This week I have learned (6/20, a day late)

[ixchel]

I almost didn't start one of these this week because I did the "I am thankful for" list a few days ago, but I just love, love, love the way these conversations go! I'm keeping it rolling!

This week I have learned.....

1. A healthy young man who uses toilet time to escape the kids for 30-60 minutes a day can cause a bleeder that bleeds to the point of a 6.5 hgb and three blood transfusions during an inpatient stay.

2. I will always be so deeply touched and amazed at the endurance of humans who truly want to have it.

3. I married a person so colossally different from myself, which lately is starting to be more and more of a problem.

4. I'm really starting to lose patience and understanding for the young exaggerating patients. I had one this week in a room next to a 94 year old walkie talkie CVA that manages to have zero residuals and got frustrated because we wouldn't let her get up and move around as much as she wanted to at night. This other woman.... I can't tell if she's having some kind of somatoform disorder legitimately or if truly she was making it all up. What she said was going on, though, wasn't. She hit jackpot gold because her hospitalist was the one who does next to nothing anytime he can get away with it, so he'll turn what should be 2 night admissions into 6 nights just to pass the buck to the next guy. So lucky young lady got to soak up all the pampering at hotel d'ixchel with complete room service.

5. I want to precept. Like, I'm craving it. I know only a year in on this gig is too soon, but God I love working with the noobs. I had a brand new right off orientation nurse take report from me the other day and we shared a patient who straight up sounded terrifying. But really, he was just way more complex than we might see, even in a really sick patient. Heck, he might be the most complex I've had yet. But I loved helping her regain footing, walking her through how things aren't really as scary as they seemed, reassuring her that she will have the charge nurse keeping an eye out for her knowing she's going to be nervous anyway. *sigh* I think I've found my next adventure. Just not sure how I'll know I'm ready.

I don't have much this week. Been a bit boring! How about you? What have you learned?

[Mavrick, BSN, RN]

what does 60 20 mean?

Perhaps a mis read of 6/20 which is the numerical version of June 20, a date in the Gregorian Calendar.

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

I have learned that I am seriously confused.

[Purple_roses]

I have learned that I am seriously confused.

Well, your name *is* OrganizedChaos

[Lulu Belle, RN, EMT-B]

The value of that saying, "you will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks."

How to practice it consistently? Have yet to figure out.

Oh! I also learned that you have to meet your loved ones halfway by understanding and appreciating the unique ways they show their love, instead of looking only in the places you expect it to be (and getting angry when there's nothing there).

[Farawyn]

60 for me, 20 for you, and 20 into the pot.

[Farawyn]

Despite having a few months in oncology, and not being a new nurse, this week I really, truly learned what cancer is.

Cancer is this horrifying, life changing, anxiety to-the-point-of-hysterical-sob-inducing word. It starts off bad, and gets worse. First we get you through the new diagnosis. Then, we give you treatment options. We are going to cut you, burn you with radiation and then poison you with chemo. We can't promise any of this will cure you. We can promise you will feel horrible. Awful. You will probably lose your job, which is the source of your insurance which is partly at least covering the unbelievable costs of these drugs in the first place. The physical, emotional, financial stress these patients are feeling is unreal.

In the ER the nature of our patient interaction is short. I never gave cancer much thought. We see oncology patients for sepsis, pain control, transfusions.....but always briefly. This new practice area has forced me to get to know these patients and their families who hold their hands through every treatment, every last drop of chemo....and my heart breaks. I feel some of the compassion that the ER has robbed me of returning.

I learned the most on how to be a nurse when I worked Oncology.

[WellThatsOod]

We (boy and cub scouts) went on an early morning mission and brought umbrellas, sunscreen, gallons of water, diapers, wipes, formula, 4 foam coolers of ice and fruit, and non perishable food to the tent city camp. I learned that no matter what there's a person who screams obscenities at CHILDREN for not giving them money. I'm sorry, do you know how much money we raised to turn around and try to help you out? Ungrateful.

[Farawyn]

We (boy and cub scouts) went on an early morning mission and brought umbrellas, sunscreen, gallons of water, diapers, wipes, formula, 4 foam coolers of ice and fruit, and non perishable food to the tent city camp. I learned that no matter what there's a person who screams obscenities at CHILDREN for not giving them money. I'm sorry, do you know how much money we raised to turn around and try to help you out? Ungrateful.

Well, did you bring beer?

[WellThatsOod]

Well, did you bring beer?

NO. Although, we had a guy in Vegas, would stand at a certain exit ramp with a sign that said "why lie, I need a beer." Have that guy money everyone I saw him. At least he was honest.

We were trying to help people with basic necessities.

[happyinmyheart]

This week I learned that just because you have had the Hep B vaccinations, doesn't necessarily mean they worked

[WellThatsOod]

This week I learned that just because you have had the Hep B vaccinations, doesn't necessarily mean they worked

I learned the same thing last year only it was my toddler and measles :thumbdown:

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Versed and propofol make for one hell of a combination. First surgery ever and man, dont remember anything.