Hello, everyone! ixchel has been a trooper, juggling many things on her plate, so I have relieved her for this coming week. Here are some of the things I've humbly learned throughout this week:
1. That confused LOL who presses the call light constantly, and presses it several times while you're in the room with her, is charming for the first 5 minutes you meet her. Every time the call light goes off after that makes you want to run in the opposite direction, as fast as you can. Now, I understand what people mean when they say they hear a call light going off during the night. I've been hearing call lights ever since I got home.
2. I'm almost as giddy as my patient when his Foley and wound V.A.C. are removed after weeks of being hospitalized.
3. I emptied my first colostomy bag and was able to teach my fellow cohorts how to do it as well. I've never felt so happy to see a BM (On a side note, am I the only one who notices that my BMs smell like my pt's later on in the day?).
4. A positive Kernig's and Brudzinski's sign are indicative of meningeal irritation and that's not good.
5. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a gram negative bacteria that is multidrug resistant. Also, not good.
6. Just plastering a smile on your face throughout the shift can really brighten people's days. Although internally, I might not be feeling it, I don't let it show because, come on, the people in the hospital need a LOT more cheering up than I do.
7. Don't inject air into Dilaudid because it will blow the end off the vial. Thankfully, I did not do this, and my instructor told me not to before I even started drawing it up. I also got to flush a central port.
8. My sarcasm and dark/dry humor is not wasted on my clinical mates.
9. There are doctors who don't see some tasks as "beneath them". Garbed in isolation dress, I poked my head out to have a fellow mate grab me some iced water. Seeing my searching gaze, a passing doctor - who was easy on the eyes - asked me what I needed and then brought me some water for my patient.
10. I've been having trouble with frequent urination, including waking up in the middle of the night, even though my bladder isn't that full. It's been irritating, and I'm wondering if I should go see my doctor sometime. I haven't been too concerned, but since it's been persisting for a month now, I do wonder... I've ran through, in my head, the possibilities of diabetes, cancer, and hyperthyroidism with my current symptoms.
1. That confused LOL who presses the call light constantly, and presses it several times while you're in the room with her, is charming for the first 5 minutes you meet her. Every time the call light goes off after that makes you want to run in the opposite direction, as fast as you can. Now, I understand what people mean when they say they hear a call light going off during the night. I've been hearing call lights ever since I got home.
If your little old lady is even somewhat cooperative - try redirecting her. Remind her about the "wedding" or "graduation" or "holiday supper" and ask her for her help with "laundry". Give her some towels/pillow cases and redirect her as needed to "help" you with laundry... Usually works for a while and keeps them busy, and from crawling out of bed. Worth a try...
9. There are doctors who don't see some tasks as "beneath them". Garbed in isolation dress, I poked my head out to have a fellow mate grab me some iced water. Seeing my searching gaze, a passing doctor - who was easy on the eyes - asked me what I needed and then brought me some water for my patient.
They do exist! The surgeons I work with are really good examples too. They'll place lines or put foleys in too. One of our surgeons one day, I was busy, so he grabbed the med student and taught the med student how to put a foley in.
I learned that when three different people diagnose you with the same thing, you ought to start believing it.
I learned that I miss nursing more than I thought I would. Having my husband's hospice RN visit us every week reminds me of what I used to love about being a nurse. I'd give almost anything to be able to come back, but the politics and the ridiculous workloads would drive me even crazier than I already am. I know---I've been through it.
I learned that watching someone you love fade away is a little like Chinese water torture. Every day it seems there's a new symptom, a little less energy, a little more discomfort. It's awful to witness, and there's not a damn thing I can do about it.
I am so, so sorry [emoji17]
That's exactly what it was.
I have learned what family is there for me & what family isn't while we are struggling. It's very eye opening. My psychiatrist also doesn't believe I need to be on disability so I don't know how to go about applying for that. If he thinks I can work but I know I can't what do I do? At this point no one will hire me.
Definitely get a second opinion. I'm so sorry for this ongoing struggle. [emoji17]
1. I dislike having to adjust my schedule to different time zones. Bonus points - do that several times in a single week.
2. I made new friends! Had a blast while doing it!
3. I realized I know some amazing people and they are incredibly willing to help in whatever way possible!
4. I had the most fun I have probably ever had as a nurse.
5. I feel more like I can do anything I set my mind to than I ever have before. Everyone who has offered encouragement deserves a shout out!
6. I've set some personal goals which will really and truly challenge me. But the worst someone can say is no. I'll never know if I don't try, and I may as well try!
7. I'm (Still) impatiently waiting for my grad school admissions decision.
I learned that when three different people diagnose you with the same thing, you ought to start believing it.
I learned that I miss nursing more than I thought I would. Having my husband's hospice RN visit us every week reminds me of what I used to love about being a nurse. I'd give almost anything to be able to come back, but the politics and the ridiculous workloads would drive me even crazier than I already am. I know---I've been through it.
I learned that watching someone you love fade away is a little like Chinese water torture. Every day it seems there's a new symptom, a little less energy, a little more discomfort. It's awful to witness, and there's not a damn thing I can do about it.
Specializes in Med Surg, ICU, Infection, Home Health, and LTC.
I learned that when three different people diagnose you with the same thing, you ought to start believing it.
I learned that I miss nursing more than I thought I would. Having my husband's hospice RN visit us every week reminds me of what I used to love about being a nurse. I'd give almost anything to be able to come back, but the politics and the ridiculous workloads would drive me even crazier than I already am. I know---I've been through it.
I learned that watching someone you love fade away is a little like Chinese water torture. Every day it seems there's a new symptom, a little less energy, a little more discomfort. It's awful to witness, and there's not a damn thing I can do about it.
Give her some towels/pillow cases and redirect her as needed to "help" you with laundry... Usually works for a while and keeps them busy, and from crawling out of bed. Worth a try...
The first time I saw a nurse do this, I thought to myself, "what the ****!" BUT! The LOL absolutely loved that she was helping us, her fidgeting urge was satisfied, anxiety/agitation was reduced, she was cooperative, and she was HAPPY! It is a fantastic diversion technique!
Farawyn
12,646 Posts
Yaaaaayyy!! Congratulations!!!