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sixes

sixes

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I have 5 teenage boys,I love nursing, In my spare time i like to knit warm cozy sweaters and read

sixes's Latest Activity

  1. sixes

    How do you feel Paramedics can improve?

    sixes replied to Medic_78's topic in Emergency

    I work in LTC as the charge Nurse it is frustrating when I need to call for an ambulance. You must remember that most of our residence have some form of dementia and can't always tell us what is wrong . We know our residence and we must us our nursing skills and usual habits of our residence. Nothing burns me more then when a paramedic walks in and says. Well what did you call us for.Resident is DNR. Well just because they are old and demented doesn't mean they have to suffer. One of our residents goes into CHF often we have orders. Asprin 81mg chewable. Nitro patch o.6mg; Im lasix 40mg; repeat Lasix if not resolved. Call ambulance if not resolved in 20min. Paramedics arrive on scene and say why did you call us? Just because our resident has dementia doesn't mean they have no quality of life When she is well she attends the hairdresser, church crafts etc. Just because they don't know where they are or what year it is doesn't mean they deserve to suffer Sorry for the rant My point is that my job is to make sure they have optimal care. In a long term facility we are limited in what we can do and the eqiupment we have. Please don't look at me like I'm a complete idiot. I get that enough from the ER docs. I even had one DOC who sent a Psycotic resident back to me with an order to only give him plastice utensils. Couldn't understand the problem of sending him back to a secured alzhemiers floor. He said "it's a secured unti isnt it" A secrue unit in LTC isn't a secured unit at a psych. Didn't seem to understand that i had 37 other dememted people walking around and that he posed a risk. P>S> the paramedics called for police escort so why would we be able to handle him??? Please advocate on behalf of these people. Believe you me I wouldn't call for you if Our facility was equipped to deal with the problem at hand Most of you are great to work with and I appreciate the hard work you do
  2. sixes

    scrub waists

    sixes replied to Still Riding's topic in Nursing

    I'm lucky Chantal's mom makes all my uniforms. She has the unusual nack to make every thing fit perfect. I am short 5 feet and have no waist . She even makes us little scrunchies to put in our hair Life is sooooo good
  3. sixes
    I was doing my preceptorship on a geriatric ward. This very pleasant huge lady 350+ lbs was admitted to our unit. She had a very funny smell. I was assigned to do her admission bath. We decided to do a bed bath as I felt it unsafe to do a tub transfer. she had 3 large abd. folds when i reached the 3rd one I lefted it to clean There were little white bugs running hither and skither. There was a hugh open wound, I didn't know what to make of it so I called my preceptor. Gross they were maggots. Called the Dr. Who was a wound specialist. His orders were to clean the wound but to try and leave the maggots as they were debriding the area, gross
  4. sixes

    How much orientation for LTC nurses?

    sixes replied to military girl's topic in Geriatric

    At our facility you get 1 day shift 2 evening shifts and 2 night shifts. Evenings is the biggy as you have meds coming in and are responsible for the building Nights is not bad although you have the building things are usually quiet (haha) If you feel you require more orientation them what is offer ask for more all they can say is no Rely on the staff the first couple of shifts they are a great resource the HCA's know the residents and seldom will they lead you astray then of course you must assess and implement. Good luck I love long term care in the past 18 months i have adanced from part time RN working mostly nights and evenings to my new position as full time charge nurse/unit manager I love it
  5. sixes

    RNs in LTC

    sixes replied to surfnbeagle's topic in Geriatric

    I also work in Canada Ontario to be more specific. We have 3 RN (unit managers) on day shift weekdays with 3 LPN's on Evenings we have 1 RN supervisor with 3 LPN's and on Nights we have 1 RN supervisor with 1 LPN the rest of the staff are made up of HCA. The HCA are the best you could find and we rely on them immensely with out them life would be HE**. Our LPN's are responsible for the medication passes and general assessments. As a Unit Manager I am responsible to ensure the residents have all there needs met and I chip in and do anything that needs to be done at the time as well as deal with family members and paperwork Doctors etc. Our system is great and it works. On my floor we work as a great team and in reality that is the most important. You need a good team leader regardless of the title.
  6. sixes
    I hope you don't mind but I printed this to take to work. This is the best one I've read yet Thanks for starting my day with a laugh PS I have 6 children aged 15-27 amd 1 grandchild I think I'll re print this on some fancy paper and includ it with the kids Xmas cards
  7. sixes

    Advance Directives Ignored

    sixes replied to TracyRN's topic in Safety

    Comfort measures at our LTC means they don't get sent to hospital only comfort measures this is Advance Directive #1 Advance directive #2 Comfort measures with the addition of antibiotics Advance Directive #3 To hospital for assessment and treatment No CPR no Intensive Care Unit We follow this strictly we always discuss each new finding with the family or resident as everyone has the right to change their mind Hat s off to those who advocate on behave of their clients who can't do this for themselves anymore
  8. sixes

    Do LPNs Get the Respect They Deserve?

    sixes replied to Truly_Blessed's topic in LPN/LVN

    undefinedundefined just a little history first. i was a health care aid and then became a registered nurse assistant then a registered nurse. last year i took a job in ltc as a supervisor, now i am a charge nurse. i have the greatest respect for anyone working on my floor regardless of their personal title. the hca's work their fingers to the bone, they never hestitate to do something if i ask and the lpn's/rna's are very hard working. i seldom need to give them direction. when they ccome to me for direction they are informative and have all the information gathered for me to make an informed decision. rarely they have misjudged something. i personally love having rpn's. at out facility the only things lpn's can't do are the following. injections, cathetars unless they have been certified. g-tube feedings. i love my lpn's they are intellegent and dedicated if you want hands on in ltc lpn is the way to go if you want to push a lot of paper then rn is the way to go it is all a very personal choice good luck in whatever you do
  9. sixes

    New grad, LTC job offer...advice?

    sixes replied to tiona's topic in Geriatric

    I don't nknow what LVN stands for sorry in Ontario we have RN, LPN, & hca/PSW. When I am on as a Supervisor I Have 157 residents & staff (evening shift) I also have 3 RNA's who do the med pass and 1 RPN from 1600-2000 who does treatments, vitals etc. I have 4 HCA per floor (3). On Nights (3) floors I have 1 RPN & HCA on 3rd and 2 HCa on 2nd and 2 HCA on 1. On weekend days it's the same as evenings. If we are short a RPN I have to do meds on that floor ( doesn't happen often) I have recently been promoted to a temporary Charge Nurse stricktly days and every other weekend. I find this harder then when I supervise. I have only 57 residents on my floor but with the paper work, families, Doctor's and all the care plans etc. I find I don't even have time to change my mind never mind anything else. My DON believes this is because I spend too much time doing other people's work Ie toileting, feeding, Lifts& Transfers etc. I like the hands on. I especially like being in the dining room at meals and doing the treatments. I usually have to stay 1.5hours after my shift to do paper work and this weekend I went in on my own time to do care planning. I'll eventually get organized and learn to prioritize but until then I guess I will feel constantly behind the 8 ball. I get great reviews from my staff as well as the DON, for my enthusiasum and dedication. I love my job and all the the staff a very dedicateted including management which is rare You'll do fine. If you are feeling overwhelmed. Ask your supervisor for direction. Good Luck
  10. sixes

    Why al the negativity in LTC???

    sixes replied to sixes's topic in Geriatric

    I was a supervisore at the LTC where I work. I have recently taken the temporary position of a charge nurse. The above statements are disgusting. this would never happen in the LTC where I work. If a residents needs attention they get it. No residnet is allowed to sit wet or for 12 hours at a time. If our DON came to the floor which she does frequently through out every shift. Also our cooperate head office make spot checks on every shift 2 times weekly. And try as you might you cannot predict when tis will be. Everyone and I mean everyone on the floor would be fired. This is bad get out of where you work and report it to the College of nurses. the CCAC and your government officials for LTC and if all else fails call the media. No one should live under these conditions
  11. sixes

    head to toe assessment ?

    sixes replied to Boe's topic in General Students

    I agree with the above you get use to it I just start at the top and work my way down or start at the bottom and work my way up Now that I've been nursing for 10+ years I start at the region that seems to be the most injured etc. Good luck
  12. sixes
    I am a Mom to 6 wonderful children 3 adopted I have a 19 year old who is mentally challenged and border autistic I have a 17 year old who has learning disabilites Dx adhd with odd I have a 16 year old who is mentally challenged and reads only at a grad 3 level Life is never boring and always a challenge Thankfully my jusband is retired so I was able to go back to nursing full time I am a supervisor in long term care, dealing with the everyday challenges of raising these children has given me more then enough coping skills to work with the residents daniel is the greatest challenge because you almost have to read his mind He has an attention span of 2.2 seconds and you can never let him know what is going on the next day The other day I worked a double and then had to short shift to be back in the morning he over heard hubby saying he needed the car in the am so he woke me up at 2am to tell me all about Tim Hortons in the morning and I never did get back to sleep Every day is different but if you get into a routine and stick with to your very best the challenges become less and they look forward to certain events on certain days The biggest challenge we have right at this moment is we are movoing May 1 Our 19 year old keeps packing everything and then unpacking. Life is like a craker jack box you never know what your prise will be Have a great day
  13. sixes
    I am a Mom to 6 wonderful children 3 adopted I have a 19 year old who is mentally challenged and border autistic I have a 17 year old who has learning disabilites Dx adhd with odd I have a 16 year old who is mentally challenged and reads only at a grad 3 level Life is never boring and always a challenge Thankfully my jusband is retired so I was able to go back to nursing full time I am a supervisor in long term care, dealing with the everyday challenges of raising these children has given me more then enough coping skills to work with the residents daniel is the greatest challenge because you almost have to read his mind He has an attention span of 2.2 seconds and you can never let him know what is going on the next day The other day I worked a double and then had to short shift to be back in the morning he over heard hubby saying he needed the car in the am so he woke me up at 2am to tell me all about Tim Hortons in the morning and I never did get back to sleep Every day is different but if you get into a routine and stick with to your very best the challenges become less and they look forward to certain events on certain days The biggest challenge we have right at this moment is we are movoing May 1 Our 19 year old keeps packing everything and then unpacking. Life is like a craker jack box you never know what your prise will be Have a great day
  14. sixes

    Question about Fentanyl/Durogesic patches

    sixes replied to Tookie's topic in Pain

    I think we should get together and make a universal language in nurseing I get so confused sometimes trying to figure it alll out here we have RSW you all take about crns and such maybe we should start an abbreviation dictionary
  15. sixes

    The most heartbreaking thing ive ever had to do :(

    sixes replied to *Peanut*Vennie*'s topic in Nursing

    Remember it's ok to cry I know work in LTC and losing someone never gets easier The worst for me was when I lost 2 very wonderful people in a two week time frame I was doing home care then the first was a 45 year old man wiht CA to the esophagus. I had spent every night at his side for 5 weeks. The next was a beautiful 13 year old who had eving's sarcoma. I had been her primary care giver for 6 months. My son was the same age and they went to school together. We had many good times and made it through some very rough ones Just days before they were told by the speaclist that the tumor was gone, he failed to mention the spread to her brain I was so devastated that I had to leave nursing for awhile Her Mom and I are still best friends and if it wasn't for her I would not have returned to nursing She instilled in me that I can't save the world and I can't always stop the pain but that I can be there to make their lives as full as possible and assist them to the end with all the love and compassion and dignity that GOD instilled in my heart The families will always remember the kindness that their loved one recieved Remember to always be kind, caring and compassionate in every thing you do
  16. sixes

    Question about Fentanyl/Durogesic patches

    sixes replied to Tookie's topic in Pain

    LOL's lots of laughs BID you get medicine twice a day TID you get medicine three times a day I'm guessng you aren't in the health care profession and if you are your a newbie Hope this helps