Yes, it's Talk like a Pirate day today, and so the latest installment of Change of Shift has a pirate theme over at crzegrl's place.
This swabby even has a post noted there. Thanks a ton, mate!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Nuggets for September 16
Yes, I'm off today, so I'm surfing again before I start the real vice...baking. Fall has come to our neck of the woods, the furnace is dead, so why not heat up the house by baking!
To the blogs we go...
Alas, here are a couple of newer blogs I've found since I was reading my sitemeter stats today. You gotta love the link love! Many, many thanks to all of you who link to this blog. I appreciate it! (Mucho, mucho, mucho...as I tell Bubba).
PerfectRN is also a second career RN like me in the Midwest (yes!) who's chronicling her adventures in her blog.
And via PerfectRN, I found Booty Nurse (what will Google do with that...whoa!) who's giving us her view from Endoscopy in rural New England. BN, I gotta tell you, I thought endoscopy was pretty cool when I saw it on my clinicals. And no, I'm not just saying that to get any brownie points from my brother-in-law, the gastroenterologist. He's the man who loves Katie Couric because of this story.
DisappearingJohn is one of my favorite ER RN bloggers. I loved this quote he found from atyourcervix. John, if you only knew how much poop (literal and figurative) there is on evenings in rehab!
Articles of note from the NY Times
ER patients often left confused after visits
This should be an interesting topic on all the other ER nurse blogs (MonkeyGirl, GuitarGirlRN, DisappearingJohn, etc.) I doubt this author actually talked to one nurse. If she did, she camoflages it well.
The strep that wasn't...a cautionary tale
This was a scary story. If you have kids, you must read this one. It really scared me.
Spit it out...the DNA testing fad
This was actually listed under the Fashion section, but it does have some health implications. Who'd a thought DNA would turn glam? Ah, yes, the CSI effect...
Death and a new nurse
Another second career nurse describes her thoughts on this subject and what happened to her.
A good cause
If you want to help military and veteran families who are in the hospital, support your local Fisher House.
A Fisher House is “a home away from home” for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers. The homes are normally located within walking distance of the treatment facility or have transportation available. There are 38 Fisher Houses located on 18 military installations and nine VA medical centers. Five more houses are under construction.
We're still waiting for ours at Madison. It's on the drawing board, though.
To the blogs we go...
Alas, here are a couple of newer blogs I've found since I was reading my sitemeter stats today. You gotta love the link love! Many, many thanks to all of you who link to this blog. I appreciate it! (Mucho, mucho, mucho...as I tell Bubba).
PerfectRN is also a second career RN like me in the Midwest (yes!) who's chronicling her adventures in her blog.
And via PerfectRN, I found Booty Nurse (what will Google do with that...whoa!) who's giving us her view from Endoscopy in rural New England. BN, I gotta tell you, I thought endoscopy was pretty cool when I saw it on my clinicals. And no, I'm not just saying that to get any brownie points from my brother-in-law, the gastroenterologist. He's the man who loves Katie Couric because of this story.
DisappearingJohn is one of my favorite ER RN bloggers. I loved this quote he found from atyourcervix. John, if you only knew how much poop (literal and figurative) there is on evenings in rehab!
Articles of note from the NY Times
ER patients often left confused after visits
This should be an interesting topic on all the other ER nurse blogs (MonkeyGirl, GuitarGirlRN, DisappearingJohn, etc.) I doubt this author actually talked to one nurse. If she did, she camoflages it well.
The strep that wasn't...a cautionary tale
This was a scary story. If you have kids, you must read this one. It really scared me.
Spit it out...the DNA testing fad
This was actually listed under the Fashion section, but it does have some health implications. Who'd a thought DNA would turn glam? Ah, yes, the CSI effect...
Death and a new nurse
Another second career nurse describes her thoughts on this subject and what happened to her.
A good cause
If you want to help military and veteran families who are in the hospital, support your local Fisher House.
A Fisher House is “a home away from home” for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers. The homes are normally located within walking distance of the treatment facility or have transportation available. There are 38 Fisher Houses located on 18 military installations and nine VA medical centers. Five more houses are under construction.
We're still waiting for ours at Madison. It's on the drawing board, though.
Monday, September 15, 2008
How to know the moon is full
Listen up, all you nursing students, although you may have thought meteorology has nothing to do with nursing outside of being listed before it in the class schedule, the full moon can make a difference on your unit.
In my short time as a student and so far as a nurse, I've heard from psych to labor and delivery to LTC nurses that the change in the phases of the moon brings out the strange and unusual more than you'd think.
Well, since yesterday was the full moon, here's a few of the fun things that happened at Madison.
1. The crazy people get crazier. Yes, lil' ol' Mr. K. keeps forgetting he's a quad, even when he's reoriented, and in between, he even acts lucid. Last night's installment: he kept wanting to put on his pants and get up, so he kept ringing his call light. Not even the two Pepsis (he loves Pepsi so much they could use him in ads) I brought in as a bribe kept him quiet.
I'm starting to like the idea of aerosolized Haldol for not just patients, but some of my coworkers.
2. Your coworkers get edgy. When I asked about Mr. K. and his light buzzing, I remarked, "Wow, has he been quiet all night?" since Mr. K. did not buzz once while I was sitting at the nurses' station (which was not long). The Slug, true to her pain in the backside self replied, "You've been smoking crack."
Nevertheless, I blew her off, since I spent most of my night actually on the floor with patients, while she sat by the phone and played secretary in between her med passes. It's actually better for her to sit by the phone because whenever you work with her, because you'll get about 20-25 calls a night and 99% will be for her. It's just a whole lot easier not being at the desk so you don't have to be her secretary.
3. The normally quiet people decide they need something...now! Mr. H. decided to do this last night before the end of shift. I guess he got tired of me going into his room and always giving his roomies their PRN pain meds. I've delivered meds on his hall for a while and this was the first time I've ever given him a pain med.
One of his roommates is a basket case. He's taking every psych drug, pain pill, and sleeping pill we'll give him. That's what happens when you can't deal with the life you've created on the outside. The roomie is having problems with his wife and infidelity again. The story gets better and better--he was with the other woman when he was injured and she is having his baby. Other Woman decided to let the wife know once he was injured. Said wife was really perturbed when he visited Labor Day weekend.
With real-life stories like this, who needs to watch a soap?
4. Although it's not related to the full moon here in our neck of the woods, the weather's been crazy. Ike's remnants flew through the midwestern US and left us with a whole bunch of water. Lots of low-lying areas around here that don't normally flood filled up really fast. We had fun taking not one but two detours to get to a family reunion yesterday. After the second one, I told Dahey to just go back home and take the route closest to our house, since that doesn't normally flood and it worked out well. I just wish we could have stayed longer at the reunion. It stunk having to leave and go to work.
One more evening, then back to days. Stay tuned for all the excitement.
In my short time as a student and so far as a nurse, I've heard from psych to labor and delivery to LTC nurses that the change in the phases of the moon brings out the strange and unusual more than you'd think.
Well, since yesterday was the full moon, here's a few of the fun things that happened at Madison.
1. The crazy people get crazier. Yes, lil' ol' Mr. K. keeps forgetting he's a quad, even when he's reoriented, and in between, he even acts lucid. Last night's installment: he kept wanting to put on his pants and get up, so he kept ringing his call light. Not even the two Pepsis (he loves Pepsi so much they could use him in ads) I brought in as a bribe kept him quiet.
I'm starting to like the idea of aerosolized Haldol for not just patients, but some of my coworkers.
2. Your coworkers get edgy. When I asked about Mr. K. and his light buzzing, I remarked, "Wow, has he been quiet all night?" since Mr. K. did not buzz once while I was sitting at the nurses' station (which was not long). The Slug, true to her pain in the backside self replied, "You've been smoking crack."
Nevertheless, I blew her off, since I spent most of my night actually on the floor with patients, while she sat by the phone and played secretary in between her med passes. It's actually better for her to sit by the phone because whenever you work with her, because you'll get about 20-25 calls a night and 99% will be for her. It's just a whole lot easier not being at the desk so you don't have to be her secretary.
3. The normally quiet people decide they need something...now! Mr. H. decided to do this last night before the end of shift. I guess he got tired of me going into his room and always giving his roomies their PRN pain meds. I've delivered meds on his hall for a while and this was the first time I've ever given him a pain med.
One of his roommates is a basket case. He's taking every psych drug, pain pill, and sleeping pill we'll give him. That's what happens when you can't deal with the life you've created on the outside. The roomie is having problems with his wife and infidelity again. The story gets better and better--he was with the other woman when he was injured and she is having his baby. Other Woman decided to let the wife know once he was injured. Said wife was really perturbed when he visited Labor Day weekend.
With real-life stories like this, who needs to watch a soap?
4. Although it's not related to the full moon here in our neck of the woods, the weather's been crazy. Ike's remnants flew through the midwestern US and left us with a whole bunch of water. Lots of low-lying areas around here that don't normally flood filled up really fast. We had fun taking not one but two detours to get to a family reunion yesterday. After the second one, I told Dahey to just go back home and take the route closest to our house, since that doesn't normally flood and it worked out well. I just wish we could have stayed longer at the reunion. It stunk having to leave and go to work.
One more evening, then back to days. Stay tuned for all the excitement.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Remnants of Ike...no Tina
Yes, we're getting that rain here in our neck of the Midwest. The yard now has a big lake in it. Three of my five evening shifts are done and the last few days have been interesting enough.
Friday I went to a prescription drug abuse seminar put on by a local psych hospital. They even had free CEs for the RNs and all sorts of goodies. I registered via e-mail and got a confirmation but I forgot to bring the e-mail along. I show up early figuring my name is on the lists there and my name is no where to be found (for CE people and non-CE people). I was very agitated about this, but a lot of other people were, too, (and they actually paid for the CEs and need them this month for their various licenses) so I decided the best course of action was to find the local Starbucks, get a coffee and read my e-mail.
I had plans for lunch, so I found a Starbucks in the neighborhood, so I didn't have to drive around in rush hour traffic. I couldn't get on to the wifi hotspot on my Palm, so I read my Rehabilitation Nursing magazine from cover to cover (it's on polytrauma), which I had meant to do for a couple of weeks. It was a good read and I highly recommend it. I wanted my e-mail, though, so I headed up the street to a local eatery that had accessible wifi and I found a nice booth and newspaper and I read my e-mail and the paper until lunchtime. It was a diversion, but a pleasant one nevertheless.
After my fun surfing and reading, I met my friend C. for lunch. C. was happy I got bumped so she could escape the office a little earlier. We had a great time.
At work, I've been lucky enough again to be pushing the med cart. Supposedly, we get a less taxing assignment when we're giving pills, but it's not necessarily the case. I had the AB boys (that's what I'm calling them because of their bug--acinetobacter) up in the front and it was hellish. The room was so hot. Something is wrong with the HVAC system and these guys have fans, but to go in their room garbed up in an isolation gown makes me sweat like mad. It's a lot of work. They can be needy. Thankfully, C. the charge on Thursday kept them quiet for me while I adjusted to being back at work and on the pill delivery route, which, incidentally is all the way at the other end of the unit. (Our boss is really good at crazy geographical assignments like that!)
Outside of that, our new schedule came out and yes, I did actually get those vacation days I asked for recently. I got lucky and found a couple of blank spots on the calendar and asked my boss if I could take off three days in October and three days in November. I'll actually be away for six whole days, since those days are right before my normal weekend off. My husband Dahey is going to surprise me this year for our anniversary. He's making all the plans. All I have to do is show up. At least that was a good excuse for buying a new dress and some other new clothes recently. Bubba will be hanging out with my friend's boys while we're out, so he should have fun.
More later. Stay tuned.
Friday I went to a prescription drug abuse seminar put on by a local psych hospital. They even had free CEs for the RNs and all sorts of goodies. I registered via e-mail and got a confirmation but I forgot to bring the e-mail along. I show up early figuring my name is on the lists there and my name is no where to be found (for CE people and non-CE people). I was very agitated about this, but a lot of other people were, too, (and they actually paid for the CEs and need them this month for their various licenses) so I decided the best course of action was to find the local Starbucks, get a coffee and read my e-mail.
I had plans for lunch, so I found a Starbucks in the neighborhood, so I didn't have to drive around in rush hour traffic. I couldn't get on to the wifi hotspot on my Palm, so I read my Rehabilitation Nursing magazine from cover to cover (it's on polytrauma), which I had meant to do for a couple of weeks. It was a good read and I highly recommend it. I wanted my e-mail, though, so I headed up the street to a local eatery that had accessible wifi and I found a nice booth and newspaper and I read my e-mail and the paper until lunchtime. It was a diversion, but a pleasant one nevertheless.
After my fun surfing and reading, I met my friend C. for lunch. C. was happy I got bumped so she could escape the office a little earlier. We had a great time.
At work, I've been lucky enough again to be pushing the med cart. Supposedly, we get a less taxing assignment when we're giving pills, but it's not necessarily the case. I had the AB boys (that's what I'm calling them because of their bug--acinetobacter) up in the front and it was hellish. The room was so hot. Something is wrong with the HVAC system and these guys have fans, but to go in their room garbed up in an isolation gown makes me sweat like mad. It's a lot of work. They can be needy. Thankfully, C. the charge on Thursday kept them quiet for me while I adjusted to being back at work and on the pill delivery route, which, incidentally is all the way at the other end of the unit. (Our boss is really good at crazy geographical assignments like that!)
Outside of that, our new schedule came out and yes, I did actually get those vacation days I asked for recently. I got lucky and found a couple of blank spots on the calendar and asked my boss if I could take off three days in October and three days in November. I'll actually be away for six whole days, since those days are right before my normal weekend off. My husband Dahey is going to surprise me this year for our anniversary. He's making all the plans. All I have to do is show up. At least that was a good excuse for buying a new dress and some other new clothes recently. Bubba will be hanging out with my friend's boys while we're out, so he should have fun.
More later. Stay tuned.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Nuggets for September 11
First of all, I pause to remember those lost this day seven years ago. It's hard to believe it's been that long ago, and that I was living another life as an IT person. How things have changed!
A few of these items have been hanging out on my list for a while, so I will pass them along, right after I get off my soapbox on this first one.
No, this is not in my area of rehab per se, but due to a connection with an expert in the field, I feel a need to discuss this.
WARNING: Soapbox ahead!
Nurse.com has a great article about radiation safety. How does this affect you, you say? Well, if you work in an area where portable x-rays are done regularly, you are a student hanging out in such areas or if you accompany your patients to x-ray or any other radiological procedure and have to position them while the machine runs as I sometimes do, this article applies to you.
Mainly, follow the guidelines noted in this article. If you are supposed to wear your dosimetry badge, wear it. If you are hanging out in the PACU and they want to do a portable on someone in one of the bays, go hang out across the room behind a wall. If you position patients during a procedure, keep your hands out of the beam and wear your lead apron. If you remotely think you are pregnant, tell someone and stay out. If you have any questions, ask for the radiation safety officer and/or his/her's designate to know what's going on in your facility.
By doing this, hopefully, you'll help guarantee a long career as a nurse. That is all. End of soapbox.
Now for a few other items I've run into lately...
Dementia and Margaret Thatcher. This article discusses the book released in the UK by Thatcher's daughter and the ethics of such a release. (from the Blogs section of http://www.nytimes.com/)
http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/02/margaret-thatchers-open-secret/
VA voter drives anytime soon? We shall see. None yet at Madison, anyway. (from http://www.nytimes.com/)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/09/us/politics/09vets.html
This article discusses all of the places you'll find technology in use by nurses. (from http://www.nursinglink.com/)
http://www.nursinglink.com/careers/5322-technology-in-nursing
And for something completely different, check out Tex's post about working with women and why he loves it. I can identify with the flipping part, Tex. Lots and lots of flipping in rehab!
A few of these items have been hanging out on my list for a while, so I will pass them along, right after I get off my soapbox on this first one.
No, this is not in my area of rehab per se, but due to a connection with an expert in the field, I feel a need to discuss this.
WARNING: Soapbox ahead!
Nurse.com has a great article about radiation safety. How does this affect you, you say? Well, if you work in an area where portable x-rays are done regularly, you are a student hanging out in such areas or if you accompany your patients to x-ray or any other radiological procedure and have to position them while the machine runs as I sometimes do, this article applies to you.
Mainly, follow the guidelines noted in this article. If you are supposed to wear your dosimetry badge, wear it. If you are hanging out in the PACU and they want to do a portable on someone in one of the bays, go hang out across the room behind a wall. If you position patients during a procedure, keep your hands out of the beam and wear your lead apron. If you remotely think you are pregnant, tell someone and stay out. If you have any questions, ask for the radiation safety officer and/or his/her's designate to know what's going on in your facility.
By doing this, hopefully, you'll help guarantee a long career as a nurse. That is all. End of soapbox.
Now for a few other items I've run into lately...
Dementia and Margaret Thatcher. This article discusses the book released in the UK by Thatcher's daughter and the ethics of such a release. (from the Blogs section of http://www.nytimes.com/)
http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/02/margaret-thatchers-open-secret/
VA voter drives anytime soon? We shall see. None yet at Madison, anyway. (from http://www.nytimes.com/)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/09/us/politics/09vets.html
This article discusses all of the places you'll find technology in use by nurses. (from http://www.nursinglink.com/)
http://www.nursinglink.com/careers/5322-technology-in-nursing
And for something completely different, check out Tex's post about working with women and why he loves it. I can identify with the flipping part, Tex. Lots and lots of flipping in rehab!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
The colors of rehab
Yes, you'd see a lot of colors on our unit, and it's not just in the scrubs worn by the staff. There are colors in therapy--yellow, pink, blue Theraputty in those tubs. Next, you have the therabands in blue, green and red. The drugs even have pretty colors, too--the clear dark-red of guaifenesin, the fruity-smelling, clear with a gold tinge of liquid Neurontin, the neon yellow-green of Tygacil. Our patients have colorful equipment, too--the red, blue, black, silver, American flag print, green and even purple wheelchairs.
Also, if you didn't know it already, you see a lot of colors in the input and output for patients. The strangest thing I ever saw on a bed pad recently was an aqua-blue serous looking drainage. The patient never had it during the day, because I looked each time I turned him. I told the docs about it on Monday and everyone just said, "Oh well," and that was it.
So yesterday, I saved the pad after I cleaned him up and bluish dressing. The docs didn't figure it out right away, but the NPs took one look and they did. "Pseudomonas!", they chimed in chorus. "We have to get something to put on that dressing." MA ordered Iodaform gel, but we couldn't get it by the end of the day, so she gave me a new order to use Gentamicin cream with the dressing until the gel arrives. I fixed him up, fluffed, buffed and turned him and before I knew it, it was time to go home.
Outside, the sky was a brilliant, sun-filled blue with just a hint of the fall coolness to come and the end of another interesting day. More later!
Also, if you didn't know it already, you see a lot of colors in the input and output for patients. The strangest thing I ever saw on a bed pad recently was an aqua-blue serous looking drainage. The patient never had it during the day, because I looked each time I turned him. I told the docs about it on Monday and everyone just said, "Oh well," and that was it.
So yesterday, I saved the pad after I cleaned him up and bluish dressing. The docs didn't figure it out right away, but the NPs took one look and they did. "Pseudomonas!", they chimed in chorus. "We have to get something to put on that dressing." MA ordered Iodaform gel, but we couldn't get it by the end of the day, so she gave me a new order to use Gentamicin cream with the dressing until the gel arrives. I fixed him up, fluffed, buffed and turned him and before I knew it, it was time to go home.
Outside, the sky was a brilliant, sun-filled blue with just a hint of the fall coolness to come and the end of another interesting day. More later!
Saturday, September 6, 2008
ARN journal now online
If you're a member of the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses, you can now access the journal Rehabilitation Nursing online at http://www.rehabnurse.org/. VA nurses: take note. This new issue is dedicated to polytrauma and has some great articles about OIF/OEF veterans who are suffering from multiple injuries.
Rehabnurse.org is a great site, especially if you're looking for information about being a rehab nurse. It's especially advantageous, since you get access to regular free CEs online.
In addition, you can also find some great general rehab-oreinted documents. Specifically, I found a guide on bowel care, which is a very important part of the rehab process. As my old friend G. used to tell me, "rehab is all about bowel, bladder and skin."
Rehabnurse.org is a great site, especially if you're looking for information about being a rehab nurse. It's especially advantageous, since you get access to regular free CEs online.
In addition, you can also find some great general rehab-oreinted documents. Specifically, I found a guide on bowel care, which is a very important part of the rehab process. As my old friend G. used to tell me, "rehab is all about bowel, bladder and skin."
Friday, September 5, 2008
TGIF, baby!
Oh, I rejoice! The weekend is here...and I'm not working down at Madison. Hooray!
The last three days have been fun, really, with ol' Mr. K. and Mr. J., especially since Mr. K. is getting his Haldol titrated, and having less hallucinations, but today was busy, even though at 1020, I was ahead of the game.
I was still driving the drug wagon as the med nurse on the most populous hall (we have 13 people here instead of the 11 on the other one...), but luckily, people weren't so agitated about how fast I got them their pain meds. Sometimes, the natives get a little restless down there...I really wanted to kill the Slug today, because she was being so onery and lazy about doing the accuchecks to which she was assigned. To relax, I sat in my car and ate lunch and charged my phone. I did not want to sit one minute in the lunch room with her, because I would have put my license at risk. (Going to Federal prison for killing her is not on my list of things to do right now!) It was lovely! It was only 15 minutes (I came in and checked my e-mail at the nurses' station for the other 15) but it was an oasis. I'm not going to detail everything, but I find that escape does have its advantages, especially when you're contemplating killing your co-worker for being such a slack.
The rest of the afternoon went well. Everyone got their pain pills, their Ativan and whatever fixed their ailments, including pillow fluffing, so they were happy. I got to hand over the keys to my med cart to K., instead of B., which was also a relief. He's another story, but I only deal with him on evenings, so I won't worry until next week!
Happy weekend! More later...stay tuned.
The last three days have been fun, really, with ol' Mr. K. and Mr. J., especially since Mr. K. is getting his Haldol titrated, and having less hallucinations, but today was busy, even though at 1020, I was ahead of the game.
I was still driving the drug wagon as the med nurse on the most populous hall (we have 13 people here instead of the 11 on the other one...), but luckily, people weren't so agitated about how fast I got them their pain meds. Sometimes, the natives get a little restless down there...I really wanted to kill the Slug today, because she was being so onery and lazy about doing the accuchecks to which she was assigned. To relax, I sat in my car and ate lunch and charged my phone. I did not want to sit one minute in the lunch room with her, because I would have put my license at risk. (Going to Federal prison for killing her is not on my list of things to do right now!) It was lovely! It was only 15 minutes (I came in and checked my e-mail at the nurses' station for the other 15) but it was an oasis. I'm not going to detail everything, but I find that escape does have its advantages, especially when you're contemplating killing your co-worker for being such a slack.
The rest of the afternoon went well. Everyone got their pain pills, their Ativan and whatever fixed their ailments, including pillow fluffing, so they were happy. I got to hand over the keys to my med cart to K., instead of B., which was also a relief. He's another story, but I only deal with him on evenings, so I won't worry until next week!
Happy weekend! More later...stay tuned.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Change of shift
Yes, the famous Change of Shift is up at Nurse Ratched's Place, and check out all the cool pulp fiction covers over there.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Nuggets for September 2
Yes, it's been a long time since I posted Nuggets, but I really missed them, so...Now that I've returned from my trek to ye old neighborhood pet store to get an electronic fence for the wild ol' herding dog at my house who nearly got hit chasing a scooter yesterday, I discovered a couple of goodies out there of note.
Enjoy!
Long-term ills tied to bad food (from www.washingtonpost.com)
That salmonella or E-coli can cause trouble for years in some folks.
The Well at the New York Times website is a blog that has lots of interesting articles on health-related topics.
Here are a couple of the more interesting ones out there right now:
Voices of Crohn's disease is a multimedia collection including audio files with comments from folks with this disease.
Best online psychology tests Just in case you needed a break!
The Wall Street Journal also has a health blog with a great story this week about a study regarding older fathers and kids with bipolar disorder.
Enjoy!
Long-term ills tied to bad food (from www.washingtonpost.com)
That salmonella or E-coli can cause trouble for years in some folks.
The Well at the New York Times website is a blog that has lots of interesting articles on health-related topics.
Here are a couple of the more interesting ones out there right now:
Voices of Crohn's disease is a multimedia collection including audio files with comments from folks with this disease.
Best online psychology tests Just in case you needed a break!
The Wall Street Journal also has a health blog with a great story this week about a study regarding older fathers and kids with bipolar disorder.
No truer words
"nursing is head on, hands on, heart on. all together. all at once. maybe that is enough explanation why there is a nursing shortage. it is because not a lot of people can be all that, all at once."
--may at www.aboutanurse.com
If you haven't already discovered may's aboutanurse blog, do not pass go, do not collect $200, go straight there. I have been reading it for quite a while (I know I started in nursing school) and there is always something to think about.
My evenings are over for this week. Thankfully, everything went reasonably well. I had the same guys all five days and everyone was doing well. Mr. H. got in the shower, not once, but twice. I also let him know that M., our charge nurse, will get him there, too, if he wants to shower when she works, since M. does not rotate shifts like me. Mr. H. is a para amputee, but M is known on the unit for getting quads up and in the shower. Mr. B. was her longtime customer every Friday night until he left. Consequently, Mr. H.has been in a pleasant mood. I really think the showering is doing him a lot of good.
Mr. O., his roommate, is reasonably new. He's one of our few rehab patients. He's got a balky bladder, due to some previous cancer history, so I've been working on the rationale (aka sales pitch) for intermittent catheterization with him. He's been balky with some of the other nurses, so I go in and tell him very nicely and slowly how important it is that he empty his bladder. So far, he's agreed to cath more than he's refused. I cathed him, not once, but twice last night. Hopefully, they can get him on a schedule and just do it until he can get his urodynamics study.
The man across the hall, Mr. B. is still on C diff precautions and still has that foul, smelling stool. He is eating better (mostly Taco Bell, but he's actually eating other stuff with that), but we really have to sell him on drinking water. He drinks almost no water during the day when he has visitors (sometimes 20+ people), because when I was checking him on first rounds, his urine was always dark. By the end of the night, when I'd encourage the fluids and he'd drink them, it would get lighter. Who said nursing wasn't a sales job? I do a lot of encouragement and followup to get people to do what they need to do to succeed at the program. His halo is intact, but still causing him pain, so until the C diff stooling stops, we can't try getting him up into a chair.
I'm going to stop here...so many things to do in a short time on this day off. More later...
--may at www.aboutanurse.com
If you haven't already discovered may's aboutanurse blog, do not pass go, do not collect $200, go straight there. I have been reading it for quite a while (I know I started in nursing school) and there is always something to think about.
My evenings are over for this week. Thankfully, everything went reasonably well. I had the same guys all five days and everyone was doing well. Mr. H. got in the shower, not once, but twice. I also let him know that M., our charge nurse, will get him there, too, if he wants to shower when she works, since M. does not rotate shifts like me. Mr. H. is a para amputee, but M is known on the unit for getting quads up and in the shower. Mr. B. was her longtime customer every Friday night until he left. Consequently, Mr. H.has been in a pleasant mood. I really think the showering is doing him a lot of good.
Mr. O., his roommate, is reasonably new. He's one of our few rehab patients. He's got a balky bladder, due to some previous cancer history, so I've been working on the rationale (aka sales pitch) for intermittent catheterization with him. He's been balky with some of the other nurses, so I go in and tell him very nicely and slowly how important it is that he empty his bladder. So far, he's agreed to cath more than he's refused. I cathed him, not once, but twice last night. Hopefully, they can get him on a schedule and just do it until he can get his urodynamics study.
The man across the hall, Mr. B. is still on C diff precautions and still has that foul, smelling stool. He is eating better (mostly Taco Bell, but he's actually eating other stuff with that), but we really have to sell him on drinking water. He drinks almost no water during the day when he has visitors (sometimes 20+ people), because when I was checking him on first rounds, his urine was always dark. By the end of the night, when I'd encourage the fluids and he'd drink them, it would get lighter. Who said nursing wasn't a sales job? I do a lot of encouragement and followup to get people to do what they need to do to succeed at the program. His halo is intact, but still causing him pain, so until the C diff stooling stops, we can't try getting him up into a chair.
I'm going to stop here...so many things to do in a short time on this day off. More later...
Monday, September 1, 2008
A good one
Sometimes you need a good laugh...especially when you wake up itching and sneezing...again. Alas, ragweed season seems to be in full bloom in our neck of the woods.
Head Nurse has this simple test for all you nurses out there, so if you don't have to labor today on Labor Day like me, (even if you do) check it out.
Head Nurse has this simple test for all you nurses out there, so if you don't have to labor today on Labor Day like me, (even if you do) check it out.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
The smell of the week...
Sure it's summer and barbecue season. When I think of summer as a kid, I remember the smell of charcoal lighter fluid, Coppertone 4 sun lotion (no one called it sunscreen then), chlorine and the smell of food on the barbecue pit. Those smells still evoke fond memories for me.
This week, the smell is C. diff, as one of my assigned patients has this dreaded spore. It's really a hard to describe smell. To me, it's a flat, acrid smell that just seems to stick in your nose. It got so bad the other night, that I actually left the unit to sit outside in the breeze for a while. I had gowned, gloved and thoroughly washed my hands when I was done, but that smell (or the memory) hung around in my nose for a while. So far, this patient hasn't developed colitis, but we'll have to wait and see.
If you want more information on C. diff, check out these sites:
CDC
C diff project website (Netherlands)
On another smell note, totally unrelated to rehab nursing, check out Luscious Cargo. I got some perfume samples from them this week after I read a NY Times article about perfume. They even sent me a free one for Fracas, which is a very interesting scent.
Their smells sure beat C. diff!
More later...two more shifts on evenings this week.
This week, the smell is C. diff, as one of my assigned patients has this dreaded spore. It's really a hard to describe smell. To me, it's a flat, acrid smell that just seems to stick in your nose. It got so bad the other night, that I actually left the unit to sit outside in the breeze for a while. I had gowned, gloved and thoroughly washed my hands when I was done, but that smell (or the memory) hung around in my nose for a while. So far, this patient hasn't developed colitis, but we'll have to wait and see.
If you want more information on C. diff, check out these sites:
CDC
C diff project website (Netherlands)
On another smell note, totally unrelated to rehab nursing, check out Luscious Cargo. I got some perfume samples from them this week after I read a NY Times article about perfume. They even sent me a free one for Fracas, which is a very interesting scent.
Their smells sure beat C. diff!
More later...two more shifts on evenings this week.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Happiness is...
Only having two patients instead of three (one crashing) and a new admit. Why? Lots less paperwork for one thing! I only had two patients today, Mr. S.and Mr. M. and it was like heaven. No rushing, no fussing, everything got done, charted and I was out on time. Hooray!
Sadly, Mr. H. who I took care of a couple of months ago was back at Washington in the ER. Apparently, he was taking too many drugs over the weekend and developed a subarachnoid hemorrhage. He's now on a vent and not expected to make it.
I'm off tomorrow, so more fun starts later this week on evenings...stay tuned.
Sadly, Mr. H. who I took care of a couple of months ago was back at Washington in the ER. Apparently, he was taking too many drugs over the weekend and developed a subarachnoid hemorrhage. He's now on a vent and not expected to make it.
I'm off tomorrow, so more fun starts later this week on evenings...stay tuned.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
CRRN prep, book club
The big Rehabilitation Nursing book by Shirley P. Hoeman arrived this week. I'm using it, along with Rehabilitation Nursing Secrets to start my quest for the CRRN next year. Only eight months to go, so I'll be reading away.
I'm also reading a stack of interesting stuff from my local library. Here are a couple of books on the stack so far...
The Ostomy Book by Barbara Dorr Mullen and Kerry Anne McGinn, RN ARNP
We deal with quite a few patients with ostomies, so I plan on giving this book a thorough read.
The Sexual Paradox: Men, Women and the real Gender Gap by Susan Pinker
Not sure how far I'll get with this one, but it's on the stack right now.
I'm also reading a stack of interesting stuff from my local library. Here are a couple of books on the stack so far...
The Ostomy Book by Barbara Dorr Mullen and Kerry Anne McGinn, RN ARNP
We deal with quite a few patients with ostomies, so I plan on giving this book a thorough read.
The Sexual Paradox: Men, Women and the real Gender Gap by Susan Pinker
Not sure how far I'll get with this one, but it's on the stack right now.
And if you don't have enough to worry about..
Check out this article from the UK on the use of "stripper therapy" for some Huntington's disease patients. Thanks MJ from www.nurseratchedsplace.com for that one.
What a can of worms this would open up here in the US....just a few things to consider...
1. What would our other patients think if they wanted to go along, but didn't have the requisite disease...I see trouble on the unit!
2. Would the rec therapy folks get fired, since all we'd have to do is take the folks to our favorite red light district for "therapy"?
3. Would they start hiring "nurses" from said red light district? And as MJ mentioned, could you imagine the care plans?
And now, since I've finished reading From Silence to Voice, I find it incredibly ironic that the "nurses" arranged this trip. Wouldn't the "nurses" need doctor's orders for the patients to leave the unit for said trip? And do you see the word "doctor" anywhere in this story? No, you don't.
Hmm...and we wonder why people think what they do about nurses.
What a can of worms this would open up here in the US....just a few things to consider...
1. What would our other patients think if they wanted to go along, but didn't have the requisite disease...I see trouble on the unit!
2. Would the rec therapy folks get fired, since all we'd have to do is take the folks to our favorite red light district for "therapy"?
3. Would they start hiring "nurses" from said red light district? And as MJ mentioned, could you imagine the care plans?
And now, since I've finished reading From Silence to Voice, I find it incredibly ironic that the "nurses" arranged this trip. Wouldn't the "nurses" need doctor's orders for the patients to leave the unit for said trip? And do you see the word "doctor" anywhere in this story? No, you don't.
Hmm...and we wonder why people think what they do about nurses.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Every good turn deserves another
I have had a wonderful three days at work, even though I feel like all I've done is run. I was taking care of the meds on one hall and I took care of two guys at the other end of the hall. I hadn't taken care of those guys in a while, and it was really fun.
There's been a few posts I've seen regarding Phil Baumann's Eight Ways to Become a Better Nurse.
Here are my own ways (I also posted them in his comments)
1. Improve one thing you do every day. There may be a lot of things you need to do, but work on it by choosing one thing every day.
2. Leave work at work. Unload before you leave the door. Your family will appreciate it.
3. Find outlets for creativity in your work.
4. Make patients smile.
5. Be kind, especially to those in need, whether they're your patients, someone else's patients or your coworkers.
6. Take care of yourself.
7. Keep your eyes on the horizon. Look out for trouble that may be coming.
8. Say please and thank you to everyone...and mean it.
I'm off this weekend, so I'll be working on all sorts of stuff, here, there and everywhere. Stay tuned!
There's been a few posts I've seen regarding Phil Baumann's Eight Ways to Become a Better Nurse.
Here are my own ways (I also posted them in his comments)
1. Improve one thing you do every day. There may be a lot of things you need to do, but work on it by choosing one thing every day.
2. Leave work at work. Unload before you leave the door. Your family will appreciate it.
3. Find outlets for creativity in your work.
4. Make patients smile.
5. Be kind, especially to those in need, whether they're your patients, someone else's patients or your coworkers.
6. Take care of yourself.
7. Keep your eyes on the horizon. Look out for trouble that may be coming.
8. Say please and thank you to everyone...and mean it.
I'm off this weekend, so I'll be working on all sorts of stuff, here, there and everywhere. Stay tuned!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Work is still...work
Yes, one day off after working an evening and then waking up early with a kindergartener is an exhausting experience. After a very nice day visiting my sister, seeing some of my old friends in that second largest 'burb of the county where I used to work and having lunch with C., then coming home and baking a couple of pies, I was too tired to do much around the house. I put my favorite vaccuuming CD on the stereo, cranked it, and vegged for a half hour.
It was back to work today and I felt really slow. First, we had an in-service today on Fragmin. Most of the people were watching the shiny stuff--the pens that light up and the other goodies. Besides being a big sales pitch, it was reasonably interesting. We even talked about the famous debate of "should you blow the bubble". Second, my boss changed my assignment. I was a little perturbed, but I got two reasonable patients and the med cart on the main hall. I was running a little, but it turned out reasonably well considering everything, including an irascible patient or two and an exploding colostomy bag (happily a controlled explosion!).
In the last few days, I've found some interesting sites and articles on the internet. Hope you enjoy them. More items to come...
Check out the patient safety info at this site: http://www.patientsafety.gov/resources.html
The NY Times recently ran an interesting article on Hepatitis C: http://health.nytimes.com/ref/health/healthguide/esn-hepatitisC-ess.html
Can chewing gum may shorten your hospital stay? The jury's still out on that issue, but there may be more research to come. Could Wrigley's be the next sponsor? Stay tuned.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/579243
It was back to work today and I felt really slow. First, we had an in-service today on Fragmin. Most of the people were watching the shiny stuff--the pens that light up and the other goodies. Besides being a big sales pitch, it was reasonably interesting. We even talked about the famous debate of "should you blow the bubble". Second, my boss changed my assignment. I was a little perturbed, but I got two reasonable patients and the med cart on the main hall. I was running a little, but it turned out reasonably well considering everything, including an irascible patient or two and an exploding colostomy bag (happily a controlled explosion!).
In the last few days, I've found some interesting sites and articles on the internet. Hope you enjoy them. More items to come...
Check out the patient safety info at this site: http://www.patientsafety.gov/resources.html
The NY Times recently ran an interesting article on Hepatitis C: http://health.nytimes.com/ref/health/healthguide/esn-hepatitisC-ess.html
Can chewing gum may shorten your hospital stay? The jury's still out on that issue, but there may be more research to come. Could Wrigley's be the next sponsor? Stay tuned.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/579243
Monday, August 18, 2008
When RNs are left to their own devices...
Some of us start doing homework! Yes, that's right. Since many of our current continuing education items are now in the VA's much-vaunted LMS system (learning management system), we're playing catch-up whenever there is a free moment.
I did my required items recently, so I helped my coworkers to log into the system. It's amazing how people complain about the system not working, especially when they won't read the startup instructions.
Besides the goodies in LMS, we often have educators drop off sheets to read on our lunchroom table. Once you unearth them from the hubris, you can get those learning items done, too. One of our recent ones was about a new feeding pump, which had a very nice DVD, which I just popped in one of the PCs and watched the other night.
Outside of those learning activities, I decided to check out a few other things when I had a spare moment. Stay tuned and I'll have more goodies later this week!
I did my required items recently, so I helped my coworkers to log into the system. It's amazing how people complain about the system not working, especially when they won't read the startup instructions.
Besides the goodies in LMS, we often have educators drop off sheets to read on our lunchroom table. Once you unearth them from the hubris, you can get those learning items done, too. One of our recent ones was about a new feeding pump, which had a very nice DVD, which I just popped in one of the PCs and watched the other night.
Outside of those learning activities, I decided to check out a few other things when I had a spare moment. Stay tuned and I'll have more goodies later this week!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
This week at Madison
Here are a few of the interesting topics I've encountered dealing with my patients this week. Links to appropriate resources are also included for more information.
Before I headed back to the evening shift, I got to admit a fellow from a far western state. Our unit may be the red-headed stepchild of the SCI system, but we have a reputation for healing people with wounds that can't get healed anywhere else. (It also helps that our boss has friends in a major research hospital in town, too.)
The new guy, Mr. C., got a room with a fellow (Mr. W.) who's also had step one of the same type of surgery he's being evaluated for--girdlestone surgery. Said patient is pretty nice, but physically, mentally and emotionally, he's been a trainwreck. Patient was a victim of violence. Patient has several health problems now directly related to the incident: short gut syndrome, and a whole bunch of other things. The dietician has put him on an FAA diet (free amino acid) with a different type of formula--Vivonex. It's really amazing that he's as positive as he is.
Mr. K., our elderly gentleman who's just about to hit one year at our place (on and off, with trips to acute at Washington) came back yesterday from Washington. He had some mental status changes (possibly medication related) and also mastoiditis. Some of the staff were a little upset with him because he told the folks at Washington that there were "drug problems" at Madison. (One of his previous roommates was discharged due to drug issues.) While Mr. K. is a little off sometimes, more often than not, he's very astute to things. As a consequence, he's very upset that he's back in his old room, and he told us if he could get up he'd probably slug his roommate. Nice. It should be interesting to see what the boss decides to do with him, since we're running at full capacity and getting four new people next week. There aren't enough rooms to make another room isolation right now...
Nuggets
Here are a few other goodies to check out this week, if you haven't already.
I found this cancer article in the NY Times this week, along with another article about doctors and condolences.
MonkeyGirl's Rehab post was just a riot. Head on over and read it for a good laugh.
RehabRN book club items
I recently finished reading Best care anywhere by Phillip Longman. Even if you don't work at the VA, this is a fascinating book.
I'm still working on From Silence to Voice by Suzanne Gordon and Bernice Buresh about nurses and communicating to the public.
On a non-nursing note, I finished Elizabeth Berg's The day I ate whatever I wanted. This was a great book. I really loved the apple pie recipe story near the back.
BTW visitor 5000 showed up here on 8/12/08 at 11:42:55PM from beautiful, downtown Chicago, IL via www.nurseratchedsplace.com. Thanks for your visit!
More later...stay tuned.
Before I headed back to the evening shift, I got to admit a fellow from a far western state. Our unit may be the red-headed stepchild of the SCI system, but we have a reputation for healing people with wounds that can't get healed anywhere else. (It also helps that our boss has friends in a major research hospital in town, too.)
The new guy, Mr. C., got a room with a fellow (Mr. W.) who's also had step one of the same type of surgery he's being evaluated for--girdlestone surgery. Said patient is pretty nice, but physically, mentally and emotionally, he's been a trainwreck. Patient was a victim of violence. Patient has several health problems now directly related to the incident: short gut syndrome, and a whole bunch of other things. The dietician has put him on an FAA diet (free amino acid) with a different type of formula--Vivonex. It's really amazing that he's as positive as he is.
Mr. K., our elderly gentleman who's just about to hit one year at our place (on and off, with trips to acute at Washington) came back yesterday from Washington. He had some mental status changes (possibly medication related) and also mastoiditis. Some of the staff were a little upset with him because he told the folks at Washington that there were "drug problems" at Madison. (One of his previous roommates was discharged due to drug issues.) While Mr. K. is a little off sometimes, more often than not, he's very astute to things. As a consequence, he's very upset that he's back in his old room, and he told us if he could get up he'd probably slug his roommate. Nice. It should be interesting to see what the boss decides to do with him, since we're running at full capacity and getting four new people next week. There aren't enough rooms to make another room isolation right now...
Nuggets
Here are a few other goodies to check out this week, if you haven't already.
I found this cancer article in the NY Times this week, along with another article about doctors and condolences.
MonkeyGirl's Rehab post was just a riot. Head on over and read it for a good laugh.
RehabRN book club items
I recently finished reading Best care anywhere by Phillip Longman. Even if you don't work at the VA, this is a fascinating book.
I'm still working on From Silence to Voice by Suzanne Gordon and Bernice Buresh about nurses and communicating to the public.
On a non-nursing note, I finished Elizabeth Berg's The day I ate whatever I wanted. This was a great book. I really loved the apple pie recipe story near the back.
BTW visitor 5000 showed up here on 8/12/08 at 11:42:55PM from beautiful, downtown Chicago, IL via www.nurseratchedsplace.com. Thanks for your visit!
More later...stay tuned.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Quick study...5000
Yes, I'm popping in for a new feature. I'm calling it quick study, since it will give you a good overview of some of the topics this rehab nurse has encountered lately.
One of our patients has IBS and is using a different drug to treat it--Elavil. Here are a few links to some articles of interest I've found.
http://www.webmd.com/ibs/guide/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs-treatment-overview
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/irritable_bowel_syndrome/page8_em.htm
http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic1210.htm
http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/gastro/ibs/ibs.htm
Another patient suffered from phimosis, so he won the most common treatment: circumcision.
http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic2873.htm
The 5000 references the number of hits I've nearly met for this blog. To all my visitors, thank you! And please come back again!
One of our patients has IBS and is using a different drug to treat it--Elavil. Here are a few links to some articles of interest I've found.
http://www.webmd.com/ibs/guide/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs-treatment-overview
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/irritable_bowel_syndrome/page8_em.htm
http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic1210.htm
http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/gastro/ibs/ibs.htm
Another patient suffered from phimosis, so he won the most common treatment: circumcision.
http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic2873.htm
The 5000 references the number of hits I've nearly met for this blog. To all my visitors, thank you! And please come back again!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Update
I'm running, running, running. Lots of things going on in my life and I'm still rearranging all the pieces.
I'm working on finding the things that make me happy and I've dropped off the blog for a little while to do that. Things are getting clearer for me, so rest assured, I'll be back later. I'm finding that this blog has a lot of potential. Just think of getting into a well-maintained car with a full tank of gas. There are so many places to go and often, with the freedom of travel, comes restraints (such as how much time and gas money you have.)
So, for now, I'm consulting the road maps, and getting ready to continue on the trips, whether they're long or short.
Stay tuned!
I'm working on finding the things that make me happy and I've dropped off the blog for a little while to do that. Things are getting clearer for me, so rest assured, I'll be back later. I'm finding that this blog has a lot of potential. Just think of getting into a well-maintained car with a full tank of gas. There are so many places to go and often, with the freedom of travel, comes restraints (such as how much time and gas money you have.)
So, for now, I'm consulting the road maps, and getting ready to continue on the trips, whether they're long or short.
Stay tuned!
Friday, August 1, 2008
Some things you just can't forget...
1. Seeing a patient for the first time and how sick they look when they come to you for rehab.
2. Seeing that same patient after discharge and they look so alive they glow.
3. Nurse Practictioner's Place talks about those two dirty words that are unforgettable.
2. Seeing that same patient after discharge and they look so alive they glow.
3. Nurse Practictioner's Place talks about those two dirty words that are unforgettable.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Nuggets for June 28
Here's today's installment of interesting items from my perusals on the internet. Enjoy!
On epidemiology (a/k/a My favorite bug)
The MRSA Bug (from Medscape Nurses blog)
How private is your curtain?
Not very if you work in a double or triple room, like I do at Madison. ERnursey talks about Patient Privacy in the ER. The British Journal of Nursing also has an abstract on the issue of patient privacy here. Another article talks about noise shielding curtains, but I have yet to see any more literature about their use.
Non-formulary (a/k/a Stuff you can't have)
On the alternative medicine front, you may enjoy two unusual posts at Hell on White Clogs for June 25 and 26. The best (or most hilarious): an order for shots (not SQ or IM) and a patient dunning letter.
On epidemiology (a/k/a My favorite bug)
The MRSA Bug (from Medscape Nurses blog)
How private is your curtain?
Not very if you work in a double or triple room, like I do at Madison. ERnursey talks about Patient Privacy in the ER. The British Journal of Nursing also has an abstract on the issue of patient privacy here. Another article talks about noise shielding curtains, but I have yet to see any more literature about their use.
Non-formulary (a/k/a Stuff you can't have)
On the alternative medicine front, you may enjoy two unusual posts at Hell on White Clogs for June 25 and 26. The best (or most hilarious): an order for shots (not SQ or IM) and a patient dunning letter.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Nuggets for June 23
Today's installment features a few important (and sometimes funny) aspects of nursing.
First of all, there's a nursing shortage. Surprise, surprise. I know a few of you are rolling your eyes as you're looking at the latest newbie RN on your floor. Nurse.com has a great article about the Versant RN residency program which is being used in various hospitals throughout the US. According to the article, RN residency programs are keeping new RN turnover levels lower than the national average.
Residency program prepares new Texas RNs (from http://www.nurse.com/)
Next, it's not the newest post she has out there, but PixelRN has a great one about nursing and the Maternal Suckling Thing. The moral of the story: Don't worry, some people just don't get nursing in today's modern hospitals. Hopefully, Flo's not spinning over this one!
After that biology lesson, head on over to Podunk Memorial for an Ode to a Node. I don't read many ECGs, but it makes me want to get the book referenced in this post.
Finally, let's look at an oldie but goodie that bears repeating. I really enjoy reading Taralynn Mackay's blogs, Information for nurses and A Nurse Attorney's Thoughts. Both blogs spotlight legal interest stories that are appropriate for nurses. Just because someone tells you, "Oh, you're a nurse, don't worry." you should. As grown-ups and nurses, our job is to know what is going on in the world and what's going on with our patients.
This post, appropriately called Why you don't want a stupid nurse really made me think. I was flabbergasted in May when I attended a symposium for new grads in an accelerated program when one of my younger, louder classmates, commented that I was stupid because I thought it was important to recognize failure to rescue. "We don't do that every day. You don't need to worry about that." Well, yes, we do Ms. Jen, yes, we do.
And that is all for today, so enjoy your goodies, folks. More later!
First of all, there's a nursing shortage. Surprise, surprise. I know a few of you are rolling your eyes as you're looking at the latest newbie RN on your floor. Nurse.com has a great article about the Versant RN residency program which is being used in various hospitals throughout the US. According to the article, RN residency programs are keeping new RN turnover levels lower than the national average.
Residency program prepares new Texas RNs (from http://www.nurse.com/)
Next, it's not the newest post she has out there, but PixelRN has a great one about nursing and the Maternal Suckling Thing. The moral of the story: Don't worry, some people just don't get nursing in today's modern hospitals. Hopefully, Flo's not spinning over this one!
After that biology lesson, head on over to Podunk Memorial for an Ode to a Node. I don't read many ECGs, but it makes me want to get the book referenced in this post.
Finally, let's look at an oldie but goodie that bears repeating. I really enjoy reading Taralynn Mackay's blogs, Information for nurses and A Nurse Attorney's Thoughts. Both blogs spotlight legal interest stories that are appropriate for nurses. Just because someone tells you, "Oh, you're a nurse, don't worry." you should. As grown-ups and nurses, our job is to know what is going on in the world and what's going on with our patients.
This post, appropriately called Why you don't want a stupid nurse really made me think. I was flabbergasted in May when I attended a symposium for new grads in an accelerated program when one of my younger, louder classmates, commented that I was stupid because I thought it was important to recognize failure to rescue. "We don't do that every day. You don't need to worry about that." Well, yes, we do Ms. Jen, yes, we do.
And that is all for today, so enjoy your goodies, folks. More later!
Monday, June 16, 2008
Nuggets for June 16
Here are a few of the latest finds from various blogs on the internet. Enjoy! Happy Monday!
Get some ed-ju-macation (or educating yourself in the blogosphere)
Spook, RN (aka Drug Pusher) talks about the vocabulary of the medical folks he found out there a while ago, called Gallows Humor.
Lost on the Floor has a link to another slang list you may enjoy, if you're looking for something in the same genre. Someone at Madison just told me about the 3H enema last week.
Although, it's not a nursing blog...
Stories of the Incredibly Stupid blog about life in the pharmacy has some really funny stories lately. My favorites are the Making it Fun series and Karma.
Get some ed-ju-macation (or educating yourself in the blogosphere)
Spook, RN (aka Drug Pusher) talks about the vocabulary of the medical folks he found out there a while ago, called Gallows Humor.
Lost on the Floor has a link to another slang list you may enjoy, if you're looking for something in the same genre. Someone at Madison just told me about the 3H enema last week.
Although, it's not a nursing blog...
Stories of the Incredibly Stupid blog about life in the pharmacy has some really funny stories lately. My favorites are the Making it Fun series and Karma.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Nuggets for June 10
Happy Birthday to my brother, AJ. (Now we're all in a row--37, 38, 39)
Here are a few goodies for the rest of you, in honor of today's birthdays and the political season.
In the news
Just in case you missed Hillary Clinton's trip to the hospital, Barack Obama shadowed a nurse in St. Louis today.
I hope no one coded on you, Senator.
After all the stories about bad tomatoes in the news lately, maybe buying local is the best thing after all.
Boosting health with local food (from www.nytimes.com)
The weird section
Monkeygirl always has something interesting, and I just about fell over when I read this one:
Life's little drain plug
It reminded me of Terry's post from earlier this year (from Counting Sheep) called Speechless.
Let them read this over your shoulder at work...
Showing the patient the door...permanently (from www.nytimes.com)
People were actually gasping behind me when they read this one over my shoulder yesterday.
It may have something to do with the fact that our docs might actually enjoy this with a couple of specific patients.
Here are a few goodies for the rest of you, in honor of today's birthdays and the political season.
In the news
Just in case you missed Hillary Clinton's trip to the hospital, Barack Obama shadowed a nurse in St. Louis today.
I hope no one coded on you, Senator.
After all the stories about bad tomatoes in the news lately, maybe buying local is the best thing after all.
Boosting health with local food (from www.nytimes.com)
The weird section
Monkeygirl always has something interesting, and I just about fell over when I read this one:
Life's little drain plug
It reminded me of Terry's post from earlier this year (from Counting Sheep) called Speechless.
Let them read this over your shoulder at work...
Showing the patient the door...permanently (from www.nytimes.com)
People were actually gasping behind me when they read this one over my shoulder yesterday.
It may have something to do with the fact that our docs might actually enjoy this with a couple of specific patients.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Nuggets for June 4
Since I've had the day off, besides cleaning gutters and doing some trimming, here are a few items of interest from my perusals on the internet. Enjoy the ride!
Even if you've already heard this...
Some moms go above and beyond. A China earthquake story about a policewoman who nursed babies who needed it.
A great Google book:
Spinal Cord Diseases: Diagnosis and Treatment, edited by Engler, Cole and Merton
On brainy topics again:
The science of sarcasm (like you care) (from http://www.nytimes.com/)
Vaccine may boost survival of brain cancer patients (from http://www.forbes.com/)
Something hubby (an old Navy nuke) will appreciate:
Nuclear cleanup could derail an experimental cancer treatment, study says (from www.nytimes.com)
Other health-related items from the internet:
A calorie counter to get to your goal weight (from http://www.nytimes.com/)
Even if you've already heard this...
Some moms go above and beyond. A China earthquake story about a policewoman who nursed babies who needed it.
A great Google book:
Spinal Cord Diseases: Diagnosis and Treatment, edited by Engler, Cole and Merton
On brainy topics again:
The science of sarcasm (like you care) (from http://www.nytimes.com/)
Vaccine may boost survival of brain cancer patients (from http://www.forbes.com/)
Something hubby (an old Navy nuke) will appreciate:
Nuclear cleanup could derail an experimental cancer treatment, study says (from www.nytimes.com)
Other health-related items from the internet:
A calorie counter to get to your goal weight (from http://www.nytimes.com/)
Monday, May 26, 2008
Memorial Day nuggets - May 26
Many many moons ago, I spent Memorial Day in Le Havre, France, searching for a drawing that turned into a project that lead to a book in my home town by a local historian. I get shivers thinking about how things were there in 1945 on the same day, just before D-day.
In honor of Memorial Day, here are some internet items that you should see:
Ambulance Drivers ode to Memorial Day
History.com has a fascinating site with recorded interviews of veterans from WWII to Vietnam, with lots of information on this holiday.
David Merchant, a Navy veteran, has lots of Memorial Day information on usmemorialday.org
In honor of Memorial Day, here are some internet items that you should see:
Ambulance Drivers ode to Memorial Day
History.com has a fascinating site with recorded interviews of veterans from WWII to Vietnam, with lots of information on this holiday.
David Merchant, a Navy veteran, has lots of Memorial Day information on usmemorialday.org
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Nuggets for May 22
Here are a few goodies I've encountered on the web recently. Enjoy!
From the strange but true category:
And you only thought nurses and medical personnel were worried about brain stem edema...
Check out this post from Photoshop Disasters.
On my mind, or maybe brain this week:
Lots of brain-y stuff in the news this week with the revelation Tuesday that Senator Ted Kennedy has a malignant glioma.
Another great article about the brain from Wednesday's New York Times:
An older brain may be a wiser brain
Second Chance to Live is a blog by Craig J. Phillips that describes how he's living with TBI.
The American Epilepsy Society is also realizing that some veterans with TBI are developing epilepsy. This page shows a bill that was sponsored in Congress last year and also has links to many resources of the Society. Check it out for more information.
Don't forget...this weekend is Memorial Day weekend (May 26 actual holiday). Remember our veterans, who have died and been injured keeping this country free for you and me.
Check out this link to the National Park Service to see various DC memorials on a map.
From the strange but true category:
And you only thought nurses and medical personnel were worried about brain stem edema...
Check out this post from Photoshop Disasters.
On my mind, or maybe brain this week:
Lots of brain-y stuff in the news this week with the revelation Tuesday that Senator Ted Kennedy has a malignant glioma.
Another great article about the brain from Wednesday's New York Times:
An older brain may be a wiser brain
Second Chance to Live is a blog by Craig J. Phillips that describes how he's living with TBI.
The American Epilepsy Society is also realizing that some veterans with TBI are developing epilepsy. This page shows a bill that was sponsored in Congress last year and also has links to many resources of the Society. Check it out for more information.
Don't forget...this weekend is Memorial Day weekend (May 26 actual holiday). Remember our veterans, who have died and been injured keeping this country free for you and me.
Check out this link to the National Park Service to see various DC memorials on a map.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Nuggets for May 16
Here are a few interesting and silly tidbits I've found on the internet and in some of my favorite blogs. Enjoy the ride!
In the rehab and sports category:
Disclaimer: I love reading the New York Times. I've been a reader since the 1980s (yes, I'm dating myself!) when I discovered it in my high school library. I'd read the Sunday Magazine from cover to cover each week.
I particularly enjoyed this story about wheelchair racers called A blur of hands, spokes and determination (from www.nytimes.com)
As a spinal cord rehab nurse, I'm always thinking about what Dr. V. used to say about wheelchair athletes and clothespins...that some athletes use them to increase their blood pressure during events.
Some fun and some sobering facts:
JustCallMeJo of Sinus Arrhythmia, an escaped from rehab to ICU nurse, has had some great posts of late. Here are two of my favorites:
The fun:
...and then there are good days (about the patients you enjoy)
The sobering:
If you haven't seen this you need to discusses medical triage and what might happen in here in a pandemic or other mass casualty situation.
For silly stuff:
In the e-mailed joke category, DisappearingJohn has a good one this week. Let's just call it...
Going to third grade.
In the rehab and sports category:
Disclaimer: I love reading the New York Times. I've been a reader since the 1980s (yes, I'm dating myself!) when I discovered it in my high school library. I'd read the Sunday Magazine from cover to cover each week.
I particularly enjoyed this story about wheelchair racers called A blur of hands, spokes and determination (from www.nytimes.com)
As a spinal cord rehab nurse, I'm always thinking about what Dr. V. used to say about wheelchair athletes and clothespins...that some athletes use them to increase their blood pressure during events.
Some fun and some sobering facts:
JustCallMeJo of Sinus Arrhythmia, an escaped from rehab to ICU nurse, has had some great posts of late. Here are two of my favorites:
The fun:
...and then there are good days (about the patients you enjoy)
The sobering:
If you haven't seen this you need to discusses medical triage and what might happen in here in a pandemic or other mass casualty situation.
For silly stuff:
In the e-mailed joke category, DisappearingJohn has a good one this week. Let's just call it...
Going to third grade.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Nuggets for May 5
Yes, it's Cinco de Mayo, folks. Sorry, no tacos, but I did find a few things of interest in the realm of the dismal science, economics, recently in my adventures in the blogosphere.
BTW I'm still waiting for my economic stimulus check. Hope you've got yours. Enjoy it, spend it, or save it, because it's yours!
Enjoy!
M.D.O.D. had this post about universal healthcare called Bar Stool Economics.
FatDoctor talks about how much fun it is to be on call in this post called Highly Paid Intern.
Yes, folks, there is even a publication called Nursing Economic$ (Yes, the dollar sign is supposed to be there).
This link to their Continuing Nursing Education articles gives you a look at some of the issues discussed in this magazine.
If this list of goodies has whetted your appetite for more economic-related material, check out this site for more links to all sorts of economic topics: http://economics.about.com/
BTW I'm still waiting for my economic stimulus check. Hope you've got yours. Enjoy it, spend it, or save it, because it's yours!
Enjoy!
M.D.O.D. had this post about universal healthcare called Bar Stool Economics.
FatDoctor talks about how much fun it is to be on call in this post called Highly Paid Intern.
Yes, folks, there is even a publication called Nursing Economic$ (Yes, the dollar sign is supposed to be there).
This link to their Continuing Nursing Education articles gives you a look at some of the issues discussed in this magazine.
If this list of goodies has whetted your appetite for more economic-related material, check out this site for more links to all sorts of economic topics: http://economics.about.com/
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Nuggets for April 27
A few finds from the blogosphere and beyond...enjoy!
I found this photo link courtesy of Snotjockeys Revisited (a RT blog). You have to see it to believe it. It is one man's last message to the world, and it is very powerful.
Angrier Nurse weighs in on the cons of being sick after her own viral illness.
Dear Nurses is by Margaret Agard is back in business (following a vacation) and the latest installment is geared to all you new grads out there, so check it out: Clinical Settings Step By Step
One of my favorite med blogs is Radiology Picture of the Day. It may not be immediately useful as a nurse on the floor, but it's very interesting and includes a detailed explanation (thank you!) of what you're seeing.
Nurse Ratched's had a lot going on over on her blog lately, and most of it, I would not want, especially that homocidal patient. Thankfully, Mom stepped in and sent this item in a post called Email from Mother: The Banister of Life. NR, may you encounter few or no splinters!
I found this photo link courtesy of Snotjockeys Revisited (a RT blog). You have to see it to believe it. It is one man's last message to the world, and it is very powerful.
Angrier Nurse weighs in on the cons of being sick after her own viral illness.
Dear Nurses is by Margaret Agard is back in business (following a vacation) and the latest installment is geared to all you new grads out there, so check it out: Clinical Settings Step By Step
One of my favorite med blogs is Radiology Picture of the Day. It may not be immediately useful as a nurse on the floor, but it's very interesting and includes a detailed explanation (thank you!) of what you're seeing.
Nurse Ratched's had a lot going on over on her blog lately, and most of it, I would not want, especially that homocidal patient. Thankfully, Mom stepped in and sent this item in a post called Email from Mother: The Banister of Life. NR, may you encounter few or no splinters!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Nuggets for April 22
Since I'm a SCI rehab nurse, I always find some of the techniques the therapists use to be pretty interesting. Many people think the PTs and OTs are using "space age" stuff with all the different equipment and materials that are available now. My favorite techniques are the ones that are incredibly simple.
At 66, he learned to sing so he could learn to talk (from www.nytimes.com)
Pet therapy is a component of many rehabilitation facilities. At Saintarama, the dogs came out on Wednesday nights, so it was always interesting to see how patients would react when they saw 4-6 dogs, big and small on the unit.
While it's not about pet therapy per se, I enjoyed this article about the Pope and cats from this past week. It just goes to prove that pets can make a difference in people's lives, even for the big guy at the Vatican.
Cat lovers appreciate soul mate in Vatican (also from www.nytimes.com)
TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) is in the news a lot lately, particularly since many members of the military are returning home with this type of injury. For the VA, it is a major research topic.
Here are a couple of links, one linked to a VA research article, and one lay article, from a family's perspective.
Feature Article: Special Journal Issue on Traumatic Brain Injury (info from www.research.va.gov)
The TBI Recovery Network is a 501(c)(3) non-profit in Carlisle, OH, started by the parents of Ashleigh, a TBI patient, and contains information they discovered on the road to her recovery.
At 66, he learned to sing so he could learn to talk (from www.nytimes.com)
Pet therapy is a component of many rehabilitation facilities. At Saintarama, the dogs came out on Wednesday nights, so it was always interesting to see how patients would react when they saw 4-6 dogs, big and small on the unit.
While it's not about pet therapy per se, I enjoyed this article about the Pope and cats from this past week. It just goes to prove that pets can make a difference in people's lives, even for the big guy at the Vatican.
Cat lovers appreciate soul mate in Vatican (also from www.nytimes.com)
TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) is in the news a lot lately, particularly since many members of the military are returning home with this type of injury. For the VA, it is a major research topic.
Here are a couple of links, one linked to a VA research article, and one lay article, from a family's perspective.
Feature Article: Special Journal Issue on Traumatic Brain Injury (info from www.research.va.gov)
The TBI Recovery Network is a 501(c)(3) non-profit in Carlisle, OH, started by the parents of Ashleigh, a TBI patient, and contains information they discovered on the road to her recovery.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Nuggets for April 12
Here are a few items of note from the internet.
WSJ Health Blog
It's billed as the "WSJ's blog on health and the business of health". As a former subscriber (and business major in another life), I really enjoy the Journal's take on this subject. There are several posts on current healthcare business topics, so go on over and check it out.
Salt 'n Pepper Nursing (from EDNurseasaurus)
An interesting take on experienced nurses sharing information for the rest of us from someone who knows.
Before Code Blue: Who's minding the patient? (from Hell on White Clogs)
This post references a http://www.msnbc.com/ article of the same name (see the article for the link) addresses one of the most common causes of death in the hospital these days--failure to rescue.
I posted a reply to this conversation that followed because I felt a little uneasy about people dissing one year or accelerated program nurses and got an interesting reply.
Phones vs. Physicians-The Showdown (from fatdoctor)
Doc, it's not just you...those rascally patients drive us nurses nuts chatting all day on the phone, too. Somedays, you just wish they'd hang up!
WSJ Health Blog
It's billed as the "WSJ's blog on health and the business of health". As a former subscriber (and business major in another life), I really enjoy the Journal's take on this subject. There are several posts on current healthcare business topics, so go on over and check it out.
Salt 'n Pepper Nursing (from EDNurseasaurus)
An interesting take on experienced nurses sharing information for the rest of us from someone who knows.
Before Code Blue: Who's minding the patient? (from Hell on White Clogs)
This post references a http://www.msnbc.com/ article of the same name (see the article for the link) addresses one of the most common causes of death in the hospital these days--failure to rescue.
I posted a reply to this conversation that followed because I felt a little uneasy about people dissing one year or accelerated program nurses and got an interesting reply.
Phones vs. Physicians-The Showdown (from fatdoctor)
Doc, it's not just you...those rascally patients drive us nurses nuts chatting all day on the phone, too. Somedays, you just wish they'd hang up!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Nuggets for April 8
Here are a few of my favorites from my recent ventures out on the 'net.
Nursing 101 (from ERNursey)
ERNursey, thank you for this post.
Don't buy liability insurance (from My 2 cents)
This is one of my favorite blogs, discussing a very important issue that, for some reason, people tend to gloss over.
Give it time (from tex at weirdnursingtales)
A good, short piece on ED nurses. I'm not there yet, either, Tex, but boy, my BS radar is gettin' pretty sharp!
Chez Recovery and Beyond (from pixelrn)
Boy, Beth, I sure feel for you...been to the IT promised land, escaped to nursing school, and now I'm wondering if I should ever go back. It's just TOO tempting!
Keeping priorities straight, even at the end (from nytimes.com)
The NY Times article about Carnegie-Mellon prof, Randy Pausch and his last lecture.
Nursing 101 (from ERNursey)
ERNursey, thank you for this post.
Don't buy liability insurance (from My 2 cents)
This is one of my favorite blogs, discussing a very important issue that, for some reason, people tend to gloss over.
Give it time (from tex at weirdnursingtales)
A good, short piece on ED nurses. I'm not there yet, either, Tex, but boy, my BS radar is gettin' pretty sharp!
Chez Recovery and Beyond (from pixelrn)
Boy, Beth, I sure feel for you...been to the IT promised land, escaped to nursing school, and now I'm wondering if I should ever go back. It's just TOO tempting!
Keeping priorities straight, even at the end (from nytimes.com)
The NY Times article about Carnegie-Mellon prof, Randy Pausch and his last lecture.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Nuggets for April 3
Here are a few goodies I've read lately from the internet and various blogs.
Doctor, did you wash your hands (from http://www.nytimes.com/)
This article discusses a study about patient questions to doctors and nurse. No, I don't mind if you ask at all.
60-plus, ripped and natural (from http://www.nytimes.com/)
This isn't your average bodybuilding article, and it brings up some really interesting points. Now, if they could just convince women to do it, not just for looks, but for the health aspects (like stronger bones, for one)
I don't like gas stations in the alternate universe very much (from drugnazi)
I really enjoyed this post, since I've had a few weird dreams like this myself.
I just couldn't pass this one up, in light of my recent dealings with car insurance companies.
see more crazy cat pics
Enjoy these goodies!
Doctor, did you wash your hands (from http://www.nytimes.com/)
This article discusses a study about patient questions to doctors and nurse. No, I don't mind if you ask at all.
60-plus, ripped and natural (from http://www.nytimes.com/)
This isn't your average bodybuilding article, and it brings up some really interesting points. Now, if they could just convince women to do it, not just for looks, but for the health aspects (like stronger bones, for one)
I don't like gas stations in the alternate universe very much (from drugnazi)
I really enjoyed this post, since I've had a few weird dreams like this myself.
I just couldn't pass this one up, in light of my recent dealings with car insurance companies.
see more crazy cat pics
Enjoy these goodies!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Nuggets for March 30
Patients driving you crazy? Some days, it seems like a really short trip. Here are a couple of goodies I've run into on the internet recently on this very subject and other interesting items. Enjoy them!
Driving your nurse crazy (from headnurse)
Things NOT to do when you go to the hospital. Sadly, I think I've encountered about 90% of these during my first year in nursing.
Failure to build rapport is not failure (from http://www.aboutanurse.com/)
May writes another one about dealing with a difficult patient.
The BON may just be the beginning (from Information for Nurses)
Taralynn Mackay provides some information on this very important item for nurses. And you thought your state BON was scary....read these!
A neighbor, a death and thoughts thereof (from digitaldoorway)
I really liked this first-person piece about a neighbor who suddenly passes away.
Driving your nurse crazy (from headnurse)
Things NOT to do when you go to the hospital. Sadly, I think I've encountered about 90% of these during my first year in nursing.
Failure to build rapport is not failure (from http://www.aboutanurse.com/)
May writes another one about dealing with a difficult patient.
The BON may just be the beginning (from Information for Nurses)
Taralynn Mackay provides some information on this very important item for nurses. And you thought your state BON was scary....read these!
A neighbor, a death and thoughts thereof (from digitaldoorway)
I really liked this first-person piece about a neighbor who suddenly passes away.
Friday, March 28, 2008
A few handy things for a new rehab nurse
Since I just realized that I'm closing in on one year as a nurse, I thought I'd share a few things for the students about to graduate who may be heading into rehab as their specialty. Your mileage may vary, but never fear...there's always room for innovation out there. Keep your eyes open!
1. Good shoes and socks.
You may have discovered this in nursing school, but if you have not, seek and find until you discover your favorite pair, and once you do, buy two pairs. Your back and your legs and the rest of your body will thank you.
I am also a disciple of Compression Socks. Some of you may think they're crazy, but I love them, since my feet feel great when I'm done with my shift. Besides, it's another way to educate your patients on wearing their TED hose. My favorite quote, "See, Bob (insert your patient name here), I've got mine on. Let's get yours ready to go."
2. Be prepared.
Just like they say in the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, it's good to be prepared. Especially when you have the patient in isolation who wants to be suctioned multiple times on your shift. I always try to keep a mental list of what my patients have in the room, so I can keep it stocked. It can get crazy, but you can do it. If your patients go to therapy, restock them while they're gone. If not, try to restock whenever you can. That extra minute of stocking can save you five when you're in a hurry.
3. Pillow cases work wonders in many situations.
This is a corollary of #2. I have used pillow cases as bibs, quick towels and as the occasional non-plastic Depend backup for a quad who had dig stim every morning but wanted a little more security when he went to therapy. They are also wonderful for use on the sliding boards (keeps the butt sliding to the commode, if you get my drift.)
4. Look, listen and learn from your peers.
Sure, you just got out of school (nursing program name here) and know lots of facts and figures, but on the floor is where the rubber hits the road. Hang back and watch first, then do. Pay attention and you will see who is doing things the RIGHT way (i.e. correctly following policy and procedure), and who is not. The older nurses on the floor may not do everything the way you think (or policy says) they should, but you can learn something from everyone. I would have never learned a better way to put a Foley in females had I not watched K. the pseudocharge at Saintarama. She was 99% on the first try with her Foleys on the floor and after watching a few times I noted some of her techniques--less lube and shorter grip.
5. The patient is the star of the show.
Yes, you'll have lots of competition in this category, especially doctors and other people demanding your time, but keep in mind that the patients on your assignment are your top priority.
When you get your assignment, they are yours until you hand them off at the end of the shift. Take care of them and give them your undivided attention while you are with them. Let them know if deviations may cause you to leave the room while you are working with them if this is feasible. Make each one feel like a million bucks whenever you can...even if you don't want to or feel horrible. That person in the room is someone's special someone, so make them feel that way when you are around, too.
6. Stay positive.
Yes, you may get into work and the sky may seem to be falling. Keep reminding yourself that you will have a good day, and you will get through whatever trouble may be cropping up here and there. You survived nursing school and have the license and skills to prove it. Use them, especially those coping skills. Just as animals sense fear, patients can pick up on crabby nurses pretty darned quickly. You'll make your patients feel better (and yourself) if you can model calm and collected behavior on the outside, even if you don't really feel too calm and collected inside!
1. Good shoes and socks.
You may have discovered this in nursing school, but if you have not, seek and find until you discover your favorite pair, and once you do, buy two pairs. Your back and your legs and the rest of your body will thank you.
I am also a disciple of Compression Socks. Some of you may think they're crazy, but I love them, since my feet feel great when I'm done with my shift. Besides, it's another way to educate your patients on wearing their TED hose. My favorite quote, "See, Bob (insert your patient name here), I've got mine on. Let's get yours ready to go."
2. Be prepared.
Just like they say in the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, it's good to be prepared. Especially when you have the patient in isolation who wants to be suctioned multiple times on your shift. I always try to keep a mental list of what my patients have in the room, so I can keep it stocked. It can get crazy, but you can do it. If your patients go to therapy, restock them while they're gone. If not, try to restock whenever you can. That extra minute of stocking can save you five when you're in a hurry.
3. Pillow cases work wonders in many situations.
This is a corollary of #2. I have used pillow cases as bibs, quick towels and as the occasional non-plastic Depend backup for a quad who had dig stim every morning but wanted a little more security when he went to therapy. They are also wonderful for use on the sliding boards (keeps the butt sliding to the commode, if you get my drift.)
4. Look, listen and learn from your peers.
Sure, you just got out of school (nursing program name here) and know lots of facts and figures, but on the floor is where the rubber hits the road. Hang back and watch first, then do. Pay attention and you will see who is doing things the RIGHT way (i.e. correctly following policy and procedure), and who is not. The older nurses on the floor may not do everything the way you think (or policy says) they should, but you can learn something from everyone. I would have never learned a better way to put a Foley in females had I not watched K. the pseudocharge at Saintarama. She was 99% on the first try with her Foleys on the floor and after watching a few times I noted some of her techniques--less lube and shorter grip.
5. The patient is the star of the show.
Yes, you'll have lots of competition in this category, especially doctors and other people demanding your time, but keep in mind that the patients on your assignment are your top priority.
When you get your assignment, they are yours until you hand them off at the end of the shift. Take care of them and give them your undivided attention while you are with them. Let them know if deviations may cause you to leave the room while you are working with them if this is feasible. Make each one feel like a million bucks whenever you can...even if you don't want to or feel horrible. That person in the room is someone's special someone, so make them feel that way when you are around, too.
6. Stay positive.
Yes, you may get into work and the sky may seem to be falling. Keep reminding yourself that you will have a good day, and you will get through whatever trouble may be cropping up here and there. You survived nursing school and have the license and skills to prove it. Use them, especially those coping skills. Just as animals sense fear, patients can pick up on crabby nurses pretty darned quickly. You'll make your patients feel better (and yourself) if you can model calm and collected behavior on the outside, even if you don't really feel too calm and collected inside!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Nuggets for March 26
Here are the latest articles of note I've read recently.
Night shift, sleep deprivation may be hazardous to health (from the LA Times)
More and more articles are discussing research into this very important issue.
High blood pressure runs in families (from Yahoo!News)
Another interesting study about hypertension.
Hospitals go automated (from kansas.com)
One hospital group's take on automation
Night shift, sleep deprivation may be hazardous to health (from the LA Times)
More and more articles are discussing research into this very important issue.
High blood pressure runs in families (from Yahoo!News)
Another interesting study about hypertension.
Hospitals go automated (from kansas.com)
One hospital group's take on automation
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Nuggets for March 20
Here are a few items of note for today:
Heparin Discovery May Point to Chinese Counterfeiting (from http://www.nytimes.com/)
I suspect I may get a few refusals to take this if people have been watching TV.
For amputees, an unlikely painkiller: Mirrors
An interesting therapy being studied to relieve phantom pain.
We take care of our own
Another installment on gratitude (and what happens when patients leave) from Podunk Memorial. Short...but sweet.
Heparin Discovery May Point to Chinese Counterfeiting (from http://www.nytimes.com/)
I suspect I may get a few refusals to take this if people have been watching TV.
For amputees, an unlikely painkiller: Mirrors
An interesting therapy being studied to relieve phantom pain.
We take care of our own
Another installment on gratitude (and what happens when patients leave) from Podunk Memorial. Short...but sweet.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
A nugget of a poem
Warning: if you have a weak stomach or are in the middle of your lunch break, come back later. Otherwise, continue, as you have been warned...
The Underside of Nursing always has an interesting ditty or two, but since some of the nursing bloggers I've been reading have been talking about bowels in one form or another lately, here's an ode to that potassium-ridding drug, Kayexalate.
Reminds me of Mr. G. Wonder how long he spent on the throne after leaving Saintarama with a going on 7 K a little over a month ago.
I'm always going to be wondering about the end of some of the stories I end up being part of as a nurse.
More later. Happy weekend all!
The Underside of Nursing always has an interesting ditty or two, but since some of the nursing bloggers I've been reading have been talking about bowels in one form or another lately, here's an ode to that potassium-ridding drug, Kayexalate.
Reminds me of Mr. G. Wonder how long he spent on the throne after leaving Saintarama with a going on 7 K a little over a month ago.
I'm always going to be wondering about the end of some of the stories I end up being part of as a nurse.
More later. Happy weekend all!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Nuggets for March 5
Here a few goodies I've encountered lately that I just have to share, because I'm that kind of gal.
If you think your day was bad category:
The Laws of Nature have been temporarily suspended... (from head-nurse.blogspot.com)
There's always something interesting going on with head-nurse, so check this out.
A minor tragedy in two acts (from gentlemansc.blogspot.com)
It's not nursing related, but some of you nursing students can appreciate this.
In the same vein, if you'd like to know what those instructors are really thinking, check out Rate Your Students, which is a snappier retort to http://www.rateyourprofessors.com/.
The trolls are on the loose at GuitarGirlRN when she discusses methadone users who try to score in the ED.
Finally, I found this article about seductive nurses from the Times online in the UK when I read this post at Nurse Ratcheds. They're both worth a read, but I really was ROFL when I saw this comment in the online story from the Times:
Oh good! I'm going in for a hip operation on my 86th birthday. I might get laid at last.
David, London, UK
If you think your day was bad category:
The Laws of Nature have been temporarily suspended... (from head-nurse.blogspot.com)
There's always something interesting going on with head-nurse, so check this out.
A minor tragedy in two acts (from gentlemansc.blogspot.com)
It's not nursing related, but some of you nursing students can appreciate this.
In the same vein, if you'd like to know what those instructors are really thinking, check out Rate Your Students, which is a snappier retort to http://www.rateyourprofessors.com/.
The trolls are on the loose at GuitarGirlRN when she discusses methadone users who try to score in the ED.
Finally, I found this article about seductive nurses from the Times online in the UK when I read this post at Nurse Ratcheds. They're both worth a read, but I really was ROFL when I saw this comment in the online story from the Times:
Oh good! I'm going in for a hip operation on my 86th birthday. I might get laid at last.
David, London, UK
Saturday, March 1, 2008
A real code and nuggets for March 1
I went back to work yesterday, just to get into the computer and get access to my timecard. Saintarama, in their infinite wisdom, doesn't make this accessible to employees from home (since that would be too logical, maybe...) After fun and excitement talking to the Kronos admin, he let me in and I downloaded my report and left down the hall. One patient, Mr. R., was in the room on the left. I talked to my manager for a little bit and told her what I had done, since I had discussed it with her on Thursday.
J and K were working and so I talked to them on the way out. Things had just quieted down from the AM therapy rush. I wished them well for the rest of the day. I even chatted with S., the secretary.
All of a sudden, the code lights flashed. This has been a regular thing on our unit, since we were blessed with all sorts of mechanical difficulties. However, this was not a drill. Apparently, Mr. R. went down and Y. the tech called for backup. Uh-oh. J and K ran down the hall. S. answered the calls and told everyone who called the code was real. She got Mr. R's chart and I saw the contingent of docs, residents and the rest of the code team go down the hall. Dr. D. was going that way, so I gave him the chart, just outside the room. He passed it on, since this patient coding, was not his. Hubby and I walked off the unit with him and I told him that I was finished at Saintarama. He was surprised, but wished me well. It turns out, he lives two blocks away from Saintarama. He knows how I feel.
After that, I came home and just surfed away. Here are a few of the interesting things I encountered yesterday, and some today. Enjoy!
Not sick, but TIRED (from aboutanurse.com)
A post that makes me tired just reading it!
An old poster with a timeless theme (at weirdnursingtales)
Thankfully, we don't see much of this bug in rehab, at least not in the ones I've worked in lately.
The Great White Hunter and the ER Nurse (from Nurse Ratched's Place)
I just love this story of bait and switch and revenge. The security part is the best.
The problem with "you" nurses (from first do no harm)
A great story from Podunk Memorial. Oh, CYA, the story of my life...
J and K were working and so I talked to them on the way out. Things had just quieted down from the AM therapy rush. I wished them well for the rest of the day. I even chatted with S., the secretary.
All of a sudden, the code lights flashed. This has been a regular thing on our unit, since we were blessed with all sorts of mechanical difficulties. However, this was not a drill. Apparently, Mr. R. went down and Y. the tech called for backup. Uh-oh. J and K ran down the hall. S. answered the calls and told everyone who called the code was real. She got Mr. R's chart and I saw the contingent of docs, residents and the rest of the code team go down the hall. Dr. D. was going that way, so I gave him the chart, just outside the room. He passed it on, since this patient coding, was not his. Hubby and I walked off the unit with him and I told him that I was finished at Saintarama. He was surprised, but wished me well. It turns out, he lives two blocks away from Saintarama. He knows how I feel.
After that, I came home and just surfed away. Here are a few of the interesting things I encountered yesterday, and some today. Enjoy!
Not sick, but TIRED (from aboutanurse.com)
A post that makes me tired just reading it!
An old poster with a timeless theme (at weirdnursingtales)
Thankfully, we don't see much of this bug in rehab, at least not in the ones I've worked in lately.
The Great White Hunter and the ER Nurse (from Nurse Ratched's Place)
I just love this story of bait and switch and revenge. The security part is the best.
The problem with "you" nurses (from first do no harm)
A great story from Podunk Memorial. Oh, CYA, the story of my life...
Friday, February 29, 2008
Nuggets for February 29
Yes, it only rolls around every four years, so I figured I may as well go celebrate.
Here are a few nuggets from the blogosphere and internet for your viewing pleasure.
Fed up (from GuitarGirlRN) Things I've thought about techs on the floor for a while...and the irritations they cause.
Scot free (from 10 out of 10)A great post on police and drinking drivers.
Here are a few nuggets from the blogosphere and internet for your viewing pleasure.
Fed up (from GuitarGirlRN) Things I've thought about techs on the floor for a while...and the irritations they cause.
Scot free (from 10 out of 10)A great post on police and drinking drivers.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Nuggets for February 23
Here are a few goodies I've found courtesy of the internet and some links in my mailbox.
Cleveland Clinic RN fired due to memoirs (from http://www.nursezone.com/)
No surprise here. I can't wait to read the book. I have been lucky so far...not too many as^&*((les inhabit our rehab unit.
An aside: I have a relative who's a specialist, who's not got the best bedside manner. We joke that his bedside manner is so bad that if he has to spend more than two minutes with a patient, he will self-destruct.
At Hotel Rehab, however, I have encountered some comical and some wonderful specialists. Comical--but not therapeutic--one nephrologist, Dr. T., was in on a weekend to visit one of our elderly dialysis patients. Patient was delusional and told Dr. T he murdered someone. Dr. T. told him he was good--as good as Johnny Corcoran and would get him off on lesser charges. Another one of our docs, Dr. G., saw my preceptor and I taking a patient to a medical unit with his isolation cart. Dr. G. knew the cart wouldn't fit on the elevator with us, so he offered to get it to the patient. We figured he'd corral someone and make them do it. Nope, Dr. G. delivered it himself to the room, just as we had unloaded the patient in his new room.
Another, Dr. B. dropped in on several patients and even took one to use the computer on the unit. Our own Dr. F. one day changed a dressing for me. He usually unravels them and leaves them for the nurses to redress, but this one day, he actually dressed it all the way.
I suspect I've been really, really lucky to have these folks around. I will miss them.
The Dangers of Unmanaged Stress (also nursezone.com)
An interesting article on what stress can do to you.
The Business of Healthcare (from http://www.nytimes.com/)
A very interesting section about healthcare and in particular, this article, Who pays for efficiency?
Family centered care (from http://www.nursesean.com/)
I had a brush with this type of behavior this week when a patient on our unit called her husband at home because her light wasn't answered fast enough. Thankfully, she's not been on my team lately!
That's so wrong (or why I really love Nurse William's posts)
I guessed this by the end of the story, but I loved it, nevertheless. Glad you're back, Nurse William! I love your stuff.
And last but not least, in the ROFL category...
Who's your Dialysis Daddy?
License Pending's take on dialysis patients...somewhere the Viagra folks have yet to go.
Cleveland Clinic RN fired due to memoirs (from http://www.nursezone.com/)
No surprise here. I can't wait to read the book. I have been lucky so far...not too many as^&*((les inhabit our rehab unit.
An aside: I have a relative who's a specialist, who's not got the best bedside manner. We joke that his bedside manner is so bad that if he has to spend more than two minutes with a patient, he will self-destruct.
At Hotel Rehab, however, I have encountered some comical and some wonderful specialists. Comical--but not therapeutic--one nephrologist, Dr. T., was in on a weekend to visit one of our elderly dialysis patients. Patient was delusional and told Dr. T he murdered someone. Dr. T. told him he was good--as good as Johnny Corcoran and would get him off on lesser charges. Another one of our docs, Dr. G., saw my preceptor and I taking a patient to a medical unit with his isolation cart. Dr. G. knew the cart wouldn't fit on the elevator with us, so he offered to get it to the patient. We figured he'd corral someone and make them do it. Nope, Dr. G. delivered it himself to the room, just as we had unloaded the patient in his new room.
Another, Dr. B. dropped in on several patients and even took one to use the computer on the unit. Our own Dr. F. one day changed a dressing for me. He usually unravels them and leaves them for the nurses to redress, but this one day, he actually dressed it all the way.
I suspect I've been really, really lucky to have these folks around. I will miss them.
The Dangers of Unmanaged Stress (also nursezone.com)
An interesting article on what stress can do to you.
The Business of Healthcare (from http://www.nytimes.com/)
A very interesting section about healthcare and in particular, this article, Who pays for efficiency?
Family centered care (from http://www.nursesean.com/)
I had a brush with this type of behavior this week when a patient on our unit called her husband at home because her light wasn't answered fast enough. Thankfully, she's not been on my team lately!
That's so wrong (or why I really love Nurse William's posts)
I guessed this by the end of the story, but I loved it, nevertheless. Glad you're back, Nurse William! I love your stuff.
And last but not least, in the ROFL category...
Who's your Dialysis Daddy?
License Pending's take on dialysis patients...somewhere the Viagra folks have yet to go.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Nuggets for February 13
It's almost Valentine's Day and here are a few subjects I'd love to talk about...and subjects some bloggers have already discussed in some interesting posts.
To the doc that rounded on my patient yesterday...
code blog's great "letter to a doc" on infection control. If only they'd all read it! Just drives me nuts!
Sayonara
May's about a nurse post on finishing your shift with a dying patient. I think about this when I leave to be gone for a couple of days.
Intimacy
I found this post at dogfoodsugar. It speaks to a lot of things I've been wondering about, including Dr. B. and his crazy relative who I took care of for a month recently.
To the doc that rounded on my patient yesterday...
code blog's great "letter to a doc" on infection control. If only they'd all read it! Just drives me nuts!
Sayonara
May's about a nurse post on finishing your shift with a dying patient. I think about this when I leave to be gone for a couple of days.
Intimacy
I found this post at dogfoodsugar. It speaks to a lot of things I've been wondering about, including Dr. B. and his crazy relative who I took care of for a month recently.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
The latest nuggets
Here are a few goodies I've found on various blogs on the 'net. Enjoy!
Help Wanted: Nurse with a Broken Heart
Mother Jones always has a good read, so check this one out. I wish I had Haldol sprinkles sometimes!
Nursing Pet Peeves
Add your own at this blog on Medscape Nurses.
Reducing injuries from moving patients
An interesting little article on moving people and how you can tone your body to do it right.
Fake it 'til you make it
A great little article on assertiveness from Everyone Needs Therapy.
Ten terrible patients
I found this link courtesy of the Information for Nurses blog. It reminds me of far too many of my recent patients.
Wiihabilitation
Forbes Magazine takes on one of the hot topics of rehab lately, use of the Nintendo Wii.
Help Wanted: Nurse with a Broken Heart
Mother Jones always has a good read, so check this one out. I wish I had Haldol sprinkles sometimes!
Nursing Pet Peeves
Add your own at this blog on Medscape Nurses.
Reducing injuries from moving patients
An interesting little article on moving people and how you can tone your body to do it right.
Fake it 'til you make it
A great little article on assertiveness from Everyone Needs Therapy.
Ten terrible patients
I found this link courtesy of the Information for Nurses blog. It reminds me of far too many of my recent patients.
Wiihabilitation
Forbes Magazine takes on one of the hot topics of rehab lately, use of the Nintendo Wii.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Nuggets for February 3rd
Since I've had some free time in between loads of laundry, here are a few choice nuggets I've read lately. Enjoy!
If you are a nurse
You'll always find a gem at Podunk Memorial. Some are oldies, but still goodies.
Die-hard sports fans face heart risks
From the NY Times, this article discusses cardiac risks for getting too charged up about your favorite team....just in time for Super Bowl. At least, they didn't do an expose on the appetizers and beverages you may eat!
Six Killers
This is a section the NY Times did in 2007 on the top six causes of death in the US. While it's not a leading health publication, there are some really good articles on these health issues, particularly the link between diabetes and heart disease.
If you are a nurse
You'll always find a gem at Podunk Memorial. Some are oldies, but still goodies.
Die-hard sports fans face heart risks
From the NY Times, this article discusses cardiac risks for getting too charged up about your favorite team....just in time for Super Bowl. At least, they didn't do an expose on the appetizers and beverages you may eat!
Six Killers
This is a section the NY Times did in 2007 on the top six causes of death in the US. While it's not a leading health publication, there are some really good articles on these health issues, particularly the link between diabetes and heart disease.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Heard on the unit...
Today's installment, actually from yesterday, is mostly patient quotes. I would have had them up sooner but I was just too tired.
One of my patients is a retired high school math teacher. Fr. V. is also hard of hearing, so this makes conversations really interesting.
Me: "Father, I heard you were a teacher, what did you teach?"
Fr. V. "Idiots."
Me: "Weren't you a math teacher, Father."
Fr. V.: "Yes, I was. I only taught the idiots. The smart ones learned all by themselves."
Even funnier thing...one of his likely students (Mr. G.--he left on Tuesday) was about two doors away. Now I'll never know if Mr. G. fell into the smart ones or the idiots on his initial high school math classes.
Fr. V. also had some spiritual distress, once I got him thinking about tests. Neuropsych had sent one of their students to do an assessment on him and he could not hear her well. As a result, I had to call the neuropsychologist on his behalf to see if they'd let him retake his exam. It should be interesting.
"That night nurse really doesn't like her job, does she?"
Mr. R. mentioned this to me as I was assessing him. He told me this nurse makes him feel very much like an inconvenience and that he's just trouble. Sure, Mr. R. gets up at 0500 to watch the news and drink his coffee, so it's not as convenient as staying in bed. Now, I make sure he has his coffee in his room whenever I get on the unit. If he doesn't, I make him some. He's fallen twice since he came to us, and he's staying until he can get his new cervical decompression next week, so we have to keep him out of trouble.
This is a sore subject for me. I hate dissing my coworkers, but some patients are very observant, and now I know why some of them actually ask their docs if I can be their nurse while they are on our unit. I never actually say anything about the coworkers, so I just let the patients vent and get their feedback. Most are very positive.
More later...gotta warm up the car and go to work. Mr. R. probably needs his coffee by now!
One of my patients is a retired high school math teacher. Fr. V. is also hard of hearing, so this makes conversations really interesting.
Me: "Father, I heard you were a teacher, what did you teach?"
Fr. V. "Idiots."
Me: "Weren't you a math teacher, Father."
Fr. V.: "Yes, I was. I only taught the idiots. The smart ones learned all by themselves."
Even funnier thing...one of his likely students (Mr. G.--he left on Tuesday) was about two doors away. Now I'll never know if Mr. G. fell into the smart ones or the idiots on his initial high school math classes.
Fr. V. also had some spiritual distress, once I got him thinking about tests. Neuropsych had sent one of their students to do an assessment on him and he could not hear her well. As a result, I had to call the neuropsychologist on his behalf to see if they'd let him retake his exam. It should be interesting.
"That night nurse really doesn't like her job, does she?"
Mr. R. mentioned this to me as I was assessing him. He told me this nurse makes him feel very much like an inconvenience and that he's just trouble. Sure, Mr. R. gets up at 0500 to watch the news and drink his coffee, so it's not as convenient as staying in bed. Now, I make sure he has his coffee in his room whenever I get on the unit. If he doesn't, I make him some. He's fallen twice since he came to us, and he's staying until he can get his new cervical decompression next week, so we have to keep him out of trouble.
This is a sore subject for me. I hate dissing my coworkers, but some patients are very observant, and now I know why some of them actually ask their docs if I can be their nurse while they are on our unit. I never actually say anything about the coworkers, so I just let the patients vent and get their feedback. Most are very positive.
More later...gotta warm up the car and go to work. Mr. R. probably needs his coffee by now!
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Nuggets for January 24
Here are a few interesting nuggets I've seen lately: in various publications:
From http://www.nytimes.com/
From http://www.nytimes.com/
- FDA requiring suicide assessment for new drug studies
- High mercury levels in tuna sushi
- Can too much cola cause kidney problems? Read this article and find out.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
The latest nuggets
Here a couple of goodies I've noticed out on the 'net lately.
In the beginning (from highlytrainedmonkey)
A pithy remake of the creation story.
Advice from CNN (from movinmeat)
Things not to do in your favorite hospital's ER.
In the beginning (from highlytrainedmonkey)
A pithy remake of the creation story.
Advice from CNN (from movinmeat)
Things not to do in your favorite hospital's ER.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Goodie to share...
Yes, I'm getting ready for work, but I just enjoyed this little story from highlytrainedmonkey too much not to share:
Alternative Job Hazards
May we all have a tech on our units like Mama J.
Alternative Job Hazards
May we all have a tech on our units like Mama J.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Nuggets for January 5, 2008
Does the FIM scoring instrument used by many rehab hospitals make you crazy? Check out these links for more information:
MedFriendly has this FAQ about FIM
FIM is the product of UDS, or Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation
NursingSpectrum has a nice short description on what rehab nurses do for students.
MedFriendly has this FAQ about FIM
FIM is the product of UDS, or Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation
NursingSpectrum has a nice short description on what rehab nurses do for students.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Did you know -- nuggets from the internet
I had what seemed to be a very easy discharge yesterday complicated by a family member with a healthcare power of attorney. Said family member was at odds with her relative over a number of things, including the date of discharge. It can get crazy to get in the middle of family strife, so here are a few things (along with the help of your case management staff and your hospital's specific policy) of interest from the internet.
I am not a lawyer, so these links come from http://www.findlaw.com/, http://www.nolo.com/ and the ABA, American Bar Association.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
What you can cover in a your health care directives
Duty of healthcare providers to honor your healthcare directives.
UPDATE: (because I forgot these this morning...)
If you want to read some interesting nurse attorney blogs, check out these two:
A Nurse Attorney's Thoughts by Taralynn Mackay of Texas
My 2 cents by LaTonia Denise Wright of Ohio
I am not a lawyer, so these links come from http://www.findlaw.com/, http://www.nolo.com/ and the ABA, American Bar Association.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
What you can cover in a your health care directives
Duty of healthcare providers to honor your healthcare directives.
UPDATE: (because I forgot these this morning...)
If you want to read some interesting nurse attorney blogs, check out these two:
A Nurse Attorney's Thoughts by Taralynn Mackay of Texas
My 2 cents by LaTonia Denise Wright of Ohio
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Heard on the unit...
"You are now part of the Saintarama service line." (corporate letter)
What does this mean? Mostly corporate mumbo jumbo that's integrating the rehab staff into the "service line" of the hospital to get better CMS funding from Medicare. Translation: none of us really know what this will mean now, but as an escaped corporate monkey, it's probably not the gift we thought Santa would bring us.
I am always suspect of nefarious things when the attached Q&A is not attached and no one can find it.
"We are under orders to keep census low due to holiday staffing issues." (administrative staff quote)
Translation: no one wants to work New Year's Eve, so can you come in for a few (maybe double shift) hours? Yes, Voldemort Staffing just keeps calling. I suspect that's what I'm going to get for Christmas...a few more calls. I'm already working too many days that week. I need a break!
BTW we would have had four admissions yesterday if we wouldn't have had an administrative issue. Think too many men and not enough shared rooms with women. We only got three assigned and only two patients had arrived by the time I left)
"Okay, I have the leg, now where's the patient?" (PT)
One of my patients needed to have his prosthesis adjusted. I got it up to the therapist and he was supposed to go up with his brother. They decided to detour to the gift shop on the way to therapy.
What does this mean? Mostly corporate mumbo jumbo that's integrating the rehab staff into the "service line" of the hospital to get better CMS funding from Medicare. Translation: none of us really know what this will mean now, but as an escaped corporate monkey, it's probably not the gift we thought Santa would bring us.
I am always suspect of nefarious things when the attached Q&A is not attached and no one can find it.
"We are under orders to keep census low due to holiday staffing issues." (administrative staff quote)
Translation: no one wants to work New Year's Eve, so can you come in for a few (maybe double shift) hours? Yes, Voldemort Staffing just keeps calling. I suspect that's what I'm going to get for Christmas...a few more calls. I'm already working too many days that week. I need a break!
BTW we would have had four admissions yesterday if we wouldn't have had an administrative issue. Think too many men and not enough shared rooms with women. We only got three assigned and only two patients had arrived by the time I left)
"Okay, I have the leg, now where's the patient?" (PT)
One of my patients needed to have his prosthesis adjusted. I got it up to the therapist and he was supposed to go up with his brother. They decided to detour to the gift shop on the way to therapy.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Nuggets for December 12
Here are a few of the lastest things I've been reading about from the 'net.
Horizontal violence
Don't know what it is? Think hazing of new nurses. Think less people working with you and taking your place when you retire. Read this interesting article from AdvanceWeb.
MRSA information
See the latest, including podcasts, from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta.
Influenza
Another helpful page from our friends at the CDC.
And finally, in the spirit of the season, something completely different...
Christmas Games
Coffee break time! All those crazy Flash-animated silly games for you to wile away your time at your PC. Pick one that looks interesting and go for it.
Horizontal violence
Don't know what it is? Think hazing of new nurses. Think less people working with you and taking your place when you retire. Read this interesting article from AdvanceWeb.
MRSA information
See the latest, including podcasts, from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta.
Influenza
Another helpful page from our friends at the CDC.
And finally, in the spirit of the season, something completely different...
Christmas Games
Coffee break time! All those crazy Flash-animated silly games for you to wile away your time at your PC. Pick one that looks interesting and go for it.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Nuggets for November 29
Here are a few interesting things I've read lately:
Nursing Reality Shock: The New Nurse Survival Guide
This one came from monster.com and suits me quite well, as a second career nurse.
Allnursingprograms.com offers a good FAQ on nursing as a second career. They also have detailed information on different types of nursing programs and what is involved in each.
DiscoverNursing.com offers a lot of information on different fields within nursing.
Nursing Reality Shock: The New Nurse Survival Guide
This one came from monster.com and suits me quite well, as a second career nurse.
Allnursingprograms.com offers a good FAQ on nursing as a second career. They also have detailed information on different types of nursing programs and what is involved in each.
DiscoverNursing.com offers a lot of information on different fields within nursing.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Nuggets for November 12
Here are a few links to my recent wanderings on the web:
Mostly True Stories has this funny look at the medical condition pica.
FloatFloorRN recounts this story about pain meds, the people that use them, and the crazy things that can happen if you get too much.
Trauma Queen asks...could you be an ambulance driver? Head on over and find out!
Mostly True Stories has this funny look at the medical condition pica.
FloatFloorRN recounts this story about pain meds, the people that use them, and the crazy things that can happen if you get too much.
Trauma Queen asks...could you be an ambulance driver? Head on over and find out!
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Nuggets for November 6
Here are a few interesting things I've read recently on the internet:
Vicks Vaporub and feet
I just had to go to Snopes and find out why the heck K. our pseudocharge was talking about this with anyone and everyone who ambled near our nurses' station the other day. As usual, she just needed something to talk about. Your mileage may vary. If you don't like this, use Eucerin Foot Cream at night. I love it!
Historic Trauma Cases
I ran into this series at AdvanceWeb by a trauma nurse. It examines famous cases of trauma and how they were treated at the time and what would happen now. Very interesting read.
I like this page from the University of South Carolina College of Nursing. Have your 'tween or teen check it out. A lot of resources in one page.
Off the 'net...read this book!
Monique and the Mango Rains by Kris Holloway. I found this book thanks to a post at atyourcervix. I'm not a L&D nurse, but I really enjoyed the story. It's short, so try it. Proceeds go to a very good cause.
Vicks Vaporub and feet
I just had to go to Snopes and find out why the heck K. our pseudocharge was talking about this with anyone and everyone who ambled near our nurses' station the other day. As usual, she just needed something to talk about. Your mileage may vary. If you don't like this, use Eucerin Foot Cream at night. I love it!
Historic Trauma Cases
I ran into this series at AdvanceWeb by a trauma nurse. It examines famous cases of trauma and how they were treated at the time and what would happen now. Very interesting read.
NursePower!
Author Donna Cardillo's links to great nursing resources.
I like this page from the University of South Carolina College of Nursing. Have your 'tween or teen check it out. A lot of resources in one page.
Off the 'net...read this book!
Monique and the Mango Rains by Kris Holloway. I found this book thanks to a post at atyourcervix. I'm not a L&D nurse, but I really enjoyed the story. It's short, so try it. Proceeds go to a very good cause.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Nuggets for October 23
Here are the latest nuggets from the internet this week:
Disaboom
This new site, launched this month and founded by an MD who has C7 tetraplegia, has a discussion board and resources for people with disabilities.
DisabilityInfo.gov
A one-stop shop for disability information from the US federal government.
National Council for Support of Disability Issues
According to their mission statement, this organization "help advance public attitudes, awareness, respect, consideration and advance the success of people with all types of disabilities."
The Able Crew
A site for kids which discusses disabilities.
NCIL.org
The home page for the National Council on Independent Living.
Disaboom
This new site, launched this month and founded by an MD who has C7 tetraplegia, has a discussion board and resources for people with disabilities.
DisabilityInfo.gov
A one-stop shop for disability information from the US federal government.
National Council for Support of Disability Issues
According to their mission statement, this organization "help advance public attitudes, awareness, respect, consideration and advance the success of people with all types of disabilities."
The Able Crew
A site for kids which discusses disabilities.
NCIL.org
The home page for the National Council on Independent Living.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Nuggets for October 18
Here are a few interesting tidbits I've encountered on the internet this week.
While I was working on my post for Wednesday I found an article written by a patient about WoundVAC therapy
Another wound therapy related site of interest: http://www.worldwidewounds.com/
Surgical Materials Testing Laboratory is a UK site which discusses a variety of issues related to wound care and products used to treat wounds.
While I was working on my post for Wednesday I found an article written by a patient about WoundVAC therapy
Another wound therapy related site of interest: http://www.worldwidewounds.com/
Surgical Materials Testing Laboratory is a UK site which discusses a variety of issues related to wound care and products used to treat wounds.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Rehab nugget
I haven't yet perused much this week for my regularly scheduled Nuggets section, but here's one I just found about what rehab doctors do. From my perspective as a rehab nurse, we are so lucky to have really good rehab docs working with us. I've never sat down and discussed how our docs ended up at Saintarama, but it sure makes me wonder. Hope you enjoy this post!
What the heck is a rehab doc? (from ValJonesMD)
What the heck is a rehab doc? (from ValJonesMD)
Thursday, October 4, 2007
From the e-mail and snail mail boxes
I usually give my e-mail newsletters a passing glance, but a couple of links in my ADVANCE for Nurses e-mail today were pretty good.
Professional vulnerability
This editorial discusses the "who can call themselves a nurse" issue. I've heard some of it before, but this is a good read nevertheless.
A clean exchange
This article discusses the fine art of the handoff. As a new nurse, this was a good article and made me think.
From the snail mail box:
I subscribe to AJN, which is a great publication if you haven't read it lately. I find at least two good articles in there every month. October's issue is no different. One of the more interesting articles this month (a CE article) discusses motivational interviewing. It's more outpatient than inpatient, but I think it has tips that are valuable, even in the inpatient setting. I also thought that the article about insulin management, Rethinking Sliding-Scale Insulin, although, geared toward ICU nurses, has great tips for the rest of us on the floors. At least, I'll have something interesting to discuss with the endocrinologist when he's on the floor next time. (We have a very, very wonderful one at Saintarama. He's the best!)
More next time...enjoy! I'm off to be computer geek for the rest of my day off, since I'm back on at the Hotel Rehab tomorrow. Ciao!
Professional vulnerability
This editorial discusses the "who can call themselves a nurse" issue. I've heard some of it before, but this is a good read nevertheless.
A clean exchange
This article discusses the fine art of the handoff. As a new nurse, this was a good article and made me think.
From the snail mail box:
I subscribe to AJN, which is a great publication if you haven't read it lately. I find at least two good articles in there every month. October's issue is no different. One of the more interesting articles this month (a CE article) discusses motivational interviewing. It's more outpatient than inpatient, but I think it has tips that are valuable, even in the inpatient setting. I also thought that the article about insulin management, Rethinking Sliding-Scale Insulin, although, geared toward ICU nurses, has great tips for the rest of us on the floors. At least, I'll have something interesting to discuss with the endocrinologist when he's on the floor next time. (We have a very, very wonderful one at Saintarama. He's the best!)
More next time...enjoy! I'm off to be computer geek for the rest of my day off, since I'm back on at the Hotel Rehab tomorrow. Ciao!
Monday, October 1, 2007
Heard on our unit...
"Remember that DNR. I've changed my mind. I want to be resuscitated."
This is what one of my patients on Saturday told the MD yesterday when he actually came in to talk to him about the DNR he wanted me to take as a verbal order. G. told me about this today. I just about fell over on that one....what?
"He's C-diff positive."
Not Mr. Z., since his results are still out, but Mr. K. my recent amputee patient won the prize (not our fault) and got his very own room. We now get to gown and glove to see him, and wash our hands each and every time we go in the room. Silence may be golden, but then again, so is C-diff.
"48 (blood sugar) is in the ballpark."
Famous words of a non-Saintarama diabetologist who only had the nurses calling him q2-4 hours re: his 19 year old IDDM patient's blood sugars. This kid came to us straight from the land of tubes and wires (ICU) with his own PRN vent.
I'd don't know about you, but I don't want to play in that ballpark, thank you very much!
"I don't like that antibiotic."
My patient, Mr. T. (yes, I took him back this week after a week of vacation from him on my team) after I gave him his Cipro two hours post corn flakes and milk. At 1020 he has emesis of about 200cc. At least, I didn't see the pill in there. The best news is that his Cipro will be over after his 2100 dose tomorrow. Note to self: give him his Cipro as soon as I can get it.
"Can I have lots of ice? I like ice."
We must have the best tasting ice on the planet, or we have some people who really love it. I heard this over and over today.
I had a pretty good day today. I had a brand new patient (another BKA) come in early enough that I was able to stay over a bit to help the evening shift. I got her assessed (found 2-4 small PUs) and set up in the room and helped J. get the care plans in the computer, since she took my team. The secretary was still around, so she helped with the rest. I still managed to get out just before 1700. Hooray.
More fun and excitement (and surely, ice) tomorrow. Stay tuned!
This is what one of my patients on Saturday told the MD yesterday when he actually came in to talk to him about the DNR he wanted me to take as a verbal order. G. told me about this today. I just about fell over on that one....what?
"He's C-diff positive."
Not Mr. Z., since his results are still out, but Mr. K. my recent amputee patient won the prize (not our fault) and got his very own room. We now get to gown and glove to see him, and wash our hands each and every time we go in the room. Silence may be golden, but then again, so is C-diff.
"48 (blood sugar) is in the ballpark."
Famous words of a non-Saintarama diabetologist who only had the nurses calling him q2-4 hours re: his 19 year old IDDM patient's blood sugars. This kid came to us straight from the land of tubes and wires (ICU) with his own PRN vent.
I'd don't know about you, but I don't want to play in that ballpark, thank you very much!
"I don't like that antibiotic."
My patient, Mr. T. (yes, I took him back this week after a week of vacation from him on my team) after I gave him his Cipro two hours post corn flakes and milk. At 1020 he has emesis of about 200cc. At least, I didn't see the pill in there. The best news is that his Cipro will be over after his 2100 dose tomorrow. Note to self: give him his Cipro as soon as I can get it.
"Can I have lots of ice? I like ice."
We must have the best tasting ice on the planet, or we have some people who really love it. I heard this over and over today.
I had a pretty good day today. I had a brand new patient (another BKA) come in early enough that I was able to stay over a bit to help the evening shift. I got her assessed (found 2-4 small PUs) and set up in the room and helped J. get the care plans in the computer, since she took my team. The secretary was still around, so she helped with the rest. I still managed to get out just before 1700. Hooray.
More fun and excitement (and surely, ice) tomorrow. Stay tuned!
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