12/5: What I've learned this week - No, I don't have "just a second" to help you

[ixchel]

If I make it out of this weekend without losing my mind completely, it will be an absolute miracle. The last few months seem to be trying their best to do me in completely. I could really use a vacation. Just me, the kids, and sunshine. I'd be a happy girl.

So, some lessons from this week:

Someone posted something on Craigslist that was offensive.

It's surprising how surprising hallucinations AREN'T to some people. (Although on the flip side, it's kind of amusing seeing people get confused when I describe my own olfactory hallucinations.)

We have a tech who is a nursing student. He just finished his first semester. Of all of our techs, he's the most bold (abrasively?) in his approach to patient care and has been the only I've worked with who has made decisions "above his pay grade". I hoped with all my heart that some nursing school would add caution to his approach and performance. I've learned tonight that it hasn't. I genuinely like this person, but am afraid for him (and, unfortunately, patients).

Fitbit needs a NOC mode. Or... Is there a way to change its time zone maybe?

It's weird showing up to work with 6k steps already in for the day.

I'm apparently allergic to something I've put on my face in the last 12-18 hours. Love going to work looking like I have two swollen, black eyes.

Insecurity can turn people into monsters. I already knew this. What I didn't know was how much better it feels to ignore it, rather than engage it. (This is not patient-related.)

We have a tech who would rather cause an injury to a patient (pretending she didn't hear what you said), than increase her workload (by taking a BP cuff off, walking around the bed, and reattaching it to the other arm).

If a coworker is charting in a darker, quieter space, YES, they are are hiding. Go away.

If a coworker calls you and says, "I'm in desperate need of uninterrupted time so I can chart. I'll be (insert place here). Please don't tell anyone where I am - I just want to make sure you know where I am if I'm needed", this does NOT EVEN A LITTLE BIT mean it would be a good time to go chart and chat WITH them.

"Really quickly": adj., meaning to occupy a very short span of time

Ex., "Because literally every single person and patient has needed me to help them with something 'really quickly', I have literally not even begun to do MY OWN JOB yet, and it's 0200 now." You keep using that phrase, and yet your definition of "really quickly" has become my definition of "I am now going to be here over an hour late while you and everyone else I helped get to leave on time." AND I CAN'T EVEN HIDE!

I am so overfilled with my quota of rude people that I just clocked out knowing I'll have some notes to finish when I go back. I may be royally p'ed off at my job right now, but I like being employed.

The charge nurse who told me I am inconsiderate of others' time (by taking too long to give report - apparently I'm not supposed to answer peoples' questions?) spends over an hour and a half receiving and giving report from the off-going and on-coming CNs. (Even when she and the other CN are both mid-way through a 3-day stretch together - so mostly updates only.)

Regarding report, when you interrupt report that you are receiving to ask questions, you're probably asking something they were going to tell you anyway. This will cause you to get an unorganized report. This will also cause report to take longer. Rather than interrupt, you could be a polite person and wait until the nurse is finished giving you reports. If you still have a question at that time, then by all means ask.

And...

Please...

For the love of God...

Don't do your assessments while you are receiving report! That is so rude that I have no words for it! The person giving you report has been there for over 12 hours and may have to be back in less than 12. This is not what bedside report is for!

What do I need to learn...?

When there is literally no one and nothing in the caregiver's "face to face world" to actually give that caregiver care, help and respite, how does the caregiver go about finding those things?

Sorry, guys. Majorly cranky OP this week!

Did you learn anything good?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Did you learn anything good?

I learned that employees will flee from a workplace that continues to generate redundant tasks and has high nurse/patient ratios.

Yes, another nurse submitted her resignation notice. Yes, management said, "Let's talk to see what we can do to get you to stay!" Yes, she responded, "There's nothing to talk about."

Our current nurse/patient ratios are running at 1:9, sometimes 1:10. Meanwhile, she landed a job at a hospital around the corner that is known for its 1:5 ratios in med/surg. I don't blame her one bit. We've gotta take care of ourselves first because no one else will do it for us.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

I learned:

Being well staffed hospital-wise makes all the difference-having pts board in the ER on three consecutive days is no bueno....and working for a for-profit makes it MORE frustrating.

Hoping that the for-profit you work for sells the hospital you work for is not a bad thing.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

I learned WHY my boss became a nurse, and it explains a lot about her (in a good way) and why we all love her so much.

...that is is fairly easy to fashion thong underwear from a Depends if you have the right kind of tape (upcoming unit Christmas party)

...that if you've kept your mouth shut and played nice during an academic program, faculty are much more inclined to go to bat for you.

...that there is nothing quite as fulfilling as reciting the Nightingale Pledge with YOUR own group of newly-pinned students.

...that my other boss is allergic to chocolate (and I've given her gourmet chocolates for Christmas the last two years)

[nutella, MSN, RN]

I learned that those pretty Starbucks re-usable plastic cups for iced beverages break when you park them on the roof of your car while struggling to get in and start driving while cup still on the roof...

I learned that many of my fellow nurses who look not older than 50 or lower 50s are in fact in their 60s and close to retirement! Perhaps it is true that 60 is the new 40 as mentioned on the radio....

[kalycat, BSN, RN]

Ixchel, I'm sure we don't work at the same place.... But... Your issues with report interruptions in the form of constant questions and certain people who start doing bedside care and assessments while you're trying to do handoff have ALL been addressed, vented about and experienced this week on my unit. Very odd coincidence I think.... We literally just talked about this last night.

I learned: major cardiac tamponade.... Just WOW. Happy to say my patient made it but we had several scary moments. We really have an amazing team of cardiologists and staff in other areas who made the good outcome possible.

When another nurse breaks a full bottle of nitro and it soaks your shoes and sock, believe your coworkers when they say you aren't looking so well. There is now a pic of me in the dictionary under "pale and diaphoretic". Also... I'm going back to Danskos exclusively.

[Farawyn]

I've learned that I thought calling CPS would get easier, but it does not.

I've learned that klonopin is a helluva drug.

I've learned that THIS week I'm looking more to not going back to school.

I've learned that my AP (or, as he calls himself, "The Vice Ass. P") is a great guy who truly loves the kids and wants what's best for them. I am lucky to work with him.

I've learned that the damn stomach virus is still going strong despite repeated wiping of everything and the bathroom being bleached every night.

I've learned I'm pretending to be totally happy for my secretary moving down the hall to Guidance, but I really want to throw my audiometer at her for LEAVING ME!

I've learned I can sleep really hard after drinking wheat beer from a growler.

Re: ixchel's post: No one lets me chart. Ever. I'm so far behind in my paperwork it isn't even funny.

Oh, and I learned I can woo my SN friends off the SN Forum sometimes! Woo! (I'm a woo-er)

[Farawyn]

Ixchel, I'm sure we don't work at the same place.... But... Your issues with report interruptions in the form of constant questions and certain people who start doing bedside care and assessments while you're trying to do handoff have ALL been addressed, vented about and experienced this week on my unit. Very odd coincidence I think.... We literally just talked about this last night.

I learned: major cardiac tamponade.... Just WOW. Happy to say my patient made it but we had several scary moments. We really have an amazing team of cardiologists and staff in other areas who made the good outcome possible.

When another nurse breaks a full bottle of nitro and it soaks your shoes and sock, believe your coworkers when they say you aren't looking so well. There is now a pic of me in the dictionary under "pale and diaphoretic". Also... I'm going back to Danskos exclusively.

((((((kaly)))))) I'm sorry.

[kalycat, BSN, RN]

((((((kaly)))))) I'm sorry.

Thanks, lady. I'm ok. Nothing hurt (but maybe my pride a bit). 🤕 too bad too. I loved those Asics.

It's my last night of a 6 day stretch tonight and I'm very, very ready for a couple of days off.

PS: klonopin. Yeah. [emoji17]

[Jensmom7, BSN, RN]

Oh, and I learned I can woo my SN friends off the SN Forum sometimes! Woo! (I'm a woo-er)

Your SN friends are awesome. I love that board.

[Farawyn]

Your SN friends are awesome. I love that board.

Me too, and yes, they are!

[smf0903]

Don't do your assessments while you are receiving report! That is so rude that I have no words for it! The person giving you report has been there for over 12 hours and may have to be back in less than 12. This is not what bedside report is for!

Sweet mother Mary, this!!! We have one nurse who tries to do assessments and will run and even grab meds to pass during report if you don't rail her in.