*LadyJane*

Many orthodox religions believe that the body must be complete for the resurrection. This is why you see orthodox jews mopping up blood at scenes where they have been attacked in Israel. Those blood soaked handkerchiefs will be buried with the dead. So in that case, all body parts must be returned with the body after the autopsy is done, so it can be buried all together. (and not retained in the pathology office, then burned with medical waste.)

Smells. The kryptonite is a toss up between two smells. One, colostomies, two, a blend of feces coupled with stinky, infected pressure sore at the coccyx. The latter, which I wasn't expecting, in my first year, was so bad, I had to step away because my mouth started watering and stomack started crapmping (which herald vomit about to happen). I didn't vomit, but had to get a mask with some scented something. That whole experience coupled with my first in-person experience with a cavernous wound, big enough to stuff a tennis ball into, was just too much for my young nurse senses to process.

Hearst review. After this class I was much more confident. Also our tests in our nursing program were HARD. NCLEX was easy compared to them!

Patients/residents yelling. Daily occurance, very disruptive.

I was working with another nurse on a slow night and so we were going around together. we walked into a room, to burp a colostomy bag. I had never done this. when she let the gas out, I had to leave the room. I have smelled some awful stenches before, including being sprayed by a skunk, but this beat all. I thought I'd vomit right then and there. Can anything be done, other than avoiding certain foods? Do the bag deodorants really work?

25/26 per hour is typical pay for an RN in LTC.

I find that the family member wants to know some details, like was s/he sleeping/comfortable/well-medicated, etc. as reassurance that they had a peaceful death. I expect them to ask that, and to tell them. I also use "passed away", just because it seems kinder to the family than "died". They are also of the age group that this is the term that they use.

I imagine the wife would be upset, but she also needs to realize that her husband is not able to remember what he ate for breakfast, either. Demented residents need protection, but what are we proteting against? The wife's feelings, or the husband's momentary(?) comfort at holding hands with a female resident. Also, in that "horrific scene", were they naked? what exactly was going on? sexual intercourse? Bondage? Beating? Kissing andhugging?

From Bloomberg news: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-22/boomer-sex-with-dementia-foreshadowed-in-nursing-home.html> Dementia residents have sexual contact, legal can of worms opened, DNS and Admin both lose licenses..... As a newish nurse in LT care, what isthe main thing to prevent this, besides knowing yourresidents well, and keeping a close eye on them all?

Uniform Advantage Butter soft scrubs. Very good prices, the fit is fine and the fabric is good quality, endures lots of washing and still looks very tidy/professional. Needs minimal steaming out of the dryer. I also like white swan, I like the heavier fabrics and choice of more professional designs.

I am also a newish nurse, but I and my friends who work mainly in long term care have not found the backbiting thing where we work (3 different facilities). I have heard of such nastiness at the hospitals.... (shudder)

Well, if tickling with a cotton ball pulled out of a stock bottle of colace makes you furious, then I can only imagine how you'd seethe seeing a CNA take your mother to the bathroom, and then not wash her hands with hot soapy water for as long as it takes to sing "happy birthday to you", and then wheel her down to the dining room. Or for that matter, touch a doorknob or a surface that someone else touched after using the bathroom! I say for the sake and safety of your grandmother, bring her to your house, and take proper care of her! It's the only safe thing to do!

Where I have worked, only two rn's have signed. I suspect this story.

Easy! No more cancer.

That music is my "theme music" each day as I drive in to go to work each day. The epic life of a nurse! It's so amazing!

I, too, would like to know about certification, so that I might be the best I can be and benefit the people in my care.

I was always told cold for the first twenty four hours then warmth after that.

Yes, excellent also.

You might want to give a pamphlet to her called "crossing the creek", which details what is normal in the dying process. I gave one out to a family member of someone going through this process while in nursing school. The woman who received this information was really, really grateful to have all of this demystified, since most people have no idea what is happening, or what is going to happen and are scared of the unknown. Jane

Hi, I was writing of my experience as a patient, prior to nursing school. I am a nurse now, and have friends with tats. Some visible, some not. I work with staff that have tats. A couple gals have tiny nose piercings. I personally don't have trouble with tats as long as my patients wouldn't find them offensive. Jane

I felt the same way as you at your age, however, as soon as I got into the lab, first quarter, learned how to do it, it was a breeze, and you know what? It doesn't hurt you at all! You will be fine...

Yes. We cleanse with sterile saline, then steri strip and then monitor.

Great advice!

Several years prior to going to nursing school, I had to have several surgeries. When I was wheeled into the floor where I was staying I saw a couple of younger guys with tats up the neck. I don't recall if they were doing the ear stretching thing. I was under a great deal of pain and stress, and when I got to my room, I told the person wheeling me there, that I absolutely did not want those guys taking care of me. I wanted ordinary people taking care of me. I don't know why, I just didn't need the extra stress of worrying about who the heck these guys were, if they were good people, etc. when I was so sick. I'm sorry if you don't like it, or if you think I am bigoted, I am just a pragmatist. Stuff like that is scary to a large part of the population. They will think you are a freak. Oh, and you might want to learn to spell if you want to be taken seriously as well. It's Psychiatrist. Jane

I have both Danskos and Sanitas. Love them both, the dansko is wider in the same size. Well worth the money, and when they say 12 hour shift, always guess that as you learn the job and speed up working as a nurse, you can figure you may spend another amount of time charting. I've done an 18 hour day in my clogs and my feet only started feeling tired near the far end of that shift. Oh, and support hose help, too. Jane