MissKayRN

I had a patient who was in the PCU and started to go downhill so she went out for some tests, and then came back to our facility's ICU. We found out she was MUCH sicker than we had thought, had bilateral pleural effusions, newfound CHF and s/p acute MI, etc. etc. Unresponsive for the first two hours back in the ICU. She finally started to open her eyes, and we were speaking to her about what was going on, and she looked at the picture on the wall and said, "I don't like that picture. I want you to change it now." UGH. I'm trying to save your life right now and you want me to stop to move pictures around on walls?? I have other stories, especially pertaining to this particular patient, but that's the first one that always comes to mind.

Only you and your family can make that decision. My only advice to you would be to contact your nursing school and ask them how much will be expected of you; ie: how many clinical hours you will be doing weekly, how many hours of school, how many hours of work/homework, etc. and use that information to help gauge your family's and a baby's needs.

Not sure I believe this post, but if it is legit, than you're in the wrong profession. And shame on whoever spread the word to other nurses, and double shame on those nurses for laughing.

CNA jobs are very physically demanding. You are doing a lot of patient lifting, are constantly being called in different directions, and are on your feet for probably 95% of your work day if not more. It can be very tiring and draining on your body and mind. If you are not used to being on your feet all day, you will experience sore feet/legs/back/neck, etc. This is most likely the reason why she encouraged you to find a different position.

Is there an infection control nurse or department at your facility? If so, they usually call the shots on matters such as these and rather than trying to cut costs, they always lean towards the most cautious measures. Any time I have a question about something like this, I head to our infection control nurse and she quickly resolves the issue and implements new policies.

ADN, less than 1 year, $28/hr day shift in AK, full time with benefits (the benefits aren't too good though).

In the hospital setting I absolutely always use a new sterile catheter each time. Since this is a home setting, though, I wonder if this is the same as people reusing straight catheters at home? Since it is their own home/own germs, etc. it may be acceptable? Good question, something I never thought of before.

I follow all those "rules" at work too. But back to your applying for jobs question, whenever I get a job interview I never, EVER, tell anyone that I have a job interview. That way I don't get asked, "How did it go?" kind of questions after the interview is over and before I have an answer on the job. Then if I don't get the job I don't have to explain it and be embarrassed and feel bad about myself, and if I do get a job I get to call people and totally surprise them with my good news! I have been this way since I first started working odd jobs at age 16.

At my facility we basically refer to piggybacks as anything (usually IV antibiotics) that doesn't run continuously. For example - Levaquin that is given once daily.

I'm really careful about facebook and other social network sites in general. My page is 100% private, only my friends can see any of my pictures or postings. I also do not add people from work unless we are really good friends outside of work as well, and I never mention work or nursing on my page. Too worried about things I say after a bad day coming back to haunt me! I have to say, though, that I have thought about this dilemma before. I work at an LTAC and have one repeat patient that I have formed a friendship with at work. I often want to add this person to my FB so that we can keep in touch in between their visits, but I have worried about crossing professional lines.