GInurse

I work for a gastroenterologist and assist with endoscopy daily. I am the one who administers the conscious sedation and I determine how much medication is enough. He has given me that responsibility. While I do agree with the above post, there IS an average dose. We give Demerol and Versed as well, and also use Benadryl for added sedation if necessary. We always draw up 50mg of Demerol and 5mg of Versed to start. I start sedation with all 50 mg of the Demerol, unless the patient is very elderly, or otherwise compromised, and 1 mg of Versed. For younger people or very anxious people, I usually start with 2 mg of Versed. I would say an average dose of Demerol is 50 mg and an average dose of Versed is 3-5 mg. However, we have used up to 150 mg of Demerol, and 15 mg of Versed - especially during ERCP's. One of our partners uses about 30 mg of Versed during his Endo-cinch procedures. Hope this helps to answer your questions. P.S. Are you a member of SGNA???

We recently had a patient named B A pickle and last year we had a patient named Bud Fuchs! WE also have a cardiovascular surgeon named Dr. Hartsuck.

Do I feel that nursing is a calling? Well I have to agree with all the other posts and say yes, and no. My story: I was 23 years old, a high school dropout, in the middle of a divorce, had 2 small children ages 3 and 5, living in a 2 bedroom house with my parents and my two younger brothers (the five of us, my children, my brothers and I, shared one bedroom). I needed to make a decision about what I was going to do with my life to A. support my children and myself, and to B. make a difference in this world. I considered my options and decided I would go to LVN school at a local junior college. I managed to move out, and worked part time to make enough money for the three of us to survive, and my dad bought me a VERY used car to get back and forth. I graduated one year later with honors, married a classmate, and went to work as a nurse. I was scared to death, but I was eager to learn and I loved it. Now, seven years later, having just completed an ADN program, I KNOW that nursing was and is my calling. I do make a difference. I take great pride in the care and services that I perform for patients and their families. Sure, I get frustrated and have bad days, but that would be the case no matter what I chose to do with my life. I learned a long time ago that "everyone's toilet runs over from time to time, it's how we handle it that makes a difference". I have learned to always put myself in "their" shoes and be the kind of nurse that I would want to have taking care of me. I can't see myself ever doing anything else. I believe god put me here for this reason. Now, I'm not a religious zealot, I don't even go to church every Sunday, but I do believe in God and I do ask that his will be done in my life whenever I have major decisions to make. It has always worked for me. I feel that I am an asset to my profession and that I should be better compensated, but honestly, if it were an option, I would do it for free. Nursing definitely has its problems, probably more now than ever with the HMO's, shortages, unethical working conditions, politics, and drama; but patients now more than ever need good nursing care due to the afore mentioned circumstances. We are after all the patient advocates. :)

I understand your concerns and share your professional views. We as nurses are required by law in most states to identify ourselves, with at least a name badge, when we are "on the clock". I work in a physician's office and asssist with endoscopic procedures daily. If I choose to wear clothing other than a "uniform", I ALWAYS wear my white jacket and name badge. If I am going to be involved endoscopy that day, I wear my protective gown , shoe covers, mask, gloves, etc. as well. I had a similar experience to yours when I was admitting my brother-in-law to a physical rehab. facility. It was casual Friday at this facility too, and this woman came in to do his intake and physicl exam. At no point did she identify who she was or what her qualifications were. She was wearing jeans and a plaid shirt with boots! I was very weary of the facility from this point.