Sometimes you just have to pass on opportunities that come your way.
I did that on a recent shift when the Slug brought his/her kids to the unit while they waited for Parent #2 to pick them up.
Tweener, the Slug's sporting child came in while I was eating and asked, "Is it fun to work with my Parent (the Slug)?" Of course, I immediately quashed the urge to jump all over that one. Kids in Tweener's age group like sarcasm, but tend to feed it right back to parents when they think it's needed, especially as a weapon. Tweener decided to regale me with the "My parent doesn't do this, is grumpy at home and sometimes mean. They say Parent is a lot of fun to work with."
I remembered my New Year's resolution to get out of the gossip and downing of others, so I had a good time using those therapeutic communication skills to extricate myself.
"Well," I said, "You know, nursing, especially here at the Hotel, can be a hard job. (Tweener shakes head) Do you want to be a nurse?"
Tweener says yes, but he/she's really interested in veterinary stuff, however, he/she's not sure about drawing blood.
"You know," I said, "You might change your mind. It's not surprising that it seems scary. It's a job we have to do, but if you're good at it, you learn how to do it without hurting anyone." Tweener nodded head in affirmation.
"I'm going to go get some pizza. See ya!"
And so another placid shift passed at the Hotel and I thanked my lucky stars, even as I scraped the springtime snow off my car.
Stay tuned...
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Slug. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Slug. Sort by date Show all posts
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Thoughts on escape
The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. ~St. Augustine
Despite my best intentions, I may have to go back to the Hotel Rehab to get some stuff before I leave for the conference with my travelling partner. Yes, I plan on being in the parking lot early AM for us to carpool, but I really didn't want to touch a computer or go inside. Nevertheless....I'll do what needs to be done. Manager asked if I could lose the Boss. Trust me...I'll try...when we're done! He/she will drive me nuts if I'm stuck with him/her for the whole thing!
This week has not been too bad. The mix of things in a day keeps me occupied. As one of my coworkers mentioned, I had an easy assignment. We also had the luxury of being fully staffed. Sometimes I think the boss does this so I can float around and help others. Many of my coworkers, when given a similar assignment, will not. They go hide in the break room or wherever they can to dodge work. In fact, I was chastised by the Slug when I dodged cleaning out the unit refrigerator when the maintenance crew came through to take care of our current one. He/she likes to comment that "I missed the real work."
Hmm...makes me wonder about his/her prioritization skills. In the same amount of time that the Slug sat glued to the table in the break room with not one, but two other nurses, I got my orientee access to the computer and we went to do a complex dressing change at the request of our charge nurse. I blew off the Slug's comment, because, yes, he/she can do some manual labor once in a while that is not nursing, even if dodging work is his/her game. I'd rather be too busy to notice.
And off I go...more updates to come. Feel free to cross your fingers, toes, light candles or invoke your religious figure of choice. Karma, good thoughts, prayers, etc., are all welcome. Gotta go ask Sr. Mary Martha if there's a patron saint for conference presenters (love the tagline of that blog, "Life is tough. But nuns are tougher."). I have never been so nervous in my life...presenting at a national conference IS a really big deal.
Stay tuned, all you readers...updates will be here first! Have a great weekend!
Despite my best intentions, I may have to go back to the Hotel Rehab to get some stuff before I leave for the conference with my travelling partner. Yes, I plan on being in the parking lot early AM for us to carpool, but I really didn't want to touch a computer or go inside. Nevertheless....I'll do what needs to be done. Manager asked if I could lose the Boss. Trust me...I'll try...when we're done! He/she will drive me nuts if I'm stuck with him/her for the whole thing!
This week has not been too bad. The mix of things in a day keeps me occupied. As one of my coworkers mentioned, I had an easy assignment. We also had the luxury of being fully staffed. Sometimes I think the boss does this so I can float around and help others. Many of my coworkers, when given a similar assignment, will not. They go hide in the break room or wherever they can to dodge work. In fact, I was chastised by the Slug when I dodged cleaning out the unit refrigerator when the maintenance crew came through to take care of our current one. He/she likes to comment that "I missed the real work."
Hmm...makes me wonder about his/her prioritization skills. In the same amount of time that the Slug sat glued to the table in the break room with not one, but two other nurses, I got my orientee access to the computer and we went to do a complex dressing change at the request of our charge nurse. I blew off the Slug's comment, because, yes, he/she can do some manual labor once in a while that is not nursing, even if dodging work is his/her game. I'd rather be too busy to notice.
And off I go...more updates to come. Feel free to cross your fingers, toes, light candles or invoke your religious figure of choice. Karma, good thoughts, prayers, etc., are all welcome. Gotta go ask Sr. Mary Martha if there's a patron saint for conference presenters (love the tagline of that blog, "Life is tough. But nuns are tougher."). I have never been so nervous in my life...presenting at a national conference IS a really big deal.
Stay tuned, all you readers...updates will be here first! Have a great weekend!
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
It was bound to happen
The natives are indeed restless at the Hotel. No one is surprised, really, that people are in such a horrific mood, but I'm getting to the point where I don't want to talk to some people anymore.
They are stressed and upset with the scheduling now that they're full-time again. Full-time on the floor is not like half-time clinic and floor. It is different.
Once the Slug found out from the new manager the way things are, he/she said the Slug will probably look for a new job. There's some news. I expect the Slug to just dig in and see what happens.
Things should be even more exciting once the holidays get here. Oh, the joy that awaits us...stay tuned!
They are stressed and upset with the scheduling now that they're full-time again. Full-time on the floor is not like half-time clinic and floor. It is different.
Once the Slug found out from the new manager the way things are, he/she said the Slug will probably look for a new job. There's some news. I expect the Slug to just dig in and see what happens.
Things should be even more exciting once the holidays get here. Oh, the joy that awaits us...stay tuned!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Mondays are fun...
The boss is away so the mice will play.
The Slug and company were at it again with their two hour lunches. If only someone cared.
One of our scatterbrained former educator nurses (we have three, so let's call him/her Scatty) griped and complained about his/her assignment. Since Mom/Dad, the nurse manager, was gone to a conference today, Scatty had no one to complain to and get the assignment changed. So what happened?
Scatty sat around when he/she could have been working. Scatty couldn't possibly get his/her patient up right away. Nope, Scatty didn't even try until NurseMom ('cause she is like everyone's mom) and I went to him/her and said we'd help. The Slug can't stand Scatty, so he/she sent minions in to find out if Scatty 'helped' get the patient out of bed. I really wanted to tell minion to tell the Slug to bugger off, but in my best customer service voice, I said, "Scatty sure did!"
For our gratitude, Scatty left the campus, practiced some retail therapy, then went to lunch. It would have been nice if Scatty would have remembered to tell someone, perhaps even the charge? Nah...not when the boss is gone!
NurseMom went to a meeting so I covered some of her stuff for our charge. My people did not want to go to bed, so they rolled around and visited with relatives.
We had some NFL types roaming around with the customary PR toadies in tow. Some interesting dilemmas...how do you get a linebacker in one of our isolation gowns? They were nice though, and the patients had fun with it all, toadies or no.
Finally, I did my stuff, got my goodies and went on my merry way. More to come...
The Slug and company were at it again with their two hour lunches. If only someone cared.
One of our scatterbrained former educator nurses (we have three, so let's call him/her Scatty) griped and complained about his/her assignment. Since Mom/Dad, the nurse manager, was gone to a conference today, Scatty had no one to complain to and get the assignment changed. So what happened?
Scatty sat around when he/she could have been working. Scatty couldn't possibly get his/her patient up right away. Nope, Scatty didn't even try until NurseMom ('cause she is like everyone's mom) and I went to him/her and said we'd help. The Slug can't stand Scatty, so he/she sent minions in to find out if Scatty 'helped' get the patient out of bed. I really wanted to tell minion to tell the Slug to bugger off, but in my best customer service voice, I said, "Scatty sure did!"
For our gratitude, Scatty left the campus, practiced some retail therapy, then went to lunch. It would have been nice if Scatty would have remembered to tell someone, perhaps even the charge? Nah...not when the boss is gone!
NurseMom went to a meeting so I covered some of her stuff for our charge. My people did not want to go to bed, so they rolled around and visited with relatives.
We had some NFL types roaming around with the customary PR toadies in tow. Some interesting dilemmas...how do you get a linebacker in one of our isolation gowns? They were nice though, and the patients had fun with it all, toadies or no.
Finally, I did my stuff, got my goodies and went on my merry way. More to come...
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Quality or not
We had the long (not awaited) meeting with our nurse manager. I like the manager, I just detest being stuck with some of my ne'er-do-well coworkers.
Our manager had the not enviable position of beginning the discussion about changes coming to our Hotel clinic and home care group. Some folks just rolled their eyes. One person was on vacation. My cohort had a migraine. I thought I would have one, too.
The Slug made a comment I'll never forget when the nurse manager talked about liking Madison since he/she "can make a difference here."
The Slug replied, "I don't want to make a difference, I just want to be."
Be lazy? He/she's got that down.
Be greedy? Absolutely, when all you're worried about when your job title is going to change in the computer to care manager (because that title usually--but not always--gets you a pay raise).
Be an idiot? Completely. But when you have YEARS of nursing experience, especially doing stupid things, it's not surprising.
Quality, caring employees might be just the Christmas gift for the Hotel this year.
Stay tuned...
Our manager had the not enviable position of beginning the discussion about changes coming to our Hotel clinic and home care group. Some folks just rolled their eyes. One person was on vacation. My cohort had a migraine. I thought I would have one, too.
The Slug made a comment I'll never forget when the nurse manager talked about liking Madison since he/she "can make a difference here."
The Slug replied, "I don't want to make a difference, I just want to be."
Be lazy? He/she's got that down.
Be greedy? Absolutely, when all you're worried about when your job title is going to change in the computer to care manager (because that title usually--but not always--gets you a pay raise).
Be an idiot? Completely. But when you have YEARS of nursing experience, especially doing stupid things, it's not surprising.
Quality, caring employees might be just the Christmas gift for the Hotel this year.
Stay tuned...
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
I feel so loved...
The latest installment of Heard on the unit...
"So and so forgot to do all my laundry." Mr. Z.
Well, Mr. Z., So and so is a new nurse, so you need to help train him/her by telling them what you need.
It really is a crisis to deprive an Irishman of his green clothes on this, St. Patty's Day...thankfully, the Hotel has green PJs for our guests. Problem solved.
"I missed you this weekend." Groovy New Nurse #1
GNN#1 missed me because he/she got stuck with the Slug, who probably spent the weekend doing one or all of the following things: 1) talking on the phone, 2) goofing off on Facebook the whole shift, or 3) doing absolutely nothing.
Yes, dear, it does suck to work with the Slug and everybody else who thinks he/she "is a great person, especially at parties." Well, kids, this ain't no party all the time...
"I don't want one of those Port-a-Cath things. They kill people." Mr. Y.
You'd think they would educate the patient on his/her access possibilities, right? Nope. We got to be the lucky stiffs to talk about what exactly a port was and how it will be used.
"Can I sit in the shower and let the water run over my head while you make my bed?" Mr. X.
Mr. X hasn't had a shower in a very long time, so he was happy to oblige while I got things ready for him.
Anything to make you happy....more later
"So and so forgot to do all my laundry." Mr. Z.
Well, Mr. Z., So and so is a new nurse, so you need to help train him/her by telling them what you need.
It really is a crisis to deprive an Irishman of his green clothes on this, St. Patty's Day...thankfully, the Hotel has green PJs for our guests. Problem solved.
"I missed you this weekend." Groovy New Nurse #1
GNN#1 missed me because he/she got stuck with the Slug, who probably spent the weekend doing one or all of the following things: 1) talking on the phone, 2) goofing off on Facebook the whole shift, or 3) doing absolutely nothing.
Yes, dear, it does suck to work with the Slug and everybody else who thinks he/she "is a great person, especially at parties." Well, kids, this ain't no party all the time...
"I don't want one of those Port-a-Cath things. They kill people." Mr. Y.
You'd think they would educate the patient on his/her access possibilities, right? Nope. We got to be the lucky stiffs to talk about what exactly a port was and how it will be used.
"Can I sit in the shower and let the water run over my head while you make my bed?" Mr. X.
Mr. X hasn't had a shower in a very long time, so he was happy to oblige while I got things ready for him.
Anything to make you happy....more later
Monday, September 28, 2009
Some things change...
And some stay the same.
The unit was pretty much same old, same old last night. Nothing particularly new and exciting.
1. The Slug is still the Slug and wouldn't know his/her backside from a hole in the ground (Dad's favorite saying...only a little spiced up!). He/she obviously didn't look out the window before swearing, "Oh, all these patients are crazy because it's a full moon." Not really, but perhaps on whatever planet he/she's on, it is!
2. Ringing the call light at the change of shift is becoming commonplace whenever I work evenings. One patient decided he needed help in less than the five minutes it would take the ongoing shift to get him situated. So what does he do? He says, "I think I'm having a heart attack. My left arm feels funny." Roommate was oblivious to all the commotion and snoring away.
Here goes the fire drill. Get vitals, get him repositioned, get out the EKG machine and call the doc on call. Nice. Thankfully, the evening charge nurse and I went down with some of the night shifters and got him all situated until the doc arrived. No other classic signs and a "I thought I'd say that so someone would come down here right away." almost merited the famous Dope Slap from the night charge nurse.
3. And finally, some people are still on evening bowel routines on our unit. Some are scarier than others. One of my patients had one which reminded me of a horror movie about tapeworms.
That is all...stay tuned for more excitement.
The unit was pretty much same old, same old last night. Nothing particularly new and exciting.
1. The Slug is still the Slug and wouldn't know his/her backside from a hole in the ground (Dad's favorite saying...only a little spiced up!). He/she obviously didn't look out the window before swearing, "Oh, all these patients are crazy because it's a full moon." Not really, but perhaps on whatever planet he/she's on, it is!
2. Ringing the call light at the change of shift is becoming commonplace whenever I work evenings. One patient decided he needed help in less than the five minutes it would take the ongoing shift to get him situated. So what does he do? He says, "I think I'm having a heart attack. My left arm feels funny." Roommate was oblivious to all the commotion and snoring away.
Here goes the fire drill. Get vitals, get him repositioned, get out the EKG machine and call the doc on call. Nice. Thankfully, the evening charge nurse and I went down with some of the night shifters and got him all situated until the doc arrived. No other classic signs and a "I thought I'd say that so someone would come down here right away." almost merited the famous Dope Slap from the night charge nurse.
3. And finally, some people are still on evening bowel routines on our unit. Some are scarier than others. One of my patients had one which reminded me of a horror movie about tapeworms.
That is all...stay tuned for more excitement.
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Why I have hope
I found out today that the Slug will retire in eight or so years at one of the retirement parties for K. K was my preceptor and definitely one of the best nurses ever.
The Slug was not allowed to be my preceptor.
Three words: Thank you God!
More to come...
The Slug was not allowed to be my preceptor.
Three words: Thank you God!
More to come...
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Wrapping up the week...
Where there is no imagination there is no horror. ~Arthur Conan Doyle, Sr.
The week is winding down and I am enjoying my training and my time on the floor.
As always, it can be a soap opera kind of world at the Hotel. Love and lust figures into the installment this week. Lovelorn housekeeper falls for the charms of one of our artistic characters and wins a transfer to another unit. No fraternization allowed, just like the military, remember?
Another one of our patients decides he may go home immediately if one person comes back. Former roommate made a pass at his significant other and he's not too darned happy. The guilty party is in another unit, but as always, misses the Hotel and will do whatever to come back to our place. Don't think it's gonna fly this time...I hope anyway.
It could be a November to remember, though. Boss decided to come in and actually talk to me, and let me know I could apply for the part-time position working in one of our clinics. This is, of course, because no one else has yet applied. Another older nurse is applying, so out of respect for him, I'm declining that "opportunity", because he'd really like it. He has a lot going for him, too--over 10 years experience and an affable manner. The Slug may apply, but ON still has a chance at one of the positions available, and I hope he gets it over the Slug, who doesn't deserve it.
Sometimes you just have to say no to one thing to enjoy another.
Back to studying and have a great weekend all.
The week is winding down and I am enjoying my training and my time on the floor.
As always, it can be a soap opera kind of world at the Hotel. Love and lust figures into the installment this week. Lovelorn housekeeper falls for the charms of one of our artistic characters and wins a transfer to another unit. No fraternization allowed, just like the military, remember?
Another one of our patients decides he may go home immediately if one person comes back. Former roommate made a pass at his significant other and he's not too darned happy. The guilty party is in another unit, but as always, misses the Hotel and will do whatever to come back to our place. Don't think it's gonna fly this time...I hope anyway.
It could be a November to remember, though. Boss decided to come in and actually talk to me, and let me know I could apply for the part-time position working in one of our clinics. This is, of course, because no one else has yet applied. Another older nurse is applying, so out of respect for him, I'm declining that "opportunity", because he'd really like it. He has a lot going for him, too--over 10 years experience and an affable manner. The Slug may apply, but ON still has a chance at one of the positions available, and I hope he gets it over the Slug, who doesn't deserve it.
Sometimes you just have to say no to one thing to enjoy another.
Back to studying and have a great weekend all.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Is it psycho Thursday again?
That was my question this morning. Oh, why, oh, why do some people insist on being complete idiots?!
Psycho #1: The crazy patient who threatened everyone earlier in his stay was getting antsy when his pain meds were wearing off. So he asked for Tylenol. Which I didn't have an order for. Which required pulling (or finding) a doctor who was rounding willing to give me a verbal.
Got that, so all is good, right? Until...
Psycho #2: One of my coworkers made a mistake and started cleaning up one of my people. All this right after I had told him, "Go back to sleep and we'll get you cleaned up at 1030ish."
For some odd reason, the Slug decided she needed to yell at me and demand that I clean up another patient of mistaken employee. "No, I'm busy. (since I was still working on the order for Psycho #1 and I had my own other patient, in addition to med delivery). You're not the charge nurse. Go tell him/her if you have a problem." The Slug just kept getting in the way. Somehow, I managed to get everything done.
Psycho #3: The dreaded patient came in, and thankfully, left without issue. Said patient provokes PTSD in some of our nurses from the abuse on his/her last visit. Many people were really, really happy they didn't have to deal with that admission at this time.
To top it all off, we got the news that JC folks are on the prowl and should be visiting our hospital soon. If I wasn't having nightmares before, I'm sure they'll start now.
Less psychosis and more fun to come...stay tuned!
Psycho #1: The crazy patient who threatened everyone earlier in his stay was getting antsy when his pain meds were wearing off. So he asked for Tylenol. Which I didn't have an order for. Which required pulling (or finding) a doctor who was rounding willing to give me a verbal.
Got that, so all is good, right? Until...
Psycho #2: One of my coworkers made a mistake and started cleaning up one of my people. All this right after I had told him, "Go back to sleep and we'll get you cleaned up at 1030ish."
For some odd reason, the Slug decided she needed to yell at me and demand that I clean up another patient of mistaken employee. "No, I'm busy. (since I was still working on the order for Psycho #1 and I had my own other patient, in addition to med delivery). You're not the charge nurse. Go tell him/her if you have a problem." The Slug just kept getting in the way. Somehow, I managed to get everything done.
Psycho #3: The dreaded patient came in, and thankfully, left without issue. Said patient provokes PTSD in some of our nurses from the abuse on his/her last visit. Many people were really, really happy they didn't have to deal with that admission at this time.
To top it all off, we got the news that JC folks are on the prowl and should be visiting our hospital soon. If I wasn't having nightmares before, I'm sure they'll start now.
Less psychosis and more fun to come...stay tuned!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Grumpy
Hey, at least my day did not start out like Doc Grumpy's did today!
I'm still perturbed. Let's see what can I rant about? Maybe teamwork? One of our Gen Y-er nurses decided to use the "get out early card" recently and so she practiced by slacking all the way up to the last hour, chatting and texting her hookup/boyfriend/male of the evening during the entire shift....when she didn't stop to do puzzles. The Slug would be proud of this protege. (Happily, the Slug had the evening off).
The boss is a jerk. How many days until he/she leaves? Word on the street is that the new unit he/she is going to has a lot of problems, just like ours. He/she should feel at home. Maybe he/she can take 1-2 of the malingerers who called in sick recently on the night shift. We can only hope...for a better boss, and, as my favorite charge nurse said so eloquently, "a fair one." Yes, indeedy!
One of our favorite nurses, who lives in Far Far Out Township, lost a parent recently. Know how we found out? Not from our boss, but from a guy who came to our unit who used to work with us. FN's parent has already been buried. FN used to always work my shift and frankly, I was perturbed. Guess I will get a condolence card and bring it in to work for the rest of us peons who weren't in the "in crowd" and thus did not know ahead of time.
I've ranted enough for now, since I'm going back to bed, just in case I end up with the short end of the stick tonight and end up on a double shift.
Stay tuned...
I'm still perturbed. Let's see what can I rant about? Maybe teamwork? One of our Gen Y-er nurses decided to use the "get out early card" recently and so she practiced by slacking all the way up to the last hour, chatting and texting her hookup/boyfriend/male of the evening during the entire shift....when she didn't stop to do puzzles. The Slug would be proud of this protege. (Happily, the Slug had the evening off).
The boss is a jerk. How many days until he/she leaves? Word on the street is that the new unit he/she is going to has a lot of problems, just like ours. He/she should feel at home. Maybe he/she can take 1-2 of the malingerers who called in sick recently on the night shift. We can only hope...for a better boss, and, as my favorite charge nurse said so eloquently, "a fair one." Yes, indeedy!
One of our favorite nurses, who lives in Far Far Out Township, lost a parent recently. Know how we found out? Not from our boss, but from a guy who came to our unit who used to work with us. FN's parent has already been buried. FN used to always work my shift and frankly, I was perturbed. Guess I will get a condolence card and bring it in to work for the rest of us peons who weren't in the "in crowd" and thus did not know ahead of time.
I've ranted enough for now, since I'm going back to bed, just in case I end up with the short end of the stick tonight and end up on a double shift.
Stay tuned...
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
What not to do as a nurse: Fall edition 2015
Yes, the quarterly Board of Nursing newsletter just showed up in my mailbox, and as usual, it contains some pretty interesting stuff.
For all you newbies (or even not so newbies), make sure you don't do any of these at work.
1. Practice without a license.
I was quite surprised at the number of folks listed in this section this time. Remember: you have to pay up at whatever interval your state requires to be legal.
2. Create documentation discrepancies
Time and time again, there were multiple examples in this issue. My personal favorite was the nurse who charted a skin assessment (multiple times) even when she didn't work.
In particular, if you are in home health, and this happens, they may call into question that you ever visited your client. In fact, if they pay you and you lied about your charting, they may ask for the money back (this happened.)
Moral of the story: as the old nursing saying goes: If it wasn't charted, it wasn't done, really does apply. Other folks really do read your notes: risk managers, quality managers, and even some patients.
3. Inappropriately use your medical record access
No, it didn't involve any celebrities, but please follow your organization's policy on medical record access. This nurse, who had been counseled before re: this issue, decided to look up about 20+ other folks just for the heck of it, and got dinged.
Rule of thumb: if you're not taking care of this person (or you are not evaluating them for a program, etc., as part of your job), do not read their medical record.
4. Forget to be careful in the OR
This was one I haven't seen in a long time, but if you are sending patients to the OR, make sure you send the right patient to the right OR suite. Screwing that up can cause lots of time to be wasted and trouble (in the form of lapsed safety). Identifying your patients really is a big deal.
Also, if your job includes sending specimens to pathology, please do it.
5. Forget to double check those safety devices
One nurse was dinged because he/she did not verify that a fall risk patient really had his bed alarm turned on. Said patient then escaped to the floor.
Yes, some people may fall no matter what you do, but you, as a professional, need to document and be responsible for these folks.
6. Take off without giving report
The stories I could tell about the Slug and this issue...said nurse did not inform appropriate staff that he/she was leaving for the day after lunch, and consequently, left people in a lurch. Thankfully, no one was hurt.
And finally...
7. Don't self-medicate and go to work impaired
Unfortunately, there were several incidents of this in this newsletter. One person actually used his/her own prescribed medication inappropriately and was sent home due to impairment.
Also, treating yourself with propofol for pain relief is also contraindicated. If you are in a lot of pain, it may be time to see a pain specialist.
Stay tuned for our next edition.
For all you newbies (or even not so newbies), make sure you don't do any of these at work.
1. Practice without a license.
I was quite surprised at the number of folks listed in this section this time. Remember: you have to pay up at whatever interval your state requires to be legal.
2. Create documentation discrepancies
Time and time again, there were multiple examples in this issue. My personal favorite was the nurse who charted a skin assessment (multiple times) even when she didn't work.
In particular, if you are in home health, and this happens, they may call into question that you ever visited your client. In fact, if they pay you and you lied about your charting, they may ask for the money back (this happened.)
Moral of the story: as the old nursing saying goes: If it wasn't charted, it wasn't done, really does apply. Other folks really do read your notes: risk managers, quality managers, and even some patients.
3. Inappropriately use your medical record access
No, it didn't involve any celebrities, but please follow your organization's policy on medical record access. This nurse, who had been counseled before re: this issue, decided to look up about 20+ other folks just for the heck of it, and got dinged.
Rule of thumb: if you're not taking care of this person (or you are not evaluating them for a program, etc., as part of your job), do not read their medical record.
4. Forget to be careful in the OR
This was one I haven't seen in a long time, but if you are sending patients to the OR, make sure you send the right patient to the right OR suite. Screwing that up can cause lots of time to be wasted and trouble (in the form of lapsed safety). Identifying your patients really is a big deal.
Also, if your job includes sending specimens to pathology, please do it.
5. Forget to double check those safety devices
One nurse was dinged because he/she did not verify that a fall risk patient really had his bed alarm turned on. Said patient then escaped to the floor.
Yes, some people may fall no matter what you do, but you, as a professional, need to document and be responsible for these folks.
6. Take off without giving report
The stories I could tell about the Slug and this issue...said nurse did not inform appropriate staff that he/she was leaving for the day after lunch, and consequently, left people in a lurch. Thankfully, no one was hurt.
And finally...
7. Don't self-medicate and go to work impaired
Unfortunately, there were several incidents of this in this newsletter. One person actually used his/her own prescribed medication inappropriately and was sent home due to impairment.
Also, treating yourself with propofol for pain relief is also contraindicated. If you are in a lot of pain, it may be time to see a pain specialist.
Stay tuned for our next edition.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Need a resolution for 2012?
I looked at what my previous resolutions were (yes, I keep track right here on ye olde blog) and surprisingly, the Resolution Randomizer was still active and so I gave it a whirl.
Why make up resolutions you won't keep? I might get something that could stick. Here's what I got.
I, RehabRN, hereby resolve to...
Never try drinking coffee in the refrigerator.
(No chance, I left Mickey D's lifetimes ago...)
Try to avoid thinking in front of my boss.
(I already do this one...although I'm a horrendous poker face as Mitch, my training cohort, tells me)
Talk about sharing absurd stories in my car.
(Another tough one...what will I do on that car trip through New Mexico this year?)
Justify my love of eating breakfast with my family.
(Bubba loves breakfast, so this is a slam dunk!)
Abstain from managing my money in the office.
(I usually do this at home, anyway. One I can actually do!)
Finally stop hiding staplers in the break room.
(Now EVERYONE knows...ugh!)
Stop kissing butt in the morning.
(Check. Even better reason to be surly to the Slug!)
Finally stop thinking in the bathroom.
(Not sure this will ever happen...remember me and Winston from that bathroom reading post?)
Consider singing Neil Diamond outside.
(Great! Now Sweet Caroline keeps going through my head…)
I'm ready, Twenty twelve. Come on down!
And for all my people in the Hotel (and every other hospital) I pray that all your patients be wonderful today and sleep at the right times.
See you next year, friends.
Why make up resolutions you won't keep? I might get something that could stick. Here's what I got.
I, RehabRN, hereby resolve to...
Never try drinking coffee in the refrigerator.
(No chance, I left Mickey D's lifetimes ago...)
Try to avoid thinking in front of my boss.
(I already do this one...although I'm a horrendous poker face as Mitch, my training cohort, tells me)
Talk about sharing absurd stories in my car.
(Another tough one...what will I do on that car trip through New Mexico this year?)
Justify my love of eating breakfast with my family.
(Bubba loves breakfast, so this is a slam dunk!)
Abstain from managing my money in the office.
(I usually do this at home, anyway. One I can actually do!)
Finally stop hiding staplers in the break room.
(Now EVERYONE knows...ugh!)
Stop kissing butt in the morning.
(Check. Even better reason to be surly to the Slug!)
Finally stop thinking in the bathroom.
(Not sure this will ever happen...remember me and Winston from that bathroom reading post?)
Consider singing Neil Diamond outside.
(Great! Now Sweet Caroline keeps going through my head…)
I'm ready, Twenty twelve. Come on down!
And for all my people in the Hotel (and every other hospital) I pray that all your patients be wonderful today and sleep at the right times.
See you next year, friends.
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Six kinds of crazy
1. You don't get enough sleep, then have to go to work. Ugh!
2. Your procrastinating husband decides to empty a storage locker on the day before the rent on it is due. You're required to come along to haul back all thec#$p, er, stuff.
3. You find your lunch in the office fridge after it had been there too long.
4. People who really need to read e-mails don't do it. Thankfully, that read receipt thing on your e-mail system allows you to prove to the manager, that, yes, indeed, the Slug may have heard you, but you have no idea if he/she comprehended, since there's no proof he/she can read.
5. Your colleagues elsewhere in the Hotel ask "Why So and So doesn't do this/that anymore?" Hmm...ask So and So maybe?
6. You schedule a patient to see a specialist, as part of your role as a care coordinator in your hospital system. Right after you schedule the patient, the patient's attending MD finds you to tell you he/she's already going for a procedure, so can the specialist see him/her while he/she's there? Panic ensues. You calmly make three phone calls and get a plan together. Finally, you get the details done and get to go home.
And that ends your six kinds of crazy day. More excitement for another day. Enjoy yours wherever you are!
2. Your procrastinating husband decides to empty a storage locker on the day before the rent on it is due. You're required to come along to haul back all the
3. You find your lunch in the office fridge after it had been there too long.
4. People who really need to read e-mails don't do it. Thankfully, that read receipt thing on your e-mail system allows you to prove to the manager, that, yes, indeed, the Slug may have heard you, but you have no idea if he/she comprehended, since there's no proof he/she can read.
5. Your colleagues elsewhere in the Hotel ask "Why So and So doesn't do this/that anymore?" Hmm...ask So and So maybe?
6. You schedule a patient to see a specialist, as part of your role as a care coordinator in your hospital system. Right after you schedule the patient, the patient's attending MD finds you to tell you he/she's already going for a procedure, so can the specialist see him/her while he/she's there? Panic ensues. You calmly make three phone calls and get a plan together. Finally, you get the details done and get to go home.
And that ends your six kinds of crazy day. More excitement for another day. Enjoy yours wherever you are!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Crazy, crazy day
I ran and ran again today, but at least, things were a little calmer than yesterday. Some people remembered that I helped them out a lot, so they helped me on a couple of things. It was nice. We had two call-ins, so the boss called one of our night people who was off and she came in pronto. I was happy because she took one of my assigned people, so I only had two patients and the med cart.
The Slug was in and she was slacking away as usual. She had to do one admission, but after that, when the boss left for his meeting, she took her 2 hour lunch while the rest of us scrambled to set up and/or feed our people who needed it. She does not get it that the time you take to run to X sandwich shop on your lunch hour is part of your lunch hour (which isn't really an hour--it's just 30 minutes).
Nope, she takes that time (anywhere from 15-30 minutes) and doesn't count it when she comes back and sits on her derriere. She started eating at 1215, and I ate my sandwich, and she didn't leave the lunch room until 1345. This did not include the time it took her to go get her lunch. This was just the time I observed. Management looks the other way.
Besides that, I just pray I work a shift that she doesn't because I get tired of these antics and all the "emergency" calls she gets. One of her callers actually sounded indignant today because I told him she was at lunch. "Well can't you just go get her?" "Well, no. I'm busy taking care of patients." I told him. (I was getting ready to give some meds and the secretary was at lunch. No one else was in sight.) I put the idiot on hold and I overhead paged her, even though I knew exactly where she was. I figured she needed the exercise to walk over to the phone, and I could go do something else.
I had my same two patients as yesterday. Mr. S. needed a new Foley (a special one at that--16 FR with 30cc balloon Coude) and I put it in as soon as it arrived on the unit. We change indwelling catheters once a month and then, per policy, we send a UA and C&S to the lab when we're done.
Mr. S. was supposed to get a loaner wheelchair so he could get up, but the PT couldn't get his configured right away because she was too busy. Mr. S. was very understanding, though. His neighbor, Mr. HIJ #1, who recently moved to this room since he got a special bed, was as demanding as ever, but I kept him relatively quiet. He wanted me to get him a soda, but he got distracted doing some crafts, so he didn't even worry about it.
I ran back and forth giving the meds on the last run, which at 1600 really isn't too bad. People were streaming in and out of the latest group meeting in our main gathering area, so I had to chase some of them. I got everything straightened up and passed on to C., who was taking my med cart. I got out of there as fast as my legs could carry me without running. P and I walked out the door as a camera crew was coming in to film a story. P. told me, "Stay here long enough and you'll be on TV, too! I've been on one show already. With those powder puffs, I felt like Oprah!"
Even though, it was gray and cloudy, it was good to escape. Off tomorrow and back to evenings on Thursday...stay tuned.
The Slug was in and she was slacking away as usual. She had to do one admission, but after that, when the boss left for his meeting, she took her 2 hour lunch while the rest of us scrambled to set up and/or feed our people who needed it. She does not get it that the time you take to run to X sandwich shop on your lunch hour is part of your lunch hour (which isn't really an hour--it's just 30 minutes).
Nope, she takes that time (anywhere from 15-30 minutes) and doesn't count it when she comes back and sits on her derriere. She started eating at 1215, and I ate my sandwich, and she didn't leave the lunch room until 1345. This did not include the time it took her to go get her lunch. This was just the time I observed. Management looks the other way.
Besides that, I just pray I work a shift that she doesn't because I get tired of these antics and all the "emergency" calls she gets. One of her callers actually sounded indignant today because I told him she was at lunch. "Well can't you just go get her?" "Well, no. I'm busy taking care of patients." I told him. (I was getting ready to give some meds and the secretary was at lunch. No one else was in sight.) I put the idiot on hold and I overhead paged her, even though I knew exactly where she was. I figured she needed the exercise to walk over to the phone, and I could go do something else.
I had my same two patients as yesterday. Mr. S. needed a new Foley (a special one at that--16 FR with 30cc balloon Coude) and I put it in as soon as it arrived on the unit. We change indwelling catheters once a month and then, per policy, we send a UA and C&S to the lab when we're done.
Mr. S. was supposed to get a loaner wheelchair so he could get up, but the PT couldn't get his configured right away because she was too busy. Mr. S. was very understanding, though. His neighbor, Mr. HIJ #1, who recently moved to this room since he got a special bed, was as demanding as ever, but I kept him relatively quiet. He wanted me to get him a soda, but he got distracted doing some crafts, so he didn't even worry about it.
I ran back and forth giving the meds on the last run, which at 1600 really isn't too bad. People were streaming in and out of the latest group meeting in our main gathering area, so I had to chase some of them. I got everything straightened up and passed on to C., who was taking my med cart. I got out of there as fast as my legs could carry me without running. P and I walked out the door as a camera crew was coming in to film a story. P. told me, "Stay here long enough and you'll be on TV, too! I've been on one show already. With those powder puffs, I felt like Oprah!"
Even though, it was gray and cloudy, it was good to escape. Off tomorrow and back to evenings on Thursday...stay tuned.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Craziness part 3
My life:
Less staff for holiday, some patients on one-to-one, which makes staffing even worse. The Slug with a serious attitude problem. And of course, my techs ain't happy, either.
I thought about disposing a colostomy bag in a very inappropriate place as retaliation...like in his/her trunk. The weather's been just right, so it would ripen quickly enough.
This holiday surely is no holiday. The patients for the most part are good. Mr. Pain, though, is still a pain. They can't get his meds regulated. It is a crying shame.
So glad I've got a grad school countdown going to keep me occupied!
More later.
Less staff for holiday, some patients on one-to-one, which makes staffing even worse. The Slug with a serious attitude problem. And of course, my techs ain't happy, either.
I thought about disposing a colostomy bag in a very inappropriate place as retaliation...like in his/her trunk. The weather's been just right, so it would ripen quickly enough.
This holiday surely is no holiday. The patients for the most part are good. Mr. Pain, though, is still a pain. They can't get his meds regulated. It is a crying shame.
So glad I've got a grad school countdown going to keep me occupied!
More later.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Pick and choose
That pretty much describes my day, or at least the attitude of most of my patients. Two out of three could get up and go in their wheelchairs and both of them opted out. One didn't get ready until just before lunch appeared on the unit.
The tasks of the day weren't terrible--Foley replacement, WoundVAC dressing and managing ileostomies and colostomies. The Slug did get on my nerves a couple of times, but I managed to hide my irritation, since that would just be something she'd enjoy.
Education showed up and we had an impromptu in-service on flushing and drawing blood from central lines. I learned that our facility actually marks the lumens proximal and distal on our central lines. We don't have too many in rehab, since we mostly have folks with PICC lines.
I helped a couple of other nurses on the unit get their people up and out of bed. I try to do this with at least one person a day because I never know when I'll need help doing the same thing. Since none of my people got up, I just rounded and turned people. One of the other nurses, A., set up two of my patients for lunch, so that worked well for me. I fed Mr. I'm going home next week. He's happy to know he's getting out before Christmas.
Two patients left today and none were admitted, so it was relatively peaceful. One patient got to be bed bingoed to another room since he tested positive for MRSA in the nares. It worked out okay since Mr. W. was being discharged and his room, right across the hall, was a MRSA isolation room. Mr. Hogg (not his real name) in the Clinitron didn't mind at all, since he'll have a new roomie who likes to stay up late at night just like he does. I like Mr. Hogg. He's funny and is another artist on our unit. He draws cartoons that are downright hysterical, particularly of staff and the occasional nursing student. One of the characters he drew recently had a cleft chin that reminded me of Hank from the Family Guy.
I finished my paperwork and got to check out some of our VIP patient's photos from his ceremony last week. They were really good and the organizers even had a book made to commemorate the occasion. I'm sure he'll never forget it!
After that, it was time to get my coat and go home. More tomorrow.
The tasks of the day weren't terrible--Foley replacement, WoundVAC dressing and managing ileostomies and colostomies. The Slug did get on my nerves a couple of times, but I managed to hide my irritation, since that would just be something she'd enjoy.
Education showed up and we had an impromptu in-service on flushing and drawing blood from central lines. I learned that our facility actually marks the lumens proximal and distal on our central lines. We don't have too many in rehab, since we mostly have folks with PICC lines.
I helped a couple of other nurses on the unit get their people up and out of bed. I try to do this with at least one person a day because I never know when I'll need help doing the same thing. Since none of my people got up, I just rounded and turned people. One of the other nurses, A., set up two of my patients for lunch, so that worked well for me. I fed Mr. I'm going home next week. He's happy to know he's getting out before Christmas.
Two patients left today and none were admitted, so it was relatively peaceful. One patient got to be bed bingoed to another room since he tested positive for MRSA in the nares. It worked out okay since Mr. W. was being discharged and his room, right across the hall, was a MRSA isolation room. Mr. Hogg (not his real name) in the Clinitron didn't mind at all, since he'll have a new roomie who likes to stay up late at night just like he does. I like Mr. Hogg. He's funny and is another artist on our unit. He draws cartoons that are downright hysterical, particularly of staff and the occasional nursing student. One of the characters he drew recently had a cleft chin that reminded me of Hank from the Family Guy.
I finished my paperwork and got to check out some of our VIP patient's photos from his ceremony last week. They were really good and the organizers even had a book made to commemorate the occasion. I'm sure he'll never forget it!
After that, it was time to get my coat and go home. More tomorrow.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Amen, brother
"If you're quiet, you're not living. You've got to be noisy and colorful and lively."
--Mel Brooks, American filmmaker
Life is too short to be boring, as more than a couple of my patients told me today. I ran onto the unit at the Hotel and I was surrounded by a couple of long-timers, who kept asking me to come back.
This continues to irritate the Slug, much to my great amusement. New Manager is really surprised, but also overwhelmed. It should be interesting to see what happens during his/her first year. I just hope we all make it! He/she has no idea what's going on.
Stay tuned. I plan on being noisy and colorful and lively on a regular basis...just because it irritates some people.
--Mel Brooks, American filmmaker
Life is too short to be boring, as more than a couple of my patients told me today. I ran onto the unit at the Hotel and I was surrounded by a couple of long-timers, who kept asking me to come back.
This continues to irritate the Slug, much to my great amusement. New Manager is really surprised, but also overwhelmed. It should be interesting to see what happens during his/her first year. I just hope we all make it! He/she has no idea what's going on.
Stay tuned. I plan on being noisy and colorful and lively on a regular basis...just because it irritates some people.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
A little dys-functionality
Ah, nothing like a few dysfunctional people in your life. That was the week that was for me at work.
Version 1: Patient gets discharged and finds out how really dysfunctional his/her family is. What a great epiphany for you, just getting out of the hospital! Nothing new for us...we've seen it all along. If the signs were any bigger, they would have been billboards.
Version 2: The Slug, who's been a thorn in my side the last few days, got smacked with some karmic retribution...ah! And did she look like an idiot! The plus side: I didn't have to do a thing...she did it all by herself!
Version 3: The ECU that sets off the call light...all night. I swear I have that routine and the sounds in my nightmares, because this patient refused to have the straw away from his/her mouth at night. "Nurse call, television, turn on, turn off...." over and over as they slept. Said patient finally got the discharge trip back to their neck of the woods and boy, were they excited...and so were we! It was so quiet once they were gone. To think it hasn't been that quiet in months!
And with that, I'm taking my leave for a week or so. It's the first big chunk of time I've had off since I was back in nursing school. I'm so happy I'll be puttering around the homestead and going with Dahey and Bubba wherever the spirit moves us. Staycation sounds so idiotic, but we will be staying around the homestead for this vacation. No new news from the Hotel Rehab, just from Vacationland wherever we are. No alarm clocks, no worries!
Have a great week all...and Happy St. Patrick's Day to all of our Irish (everyday and for a day, too) friends. I'll be raising a glass (or two) in your honor with my corned beef!
Irish Saint Patrick's Day Toasts
Saint Patrick was a gentleman,
Who through strategy and stealth,
Drove all the snakes from Ireland,
Here’s a toasting to his health.
But not too many toastings
Lest you lose yourself and then
Forget the good Saint Patrick
And see all those snakes again.
'Beannachtam na Feile Padraig!'
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Version 1: Patient gets discharged and finds out how really dysfunctional his/her family is. What a great epiphany for you, just getting out of the hospital! Nothing new for us...we've seen it all along. If the signs were any bigger, they would have been billboards.
Version 2: The Slug, who's been a thorn in my side the last few days, got smacked with some karmic retribution...ah! And did she look like an idiot! The plus side: I didn't have to do a thing...she did it all by herself!
Version 3: The ECU that sets off the call light...all night. I swear I have that routine and the sounds in my nightmares, because this patient refused to have the straw away from his/her mouth at night. "Nurse call, television, turn on, turn off...." over and over as they slept. Said patient finally got the discharge trip back to their neck of the woods and boy, were they excited...and so were we! It was so quiet once they were gone. To think it hasn't been that quiet in months!
And with that, I'm taking my leave for a week or so. It's the first big chunk of time I've had off since I was back in nursing school. I'm so happy I'll be puttering around the homestead and going with Dahey and Bubba wherever the spirit moves us. Staycation sounds so idiotic, but we will be staying around the homestead for this vacation. No new news from the Hotel Rehab, just from Vacationland wherever we are. No alarm clocks, no worries!
Have a great week all...and Happy St. Patrick's Day to all of our Irish (everyday and for a day, too) friends. I'll be raising a glass (or two) in your honor with my corned beef!
Irish Saint Patrick's Day Toasts
Saint Patrick was a gentleman,
Who through strategy and stealth,
Drove all the snakes from Ireland,
Here’s a toasting to his health.
But not too many toastings
Lest you lose yourself and then
Forget the good Saint Patrick
And see all those snakes again.
'Beannachtam na Feile Padraig!'
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Monday, March 1, 2010
So glad it's Monday...
And the crazy full moon weekend is over. Being in charge ain't all it's cracked up to be!
My shift in the hot seat included:
1. Assigning all the patients. The Slug was in charge before me on the previous shifts, and lo and behold, one patient went unassigned. Granted, said patient is easy to care for (little to do on our shift) but it really looks bad if you forget to give him/her a nurse.
2. Avoiding mutiny in the ranks. Another installment of "he said, she said, I wanted OT and didn't get it." My advice: communicate. Said nurses could have and would have avoided the whole drama thing if they just would have talked to the people they needed to.
No, it's just too easy to be passive aggressive and yell at your co-workers...
3. Dealing with a patient who thought chest pain is no big deal. The joy of all the tests, time spent on the phone, with the on-call doc, with the patient's regular doc, the supervisor, the pharmacy. I really miss my phone headset on those days.
4. Blood pressure issues and a patient who doesn't want to go home. He/she is mad at the world and I was the lucky target. Finally, we got everything under control...at least for the oncoming shift.
And blissfully, every single person showed up before I was ready to leave the building, so I was not forced to stay and work a double. I am always so, so happy to go home.
More to come...
My shift in the hot seat included:
1. Assigning all the patients. The Slug was in charge before me on the previous shifts, and lo and behold, one patient went unassigned. Granted, said patient is easy to care for (little to do on our shift) but it really looks bad if you forget to give him/her a nurse.
2. Avoiding mutiny in the ranks. Another installment of "he said, she said, I wanted OT and didn't get it." My advice: communicate. Said nurses could have and would have avoided the whole drama thing if they just would have talked to the people they needed to.
No, it's just too easy to be passive aggressive and yell at your co-workers...
3. Dealing with a patient who thought chest pain is no big deal. The joy of all the tests, time spent on the phone, with the on-call doc, with the patient's regular doc, the supervisor, the pharmacy. I really miss my phone headset on those days.
4. Blood pressure issues and a patient who doesn't want to go home. He/she is mad at the world and I was the lucky target. Finally, we got everything under control...at least for the oncoming shift.
And blissfully, every single person showed up before I was ready to leave the building, so I was not forced to stay and work a double. I am always so, so happy to go home.
More to come...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)