lyndy

Irregardless of the inconvenience to the on coming nurse, more importantly it's a dignity issue for the patient!

I've been a night nurse for many years, and in those years are some special moments that stand out for me. In the dark hours of the night while checking on my residents I noticed one of my residents awake. I asked her if she was OK and her face became very sad and she shook her head no... I asked her "whats the matter" and she said "I'm afraid" I sat down next to this resident and offered my hand and asked her what she was afraid of? But she just shook her head. I looked around her room looking for inspiration and noticed pictures of her family on the wall, and talked with her about her family, one particular picture was of her daughter, when asking about her the resident mentioned she became a doctor, I talked with this resident about how incredible she was to raise a family and inspire her daughter to be a physician, and how proud she could be of those achievements. The resident got a big smile on her face....a .few days later this resident passed away. Another time while caring for another resident I again noticed a pensive, sad look, I asked the resident what was the matter. He said I'm afraid of them.. and pointed his chin towards a dark corner of the room (ok, chills up my back, cue up creepy music). I looked over into the corner then turned back and looked at the resident and asked him if he would like me to say a prayer with him. The resident nodded yes, we prayed together and then I continued with my rounds. I always like to remember those moments when I feel like I've made a difference for someone.

Yep the "Q" word is so true! I've also added the "C" word (calm) and lately the "F" word (falls). Murphy has big ears and anything can and will happen! One day, when I was working 16 hour shifts, 8 hours into my day I mentioned to the receptionist that it had been a calm and quiet day so far and then with horror realized what I had JUST SAID, I looked at the receptionist and said please tell me I didn't just say... the receptionist smiled and nodded her head... the next eight hours were HELL!

Narcotics are a pretty sticky subject lately with more federal scrutiny and tighter controls. Probably better to contact the physician and get an order for what was available. At the LTC facility I work for we have to have authorization numbers for any class II , classIII or classIV medications pulled out and the pharmacy will only give that authorization after contacting the physician. In the case of class IV meds since I work night shift the pharmacy will not call the MD so... I need to call the doctor and have him/her, call the pharmacy to give authorization to pull med from the E-Kit and then the pharmacy sends me the authorization number..... and then I can finally take care of the residents needs.

I worked 2 days-8 hours and then 2 nights-8 hours It was almost like having a day off. I just make sure I get a nap before I work the night shift. I also try to work 4 days and off 3 if your working the night shift you generally have worked 8 hours of your 1st day off so if you only have 2 days off you are really only getting 1 day off . It really helps to always have the same days off, but always being tired is part of the downside to working nights.

Yes, many nights I have experienced exactly what your concerned about... so much so that I brought up my concerns to the "safety committee" maintenance went through the rooms and bundled up cords and we worked together to create a safer environment.

Perhaps a call to the physician to inform of the condition and get clarification on the midline access would have helped the situation you were absolutely correct to follow the orders, perhaps the charge nurse could have given you more support by making that call instead of yelling...