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.
I learned that making someone's day in May of this year made my day today. Every year for nurse's week I wear my cap and white dress. This year I won an ebay auction for an authentic vintage WWII era cape. When I arrived to work that day I was in triage. Some visitors enjoyed it and wanted my picture.
Today, one of those visitors is a patient and he remembers that. He was giddy to show his wife, a career nurse (48 years) who only recently (2 years ago) retired. She accompanied him and she got a little misty thanking me for honoring our profession.
I'm a little misty and pleased that I could bring her a bit of sunshine.
It's a good day.
YOU brighten my day. You are really the sweetest person. You are rarely negative or even snarky. You must make your patients feel so at ease. I imagine that you are a wonderful nurse.
YOU brighten my day. You are really the sweetest person. You are rarely negative or even snarky. You must make your patients feel so at ease. I imagine that you are a wonderful nurse.
-This week I learnt some concrete signs of a bad unit. I've had only inklings of signs of a bad unit, but it helped to see them laid out. I believe the previous unit I came from was bad (it wasn't always that way), but I am grateful after reading other posts that it is not that bad. I still don't care to go back there.
-This week I learnt the unit with small rooms and no windows has the highest patient satisfaction ratings. It's probably because the nurses are right there, and when they pass by a room, a patient can get their attention if need be. Plus, the float team nurses staff that unit and they are super awesome.
I learned that life is short; sometimes it comes to an end suddenly. So you should laugh often, love your family and live your life the way you want to.
Is there a nursing confessions thread? I'm in clinic and CBA to search for it.
Sometimes, when a client cancels, I read research or my prescriber's guide for fun.
This week I learned that high doses of benzos can cause anterograde amnesia. Fun! Also, that the research on bright light therapy (mmm BLT) is not great, except for Seasonal Affective Disorder and sleep phase onset disruptions (jet lag, shift work)... but that it "may adjunctively support SSRI/SNRI effect." Basically, it can't hurt to try.
ETA: Come to think of it, I already knew that first bit. That's why some people have amnesia from Versed. Dammit. Learning things I already knew...
Is there a nursing confessions thread? I'm in clinic and CBA to search for it.
Sometimes, when a client cancels, I read research or my prescriber's guide for fun.
This week I learned that high doses of benzos can cause anterograde amnesia. Fun! Also, that the research on bright light therapy (mmm BLT) is not great, except for Seasonal Affective Disorder and sleep phase onset disruptions (jet lag, shift work)... but that it "may adjunctively support SSRI/SNRI effect." Basically, it can't hurt to try.
ETA: Come to think of it, I already knew that first bit. That's why some people have amnesia from Versed. Dammit. Learning things I already knew...
PM me your confession. I'll see it gets to the right place.
I have SAD. I was actually just reading up on it and dreading next week.
You obviously don't spend any time up in the northern part of your state. I'm up here in the high desert northern part freezing my fanny off every morning when I leave work - been down to the 30's!
Farawyn
12,646 Posts
YOU brighten my day. You are really the sweetest person. You are rarely negative or even snarky. You must make your patients feel so at ease. I imagine that you are a wonderful nurse.