bestbabynurse

O.K. Your unit scares me. We have had a few staff members cut. So, I doubt if they're hiring. But if they were, sure wish you could join me where I am. We have a few little issues, but on the whole we care about each other. Hope things get better where you are. Was thinking about learning to scrub in, but now I'm thinking to leave well enough alone too.

You and your family have my sympathy in the loss of your brother.

My almost errors during my first year: PRN Haldol "DO NOT GIVE IV"on each bottle. I wipe off the IV hub with my alcohol, look at my syringe, bug out my eyes, get the chill that goes down the body leaving the nose cold, and then give it IM. "Whew" Give my oral cardiac meds, listen to "I never had that pill before" in a little shaky voice. After the 50 yard dash to the med cart and back, hearing: "O yea, I remember." Then the real errors: Hanging the antibiotic and walking out, then walking back in to grab the water pitcher and the bag is empty." And years later in the NICU, the dopamine in hub...flushed, staring at the monitor, I was OK again. Oh yea, so was the baby. Recently, changing clothes at home: "Huh, whose Mylacon is this?" I guess that's about it. PS Only one med error on my floor when I first started: Mine... RIGHT No one filled out incident reports! That changed.

I meant hope it makes you feel beeter.

OP: I posted this recently to someone else. It may make you feel better. " That reminds me of when one day the nurse who was taking care of my mom, called me. By that time my mom had been in a nursing home a few years. She said she called to tell me that she made a med error, and accidentally gave her an Ativan. I said: "Well she'll probably get a good nights sleep. And thank you for being the nurse I now trust the most. It looks like the first med error in all this time, and we know that's not true." She was not new and evidently kept her values."

Thank you. Just the sort of thing I was looking for. I'd rather run around than be replaced by tee shirts. :-D

Being able to positively contribute to a persons memories during their life events. Hearing: "I remember you from my last baby", accompanied by a smile. My crazy coworkers (really, its everybody else), and seeing how awesome they were when they became my caregivers. Being able to laugh till I 'bout pee my pants, at least once a day. Saying at the end of the day: "Well, I did my best."

My first year was similar. I got the 1.5 years in and switched to psych for a while. How appropriate. :-D

Well, I'm not a lawyer, but I can say that it is obvious to everyone reading your thread that you have been mistreated by your employer. As to how many laws were broken, I don't know. But you can do your homework, while at the same time 'keep crossing your t's and dotting your i's' in the area you are working in now. So if and when you do decide to go elsewhere, it will be on your terms. Something else to consider is what period of time your disciplinary action covers. That may have some restrictions with it, such as when you can change departments, ect. I agree with those that have said don't push for making a move to L&D right now as you can use some routine in the workplace now to enjoy your family. I hope things change for the better for you. Who knows, your manager can take a job elsewhere and the dynamics of the whole department can change for the better. Be patient.

Congratulations!

My manager stopped in my doorway when I was a patient a couple of weeks ago, but she stopped more as a visitor. It was the next day after my surgery and I was feeling better. Totally different. That visit was appreciated. What happened with the OP is totally different and even though it wasn't necessarily a HPPA violation, her human rights were violated as she was stripped of her dignity by her boss. Maybe this would fall more under harassment.

Just curious as to which areas I should concentrate on as far as keeping up my skills is concerned, or picking up new ones. Any input will be appreciated. Everybody is thinking job security these days.

LOL Yes, the naked dream. I had my first just before my surgery. I was wondering around the bowels of hospital naked, trying to find my way to surgery. Funny thing...nobody in my dream seemed to care. LOL

With the economic changes affecting hospitals, how will the budget cuts affect maternity? And what trends are you seeing in how these areas are staffed?

My clock is also set for 5:05 AM. Too lazy to have to hit a snooze button? lol Don't you hate it when you dream all night long and then have to work?..It's like working a double without the pay. My favorite is when: I was dreaming I was was working nights on the psych unit (before I actually did). Anyway, I dreamed that I lay down in an empty patient bed to take a nap and was awakened by the day shift. I put my pants back on, (What??)... then I woke up from my dream.

I too am stuck on the intrusive behavior of your manager. I'm so sorry you had such a terrible experience. I can't even imagine how you feel. Travel50: You just gave me a headache, as I had to go so quickly from "Oh how terrible!", to "Oh how wonderful!" in less than a minute!

That was a really good thread though it went off into a million directions. It was the first I followed when I happened onto this forum. I feel fortunate that my timing was what it was. I have been enjoying this new addiction since I've been home on a LOA. Thanks Ruby for your wisdom.

Haaaa! Yes! (except you forgot smelly).

Sounds like a real kick in the teeth. Yeah, the whole security escort is a policy everywhere. Has to be a yucky feeling though. I know someone close to retirement but without the circumstances to retire, have to go look for another job...After approx 25 years! She got another job quickly though and she's seems like she will be OK too.

Sorry, I got off the subject again, cuz I'm one the old, fat, ugly, jealous, mean, smelly (well I don't do smelly, but somebody threw that one in back there somewhere...lol), seasoned nurses.

Virgo, That reminds me of when one day the nurse who was taking care of my mom, called me. By that time my mom had been in a nursing home a few years. She said she called to tell me that she made a med error, and accidentally gave her an Ativan. I said: "Well she'll probably get a good nights sleep. And thank you for being the nurse I now trust the most. It looks like the first med error in all this time, and we know that's not true." She was not new and evidently kept her values.

Yes, exactly. Sometimes the problem is being clueless. But other times the problem is being too green to realize your were thrown into shark infested water. As a person gets a little experience under their belt, they know what to demand before ending up in a dangerous situation.

Many of the comments have been positive and not so one sided if you read thru them. I think that old and new can benefit from this thread and be open to learning from the experiences of others. Many have stated their orientation was a good one. And therefore, the system must be working in some hospitals. One of the NICU's I oriented to improved tremendously after I went through my orientation there. So even managers respond to feedback when the numbers warrant it.

Well, I don't think I ever past a math test given by a hospital on the first try yet! And I've taken a few over the years. Don't give up and don't turn it in too soon. Go over your answers after relaxing a bit. Its weird cuz I don't have a problem in the clinical area and also pharmacy has most of us spoiled now with the unit dosed meds sent up prepared. Hang in there! It gets better.

Our nursery was checking blood sugars on high risk infants: of gestational diabetic mothers, LGA, SGA, premature infants for 24 hours; and 8 hours for meconium stained fluid, regardless of the number of results within normal range. It seemed cruel when you saw the bruised heels of some of the babies. Now we're in the process of changing our policies to lesson the total amount of heel sticks routinely done for these babies. They get stuck for other routine tests too, so it gets to be too much sometmes. I'm sure we will be able to use our discretion when needed as well.