5/29 This week, I have learned... One year later!!!

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One year ago today(ish) saw the birth of WILTW. In that time, we've been able to grow together as people and nurses, and it has been awesome!

I've been wanting to put together this massive, awesome recollection of each week, but then I realized how ridiculous that would become. So, I wont do that. But, I did want to peek back at some of my more monumental lessons, and encourage you to peek back, too, if you would like.

As always, please share present day learnings, too.

What I learned, over the last 52 weeks...

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/this-week-i-991434.html

Making sure your nurse knows you have breast implants can prevent an embarrassing ICU transfer when a dislodged boob looks like a hematoma.

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/what-i-learned-998813.html

If you're going to give a nonresponsive patient a titty twister in an attempt to establish they are actually responsive, warn the other people in the room first.

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/9-5-what-1007775.html

When you read a patient's chart notes and see they couldn't be stopped from punching and spitting on staff with 25 mg haldol and 10 mg Ativan, you might actually think to yourself, "thank god he's only felt me up this shift".

9/12 What I learned this week...... | allnurses

This is one of the threads that was moved to blue. It is, however, the first WILTW after Brian died, and feels worth it to include.

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/10-31-what-1021192.html

Herpes can literally get in and on every part of the body. I'm glad my innocence was already shattered by sidepockets because for real, people. EVERYWHERE.

(It was in the lungs.)

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/12-5-what-1026131.html

If a coworker is charting in a darker, quieter space, YES, they are are hiding. Go away.

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/12-19-what-1028089.html

Never remove an African American woman's wig.

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/1-9-what-1030794.html

This thread was linked on social media and people were royally pissed off by it.

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/2-27-what-1038754.html

This week, I learned the end of a patient story and I celebrated with a happy cry.

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/3-19-what-1042681.html

If you shave your dog to determine if she has a heart block, you may be a little unbalanced. (And that stethoscope I mentioned? Gone. Thanks, AHole.)

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/4-16-what-1047607.html

Why is the end of a straight cath ribbed? It certainly is NOT for her pleasure!

(Incidentally, my husband learned how to change an instead cup post op.)

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/5-21-wiltw-1053097.html

It comforts me to know my LEO hubs and his coworkers have devised an apocalypse plan. I also just realized being nurses makes us all valuable (like, save the nurse, kill that guy instead, valuable).

And what have I learned this week?

5 hours of driving in a day when almost 6 weeks post op from lumbar fusion can make the rest of the week complicated. So can carrying a ~15 lb load of groceries.

My time away from work could be as long as 6 months. I miss it, and I don't miss it.

When a person awakens during a focal epilepsy seizure, they will potentially continue to interact as though in the dream still, while also interacting with their real surroundings.

So, friends, with that I say, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WILTW! You all have been wonderful to share my nurse growth with. Every time we get new posters, I feel the excitement of this weekly installment growing. What began as sort of a journaling process for me has become a highlight for many on AN, and I love that! Thank you all!

[video=youtube_share;MjF1bG5LUcs]

I have a question. I had this question for my interview, and I was wondering how you guys would answer it.

Name a time you went above and beyond for a patient.

I don't really like this question and was unsure how to answer it. I've been reflecting about it a lot and thought I would ask for some input.

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Specializes in Hospice.
I have a question. I had this question for my interview, and I was wondering how you guys would answer it.

Name a time you went above and beyond for a patient.

I don't really like this question and was unsure how to answer it. I've been reflecting about it a lot and thought I would ask for some input.

I hate this question too, because it reeks of humble brag.

I honestly don't think I've ever gone "above and beyond". As far as I'm concerned, whatever I have to do to do what my patient needs...that's my job.

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Specializes in LTC and Pediatrics.
Congratulations!!! :cat:

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

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I hate this question too, because it reeks of humble brag.

I honestly don't think I've ever gone "above and beyond". As far as I'm concerned, whatever I have to do to do what my patient needs...that's my job.

I'm not sure that response would land me the job haha. I agree that it's an unrealistic question. If it's within my job description, I'll do it. Anything extra is above and beyond.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I'm not sure that response would land me the job haha. I agree that it's an unrealistic question. If it's within my job description, I'll do it. Anything extra is above and beyond.

I don't know, if it's unrealistic...

There have been many things I've done for my patients that I was willing to do, that classified as "above and beyond".

Most recently my pt had to wait hours for a room and was basically boarding; she wanted waffles to eat and the cafeteria was closed; I gave her mom a place that had all day breakfast and mom was able to order waffles, and she enjoyed her waffles, and got a room upstairs.

That may seem to be above and beyond, but I want the child to be able to eat, and since I wanted her to be comfortable, eating something that she wanted would give her comfort. :yes:

Another was a mom, whose coping mechanism was to do crossword puzzles; her child was a trauma where she was realized from an outside hold it's but come to our hospital because we specialized in Peds Trauma; she was very grateful and that may seem to be above and beyond, however it was a need addressed for that family.

I have many situations where I did specific things in PN school and my BSN program; I am sure you have them-you are just not thinking of them in terms of that because you feel as though that is what's right for your patients.

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I don't know, if it's unrealistic...

There have been many things I've done for my patients that I was willing to do, that classified as "above and beyond".

Most recently my pt had to wait hours for a room and was basically boarding; she wanted waffles to eat and the cafeteria was closed; I gave her mom a place that had all day breakfast and mom was able to order waffles, and she enjoyed her waffles, and got a room upstairs.

That may seem to be above and beyond, but I want the child to be able to eat, and since I wanted her to be comfortable, eating something that she wanted would give her comfort. :yes:

Another was a mom, whose coping mechanism was to do crossword puzzles; her child was a trauma where she was realized from an outside hold it's but come to our hospital because we specialized in Peds Trauma; she was very grateful and that may seem to be above and beyond, however it was a need addressed for that family.

I have many situations where I did specific things in PN school and my BSN program; I am sure you have them-you are just not thinking of them in terms of that because you feel as though that is what's right for your patients.

True. That was very considerate and amazing of you. I'm sure they really appreciated it.

I've been thinking of a situation. I had a pt who had been in the hospital for 2 weeks and was stressed about her hospitalization. She really wanted chocolate from the chocolate shop on the first floor, so I went down and purchased them for her on my break. She was really grateful. Would that be a sufficient answer?

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
True. That was very considerate and amazing of you. I'm sure they really appreciated it.

I've been thinking of a situation. I had a pt who had been in the hospital for 2 weeks and was stressed about her hospitalization. She really wanted chocolate from the chocolate shop on the first floor, so I went down and purchased them for her on my break. She was really grateful. Would that be a sufficient answer?

I think that would be just fine. :yes:

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Specializes in long term care Alzheimers Patients.
Guess who's an RN?

Congratulations! !!

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Specializes in critical care.

Anyone interested in hosting the 6/4 WILTW? (It's okay if it's not up exactly tomorrow.)

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Anyone interested in hosting the 6/4 WILTW? (It's okay if it's not up exactly tomorrow.)

I'd totally be honored!

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I am celebrating my Birthday (it was Saturday) by going on a foodie binge.

It was meant to be a one-day thing, but it has stretched to a two-day thing due to heat and increasingly advanced age-even as I look like I'm in my 20s, being in my mid 30s(!) gives the body a certain retrospect; plus my aspiring competing eating days have been WELL over fifteen years, so pacing myself will have to do. :laugh:

Before I went on vacation and my foodie adventure, I learned:

How to successfully place a neonate IV!!! The baby was 13 days old, and I got it on the second try...by observation and some good tips by a COB, I have used the tips on pts that have collapsing veins as well. She high-fives me after I told her. It was such a great feeling to not feel as though neonate IVs were the bane of my existence.

I also learned who is new management; it has been an improvement; the fact that someone can talk to you personable, directly, and positively and be AUTHENTIC in contrast to previous management makes me ponder how those who stuck around with previous management without bailing makes me love my team even more.

And how the perception of wanting improvements makes you the gossip of removing the previous management; even though it was several factors, when staff looks at you as a assisting catalyst or THE catalyst, it's almost laughable.

I also learned that sometimes working evening mid shift (3p-3a) even once in a while, can be enjoyable with a great team, and be willing to consider picking up those shifts from time to time. :yes:

I'm playing catchup since I didn't find the new post this week. I usually try to read a whole thread before commenting, but I'll make an exception for a WILTW!

LadyFree, I have really loved reading your posts about workplace advocacy. You ARE a catalyst for change. Sometimes people scoff at nurses - if it's so bad, do something about it! Not all of us are in a position to do something about it. It's difficult to change a system.

Thanks for being an advocate.

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Oh wow. That's awful.

I leaened that that when your employer puts you in call in the last day of your employment and that you no longer work for them after midnight, that they will page you 27 times anyway and when you don't respond they will put you on record as not available for rehire. And it will stick.

Nit it this week but I learned this 4 years ago.

When I quit a night shift position, I listed the date AND time that I was formally leaving my position (0730, end of the shift). People think I'm nuts for being so careful. Employers have proven that I'm not. I'm sorry that happened to you, I remember it coming up on AN before.

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