needs help

Due to computer problems and medical probs. with my hubby I have not been here for a while. I was wondering if the steroid injection helped you? Also if the MD has your pain under better control? I do have a suggestion for you. In an earlier post you said you were taking DCN-100 for pain and it helped "a bit" well if you can't work with anything stronger perhaps the MD can give you something stronger for your days off at least. That way you will have at least a few days that your pain is under better control. Please let up know how you are doing. I hope you are feeling much better now. Rhonda

I've been following your post but didn't post myself since others seemed to cover it. I was just wondering how you are feeling now? Is everything better now? Please update us. I hope you're feeling better. Rhonda

2sprOut02, I am also aware, as siri pointed out to you, that this is not a meical advice board. However we do SUPPORT each other going through interesting, hard, confusing, and difficult times. I so not intend m reply to be medical advice, and I do hope you have already discussed your problem with a medical provider. Let me tell you a story about my best friend in high school, ever so long ago. :rotfl: This poor girl keept passing out for no reason at odd times. She even fell down the stairs one time. She never new when it was going to happen. She eventually was diagnosed with seizures and put on meds. It was only then that she was able to return to high school, after missing a year. I hope this "story" helps you and you have already seen a new MD and are feeling better. PM me if you like. please keep us informed.

Zoeboboey & Rnmom3153 Thanks for your thoughtful, & inspiring works. I have been praying and asking for help and telling him I can't take it anymore but don't seem to get a response. I know he is there but I want to know what I did to deserve all this. I can't even seem to get motivated enough anymore to so anything. I'm just in a fog right now waiting for it to lift. I am not suicidal right now, which is a miracle after this weekend. First my computer went completely down, wouldn't do nothing. :angryfire Then I finally got my sister-in-law over to fix it (she built it) she came over two days later and finally after changing the CPU then motherboard it was fixed. Then a few hours later my hubby started acting WEIRD! His b/p was a little low (acceptable though), his blood sugar was 162 (fine there), he was spilling cereal and milk all over himself & didn't know it, couldn't get the spoon to his mouth, and was totally confused. He didn't even know my name. My son was out so I had no car. I called 911. They had two hundred questions. I told them I was an RN and needed help I thought my husband was having a stroke. All I wanted to do was get them on the way and call my son and father-in-law. I finally got off the phone with them and made my calls then they(EMS) called back with the same questions I had already asked. The guy didn't even want to let me go when I told him EMS was at the door. MY hubby didn't want to go to the ER even though my father-in-law and I both said he needed to. EMS wasn't going to take him since he answered a couple of questions right. I said oh h--- you are I have full power of attorney take him, now. They insisted on seeing the papers first. Finally got him to the ER and kept trying to get them to start the stroke protocols but they wouldn't. By the time they ran a CT he was back from whatever planet he had gone in his mind. They said he had sinusitis and sent in behavioral health. Needless to say I was not happy. I need to take him to our regular MD in the morning. Part of why I am still up. I just keep getting more and more thrown at me and I can't handle it anymore. I just want to get in my car and run away & never come back. Go to Hawaii (where I used to live) and go live on the beach. That might be fun for a while. Anyway gotta go make suer hubby's breathing, been doing that a lot this weekend. Thanks again for all your support (this seems to be the only place I get that) and prayers maybe yours will reach since mine do not seem to. Thanks Rhonda

Rachel, when I first saw your post I knew just what to say. Now after reading all the other posts I'm not sure anymore. You may recognize me from other posts but I am a recently disabled RN that worked with spinal cord injury patients as well as stroke, ortho, cardiac and respiratory patients in a rehab setting. Don't misunderstand though our floor got patients that had been off the ventilator for only 6 hours when they were transferred, so we got them when they were still very sick. Anyway to the rudeness issue. As the charge nurse on my 12 hour shifts when there was a problem between a patient and one of the nurses I ended up taking the patient. Most of the time the "killing them with kindness" routine worked with the alert & oriented patients. When it didn't I was honest with them and told them I was not there to take their abuse. You'd be surprised but I've had more than a few tell me "your here to do whatever I say I'm paying you." To that I respond "no (sir/maam) I'm not here to be a slave or housekeeper, I am here to help you get better and help you lean how to take care of yourself." That usually shut them up for a while. They usually ended up apologizing for their behavior and we ended up talking about their problems during their stay. There was no other behavior problems after that. Please remember as others have posted--don't take it personally especially when it is a confused patient. (Which I'm sure you don't) Even when the patient is alert & oriented don't take it personally, many (not all) are this way because they are sick. I was going to comment on this subject from the family point of view but the ER experience still make me so mad. I did not get inappropriate with the staff though, I behaved, even though they refused to consider stroke protocol for my hubby. But another time for that. Please don't leave nursing we can use all the good ones we can get and you definitely sound like one. BEST OF LUCK RHONDA

I'm almost sorry I looked at this thread because this is a VERY hot topic for me right now. While I was working my ins. was paid by employer, but adding my family was approx. $500.00/month. But, the coverage was great, $20.00 for MD visits, $30.00 for specialist, $10.00(generic)/$15.00(brand) for meds locally, with a 90 day by mail system @ $20.00(generic)/$40.00(Brand) for a 90 day supply. I honestly believe EVERYONE should have insurance. What made me one of the great uninsured was a MVA on the way home from work one am. I have been out since Jan 3, 2005. I have been struggling to pay premiums (even took out a loan) until now. Four days ago I was informed I was no longer on leave from work I had been terminated and therefore had no coverage. I was going to be offered COBRA coverage but when I got the papers Friday I found out I will need to pay almost $1,000.00/month to keep coverage on myself and my husband. Insurance for us is not really optional since our meds, together, cost almost $3,000.00/month if we don't have coverage. The meds cost so much because of my hubby being a bad diabetic on insulin with H/O 2MI's and chronic CHF as well as chronic pain mgmt. meds D/T his disability. As for my meds I'm on multiple antidepressants (because of being unable to work anymore) as well as cardiac meds and many chronic pain meds also. Since my Husband is disabled and fighting for social security and I am now unable to return to the career I love so much (Ever per the MD's) because of my injuries from the MVA, income is severely limited. Since my hubby has no income and my long term disability was 100% paid by my employer and I am no longer employed I don't even know if I will be getting the approx. $1,800.00/month check anymore, all I can do is wait and see if a check shows up in about 10 days. Sorry my answer is so long but I couldn't fully answer the questions any shorter. I am honestly at my wits end! I am beginning to think total nationalized health coverage may really be the way to go. I logically know that it won't work but at this point I just really need coverage and don't know where to find coverage that is affordable and has no preexisting clause. If anyone knows of a company like that please let me know so I can at least check into it and see if I can afford it Thanks for letting me vent. Rhonda

Shanaz, I can give you some information but first I need to know what type of "online continuing education" you are looking for. I have a feeling you are looking for actual classes such as refresher or ACLS etc...I can give you a site for CEU's but not for an online refresher course. If you are looking for CEU units just go to http://www.ADVANCEforNurses.com they have a plan where you can get unlimited CEU units for less than $30.00. It's been a few month since I've been there so the price may have gone up a few dollars but I doubt it. I hope this is what you needed. Rhonda

Stephera, What ever came of that blister by your great toe? Did you see the MD? Were there any problems? Please let us know what happened. My husband is a diabetic on insulin (novolog TID & lantus 55 units QHS). Although I care for his feet from cleaning (due to spinal injury) to nail clipping & dealing with ingrown nails he has never had a problem with his feet. I realize he has been lucky but he is noncompliant and getting him to see a MD for his feet would never happen. That's probably why 2yrs ago (at 39yrs old) he had "at least 2MI's" (Per MD) and severe CHF, which is now chronic. He still won't listen. Anyway Please let us know what happened to you. I really am concerned. Rhonda

The posters above have pretty much got the answer covered. Try to relax for now. You will learn more as you go on in classes and clinicals. Your instructors may even run a "staged" code blue with a resuscitation Annie, maybe even more than one, especially if you ask them to. That will give you more 'hands on' to help calm you. Don't get me wrong, when it happens you will probably be a bundle of nerves either during or after. But, your training WILL kick in and you will manage. I can tell you some interesting stories of "codes" I've been involved with but I didn't here because some can make you more nervous. If you or any one is interested in hearing them let me know. Best of luck in classes. You are going to be a great nurse! How do I know? Because I have found that the ones that worry about making sure they know for sure how to do things are some of the best nurses I've met. :) Thanks for taking time to read this. Let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Rhonda

I just checked back and I had another thought to add. I will make this one shorter than my last. :rotfl: I do tend to babble, even in person. SORRY! Regarding feeling bad/guilty for your coworkers having to work short-staffed, don't feel guilty. I have done my share and then some when it comes to working when called in on my days off. Mostly because I know what it is like to work short-staffed and don't want my friends/coworkers to have to do it. But, this got quite old when I was working and those with the day off just "had plans" and couldn't come in. Then I get to work short-staffed even though I try to cover them. I just stopped coming in after a while. Regarding Floating PRN staff. If a PRN is on the schedule as one of their days to work then they are in the rotation to float like the rest of us. But, if they are called and come in to cover, and then we are told someone has to float then the PRN gets to stay on her/his regular unit and someone else on the rotation schedule goes. The PRN staff learned to ask first if someone had to float when they came in, if yes they didn't come in. they didn't want anyone upset because they had to float just because a PRN came in. See not as long :rotfl: Rhonda

AWESOME POSTS EVERYONE!!! I've done so many of the prior posts I didn't think I'd have any to add. however, I have thought of some more. **You watch shows such as ER and CSI and point out to your family the things that are procedurally wrong or medically impossible. **You go to your personal Doctor and when he enters he asks "what scripts do you need written this visit. **When your son has an injury at work and tells his boss " no I don't need to go to the ER, my mom is a nurse--she can fix it just as good". **When your family actually understands many of the medical abbreviations you inadvertantly use in notes you write to them. **you go to have a stress test & tell the nurse which vein to use. She doesn't listen the 1st time & misses. Your husband that is with you reminds her & tells her your a nurse. She still doesn't listen & missed the 2nd time then gets another nurse. The second nurse listens and gets it the first try. Your husband then comments "If she would have listened you would have had only one stick". **Its 2:45pm, your in the store, someone asks the time and you automatically say its 1445. Then when you see the quizzical look you have to think to give the person the civilian time. --------------Last but by no means least-------------------------------- **You bring you hyper dog in to see the vet for a torn nail and after she examines the dog you tell the vet "He needs a script for Xanax" and she writes it for you. Hope you all get some laughs. By the way ALL the above has actually happened to me. :balloons: :rotfl:

JoBug, how are you doing since you saw the new MD? I was planning on replying to your first post but due to what sounds like very similar circumstances I cannot stay at my desk and computer very long. Honestly I have a stickie on the screen for me to reply to your post. At most of my jobs I became known as the "stickie queen" because of the amount of post-it's I used all the time. :rotfl: PLEASE update up on your progress. If you are unable to reply at this time I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers for a quick recovery.

With your schedule you could be writing about me. I too worked 3 12hr shifts (Fri., Sat., and Sun.) Since I only worked weekends I was always being called also (for 7a-3p / 7a-7p / 3-11p / 11p-7a / 7p-7a) what ever shift(s) they needed filled. Usually it was a daily call. I was even called to come in while on FMLA for cervical disc fusion. (I don't know why but they called three times in the last month I was on leave) So I most definately feel for you, I know it is frustrating to have all those very early & late calls. However, I agree with Destinystar. They are only doing their job. They need to try and staff the unit. I DO NOT agree with the units that let the PRN staff choose their schedules first then schedule their FT & PT staff around the PRN's. Being PRN is to help fill-in where needed. They ususlly get paid more and when allowed to choose their hours they get the best of both worlds. If your unit has plenty of PRN's they should get the PRN's to do the job they were hired for & at the very least call & wake them up 1st to ask about working. As for those "just doing their jobs" I'm sorry since I was one of them. Being the 7p-7a Weekend charge nurse if there were call-in's I was the one to start calling everyone to get a replacement. The way I did it was IF the nurses on the other shifts asked me not to call them for the OT I didn't call them. That was only right. If those nurses decided they wanted to work some OT they would give me a list of days & times they could work then I would call on those days only. It seemed to work for me, no more angry nurses when I was only doing my job. If the calling is not left up to your unit to do then you can try to speak to whoever does do the calling. However, if it's not left to your unit you may not get far. In that case I recomend either an answering machine (that's what I used), caller ID (but that would wake you and your family) or a service from the phone co. for screening calls, here it's called "privacy direct" (I think). What it does, when you put a number in to be blocked, is this: when someone from that number calls it tells the caller that you do not accept calls from that number, it then asks them to say their name and the service will try to reach you, then the service lets you know that they are calling and you choose if you want to answer. I believe you can just have the service not let you know of the call at night and go back to notifying you in the am. Really sorry about the length of this but I hope it gave you, and anyone else in this situation, some useful information Rhonda

Dearest Lisamc1, Please don't be too hard on your self. as others have said, it happens to us all. When I was in my preceptorship for RN I was doing good with IV's until the day my instructor wanted to watch. Well that day one of my patients was an elderly dehydrated lady. Her veins looked SPECTACULAR, so I figured I wouldn't have a problem even with the case of nerves I got every time the instructor was watching. Well the instructor chose the vein, like yours did, and sure enough I missed big time. The instructor chose another vein and had me try again, same thing vein blew this time as well. I felt like balling my eyes out. The only reason that didn't happen was the instructor then tried and she missed twice. A 40 yr veteran RN MSN :rotfl: The next one to try was the charge nurse, she was a 30yr veteran med/surg & ICU RN BSN. well she also missed twice. I felt so much better knowing that it does in fact happen to EVERYONE at some time or another. Keep your head up. There is nothing to be worried or upset about we all do it. Your most definately NOT a loser. you will get it. Try not to worry. Please don't hesitate to let me know if I can be of any help. Rhonda :) :balloons:

nytelytespn, What type of facility are you working in? Not that the type matters at all. They are sooooo totally far out of line. A HUC or Unit Secretary as we call them are leagally, in SC anyway, are not allowed to do ANY direct patient care. The only way that is possible is IF they have been crossed-trained as a CNA. The only duties a Unit Secretary is allowed to do, other than her clerk duties (and by no means am I putting unit secretaries down, they are most definatly life savers). back to duties regarding patients. Unit secretaries are allowed to bring H2O to patients, bring blankets, bring snacks to patients if nutritionaly checked by the nurses, and other such requests such as these that do not require direct patient care of nursing staff. If you were properly cross-trained to 'run' the glucose meter, then that duty would be OK. A unit secretary doing baths and drawing blood is a definate no no!! Drawing blo9od form a line (central venous, picc, art,) are nursing duties. At my hospital the lab staff (trained in blood collection) are not even allowed to even TOUCH the lines let alone draw from them. and I will go one step further and say that is an RN only duty. Please LPN's don't get mad I love LPN's and have learned a lot from some. Ionly mean to say that according to my hospitals reading of the Nurse Practice Act this duty is for RN's only. If I were you I would not draw any blood from any lines and only do finger sticks AFTER they have trained you for this duty. As for "bathing ect.." from your original post I would also not do this UNTIL properly cross-trained. Although you have been in health care for many years and I am sure you know a lot, legally you are not qualified unless you have been cross-trained. You can print this and show it to your "clinical leader" and or director of nursing if you want to. Sorry if some of this has been on other peoples posts I have to admit I did not read all of the replys, your post just incensed me that a facility would want you to do such things. PM or E-mail me if you have any questions. Hope this helps you. Rhonda RN