Debbie G

This story is perfect- since the encounter was initiated by the patient (boyfriend) and not the healthcare professional

My first DON (director of nursing) told each new nurse in orientation we were expected to remove our uniforms and change into street clothes if we planned to go "party" after work. That we shold have pride in our profession and represent the profession well even when off duty. If I see a patient in the public, I may smile and say hello as I would to a stranger. I do not bring up anything, unless they initiate. Even then I keep it generic- "how are you" not "so, did that thing ever stop draining?" :) I conduct myself as I would hope my gyn would conduct themselves when they see me in public!

Stop watching the admission requirements change, and just get started! Even once in a program, the graduation requirements may change, and it may take you longer or shorter than planned. Select a program you can afford and will be able to stick with! Good Luck!

How about putting vital signs into graphs- by hand. Sugar into decubitus ulcers (they were big back then) and decubs that went to the bone! I remember debriding a wound with a water pick and peroxide solution- that was real cutting edge! Smoking in the nurses lounge, and in the rooms with the patients. Beer and wine on dinner trays. Starting IVs without gloves, bedbaths and other care without gloves. No patient lift equipment. No fitted sheets- we tied the sheets onto the mattress. Used a folded sheet with a plastic sheet inside to make incontinence pads. Giving up your seat at the desk to a doctor (fat chance of that now!) But then again, getting bottles of wine from the doctors for Christmas. Being called Miss____ by the docs and the head nurse, first name only if they knew you. And to think- at 42 years I am still younger than the average nurse (49)

As a manager I would want to know who the patient is related to, and not assign that patient to that nurse. As a staff nurse, it is really not any of my business. I would hope the staff related to the patient would be professional enough to not let this influence care given to the relative, or take away form the other patients. If the staff member would like to visit the patient this should be done during break time. Absolutely- the staff member should not access the patient record!

Two signature for insulin is recommended by ISMP and others, but not mandatory unless your policy says so. Anyone out there using continuous insulin drips on med- surg (not critical care) floors?

You say you do not know the patients yet? Good, I hope you never do! ALWAYS check the name band for two passive identifiers, name and ID number or date of birth. Wrong patient errors are very common among new grads and experienced nurses alike. If you patient is missing a name band, refuse to give the meds until identified and banded by the other staff. You have enough to do with just giving out meds! Sounds like you are working in a team, and you are the "med nurse". Prioritize which meds are time sensitive and which are not. Not the end of the world if a patient gets a daily multivitamin at 1pm instead of 9am, but a problem if the AM insulin dose is delayed! Know what you are giving any why! Good luck!

I am a Nurse Educator in a hospital. Many faculty come here with students without doing any preparation at all. They are unfamiliar with the policies and equipment and act like they know how to deliver care better than the staff. They do not even view the yearly fire/safety, or any other mandatory training the hospital staff receive yearly. They do not have time when here with students. It is fine to not work in a clinical setting, but at least do your homework before you bring students into a clinical setting. We offer staff updates every year, and they are poorly attneded. I was called at 8am with a request to inservice students on equipment, when I asked what day they will be coming in the instructor said "we are here right now, 9am will work well". Not only is this rude, and sometimes not possible, but in this case I was able to pull it off, and the instructor didn't even pay attention! Next time she came, I told her to teach her students herself, since I taught her 8 weeks ago. I had a LPN instructor tell a staff LPN to watch her student hang an IV med, since the instructor could not use the pump! (Staff refused) So, if this is behavior typical of faculty, then yes they should work a few shifts a month so they know what the heck they are doing when they are here!