tatara

Have you ever came across those old censored/Mediaographic videos and posters with main characters dressed or identified as nurses? During the 70's, media greatly influenced the society to view the image of nurses as less respectable and undesirable work force. Good thing it is now a thing in the past. People now have high regards to nurses, thanks to the constantly evolving nursing education. Wait, do people really look up at nurses? When I think of what they say that history repeats itself, I wonder how could it be to the nursing profession. Is there really a u-turn in this very far-advanced and far developed science? Is media still as powerful as it was before to kick dirt and stain the nobility and dignity of our profession? Or the responsibility is actually just in the midst of us who sometimes forget about the ideals of nursing and its values that are expected of us to emulate?

I often get to care for burn patients who can't afford regular debridement. I tell you, the smell haunts me even at sleep! I would spray cologne to a sheet of 4x8 gauze, line it inside my N95, and wear protective (sterile) gear with cap. My nose gets immune with the smell within 5 minutes of exposure. It doesn't bother me much now that I'm so used to those different horrible smells in my area; body odor, smelly feet, colostomy bag content, halitosis, hematochezia/melena, smegma... I can go on and on I'm gross.

Yes. Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever. It kills many children (even adults) here in the Philippines. Cases peak during rainy/wet season when mosquitoes breed easily. In some cases, fever is the only presenting symptom and while febrile, plt ct is within normal limit which masks the cause. Mortality usually happen when fever subsides and as patients are expected to get back on their feet, go to school and play, platelet count plummet resulting to hemorrhage. Many patients are rushed in the ER already too late for a promising prognosis. Sadly, misdiagnosis is another problem.

I think of lawyers who have to stand by the side of self-confessed criminals to defend them and their human rights. Nurses care, they don't judge.

She passed away last night. Sally, that sweet little child with dingy Barney developed massive UGIB. Her platelet count dropped from 51 to 22 in just a matter of 6 hours. She was trasferred to PICU, coded twice and died 9 hours after transfer. The mother blames those staff who took over because they got rid of barney while Sally was already unresponsive after the 1st code. They placed the toy in the patient's belongings box. She was even waiving goodbye at us on her ride down to the intensive care unit. Last time I saw her, she was smiling although irritated with the discomfort of her nasogastric tube. Why do angels on earth have to go to heaven too soon? Pardon me, I just feel compelled to post this one in memory of her. The joys and pains of nursing. This aspect of my job is what I hate most, dealing with myself every after a patient dies. Surely, I will get by. Sigh, what other profession gets one to grieve more often than by being a nurse?

She passed away last night. Sally*, that sweet little child with dingy Barney developed massive UGIB. Her platelet count dropped from 51 to 22 in just a matter of 6 hours. She was trasferred to PICU, coded twice and died 9 hours after transfer. The mother blames those staff who took over because they got rid of barney while Sally was already unresponsive after the 1st code. They placed the toy in the patient's belongings box. She was even waiving goodbye at us on her ride down to the intensive care unit. Last time I saw her, she was smiling although irritated with the discomfort of her nasogastric tube. Why do angels on earth have to go to heaven too soon? Pardon me, I just feel compelled to post this one in memory of her. The joys and pains of nursing. This aspect of my job is what I hate most, dealing with myself every after a patient dies. Surely, I will get by. Sigh, what other profession gets one to grieve more often than by being a nurse? Thank you guys for commenting. I am learning a lot from your posts. :redbeathetatara * Name changed to protect patient privacy.

I remember she was in good mood last night when I told her: " I see that you really love Barney, huh?" she suddenly she threw me a fierce look, with eyes blazing haha! My only concern is that Barney harbors godzillions of germs and microorganisms that can harm the patient with already compromised health condition. But I agree that it would be wicked of anyone to take away that only thing she best draws comfort from.

Urine C&S sample from wet pads? No way. Your effort will be useless. That idea from a supervisor? Are you sure she knows what she's talking about or did she read and understand the order?:loveya: Extreme nursing ingenuity is needed. Very challenging. In our facility we use condom cath, but still, not a sterile means of obtaining specimen. I would encourage patient to drink plenty of fluids if allowed, wrap feet with wet towel or dip the pinky in cold water and then instruct the watcher to "watch out" for the patient to pee and catch specimen mid stream. It usually works when the watcher is as determined as the nurse.

Attachment to inanimate object, say a toy, is cute and acceptable to a certain degree especially among hospitalized children who are in a great deal of stress. Cuddling a teddy bear is comforting and soothing, but when do parents need to consult a psychologist or a counselor for their child who just couldn't let anybody take away her precious rag doll? I have a patient, 5 year-old Sally*, who came in with Dengue H fever. The case is on its critical stage (6 units of platelet concentrate is ordered to be transfused ASAP) with all the classic symptoms on surface, and I understand how difficult it must be for the mom to see her child go through all those agonizing blood extractions. And then I noticed Barney, sooooo dirty and dingy (yikes! can't imagine the smell) also tucked in the sheets with the patient. Sally has that Barney since age 1, which according to the mother, her daughter couldn't sleep without it and it goes with her practically anywhere, in the school, church, birthday parties, park, etc. The child does not allow even her mom to take the stuffed toy for laundry and the family used all means to bargain but to no avail. She would throw tantrums and one time when her father forced her to let go of the toy she got sick and didn't eat. They just gave up. I learned later on with the phlebotomist that each and every blood extractions, he has to "draw blood" from barney first so that Sally would cooperate. Yes seemingly harmless, but totally abnormal behavior. She's a sweet little child, angelic even. But when asked about Barney, she just said defensively not to mind her and leave Barney alone. If you are the parent, what would you do? Being the nurse, to what extent can you offer help with parenting concerns like this? Nursing is a patient per patient challenge. :doh: * Nmae changed to protect patient privacy.

Sad but real. Those hypocrites may comment anything they want about me and with how I do my job. They can stay cool as long as they want and get promoted, I don't care at all. My patients are my concern; what they feel about me and how I made them feel of my being their nurse is all that matters. My daily fulfillment as a nurse is being able to uplift the spirit of my patients. No wonder they remember my name, not the charge nurse's.

Being a Nurse is a commitment. You will tirelessly be always giving part of yourself to the vocation. Once you get into nursing, no matter if you finish the program or not, even if you retire early or quit sooner than expected, you won't be the same person ever again. The learning you will get from nursing school to the most complicated situation you will try to handle as you experience dealing with the sick and the wounded in spirit, will change you in many surprising ways. Nursing will be part of who you are. You will carry the honor and prestige up to your grave for as you live you life, you leave permanent marks to many people whose lives you have touched. Nurses are not born, they are made. There are no ex-nurses, only retired ones. I have said these in a previous post and I think it is worth sharing to you too: Seek yourself. -Try to identify what motivates you, or think how you get inspired in accomplishing even the little things you do everyday. -Love what you do. Put your 100% into it. -Reward yourself -Laugh, smile a lot -Picture yourself as how you always wanted to be, choose a role model (an admirable, successful nurse whom you can get to talk and be inspired with) -Count your blessings -Appreciate little things that tend to get unnoticed like how a sincere thank you from a patient makes you feel inside -Have positive and happy thoughts every after shift as you head home -Write down or have a journal of those that you did during the day which you are unhappy about or which you could have done better given another chance -Do not succumb into failure, instead, remind yourself that before they became somebody, they too started as nobody -Pray I know they are easily said than done, but just try. After all, it is always possible to have fun and enjoy your nursing program as you experience the peculiar ways into which you learn. I hope you chase your dreams and make them a reality. God bless you. :redbeathetatara

I say, with all respect, please explore this site. Read on and you'll get answers. You'll be moved.

What we do as nurses? We breathe life to patients. We don't just get tired, we die inside when as we care for others, we leave our children behind; when as we comfort the sick and dying, we get home to people who care less.

Venflon and biovalve

They say it is but normal for happy, sociable kids to have head lice at some point during their childhood because prevention is sometimes close to impossible. They have to mingle, to play, to interact, and get along with other children. Parents nor teachers can only do so much. Once a playmate or a classmate has it, everybody in the classroom or in the family would be scratching like crazy! When I was in 2nd grade, I remember my mom nearly shaved my head because I brought home head lice from a girl scout camping trip and I could no longer sleep due to the itch. I would then wear swimming goggles every dreadful "treatment" day to protect my eyes from the pesticide and shampoo mixture she made and used to desperately get rid of those lice from my head. She's a clean freak and she often said that head lice is a sign of poor hygiene. I would then mumble to myself: I don't care. Camping trip is worth the itch. :wink2: