missmercy

As an adopted child, who is ...obviously... all for the idea of adoptiong, I have just recently endured the suffering with a dear friend the loss of 3 babies in a row -- she lost them all very early in her pregnancies, and has been devistated each time. She and her husband are so sedperate to have a child of their own -- as a mom, with two children -- I can understand that too. There is nothing that compares to looking into eyes that look exactly like your own, seeing your husband's smile duplicated in miniature on another face, hearing his chuckle from a little body, watching your father's walk mimiced in your son's steps..... for some... the horrible anguish and trauma of multiple loss are worth it! I can't put a price on that. I never had to . In the wisdom/ providence of God/Fate I was fortunate enough not to have to. Now that I have been granted that -- would I go through fire for it? You bettcha!! Would I fight like a wild woman to protect it? Yes! What mom wouldn't protect her gang at all cost? I know I would do my darndest to keep my gang safe! Isn't this drive similar to what drives these folks --sort of? I just know I count myself very blessed and spend an awful lot of time praying/wishing for grace and peace for those who so desperately want a baby of their own to love while there are so many unwanted, wnloved little ones out there needing homes and love!

What I keep hearing from the nurses I represent is not really that they are ticked off about money exactly -- it is more closely related to lack of respect their profession recieves, the long hours they work, the fact that they are not compensated for higher education, they put themselves in some extremely dangerous situations at high levels of risk of exposure to deadly things and recieve no compensation for the added risks there...... and we wonder why there is dissatisfaction? Add to that the medical field has trained many physicians to view these competant professionals as their slaves, that they deserve to be treated with limited respect and should be blamed for every possible error in judgement that they (the physician) can possibly blame them for-- and God forbid that nurses be considered ad a valued part of the medical team!!! YEAH! under-paid seems to be the tipp of the ice burg in my office!

I don't watch TV much any more, so can't say I caught the show. I am all for shows the portray the medical profession as just that the medical PROFESSION! I am SOOOO tired of shows in which the doctor is sleeping with his nurse/receptionist/patient, or the nurse sleeping with the resident/coworker/patient or the storylines that make us all out to be catty, drug abusing, lazy, and/or fraudulant. I am just glad to hear that there is a show out there that is making us out to be competent, caring professionals that are doing our best in trying situations!

I pity those of you who have had poor experiences with educators. It is a shame that those bad examples have jaded you toward educators as a speciality though. If you had a dentist you were unhappy with, would that cause you to write off all dentists? How about all mechanics? All plumbers? Granted- there are aa vast number of "pseudo educators" wandering the hallways of facilities giving inservices or lecturing staff on techniques with little knowledge of the procedure and even less about the learning process fo those they are teaching: but there are also those of us who have worked very hard as staff nurses, continued on with our education to get degrees in nursing education -- specifically to learn how to best teach nurses how to be better nurses. I love being a nurse and teaching nursing as well. I love teaching adult learners -- they are motivated, intelligent and often interested. You are right, not everyone can teach! It is a specialty -- a gift - a calling -- much like nursing is. And to teach nursing - Whew!

OOOOOHHHH! Low blow.:stone Educators not only CAN, but have to be able to DO it AND explain it to others in simple enough terms that the novices can understand it and be able to figure out how to do it too. Anybody can go through motions -- monkeys can be trained to DO stuff -- higher intelligence is needed to teach and train the monkeys!

Thanks for posting this!! This must have been REALLY difficult to do at the time-- risky, scary etc. BUT it was really the best move for everyone involved. by NOT saying anything to anyone, not only do you make other students suffer with this horrible teacher, demoralizing yourself and tme, but you put patients at risk!! IF she is coming off a 12 hour shift and them supervizing ( we must use that term very loosley in this situation) inexperienced students, she is putting people in a very dangerous position!!!! I am sorry if she is stressed at home or if she doesn't really want to teach any more -- all that considered, maybe she (like the other teacher mentioned) is looking for a way out -- you COULD be doing her ( along with countless students, patients and theri families a favor) regardless of the surrounding circumstances, her behavior is unprofessional and needs to stop!! I would think your lecture prof, your advisor or the program chair would all be potential folks to go to. P{LEASE consider talking to someone though!! Express your concern about potential backlash but make sure they know that your concern for your fellow students, the patients you all care for, their families and your own well-being is on your mind too!!!

Are they yanking privileges because they are punishing staff for not getting enough done -- like grounding you?! Or what?! How big of a unit is this? How big is this organization? I can only imagine what kind of riot would ensue if management tried to remove coffee pots from our nursing units here!!! I think talking and reading would have been more easily tolerated than caffine withdrawl!!!! Something is seriously wrong with how this scenerio is sounding!!! If management there thinks that they have to police their staff that strongly -- they have either done a very poor job at choosing their staff, a very poor job at training their staff or have some serious control issues which sound like they were potty trained WAY TOO EARLY!!! Whispering in the back room?! Give me a break! Do they have the place bugged yet?:angryfire Not even allowing you to read professional journals that would relate to improving patient care?! HMMMM! There has to be some major history to this story -- would love to hear it.

As noted above, the instructor can be a huge factor!! Unfortunately, you can't wave a magic wand and turn your boring, dry, snoozer of a prof into a dynamic, interesting and fun professor who gives you neat acrostics and funny stories to help you memorize the materials. Your best bet -- don't assume the worst about the material!!! The human body is just too cool for words! It is a fantastic machine, a complex and incredible work of art, chemistry in motion and a design wonder!!! Look past the dry lists of bones and muscles, insertion sites and origins. Try to consider those lists as parts of the whole -- imagine them as parts of this incredible symphony - each vitally important to the proper function and poetic flow of this awesome creature - each with a specific function and form that enables it to serve a specific purpose that enables the whole to serve a greater purpose. It becomes rather incredible and mind boggling!! Then, when you have sufficiently put yourself in awe of how cool this thing (this body) is, and you have developed a respect for how it has to work together to function correctly -- then take it apart in your mind to find out how each piece does it's own thing to make the whole thing great!! We had study groups that made up hystericlly funny annagrams or acrostics and poems to help us remember things -- and being able to see how they all fit into the BIG picture -- seemed to make it all make more sense.

Small bottles of H202 -- to get nasty stuff off your uniforms!!!(or trial sized stain removers) Love the "big brother/big sister" phone number idea!!

Uh-OH! I'll probably hemorrhage and die!!!:rotfl:

I have been "chatting" with my Doc about this too -- constantly irritated throat, allergies make it truly miserable, snore like a hurricane and have apnea too -- he thinks it may be a good idea to get them out and give the airway a bit more "breathing room" so to speak. Have heard pros and cons to laser removal as opposed to "the old fashioned way" -- most guys around here are lasering. My son had the same difficulties: allergies/drainage, swollen/sore throat,snoring etc. He doesn't have any trouble now --occasional seasonal bouts with allergies but no more LOUD snoring, no more constant colds.... sounds good to me!!!

It doesn't surprize me -- unfortunately I think it probably happens alot more than we find out about. When I was in high school -- I was a certified NA, worked at a retirement home -- "assisted living at it's finest" or so they said. I worked from 3-11P. After the kitchen crew had finished cleaning up (usually by 7), I was the only staff member on until the next shift -- she was then the only person on until the kitchen gang got in to start breakfast. (like the kitchen gang was going to leave the kitchen and come out to help with ANYTHING!) We had 35 residents -- all 70 or older, a couple of rather excentric gals, a few senile folks and almost every a medical condition of some sort. The building was 3 floors tall, and I carried a cordless phone with me on "security rounds" - so residents could call me if they needed assistance -- or I could call 911 "just in case". I was also responsible for "giving meds to any residents who required suppertime or bedtime meds. Nothing horrible ever happened on my shift -- a couple of falls, a drunk guy sneaking into an empty room to sleep it off, a resident dropping his cig butt in the trash -- got the fire out right away -- he was sitting in the dining room -- just happened to be locking DR doors to the patio when he did it. But a midnight gall found a resident on the floor in the hallway -- apparently she had started down to the desk for some reason and then fell in the hall on her way to her room -- tried to get to her room to phone for help -- had an MI and died -- probably within 10 mins of the staff member doing her 2A rounds.

It doesn't surprize me -- unfortunately I think it probably happens alot more than we find out about. When I was in high school -- I was a certified NA, worked at a retirement home -- "assisted living at it's finest" or so they said. I worked from 3-11P. After the kitchen crew had finished cleaning up (usually by 7), I was the only staff member on until the next shift -- she was then the only person on until the kitchen gang got in to start breakfast. (like the kitchen gang was going to leave the kitchen and come out to help with ANYTHING!) We had 35 residents -- all 70 or older, a couple of rather excentric gals, a few senile folks and almost every a medical condition of some sort. The building was 3 floors tall, and I carried a cordless phone with me on "security rounds" - so residents could call me if they needed assistance -- or I could call 911 "just in case". I was also responsible for "giving meds to any residents who required suppertime or bedtime meds. Nothing horrible ever happened on my shift -- a couple of falls, a drunk guy sneaking into an empty room to sleep it off, a resident dropping his cig butt in the trash -- got the fire out right away -- he was sitting in the dining room -- just happened to be locking DR doors to the patio when he did it. But a midnight gall found a resident on the floor in the hallway -- apparently she had started down to the desk for some reason and then fell in the hall on her way to her room -- tried to get to her room to phone for help -- had an MI and died -- probably within 10 mins of the staff member doing her 2A rounds.

We have a few gay couples working here -- the expectation is that they keep their personal lives personal -- just like we heterosexual couples are supposed to do! No special rules or anything. People talk about the nurses who date our docs or thechs who are dating our nurses etc.... lesbian or gay or straight won't matter to the gossip mill -- they talk about everybody!

We have a few gay couples working here -- the expectation is that they keep their personal lives personal -- just like we heterosexual couples are supposed to do! No special rules or anything. People talk about the nurses who date our docs or thechs who are dating our nurses etc.... lesbian or gay or straight won't matter to the gossip mill -- they talk about everybody!

Just a little side bar about "M" my rather large patient -- she was always a very jovial gal, cracking jokes constantly -- as a totally inexperienced aide, I was amazed at how great her outlook on life was -- and overwhelmed at her ability to joke about stuff! After a bit of education, found out that she was actually in a great deal of emotional pain and was merely masking it for our benefit. I remember her telling us once that we were some of the best friends that she had ever had -- she was probably right. We loved her and were willing to do whatever we needed to do for her! But we were totally unaware of her REAL needs -- her deep hurts and her profound lonleiness. I am just glad we could make a couple of hours everyday pleasant! She was a remarkable gal!

Just a little side bar about "M" my rather large patient -- she was always a very jovial gal, cracking jokes constantly -- as a totally inexperienced aide, I was amazed at how great her outlook on life was -- and overwhelmed at her ability to joke about stuff! After a bit of education, found out that she was actually in a great deal of emotional pain and was merely masking it for our benefit. I remember her telling us once that we were some of the best friends that she had ever had -- she was probably right. We loved her and were willing to do whatever we needed to do for her! But we were totally unaware of her REAL needs -- her deep hurts and her profound lonleiness. I am just glad we could make a couple of hours everyday pleasant! She was a remarkable gal!

We had a manager who actually called the police to go to an employee's home to retrieve the narc keys. Count was off -- set of keys gone, couldn't reach the nurse enroute home -- so she was met in the driveway of her home by a squad car and 2 uniformed officers who drove her back to the hospital, waited while the count was rectified and then took her home. NO ONE took keys home with them again for a VERY, VERY long time!!

My MSN is a dual emphasis in nursing administration and education: went with the dual because II thought it would be more marketable. The facility where I am has placed little or no value on the degree -- they have 2 CNSs who are stating that merely being master's prepared does not constitute advanced practice nursing and that to "be useful" I should get my CNS - :angryfire - prefferably in Pediatrics as neither of them are interested in that area. However, their goals for my future and my goals for my future are a bit different. Eventually I will leave this place of torture and head off to a university to teach - :) - there are 4 universities locally clammoring for MSN prepared instructors -- at that time I will start working on a Phd in nursing ed/administration - - then I will return here to visit -- just to relish the looks on their faces when they call me "Dr.Missmercy" -- not really - I don't want the Phd to put it in their faces -- regardless of how rewarding that might be for a moment or two. The Phd just fits my goals better than a CNS would. Different strokes for different folks!

Pedi's! Kids get me every time! Would love to have a dozen of my own -- but hate stretch marks, and being poor all the time -- so I borrow other people's children (babysit, work Pedi's, nursery at church....) frequently! Love geriatrics too -- but did it for a very long time and needed a change -- so went to the other end of the spectrum!

Yes, take the meds -- give them a chance to work -- as others have said. It does sound like having a chance to spend time with hubby is important to you -- that benefit may outweigh the insurance/vacation etc type benefits for you -- As someone else mentioned -- having hubby as the only source of positive input can create a huge burden for him. Regardless of how much we love someone, having to be the giver in a relationship all the time can be overwhelming -- branch out a little bit -- yes, it is hard to trust folks -- there is always the risk of getting let down, put down or hurt -- but if you never take risks, you never get the rewards either. Look for friends that share interests or hobbies you enjoy, maybe a church or charity organization -- not heavy involvement -- as it sounds like you have a busy life as it is. Therapy is not a bad idea -- sometimes having someone to talk to who is not IN the situation -- can make a huge difference! Hang in there! Remember, meds don't just "POOF!" work overnight -- takes some time -- may need to adjust doses or med -- keep trying!! Depression is a real bummer and if the meds can help -- they can be a godsend!!

"Most, if not all states have a hotline for reporting things like this." Document, document, document!! Call, call CALL!! You are, for some of those folks, the only chance at getting conditions improved!! I am totally ticked off that you have been put in that kind of situation -:angryfire - that those poor peple have been put in it too! Thanks for being a true patient advocate and doing your best to rectify the situation -- your extra efforts are appreciated!! That said, PLEASE do not stop there!!! Get someone to check this out!! If this is a common practice -- IT HAS TO BE STOPPED!!!

Three of us were assigned to go to "M's" house to get her up to the bathroom, let her smooke and give her a bath and get her back to bed. I was the biggest one of our gang -- and back then I was a size 10 -- my cohorts were tiny -- size 3 type gals. Day one, we were supposed to walk right in, but when we looked in the front door, we thought there were 2 people in the bed in the living room. Not wanting to interrupt any "activity", we waited in the car for a few minutes -- the patient's dad came around the corner of the house and said something about how he hadn't heard us pull up -- and to "come on in". We went in and met the biggest woman I have ever seen! M was covered with open sores, only ambulated to the BR once a day -- when we took her there. (Her dad had a "newspaper funnel system" for her to use when we were not there (?! Never did figure that one out) She had been discharged from our local community hospital the day before because the nurses couldn't get her into the bathrooms at the hospital and it REQUIRED 3+ people to move her. We only had an approximate weight of 700+ lbs -- but we were relatively sure it was accurate. Prior to discharge, the EMS squad filled with gas and drove to the truck scale on the edge of town. They came back to the hospital, filled with gas and drove back to the truck scale again -- this time with M inside. She was transferred from vehicle to house on a door (she had destroyed a gurney first round)-- carried by 6-8 hulking volunteer firemen. So we were to ambulate her to the bathroom, let her smoke while she had a HUGE BM, bathe her, change the bed and get her back in it. An RN came out once a day -- after we had been there to attempt to dress and care for the blistery sores she had all over her body. We drew straws to see who would have to be in the bathroom with her -- that was torture! When we ambulated her across the living room, the whole house shook -- we were sure we would end up in the basement some day -- however, after I saw the piles of stuff in the basement ( floor to ceiling -- literally) I was relieved -- weren't going to fall far!! We were also awaiting the day when the toilet would explode and give her a power enema -- from her literally plopping herself on it -- never did THANK GOODNESS! One day, as we did her bath, the gal who had short straw 2 was on her knees, washing the poor woman's crotch while the other two of us separated her thighs far enough so the task could actually be accomplished. "A" started laughing -- quietly, but uncontrolably... when we ased what was so funny, she replied "You guys, I'm stuck!" We pried the tighs apart and she got her arm out of the nether regions -- but then started cracking up again -- this time she gasped between giggles " I HAD a washcloth!" (None of us felt brave enough to go hunting for it at that point -- did get it out after we got her to bed) Anyhoo... one day she was weaker than usual. We called our supervisor and explained that we didn't know if she would be able to ambulate -- and were told that that was why we were there -- so ambulate her! We made it to the bathroom -- stopping to rest about 4 times on the way. In spite of the extra work it was to bathe her in bed, that was our plan -- didn't want to risk having her fall -- our supervisor arrived just as we were coming back from the BR -- had rested 3 times already -- she jumped right in and said that M could do this! to get it done -- "enough lollygagging"... well, "M" fell within 4 feet of her bed (which was a "big boy bed" and the frame was bent!) As she started to fall she yelled "Girls, I'm goin' down!". The supervisor got both knees strained, M's knee landed on my L foot, and the other gals got back strain trying to lower her to the floor gently. No way we could get her up -- called the squad. 9 guys came, carried her out of the house on a door and took her to the hosp. A second squad was sent for us. We waited about an hour -- hoping M would not see us inthe ED when we all came in -- didn't want her to know we had been hurt. When our squad got there -- about 1/2 the staff was popping in and out of ER to see how we had faired. Doc says I was lucky that whe was as obese as she was -- the huge amounts of fat actually surrounded my foot enough to avoid crushing it completely -- had a couple months of kryotherapy and wore a brace for a bit -- no long term issues though. She was admitted and died a couple of days later -- they say she was too heavy to breathe -- couldn't raise her chest -- and the heart just gave out!! She was so large that she had to be dismembered to be cremated -- couldn't get her into the "oven -- or whatever you call it". Saddest thing -- she had gained 300 pounds within a year! MAJOR emotional trauma -- mom died of breast Ca, on the way to mom's funeral, M & her boyfriend were in a MVA -- he was decapitated and she was trapped in the vehicle for 3 hours before someone found them and got her out -- she was hoorifice from screamming so much. She truly was a delightful person -- tried to be cheerful, told great jokes, was intelligent and engaging, and yet -- so totally alone! Her dad was caring for her as well as he could, but he was poorly educated, illiterate, and traumatized himself.... just kept feeding her whatever she asked for to make her happy! I am forever greatful for friends who are open enough to tell me to quit eating, who are there for me when I need to talk, cry or vent! M has changed my life!! I will never again take family and friends for granted and will never judge another heavy person -- you NEVER know what lies beneath it all.

homecare -- the twilight zone of the nursing profession! 13y.o CA patient -- her mother died (of CA) a year prior to child's dx of CA House a sty -- Dad frequently had "guests" over through out the day -- he worked nights -- heard all sorts of "activity" from his room -- very thin walls!! Had "the talk" with her -- at dad's request "even though she ain't ever gonna need it". Suctioning trach and doing decub care with cats wandering all over the place. At first, she would vomit her tubefeeding within 5 minutes after the night nurse left the house. Until the day I told her that we were going to work on hand eye coordination and I got her a bucket and a sponge and had her clean it up herself -- amazingly enough... no trouble with the tube feedings after that! We got to be the best of chums! Got the house cleaned up, taught her to help cook simple meals, was able to assist with mainstreaming her into classes at the local school for a few months. Had to leave when I lost our first baby -- too much heavy lifting -but visited 2-3 times a week- she survived to hold my eldest son -- never saw her happier than that day! Huge void when she died!! Still think of her often-- touched and changed my life in SO many ways!:) Then there was the 700+ lbs woman who "took out" 4 members of the HH staff when she fell on us - - ambulating from the bathroom to the bed.-- LOOOONG story -- will share another time. Have to go collect the kids from school!