Things you only learn on the floor...

[leonurse]

Sooo...drop some knowledge! What are some tidbits, tricks, secrets, and just-so-you-knows of nursing that you did not learn in nursing school.

I was not taught about the sternal rub...my co-workers could not believe that.

I did not know you cannot give marinol in the morning (pharmacist told me that today)

Having a brain fart...please share yours:)

[BEDPAN76]

I've learned that there are many, many, many, many mentally unstable adults. And I mean...many.

And unfortunately, many of them are our co-workers and/or superiors.

[greenfiremajick]

And unfortunately, many of them are our co-workers and/or superiors.

[klone, MSN, RN]

It's hard, and cold, and dirty. Do not walk barefoot upon it.

[murphyle, BSN, RN]

I learned on the floor how the deal with difficult families. Wish they had touched on that in school!

Along the same lines, Family Members to Watch Out For:

* The little old lady with the giant handbag and the "old chick lit" (Danielle Steel, Maeve Binchy, etc) novel. Never leaves the patient's bedside, come Hell or high water. Will ask you a simple question about patient care that turns into a hour-long diatribe about how when she was admitted to your hospital for some long-term complaint, the doctors couldn't be bothered and the nurses were just the most awful people on the face of the planet, and her best gal-pal went to your competitor hospital for something else entirely and said everyone there walks on water, but her family has been coming here since Moses was a baby and she just hopes that you understand the importance of proper care (usually giving you the stink-eye in the process). Guaranteed to drive you bonkers in 30 minutes or less.

* The teen punk. Looks like a walking unmade bed, has at least three "body modifications," has a mobile phone surgically attached to one ear, may or may not have bathed in the last year and/or is covered in a gallon of cheap scent (bonus points if it's Axe or similar mass-market "get laid quick" concoction). Lets everyone in a five-mile radius know that he/she has been dragged to the hospital kicking and screaming to visit some old dying relative that they couldn't care less except Dying Relative will be leaving them a bunch of tuition money with which they're going to run away to California and go into show biz. Goes out of his/her way to obstruct everyone's work pattern as much as humanly possible. A short-lived pest, can usually be dealt with by suggesting a walk across the street to the local coffee shop.

* The Responsible Adult. Neatly dressed, colored and/or receding hair, never smiles, has a Blackberry surgically attached to one hand. Under more pressure than A-line tubing, and lets everyone know it. Took time off from a Very Important Job to support the patient, and lets everyone know that too. Walking dictionary of management cliches, with which he/she will assault staff at every opportunity. Rings the call bell every three seconds to demand "updates" or ask for a "huddle" in which he/she will attempt to single-handedly run the care team using the three-inch packet of clinical data he/she gleaned from WebMD. In actuality couldn't give a care less about the patient; may be motivated by appearances, money or control issues. You won't be able to get rid of this one alone. Bringing in a manager works wonders - they'll go talk management and leave you to work.

[LouisVRN, RN]

That 9/10 you can tell when someone is going to crash by looking at them.

That there is nothing that is "normal".

That talking to the patients and getting to listen to their pscyho-social needs you might have time for once or twice a month.

[southernbeegirl, BSN, RN]

I've learned that there are many, many, many, many mentally unstable adults. And I mean...many.

and that's just the staff

[Tarabara]

You can put on compression stockings with a plastic bag over the toes first and it makes them a cinch to get on.

Can someone please explain this?!

[tri-rn]

Not to give your sweet, A&O x3 LOL going through her ump-teenth colon prep a bedpan to hop herself onto if you "just can't get to her quick enough". She's sure to fall asleep on it.

[Aporter004]

I learned so much as a student nurse....lets see.....little bubbles don't matter in the IV....people are all CRAZY! Just depends how you control it. Everyone has mrsa or something gross. Wow, I can't even list it all!!

I will learn even more now that I am a RN!!

[K+MgSO4, BSN]

Can someone please explain this?!

By putting the bag that the stockings come in over the pt foot they don't get caught on the lumps and bumps of feet and heels. It has to be compression stockings with the holes in the bottom of the feet.

If you see air in the top of your IV line before it reaches the pump and starts beeping like crazy wind the line tight around your pen and you might be able to squeeze it back up to the drip chamber.

Double gloving is essential for some things. such as some sterile dressings and certain pt bed baths!

That the only thing that will cover your ass in a court or at a hospital investigation is your documentation..............was just called up today in front of the div DON and head of the colorectal unit to be questioned on something! My documentation covered me and the other nurse that had been looking after that pt.

that a good ward clerk will run your ward like a dream a bad clerk is worse than a ward wide outbreak of gastro!

[Williss2]

I've learned a lot. I learnerd that smoking a cigarette is a number one priority for a lot of smokers. Regardless if they are on O2, in the hospital room, in pain or whatever. I've had patients unhook their own IV lines and do exceptional things to have that nicotine.

I don't know why I thought nurses were rolling in dough when I finished nursing school, but I learnerd quickly on the floor that we are EXTREMELY underpaid.

While I always listen to new concerns of my patients, I learned that there are some issues that will not be resolved. We can't fix everything. If I give pain meds, they may have to deal with the SE of being drowsy.At first you fing yourself calling the MD for every new booboo or complaint. Now, "We will continue to monitor it".

[crystalchen]

I learn that knowing your resources and don't be afraid to ask stupid questions. Utilize family members, keep them busy if you can, do your teaching with patients, even one sentence, they don't usually ask questions, but they appreciate your teaching because they think you care. :)