Why do I get all the crazies......

[mamato3]

I have been a LPN for two years, I work through and agency. Currently I have an eight week contract with a hospital about 30 minutes away. The running joke on the med surg floor is that bed 128B is the looney bed. I know when I got to work that I am almost for sure gonna get the crazy person in 28B, which mind should be a 1:1 but I usually have two to four other patients. In the last five weeks I have had room 28B .

First there was guy who came in A&O X 3 the night he came in. The next when I had him he went looney. He was seeing ants on the floor a cat in the closet. And forever climbing out of the bed. And of course he gait was off. He finally went to home.

Second, was a lady who came due to increased confusion and had hit her husband in the head with a flashlight while he slept because she did not know who he was. Of course I had here. We were not doing anything for her medical. She spent most of her time in Geri chair. But she was combative and was always trying to get out of bed. Her gait was good but she swayed back and forth . I thought she was gonna fall. Well she was placed in a nurisng home as well. Last night I was great she is gone so this should get better. Yeah right.

As I came on I saw like three nurses in 28B. Never a good sign. Not knowing my assignment yet. I found out of course it was 28b along with four other patients because they pulled a nurse to Behavioral health for a 1:1. Well this guy had come down for ICU. He pressure was like 70/30. He has a pacemaker w/defib but it doesn't work. Along with CHF. Well the Dr. orders NS wide open and 200/hr after that. I mentioned several times to the RN that w/CHF this really isn't the best idea. But I knew we had to get his B/P. They had to give a tlyenol rectal. It took FIVE nurses to roll, while he kicked and punched a nurse. He woke up alright. He was up the rest of the night in a geri chair. The RN took it upon herself to reduce his IV to 40/hr after the first liter. Come to find out he was 1:1 in ICU. The ICU only hold six patients and most of the time isn't full. But a soon as he hit the regular he wasn't an 1:1.

Ok, sorry for sure a long post just had to get that out. Take care Shannon

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

You said you work through agency. Agency nurses are typically given the most challenging assignments, because the facility is paying quite a bit of money for your presence there. In other words, they want to get their money's worth when they utilize you. This might be the reason you receive all the nutcases.

:welcome: By the way, welcome to these forums!

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Not to minimize your situation, but I cracked up all through your post. You write a great story.

Hang in there!

[MzMouse]

I ask myself that same question at least weekly! :chuckle