Recognition

Published

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

I try to live by a code where I don't want to have to have external validation in order to feel as though I am a good nurse. However, when external validation is given, it feels good.

In the past few months, I've identified symptoms on two patients, who are in their 50's, and got orders from the NP for labs. Both were transferred from geriatric psych to medical. One was experiencing a little GI distress and it was found that their lithium level was critical. The other was experiencing malaise, was on lactulose, and was found to have a high ammonia level.

Often times, psych patients are labelled "somatic" and are written off due to their psych diagnosis. But sometimes, if it quacks and walks like a duck, it is a duck.

I was running the copier the other day and happened to see my name on a form that was pinned to the bulletin board above it. I thought, "Oh jeez! What have I done wrong now?" The form, dated last November, recognized me for the above interventions.

On another note, I received a call early one morning from my supervisor regarding incontinent patients found to in need of hygienic measures when day shift made their initial rounds. A nurse extern had been working the floor the midnight before and was believed to have not done his job. The supervisor requested that I round with the nurse extern to assure the patients' hygienic needs were met.

I was caught off guard and taken by surprise at this allegation, but followed the supervisor's request. The nurse extern in question has proven to me to be a very good caregiver and was upset when I informed him. He said that he had checked on all the incontinent patients and/or provided care to them at the end of the shift.

I immediately sent an email to my supervisor singing the praises of this nurse extern. I ended the email with a belief that I would not hesitate for this nurse extern to be in charge of taking care of me or one of my loved ones. I gave a copy of the email to the grateful nurse extern.

I received a timely reply from my supervisor thanking me for following her request and for the support of the nurse extern. My supervisor noted that there may have been mitigating circumstances involved and that the nurse extern was only one of four staff members working that particular night.

It felt good to to be able to support a conscientious, hard-working co worker deserving of recognition and to also have my opinion respected by my supervisor.

I just wanted to share some of that good stuff with you all. There's more, but I don't want to get too big for my britches.

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

Jason Hiney RN was a house Sup and now works weekend option on geriatric psych with me. Jason recognizes that I am not always an easy person with which to work.

Jason said that some of the techs are afraid of me. "But only the good ones", he added. "The bad ones don't care one way or the other."

Jason also said, "Just about everyone likes you, Dave. Except for those who you've yelled at."

"Who", I asked, "Haven't I yelled at?"

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It’s important to remember the good stuff. There’s little recognition to be had in nursing, but plenty of self-doubt, insufficient resources, improvement plans and un-updated whiteboards.

Welcome back Davey!

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Glad you're back.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

Happy to see your username again!

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Specializes in Adult Primary Care.
3 hours ago, LikeTheDeadSea said:

Happy to see your username again!

Ditto!

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Hey, welcome back!

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

It made me happy just to see your name and Johnny Fever face!

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I'm so glad you're back! I have missed you and wondered what you've been up to. Truth be told, I thought we'd lost you for good and wouldn't be able to see your great posts and wacky sense of humor anymore. Welcome home Davey! ?

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

I wish to thank you all for the missed you/welcome backs. It feels good to be be back and recognized as being part of, and belonging to, a community.

Two quotes come to mind, the first being by T.S. Eliot:

"We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time."

The second as sung by Elvis:

"I had to leave town for a little while. You said you'd be good while I was gone. But the look in your eye done told me you told a lie- I know there's been some carrying on!"

Thank you! Thank you very much!

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3 hours ago, VivaLasViejas said:

I'm so glad you're back! I have missed you and wondered what you've been up to. Truth be told, I thought we'd lost you for good and wouldn't be able to see your great posts and wacky sense of humor anymore. Welcome home Davey! ?

^this! Good to see Dr Fever back spinning tracks!

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Specializes in Dialysis.
10 hours ago, hppygr8ful said:

It made me happy just to see your name and Johnny Fever face!

I always wonder how many on here actually recognize Johnny Fever ?

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