jennilynn

I had a complaint a few months ago because I had a pt that refused to use the commode or ambulate to the bathroom,claiming she was too weak. She also wouldn't reposition herself in bed, feed herself, etc. but when it came to sneaking the extra Percocet she had stashed in her purse, in the closet, she was fine to be independent. She was to be discharged the following day and I asked her how she would manage at home if she couldn't even turn in the bed. I also informed her that I was going to consult social work and see what the options were for rehab. By the time her daughter got involved (momma called her post haste) and my manager got a hold of me the story had changed that I went in the room and yelled at the pt to get her a$$ out of the bed or she would be put in a nursing home. Any defending of myself made it sound like I was making excuses. My manager even said when he saw my name on a pt complaint he thought it had to be a mistake, but he wanted to get my side before he called to apologize. Obviously, he knew that was not the scenario and him apologizing for my behavior would have been as good as an admission of guilt to this pt's daughter. So I didn't even try to defend it and let it roll off my back. That complaint didn't even come up in my yearly eval.

I thought mine was sputum until last week when I had to empty a JP drain from a renal abcess. Holy mother of God, give me a fresh trach any day over that!

I also get out on time, get a lunch and take bathroom breaks as needed. I often wondered if I was the only one or if I'm doing something wrong by not running around like a headless chicken with a full bladder and empty stomach?

I have an issue with small kids visiting the "sick" floors, critical care or not. I'm sure I have exceptions, but a hospital is no place for a kid.

EXspecially instead of especially. The same instructor that said prostrate said this. Drove.me.nuts.

If they're already putting you on the do not rehire list, then why not just not go in your last few shifts if it is truly as hostile and miserable as it sounds? I am all for working out one's notice and being professional. But the accusations they are making toward you are to hit below the belt. Walk away.

I worked full time, out of necessity, being a divorced mother of 2. My week looked like this.... School Tuesday-Friday. Worked as a pharm tech and pct Friday (2nd shift) then sat and Sunday (12 hour 7p-7a) Monday, I picked up the second shift job again. It sucked for sure, but it was just temporary and it was actually a big motivating factor to keep on keeping on.

You are not prescribing, you would be more a representative of the prescriber. Kind of like a medical transcription it's, they are not diagnosing, but are transcribing into the medical record. I have never heard of a secretary or ma calling in scripts though. That, I may have an issue with.

I know, right?

Where I work, they just put the no narc nurses as charge. Our charges don't take patients and there are plenty of others around to witness for the nurses that need it.

I often feel this same way about paraplegics/quads. At first I thought they were an ever loving PITA, having to micromanage, down to the millimeter, where the pillow goes. I thought they were very controlling, and I am ashamed to say that I was one of those nurses that would eye roll at their requests. I had a pt that wanted his water jug filled 3/4 with coffee, 17 sugars, 1/2 carton of whole milk, then nuke it for 49 seconds. He was also quite the story teller (read liar). While I was caring for him, a lightbulb went off.....these people have no control over anything that is or has happened to them. They are unable to urinate, often times have a colostomy to avoid having to wear a diaper and risk worse skin breakdown than they may already have. So, if it makes them feel in better control to tell me where to put a pillow or how they want their coffee, so be it. I can't say I wouldn't be the same way. I would rather volunteer to take these patients than some of my colleagues because it is heartbreaking to hear how they are talked about by the other staff.

I work nights, so on my first day I work out before work, around 3pm. On the days after that, that i work, i try to go to an 830 am water class, it's easy and I'm tired, and it's some form of exercise. Most of my off days I will either go super early in the morning or after dinner and try to get a Zumba or yoga or body pump class in addition. Depends on my schedule and the gyms class schedule. I try to get 5-7 days in.

I am going to be precepting my first practicum student starting next week. I work on a busy med/surg floor. I know to get her familiar with the basics (charting, time management, meds, procedures, etc) but I want to know, from a student's stand point, what makes a preceptor awesome vs. just teaching the basics. I want any students, orientees, etc. to have a really good experience with me. Thanks for any input.

Yeah, I know. They won't get rid of her, ultimately, you know, it all falls on me. So it just makes me a) look bad for knowing and not having time to bathe, etc or b) encourages her to do less and less with my Pts she is assigned to because she knows I will do it all. Catch 22.

I work with a tech like this. Cancer, anything that these Pts have, she's had. Sad thing is she lies when it comes to her pt care, giving baths, etc. sucks to work with her, but oh well.

Most recently......those that post on social media and public forums about how they have no time to pee, the thankless career that is nursing, never get to eat lunch, have to stay late to chart, never get any help, etc. these are the same people who are on their phone or the Internet all night at work, spinning in circles, apprehensive patients, poor time management and prioritizing skills. Don't get me wrong, I have has off nights and have posted here to vent before. 9/10 shifts I am on my game and get stuff done. I always get a lunch, bathroom breaks and am still able to chart as I go, keep my patients happy and well taken card if and still get out on time. And don't leave work for the next shift because "I didn't have time. "

The environment on my floor is awesome! I have floated to other departments within the facility and cannot say the same for them. We all get along fairly well, help one another out, and have each other's backs. And it is not just when certain people are working, you can mix us all up and switch us around and we are still good together. Of course, we have a few coworkers that we would rather not work with at times, but is still is a great environment. On the nights I work I spend more time with my coworkers than I do with my family. I prefer for it to be drama and stress free.

Most of us come here to vent because others can relate in some way or another. We, as nurses, have to have some sort of outlet for our joys, sorrows, frustration, etc. and unless you are in the trenches, I'm sorry, you just.dont.get.it. I can tell my family about my night at work and, even though they try to understand and be attentive, they just don't know how it impacts me. Allnurses is a great sounding board for emotions and wealth of information and knowledge. Again, to the OP, walk a mile in our shoes, then come back and tell us how real nursing is compared to the ideals of nursing school.

If I get an admission at shift change, that delays things a bit. As long as they are stable, I allow them to get settled, eat something, get orders straight, then reformulate. I don't tend to stray too far off schedule though.

The OP should come back after they've been on the floor for a hot minute and let us know if it's all ponies and butterflies. I was never that disillusioned as a student since I have worked in some capacity in the medical field since I was 15 or so. Thank goodness!

First I visit my patients and assess/chart in the room. If they need any prn meds, I get them before moving on to the next pt. I start my 2100 meds around 2030. I save the diabetics for last or after the accuchecks have resulted, in case I need to give insulin with the meds. Then I do any dressing changes/treatments. Make sure they're tucked in and comfy. I'm usually finished by 2130.

When you have to deflect comments from others about how "you sleep all day".

You can eat a bowl of chili and drink a beer while everyone else is having eggs and coffee.

If you were as diligent as turning your loved one as you want us to be, every 2 hours down to the minute, then they wouldn't be in here with an unstagable pressure ulcer on their butt. Where were you when your loved one was drinking and drugging themselves into malignant hypertension that caused the CVA that caused him to be this way? And now you want to micromanage his care? Ok. I'm sorry, but your son, with a blood sugar of 24, temp of 103, that is puking on himself and trying to kick the crap out of me is more of a priority than getting you a damn cot and blankets right now. And, yes, I will be in and out of the room all night with the lights on, to check and make sure he's stable.

In the morning of my first night back, every day when I am off, the evening after sleeping my last night.