jp#1

I absolutely love these! PLEASE publish these. I laughed till I cried! MORE, MORE!

kday, Brenda Braun, & NiteOwl: I howled laughing when I read your posts!!!!!! This is the BEST post/subject I've read here in months!

Tim, you must work at the same place I do!! I think to myself--my own kind (nurses) are such an embarassment to me sometimes. This is so sad. Guess it wouldn't be so bad, IF I didn't remember what it was like so long ago and far away. At one time, we were such a cohesive and nurturing group. Wish we could go back in alot of ways.

External pins in orthopaedic surgical pts. and vomit!! Just can't stand it.

Right time! It's OK to forget; I do too!

I'm a psych. nurse, too. Dealing with the families of pts. is my favorite part of their care!! Unfortunately, many times the number of family members involved in their lives is scarce or non-existent. However, when I do have that opportunity, I try to find out who really participates in this person's life and most importantly, securing the pt.'s permission to include and inform this member about his care, meds., plans, etc. Most families/friends really appreciate documented information about the diagnosis, what to expect, med. information, the pt.'s responsibilities and capabilities. Most of the population I dealt with was indigent and their family members were not very involved in the pt.'s care. Hope this helps.

My experience with male nurses and techs in the OB/delivery was as a patient! My kids were delivered in a military hospital overseas many, many years ago. I think the males who attended me in my agony were male corpsmen, so I think that would probably be equivalent of LPN or tech. They were the best!! At that particular time, my shyness and pride were GONE! I was in alot of distress and they took excellent care of me and they did it with humor; I even laughed and appreciated their terrific care of me. As a matter of fact, although it has been over 20 years ago, out of all the staff I can remember, the male staff stands out in my mind. Wish more would go into this area. They are more compassionate and the ones I came in contact with were simply gifted!! I must also say, that this facility had male techs in the nursery also; I can see them rocking my babies and giving them their bottles!! They were too great for words.

My last comment "rocket scientist" was meant for the MD. You should commended for everything you're trying to do for this lady. You must be a TERRIFIC NURSE! Let us know how things turn out.

Never heard of Neurontin for diabetic neuropathy in my life! Also, better look Neurontin max. dosage--it's 1800mg/day per Mosby's 2001. Both Risperdal and Neurontin have side effects of agitation. Most psychiatrists (rather, the good ones) I've worked with, would take her off everything psychotropic and start from scratch. Most in her age range respond better with Zyprexa--lease side effects. I've NEVER seen pts. over 60 respond well with Risperdal. Obviously, her med. is making her psychotic!!Doesn't take a rocket scientist.

Been a psych nurse for quite a few years and would be interested to know how old this pt. is. I have found the geriatric population do not respond well to Risperdal often. Sounds like it's a paradox effect. As far as what can you do? Get the family to DEMAND that the medication be dc'd.!! If the docs refuse, they should find another one fast! If you have a survey team responsible for the safety of your facility/pts., you can let them know about this too--anonymously.

To Sub-Q: First of all, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR VALIDATING EVERYTHING I'M FEELING RIGHT NOW! I agree with everything you said! Let me share a true story with you: I attended the Board hearing of a registered nurse in the early 1990's. She had been coerced by her supervisor to float to an area she did not want to go to, didn't feel comfortable in; they promised her (supervisor and charge nurse) they would help her and give her the lightest load. Well, unfortunately she gave in. She BELIEVED them. Something very bad happened that night and a pt. died. She wasn't this pt.'s primary nurse--she was involved in a secondary role. She pleaded with the Board, cried, promised them she would never work in a hospital setting again if they would just let her keep her license. Of course, her pleadings and promises fell on deaf ears. I remember her telling us.."Don't EVER ACCEPT AN ASSIGNMENT YOU DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH. DON'T EVER, EVER BELIEVE ANYBODY." I never forgot that. Although it's been many years since that happened, it is only now it's become something I can't and will not ignore anymore. I quit my job in the latter part of 2000 and I will not jeopardize my license and sanity any further just to pacify and obey the supervisors and management. They repeatedly leave the RN and CNA's hanging and do not darken the door to help. Of course, they are always around to critique and chastise you about your actions. Whenever they decide to clean it up, I'll return to nursing; I'm not holding my breath. Too often I feel guilty about giving pts. substandard care because there is no time and not enough staff, etc. They are getting short changed to say the least. Bottom line---I HAVE TO THINK ABOUT AND PRESERVE MY LICENSE. Thanks again, Sub-Q. I really appreciated and enjoyed your post. Now I don't feel like I am the only one.

You deserved the day off!! Good for you! Maybe you can offer a pint of blood next time instead of working anywhere in that place. It sounds like a nightmare that wouldn't end!

Why communicate? If they talked with each other and helped each other out---they simply wouldn't feel good about it! Their egos would suffer; it certainly wouldn't make them look very good in front of the other wolves--excuse me, I meant NURSES (just a Freudian slip; didn't really mean that). It's very important to fit in today; it's required. Can't have things running smoothly, can we? The militant charge nurse? Don't you wish you could click your heels and salute? Or maybe have a magic wand you could just 'poof' her away? You can use mine! I, too, have been in 'it' many years. They make me sick! I have no answer, but I pray I NEVER belong!

I made a mistake--meant to say personality disorder!!

She sounds like a time bomb! Do you think if you documented specific incidents and behaviors of her and presented these observations to your supervisor/manager it would help? I would be concerned that this anger has or will be directed toward a patient. Obviously, it has been directed toward co-workers. Isn't this unprofessional behavior. She definitely has more than a personal disorder; something is really wrong. She needs professional help before she goes postal! Maybe if you present to the powers that be, that her consistent explosive behavior is unsafe for all concerned they will do something. Good luck.