I'm writing for ixchel this week-I enthusiastically volunteered, and I wanted to keep with the continuity; sometimes I become a creature of habit with routine and habits, and I surely didn't want to disappoint members.
I actually am off this week from work, but not without interesting WILTW tidbits, even on my days off; I am currently waiting to send a co-worker, who is a NP off in fashion; she's leaving to go to Texas, where she is going to have a blast-I'm going to miss her, but we will be in touch; she is a great clinician , and a wonderful person who helps my personal procrastination-such as my wedding plans-move forward.
So, without any more introduction:
I learned that negotiating the balance beam between union activities and engaging in management is very interesting to say the least; management has become more transparent since a prior WILTW experience-the sweaty flu-riddled meeting where I enthusiastically volunteered to help with morale to end the meeting and teleport to my bed-and although they are trying to "get things done", the union is making in roads for a process, whether they like it or not.
Soft skills can work...I have learned to talk down very challenging parents, more often because even though volume has been down, the acuity of pts are still there-parents want to be reassured, whether they desire to curse someone out or question what we do at every turn, especially when said parents had a very unpleasant experience with said hospital; at least turning around impressions goes a long way with good holistic psychosocial nursing care-at least this time.
Having three traumas with spinal precautions makes for an interesting night:
L5 injuries can produce back pain and nerve injuries, especially to the sciatic nerve, even if there is no spinal cord damage.
C7 injuries can produce referred shoulder pain, even though there is no spinal cord damage.
Spinal shock can still occur, where it's important for pts to follow-up after discharge.
Miami J collars are my favorite collars-they are more comfortable for the pt-ahh memories working at an acute rehab hospital...
Being a go to person of advocacy for seasoned peers and newbies is a great feeling; I'm never the person who is a "cheerleader" type, but more of an "activist cheerleader" is something I can be comfortable with-being positive, realistic, and being empowered as a nurse can be interesting to say the least.
His neurosurgeon, who had absolutely zero bedside manner, but was an excellent surgeon told us right after surgery that if he had to get cancer, he'd choose MM. At the time, my son's dad (my ex) was appalled because he was and is having a very hard time with this.
However, the surgeon is right. We could have our son for a long time and he has a 3 month old son and 2 year old daughter to raise.
Thanks.
I understand this line of thinking completely, and have used it multiple times to describe my own crap. I'm glad that there is at least SOMETHING to help comfort in this, even if just a little.
His neurosurgeon, who had absolutely zero bedside manner, but was an excellent surgeon told us right after surgery that if he had to get cancer, he'd choose MM. At the time, my son's dad (my ex) was appalled because he was and is having a very hard time with this.
However, the surgeon is right. We could have our son for a long time and he has a 3 month old son and 2 year old daughter to raise.
I learned that I am no longer the "greenest" nurse on my unit and was able to fix multiple issues a newbie was having without second guessing myself or needing help myself ( ).
I learned that just because you've been a nurse for ages, it doesn't necessarily mean you know more than your coworkers. Times change and if you didn't change with 'em, you might be wrong.
I learned that I have qualified for enough financial aid that my FNP degree (which starts in August!) will be covered, even if I have to drastically cut my work hours.
and lastly...
I learned that even though I'm stressed and irritated and work on a unit undergoing INSANE amounts of change... I still love being a nurse! ...most of the time. LOL
I sleep best with someone laying on me. Weird, huh?
I have a cat for that.
Actually, I wish he would, but the current one has a mind of his own. When I slept on my stomach, my childhood kitty would lie on my back, put his head over one of my shoulders, and purr in my ear. Best sleep therapy ever. I often wonder if part of that was the weight factor.
You have to keep replacing potassium and magnesium even if it's within normal range but not quite at the benchmark.
Potassium powder does not taste good.
Apparently I developed a sense of "something isn't right" along the way. That's oddly reassuring.
People actually do sing "Staying Alive" during chest compressions.
How to use a translator phone. Google translate can work too for less important things, but it's better at translating into another language than translating back to English!
Specializes in Palliative, Onc, Med-Surg, Home Hospice.
That would make me so very claustrophobic. I can't stand many blankets on in the first place.
Weighted blankets and lap robes have been a godsend for my son. He has always slept with his head covered, which I thought was odd, until my husband pointed out that I too have half my head covered. I never thought about it.
Weighted blankets and lap robes have been a godsend for my son. He has always slept with his head covered, which I thought was odd, until my husband pointed out that I too have half my head covered. I never thought about it.
I know people who do the same - I just couldn't do it personally.
We have a heavy comforter on our bed in the winter and I can barely stand it. And we have a king-sized bed so no one touches me when I'm trying to sleep. No spooning when it is sleepy-time!
...most of the time. LOL
ixchel
4,547 Posts
I understand this line of thinking completely, and have used it multiple times to describe my own crap. I'm glad that there is at least SOMETHING to help comfort in this, even if just a little.