Today I officially hate nursing

[babynurse73]

So as you may know i left hospital for home health. While some aspects are better as far as chaos and pandemonium, I have to say Im pretty darn stressed out. Loose ends are haunting me and a few of the patients Ive seen drive me insane as well. I have a s/p stroke pt with aphasia who is non compliant with everything! The visits are like torture trying to communicate with her. I actually understand what she is saying, however she is tangential...hell bent on letting you know she knows what she's talking about. She doesn't have voice mail set up so there's always issues and confusion about appt times. All of the 3 times Ive been to her home she's been in the shower after I've specifically set up a time with her and her family. That's the other thing. There are about 8 people in and out of her home at any given moment....all chiming in or looking on....and when I would like to talk to one of them, they are reluctant to get involved. I only want to suggest a white board calendar so everyone knows when her visits and dr.s appts are so everyone is on the same page! UGH its so frustrating. Nothing gets accomplished. She has PT, OT, ST and HHA involved in her care and I haven't been able to collaborate as of yet.. ..I feel like Im spinning my wheels. Out on the road with my GPS...trying to get here and there. Meanwhile the loose ends are just swirling around in my brain. I also don't think I like wound care. I haven't done strokes or wound care since I was a newbie...I was LDRP and psych for most of my career and now I remember why. Maybe Im just a malcontent but direct patient care is for the birds if you ask me. I HOPE THIS GETS BETTER!!

[Libby1987]

I'm wondering where your mentoring is, someone should be advising how to proceed with this type of patient and her limitations/issues.

These are the sorts of situations that those new to home health get pelted with because your tool bag, if you will, isn't fully stocked. That only comes with time and experience. Eventually this kind of patient will not stump you, you will recognize if she or her caregivers are teachable or if it's straight to MSW referral and MD notification, and/or discharge.

It takes a good year to get comfortable, roughly 2 to become proficient and more to add efficiency. But when you've had an awful day, or week, you're going to want to throw it all out the window.