This week, I have learned... (8/8)

AllieSparksRN · Aug 9, 2015

I've learned/realized that I prefer and feel like I'm a better nurse when I'm caring for patients I don't know.

If I'm assigned a friend's friend or a family member of a staff member or something like that...I struggle. I prefer not knowing who you are or what you do until I walk into your room and meet you for the first time.

NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN · Aug 9, 2015

This week I learned...

-carrying my child's stuffed animals home from my mother's house in the back seat of my car in a febreeze scented garbage bag can quickly trigger an asthma attack...now I know why the doctor wrote the script for the rescue inhaler...because one day, I may very well need it...

-That PCPs who have only seen a patient maybe three times since they assumed their care should not recommend major elective surgery for increased quality of life and use the reason "But you have the mind of a 75 year old. You don't have dementia".....um, doc, no offense but the poor woman doesn't get around very well and the surgery could do her more harm than good...as for the absence of dementia....the two people sitting next to her during the office visit know differently...she lives with them...and 75 went bye-bye around 20 years ago...and now she's considering the surgery because she believes that doctor's are God:banghead:

-That YouTube Kids is evil. My daughter got a hold of this while I was at work and has been watching some creepy lady doing infomercials about how to play with certain toys. She went crazy over wanting a Color Change Barbie Head (a big barbie head with hair, nails, and makeup to style). The big thing was that this overpriced head was supposed to change colors regarding the eyes/lips/nails with icy cold or warm water...nope, doesn't work. An ice cube didn't even work..nothing like the YouTube video....major disappointment on her 5th birthday with a toy that didn't work:(

Littleguccipiggy · Aug 9, 2015

This week I learned:

- I may have to ask for an extension on my orientation for job #2. Its hard to orient when you haven't had pyxis access for two weeks!

- I can survive working a 60 hour work week

- A cololady partsl fistula is a horrible thing to have

- Sometimes foleys won't work when you have a cololady partsl fistula

- Aspergillus is hard to remove from your sinuses

- Vietnamese patients are always so happy

- Sometimes, little old ladies just like to be snowed

- Doctors will blame the TV in the room for patients lying on their backs in bed, even if the patient doesn't watch tv

- A patient is more likely to reposition more frequently when yelled at by a doctor than encouraged by their family

- I'm pretty sure someone at all times on my unit will be pregnant or breastfeeding

- I'm five pounds heavier than I thought I was. But I'm trying not to fixate on that. At least my blood sugar was normal after a donut filled night

- Yup, I still hate moving

Jensmom7, BSN, RN · Aug 9, 2015

I learned that thinking back over a 4 decade career has left me with memories that make me laugh, make me cry, make me shake my head, make me wonder how some of us can just be so pure-d evil; but not one that makes me wish I had chosen a different profession.

Dogen · Aug 9, 2015

- I'd watched the FDA website for 3-4 months last year waiting for them to approve a new insulin pump I want, then got discouraged and stopped... and just found out it's been approved since January. D'oh. Now I just need to save up the copay...

- Every time my brother's 3-year-old says she loves me I feel warm and squishy. I've been helping to watch her for several months, but she only recently added me to the list of people she loves (my brother, my mom, and the cat).

- I'm a "why pay for a gym when outdoors is free?" person, but apparently my motivation dries up when the temp goes above 90 degrees, and now I feel like a couch potato. Working on it.

WKShadowNP, DNP, APRN · Aug 9, 2015

I learned that I am apparently for hire.
If anyone goes to Vegas to get married and needs a witness, give me a call.
Surely I have no life so I can drop what I'm doing for 4 hours, right? ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½

I learned that rewatching the Who extras now have me thinking of YOU when I hear Rory say Ood on the Loo.

SWM2009 · Aug 9, 2015

This week, I have learned....
4. It still upsets me a bit deeply when Alzheimer's patients get shipped to us from a nursing home and they are absolutely terrified of us doing pretty much anything, regardless of how gentle we are. I know that a lot of dementia is irrational, but what if some kind of abuse really is happening regularly? It's sad.

What I have learned from working with quite a few dementia/Alzheimer's residents in LTC is that an interruption in their routine can be extremely traumatic. In the case of hospitalization, they are of course not well so that is a stressor and they are in a new and unfamiliar environment surrounded by strangers. It doesn't surprise me that these patients would not willingly let hospital staff care for them no matter how gentle hospital staff are.

rowrowyourboat · Aug 10, 2015

I learned:

1. Once I decide I want to do something, there is no stopping me. Nursing school here I come:)

2. Canada's health system needs a major overhaul ASAP!

3. I am still trying to talk myself into my scheduled surgery this week (Thyroidectomy). Anyone on here who got it done or someone close who did?

4. I learned I am home sick. I want to move back (US) but we bought a house here and the kiddos love their school. Sigh!

5. I learned I should have not waited to see a Naturopathic Dr.

Have a great week everyone:)

Dogen · Aug 10, 2015

2. Canada's health system needs a major overhaul ASAP!

You know, it's not perfect, but I'd take Canadian healthcare over US healthcare any day. I spent six years in Alberta (left ten years ago), and I remember coming back to the US and thinking, "I have to go through how many steps to get insulin?" It's crazy. Not to mention expensive. A single vial of insulin here costs as much as a month's worth of insulin in Canada.

Of course, I never needed to urgently see a specialist while I was there, so I missed the part with the biggest wait.

rowrowyourboat · Aug 10, 2015

You know, it's not perfect, but I'd take Canadian healthcare over US healthcare any day. I spent six years in Alberta (left ten years ago), and I remember coming back to the US and thinking, "I have to go through how many steps to get insulin?" It's crazy. Not to mention expensive. A single vial of insulin here costs as much as a month's worth of insulin in Canada.
Of course, I never needed to urgently see a specialist while I was there, so I missed the part with the biggest wait.

I agree the cost is a super plus. My biggest issue is seeing a specialist in a timely manner and the need of NP's and PA's.

We had to move back to the US for a year or two since my son was on a waiting list to see a specialist that he desperately needed. We landed in the US on a Monday, he had a specialist appointment that Wednesday and it was the best decision. Guess when we got a call for an appointment from the waiting list? a year and half later:no:

BTW, we are currently in Alberta:)

Princess Bubblegum · Aug 10, 2015

1. I'm turning 30 this week and have acne and grey hairs. I'm learning that my body has a skewed sense of humor.

2. Also learned that I need to retire from cutting my own hair. Good thing I took a couple of weeks off work.

3. I have had 3 days off in a row so far which is more than I've had in months and go figure, I have no idea what to do with my free time and I miss work. I learned that I need to get a hobby and friends outside of the hospital.

Jensmom7, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2015

I learned the new Dr. Who episodes start September 19!!

ðŸŽ‰ðŸŽ‰Partay!! ðŸŽ‰ðŸŽ‰