WILTW 1/22: Cozy Up To Gas Exchange

Published

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

This week's WILTW takes a break from the nuances of being the teacher to being the student.

The best thing about this week was about gas, supergas, SVO2, sweep, FiO2, cavation, cannulation, bypass and the like.

When I went to my boss about going to an ECLS class; my boss asked me what would benefit me and the unit-it was me first THEN the unit.

In retrospect, it was a personal goal of mine, however, when I observe how sometimes there is hesitation or more than a healthy fear of taking care of cardiac kids, after the course I can see a project on the horizon.

I still have to actively sit on pump; I will be orienting, going to meetings, and actively connecting what I can do as a nurse on my home unit to prepare pts that could look like a potential candidate for ECMO.

Upcoming this week is my presentation-have to tweak some parts and I can't wait until next week to opine on learning how to be a charge nurse in a trauma simulation.

What have you learned this week?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

well, well this week....

I learned that I CAN teach myself to study differently. Walked into my first exam of the semester feeling well prepared, and out of it calmly.

I have an obsession with Grey's Anatomy that leads me to scheduling my life around Thursday night so I may spend it indignantly yelling at the TV with my sister, wine glasses in hand while my brother in law laughs at our pain. On that note...I now find all of the hilarious mistakes they make & love to gleefully explain whatever medical term they've talked about to my sister, much to her annoyance.

29 years old and I still enjoy a good old fashioned game of hide and seek with the kids I babysit. I can no longer fit in the hamper though.

After saying goodbye to my dinosaur/warhorse pontiac sunfire of 7 years w/ 250,000 miles a year ago..I realized I no longer panic at the thought of my car overheating while I sit at a stoplight. The last time I had that happen, I ended up stranded in Manhattan for 9 hours, illegally parked on a side road, dressed up for my cousins wedding that I never made. Totally appreciate my year old hyundai elantra now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

I go to my OBGYN today to check on baby. I'm hoping I can be induced because I am constantly in pain & am suffering from terrible insomnia. I will update everyone when I am finished with the appointment.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I didn't learn this this week, but five weeks ago: A nasty flu-like illness is caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, also famous for causing blood blisters in ears, on both sides and on the tympanic membrane. So in addition to feeling like excrement from the coughing and aches and pains, I also had bloody drainage on my pillowslip. Now, five weeks and some zithromax later, I'm still coughing but not as much, and my ears aren't draining anymore through my new PE tubes, but my hearing is still muffled. ENT says give it a few months... Jeez.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
I didn't learn this this week, but five weeks ago: A nasty flu-like illness is caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, also famous for causing blood blisters in ears, on both sides and on the tympanic membrane. So in addition to feeling like excrement from the coughing and aches and pains, I also had bloody drainage on my pillowslip. Now, five weeks and some zithromax later, I'm still coughing but not as much, and my ears aren't draining anymore through my new PE tubes, but my hearing is still muffled. ENT says give it a few months... Jeez.

Liking in support. I'm glad you are doing better!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

Just saw my OBGYN. My baby is measuring well. I got my pertussis vaccine & my doctor said I can be induced. We will pick an induction date next visit. I also signed the paperwork for my tubal. So close!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It's been a while since I opened my laptop up. Even longer since I checked in here. And today I could really use a space to talk where I know people will understand what I'm feeling and dealing with. If this is a tad emotional I apologize now.

I'm still on the same unit. I've been on the floor on my own for just a little over one month now. And it has been a huge struggle. Just acclimating to working overnights and trying to adjust to the units workflow has been a challenge. Add into it that I am on an understaffed, heavy, hectic unit with a mixed bag patient population... It's a wonder I've gotten this far.

This week I have learned that I can not handle 5 patients.

That I must somehow remember patient info spanning the entire admission (as I have been told I am not to write it down. That takes too long and I am too slow as it is.)

That I seriously need to go back to studying labs and the associated need for them.

That despite all the talk of addressing problems with your coworkers first, there are people who will not do that, even if you ask for feedback. They will toss you right into the fire. And most times there is not a thing you can do about it.

I suppose the biggest thing I have learned this week is that I need to take a minute to evaluate my career goals. They may not be attainable at this point. Do I stay on the unit, transfer to another unit, leave the hospital all together?

Heck maybe I should just go back to tending bar and waiting tables. At least there it wasn't a shock to be called incompetent. For the moment I'm going to have a short pity party. And maybe eat a whole box of chocolate donuts.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
It's been a while since I opened my laptop up. Even longer since I checked in here. And today I could really use a space to talk where I know people will understand what I'm feeling and dealing with. If this is a tad emotional I apologize now.

I'm still on the same unit. I've been on the floor on my own for just a little over one month now. And it has been a huge struggle. Just acclimating to working overnights and trying to adjust to the units workflow has been a challenge. Add into it that I am on an understaffed, heavy, hectic unit with a mixed bag patient population... It's a wonder I've gotten this far.

This week I have learned that I can not handle 5 patients.

That I must somehow remember patient info spanning the entire admission (as I have been told I am not to write it down. That takes too long and I am too slow as it is.)

That I seriously need to go back to studying labs and the associated need for them.

That despite all the talk of addressing problems with your coworkers first, there are people who will not do that, even if you ask for feedback. They will toss you right into the fire. And most times there is not a thing you can do about it.

I suppose the biggest thing I have learned this week is that I need to take a minute to evaluate my career goals. They may not be attainable at this point. Do I stay on the unit, transfer to another unit, leave the hospital all together?

Heck maybe I should just go back to tending bar and waiting tables. At least there it wasn't a shock to be called incompetent. For the moment I'm going to have a short pity party. And maybe eat a whole box of chocolate donuts.

No words, just *hugs*.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Chocolate doughnuts are constipating. Never mind that part.

The rest of it will pass. It gets easier. Really. {{hugs}}

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

I'm sick again. I feel like this pregnancy I've had a cold or something ever since winter started. I lost my voice so if anyone finds it please send it back to me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've learned SO much this week, I love it!

I had an interview for a volunteer position and now I get to cuddle and feed NICU babies! It's not what I wanted (I wanted in the ER), but I'm getting my foot in the door at the hospital I want to work at when I graduate. She also said they don't have a volunteer program for the ER yet because they are waiting for the "right" sort of volunteer and she's willing to talk to me about getting something set up in the future.

I learned that viruses aren't alive - I had always just assumed they were living. I learned how to prepare agar and how to isolate pure cultures.

I

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I didn't learn this this week, but five weeks ago: A nasty flu-like illness is caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, also famous for causing blood blisters in ears, on both sides and on the tympanic membrane. So in addition to feeling like excrement from the coughing and aches and pains, I also had bloody drainage on my pillowslip. Now, five weeks and some zithromax later, I'm still coughing but not as much, and my ears aren't draining anymore through my new PE tubes, but my hearing is still muffled. ENT says give it a few months... Jeez.

We actually studied this exact bacterium today, oddly enough. I'm sorry you've been unwell.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion