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 the facebooks have been blowing up about this. You see non-medical people saying simply they hope he didn't die. All of my coworkers, however, in PT, nursing, RT, they're all getting medical on this.
I learned that elderly family members out of state do some nutty things like drive themselves to the ER when they are having symptoms of a stroke. They also wait to do this until their daughter is at work, and refuse admission. Thankfully they are OK for now. Her son has given her stern instructions to call 911 if she feels bad. Hopefully she listens.
I learned nothing in the code blue navigator class today. It was a huge waste of time.
I learned that elderly family members out of state do some nutty things like drive themselves to the ER when they are having symptoms of a stroke. They also wait to do this until their daughter is at work, and refuse admission. Thankfully they are OK for now. Her son has given her stern instructions to call 911 if she feels bad. Hopefully she listens.
I learned nothing in the code blue navigator class today. It was a huge waste of time.
This week I learned to not lean very close to the mouth of an old man whispering. Seriously. He nibbled on my ear the way a lover does. *shivers*. I jumped back so fast, and stated that "we need to keep our hands to ourselves" only to realize the futility of that statement. His hands were in restraints. Ugh.
I also learned that I love lists. Lists are what get me going, allow me to organize my thoughts, and make my shift run smooth. I feel like I'm getting the hang of it now. That is a great feeling.
This week I learned to not lean very close to the mouth of an old man whispering. Seriously. He nibbled on my ear the way a lover does. *shivers*. I jumped back so fast, and stated that "we need to keep our hands to ourselves" only to realize the futility of that statement. His hands were in restraints. Ugh.
I also learned that I love lists. Lists are what get me going, allow me to organize my thoughts, and make my shift run smooth. I feel like I'm getting the hang of it now. That is a great feeling.
This is kind of gross, since I don't know you well enough to recognize humor, she said hopefully...?
This week I learned to not lean very close to the mouth of an old man whispering. Seriously. He nibbled on my ear the way a lover does. *shivers*. I jumped back so fast, and stated that "we need to keep our hands to ourselves" only to realize the futility of that statement. His hands were in restraints. Ugh.
This is kind of gross, since I don't know you well enough to recognize humor, she said hopefully...?
I work on a neuro unit, so I'm thinking the guy was as confused as his enhanced neuro scale indicated. Honestly, I couldn't hear him, and he'd been whispering the entire time he's been with us. Wasn't my first night as his nurse, so I didn't think twice about getting in closer to hear him.
ixchel
4,547 Posts
I genuinely meant from a nursing perspective!
All the facebooks have been blowing up about this. You see non-medical people saying simply they hope he didn't die. All of my coworkers, however, in PT, nursing, RT, they're all getting medical on this.
Eta: it's BrBa!!! No D! BrBa!