Lucy1798

How do you position your patients while doing compression wraps? Do you sit on the floor? Have the patient put a foot on a chair? Have them lie in a bed? I'm new to home health and my 42 year old back is screaming.

How can we protect ourselves from something like this?

This is unbelievable. Wow. 😩

I myself am starting in August at 35 yo. Way to go! I loved this article too.

Interesting perspective. :)

This sounds like a dreadful situation to be in. I wonder why they are not reprimanding her? Her behavior is very unprofessional. If she seems to treat other people the same way, you know it's not anything you're doing that's rubbing her the wrong way. Unfortunately, if management is not correcting the situation and you love the job, you have nothing to lose by trying to get inside her head. Maybe there is a way to casually, but sincerely, ask if she's ok? You just sensed maybe she needed an ear to listen. She may give you a puzzled look or ask why. I would casually say, "Oh no reason. I just got the impression something may be weighing on you. If you ever need to talk or just vent, I'm here. I know how tough this job can be sometimes." And leave the ball in her court. The kicker is we ALL have things weighing on us. Maybe she's got issues we don't know about. You said she's originally from another country. Maybe she's missing someone, or she feels lonely, or someone is ill back home and she feels helpless to comfort them. Also we have to take into account the possible culture differences between her original place of birth and America. Maybe they just act differently and she honestly doesn't mean any harm. Ok that last statement is pretty far-fetched. Lol I don't know any country where the culture is to call your co-worker or employee stupid. I'm not taking her side by any means. I just feel sad for you in your situation. I hope maybe this will get her talking and then she will trust you. Maybe she will start acting right. Sometimes people just need that one person to show they care. I hope you can enjoy going to work. It's not fair other people can try and ruin our day. I wouldn't let her win without giving it everything you have. When you've had enough, and if management still doesn't cooperate, you'll know it's time to move on. Good luck to you! Please keep us updated! :)

I am the same. I can memorize, but it does me no good when I'm actually trying to apply the info. I've thought about concept mapping, but haven't gotten around to trying it yet. So far, my best studying is actually learning the information, not just memorizing it. I read the chapter, then I actually write the questions after the chapter and answer them. Then I go and do the computerized tests to to access my level of understanding. The questions I miss, I reread the topics and try again the next day. I go back over my notes from class, and they make more sense after doing all that. I find it makes it easier to evaluate questions on the test when I can look at the bigger picture and pull bits and pieces from the material read. My instructor this semester does not test on memorization per se. She is more concept/application based, so memorization was not working for me. I hope this helps.

Let me me just say that if you or anyone you may know has truly been bullied, then I am sorry that happened. But people really need to learn to stand up for themselves, besides learning what constitutes as actual bullying. Bullying, to me, is a constant, day in and day out barrage of personal insults, tripping, physically bumping someone, laughing every time you walk by. And if that IS the case, you have to take the POWER away from whoever is doing that to you or anyone else. Unfortunately, some people don't know how to rise above being a victim. I understand there may be people who are not the nicest, most welcoming, but that happens in any profession. The best thing to do in these situations is use them to your advantage. Don't let anyone mistreat or abuse you. I have not read any genuine instance of bullying yet, so please enlighten me if I am wrong. I have been in many situations where I felt uncomfortable, laughed at, or just didn't like the way someone treated me. Either I got to know them, and they backed off and were actually pretty great people OR I didn't let them push me around, I held my ground without demeaning them in return. And THEN they backed off. Either way, it's just one of those things that you learn, hopefully, as you age and have more experiences with people in all walks of life who are different than you. It will all be ok. Just remember what really matters in your life, and the people who love you. It kind of puts things in perspective after emotions have calmed down. I just don't want everything under the sun to be classified as bullying, when most things described are "working with people who suck." This is not to say I know your situation, but just for other things I have seen on here. And yes, I agree, treat others how you would want to be treated. Unfortunately, we can't control other people, just how we react to them.

Hi, I am not a nurse, but I have dealt with the public for quite a few years. I found that if you empathize with them and give them a plan of action from you personally, they seem to ease up a bit. For example, tell the person you can see she is in a great deal of pain, and that you are so sorry she's having to go through this. That you can see how it must be aggravating to wait for the doctor, and a bit frightening as well. Just agree with her. Then follow-up with your plan of action statement about the ice, etc to help her. At least this is what has worked for me. I just learned to shrug stuff off, the customers/patients don't know me at all, and if they did, they would not be speaking to me this way. They aren't particularly angry with you. There are occasions, about 1-2 a year, where I would sneak off to the bathroom and cry it out for a few minutes. Then I was fine. Hope this helps you. BTW, I am not speaking about verbal abuse, that will never be tolerated by me (insulting, cursing at, etc). I will put someone in their place real quick. But if they are just cursing in general, speaking or yelling, then I can be empathetic with them.

I was a little worried I may get a nurse that was irritated by the additional work of having a student (which I understand may still happen), but it's nice to hear your perspective with the pediatric patient. It's stressful for you, and although you meant nothing personal to the students, it was a surprise because she didn't ask. I can understand that. This can help me try and look at things from a different perspective and not be quick to take it personally. All of your detailed information is so incredibly helpful. I will use it, and I sincerely thank you. :)

Would you be willing to give some advice on what you wish the student would/would not do? You are right, I would not think about asking a question and it interrupting work flow. I can see how that would be distracting, now that you mention it. I am all ears to hear anything to help make the experience as smooth as possible. You can speak freely.

I just want to thank you and other nurses for being open-minded about taking students. Without you, we wouldn't be able to witness and experience the lives you impact and the bodies you help heal, every day. I'm sorry for the bad experience you had. I hope that for every bad one you have, you have that many more good ones to reassure you that you are appreciated, valued, and making a difference.