nursethumper

Pre nursing student here-What is EMLA?? Please save me from my ignorance.

I am a pre-nursing student who has had to advocate for her father as he has been in the hospital for the last 9 months. I could write 6 pages of problems/errors that I have seen. I have to admit I cringed at times the way my mom handled some things but many of them have been life treatening(CBG 31-told he ate his breakfast and hr earlier and given no insulin) and still are a problem today(dq). It is the incompetantcy that I witnessed and downright lies I witnessed that infuriate me to this day and for that reason I will do my best to allow the family its say in matters of their loved ones care. Granted we as a family were better informed than many and thus could justify what we saw/wanted but people do what they think they need to do in desparate situations. At least I will presume they are not just out to *****, although I know this happens.

:uhoh21: :uhoh21: :uhoh21: I am not even a nursing student yet and know all too well the pitfalls of diabetic education to new or otherwise established diabetics, Type I and II. As I see it this inadequacy needs to be addressed yesterday. DM will be the new plague in only a matter of a few paltry years. We as nurses cannot assume a pt knows anything and I do not find it surprising that a pt taking insulin not know they are diabetic. How many pts have you had that seem to be ignorant of what we know /consider basic info??? Have you ever seen someone who thinks a double quarter pounder, lg fries and a coke is an ok lunch or dinner?? Remember that if you assume you run the risk of making an @ss- (out of) u and me . Or worse run the risk of not giving needed info to someone whose health will be at serious risk. Or make sure they understand that info. As to an actual diabetic educator, in my area it takes up to 6 months to get an appt. and it is MHO that it is the ability of these educators and not the Dr to truely "control" the sugars of many DM pts. And I know w/o being told bedside nurses don't have the time but the system does need improvement and I think the checklist is an excellent idea- at least each nurse would know what has been covered and understood. I plan to do this in my own head so to speak when I am a practicing nurse (which I hope is soon). Just a thought or two (I have MORE) from the daughter of a Type I and a type II.

I am a pre nursing student and just finished my first skills class and had trouble at times too. I was told a few things such as go to the little finger side of the joint and if at all possible ensure my pt. was as hydrated as possible. Nerves and the embarrassment you are feeling could very well be interfering so take a deep breath and relax and Practice. Best of luck!