(Forgive the early submission this week. Got a busy day tomorrow and last week's thread has just changed its code status to DNR, with a discharge to hospice. Thankfully, most of the family agrees. Unfortunately, one person thinks I'm trying to get more inheritance than Farawyn, but thankfully that's what probate lawyers are for.)
This week, I have learned:
Creatinine can go from 9 to 1.9 in 12 hours. Then 0.65, 24 hours after that, with 13,000 mL out in two shifts.
If you're prepared to ask if your patient group can be split up tomorrow, be prepared to be made out to be an a-hole in front of the rest of the staff just for asking.
My legs are a-holes.
Furry woodland creatures are terrifying.
Metoprolol is a hell of a drug.
Cardiologists should consult nephrologists for beta blocker dosing once a creatinine hits, like, 2.
Some patients would rather walk across the room to pull the code blue button rather then push the nurse call button on their remote they've had glued to their hands for days.
It appears the end of August is "Celebrate Right Before Shift Change Disasters" season.
There are two miserable ladies who post in every thread. But now I'll never know who they are.
There is a person with an STD in their colostomy stoma.
An iPhone can delete all of your contacts in one area code and rename all of your contacts 'Steve'.
I am incredibly frustrated that hospitalists don't clarify code status at admission. Families are SHOCKED to consider that just because their kids know what they want, doesn't mean we'll know.
The State Highway Administration employs archaeologists.
My baby turns 8 tomorrow. I remember feeling impatience at the end of that pregnancy because I wanted to KNOW her. She was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen, and has grown more so with every passing year. As fulfilled as I am by being a nurse (I was one of those disgusting "called to it" nurses. Wear gloves when you read my posts, friends. That icky stuff might be contagious.), being Mommy is my one true superpower. :)
I learned what an Exelon patch was for. I'm learning all kinds of Alzheimer drugs right now. I also learned what Remeron was for. I've been trying to be diligent about looking up new drugs. I also figured out a lot of stuff you veteran nurses learned a long time ago since I have never worked with paper charting. Here were my notes from things to do different next time that I wrote down at work. 1. Pull treatments before med pass so I can actually do them at the same time. 2. Start at the end of the hall instead of the front of the hall. 3. Oh I learned how to flag charts the right way. I was pulling the tabs from the pt below instead of the right pt. Duh. Great way to look stupid. 4. Write in the 24 hour chart as I go (or as early as I can) instead of filling it all out at the end of shift. 5. And finally I learned I think I like night shift 1000xs better than day shift.
Those were mine for the week and honestly I am just thrilled to death to have a job and an opportunity to tick off 2 more shifts off of my count down to 1 year of experience.
That being a patient advocate, will make you an ******* in some peoples eyes.
Being the most experienced nurse on the floor (when you feel you need much more experience yourself) due to being staff challenged can be stressful and a blessing all at once. (That moment when you realize you are a great nurse and you do have it all under control..well as under control as it can be for the current circumstances)
Some people will down grade others, rather than work hard to boost themselves up.
Work dreams are the worst dreams.
Change is hard.
One supportive coworker can make all the difference in a shift.
I always liked shifts where everybody was relatively inexperienced because those shifts were often way more collaborative and when everyone put their heads together, someone always came up with the right answer. It might have taken six people talking through it to figure it out, but it still got figured out.
I learned that I can handle anything if I can handle this past week. Seriously the worst week in my two years as a nurse - mostly because of the families of the patients I had. I really need to find somewhere to work that doesn't have open visitation. I want to find one of those places where families can visit for one hour three or four times a day... does that still exist anywhere?
Aw. He won't say no. And if he does, who cares? The next one won't. It's easy!
BTW I am eye worst dancer ever, so I have never asked anyone to dance.
Eye worst dancer? You must still be half asleep. Haha I had fun, though. It was a good night. I don't ask people to dance. I can't summon the courage.. maybe next time.
Eye worst dancer? You must still be half asleep. Haha I had fun, though. It was a good night. I don't ask people to dance. I can't summon the courage.. maybe next time.
I was half asleep. I just walked and ran around the hills of my town with my friend, so awake now! Any further errors are solely ME.
Jensmom7, BSN, RN
1,907 Posts
Any meme that combines the Muppets and Dr. Who is an automatic win lol.
Thank you odaat! I literally heard the light bulb go on over my head when you suggested that. ðŸ‘