school vs. real life

[leopold]

This is something we've touched on in discussions but I think it would be interesting to go into a little more. How did what you learned in school prepare you for work in the real world? What things did you learn on the job that you never learned in school?

For instance, when I was a CNA I learned never to lean in too close when changing a brief cause you might get blasted out of the room. I learned how to deal with combative pts. and how to dodge a punch and break up a fight between 2 pts. in wc going at each other. (Never even heard of combative pts. in CNA school.) Learned to search the bed for dentures and rosaries before sending the linen to the wash. Learned that a lot of diabetic pts in LTC were allowed to eat dessert (at family request) because it just didn't make sense to deprive them of simple pleasures at the end of their lives. Learned that while pt. have the right to make their own decisions, even if they're wrong, you probably want to talk that confused lady out of putting toothpaste on her rash. Learned what the fine line was between coaxing someone into a bath and backing away and saying "OK, we'll deal with this some other time." Etc., etc.

What about the rest of you?

[Cute_CNA, CNA]

This is something we've touched on in discussions but I think it would be interesting to go into a little more. How did what you learned in school prepare you for work in the real world? What things did you learn on the job that you never learned in school?

For instance, when I was a CNA I learned never to lean in too close when changing a brief cause you might get blasted out of the room.

:chuckle

I work w/ psych patients. I think the big thing I learned is to have some backbone and set limits. Just because a patient asks me to do something (even if it is legitimate), doesn't mean I need to do it. For example, if they want to talk to me, they can walk over to me. I'm not going to come to you just because you take your finger and indicate that I need to come to you. Get off your lazy butt and come to me; you're the one with the question!

I've learned to be careful what to document and where (still learning this).

I've learned to always ask if it's okay to do something if I'm not sure what the consecquences might be. This has saved my butt on many occasions!

Huh, what else...

I've learned to not try to impose the rules too hard on someone who is starting to get out of hand (as most people I've met don't act like psychiatric patients).

I've learned that despite the things these people have done (criminal acts and otherwise), they are still human beings and have feelings. I try not to treat them differently because of the things they've done, though I always keep them in mind.

I've learned that when I hear gossip, or see things that should not be happening, to not repeat it to those on different units.

I've learned to especially watch my behavior when the RNM is making rounds.

I've learned to not show any kind of favoritism toward patients (the other patients notice). Or at least, to do it as little as possible.

Gloves are your friends!

Knock before entering (I forget this sometimes), especially when you're entering the room of the opposite sex!

I'll think of more later.