Palamejo

Is anyone familiar with the "Rule of 8" in interpreting ABG's? A great nurse I work with mentioned it, and I am looking for info on it. --Thanks!

Love your outlook! I wish more nurses could have this point of view. Most of us are just trying to do our best under not-so-best circumstances, after all.

I know the feeling! I heard someone say, "It's like taking ONE gymnastics class and then going to the Olympics!" That is about the most accurate description I've heard. I'm in an internship program after graduating in December. I usually walk around looking like a deer in headlights. But, I have faith that it WILL get better! Hang in there... we'll make it!

It is interesting... Reportedly, there are 1 RN and 2 CNA's who filed affidavits and gave testimony with similar information. There are other reports of discrepancies in the husband's statements also. Just makes you wonder what IS the truth? For myself, I would choose to ere on the side of caution, since no one can adequately prove their version of "truth."

Here is a copy of one of the affidavits. See what you think. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1006944/posts

The nurses I heard speaking on the radio stated that they had heard the husband's statements personally. They also stated that they had provided affidavits and testimony to that effect for the Judge. This morning, one of the nurses said that she had been able to feed Terri juice and jello at one time, but that the husband had refused for her to continue being fed orally. Another time I heard them say that she was responsive and they felt that with proper treatement and therapy she could improve. Not recover, but improve. These are the type of statements from the nurses who have cared for Terri that I find really disturbing in this case!

It is the nurses statements, not the parents, that won me over. Yes, the husband is entitled to a life. If he divorced Terri and went on with his life, no one would fault him. Let her parents and family continue to care for her! His statements about wanting the *b* to die, and that he would be "rich," just do not paint him in a very favorable light. And what of his refusal of proper care for her... even if it is the parents guilt and not love that is their motivation, then they are certainly the lesser of two evils. I worked with a domestic violence program for a time and it is really an eye opener to see that there truly are some spouses who are fixated on inflicting pain (emotional and/or physical). They are obsessed by it and derive pleasure from the pain they cause to others (spouse AND their family). It is hard to really grasp that there are such mean people in the world. But there are. I'm not saying Terri's husband is one of those people, but he has definitely done and said some things that could make it seem so. It is a hard case. I still stick by the nurses and believe their opinions/observations. They are the ones with the believable integrity in this case. (Am I wrong that Terri and her husband were separated at the time of her incident? I thought that was what had been reported, but I could have heard it wrong. If I am correct, then that is significant information in my opinion.)

It is indeed a slippery and scary slope. What is the hurry? If there is additional testimony and evidence that may indicate Terri is more cognitively aware than initially reported, why not check it out? Why be in such a rush to let her die in this manner? I really cannot understand the Judge's position in this. I have heard a couple of the nurses that have cared for Terri state that she is more aware than is being reported. Also, the husband reportedly withheld antibiotics when she had a UTI, and has not allowed simple PROM exercises for Terri. This, coupled with his statements about wanting her die seem to point to the necessity of checking into the matter further, at the very least. I, for one, believe the NURSES that have cared for her over an estranged husband. Another point is that Terri and her husband were estranged at the time of her accident. They were going their separate ways. I would hate to have my son-in-law, if he were estranged from my daughter, to be making all of the life and death decisions for her --- not to mention refusing her Last Rites, having her cremated, and burying her in his families' plot (when he has a whole other life with another woman). It just seems as if he is deliberately being cruel to Terri, as well as to her entire family. Almost vindictive. If they allow Terri to die, I hope the family can bring murder charges against the husband so that there can be a full investigation into the matter.

I know this is an old post, but I have to respond! What you said is so true. I am a student nurse and just doing clinicals now, but my classmates and I are constantly amazed at some of the nurses and their seeming lack of any social skills. They ignore you, run off and leave you, and otherwise don't use any normal social skills such as smiling, including you (at least a little) in discussions, introductions, etc. Forget being a good teacher and mentor --- how about just being nice?? How about treating someone new in your comfort zone with a little consideration?? Of course I have to say that there are some nurses who are wonderful. Glad to hear that YOU will be one of the nice ones!! But we have noticed that when there are "those" nurses, the whole floor is often the same! As to how they can influence so many people... well, I can certainly tell you that not ONE nursing student is jumping at the chance to EVER work in the departments where the nurses are (as we call them) "socially retarded." (Might not be politically correct, but accurately descriptive.) I worked in postpartum this semester and had never thought about working there at all. But the staff was so wonderful that is now on the top of my list. Don't these nurses realize that they might get some much needed help and staffing if they weren't so unpleasant?

Melanie -- Thanks! That was very helpful! It makes much more sense now. Pam :)

THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU!! I am 45 and the oldest one in my class. During orientation when they were discussing the reasons nursing is so in demand, they kept referring to the "Baby Boomers" getting "old" and needing more "nursing care." I was beginning to feel like a dinosaur!!! LOL! Anyway, it is good to hear that it CAN be done . . . even when you are already a "Baby Boomer!"

I would think that ICU or ER would be more stressful than med-surg...??? I am just starting the ADN program next week, so please educate me on this. Thanks!