finn_fab

thanks for the suggestions...there are many helpful ones! as an update, the fellow is still alive; they have attempted him off the respirator and had to intubate him again due to stridor...but he is responding to staff up in ICU, and it seems he may survive fully.

there was a helpful debriefing for all involved (critical incident stress response)...I'm meaning in terms of returning to work and how to feel good about the job again...it's still very fresh.

one of our patients was found on an early morning round yesterday morning...had got a hold of a housecoat tie (usually not allowed on unit) and hung himself from a door jam... the shock is in no way worn off...the images repeat... debriefing was helpful, but would like to hear from others how they best coped...

I work in BC canada...and ya, RNs and RPNs make the same wage in the hospital....

we use panic buttons on our unit, that screech, and gives security the location of the pressed panic button, we have them on a clip that goes on our clothing, or badge, or wherever ...I must say, they are good for the purpose of using them to call security, but also to let potentially aggressive patients know that we can call security as we feel necessary...never thought I would use that line, but I have..."security is one call away... "take your pill", "cool down"...whatever... they are handy, and absolutely necessary on our unit, where we have a lot going on at any given time...

thanks for kind words...yes, it is difficult, and I, as a compassionate and helpful nurse, never want to have a hardened attitude that I have seen from time to time...

one of my patients (bipolar) who was discharged couple of weeks ago decided it was all too much. damn...she went for a midnight swim after downing some pills and a lot of booze...and I feel sad.... DAMN

1:6 ratio where I work...4 RNs/RPNs for 24 patients. LPN or NA on shift to assist in ADLs for the psychogeriatric patients. security guards are a page away, usually arrive within a few min

I work in LTC (as well as on the acute psych unit) and I find at the LTC, nurses who give the ativan when the dear 90 yr old is getting agitated are blamed for "snowing" the residents. As I work in psych as well, and have had a similiar "dear 90 yr old" in 4 point restraints because the LTC didn't agree with sedating in the nursing home, I will freely give ativan or seroquel as needed. Better to have a resident sleep it off in their own bed than go off to psych for a few days of "stabilization". Agree about the pain meds...it is frustrating coming on shift and finding someone in pain, and seeing no prns have been given that day :angryfire

just wanted to say hello and introduce myself...I live on vancouver island, and am presently working as an LPN in long term care (which I LOVE) ( I know, not many nurses love long term care, that's why the people that do, need to stick around) I'm presently refreshing my RPN (which here in BC is a Registered Psychiatric Nurse, not a registered practical nurse), which will enable me to work on the psych unit, detox, mental health, or as as an RN in long term care... although, the LPNs and the RNs (RPNs) are doing identical jobs where I work, the LPNs make 2$ less an hour (starting wage) and can't pronounce death. The workload is identical. I'm thinking maybe I should keep both my LPN license and my RPN registration cuz who knows the future of health care in this province...