Paravell

Thanks again everyone for the replies. So, another incident happened yesterday involving the same type of thing! But, I had learned from my previous experience, and this one ended up so much better :) The pt in this case left a happy customer, and I was not berated and insulted for not giving narcs :)

yup, I've seen that to be true. I'm glad they have a "patient complaint" committee, but no "Back up our nurses" committee:mad:

I think that if this patient had been in the main ed, around everyone, they would have either a)called security to remove her from the ed, or b)ended up giving her b52 after they told her she needed to watch her mouth or leave. :) Unfortunately, although we don't have a dedicated fast track, the 4 rooms we have are situated down the hall from the main ed, so that didn't happen!!

Thanks for your reply!!! Your advice is spot on..although in our ER there is no "losing rapport" to change patients :) My charge nurse is great, but she was extremely busy and couldn't really take over the patient for me, nor did I really want her too, I didn't want to spread the problem around :) I really wish we could have PEC'd her for delusional behavior!!! 3 days in an empty room may have given her perspective :) Looking back, I think that what actually made it worse is that I did empathize with the pt in the beginning, so I guess she thought I was an idiot and could magically get the doc to order the dilaudid and phenergan iv. Sometimes being nice makes them think that you don't "know the game" and they will really try to take advantage, then get all the more indignant when it doesn't go their way. I've asked my charge nurse if we can wear flags like referees do and use them...I would call it the troll flag Don't think administration would approve of that one...

To answer the first questions, yes, yes, and yes!!!! I notified the charge nurse after the second round of screaming, and the doc was onboard the entire time. And, the problem is that I do waste my breath! I'm working on not letting people treat me like that, you know, become one of those no nonsense type of nurse that does not put up with the bs. I think I documented clearly, and was pleased to read the md documentation that backed me up. So at least he's not throwing me under a bus!! Thanks for the reply:)

Hello all, Hope everyone made it though this Monday relatively unscathed! I've been working in the ER for the past 3 years, mostly in our fast track area. For the amount of people that I've seen over the years, why is it that one particular patient can really make me want to quit nursing and start buying lotto tickets for a living?! Pt came in with migraines/nausea. Pt hobbles to room, ice pack in tow and turning off the lights as soon as she gets in the room. Pt warms up to me, tells life story to RN, joking and laughing. Doc sees pt, doc orders his usual combo of im phenergan and IM toradol. Pt becomes livid, screaming, crying, berating rn for bringing said meds to bedside. pt agrees to receive meds. Pt screaming, crying, yelling at rn for giving her "really bad shots that made my head hurt worse" Rn notifiying md of pt's concerns. Rn reevaluates pt, receives another verbally berating tirade. Do we get where this is going? At the end of it all, house supervisor comes down, apologizes to pt for having a bad experience. Of course, I'm sure when the pt complaint board calls me on this one I'm going to be the bad guy. The house supervisor tells me that the pt says I have a personality disorder, that I threatened her, was "mean" to her, etc, etc. How I wish our rooms had cameras!! How do I defend myself against a liar??? Ugh, it just made me sick to my stomach...I charted my little heart out, and I know the doc on the case has my back, I'm just not looking forward to the call from my manager next time I work. I guess this was more of a vent than a question...although I could use an instructional manual on how not to let the trolls in life bring me down

Hey everyone, It's interesting to see your roles in Ophthalmology! I've been working in an ER the past few years, and am ready for a change. I have an interview for a RN position in Ophthalmology..I guess it's a clinic/outpatient setting but the job description was very brief. We shall see!! I look forward to getting y'alls input once I get some more information! From what's posted here, everyone that works in this field seems to enjoy what they are doing..how refreshing :)

Ugh, I almost WISH I had the problem of being a "know it all" I just started working in the ER, and I am a fairly new nurse, (less than two years of experience with 3 different jobs thanks to hurricane katrina). I've been on orientation 3 days, and so far I haven't killed anyone, so I guess that's a start. My preceptor has the mentality of "just throw her in there and she'll learn" which in some cases I appreciate, but it's beginning to terrify me!! I need some of that confidence that these know it all new grads have. I couldn't imaging pushing a nurse out the way to see a code....I'm terrified of the day that my pt codes, and only hope that experienced nurses have my back. I'm still waiting to take ACLS and PALS, and I'm hoping that at least that will give me more confidence with ekgs, and the emergency drugs. Anyway, I'm working tomorrow, and I really would appreciate it if y'all could throw some confidence vibes to me!

Wow, I really need to check back here more often! I missed out on 2 whole pages of messages!! So, I've been doing homehealth for about 2-3 months now, and I am liking it so far. I can tell the company I work for does have some problems, but as far as taking care of the patients, I'm loving that aspect of it! I love going into a pt's home, being able to help them in there day to day life, having them warm up to me (well, MOST of them. There is the guy who barely says a word for me and throws his word finder book across the room when I have to do his wound care) I love being out of the hospital and being back on a "normal" schedule. All that being said, I am finding myself working longer hours than I did at the hospital, and not being paid as much for my hours!!!! I'm slowly getting faster at the paperwork, but it seems that it just keeps piling up on my desk, with no end in sight! But, I guess everyone has to have SOMETHING to complain about :) I could almost see myself being in a management position at a home health agency, because I can see what I would do as opposed to some of the things I see now. But for now, I'm content, I still get to keep up my iv skills with lots of lab draws, and learning lots too! (so much teaching!!!) I am not sure if this is will be the niche I was looking for in nursing, but I've only been a nurse for 2 years (and only working as one for about a year) so I really don't know what I want! That was a really long paragraph! For everyone who has had interviews, good luck, and don't despair- job hunting is the worst, but it all is worth it when you find a job you are satisfied with! For all those experienced hh nurses that have replied to this thread, thank you thank you thank you! For all those considering home health, it is nursing at it's core. Have a great night everyone!!! :smiley_aa :smiley_aa :smiley_aa And yay for today, it's my little boy's first bday!!! :)

Hey! How was the ride along? The new job is going pretty well; I'm definitely liking it a lot better than my old hospital job! I'm still figuring out all the paper work mess, but it is getting easier. The only "Bad" thing is that another company that I had applied to called me to say they are hiring now..and there company pays up to 300 bucks a month for insurance...I would hate to leave a new job after only a month or so, but I'm the only one working in my family right now, and I don't have health insurance anymore, so this could be quite attractive!! Ugh, I hate decisions!!!!!!!! Anyway, what are the details of being an infusion nurse? Hope all you new (and no so new) home health nurses have a great week!!! -Colette

wow, $84k sounds nice!!! i'm actually taking a pay cut as of now....i'm getting paid hourly until i am able to take on a "full load" of pts, then i will be paid per pt. my company's health insurance is way to expensive for my whole family, so i am having to get my own insurance. i'm a bit nervous about the pay check, but less money is worth it if this job makes me happy :) i finished all the paperwork/oasis training sessions this week, and next week i will start doing office work and start shadowing some of the other nurses. but as of now, i am on vacation, and am going to new orleans tomorrow for mardi gras!!!

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!! So far I've just been doing paperwork, although Friday they sent me to this community center to do blood pressures on some folk after their morning bingo. It was actually so much fun!!!!!! This week I'll be traveling to their main office to do orientation, which means I can except about a $200 gas check :) Keep me updated on how you like it!

I really started HATING my job. I always felt that I was putting my license on the line, considering that our staffing was HORRIBLE. I was always the only RN on a mixed peds/surg/ortho floor, and while I loved the lpn that I worked with, it was just getting way to stressful! I wanted a change, and home health is def. a big change for me!! Good luck with whatever you decide!

Hey, thanks! It will be visits, largely a geriatric population but some acute post op bandage changes, etc, from what I've gathered :) I'll be paid per visit, which I'm hoping will work out because I'm used to a regular pay check!!! I really hope I get a good orientation so I can become comfortable/confident in this new setting. I'm really looking forward to getting out of the hospital setting, and being able to deal one on one with patients (and families) Two nights left! (I should be sleeping now, I work tonight!!!!) -Colette

Hey everyone! Well, I finally did it, I put in my 2 weeks notice at my current job, and I start my new home health job this Thursday!! I'm terribly excited and nervous, but I don't think it can be any worse than my job now!!!!! Anyway, just wanted to let y'all know another home health nurse has joined the ranks! Wish me luck!!!!!! -Colette