TX.RN.Shannon

That means he can take his meds with a sip of plain water, not juice. That could've pushed back his surgery time and NPO requirements, depending on anesthesia rules in your facility. You can't unring this bell, but will know for future cases.

I worked at a rural hospital that had a Swing bed program on our Med-Surg floor. We always had a couple of patients that were in this program/status. Average stay was 7-14 days. The most common diagnoses included: S/P TKA for therapy, persistent/resistant UTI or Pneumonia being treated with IV antibiotics and therapy, post-op total hips, etc. Patients needed less nursing care officially, having vitals done only daily, being encouraged to do more for themselves. However, you still had to do meds, dressing changes, help walk to bathroom. It is nice that they are usually higher-functioning and not as demanding. The goal of getting home often drove them to have a better attitude.

I was taught to measure anatomically, if that makes sense? Length would be 12 to 6, head to toe. Width 3 to 9. But not everyone measures that way so there is definitely discrepancies in measurements.

I believe you are allowed to fill a med box or planner if the patient is unable. Is that what you're talking about?

Yep...once you have a definite, satisfactory job offer in writing, turn your notice in and run! If the job sucks that bad and you're that much negatively affected, don't wait around. Things at the job aren't gonna get better and neither is your health. Hopefully this potential position will be a great one and you can work on improving your job history there. Good luck!

Because of post-op status and potential for complications after the surgery. Risks from anesthesia, surgical procedure, etc.

Congratulations to you! I haven't had to deal with TPAPN or monitoring personally, but I am very sympathetic to those that have had to.

As a LVN-turned-RN with 15+ years of experience (but no nursing home), I got a whopping 6 shifts of "orientation". One to fill out paperwork and do online modules. Then 2 with day shift and 3 on night shift. Different nurses, different days, different units, different routines. It sucked . It took a good month before I knew everyone really well.

In the 40's. And that was way too fast! I'm curious--'what was up with your patient?

LTC positions like Wound Care Nurse, MDS, etc. Home Health or Hospice per visit. Liasion/marketing for skilled nursing/home health/hospitals/supply companies. Just a few ideas.

I can't even imagine the horrors you went through during this experience, but I really appreciate the first-hand "memories" of the event. Thank you for sharing!

A lot of the actual PRN meds have to be given by the nurses, in the facilities I have worked in. It is because of the nurse having to "assess" and decide which medication to give per the practitioner's orders. However, if your facility allows you to administer PRN meds, you will probably get a prompt (if your company is computerized), to "follow up" after a set amount of time. For example, you give 2 Tylenol 500mg tabs to Mr. Jones at5pm for his headache that he rates as a 5 out of 10. At 6pm, you will get a prompt (a message or different color) to indicate that you need to enter a follow-up. Then you'd say that his pain was 0/10 at 6:15 pm.

I worked at a LTC that utilized that company, so yes it is legit. I didn't hear many complaints; just the usual beefs about working agency---feast or famine, long distances driving at times, unfavorable shifts or assignments, etc.

Well...the exhaustion is inevitable with a new baby! No more sleep for the next 18 years, lol! But you can find something that won't make you a total anxious, miserable wretch----i sure hope. Sending you a big hug and good vibes!

It happens in other settings besides hospitals, of course. But this had lots of good information. I recently was placed in a difficult situation similar to what you mentioned above.