krob0729

I rely on my pharmacist more than my doc sometimes. My pharmacist, whom I have used for several years now, actually saved my life a couple of years ago. My doctor had prescribed an antibiotic (can't remember the name of it now) and before filling it he called me and told me that he would not fill it; because the other meds that I take on a monthly basis (I am bipolar) the combination could possibly kill me. Of course I told him to call my doctor immediately. I will forever be grateful to my pharmacist.

Thinking that a pt has this right or that right, even if it means it's clearly not in their best interest or unjustly minimizes what we do or offends us in some way just so the hosp doesn't get sued. I work in a rehab/mental facility and the one think I hate is that there is a phone on each unit for the pts to use when ever they want. If they are there for rehab and to change the way they think, wouldn't it be wise to earn the privilege to use the phone instead of calling your "supplier" everyday to let them know how you're doing? I am constantly yelled at, cursed at and treated horribly. Sometimes I do tell the pt, "I am not disrespecting you; so, if you want something from me I expect the same in return" Just so tired of hospitals thinking the pt is "right" and we are to do what ever they want. Sometimes saying NO is the best thing.

that would have been my first question...lol

In my experience, no matter where you work, there will always be problesms, whether co workers, management, admin, medical equipment, etc...It's what you make of it and what you take from it. Everyone complains about their employer and can find things wrong. No place in perfect, especially in healthcare. LTC does seem to pay higher wages, but, a lot of them don't have benefits because of corporate politics. Good luck and I hope you find what you are looking for. JMO

JMoney, remember dear, you are not God...lol You are a nurse. A very assertive nurse. We all make mistakes since we are human. Own the mistake, correct if possible, and move on. A nurse who says they have never made a mistake or med error is lying or is not really a nurse. At least you are aware of when you make a mistake and conciously try not to do it again. I have met nurses who just brush their mistakes under the rug, shrug it off, and they are definitely a hazzard to our profession.

I am so mentally drained somedays that I often wonder what in the heck i'm doing working a rehab hosp. Especially when you see your frequent flyers. It's like "why do I bother"? You know they are going to be back next month, then, I find myself not wanting to give them PRN's because I think if they actually went through detox the hard way, they might not want to put their bodies through that. Then here comes that one patient that you can see in their eyes and soul that they want to get clean. They won't even take the prescribed Norco for pain because they want off of all drugs. Then my hope is renewed. All I know is that being a Psych nurse is a whole different animal that what I'm used to.

i didn't exactly have the best record as a juvenile, but, luckily by the age of 17 i got my head on straight. Here in Tx, i was only told to report anything after the age of 18. Juvy records are supposed to be sealed, from my understanding.

i just started my 1st pshych job on a dual/diagnosis unit, detox and mental disorders. It's faith based, we also have a 12 step program. This is so different than I am used to. You really have to learn patience with these people, because remember, they are detoxing and want their "stuff" I have to admit that sometimes I think they need to go through the detox part all natural so they can see what they have done to their bodies, mind and health. I understand why the docs put them on certain med, but, all i see sometimes is they get addicted to legal meds. I try to control what i give and try to give alternatives instead of narcotics for pain. It has it's moment, but, for the most part you see some that come in to actually try to recover. Our place is a temp placement, usually 28 days. The ones i really get upset about are the "frequent flyers" who show they have no use in recovery. I'm learning more and more everyday. I am really liking the psych part of nursing.

when we change shifts, we simply say nothing has changed except so and so had issues with this or that and could you please check with the doctor on so and so. our patients are usually there anywhere from 1 week to 28 days. when they are new pts we do read all diagnosis's the first couple of change of shifts so that we are kept on target. other than that, its "ssdd, something or some one different, love ya, see ya in 12hrs...lol

i am a bipolar LVN and have done wonderful...as long as i stay on my meds. it took a few years to finally find the right combo for me, but now we have and it works great. State boards required me to go to counseling for 3 months and the Dr. send in reports, and my DON sends in quarterly reports on job performance (for 1 year) and after that, i'll be off of supervision. I've had some rough spots over the last 6 yrs, due to me "not needing my meds cause I am just fine" problems. I now know that I must stay on my meds no matter what. And if i do say so myself, I am a great nurse. It's all in how you handle your disease. There are alot of bipolar nurses I know that are great nurses (as long as they stay on their meds). Good luck to you.

If another nurse helps me with a pt I always state their name and title. That way the pt cant say that I did a procedure that I wasn't allowed to do by law, and by mentioning the other nurses name and title there is a (witness) as to what was done. When i replace a g/t for another nurse who is not certified, she charts that I did it, then I go behind her and chart what size i used and the results. Hope this helps some.

I agree with this. I didn't have an online constructor to do my careplans when I was in school, and I had to do 3 per night for 3 pts. Hours and Hours of work a day. When you have to come up with your own interventions you really learn how to care for the pt like it's second nature after you've done it for a while. I think if I woulda used the constructor ones I might not have really grasped why I was doing the interventions I was putting down. Maybe some of the online ones could be used with some that you have to come up with on your own. JMHO. Not knocking these sights at all. Bookmarked them myself for use on kids I take care of just to see if it comes up with stuff I haven't thought of yet. Plus, I'll be starting RN school soon (I hope) and I'm sure it will come in quite handy, so Thanks for the site.

REALLY!!!! DO TELL!!!

My sister called tonight with 102 fever, chest hurting, skin hurting, chills, could barely talk cause she was so weak. Told BIL to get her to emergency room NOW. She called a couple hours ago...she has....Pneumonia, Bronchitis and The Flu.....AINT THAT A *****!!!!! They gave her Rocephin, 1000ml iv fluids(was so dehydrated her veins kept collapsing while they were trying to get the IV started), and ZPac. Said she couldn't get Tamiflu since she got sick over 24 hours ago...Oh and he gave her codeine for her chest pain. So yes, flu season is still here... That's why I don't get the flu vaccine at all. I did that about 13 years ago and got so sick i thought I was gonna die. I've only gotten the flu a couple of times since then.

Glad to hear it...congrats..