Glageman

Hiya, I worked in a 45 bed ICU for about 24 years. I needed a change. I transferred to PACU. I have been there now 7 years. For the first 6 months, I hated it. I did not know the docs, the routines, the anesthesiologists' preferences or the reversal meds. Now, I love it. I am learning lap procedures, coilings, non-invasive heart valves surgeries, hand re-attachments, flap surgeries, and more. We are doing total nephrectomies that have three small stab sites - that is awesome. I think that I felt like the "new" nurse when I first started. I had not felt that way in a long time. Now, I am learning without feeling totally stupid. I still care for the multiple traumas, the Whipple procedures, the ruptured aortas, and the craniotomies. An added bonus, I see the patients improve in minutes not days or weeks.

I is interesting to read how other PACUs handle under age patients. Children waking up are unpredictable.

Hiya, In my PACU, after any sedation/pain meds are given, the patient is placed on a telemetry and sat monitor. This is regardless of age. Our pre-op area has bays ( partial walls with no doors - and curtains). If someone is alone, the curtains are open. All children need a responsible adult by their bedside ( whether they have been given a sedation or not). Sometimes this is not a parent - if the nurse feels that the parent is not reliable. ( like they are talking on their phone or working with their ipad).

Hiya, Sorry, you posted this 4 days ago. I so agree with GHGoonette that an important asset for working in a PACU is the ability to work in a team. All of us come from a variety of backgrounds, we all have our strengths. I worked in ICU for 25 years. I thought that I saw it all. Then, there is leeching. Luckily, there was some ortho nurses who work in our unit. Good luck - this is the best job. - I see everything. I am learning every day.

I, too, work in a level 1trauma center. The answer to all the questions except giving nebs is "yes". I work in a 35 bed recovery room. If we don't want to wait forever for lab, housekeeping, escort, iv team, or pharmacy, we do it ourselves.

Thanks for the laugh. I loved it. I work in a recovery room. Most of the surgeries are scheduled. However, majority are scheduled surgeries. One would think that one would shower. I guess no food or drink means no water for showering.

Hi, I went thru a similar thing with my old unit with low census days. It never seemed to be spread fairly over the unit. Friends of the nurse manager always seemed to get the hours that they wanted. I started floating. When I got tired of that, I transferred to a unit that is always busy. Now, I can get all the OT that I want ( even when I don't). Now, I kinda miss those low census days. Fyi - keep track of your off days

Hi, It is also unacceptable for nurses to accept gifts at my hospital. I letter would be great. Also, one patient that we had made a donation to our education fund. That was ok'd by the bosses.

HI, Back in the day when I was in nursing school, I worked 3 nights a week in a rehab center. It taught me so much. It was affiliated with a hospital. It lead to a job in that hospital. I was 20 and single. Three nights was alot. But, I needed to work. Consider that amount of time with each. I feel the pt care is better for experience and future job.

My unit has starting locking them up.

I would manage a bookstore. One that has a coffee shop inside. I love to read and learn new things.

Wow, quite a few harsh comments. I have been a bedside nurse since 1975. I have mainly been an ICU nurse. For the last 8 years, I have worked in the PACU. Yes, I have been exposed to rude nurses. Some of my co-workers are rude. I am one of the those nurses who has no problem floating to other units. I love seeing on the other side of the fence. Believe me, floating is an eye opener. One thing that I want to say is that I do not know everything. I am always asking questions about new drugs, new procedures, and new protocols. I love it. In nursing, we can continuously learning from each other and our patients. I work with a heart surgeon that is one of the smartest surgeons that I know. Many of my co-workers avoid taking care of his patients. Frequently, I am assigned his post surgical heart patients. I love working with him. He is demanding, picky, and I learn alot from him. He told me once that he learns new things every day that is what keeps him sharp. He always makes sure that he does practice time in our teaching labs. A big difference between ICU nurses and floor nurses is the doctors. In ICU, you are tripping over residents and physicians. On the floor, try to get them to answer the phone. Nurses can only do the things that we have orders to do. Many times, I have to "go thru the chain of command" to get the orders that I need for my patient. For one patient, it took me talking with four doctors (Who all visited the patient) to convince them that my pt had agonal breathing. Finally, ABG's proved my point. After a quick intubation, some meds, and time, he was transferred from the PACU to ICU. I saw him the next day, he was eating breakfast. I am sure that all nurses have experienced this kind of situation. These situations can be very time consuming and frustrating.

It does get better. However, there is no across the board requirements for years expereince anymore. Stop stressing over the small stuff. Relax. It will get better. Easy way is not the best most rewarding way.

I am curious. We all become a nurse becuase we care. At least I hope all of us did. However, with the changes in healthcare and healthcare systems fighting for patient health care dollars, are hospital administrators and nurse manager keeping compassion and caring as a priority in today nursing practice? I would love to hear everyone's comments - even from nurse managers and administrators.

I hear you. Today, there are so many kinds of nursing - hospice, home care, clinics, outpatient surgery clinics, and even child care facilities are hiring nurses. Also, hospital are looking to keep nurses with shorter shifts and either more weekends or less weekends depending on our request. Keep looking til you find the right fit.