Chaya ASN, RN

Chaya has 15 years experience as a ASN, RN and specializes in Rehab, Med Surg, Home Care.

Chaya's Latest Activity

1. 

   What would you think if you saw this patient?

   Chaya replied to coffeemamaRN's topic in Nursing

   So sorry to hear the result. He and your folks are lucky to have your caring, insights and guidance at this time
2. 

   Dirty bed sheets/RN/CNA/UAP/CP

   Chaya replied to STUNUR321's topic in General Students

   Where I worked they were actually taken down and washed after patients on precautions were discharged and the room was "purged".
3. 

   Jimmy Kimmel Thanks Nurses Who Saved His Infant Son's Life

   Chaya replied to tnbutterfly - Mary's topic in Nursing

   Yep. Like they say-ONLY a nurse.
4. 

   Injection Gone Wrong: Part 3

   Chaya replied to Brenda F. Johnson's topic in Nursing

   Seriously! Justifiable or not, I feel the training a nurse receives in giving injections is more of a defined quantity: anatomical target areas, sterile/ aseptic technique, reaction and side effects, rationales, etc. I've received many, many flu shots; once from a pharmacist, many time at flu clinics where I've volunteered, or in hospital/ clinic settings where the clinical leaders, Assistant Nurse Managers, or clinical educators performed this role for their unit, administering shots to their staff over 2-3 weeks. If there were student nurses, we often let them give the injection, supervised by their instructor. That being said, I've only had one given incorrectly-BY MY CHARGE NURSE!! I didn't react in time; just watched, stupified as he grabbed my arm midway and gave the injection a good 2 inches below the deltoid. I did comment at the time "kind of low, wasn't that"?, which he shrugged off. I did end up with a warm, inflamed area and mentioned to my ANM that I had had a reaction. Not sure if anything she reported anything in writing; I was not given anything to fill out and did not persue it because it did resolve with no residual effect.
5. 

   Flu Shot or Mask?

   Chaya replied to Nurse Beth's topic in Nursing

   First, condolences on the loss of your friend. I think it important to focus on actual evidence so far as possible for the sake of clarity. (How quickly these discussions become polarized beyond the point where any communication is possible). What was listed as her diagnosis/ actual cause of death? Was there an allergic reaction specifically to the vaccine or were there other contributing conditions? Death in a healthy 22 year should be questioned! The hope would be to learn from this tragedy to prevent others. To do this we must gather as much information as we can and examine it objectively and from all angles. If there is shown to be a clear link to the flu vaccine, is there a specific population group who should not take it, or is is truly risky for everyone? Statistically, do the mass benefits outweigh the risks? If her death was directly related to receiving the dose of vaccine, what were the specific circumstances? Causality must be established and may not be the immediately obvious. Because if the cause of her death is not what we assume we are seeing, the actual killer remains at large to continue to cause illness and claim lives.
6. 

   ER rushing patients to the floor

   Chaya replied to freckles23's topic in Nursing

   Ah, yes, that change of shift dump. I do get it, really. I understand totally that it is necessary to free up space for incoming patients. However-and this should be a HUGE factor with the current emphasis on accountability, continuity of care, and prevention of re-admissions; change of shift admissions specifically create those black holes where there may be significant time lags before an oncoming caregiver is identified. Report may be called to the floor to and from off-going staff who are no longer available for clarification. Critical ( as in Sentinel Event level) information is omitted ( in my experience omitted details have included patient with wound evac device, insulin pumps, life threatening med allergives and numerous patients needing imminent warfarin dosing). You get the idea. When I worked med- surg and we had those meetings about reducing errors and improving continuity of care between care levels I always raised this issue; not because of the inconvenience factor but because it creates a particular point of vulnerability in terms of the increased number of opportunities for errors in the system (as in, "falling thru the cracks"). Ideally, don't create the situations that allow these "cracks"!
7. 

   A Waiting Room Christmas Story

   Chaya replied to Ruby Vee's topic in Nursing

   Thank you for reminding us what the spirit of Christmas is really about as well as the kind of gifts we should be focussing on. And thank you for the difference you have made over the years both to your patients and to your many allnurses friends who you may never meet in person. Your story brought tears to my eyes.
8. 

   Murphy's Laws of Nursing | Life of a Nurse

   Chaya replied to Roy Fokker's topic in Humor

   Never use the "Q" word ANYWHERE! Ever.
9. 

   Dr. told patient, "Nurses are STUPID".

   Chaya replied to Daetwin2's topic in Relations

   So-just a thought but shouldn't whoever the medical caregiver, whether PA or MD, have received/ had reported to them the most vital and timely info such as, for instance the patient received IV medication during the night to correct cardiac rhythm?...
10. 

    Whatever happened to going to school to be a nurse?

    Chaya replied to indish's topic in Nursing

    I loved hands-on nursing. However, at one of my last positions, one of the questions posed in the written self-evaluation portion of our yearly evaluations was "what are your career goals and what do you plan to be doing in 5 years. Ambition was valued perhaps more than technique, good bedside manner or staying current with new nursing practice. This was a med/ surg position at a magnet hospital; many of the nurses there were just starting their careers and there was an almost condescending attitude toward those who chose to remain at bedside instead of moving on to become educators, administrators or at leasT advance practitioners.
11. 

    Whistle blower/terminated

    Chaya replied to CaliGena's topic in Safety

    I wish you the best. You sound like a caring, responsible caregiver. Hang in there.
12. 

    What Is Your Most Gross, Yucky, Disgusting Nursing Horror Story?

    Chaya replied to yazisizit's topic in Humor

    You would think by now I would know better than to even think there was nothing left that could surprise me...
13. 

    "They" Who Are "They"?

    Chaya replied to madwife2002's topic in Nursing

    The other name I see used for "they" is "TPTB" or "The Powers That Be", meaning those who actually hold and wield the power to make those decision and take those actions that impact our policies and resources to care for our patients. I am heartened to hear from so many nurses who have not forgotten what it's like on the clinical side and genuinely struggle to balance budgetary prioroties with excellent patient-and staff-care. There need to be more of you.Please keep on fighting for our patients AND those of us still in the trenches with them, Quixotic though it may seem at the present.
14. 

    When Hospice Goes Wrong

    Chaya replied to VivaLasViejas's topic in Nursing

    (((Viva))) I'm so sorry for what you and your family went through and that your experience with hospice, instead of easing some of the difficulties and pain of your family's last hours together made them that much more difficult. It is heart wrenching to read your words and I'm sure even more difficult for you to relive these hours in sharing them with us but know that your story will stay with your many allnurses friends and remind each of us to see the situation thru our patients's/ family's eyes and go that extra mile. May you find peace.
15. 

    Becoming a Nurse at 49?

    Chaya replied to Nurse Beth's topic in Nurse Beth

    I became a nurse at 50. For me, it was easier to study than it would have been in my 20's because I was steadier; more focused and less distractable in general than when I was younger. I found I was better able to handle it emotionally after a lifetime of working in a variety of positions with coworkers having a wide range in temperment and personalities. I had also seen and weathered many life events and crisises in my life and those of family members and close friends and I came to believe that nursing was a good fit for me in terms of skills and outlook at this point in my life. Physically, it was more endurance than brute strength; although I did work with many obese patients that required extensive assistance with personal care we were well trained in body mechanics, had mechanical lifts and followed a strict policy of having 2 or more caregivers assisting with transferring, boosts, etc. I also had to become used to 12 hour shifts (but found working fewer days less stressful); had to invest in really good orthotic arch supports and shoes, and keep healthy. Good luck if you do make the decision to go ahead; it can be crazy at times but I've found it very satisfying-and never boring!
16. 

    If You Give a Patient a Cookie

    Chaya replied to Mully's topic in Humor

    See, now I thought it was going to go something like "you'll have to do a fingerstick, and his glucose will be high, and you'll have to get the lab to verify it, and you'll need to call the MD for extra insulin coverage, etc, etc... Silly me