitude,....... management, corporate, heck the whole medical field would change for the better!! I'm not perfect, but I have strong morals, and refuse to bow down. I do give eye drops, I will take the time to get a med that's not in the med cart, I do take the time to take a BP before giving a HTN med. I will change a patient, if an aide isn't available, give them water, open their blinds, give them their TV remote, make sure they have their call light in reach. I sign out my treatments when my shift is done. I will listen for placement before a pgt pass, I will check for residual. This makes a stressful day for me, because I want to do it right, what I'd want done for a loved one of mine. I want all my patients treated like a family member is in the room or they are going to walk in at any second. BUT after 8 years and 3 different facilities, it won't change, I've learned and it's true, unless all the nurses start doing their job correctly the way they learned in school, it won't be accepted. I've had mentors who I though just rocked! I so wanted to be like them, their time management skills, always relaxed, stress free. Guess what? My opinion now after witnessing so much over the years with older and younger nurses is that their self-confidence and laid back work attitude is only a show because "it's just a job and a pay check". I commend you that you want to what is right, hang in there girl, we need more nurses like you!

During the early days of LPN school, we were practicing head to toe assessements. I went home that night after school and my husband was my guinea pig. While listening to his heart, I heard the weirdest noise, like I was rubbing my stethescope against concrete!! I called my Doctor friend, and he said get him to ER now! Turned out he had a blood clot, he had emergency surgery to put in a filter and spent 5 days in ICU. Alot of angels working that night!

So I need feedback here... Just when exactly is it appropriate for the DON to post the next months work schedule???? Here it is the 7th of Nov, and the schedule is only filled out until this coming Sunday. Repeated questions to the DON along with gentle reminders to PLEASE let us nurses have a "heads up" on our schedule are apparently falling on deaf ears. How in the world are we supposed to schedule appointments, family activities when we don't even know what days we have off! Isn't there supposed to be a labor law concerning on when the schedule is posted? What is the standard time for when your schedules are posted???? Since this is my 1st job out of nrs school, I'd just like a general feedback. Thanks, thatldo

My dear friends.... Roy my beloved husband passed away the 16th of Oct, just 1week after coming home with hospice from the hospital. He never got better, stronger, just weaker every day. His last words to me 2days before he passed were "I love everything about you". He passed so peacefully, eyes closed, his heart just stopped. He had been nonresponsive for 2days,..I kissed him good night and told him how much I loved him, and like I had been telling him for a few days, not to worry about me, our boys were going to look out after me, and that I would see him again when GOD decided it was time, in heaven. Looking back I can't believe I did what had to be done for him here at the house, but sooo glad, grateful that we had the choice for him to die here at home instead of the hospital. My sister and niece were here and were absolutely amazing in helping me. They are not nurses, and part of me was concerned about their reaction, but they handled the situation like pros. The funeral was last Thursday, over 250 people came. Roy had a highway patrol escort to the cemetary, and the line of cars was over a mile long. The output of love to me makes me so proud, but feel empty still, and I accept this although I hate it. The kids were/are so great. They made a slide show for the service, and played it to George Straights song "I Cross My Heart". My son-in-law stayed up to 330am one morning making up the programs. My sister took off 2 weeks of work to be with me, handled everything for me, and just took charge, what a blessing my family has been. Roys good friend brought her horse to the cemetary, and had Roys chaps around the saddle horn. The videos that I have, have been a GOD send. They were all of Roy when he was in good health..working/riding horses, playing with the kids..even one where I had video taped him singing in the shower...it feels so good to watch them, and to know this is how he is now...strong with his body back with no sickness. I dreamt he "scooped" me up, and hugged me tight and rocked me back and forth. Thank you Roy for this "new" memory. My dear friends, this was a hard letter to write to you all, I find it very very hard when I stop and realize that I'm a widow at the age of 49. GOD has blessed me, I'll always treasure the time Roy and I had together. Thank you all again, I can't say enough for your kind, compassionate words to me. Love/peace, Sherri

hi all, roy was in hospital last week (home fri) from an 11day stay from infection/dehydration. cancer now found in bones (ribs,pelvic,spine) and lungs. we have hospice now, another round of chemo drugs was 1st introduced to us as option, but after further review, was decided (mainly on our parts) that no thank you, we just wanted to go home and stay home. we are sick of hospitals, sick of this illness and all that Roy has endured these past few years from his other medical problems...so in a way we are peace with this decision. prognosis is a few weeks, we had the social worker out to the house today, he has a bed with air mattress since he is so immobile. he is sooo short of breath, can't stand to have his head let down in the bed for more than a few minutes...oh forgot to mention they also found his heart is enlarged. i can't believe he was just dx with secondary liver cancer just 2 months ago, and now cancer is found in bones/lungs...does it really spread this fast??? or was it just missed. he is very, very weak, coherant, but anxious (we have ativan but haven't used it yet). our regular hospice nurse we meet this wed... my sister is here helping me facing all this, but will have to go back to calif soon. she's been a blessing..kids are coming in and out, as are other friends/relatives. work has been great, i went there today and i miss my coworkers/patients...am trying to struggle/juggle finances around, so i can continue to be here at home with roy. he kind of freaks when i'm not around...poor thing. i just wanted to let you all know what's happening...thank you all so much for your kind words/support/prayers. kind of crazy, that when i'm feeling lost, i can come sit at my computer and let my feelings off my chest, or when i need support/questions answered, you wonderful people are out there and respond. GOD bless you all, Sherri

hi all, roy was in hospital last week (home fri) from an 11day stay from infection/dehydration. cancer now found in bones (ribs,pelvic,spine) and lungs. we have hospice now, another round of chemo drugs was 1st introduced to us as option, but after further review, was decided (mainly on our parts) that no thank you, we just wanted to go home and stay home. we are sick of hospitals, sick of this illness and all that Roy has endured these past few years from his other medical problems...so in a way we are peace with this decision. prognosis is a few weeks, we had the social worker out to the house today, he has a bed with air mattress since he is so immobile. he is sooo short of breath, can't stand to have his head let down in the bed for more than a few minutes...oh forgot to mention they also found his heart is enlarged. i can't believe he was just dx with secondary liver cancer just 2 months ago, and now cancer is found in bones/lungs...does it really spread this fast??? or was it just missed. he is very, very weak, coherant, but anxious (we have ativan but haven't used it yet). our regular hospice nurse we meet this wed... my sister is here helping me facing all this, but will have to go back to calif soon. she's been a blessing..kids are coming in and out, as are other friends/relatives. work has been great, i went there today and i miss my coworkers/patients...am trying to struggle/juggle finances around, so i can continue to be here at home with roy. he kind of freaks when i'm not around...poor thing. i just wanted to let you all know what's happening...thank you all so much for your kind words/support/prayers. kind of crazy, that when i'm feeling lost, i can come sit at my computer and let my feelings off my chest, or when i need support/questions answered, you wonderful people are out there and respond. GOD bless you all, Sherri

Hello all, Was driving Roy to chemo tx last Fri, when he started complaining of being cold, shivering, and pulse rate 140. Was yawning like a horse..was all I needed to pull off highway real quick and pulled up to where I work. (nursing home wich acute care). Ran in the building and told my DON my husband is out in the truck & he needs help. Roy's pox was 74, put him on O2 at 7L/M & called an ambulance. They kept him just overnight, stabilized him, gave him fluids, and cleaned him out for fecal impaction. (Chemo DR had 2 weeks earlier to take him off his stool softener program because I guess they were expecting SE of diarrhea). He has long hx of severe constipation... serum amonia level was up, was supposed to compare it again the next day, (but never drew another ABG). Had a temp of 100.0, was mentioned he had a bacterial inf going on. Gave him NS & was dc next day c dx of post dehydration. I called the hospital (while I'm following the ambulance) where he's receiving his chemo to advise he wouldn't be in, as he was on the way to the hospital due to his resp distress. Nurse answered me c "well, we've already ordered his drugs from pharmacy"....well excuse me!!!!!! He was sent home c out the DR calling me, I had to work (our regular PCP was out of town, so had to deal c his associate) I was out work, & of course had a ton of questions to ask. So, today Monday, I called the oncologist DR to ask what should we do since we missed last weeks tx, and they didn't have a clue Roy was in hospital. I told them what had happened & they never received a report from hospital. I then had to call PCP and have them fax a copy of report to oncology. I also told them that on Sunday AM, Roy vomited again (nothing new there), but this time he was yawning while retching, which seemed real odd to me. His BP was high, but not terribly, but pulse was 132. His nails didn't turn blue like they had on Fri, & I don't have a pulse ox at home, so I waited 30minutes before I felt it was safe to leave to work. Oncology Dr called back & wants to see us tomorrow. WHAT WILL THIS BE ABOUT???? Anyone have a clue?????? This is what ticks me off..should I have someone here all the time here at the house c Roy? Do I need an O2 tank, pulse ox machine????? I feel so left out in the dark. Anyone have a clue to help? Questions to ask tomorrow???? Thanks gang, I appreciate everyones support! I don't want something bad to happen while I'm at work, only because the people who know the truth, aren't telling me what I should know. I couldn't live c the guilt. I'm his wife 1st, then nurse, hard to differentiate the two sometimes, I believe it's harder knowing/suspecting the truth...so just give it to me!!! Love/peace Sherri

Thanks everyone for your kind, uplifting words of support! Sorry it's taken me awhile to reply and to thank you all for your advice/concern. Roy had his 1st chemo tx last fri, he was so weak before the tx the nrs asked if he was paralized. I said no, he is this way all the time. Geez the conflicting information you get....the Dr said tx time was 2hours, nrs informed me it was 6hours! They gave him an ativan which knocked him out. I stayed c him, it was a new experience for us both, the nrs we had was great, and told me the reason hospice probably hadn't been mentioned to us yet by the dr is that people will give up any hope. Our family has all given us $ to help c expenses, (work has been great in letting me have time off, but no pay) so I was able to buy the morphine dose 30mg bid. His hip is hurting him, and still has tightness in stomach, appetite nil, still not up to par, vomited x2, more weakness, mild HA, dry mouth are SE so far. I did end up getting a hosp bed for him to keep him off his stage 2 pressure sore. He still sounds like a 90yr old when he talks, very very weak voice. Thought maybe that would be related to they thryoid tumor, but doc said no. I'm going to talk to my son who is 2hours away at college, and try to see if he'll come home to help. He missed this semester, due to lack of funds to enroll by due date, so maybe I can convince him to come home, work and help out. As mentioned work has been great, other nrs are cooking meals for us, and offered to stay c Roy if need be while I'm at work and if they are off. They are a great crew, & feel blessed to be where I'm at. Looking back, I can't help but feel GOD's hand in all this. In my husbands time of need, I'm close to home, my boss/coworkers are great about the situation, and that sure helps c my stress level. Oh, the endocronoligist said the tumor in thyroid is not related to liver ca & to start/continue c chemo tx, and in 5wks when ultrasound is done again to check liver, to check the thyroid also and then will progress from there. I'm so thankful/grateful to you all for your concern. I've been on this board for a little over 2years now, and it has helped me so much. It really does help me to know you all are out there and have such kind hearts.. No wonder you all are nurses!!!!

I really need (please) an oncology nurse who has the time, and who could help me with questions concerning my husband who has liver ca, secondary. Major health issues unrelated to CA for past 20years. RA, polymyositis, greenfield filter placed last year for blood clots, hx pneumonia, 3cm tumor removed last year from colon... Extreme weakness ULE, not quite total assist, cannot transfer self, currently is in recliner 24/7, is experiencing skin breakdown coxyc area, which I'm applying carecream on. Appetite decreased 80%, excessive sweating, (shirt, chair completely wet) is on prednizone 20mg q day, triam (diuretic) 25mg bid, stool softener program (has hx impaction)...trying to push fluids on him, but he is very tired, weak...urine is DARK orange. Pain med is morphine 15mg q 4h....had a scrip for time release 30mg bid, but uninsured, too expensive, hubby said don't worry about it, I'll do on what I have. ( I know sweating is SE of morphine, but EXCESSIVE) His PP doctor is very surprised his oncologist is wanting to start chemo on him..due to his general health. Drugs for chemo (which starts in 2days) are fluorourcil, irinotecan, and leucovorin. I asked his oncologist, if Roy (husband) could handle this tx, she said yes, SE were minimal..so I said "so I can take him for the tx, bring him home, put him in his chair then go to work"?...Yes she answered....hmmmm I'M CONCERNED! The oncologist nrs told me yesterday, diarrhea was a BIG SE. Roy also has a 1x1/2 solid mass (ultra sound done) on his thyroid that PP believes is also CA, and oncologist says she is 90% sure unrelated to liver CA. Soooo, endocronoligist apt on FRI am, and if he believes surgery is needed, we need to cancel chemo apt that afternoon. I need some guidance!...I'm freaked out to say the least, I feel like no one is directing us in the right/correct path! I asked the nrs yesterday what chemo tx is for, and its for palliative measures only. When I voiced my concerns c the oncologist DR, about his poor health, hx, she answered c, "well I've had 2 pts whose liver tumors shrank"..I was stunned & should have asked "out of how many?" & were they the same stage as Roy"? Liver is unoperable, largest tumor 8cm, both lobes. c out chemo, DR says few mths, to less than a year. I'M SORRY FOR RATTLING....I just need some guidance, like I mentioned, and you all are the pros. I haven't been a nurse long, (just since Mar of this year) & work in long term/subacute facility. Seems like I have to pull teeth to get any answers!! Nrs couldn't answer me when I asked if it was terminal or even what stage it was. (she had his chart in front of him). Exactly how rough is his chemo tx going to be for him????????? Can he do chemo c his health being the way it is??????? Am I/we doing the right thing here?????? When he had surgery last year for the colon CA, we had to wait 3wks, cuz he was anemic, and borderline malnourished, bloodwork that I see right now shows he is on that path again. Will they look at his lab work again before chemo tx on FRI and realize this, or will it matter??????? I am my husbands advocate, his wife, caretaker. They discovered his colon CA last year only because when he was in the hospital for his PE and had the filter placed, then had bowel impaction they were going to dc him home. I was in nrsing school then, and looking at the lab work which was drawn q day. I noticed his RBC cells were off the wall, brought it to the dr attention, and only then did they discover the colon CA. That's why I'm hesitant.. are they giving me the best advice in his tx for his liver CA and the thyroid problem??? Please I know you all are the best/experts for helping me...I'll try not to be a pest. I'm soon to be 49yrs, Roy is 59yrs, have 3 grown children, live on a ranch, family in another state, neighbors are Amish c no phone. I work 10min away (if I speed). I love animals, nature, and love to laugh, although that's been tough lately. Just some personal hx on myself incase one of you feel a connection c me. You all are the best, I love being a nrs... God bless, Peace & love Sherri

I know of 3 recent LPN grads with no exp who are working at St Francis & at Southcrest Hosp in med-surge in Tulsa.

Thanks all for your replies, they have made my day! Sorry, if I offended anyone with TMI, must have been all the caffeine when I posted this morning...or the lack of sleep :wink2:

Yes, before he was having sex with a student...but at 2am I was officially informed via the web site that I, HIS WIFE :chuckle passed the NCLEX that I had taken Tuesday of this week!!!! What a relief, now I'm going to use the spa package my dad have given me for graduation, and celebrate for at least a week before I start job hunting. Thank you AllNurses.com for the educational advice that you all give to one another, I find that this a wonderful support group. I'm soooo happy school and the BIG test is done! During school, I lost my mother-in-law to CA, my husband was hospitilazed and had surgery 2 times within 2 months, my niece is critically ill, but I pulled through. I don't post often, but the 1st thing I did was log on to this web site each and every morning. It helped me tremendously, and I thank you all! Oh my husband thanks you all too! :chuckle

Hi fellow okies! LPN student here in NE OK, go SOONERS! OK, and Cowboys & also TU. Wow 3 bowl games to watch! I love living here, came from Calif. many moons ago. Am a full time student, caregiver to my husband, ranch hand, mom of 3 college students, & love my family & animals! So, can anyone tell me honestly what I can expect starting out at as an LPN salary wise in Okla? I graduate in 2 months...yahoo! thatldo

Heh research rabbit...I pm you, I'm 30 miles from Claremore. Son still goes to school there, while another is in Norman going to OU. If you like what my grandma said, here's another one. Preacher was at the nursing home Sunday and had finished his little sermon and was going up to all the residents and taking their hands saying "bless you". Well..... he gets to my Grandma, bends down, gently takes her hand and says "bless you". Grandma just looks up at him and in that high pitched voice of hers says "well somebody has too"!!!!!:roll