What have other nurses done that have freaked you out?

Nurses General Nursing

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What have other peers done intentional/unintentional to freak you out? Good or bad. Happy or sad.

On my FIRST day as an LVN, (LTC) a res was screaming in her room as I was walking out to leave. I went in to see what was going on. She was having an anxiety attack and severe pain (post stroke). I pulled the call light, and no one came. Uggg.

So I peeked out the door and saw my CNA walking down the hall, and told him to come sit with res. I went down to get her a Xanax and a pain pill, well relief nurse was in the restroom, and relief CNA (with call light still going off) was sitting behind nurses station reading a newspaper. I told CNA to tell the nurse to get a Xanax and pain pill for res. She said OK. I go to relieve my CNA. Said goodbye to him, and stayed with res. after 10 minutes, CNA COMES INTO ROOM WITH XANAX AND MORPHINE PILL. She is soooooo shocked to see me still there, she hands me the pills and RUNS to the relief nurse. I could NOT BELIEVE WHAT I JUST SAW!!!!

(I did immediately call DON and tell what happened. Luckily, my CNA was still checking on another res, and saw the whole thing.--------they got a slap on the wrist! that was it!!!):madface: :madface: :madface: :madface:

Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Where I work (or did, until they decided to cut back on most nurses' hours), there was an LPN who used cranberry juice right out of the machine in the dining room to irrigate a Foley. For one thing, it wasn't really "juice" but cranberry cocktail, which of course has sugar in it (just what the poor guy needed, a better growth medium for the bacteria in his bladder) and is COOOOOOOLD!! Can you imagine having 60 ml of that stuff pushed into your inner workings? :eek:

I only heard about this after the fact, but I cringe every time I think of it. (((((shudder)))))

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Specializes in ER, IICU, PCU, PACU, EMS.
Where I work (or did, until they decided to cut back on most nurses' hours), there was an LPN who used cranberry juice right out of the machine in the dining room to irrigate a Foley. For one thing, it wasn't really "juice" but cranberry cocktail, which of course has sugar in it (just what the poor guy needed, a better growth medium for the bacteria in his bladder) and is COOOOOOOLD!! Can you imagine having 60 ml of that stuff pushed into your inner workings? :eek:

I only heard about this after the fact, but I cringe every time I think of it. (((((shudder)))))

HOLY CROW!!!!! Was that LPN thinking at all??!!

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When I worked at the group home I was passing meds and heard a newer staff screaming for me from the bathroom. I go in and she's like "there's blood! She's bleeding and I don't know why!". Turns out she thought women with MR/DD didn't have periods:uhoh3:

This must go along with the widespread belief that these adults can't reproduce as well...:uhoh3:

I used to work at a company that employs adults who have MR/DD and from what I could gather, all of the women were given Depo to prevent them from having periods. One girls family waged a battle in court to get her a hysterectomy but they lost that one.

Sorry, a bit off topic but it reminded me of it.

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Working agency in LTC facility,,,the RN i charge got caught.....licking duragesic patches that were on peoples body!!!! I know many of you have prob heard this done before but I was so grossed out!!!! now most places I go, they have to be felt, identified to make sure they are intact....ewwwwwwww

At a LTC facility in my town, a CNA was going behind the nurses and removing duragesic patches that had been on residents and holding them in her mouth. Eeeeeek! That is a hardcore drug seeker!

FYI: She was caught by another CNA and when she was turned in, the DON was upset with the CNA who reported it NOT the one stealing patches!

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OMG!!! when i worked as an LPN for a LTC facility we had a lady who would do that. she would wear white every day, and call everyone "my patients". she would even tell families she was an RN when she was really a CNA. she did some scary stuff, like post-op patients on subacute would ask for pain meds, and instead of telling the nurse she would give them tylenol out of her purse. i still cant believe management would put up with that liability. ive not been back to that place since graduating RN school,,,, but i hear she still works there.:uhoh3:

Wow, it definitely sounds as if she is suffering for a severe mental illness.

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When I was in nursing school, we were learning about foley catheters. One of the students asked the instructor, " If there is no lubricant, may I spit on the foley?". Totally freaked us all out.

That is one person I would not want to care for me.....:uhoh3:

That sounds like some of the geniuses I've encountered.

First day of CNA class, the instructor was talking about clinicals. Telling us where and when, etc. One genius raises her hand and asks "While we're out at these facilities, is there any chance we would be exposed to anything contagious?" The instructor was speechless for a few seconds and then said "YES! There are all kinds of contagious bugs in any facility". Then the girl has to further display her stupidity and say "I mean, is there any chance we could catch something? Like maybe the flu or a cold or something?" HELLO.

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Not long ago in my neck of the woods, a rookie rescue squad EMT shocked a coworker as a joke. She died.

http://www.bookofjoe.com/2006/01/behindthemedspe_7.html

We had that happen in my area, too, several years ago.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.
It greatly helps to place one's self in the shoes of the CNA, especially a LTC CNA. I work at a nursing home, and each one of my CNAs is assigned 12 to 15 patients each. They simply do not have the time to sit with one patient for an extended period of time when there are other call lights that need to be answered in an expedient manner.

In addition, most LTC facilities suffer from high employee turnover and attrition rates, so the DON usually won't bestow severe punishments upon lazy staff members. The DON is just happy that a warm body has arrived to fill the necessary shift. In addition, there's typically not enough quality time for most LTC nurses and aides to devote to non-emergencies such as panic attacks and screaming. Few, if any, procedures are done by the book in LTC. You'll learn as you spend more time in your new LVN role.[/quote

In LTC CNA's have a very hard job, they are underpaid and overworked (IMO), however, to be sitting down reading a newspaper with bells going off is unacceptable. I have seen many lazy CNA's who would do anything to avoid taking care of any patient. But, I have never seen a Nurse who would give medicine to a CNA and not even go check on the patient. A panic attack is an emergency to the person in the thralls of one. And screaming is just a real loud call for help. Maybe where you work(ed) procedures are not followed, but where I work they are. Reports given to the DON are followed up on no matter how high the turnover is. A warm body is no comfort to a patient who is ringing for help, they need an active body who will attend them. No LPN in LTC should learn to accept poor work from thier CNA's. I am very lucky, I have CNA's who work hard and don't ignore any calls. Maybe it's because I expect it from them and always thank them for doing thier job before they leave each morning.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.
Day shift nurse gives report saying she doesn't understand why newly inserted foley isn't draining. I said I'd take a look. Foley did not drain because it was inserted into rectum.

:eek: ROFL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :nuke:

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unfortuantley many nurses dont feel poping pills is a good thing even for chronic pain - i live it so i have no trouble at the first sign ( rubbing knees, groaning mildly , anxious, as clues need to be deemed from the dementia who wont just say i have pain) giving pills -perhaps they relate the sympoms to "just the dementia" instead of taking a closer look?? i dont know but many a day i come in and have to get my dementia patients who have "been wild all day" to a comfortable level where them they will be ok again. just a theiry

I find your post to be VERY interesting. I am a CNA/nursing student working at an ALF. We have a resident with severe dementia (she really doesn't belong in this facility). She is extremely anxious and is often "wild". She also is constantly rubbing her back. She often lies on the couch and moans and groans. There are also times she is hardly able to walk due to her back pain. I really feel bad for her because it sucks that she is in pain all the time. I have repeatedly mentioned to the administrator that she really should be prescribed SOMETHING for pain. Yesterday, I mentioned it yet once again when I observed the resident sitting on the couch with a pained expression on her face. The administrator has decided that there is no need for any kind of pain meds because the resident is faking it. Riiiiiiight.

Now, I am wondering if her extreme anxiety is caused by her chronic back pain....

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Specializes in ER/Geriatrics.
It greatly helps to place one's self in the shoes of the CNA, especially a LTC CNA. I work at a nursing home, and each one of my CNAs is assigned 12 to 15 patients each. They simply do not have the time to sit with one patient for an extended period of time when there are other call lights that need to be answered in an expedient manner.

In addition, most LTC facilities suffer from high employee turnover and attrition rates, so the DON usually won't bestow severe punishments upon lazy staff members. The DON is just happy that a warm body has arrived to fill the necessary shift. In addition, there's typically not enough quality time for most LTC nurses and aides to devote to non-emergencies such as panic attacks and screaming. Few, if any, procedures are done by the book in LTC. You'll learn as you spend more time in your new LVN role.

This saddens me to the core....it sounds like acceptance of the worst possible care....if it is a time factor...then why was one of the CNA's sitting behind the desk reading a paper....and to say that pain and anxiety are non emergent is short sited.

To just accept and resign yourself that nothing is done by the book is totally depressing to me.

We all must individually strive for excellence especially with this frail and vulnerable group...IMHO and yes I have worked LTC as an NA,RPN and RN. I know specialize in geriatrics and ER.....

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Specializes in ER/Geriatrics.
I find your post to be VERY interesting. I am a CNA/nursing student working at an ALF. We have a resident with severe dementia (she really doesn't belong in this facility). She is extremely anxious and is often "wild". She also is constantly rubbing her back. She often lies on the couch and moans and groans. There are also times she is hardly able to walk due to her back pain. I really feel bad for her because it sucks that she is in pain all the time. I have repeatedly mentioned to the administrator that she really should be prescribed SOMETHING for pain. Yesterday, I mentioned it yet once again when I observed the resident sitting on the couch with a pained expression on her face. The administrator has decided that there is no need for any kind of pain meds because the resident is faking it. Riiiiiiight.

Now, I am wondering if her extreme anxiety is caused by her chronic back pain....

This is so sad.....since when does an administrator make medical decisions....who is the charge nurse and where is the doctor. She would likely benefit from some regular analgesic and topical analgesia depending on what is causing the pain. She may even need an x-ray. Continue to advocate for this patient.

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