Montde

I am an agency R.N. in Utah for Med/Surg . Our staffing is alot like everyones with 1:7 + on days and nights with 1 charge and few CNA's. We are scrambilng all day, you know the story. I try to stay in the soultion instead of the problem and one of the things that I've noticed is between the Meds, ADL's, Tests, and the unexpecteds that education ( which helps the paitent and families to feel more at ease) is sometimes not what it should be. Face it, it takes time to decode our language into something they can understand. What do you guys think about an RN who's only duty was to visit each pt. and sit down with them and their famlies and review dx, meds, tx, goals of therapy, prevention of possible complications? A laptop computer could even give a print out. Most hospitals have someone on staff that can't physically do the floor anymore (ie: back hurt, getting ready to retire) . It's just a thought.. I'd love both the positive and negitve ideas in this direction.

I've been a Med/Surg and ICU RN for 8 years and I'm still a baby in the field. Advice is find older nurses and friendly Dr.'s that like to talk and pick their brains! Check,check and double check your meds, if you dont understand rationel for therapy ask ( even if you look stupid) it's much better to appear dumb than hurt someone. Know that there are those who love to help you and those who love to eat you alive ( understand that those who bite are basicly afraid). Know that there will be days you feel like you failed but also understand that just by being there you really didnt. Good Luck!

Dear Realnurse, I hope you printed all the responses that you recived for your farewell, better journalisem cannot be found. What a wonderful profession we all share. Where else can you become so intamate with so many perfect strangers as at the bedside? I truley feel I am working off bad karma ( it must be really bad considering our working conditions). I know at 43 I too am comming close to not being able to do it anymore but with me I take so many personal stories ( I keep all the obits of the ones I cared for) and I continue to worry about thier famlies long after my time with them is done. The hospitals and long term care facilities make it so hard to be a nurse but we do it anyway.. not for the money or praise but because when it comes down to it, it's between us and God to answer for our actions. Rest assured Dear Lady that you have done your part and it is more than your turn to rest. Enjoy your new adventures and rest assured that there are those of us out there for you still working off the Karma. Thank-you.