Good lord I'm worn out. It's weird because I honest don't do as much as I did while working, but here I am. It's not as much body tired, but brain tired.
Recent weeks have been eventful, though. Appointments, benefits crap, recovery crap, bakers cysts (OMG), and family crap. It's all that and arguing kids. I can't figure out who decided I have to adult, but that person needs a good throat-punch.
So, as a patient, I have learned...
1. Recovery from spinal fusion is excruciatingly slow. Yes, I mean "excruciatingly". I don't know how to do slow.
2. A doctor is as strong as his staff. I am so thankful for a great team.
3. My time off was extended. This is terribly bittersweet. It feels like I failed missing a landmark, but I'm glad it was obvious I needed to.
4. It is possible to develop bilateral baker's cysts. It is possible to have bilateral cyst rupture. It is possible to have synovial fluid in your feet bilaterally. This will hurt. HORRIBLY. For days.
As a nurse, I have learned:
1. People who have inpatient stays with histories of receiving meds late might bring their own. They might also bring meds from home if they decide staff doesn't administer enough. (Disclaimer: yes, I knew this might happen, but I had a person admit and defend it. They said the staff would never know. I asked what she would do when staff brought meds she already has taken. NO RESPONSE.)
2. I'm now terrified of patients being like that person. When an autopsy shows an overdose of med reaction, the family will blame us.
As a human, I have learned:
1. Even if you think you don't care about a person's opinion, she might still see you for all your faults and weaknesses and tear you limb from limb, destroying your heart in her wake.
2. If you leave your dog home for a week with brief visits from a sitter, when you get home, the dog might not let you beyond paws' reach for days. (Meaning, expect an extremely persistent animal laying on you constantly, and smacking you hard with a paw if you decide to do something with your hands other than hug or pet.)
3. This is a delayed thing, but we got a spacecraft into Jupiter's orbit and watching mission control live as it happened was the most awesome thing!
4. YOU GUYS. You need to watch Stranger Things on Netflix.
I am going to keep this short this week. I was thinking about going longer, but honestly, you aren't the complaint department! Onward and upward, my friends... :)
(I have veered a little from the nursing path, so I'm adding this quick reminder that these threads turn blue when they remain too far off the nursing path.)
Viva- I'm so sorry for your loss. I am glad hospice was able to help you both have a more peaceful end. You'll be in my thoughts.
Crackling- I was terrified when I started my 1st RN job- I felt like I didn't know how to do anything!! But most hospitals realize they don't emphasize skills in school & are prepared for you to learn them during orientation. You'll do great!
Ixchel- I'm a huge Stephen King fan, definitely going to check out Stranger Things...and glad you are mending, slow is better that not at all.
Since I'm not working, (waiting to hear back on a 2nd interview- fingers crossed) I didn't think I would have anything to contribute this week. However- today I learned you can do the Heimlich maneuver on a pygmy goat!!
I have 2, and Ollie got choked on a goat
'cookie', & couldn't breathe. I picked him up & guessed about where diaphragm was, squeezed hard a couple of times & green goo flew out! It took a few more bleats but he's fine now. Who knew?!
I have been doing psych and substance abuse for a few years now, but have only just now seen my first legit, bad case of DT's. This poor patient was on a medical floor first and they couldn't handle her so they sent her down to us. It has been several days since she slept a wink and she has been given enough medication to take down multiple humans and animals. I have never seen anyone not get knocked out by the amount of medications she has received. Caring for her was one of the roughest shifts I have ever had. I wish Dr's would go old school and treat people with DT's like they did in the past, because what is being done now isn't enough. It was so sad to see.
On a brighter note, I've been doing orientation for my PMHNP program and I am so excited to start. My boyfriend and I are going to Vegas soon and I'm hoping to win enough to buy a huge plot of land that no one else can find :)
Viva - I can't even imagine what you're going through. Hugs and support from my end.
Today was my first day on the floor, and wow. It was unnaturally filled with craziness and drama, according to my preceptor (I absolutely LOVE her, by the way). 3 AMAs, angry residents arguing with our staff nurses, and nurses calling in are a few of things that happened.
I learned that some residents actually value nurses's experiences and look to them for guidance.
Oncology nurses are surprising upbeat and have a cheerful disposition. They have the same, dark sense of humor as I do, which is awesome.
My family is no comparison to the crazy family dynamics that go on in these patients' lives.
I love that I'm not the only one with a clueless look on my face with the new set of residents rotating in.
Hearing the breaths of someone in the process of dying is terrifying and sobering. I've never heard anything like those death rattles.
I just learned about Swabcap. These are freaking awesome.
I was upfront with my preceptor about my current skills and what I want to learn. She was nice and understanding, commenting thst it just takes practice. She's been very supportive thus far, and I can't wait to see what else I learn from her.
Viva - I can't even imagine what you're going through. Hugs and support from my end.
Today was my first day on the floor, and wow. It was unnaturally filled with craziness and drama, according to my preceptor (I absolutely LOVE her, by the way). 3 AMAs, angry residents arguing with our staff nurses, and nurses calling in are a few of things that happened.
I learned that some residents actually value nurses's experiences and look to them for guidance.
Oncology nurses are surprising upbeat and have a cheerful disposition. They have the same, dark sense of humor as I do, which is awesome.
My family is no comparison to the crazy family dynamics that go on in these patients' lives.
I love that I'm not the only one with a clueless look on my face with the new set of residents rotating in.
Hearing the breaths of someone in the process of dying is terrifying and sobering. I've never heard anything like those death rattles.
I just learned about Swabcap. These are freaking awesome.
I was upfront with my preceptor about my current skills and what I want to learn. She was nice and understanding, commenting thst it just takes practice. She's been very supportive thus far, and I can't wait to see what else I learn from her.
I am truly sorry that you experienced this!! I have been in your shoes before, as I am sure others have.
Try to hold on, especially with all the other important events in your life. I know blatant favortiism sucks!! Hold your head, keep up your good attitude & school, polish up the resume & keep your eyes & ears open for other positions when they come up & remember the world KARMA-maybe not today, but what goes around comes around & I guarantee YOU will have the last laugh! Keep your eyes posted maybe for a posssible lateral transfer to another critical care you float too & see how the staff,morale,etc is worked for me. I again, am sorry you got screwed over, make this your mantra:KARMA!! & what goes around comes around..
I learned that sometimes GoFundMe is necessary. It's the only way I'll be able to pay for my husband's funeral expenses. I never knew arrangements were so costly! We both are on Social Security so no resources to speak of, and of course the funeral home wants all their money upfront. Ouch.
I learned that hospice facilities are a Godsend when a patient's pain is out of control and nothing you give them even touches it. I'm so glad we got him there in time for him to get some pain and agitation relief. His nurse and CNA were top-notch and I'm so grateful that he was able to die peacefully. God bless hospice nurses!
Pretty eventful day, as it was officially my first day with a patient load. I learned that an INR >10 is possible.
I learned how to call a doctor and communicate my patient's needs. Luckily, the first doctor I called (twice!) was super nice and patient as I repeated his verbal orders over the phone.
I do know more than I give myself credit for. I caught an infiltrated IV and set up a new line.
LR can protect kidney Fx before a CT with contrast.
My preceptor complimented me on how impressed she was with how fast I'm learning. I seriously have been doubting my abilities and feel like I haven't done much on the floor yet, but hearing her say that aloud was reassuring and made me realize I'm expecting too much of myself.
Pts can't leave AMA with a mid- or central line in.
I learned I still hate summer in AZ, which is like living in the 7th Circle of Hell. I've learned 110° F feels like 300° F, and the inside of a car may be hot enough to cook a human. I've learned to use the sun reflector screen when parking my car in an unshaded area, or bring pot holder mits in order to be able to touch the starting wheel …
I've learned that no one you live with will offer to help clean up 3 consecutive floods in the laundry room in the same day, making themselves scarce …
I've learned even high dose Rx xanax as isn't much of a buffer for a large dog with storm anxiety. I've had to come to terms with cleaning up things he has destroyed if left unattended even for a moment …
I've also learned the hard way that being on the receiving end of pt care is a very bitter pill to swallow for most nurses. I wish you a speedy recovery S/P your recent surgery, and hope others in your life can try to put themselves in your place while you convalesce and heal.
I learned I still hate summer in AZ, which is like living in the 7th Circle of Hell. I've learned 110° F feels like 300° F, and the inside of a car may be hot enough to cook a human. I've learned to use the sun reflector screen when parking my car in an unshaded area, or bring pot holder mits in order to be able to touch the starting wheel …
I've learned that no one you live with will offer to help clean up 3 consecutive floods in the laundry room in the same day, making themselves scarce …
I've learned even high dose Rx xanax as isn't much of a buffer for a large dog with storm anxiety. I've had to come to terms with cleaning up things he has destroyed if left unattended even for a moment …
I've also learned the hard way that being on the receiving end of pt care is a very bitter pill to swallow for most nurses. I wish you a speedy recovery S/P your recent surgery, and hope others in your life can try to put themselves in your place while you convalesce and heal.
Thank you! [emoji173]ï¸
I take it you may be near mid-Atlantic region? We got a loud and bright storm two nights ago. We also have an anxious dog.
:up: 
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193 Posts
Viva- I'm so sorry for your loss. I am glad hospice was able to help you both have a more peaceful end. You'll be in my thoughts.
Crackling- I was terrified when I started my 1st RN job- I felt like I didn't know how to do anything!! But most hospitals realize they don't emphasize skills in school & are prepared for you to learn them during orientation. You'll do great!
Ixchel- I'm a huge Stephen King fan, definitely going to check out Stranger Things...and glad you are mending, slow is better that not at all.
Since I'm not working, (waiting to hear back on a 2nd interview- fingers crossed) I didn't think I would have anything to contribute this week. However- today I learned you can do the Heimlich maneuver on a pygmy goat!!
I have 2, and Ollie got choked on a goat
'cookie', & couldn't breathe. I picked him up & guessed about where diaphragm was, squeezed hard a couple of times & green goo flew out! It took a few more bleats but he's fine now. Who knew?!