FrazzledButBlessed

I work at a nursing home. CNAs have their own system to chart in, it doesn't really cross into nurses notes HOWEVER, I have noticed the chaplain charting nurse notes. One incident in particular led to issues when no one but him knew a patient was suicidal. This was not passed on, nor was an incident/behaviour report filed. So, the chaplain had full access to the chart, and he often sits in on nurse meetings. I don't know, doesn't seem right.

I just wanted to report back and say, DON'T GIVE UP! It DOES get better. Yes, it was a rough first half of the year. I spent it in agony, tears and intermittent bouts of gastrointestinal distress. I am officially 17 days away from graduation. I have had a wonderful final term and memories of those days are just that. Could you pay me to go back? One word: No. The instructor is now nice to our class (we are out of her grips at this point), but the poor class below us has been reduced from 25+ to just five. Five people. And they still have until May. Nine were let go on one day. It is absolutely heinous. I can't believe my journey is coming to an end (Please pray I pass finals and the exit exam!). Please hang in there. You can do this. Look at it the way I did...I had this instructor as a teacher last term. I blew the final exam out of the water (1020!) That to me was enough of a "Ha! In your face!" to get me through. Do your best. Don't give up. If your best isn't good enough, at least you can say you tried, and will not have regrets. In the meantime, vent all you want about it, chug the tums and persevere. *hugs to everyone*

Gained 18 pounds, but have lost 5 lately. It's very easy to put on weight the first half. New friendships, going out to eat, stress eating, celebrations, etc...I began cutting back on the junk, including my creams with a little coffee...It is amazing what little changes can do. Another biggie: Turning down the soda machine and grabbing a cup of water from the cooler.

We were all sent home because she didn't like our patient reports. She really drilled us and yelled..so naturally, we became nervous and fumbled our way through. She singled me out asking why I was doing so bad with patient info, when my paperwork and patient care is textbook perfect. I told her I was nervous. She told me to grow up and get over it. The level of stress has been cranked up, she wants to fail all but 4 of the class (Her words). I'm just tired of being physically ill constantly. I haven't been able to eat a proper meal in almost a week.

...one last thought on this and I'm going to leave it alone. Is it okay for an instructor to curse either during classtime or during clincals at the hospital? I'm really growing tired of being subjected to such crass language. It isn't professional, and I'm also tired of hearing her put down the nurses in that hospital. "Any idiot off the street can do what they do"

Things became worse this weekend, and it is SO hard for me to stay with this. Our entire class was sent home from clinicals. THE ENTIRE CLASS. Before we could even get out of preconference. I feel like throwing my hands up and walking away. Due to this, we are being punished by having to make it up in one day. So, we are going to have a 7am-7pm clinical next weekend. I'm at my wits end.

We are a small school with very limited staff. Only 2 instructors teach this course, and they work together. There is no other option for us, unfortunately. To the poster who asked where I am located, I'd rather not say, on the off chance they may be on here, but I'm not in your area. I'm still in the program, but my body is absolutely hating me. I keep reminding myself this term will be over soon (less than 5 weeks). Until then, I have to grin and bear it, then barf.

I'm highly considering dropping out of school. I'm so close to graduating, but the abuse is becoming unbearable. 45 minutes of yelling at one student in preconference? The rest of us were literally shaking and afraid to speak. Then, we were told we were stupid, not worthy of doing clinicals (after doing so for a year) and that we would never EVER pass our boards. Each day before class, I vomit or have diarrhea. My mental and physical health is at stake, as is the rest of the class. We do not have the option of another instructor. I hate to quit, but I'm on edge all of the time. Even in the midst of writing this, I had to go deal with vomiting. Just thinking about it makes me so very sick. What can we do? who will stand up for us? Is this sort of abuse even allowed? I just want my old self back. No more stress.

We have to report medications as well. I was placed on Ambien PRN and had to notify the dean of the program. A meeting was set up and I was asked to consider dropping out for a term until I was 'better'. They were 'concerned about drug abuse and effects' etc. Even though that's the only medication I take...and it's 2.5mg! I refused to do so and since then, I feel like I have a target on me. It's embarrassing to know those over you are aware of your conditions/medications.

I LOVE clients that are jokers. I've had several who will let out a big yelp with a glucoscan. It makes me jump, breaks the ice and we have a good laugh. Those are the best kinds of patients (for me, anyways. I love laughter, it IS a medicine for the soul)

My best advice is to keep your comments to yourself. Don't be 'that' person. I am one that reviews a powerpoint once, an hour or so before an exam and I pass the test. I never read my book. I'm blessed with the ability to recall lecture, especially if a story is told. I do not show up for study groups. In fact, I loathe them. What good is it to have 3 or 4 people blurting out irrelevant facts and questions minutes before an exam is given? It just causes confusion to me. I tune everyone out and converse to my friend about something OTHER than materials for the test. And you know what? My friend is doing awesome in class too. Neither of us do more than what I've said above, yet we get accused of either 'being tight with the teacher *wink wink*' and getting answers beforehand or just not caring. Neither of which is true. One person in my class always says "How are you making good grades when you do not even study". 1. She doesn't know what I do or do not do in my home., 2. What's it to her? It does annoy me, but I smile and change topics. I hear it even more at the end of the term when I come out of there with an A or B. Worry about you. That's all that matters. If she truly is slacking, it will catch her in the end.

A little more info: Had 5 units of blood total. There is an unspecified bleed (tests pending). Slight edema in the feet, normal b/p, RR24, HR 96, BUN 29, Creatinine 0.9. Dark, tarry stools present as well.

hgb 8.1 and hct 23.1 That is really what has me leaning towards tissue perfusion. Thank you all for the help..unfortunately, I must go on to bed...but I do appreciate the input!

I did not get to assess the pt. We get our pt info from the chart, diagnose then tell our diagnosis in pre-conf the next morning. Only thing I really have to go by is the fact the pt was injured from a fall when standing, then anemia was discovered. Pt was also unable to get OOB w/o assistance. Constipation for 3 days that resulted in a tarry, black stool. As far as the heart goes, an EKG revealed NS rhythm w/occasional supraventricular premature complexes. Also has Afib. All vitals were within normal limits. There is slight edema in the lower extremities w/ chronic venostasis changes. This is really all I have to go on.

I'm having difficulty with a priority dx. I have an elderly pt who was admitted for anemia/weakness/fatigue. Active blood loss, possibly GI. Awaiting tests since blood in stool was detected. Had 3U of blood and Hgb 24hrs later is 8.1; hct 23.1; rbc 2.560. As far as electrolytes go, calcium and chloride are the only abnormals. Is this a tissue perfusion issue or fluid volume deficient?