i know working in the er, after some time, you feel like you're a jack of all trades, that you can handle *just about* anything, within reason. many times you learn as you go, but for the most part, you can handle the fundamentals on the spot. you've handled that multi-trauma, gi bleed, stemi, mvc, appendicitis, ruptured ectopic, amputation, septic patient... etc etc. i had read somewhere in an ena journal that it is an impossibility to be an expert at all things that you come across as an ed nurse. i completely believe this. we each bring a specific skill set that can be pulled together when needed.
now is it just me, or is there *one* thing that is your kryptonite? that one thing that you would think you should know more about, but doesn't happen that often, and when it does, you have a bit more fear than any other nursing skill/experience? how do you handle that?
for me, dealing with iv's (now scalp veins) on kiddos younger than 6 months or so. i just don't like it. let me add, i haven't had to do it... yet. do not like it. don't mind the straight caths and all that, but it occurred to me today that i don't even want to immerse myself in all things peds because even though i'll do what i need to do for that peds patient, i really really do not like it. we all have our strengths and weaknesses - what can i say? or should i say we all have our aversions.
what is it that you find to be your aversion in the ed? and i mean a true aversion, not just an illness that is gross or time consuming, but something you just don't want at all. i know there are many nurses out there who don't like this either, so this isn't new, but wondering what other nurses, having worked in an ed for some time feel about this too. you will do what you have to, though, to get through and get it done.
as a sidenote, i just saw my first scalp vein insertion and this dude made it look remarkably easy after three unsuccessful peripheral sticks. i know it's a matter of just doing it and it will likely take that fear away.... but i still don't like little babies to cry and cry. it is one of those things, even as a parent, that when a baby cries, you want to soothe. it frazzles me, what can i say? perhaps desensitization, some might say, but having kids, that doesn't work. i like a warm, content, smiling baby. :)
i once heard a peds nurse say, in the midst of a sea of crying kids.... "ahhhh, this is my comfort zone." that is what separated the likes of her from the likes of me, i must say. that was an "aha" moment for me. you love what you love! you can't force to love who you just don't love!
Disimpaction. I have fingers that are too short, and can't get more than a teaspoon out at a time. Plus I don't want to be too aggressive for fear of poking through the bowel when I thought it was just poop. I've tried, usually the patients beg for mercy before I get more than a small Chux worth out.
Disimpaction. I have fingers that are too short, and can't get more than a teaspoon out at a time. Plus I don't want to be too aggressive for fear of poking through the bowel when I thought it was just poop. I've tried, usually the patients beg for mercy before I get more than a small Chux worth out.
I used to work with a nurse who would pay me 10 bucks to remove impactions for her. LOL
Mine is lazy nurses. There isn't a patient situation I don't feel I can handle but give me a crew of lazy or incompetent nurses and I want to shoot myself by the end of the day. Maybe there should be another thread for charge nurses :-)
I had a situation with a nurse who was unhappy she didn't get the day off yesterday, she griped all day threatened quitting and at the end of the shift stormed out stating it was her last (adios, a relief nurse who doesn't work much and is not good at her job...) But still I woke up at 0300 thinking about it...grr
itsmejuli
2,188 Posts
L&D, ED and peds.