weezieRN

DAQUEENGENE, Thank you for caring about your patients and me, you are the first one who has not totally bashed me. I am a good nurse and believe in the same things that you do. I don't make people step out of the room when changing "mother" when they have been taking care of her personal needs for years. Why? If they are comfortable, why make them step out? People need to be there for their families because most times family is all you have. With today's shortages it is good to have families participating in the patient's care. Family involvement usually lends to a better patient outcome. When families are involved in the care of the elderly demented patient and ill children they are usually much more calm and cooperative and recuperate much faster with less complications. DAQUEENGENE ONLY I know you state no one has been allowed into a regular OR but what about outside the door,in an observation room, or even the surgeons scrub room which usually has windows?

CCU NRS Where do you see on my profile that I am a CNA? That is not even a choice under the educational profile. My orginal profile contained my date passing my RN boards which stated "new RN 8/12/03". I have since changed that so no one can criticize me for being a "new" nurse. To everyone who has criticized my spelling, grammar and punctuation, I would not even stoop to that level, that is just down right nasty. EVERYONE makes typographical errors and to tell you the truth on this BB board I see it all the time but do I comment on it, NO. Let's stop acting like children! I thought we were here to support each other and our profession, not to be judgemental towards others. I just asked a simple question of "yes or no" to seeing or allowing people in the OR, did not expect all that followed. So please forgive my comments in my posts, as I feel I had to be defensive, because I felt I was being attacked. I fully understand the reasoning for things related to the OR but I still feel the way I did before. To chris de Lucas, I am not depressed or have anxiety about the surgery, if I have it at all. Need to get a biopsy first. I am one of the most happy-go-lucky people around and of the few people who do not take antidepressants. Norman Bates, come on! Just wanted a question answered. I am not a psychotic person, just have feelings, thoughts and wishes just as we all do. PS, How was my grammar and spelling?

yes i am realistic enough to believe that i am not the only pt as well i know this for a fact but i do expect as everyone to have their basic needs met, pain mangement, toileting, diet and the ability of the nursing staff to be their to care for me, no "special treatment" just good quality nursing care. No matter what all hospitals are their for the pts from administration to nursing to housekeeping we all have a job to do, to provide safe high quality cost effective care to our pts. Bottom line. If it wasn't for nursing shortages we could do the little things for the pts backrubs etc and have time to sit with them to ease their fears and just listen. A lot of people are becoming very disheartended with their jobs and that is only going to increase. We all do our best hopefully to provide care. Please dont be offended by my comments camay you would want the same for yourself or family.

I really hate to tell you when you are a pt in the hospital it should be about ME ME ME, I am paying for your salary (inadvertently) and you are there to do a job and that is to care for ME ME ME, I am not asking you to drop everything to get me a Whopper at Burger king, just to do your job and care for ME the pt physically and emotionally.

I didn't mean what was really stated by saying I didn't want you taking care of me or others what i meant was you need to be a little more understanding and flexible to people's wishes, just one wish, not that of many. Yes, i did ask for your advice and i did most certainly get it but I didn't ask for everything else orginally, just asked if it had ever been approached in your facility or seen it? Didn't expect everyone to feel the same as me but didn't really expect so much criticism of myself and as a professional. This goes far beyond the text book stuff, it goes into what nursing should be "CARING" no flaming intended. Did any of you poster ever want to be in with a family or spouse, child just to allay your fears as well as theirs. To me it is not much to ask if the surgeon approves and DH sits there quietly just holding my hand behind the draping. SX wont take long probably under an hour total baring any complications all will probably be well. To CCU RN, to correct your statement I am a RN never was a CNA(praise the lord for them) graduated May 2003, yes I am new but I have seen alot in the last year. I do a wonderful job caring for my pts as many as 15 at one time on a med/surg/tele/ortho/peds at a small hospital. I am now doing my dream job OB/GYN

Ok i give up, cause i can see that I am not getting anywhere with the posters here and ultimately you don't have any say in anything just your opinions. So to all of you belittlers out there you are exactly the people that shouldn't be taking care of people, you do your job and that is it,which is fine but you don't deal with families or see the end result of your actions. I know you (whomever) will not care about what a patients outcome was post surgery and that is fine, maybe as you guys put I should come to the OR and observe, not that I haven't) but if you can to the regular floor you would see how much or how little family involvement is and what it means to a positive outcome, which is what we all want. Family involvement is encoraged and at times very required. As shazam states about sexual assault that is not likely to happen but I am sure somewhere in hx it probably has and I know what goes on saying about this and that about the person on the table. Some surgeons of cases i have been in on have had no conversations not even whispers just the task at hand. I know how nurses are or can be. Sure i would worry about privacy, but if its a private matter as all hospital visits should be it should be done in private or codes should be used. There are people that hear what is going on with others be it roomate or just passing by the nurses station at times it can't be helped you just hope the person on the other end has good judgement not to repeat what has been said. I recently had outpt testing and they use number to recognize the pt but while in radiology the techs just called out the person's name, what about their privacy? There is room for change in all areas, if people are willing to bend a little. Being a hospital employee dont you think you could get some perks.

I dont know if i should be on here but dont really care after listening to what you have been saying to my wife ifeel i need to be.I dont know who ccu nrs is but your a sick person my wife is most certainly a rn and in the near future will be working on a masters degree im not asking for anything special i love my wife and believe that if anything is to happen the one person on the face of the earth that should be there is me and i want her with me if i am in the same position. listening to half of you i wouldn't want you taking care of me because there's no caring just another piece of meat on the table. history was full of change and i believe your all afraid of it im sorry im stepping on your toes but in my marriage vows it said to have and to hold until death due us part, not until hospital administration steps in. I know you still dont understand and im not going to waste anymore time trying we love each other thats the bottum line and i wish you would stop bashing her for it. sorry for all the errors i dont wright much. thanks glenn

yes i certainly understand the whole bit about the sterile field and infection control but you cant tell me that a lot of infections don't stem from the OR. With the rise of infections in hospital which a good portion being nonsocomial, so what if any likliehood would there be that much more of and infection rate just my hubby being there, i have lived with him for 13 yrs i cetainly know he is not harbering any organisms or infections

ccu rn you have hit the nail on the head when talking about what would happen should anyone pass away in the OR everything is after the fact...... not during minutes of the incidence maybe not even hours after the fact. Do you honestly feel or think it would be better to have a stranger or the dr come out and say "Sorry but your wife suffered an unfortunate complication during surgery and has passed away, sorry" I have been reading alot about trauma pts in the er and more feelings of closure for families if they were there to witness attempts to save their loved one. I am not being defensive about what i am saying but i am just as passionate about what i think and feel as do you posters. I am familiar with the OR certainly not for everybody as is anywhere else, and no i am not comparing myself to a deer but blood and gore does not bother my husband he would even set at the head of the bed behind the draping and if necessary outside looking in the window just observing. He is willing to sign release to the hospital against any possible litigation or responsiblity the hospital or surgeon may have etc on his behalf. Why couldn't depending on how different OR are set up, why couldnt he stand in the observation rooms, or the scrub room since they usually have windows etc. Wouldn't anyone want to be with their family in times of need?

I'm sorry you can't understand why things are as they are. Maybe you could spend the day in the OR with another nurse and then maybe you'll understand why the rules are why they are. Also, I really think you need to understand that you aren't going to die on the OR table so there is no reason for him to be there. You are going to do just fine if they decide they need to operate. orrnlori, I do understand the way things are in the OR that is why I am making such a bold statement, there is room for family if they are calm cool and collected, yes sure there is a time and place for everything and I think this is the time and place, Are you GOD, no i dare say not! I have known of some cases of general surgeries like lap chole's get extremely hairy with unknown cardiac arrythmias or just even that that occurs within the first minutes of anesthesia as you i am sure can well attest. NO offense but why such a chip on your shoulder, husbands are allowed in with the delivery of a csection, do you think that is not major surgery? NOT. This is just like anywhere else in the hospital setting, if you are disorderly, can not take the stress or get ill at the site of blood or needles you shouldnt be there, but what is the harm setting at the head of the bed or in the corner somewhere just to be close by. I am sure if asked or with papers from a lawyer they would allow you in or it is something to say for the hospital and its staff. My husband is willing to sign any paper imagineable. I think it is true love and devotion to be at the side of your spouse praying in their time of need

thanks for the replies and i know everyone has a job to do etc and don't want the added trouble of someone else in the room but he is not the least bit squeamish, watched all my births, guts deer etc. Do people not have a heart out there...... What is the difference if someone passes away on a med/surg unit than in the OR don't you want family to be there instead of strangers, but i guess that doesn't matter because the pt won't be any of the wiser and that is my point exactly. Isn't this a "consumer oriented " industry now do what the families want to make the surveys and scores good. Why would anyone have a problem with it, if something should happen not saying it will to have someone sitting their quietly just observing. Do pts have consent forms signed for students to be in the room during a surgery, i think not, what is the difference. Just my opinions

My husband and I have been having this discussion since my DR recently found a nodule on my thyroid. What do you think or what would DR's think of a spouse requesting to be in the operating room during a surgery? Do you think it is possible, have you ever had anyone request this. I know it is probably something that people just don't address with their DR's but my husband is adament about this stuff, not wanting if something should happen for me to be alone with strangers if i should pass away. Your thoughts and ideas will be greatly appreciated.

graduated first part of May took my NCLEX in August passed the first time :balloons:

I apologize, must not have read the entire heading or location of posting, can you retract your vote from the poll? Will gladly do so so you can have and accurate number for your poll. Good Luck job hunting or negotiating.

I think you should have lowered your numbers a little, or you must be dreaming that the average nurse working 45 hrs or less is making 100,000 should have started out at less than 50,000.

I understand it to be you can work at any of the critically short areas, ie hospitals, nursing homes, state dept of health, indian reservations etc, anything but dr offices and free standing clinics and dialysis units. I am interested also in this program. they will pay 60% of costs for 2 yrs of service and an additional 25% for a three year commitment. Will be awaiting the new application process to start this fall. Sounds ok to me, you have to work somewhere don't ya

sedwards, Look into Select Specialty in Butler Alabama. We have a select specialty in Johnstown Pa that take ventilator dependent patients as well as multiple trauma and wound care pt yet to ill to go to and extended care facility. It worth a try and if I don't have the town right(looking it up on internet) please look into it a little further, seems to be a good facility up here.

Not to take anything away from the family but staff also needs some emotional support in this situation also. Does your facility have an employee assistance program? I know the tears shead for a former employee at our facility who came in with a possible bowel obstruction to find out that she has CA all through her and a short time to live. I didn't know this gal but she sure got to my heart quick, These nurses need support also you always get emotionally involved with these situations especially if they are staying at your facility for 2 months or more. Keep us posted. In my short career i have never seen someone take so much medication and still be having that much pain.

Not to change the subject but I'm just udderly surprised at the amt of medication she is receiving and has not actually passed away from respiratory depression etc. I don't know her condition and won't pretend to but how can someone want to live out the rest of her short life sedated? Sure I will go for pain free and I know there are ways of doing it instead of sedation. Does she not want to spend "quality time" with her husband and children/family. If that was my mother I would want her comfortable and but I would also like to talk with her and let her express her feeling to her family and have some good meaningful talks with them. It would be good for her as well as her family and it will lead to some closure for them and not making things so rough especially for the children. Just my opinion. What about a pca, fentanyl patches, they seem to work ok, implanted pump etc. Lots of options out there. Don't really know how to help with inservice other than to do what family and pt wishes and keep her pain free.

wow, i never knew of such a controversy with fentanyl, we give it iv push all the time and have never seen any ill affects. Also we many times have GI surgery pts come up with epidurals of fentanyl, which they do have to be monitored frequently as do our pca's. Our urologist frequently orders fentanyl for pain his regular orders fentanyl 50mcg q 2 severe pain, toradol 30 and demerol 25 q4 pain.

3rd shift guy, that was my first guess but do stroke pts usually have such bizarre behaviors, memory loss i can see but he was doing things that he doesn't even remember. The bad side is that he is only 23 yrs old with two young children and his eye sight is deteroriating etc, not an easy thing to say but i don't think he'll be around or functioning as he is now for much longer

Sister in law called this am stating her husband a type 1 diabetic awoke confused, didn't know who he was and was doing bizarre things like taking everything out of the dresser drawers, then he got very upset and was crying like a baby. He received an insulin pump a few months ago could that be it? She took his FBS and it was fine WNL, took him to the ER and they checked him out and said he was fine, did bloodwork and I'm not sure but i think a CT scan. Still seems a little out of it but states he feels a little better. He also recently had laser surgery on his eyes for retinopathy. Any clues advice or information would be appreciated.

I finally got my reprieve from my horrible working conditions, with a new job offer this week that i accepted. You to need to think long and hard about your situation and do what is best for yourself, because ultimately its you behind and license on the line. Days our staffing is usually 2RNS take assignment, another RN who sort of acts as charge, 1LPN to give meds accepted for IVP and either a mix of lpn's and aids for pt care NIGHTS you have at least one RN, 1 LPN and a tech(aid) now how is that right. sometimes the second RN was me but as of next week, no more :balloons: glad to get out of there with my license. Somedays are good I can handle 8-10 pts in fairly good conditon. I have had as many as 16 and that is just plain crazy and to me scary for pt and myself.

Every one that has been following me can be as excited as me. Got word today that I have the OB job I have wanted. Manager at new facility called and then my hubbie called me at work to let me know it was mine pending physical and all that nonsense stuff. Can't believe it Can't wait to start OB which has been my dream, its why i wanted to be a nurse. :balloons: Gave word to my current NM and she then so stupidly asked if I still wanted to work casual said NO WAY :rotfl: (not to her though)

I agree with all the above. Its the little things that make nursing what it is today. The little thank you's the you were the best nurse i have ever had. When you go the extra mile to help a pt or family member they really apprectiate that cup of coffee or the little hug, when their family member has passed away or is in grave conditon. Had a little old lady 90 yrs old first time in hospital didn't know about her insurance benefits how she would care for herself, called her insurance company etc found out her benefits regarding home nursing. She was afraid she wouldn't eat since she had so many scripts to fill. When she was d/c found she had an aarp prescription card etc. I advised her to take them all into pharmacy etc. She got into friends car to leave and i gave her a hug and she said "I love you, thank for caring about me, no one else does" That's what nursing is all about. weezieRN