Txldy

I am on both sides of the equation. Now that I am retired(due to numerous health challenges), I am able to keep an infuser water container. I fill it with filtered water and the fruit or veggie of the day. I like mixed berries or cucumbers, and just a rock or three of Himalayan salt. In addition to the extra nutrients, it doesn't have that sharp after taste that regular table salt does. It does the body good. At night I put cucumber in the infuser and fill the bottle with ice so I have a cold drink throughout the night. It occurred to me that a nurse on duty could pack the iced veggie in their lunch and sip on it during your break or lunch.

The question of nursing unions is the item I addressed. I was a nurse in Texas. If you said nurse and union on the same sentence, hospitals looked HARD for a way to fire you, and even find a way to make it as hard as possible to get another job in town.

Is there a way to send a printout with an H&P, medications, allergies, symptoms, etc that can go with the patient to the next unit and handed off to the receiving nurse? So many units are so busy and crazy, I wouldn't feel comfortable taking that patient without that information, along with the Drs transfer orders. Sometimes you might not see those orders for hours. If the facility expects a nurse to stop and receive a patient with only a screen to look at, they need so staff accordingly.

Because its a red state. Nurses, please don't vote against the best interest of yourselves and your patients.

If you're that sick, you don't need to be around other people, ESPECIALLY patients. You tried to get there. If you are not someone who calls in sick frequently, I don't think you should feel guilty. I would have called in when the symptoms began. It is rarely over after the first bout.

Abortion is a good deterrent for abuse, as is education and contraception. The latter two are preferred by basically everyone, and the most practical and least expensive, and causes FEWER abortions. HOWEVER, those choices are being taKen away from most women if the current trend of defundinng and outlawing choice continues. Don't forget, though, child abuse, just like domestic abuse spans all incomes, not just the poor. ANY abuse is heartbreaking, and it is necessary to be an advocate for the kids. Learning tact, diplomacy and having a backbone to be an advocate for your patients will keep you out of jail and in good standing with your employer. Stay current on the policies and procedures of your facilities, even if you have to keep a copy on your clipboard.

This is why we need to support public education, after school programs and mentoring for as many children as we can. It really does take a village, fellow nurses. You see it first hand.

Yes, in so many cases we ARE all they have. I can bet that these Crack addicts didn't want ANOTHER baby, but didn't have access to birth control or abortion. Nurses, please, take a break from your busy shifts and VOTE! WHEN I WAS WORKING I MADE IT A HABIT TO VOTE EARLY. You all can do it. You know what's at stake.

Nurses who refuse to give pain meds, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN, need to live through those people's pain. I think it is horrible and cruel not to give basic pain relief.

I have seen my fair share of tragedy during my 30 years of nursing. At one time I sought counselling, which helped deal with the grief from all that insanity. I learned to be the person on my shift that my patients could trust. I was on time with my meds and made sure they were as comfortable as I could possibly make them.I traveled as a nurse, and worked many different specialities. I had skills, that I lost to a stroke. When you walk in to a room and see a happy little smile, you know your job is mostly done. When your little one needs blood work in the pre dawn hours, you can use the least restraint if you sing or hum them a little tune. The thing is, when you know you have done the best that you can, when you have shown love and compassion and calm in a crisis, you have given a child a little bit of hope and happiness, and you can allow yourself to grieve after they are gone. You would get a hug from me, and a nice cup of tea. You need to just sit down and talk about it. Ya gotta do that for each other.

To those snapping their fingers fo coffee I usually just said "I'll tell your waiter." Snarky? Of course! But they usually never tried to pull that crap again.

I agree. I have pressure ulcers on my toes. Being a type two diabetic and a former nurse, I know the only way I am going to heal is to wear these ugly duck shoes, keep my appointments and change my diet. Drastically. Be compliant with my insulin. Keep down my A1c. SO, I make sure I take a good quality multi, my antioxidants, keep good fats in my diet and pile on the protein. I remain overweight, but I am researching the effects of gluten on my body. My blood nephew went off gluten completely and has lost weight, gained muscle and looks great. The moral of the story? ALL RDS need to go back to school. Do some research and be able to intelligently educate their patients about their needs. And, yes, the hospitals need more RDs. Properly educated ones. An in patient can get PLENTY of food and properly sourced calories and healing proteins. It REALLY cut back on my personal cravings.

There are exceptions. Like the little old ladies that are losing weight due to poor appetite. You will often find out that they have lost their sense of taste. My Mom liked spicy tex-mex and an occasional margarita. She got it, and ate very well. She liked a few jalapeños with her bland nursing home food. I took her a nice spicy meatloaf, some garlicky mashed potatoes, you know the drill. I am diabetic. I only get to have small portions, but I eat what I want. The spicier the better. I want less of something if I can get a taste of a flavor I crave. A tablespoon of something chocolatey. I am adjusting. My herb and spice collection has grown considerably. If a cancer patient craves something, get it for them. In a small portion so they won't get overwhelmed and unable to have a little bit. Kids, if I ever get offensive, mean or refuse treatment, get me a psychiatrist. If that doesn't work, toss me out on my butt.

As an older nurse, I am retired, due to strokes. I keep up by reading and watching. If I am in the hospital, I ask my nurse "what's up in the field?" I keep up. I miss working the floors, but I see the corporations are making it harder, acuity and staff/nurse ratio, and more complicated for RNs AND LVNS, so I certainly do not envy you. I don't think I could go back. I was so lucky to have had nuns and older nurses to mentor me. I was so VERY young. If I could thank them all now, I certainly would.

Keeping a critically I'll person away from their closest family members is cruel and inhumane. Verbally aggressive visitors can be easily dealt with. They are usually afraid and helpless. I have dealt with many a family member. Offer them some juice an crackers. Deal with their basic needs first. Raise their blood sugar and their fear and anger may dissipate long enough for you to explain their condition and maybe prepare them for what they will see during their visit. Gauge your level of information in accordance with privacy laws. What happened to good old fashioned compassion in this field? Bring back a little common sense. Otherwise you will burn out faster as you become the automatons the corporations pay you to be. Robots can and do monitor and print out vital signs. Humans afford a frightened, ventilated, wired up patient with compassion and reassurance. If you don't have compassion, get out of the field.

And don't forget the all systems assessments, drips, vent, O2 sats, vent settings, central lines, catheters, urine outputs, etc. Generally one higher acuity patient with a lower acuity person is preferred assignment and SO much less dangerous. Or a single high acuity PT with a helper/buddy next bed.

First, we work overly hard to say things like "he is a trach." It certainly dehumanizing him, doesn't it?. Maybe THAT'S what feels...off. I was reminded regularly, when I worked in several unit situations, to get my paperwork in order and carry a copy of my simple living will with me everywhere. I don't want to be a "chronic vent" or trach or tube feed or drip. I want to remain human. I suggest that all nurses do the same. When I had my mitral valve replaced quite a few years ago, I had ONE nurse who spoke to me like I was human, even though I had extended time on a ventilator. ONE.

I don't think that older nurses with mad skills are used enough. Preceptor shift consultants can take a LOT off a nurse manager. As an LVN, I was an unofficial preceptor for a new RN. Basic nursing skills and routines can be evaluated and taught by older nurses as preceptors. Polishing techniques and adding RN responsibilities can be approached by the younger colleagues. A shared responsibility can build a better team member. Piling on is not an answer. It creates anger and resentment. Corporate mindset is a bad thing for nurses.

We nurses are professionals. We must stop trying to please everyone all the time. We do, however, need to learn diplomacy and tact. While we may rightfully feel threatened enough by certain people we cannot calm, we can employ techniques to diffuse a situation. Unfortunately, conflict resolution is STILL not taught in nursing school.

So many HR departments here in Texas treat nurses like so much disposable trash.

Ok, I will say it. It might "just" be c clean dressing, but take your nasty dirty gloves off and wash your hands before you replace it.

You all know as well as I do that that kind of turnover is the direct result of bad management. My advice to you is, get out. As fast as you can.

Just don't forget, DOCUMENT IT! The treatment interrupted, the behavior, the family contact, who you spoke to about this challenge and how they responded. There is no exception. Chart in your narrative about this like you're about to be sued. This could be a litigious situation.

I have told a wife that her husband is having a challenging night, and perhaps she could help translate his needs so that we could better understand what is upsetting him. Perhaps one of his kids or another relative could take turns and sit with him. Right now he is presenting a challenge with his medical care, which requires he receive certain medications and/or treatments. And blah, blah blah.... The thing is, it takes diplomacy. It takes years of experience to learn that diplomacy. Watch your more experienced nurses. You can make a point and get right to what you need right now, quickly. You just have to learn to say it right. You can take clues from family members, culture and even observed rituals.

I couldn't agree more.