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Specializes in LTC, Rehab.

... which of course is the dreaded Post-Traumatic Call Light Syndrome. And even though some of you (school nurses, for example) may not have call lights, you still experience people who want something All The Time, right?

Well, I have two possible solutions to help the call light situation, and my aides think both are good (but unfortunately, not actually something we can do :^).

1) The Aladdin's Lamp idea: give your patients/residents/kids 3 wishes per day... so you bettah use 'em wisely, people!

or -

2) The Baskin-Robbins method: put up a digital 2-digit display thingie, have patients/residents/kids pull a number, and they have to wait 'til their number comes up. "I'm sorry, _______, but see? Up there? It's on number 41, and yours is 67 - so you gotta wait 'til 67 and then we'll get to you'.

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I tell my students all the time that they've used up their nurse visits for the day! Don't come back unless you're bleeding like crazy, broken, or vomiting!

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I tell my students all the time that they've used up their nurse visits for the day! Don't come back unless you're bleeding like crazy, broken, or vomiting!

I've told my kids, "Don't come back unless you are crawling through fire and vomit."

I love HS kids. :)

SNs would have a problem, OP. "Waiting" is not even a word in their vernacular, despite it being only 2 syllables and rhyming with "dating".

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

Boundaries and limits are important with Psych Patients, also.

Once they've exhausted my almost infinite patience, they are often told, "You have become persona non grata. In order to get any further attention, you must be bleeding from one or more orifices."

If they persist, they are accused of harassment and will be prosecuted to fullest extent of the Law of the Do.

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Forensics, Addictions.

With my highly annoying and needy psych patients, we would use the "one request an hour" plan for them. If this concept was too difficult to grasp, we would put a sheet taped to the nurses station window with the hours of the day written on it. Then we would write the request in on the hour, and tell them to come back in an hour. Perfect!

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the Law of the Do.

I'm not familiar. 'Splain please, and can it be utilized with minors?

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
the Law of the Do.

'Splain please

Off the top of my head, Farawyn, this list includes, but is not limited to, some of the Laws of the DO. (And yes, mirrors and other manipulations of media may be used to achieve a desired goal.)

*Your safety is my highest priority and my only responsibility to you.

*You are responsible for yourself only.

*Comfort is relative and negotiable.

* I, nor anybody else in this Institution, is more important than you.

*You give an inch, and I will give a mile.

*Appropriate behavior will get you what you want.

*Inappropriate behavior will get you nowhere or negative reinforcement.

*I can be your best friend, or I can be your biggest stumbling block.

*Listen to me and I will show you the shortest route out of here.

*I will confront you on your inappropriate behavior in a non-threatening, objectively factual manner.

*Also in a non-threatening, objective and factual manner, I can and will correlate the symptoms of mental illness with your behavior.

*You will have to deal with the ramifications of your behavior.

*If you want to report me, sue me, or meet me out on the street, you have to stand in a long waiting line. I advise you to bring a sack lunch and a change of underwear. Or better yet- just wear black underwear!

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*Walks to the back of the line behind No Stars, in front of Ted. Waits.*

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
*Walks to the back of the line behind No Stars, in front of Ted. Waits.*

You may have to remind Ted a few times of the reason you're waiting in line:

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You may have to remind Ted a few times of the reason you're waiting in line:

Your name should be Davey Do Do, because you are obsessed with poo.

*placates Ted, who is crying*

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Specializes in LTC, Rehab.

Farawyn, at least 1/4th of my current residents have no concept of 'waiting' either ... it was just a wishful thinking kind of post. This is why I want to practically kiss a few others when they say 'oh, I know you're busy'.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

During a big ol' mandatory training, my Supervisor said, "A Nurse who works weekend option on the Gero Psych unit told a Patient's family member who had a question to 'wait their turn' ".

The other Nurse who worked weekend option on the Gero Psych unit loudly proclaimed, "Well, it wasn't me!"

I, alone, stood.

Sic semper tyrannis.

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