lilhelper

I recently read an alarming article: Boomer Sex With Dementia Foreshadowed in Nursing Home Torn Apart. It's an eye opener. Careers were destroyed over what appeared to be a consensual sexual encounter in a long term care facility. I thought it would be terrific idea to add another consent form to the slew of forms residents received upon admit...some kind of sexual consent procedure form with clear cut preferences geared toward that individual which would be in effect should they have any kind of sexual or romantic encounter. If they have a DPOA, there would be the option of involving others if a relationship has begun and the persons overseeing the client would shoulder responsibility on how to proceed. As it stands, the facility seems to have legal responsibility even if sex is consensual. If there is a waiver signed upon admit, all involved in decision making processes have been made aware that residents may have sexual relationships, and the facility need only proceed as indicated by the resident or DPOA. Has anyone seen a form like this? Am I going to far with wanting to cover our tails?

It might be helpful to fall back on what you know...what has helped with tragedy in the past?

Party favors: penlights Raffle prize: Hasbro's game Operation Party colors: red and white

One time I did use my phone with a patient. In pediatrics, there was a boy who was about 7. He was on droplet precautions. Another nursing student and I had to do an assessment in the morning. We went into his room and he was sleeping. As instructed, we were going to listen to his heart & lungs while he was sleeping. As the stethoscope touched him, he woke up and there we were all gowned and masked. He started crying. I started speaking in a quiet voice. I asked him if he ever saw Happy Feet. He was still crying, but I could see a change. I talked about the crazy penguin who danced. I asked if he knew about that. He was still crying, and pulling away, but he was listening. I told him how I had been to the zoo earlier that day and got video of a crazy penguin--just like the one in Happy Feet. I asked if he wanted to see the video. The crying stopped by this point. I told him that we would watch the video while my partner listened to him. Everytime I went in the room, I would show that video and a couple of pics of the animals, and he was pretty happy to see me.

To all the Missouri people that posted--I'm located in Mo. and haven't heard anything. I went to the HRSA website & logged in and am "under review."

Let's see..rude, unprofessional, unprepared...

I think this is the original point: "I am SICK to DEATH of SOME Medical Assistants, CNAs, and Respiratory Therapists (etc.) calling themselves NURSES, or allowing themselves to be called nurses...or saying that they are getting their "RN"." Nursing students, medical students, CNAs and Respiratory Therapists are not nurses. And if memory serves me right, the poster did not call CNAs "lowly," but tried to point out that they were not nurses. I'm just a student, and I would not dream of calling myself a nurse. When a patient calls me "nurse," I let them know that I am a student.

In my humble opinion, I agree that there is an "ick" factor. I am only a nursing student, but I recall hearing something about MRSA and other interesting microbes collecting around hospital settings. Let's not even discuss bodily fluids. When I get home, I remove clothes and shoes at the entry and carefully transport the offending garments to the laundry basket STAT, (TMI?). Then it's off to the shower for me. As far as appearing professional, I am inclined to agree that certain professions do have an obligation to represent in a positive manner. In my view, medical professionals and law enforcement fall into this category. In fact, even athletes often have morality clauses in their contracts. Athletes. They are in the public view, and the big wigs that control the purse strings in the sports world understand the value of public opinion. Furthermore, I just read an article about how the public views nurses. According to Nurses.com, "Nurses maintained their dominance atop Gallup's annual poll on trustworthy professions, topping the list for the 12th time in the 13 years they have been included as an option (http://news.nurse.com/article/20111213/NATIONAL02/112190001/1003)." Wouldn't it be wonderful to keep that honor alive? I will admit that there is a part of me that would be delighted to see hospital employees in scrubs behaving wildly at the bar, for very selfish reasons. You see, in my Googling of this topic, I came across some very interesting hospital policy material. I won't bore you with the lengthy list of relevant sites, but let's take a peek at Rule #2 under Uniforms and Safety Apparel on Montana State Hospital's Policy and Procedures document, which states, "Uniform clothing is not to be worn during off duty hours when an employee is engaged in other work, business or recreational activities (http://msh.mt.gov/volumei/humanresources/dresscodestandards.pdf)." From my brief research, it appears as if this is the norm. When I think of hoardes of nurses behaving wildly in uniform, all I can think is, "Job opening!?!!?!?!"

"hahahahhaha When I worked as a clerk at the hospital I was walking down the hall while they were taking this man down to endoscopy while his male friend was running alongside screaming "i'm sorry, I'm sorry" and then I got his x-ray and there was the infamous gigantic potatoe he "sat on."" "Hmmmmm..........maybe he forgot to ask for "fries with that."" Maybe he did ask for "fries with that," but he didn't say please.

When classes are full, check daily to see if the waiting list opens up. I have wiggled my way into more than one class with this method. Speak with the teachers and have a color copy of your letter of acceptance handy to show them. They may take pity on you. I recently made an appointment with a school counselor and brought my letter of acceptance. I was immediately placed at the front of the line for registration. I was ahead of some students who were considered priority registrants. I also made a backup plan. I asked the university I am transferring to if they could squeeze me in for my prereq, prior to my start date in the fall. It was no problem. They changed my entry date to the summer, and I quickly got into a class there. I had to adjust some FAFSA info, but that was easy. Get creative. A few years ago, I needed a class that was full. The professor had a set number of people he would accept from the wait list. I didn't make it in. I showed up for a few classes. I let him know how much I wanted to be in his class. I told him I could just audit, and didn't expect credit. He rolled his eyes and said, "Oh, fine. You're in." I suppose there is a fine line between determination and stalking. He didn't call security, so I guess I was okay.

I am still a student. When I get done busting my tail getting my RN, I will have earned the title. I don't want a pat on the back, but to claim the title of RN while not actually having the training to back it up seems very wrong to me, and insulting to the title. Claiming to have a title without training is a lie. Also, isn't it illegal to claim licensure in health professions without having it? If not, heck, call me RN now *kidding*.

LPNweezy, you are being the bigger person with your attitude when you say, "I am not in any way talking badly about medical students." I commend you. And since you won't talk badly about med students, I will! ARROGANT ARROGANT ARROGANT! Wow. One guy I was chatting with (briefly) was so impressed with himself that I am pretty sure he did not realize he was still at a community college doing prereqs. However, I don't really think they are really in awe of their abilities, but more likely, doubting them. Maybe they are trying to convince themselves that they can actually make it through a rigorous medical program?

Just because somebody has a job, doesn't mean they are good at it. That teacher doesn't sound very inspiring and I thought it was part of their job to inspire their students...not crush them. Do your best and learn what you can from the Dr. Grumpalumpagus. I always print out a ton of histology images from online sources and put them on flashcards. I go through them at various times of the day so the images become close to second nature to me. I also take pics through my own scope's view. Refilling printer cartridges are cheap (about $15 total for my B&W and color cartridges at Costco...also at office stores). It really helps with histology. I also make powerpoint type quizes for my self using Google Documents (free!!!).

(Nursing student here.) It is my belief that, in a professional environment, it is important to have ethical communication techniques. Guilt and other forms of manipulation are not okay. And I don't think they would work. Often times, people respond to guilt with defiance, even if they don't quite get that they've been given a guilt trip (or some other type of mind game). And defiance certainly does not lead to compliance. If they do get that they are being manipulated, and I think most people are smart enough to catch on, they will be angry with the deceptive communication and trust will be lost. Either way, the results are negative. Nurses should have ethical and professional behavior. Just wondering...when did the health care field become an opportunity for us to cast judgment on those that come to us in their time of need?

Compassion or reality for obese patients? They can have both. We need to treat all patients with respect. We also need to be honest and teach, as is our job. I believe we are bound, ethically, do do both. (Okay--side note--I am just a student. But, this is my belief...) When volunteering in the ED, I was asked to help with an obese patient that was pretty much immobile. Some staff were asked to move him, and they ditched him without explanation. The patient told me that they looked terrified and scurried away, and he laughed it off. I told him that we'd get him squared away. A lift team did arrive and took care of the situation. Why couldn't the original staff just let him know that the lift team would take care of it? Their behavior was rude and uncalled for. We should treat patients with the respect they deserve and speak to them honestly, and they will have the choice to proceed how they see fit.