SamyRN

Great article-I, too, am an Oncology RN. I've been interested in this topic for years, for patients, and for personal reasons. I've watched documentaries and read numerous articles on psilocybin. Although the research--trial size, etc has been limited, it is noteworthy the significant positive effects this drug in particular has on chronic refractory depression. Just because pharma can't benefit from it, there will be more of a challenge to get more studies funded. I hope to see this in my lifetime, as the current treatments are lacking. How many veterans do we lose every day to PTSD? If there's something, ANYTHING out there that could be promising, GET ON IT, US!

It was a Lasix drip, not insulin

Does your hospital have a policy or have you ever let the Activase dwell in the catheter for longer than 2 hours? I received instruction at one point to let the Activase stay in the cath overnight and have the patient come the next a.m., instead of having them sit in the department for 2+ hours. It worked like a charm... I can find no literature one way or the other. My only concern might be the effect on the catheter material? I have no qualms about leaving it in the central line: it's not going anywhere...

Nurse: "I know they said the new doctor was a b**ch, but I didn't know they meant it literally..."

Don't know about you, but I feel the need to be able to trust those around me. What I do is too important to not have someone have my back; if your pt. crashes, you've forgotten something, you need advice, or a "nursing consult".... Don't know your specific situation, but in mine, there aren't a lot of options to "go elsewhere." So.... make your situation what you need it to be. Be yourself, do unto others, CHANGE THE CULTURE! I DARE you!!! :yelclap: Good luck, gorjos (Gorgeous??!!!) S

I found that when I had something personally to relate to a disease process, such as knowing a family member, neighbor friend with the disease, it made it stick in my mind like cement. I'd write myself a note in the margin to firm up that cement later. On rare occasion I would share something brief that I thought might help fellow students make sense of a topic. But every class must have at least 2 story tellers who everyone wants to deprive of oxygen!!! UGGGGHHHH!!!

Wow. Really? Stargazer said "Sesame Street has a long tradition of addressing social issues, going back primarily to the 1980s. Sesame Street has addressed themes such as death, love, marriage, divorce, childbirth, and even 9/11." AGREE AGREE AGREE! We live in a rural area of mostly whites. My girls learned on Sesame Street that "people are people" red, yellow, black, white. No difference. When a black family moved here, and their girls attended school, my daughters didn't notice. I believe that's what most of the lessons on Sesame Street are. Show kids what's out there, so it doesn't freak 'em out, or stare, or make rude comments. It is what it is. IMPORTANT LIFE LESSON. As far as it not being my business about a womans choice of breastfeeding? As a nurse, when I worked in OB, you darn right it was my business. Just as it's my business to encourage smokers to quit, when I'm in my uniform in in work mode.

..... and CICA: I love the phrase you used, and use it often.... "His wife was lucky to have had him." Caretakers need to hear it and love to hear it. Use those words lavishly! They need to remember that! S

KAW; I believe that we cross paths with people at certain times for specific reasons. Whatever the reason, be it for your gained perspective on your passion, his, to know there are people who genuinely care, whatever. It doesn't really matter. I've learned to embrace the interactions, and pray for "thy will be done." If you get the opportunity to talk with him again, tell him about what you remember about his wife, just as you shared here. It will mean the WORLD to him that you remember those things. Oversensitive? I would hope you would be to an extent!!! You're a nurse! S

still here after 18 years, 9 months, and ...... however many days. same facility, different positions, "movin' on up." as pointed out here several times, unless you have extenuating circumstances (a volcano wiped out your hospital.) hey! it could happen, right?!? just a besides, as a department director of a specialty area, there are no points scored when considering applicants for a position if they are "job hoppers". training and the learning curve are too tedious, time consuming and expensive to put faith in a "hopper." just sayin'..... s

Awesome post, Babs. You made EXCELLENT points that we all need to remember. I've heard of housekeepers, etc. reporting to nurses about the patients, and were met with a much different response than you gave. It is everyone's job to take care of the patients. Good for you for reinforcing that and being a big enough person to be good with it, and taking the comments as they were intended: to help the patient, not to make you look like you weren't doing your job. I like your style! :yelclap: S

MattRNstudent; You said it very well when you said "I think that being self-conscious is natural for those of us who really want to be good nurses and provide the best patient care we can." Yes, it's true that it does get better. Eventually, perhaps you'll only spend the drive home replaying your day, or just as you are walking out the door after your shift. I don't think it's a bad thing. If I were hospitalized, I'd want you to be MY nurse :-) S

"....the professor that told me i would never be a nurse because i am so shy and quiet..." This statement is bothersome to me. Not certain what the basis of her statement was? That you wouldn't speak up for a patient if needed? Regardless, I love what you state about your nervousness decreasing when you walked into the patients room. Have you explored why you are nervous? Could you perhaps honestly say that your nervousness has become more of a "high alert" when first walking in to a patient room, taking in the surroundings, observing the patient, reviewing their diagnosis and possible issues to look for in those moments it takes to walk from door to bed?

Sabinacrn, Don't believe for a minute that nurses around you haven't had similar "near misses" or worse. That's all it was. Not to belittle the issue by any means. You sound like a great, conscientious nurse. Don't loose sight of that. And, I don't think it's a bad thing to "not completely relax" when performing your nursing duties. To be complacent in our daily tasks is not a luxury afforded in nursing... You are going to be just fine.

I couldn't tell from your post if this event was current or was earlier in your career. Never lose that knowledge that you made a difference by treating your Ruthie with the same respect and kindness, as you would any responding person. Some may feel "silly" speaking to unconscious patients, but I've heard too many stories to NOT believe they hear you, even if only subconsciously. Lovely story, Kris, and keep up the awesome work! S

SMEGMA! YUCK!

emerlindo congrats on your test! i'm an "old nurse" but still enjoyed and appreciated your tips and review! good job!

After reading the replies here, I felt the need to clarify my earlier post (#70) especially now since no one wants to work with me... (I just don't understand ! I would think everyone would want to work with me; I will BE THERE to relieve you for my shift, come hell or high water, or 2 feet of snow!!!) My clarification: I mentioned that the nurses in my past who said they couldn't make it in on night shift because of snow were sent rides in 4 wheel drive trucks. The drivers said they made it easily to the nurses homes, over well-plowed roads that they said even a two wheel drive car would have had no trouble on. No hills, no drifts, no problems. They made it to the nurses homes easily, and the nurses refused the rides, saying they weren't going to "put their lives on the line". The roads were CLEAR! These were the same nurses who called in regularly for BS reasons, especially on the weekends when there was a good band playing downtown... None of the three I'm speaking of work here any longer. I like what another poster said regarding waiting for the roads to be cleared. That is exactly what I was referring to when I said I've never missed, but have been late on occasion because of the snow/ice. I live back a rural secondary road that doesn't get much attention any time much less in the winter snow. County roads staff eventually get to our road, and even though I have to drive up an incline to get to the main roads, it isn't an issue unless there is plain, slick, evil ice. Even then the road crews spread cinders eventually and I can navigate with a front wheel drive minivan; no 4 wheel drive. I understand fear of driving in bad weather; however is that an excuse to not go to work, especially in a job as important as taking care of sick people? In a job for instance, in a restaurant where customers aren't going to be coming in anyway because of the weather, my line of thought would be significantly different. I am not saying people should "put their life on the line" to get to work. I have lived in this rural area my entire life. I've learned to drive on snow and ice. I never feel I'm "putting my life on the line" even in treacherous conditions, because I drive according to the weather conditions. As many mentioned in this thread, I leave early, take my time, plan ahead, and use common sense and sensible caution. I don't take stupid chances. Although we seldom have more than 1 foot of snow, we have been hit hard with ice storms. EVERYONE has different situations in that regards too (types of treacherous driving conditions.) I'm realizing that my facility is above average in caring for their employees. They do offer lodging and food so that staff can be here for their shifts. Yes, it may mean leaving their family. Who wouldn't want to get an unexpected, exciting "snow day" at home with their family? Unfortunately, there are many times when working in healthcare pushes me (responsibility-wise) to do things I don't want to do. However, I knew that going in to it. I understand, too, the special situation of a single parent with no one at home to watch their kids. I guess I've always tried to approach these issues with problem solving attitude instead of a "can't do" attitude. Where do the kids go when they are sick and home from school? Perhaps there isn't always a good answer, but if it were me, I wouldn't give up easily. So, long story short, we all have specific, special circumstances with our jobs and lives. I cringe when I read the posts that nurses don't feel they get any appreciation for making it to work in bad weather, or that they don't even get food when they stay over to be certain they are there for their shifts. However, do any of us do anything we do to get kudos from administration? (It would be nice, but ... really?!:icon_roll ) Call me co-dependant if you wish. I consider myself consciencious and responsible.... (it sounds much better anyway...!)

Nursinger; It should be noted in your evaluation! If you worked for me it would be! I suggest you drop a note or a subtle hint to your supervisor regarding the issue. Falls under the topic of "a consciencious person you can count on!" Kudos to all who nurses out there who take their jobs and responsibilities seriously. You are the ones who give nurses a positive reputation! We don't do what we do for the recognition ; but because it is the "right thing to do." Happy New Year to you, Nursinger!

Dear Nurseinlimbo; Thanks! I'm glad too! samy

If someone wants to make it to work, they can make it to work safely. When my facility hears of a big snow storm prediction, they put up staff of any dept. and provide food, etc. There is a hotel across the street where staff can stay as well. They have sent 4 wheel drive vehicles out to people who have "called in because of snow" and they refused the ride because they weren't going to put "their life on the line." I've been a nurse for 17 years and have never called off for snow. Was late a few times but NEVER called off. Came in the 5 miles on bad roads on the back of a 4 wheeler a few times too! However I've been stuck here for 72 hours straight when other staff wouldn't accept the rides that were sent out for them.:angryfire

AmericanChai and CentexRN; I am struck by your strength and courage, and how you have used these attributes to tell your story. One of you funneled the adoration of a sibling and life's lessons learned into the strength it takes to answer the call of nursing, while the other took the strength of a nurse and funneled it into what was necessary to care for and look after a sibling. My hat is off to both of you for your courage, intuition, and sisterly love. (and your talents to tell your story with such heart and soul--you are both talented in the writing arena!) S

Hi Purplelpn2; I am currently going for my BSN and have the opportunity to CLEP out of College Algebra. I was told to, first, be certain your particular institution accepts CLEP. Since your institution is Excelsior, that's probably a given! There are several free websites that help you study and prepare for CLEP. Instacert is one that is not free, but within it you'll find your way to many that are. Then YOU STUDY. ALOT. Good luck! Your enrollment counselor will be able to guide you through the process to investigate CLEP.

When in the heat of the moment, you do what you have to do and deal with the emotions later. I have worked in Oncology for 11 years now, (been a nurse for 16) and have found as the years pass it becomes a bit less difficult (won't say "easy") to hold emotions in check and go into auto pilot with "the right words". Yes, I believe it is okay to cry. (As you said, not hysterically.) My sister died at the age of 32, one year after I completed nursing school. The nurses that were with us in the end shed many tears and I found it very endearing and comforting that my sister had even touched them in her last hours. We are only human and I have been told that family members are touched when the nurse shows emotion; helps them feel like they are not completely alone in their grief. And just for the record, you will flunk psychology if you ever answer a question with "it's going to be okay" ;) The correct answer will be "This must be very difficult for you" or "You seem to be very frustrated by this.";)

RE: "my kids were not emotionally scarred by having their mom busy"; to the contrary! My kids benefited greatly from witnessing my drive, ambition, and hard work to achieve my goals. I felt guilty and so sad about taking so much time from my girls, but in the long run, I feel the whole experience was positive for them.