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

Nurses General Nursing

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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?

Specializes in Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgical.

1) My patients have the endless capacity to leave me slack-jawed at their life stories.

2) 99& of the time, it will be be better after some nursing care.

3) Not everyone who goes camping knows how to start a basic fire.

4) Unless it's 6 am, it's going to be hot riding your bike, so deal with it.

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Specializes in critical care.
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.

Oh my god!!!!!!! I am absolutely horrified at this!!!!!!

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

Seeing her for the first time again - YouTube

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

Did you count your sponges, or were you the victim?

Hope you're okay!

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Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.
Did you count your sponges, or were you the victim?

Hope you're okay!

I was the one on the chopping block. Was more nervous going in thinking of all the horrible things that could happen. Sometimes knowing more is not a good thing. Back on my feet and well under recovery thank you!

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Today I learned what a Green Capsicum is and how to spring an onion.

(Creds to Rose_Queen)

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Specializes in Behavioral Health.

I learned that "rotoprone" is not a sex/Media thing. It was hard to tell - the name could really go either way - so I had to wait until I got home to google it.

The italicized names are apparently people who spend money here. I still haven't figured out why some of them are different colors.

Speaking of Versed... while the local EMTs will normally bring me patients sleeping peacefully on IM Geodon, apparently if it takes five LEOs and three EMTs to restrain you then you get Versed en route. Which makes for an uneventful first several hours of admission.

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Specializes in Hospice.

I learned that telling a grieving daughter that it was an honor to care for her mom means as much to me now as it did the first time I said it as a Hospice nurse.

And I still get teary (just a little) when a family tells me "You're an angel on Earth".

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Specializes in critical care.
I learned that telling a grieving daughter that it was an honor to care for her mom means as much to me now as it did the first time I said it all those

I'm torn between asking if anyone wants to play "what happened to that poster?" and just offering hugs. It's a beautiful thing when we know our patients and their families do actually appreciate our efforts and words. I'm sorry for the loss of your patient.

Eta - you came back. Never mind on that first sentence. :)

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Migraineur- someone who gets migraine on a regular basis? Medical journals making up words?

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Specializes in Behavioral Health.
Migraineur- someone who gets migraine on a regular basis? Medical journals making up words?

Oh, man, "favorite medical term" is a great game. Borborygmi. Rumblies in your tumblies.

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Oh, man, "favorite medical term" is a great game. Borborygmi. Rumblies in your tumblies.

Thank you, Nurse Pooh Bear

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