caringfornurses

I think that many patients perceive men as more caring. We have 3 male nurses and 2 male CNAs on our unit. We have 35 female nurses and CNAs. The funny thing is how often the patients comment how great the males are compared to the females. It is completely amazing! I am not sure what they do differently. I guess think like a man, but the patients love each and every one of them. They are great nurses. I certainly would not mind them taking care of me (unless I needed a catheter or something) just because i know them. They are kind, caring and professional. I am proud to work with such great male nurses.

So not true. No one gets along with everyone. And no one can possibly have a good day every day. I have been a nurse for 20 years, and yes I have had angry patients. I really hate it when my patients are not happy and do my very best to take care of them to the very best of my ability. I feel that I fail my patients when they are not comfortable due to me not bringing in their medication. I know that minutes probably won't change a lot, but they don't. This is new to many of them. They are anxious, sick and in pain. They are not always rational. They need compassion, not posts saying how ridiculous it is for them to ask for what has been ordered.

I have never worked with a nurse that has not made a med error. I say learn and move on. Always remember, the first time it is a mistake. The second time, it is a choice. Oh, by the way, your boss will definitely know. This is my new motto: Good choices are based on experience. How do we get experiene? Bad choices.

After reading this article, several encounters popped into my head. I wish there was a way for physicians to see that we are only trying to help the patient, which will ultimately help them. Looking at the HCAHPS questions like, communication with nurses and doctors, doesn't it stand to reason that the nurses and doctors have to communicate with each other as well. The most important member of the healthcare team must remain the patient, no matter what the other members think. It would definitely be a good thing to remember whenever these encounters happen.

Is it so wrong for a patient to expect you to do your job? Is it their fault that you have other patients? Think about this when you look to see if your check was deposited. Would you be upset if it were a few days late? Provide that patient with the care he/she deserves every single time. Do not wait for them to be upset. If you are in a code, emergency, etc., then your co workers should pitch in. Otherwise, it is up to you. If you are not up to the challenge, change fields. You are a professional. With great knowledge comes great responsibility.

tranexamic acid does not help to form clots. It actually helps prevent clots from breaking down after surgery. Interestingly, we have been using it for a while and it seems to work. Part of the normal clotting process includes the breaking down of clots and then rebuilding. This may be too much information for your patient, but this is how I explain it: This medication will reduce your risk of bleeding and reduce the need for a blood transfusion. If they ask, I will explain that it works to keep the clot from breaking down and forming a new one, reducing that blood loss. I do warn that it does cause nausea. Especially when being transported during the administration.

I have been asking myself that same question.I would imagine that if someone were in labor, you could teach side effects all you want before giving the medication, who would hear it? I have been racking my brain over this question for years now. The conclusion is that I feel this is on there to set us up for failure. Doctors prescribing and nurses administering these medications have gone to school for years to learn how these medications work in the body. Now, we are expected to "explain the side effects in a way you can understand" before handing them the pill. I work on an orthopedic unit. Giving 6 patients coumadin and doing coumadin teaching in an hour (without appearing rushed) is pretty tricky. Especially when you enter the room and the patient suddenly has to go to the bathroom, etc it is especially interesting that the question is worded before it is given and not before you went home. Yes, failure is going to happen. And what's up with the call light help "as soon as you wanted" Again, almost impossible. I would love to survey the public on the politicians and see if they are happy. I have no idea how to teach patients to become nurses and doctors in the brief periods they are in the hospital (our average stay is 2 days). I think longer stays would help.

I think the ship has sailed for me. Now, I am over the shock and dismay and would just like to move on. Does anyone have high scores? Any suggestions on how to answer call lights as soon as the patients would like? Any suggestions on how to keep a 24 hour facility quiet at night? Any suggestions on how to keep a 24 hour facility with frequent traffic in and out clean? Any suggestions on how to teach side effects to people who don't care about them? I would do anything to have others think my co workers and I do a good job. I know we do.