GRANNAS4

This has been years ago, when charting was simpler and shorter --I came in to read the notes from the shift before me: The nurse had charted 3 phrases, one on each line, in this order, without punctuation; "New diet served Male visitor ate 50%." That has tickled me for years. I also had a lewd patient who handled himself outside the covers and stated "I bet you think I'm a basterd". I charted the instance and as well " this nurse did not disagree with the patient." To much computer charting reduces the "real" message of some charting.

Our hospital is revising our Fall precautions policies. We use Hendrick11 risk assessments with hourly rounding. My problem is how to document this hourly rounding. We chart electronically, however access to computers leads to summary charting. Paper charting in the room good, but not an electronic record. What are you doing in your facilities?

While many see nothing wrong with looping--consider, Many nurses do not or improperly cleanse the hub before insering the tubing end or the connector. The recommended cleansing is using an Alcohol prep vigorously wait for it to dry and then repeat. Please read this short article. http://www.ismp.org/newsletters/acutecare/articles/20070726.asp. Looping is NOT standard of care. It is outlawed in our hospital.

If you want the BSN for extra pay, First look at how long you will be able to practice. The # of years and your ultimate goal. Want to be a DON? go for it, Me--I have my ADN and no plans to "upgrade" I have my CCRN and that means more to me. I have worked myself up to the Education Dept in my hospital, a very responsible job. My hospital makes no real difference between ADN and BSN. $0.25 an hour.

I have a friend who swears that the dishwasher (no dishes) and cascade kept her nursing cap sparkling clean. I haven't worn my cap in years, but I know it has yellowed a bit, I may try this to refresh it. Granna:nurse:

"i used to work in a law office, and one of the most important thing i learned from all the lawyers i worked with is " any complaint should be put in writing" ." i agree with this poster. take it to hr, your manager and don have no effect on her. take it also to your risk manager, a notice that any md or hospital bill incurred due to your allergies being ignited by this rules ignoring co-worker will be going to your facility in workmans comp may jar a few brain cells. the nurses shortage does not equal do as you like, "they will never fire me." some behavior deserves the firing. she may be super nurse or nasty nurse, but inconsiderate of both patients and co-workers is who she really is. stay in there and fight, not just for yourself but for your patients who have to bear her as well.

Earlier post mentions wonder how Joint Commission would feel. Well, just to be helpful--If you have concerns aout patient care, that you feel are not resolved please contact the joint Commission office of Quality Monitoring at 630-792-5636. Just another avenue to try to right a few wrongs. :typing Patient advocate is a tough role but one we are mandated to perform as nurses. Go up the proper chain, don't allow yourself to be shushed, everyone has someone or some enity that they have to report too. Pain control is a huge issue. If it is not met by the PCP, change or go up. If that means ER trip, it is justified. DNR definition is not defined nationwide , it is local in most cases. Our hospital has gone through many definitions over the last few years. Soon to reach those "golden years" only to find they are more bronze than gold and tarnished around the edges.:icon_roll

I am lucky in that I have a wonderful marriage to a man who provides well for his family. One morning I realized even that could end with a car accident, if the kids would have prom dresses and etc, I needed training. I worked off and on in a factory for $3.00 an hour (1979). I chose nursing because it paid well and I would not have to move. Got my ADN in 86. Now make 25.60 an hour after 21 years. I am satisfied,you see I remember the $3 but I am not happy with my salary. I also look at the teachers of my grandchildren, the influence they have. Also the flack they have to take and wonder- WHY do each of these positions not pay more? I would like to make more money, sure I would. As to shift diffs-East TN- nights 2.50/hr for RN, 1.75 hr for LPN, 1.00 hr CNA. Weekend Sat/Sun day and night and extra 2.50 for the RN, extra 1.75 for the LPN and 0 for the CNA. Going rate at my facility for a new grad is 17.50/hr. We hire a lot of grads, train them and then wave bye bye as they move on to better paid jobs at other Hospitals. When one CEO was asked where they found their trained nurses? the answer with a smile was !x1x1x (Our hospital), Yes we will pay you low, train you, and off you go. Management never seeems to learn. 20 years I have preached pay more they will stay longer, to no avail. Why do I stay? Eternal optimist. 59 years old this year and stuck in a rut. Would I do it again, yelp, I believe I would. Thank God (reverently) that my Husband is still a wonderful presence in my life.

"Im just so mad - I work hard - and now I see somebody else slide thru - AAAAARRRGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!:angryfire Im sorry I just had to vent!!!!!! " ENOUGH ! I was the oldest in my class too. I know the frustration you are venting. NOW, take some advice, DO NOT read anymore posts about this. Most will fuel your anger. Concentrate on your grades and leaving the school. After graduation, lobby with the State Board, as an advocate for improving the schools programs as a whole. Work with your passion to change things for all of nurses. Take a deep breath and know that change hurts and is slow. Keep proactive, but tone down your resposes to gain more listeners, channel your energies into successful completion of YOUR program. May God Bless you and yours.

I have found that MD's are just like nurses, some crude and rude, others helpful and nice, some are jerks and some are not. I have learned the hard way to be cordially pleasant interact as little as possible with the negative ones and pray for them while having a friendly exchange with the others. One answer to his snide remark "our private conversation" would have been "I'm sorry, but we must have different definifions for Private. Did you intend to be rude or was it by accident?"