ncglazergirl

I used to work in a PICU that strictly forbid overnight sleeping at the bedside. Then I went to work in a PICU that encouraged families to stay at the bedside. It drove me really crazy at first. I had a hard time being under 'watchful eyes' at first. The fact of the matters is that if your hospital has endorsed this, then you have to figure out how to make it work. If I had very sick patients, I would ask the parent to push their chair/cot against the wall so that I would have full access all around the bed. I explained that their presence was important and needed, but not at the expense of their child's welfare. In other words, if there was an emergency, I needed to be able to have quick access instead of having to move a bed out of the way. This made sense to most parents. I also didn't try and worry about the parents need to sleep that much. If they wanted sleep, they could go else where. If they wanted me to take good care of their child, they would let me do what I needed to do. That being said, I did try to be considerate, but the truth was that their child was my first priority, not them. With families it will never be super easy, and the more families you have at the bedside, the more your unit will figure out what works best at your hospital. Good Luck!

When I was in nursing school, the day came that we had to give IM injections. Of course you are nervous when you are sticking someone for the first time, but you also have to figure out correct dosages. We were on the surgical floor that day giving pre op meds. I was excited but scared. My instructor was there as got the dosa of versed ready. The patient should receive 2 mg. The vial contained 5mg/ml. There were 2 cc's in the vial. So, after carefully checking all the information, I drew up 2 cc in the syringe. I took my syringe AND my paperwork to the instructor. She checked me off. I gave the injection.( I know what you are thinking...oh no! 10 mg!) It was an awesome stick and the patient said he hardly felt it...I was so proud. That is until they called me from the OR. Turns out going down in the elevator the patient had to have his airway held open he was so out of it. They canceled his surgery for the day. I was completely mistified. I went back over the paperwork with my instructor. Obviously it was our error, but the the way the MAR was written was confusing...I felt terrible when i realized what happened. But, what happened next was worse. I was standing there in the hallway and the man's son in law came into the hall. 'I can't believe you gave him the wrong medication! I am a lawyer and I can sue you for malpractice. This is negliegent behavior.....' I don't remember everything he said. I looked up at him, feeling so alone and threatened, and with tears in my eyes I said,' I am so sorry..'. I went home and sat in the bathtub and cried until the water got cold. I had never felt so bad in my life. I thought that i was not fit to be a nurse...what was i going to do with my life? I called my mother, an RN, who said ' Honey, we all make mistakes. what is important that we learn from it, and that the patient is okay.' Even though he WAS okay, i felt awful. The next couple of days i spent a lot of time thinking and i decided the only thing to do was go to talk with the patient. I went to Mr. X's room and i went in and told him i was the one who had overdosed him and told him how sorry i was. There was an RN there passing meds when i talked to him. He didn't say much, i think he was surprised. I was crying when i left that room. She grabbed me and hugged me really tight and told me it was going to be okay and how i was going to be a great nurse. She made all the difference that day...and in my career. I just remember hugging her and crying, and i didn't feel quite so alone anymore. Now, 22 years later,I have made more errors than that (but none so dramatic or harmful) and I have learned from each mistake i have ever or ALMOST made. We are all just human, and so long as we truly do our best and are sincere in our efforts, we can carry on. Having integrity in nursing and being conscientious(spelling?) are two values we should all hold dear. So, new grads and nursing students, hang in there...and always do your very best, and always be honest with yourself and your patients.

:)Thank you. I will look that up. I am re preparing my self to hit the floor running when i do my clinicals. One word of advice, NEVER let you license expire,even if you think you will never use it again(as i did...)Thank you again, I am sure it will help me.

although disgusting, funny about the room mate.

I was curious as to what town you work in... i also live here in WNC, have many years experience and i am going thru the nurse refresher course to start work after a 6 year break.....I have been getting a sinking feeling that there would not be any job openings in this area and i would have to travel to another city or town to work in...

You know, if you inform the company doing the testing that you have taken a narcotic for a problem, then they document that information. I do not know that they require seeing the perscription. If you didn't inform them that you took it, then it may make you look guilty. They will document that, along with your results. As for now, a good defense lawyer that defends professionals would be a good investment, just in case. They usually start at about $200/hour. Many times initial consultation is free. Good luck.

I got my RN in 1987, practiced until 2001 then took a break. i am going through a 'RN Refresher' program and will be eligible to do my clinical (160 hours worth of free work!) in July. I feel the need to review and relearn reading ECGs. Are there any good resourses out there? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.