Mrs.in2015

Hi everyone. So I had a rehab patient fall. She asked that I not tell her family. I alerted the doctor after assessing the patient (just a couple of minor skin tears, no other injuries). MD came out of room and said the patient is of sound mind, refused a CT, and doesn't want the family informed which is her right by law. Easy enough, I continued to monitor the patient throughout the day. Fast forward to end of shift. the family shows up, notices the skin tears and asks me if she fell because they are concerned she fell and forgot about it but she swears she didnt fall. I awkwardly educated them about the blood thinners she was on (how they cause high risk for bleeding and easily bruising, etc.) And assured them she had not been confused. Basically I didnt say "she did not fall", but i led them to believe she didnt. And now I feel like scum. Did I do the right thing?

The only time I was rude to a student was when she spent 30 minutes in the patients room doing her assessment, then came to me and said "hi, I have your patient in room xxx and I just finished his assessment. Could you tell me his initials? I need it for my paperwork." .... really?

Also, thanks for the replies! Most of you had some very helpful advice that I will definitely put to use as I learn!:)

Wow, ok let me clarify. Maybe I did not word that first post quite right. I am not a mean nurse. I am a rather new nurse. Of course my skin needs some thickening and that will come with time. I treated this man with utmost respect. What I meant by "put him in his place" is that I did not deserve to be spoken to like he did. I understand that he was sick and I am very compassionate toward that, but no matter the circumstances, there is a way to speak to people. THAT is the advice I am asking for. How can I speak to him that will help him understand that I do know what I am doing and I am here to help. For anonymous reasons, I did not post his diagnosis or the names of this pt but I can assure you, he was stable. Please do not think that I am a little "snowflake" that can't take a harsh word. I can and I did. I just want to know the best thing to say to a patient when they clearly don't want me near them

I disn't declare that I needed to find a way to put him in his place. I just asked what others would do in that situation. But thanks for your reply. I did ask another nurse to take over the iv, I didn't even try to stick him again. Ultimately, he refused a second iv, I documented that, and moved on.

Right. I only stuck once, his meds were all incompatible and we're all ordered stat. I explained to him that he needed quickly, they could not be given through the same iv at once and a second iv would help him receive them quicker. One stick and he was furious. Thanks for the replies tho! Charge nurse it is! ?

Hello everyone, I am both asking for advice and getting this off of my chest. I am an rn on a med surg floor. First, let me start off by saying I am a pretty good stick when it comes to iv's. I would say 90% of the time, I get an iv within 2 sticks- typically one though. That being said, no one is perfect. Long story short, I had a patient getting 8 iv meds back to back. So I explained to the patient that he would benefit from having two iv's. Unfortunately, I did not get it on the first stick. This man went crazy. He told me that I would not stick him again because I was clear that I havn't found a good vein. That, I just did not know what I was doing. He said "I don't know what kind of game you are trying to play but you have no idea how to do this and I want a nurse that does." .........I was literally speechless. I simply left the room. Of course, I have replayed the situation over and over and each time I have a clever response that puts him in his place without getting me fired. But what would you have said/ done? He then questioned my credentials each time I reentered the room which is just down right disrespectful. Any advice for next time? (Other than get the dang iv on the first sticky lol)

Ok. So I'm not going into a lot of detail for anonymous reasons. I was assisting for the first time ever with a bedside procedure. I have no idea why (I seriously was not thinking) I REACHED DOWN TO STRAIGHTEN THE STERILE DRAPE!?!?!? Please, no one question my license. I know sterile technique. I was nervous and clearly not thinking. So the surgeon goes off and asks if im even a nurse. I'm so embarrassed. Anyway, has ANYTHING similar ever happened to anyone? Just needing some moral support

Thank you! I like the getting there early idea. My preceptor always got to work either right at shift change or 5 mins early and I never understood it. Don't get me wrong, she was a great nurse. I just think I'll need time to get myself organized. Thanks for the advice!

Hi everyone! I have just accepted my first nursing job on a med surg floor. Does anyone have any kind of advice for this brand new nurse here? :)

They have applied. The nurse recruiter from the hospital told me that they wold keep my application and revisit it as soon as the school has received accreditation. In the mean time, the search continues.

I graduated with an associates degree. Further education is the next step at this point. The program I graduated from is new. Only 3 years old at this point. Accreditation is supposed to happen next year. Thank you for your comment!

I am applying for jobs and struggling because I graduated from a non-accredited nursing school. A fellow classmate has an EXCELLENT job at a huge hospital. The problem is that she put on her application that she DID graduate from an accredited nursing school. I'm upset because I can not be hired at this hospital due to my not lying on my application. What could happen to her if her employers find out about her school?

Changed it :) and I PASSED!! Praise the lord:) second times the charm:up:

Hi everybody. Does anyone know if the alabama board of nursing updates the license lookup on the weekend? I took the NCLEX today (which is friday) and I REALLY don't wanna wait until Monday to see if my license shows up! Thanks in advance!!