10/24: What I learned in nursing this week - moral & legal decisions, patient acuity....

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After a week of deliberation on the WILTW threads, I can honestly say I'm glad for a new week! I have only worked one day this week so far, so not a very giant list to share.

This week in nursing, I have learned....

There is a very sad line between moral and legal decision-making in healthcare. When a DNR can be revoked by family only to prolong torture and a DNR not granted on an already terminal suicide attempt, we really need to find a way to make moral and legal stop being mutually exclusive.

After a month of horrible patient acuity, I'm realizing that now "normal" days actually feel a bit slow. Amazing how being pushed beyond your limits teaches you to increase those limits.

I've learned what pleurx drains are. Now I want to play with one.

It takes a lot longer to bring up a 2.3 potassium than a 1.1 mag. A lot.

I have a way about me that makes patients confess very, very strange things to me. (Apparently?)

I'm going to learn tomorrow if short hair is easier at work than long in a braid, bun or ponytail. Also, tomorrow I will get to compare my steps at work on my new Fitbit vs. the app in my phone. And..... Tomorrow is my last day in the 18-34 demographic.

I've realized that hospitals would be more mom-nurse-friendly if shifts were 9-9.

Looking at community health job postings has made me realize I have no idea how to figure out government pay scales. I understand the grade, but how does your starting step get determined?

I've included my children in the "daddy's schedule is changing, so mommy's might have to, too," conversation. It was hard to say no when my girl asked if I could "just" not work for awhile.

Crack is a hell of a drug.

Almost 1.5 years since graduation. I think I've decided I know how to nurse now. It's an amazing feeling!

How about you? What have you learned?

The weekly WILTW threads will remain in yellow as long as we remember to keep the majority of posts/comments focused on things nursing related. Students are welcome to share what they learned in their journey to becoming nurses, and of course, CNAs/PCTs/MAs and other unlicensed people who are part of the nursing team are welcome to contribute as well.

As this thread doesn't really have one single topic, it's very nature is to evolve into conversations that are off topic from individual points shared. This is okay, as long as the majority of posts in the conversations remain nursing, nursing school and UAP-related. Questions or comments on this can be shared in the site feedback thread with "WILTW" in its title.

All respect to our heritage, white is a ridiculous color for scrubs and I feel bad for you. On the other hand, if you're anything like me you'll never want to wear the color of your student scrubs ever again after you graduate so then you'll be better off. I can never wear hunter green again.

We wear hunter green too. We look like giant pickles.

Specializes in Hospice.
We wear hunter green too. We look like giant pickles.

Wow, all of this makes the white cap, uniform dress, stockings and shoes I had to wear for clinicals seem positively fashion forward lol.

Wow, all of this makes the white cap, uniform dress, stockings and shoes I had to wear for clinicals seem positively fashion forward lol.

I'd rather be a pickle!

I did experience the joys of all white scrubs when I took my LNA courses though. I learned to bring 2 extra sets with me after my first attempt toileting a rather large, narcoleptic woman.

I'd rather be a pickle!

I did experience the joys of all white scrubs when I took my LNA courses though. I learned to bring 2 extra sets with me after my first attempt toileting a rather large, narcoleptic woman.

So 2 sets might not be enough? 😧

Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

I burned my nursing school whites after I graduated. I now have to wear ceil blue. I feel like a freaking smurf. Better than looking like a marshmallow.

I burned my nursing school whites after I graduated. I now have to wear ceil blue. I feel like a freaking smurf. Better than looking like a marshmallow.

Or a red gummi bear.

Specializes in LTC, CPR instructor, First aid instructor..

I've learned that it pays to say thank you, please, and I appreciate you.

I've also learned that speaking up is good for you.

I've learned that I Love all kinds of people who live on this earth.

Specializes in psych.

I learned that I passed my psych final and starting my maternity class and clinical isn't as terrifying as I thought it would be!

I drank a 3% hypertonic solution and am peeing in a cup every 20 minutes and measuring it's specific gravity and pH. For science!

My kidneys hurt for real though.

Specializes in Behavioral Health.
We wear hunter green too. We look like giant pickles.

When I was a student, in hunter green head to toe, the nurses called us "string beans." As in, "A new batch of string beans comes in tomorrow," or, "Hey, string bean, come check this out." Because I'm not willowy (being a 6'2, big dude) I asked for a different nickname and was called Pickle for about a minute until someone pointed out the double entendre of calling the only male student a pickle.

Nursing school was weird.

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