nursemouse

These are great! Here's mine: I'd placed an elderly male patient on the bedpan with instructions to put on the call light when he'd completed his business. I was at the station when I saw his light go off. Bypassing the usual "How may I help you?" route, I answered the light directly with "Are you ready to get off?" I didn't even realize the implications of what I'd said until my colleagues, after initially looking startled, burst out laughing. Fortunately, so did the patient. :uhoh21:

I've got a nursing sense of humor as "black" as the next person, but I also agree that this cartoon is offensive to our profession.

I agree with what Gwenith said, and I wouldn't wear a dress myself at the bedside; however, if my colleagues (male or female) want to wear one, it's fine with me!

I was in academia, and I'd totally agree. Unfortunately, I didn't find one of those academic jobs where we work 6-hour days and have all sorts of free and holiday time. Between preparing and updating lectures, grading papers, rotating my clinical groups in hospitals and multiple other responsibilities, I easily had a 60 hour/week job. If I went home, paperwork went with me. And the salary was embarrassingly low (I have a Masters). I tried this at a major University and at a hospital-based Diploma program. I really, really loved those positions (and, frankly, I was GOOD at it), but didn't feel it was fair to have put my family through the nightmare and expense of my grad school (I'm still paying off the loans) only to take a $10,000-$20,000/year pay cut. Until nursing faculty are paid what they are worth, there will continue to be a nursing shortage. Nursemouse

Had the experience of a very professional, intelligent male nurse where I worked being propositioned by a patient. I was charge, and he came out to the station, reported it, documented it, and asked courteously to be removed from the case, which I did. Then the patient called me into the room and claimed that HE had propositioned HER! Even more interesting: after making the accusation, she asked if he could come back and be her nurse again. (BTW: this shouldn't matter, but she was 90 years old...)

When I was teaching a senior citizen's aerobics class years ago, for some reason I still don't know they nicknamed me "mouse". Then people started giving me stuffed toy mice and mouse figurines for gifts. I now have an office "populated" with mice, including some special "stressmice" that I throttle when I'm in the middle of something frustrating. (Maybe instead of "nursemouse" I should have gone with "stressmouse!"

I'm researching the Chain of Command within the hospital structure for a specialty-based CNS (I'm Critical Care). Please share who you answer to, whether they are supportive of your efforts, and how effective overall your Chain of Command is. I'd really appreciate any help. Thanks! Nursemouse.

Actually, by the end of that night, I was tempted...

Your nurse and her colleagues are NOT Satanic priests and priestesses who are going to sacrifice you at dawn and then eat your heart. Taking six aspirins and showing up in ER with an overdose because you broke up with your girlfriend does not garner you much sympathy. Thank you so much for this thread! I can't stop reading! Nursemouse.

I'd be a film critic! (Before I fell sideways into nursing, I was a journalism major, drama minor. Boy, did I get sidetracked!). Nursehouse.

Thanks! We're trying to look for the best way to utilize these excellent practitioners without exploiting them or exceeding their scope of practice. Your feedback is really helpful!:kiss

HI! Need help/feedback on the role LVNs take in the acute care setting. I used to be an LVN in acute care myself in the 80s and I know how the role has changed/evolved/come full circle in many ways. Are LVNs used in your facility? What practice model do you use (team, total care, etc.). What are the nurse/patient ratios? Looking for good information to improve our practice. Thanks, Nursemouse (jeannie)

Simply and selfishly: I do this because I haven't done anything in nursing yet that I absolutely hated. Even tough jobs have their moments of joy and accomplishment, and I go home most of the time exhausted, but with a warm heart. I'm currently a CNS with a focus on staff education and that's great too. What a wonderful career! Nursemouse.

thank you so much for your assistance and answers. Literature notwithstanding, it looks like it's overwhelmingly Heparin on this board. I'll admit I didn't expect that, but that's why I asked the question! As usual, you guys have been great. Take care! Nursemouse (Jeannie):blushkiss

A quick thanks for all of the assistance you provided. You helped make a difference for me and my colleagues. Your help was SO appreciated! Nursemouse (Jeannie):kiss