3 am fixer uppers

This topic was suggested by a friend!

Don't you just hate it when you have your last assessment charted, vital signs complete and morning meds ready to be given so u can just give report and leave and then bam u have an admission coming because decided they been having chest pain for 2 weeks and at 3 am it's time to go to the ER!

Maybe they never heard of going to the doctor's office or stopping by the clinic to get checked out! Maybe they stopped by after leaving the club and said "hey now is a good time to check on that chest pain!" I just don't get it. The ER is for "emergencies" not a convenient 24 hour doctor visit! Utilize your physician and clinics for the non-emergent treatments and stop wasting the ER resources for your convenience. And you wonder why the average wait time is 5 hours lol.

This is Foxxy and that's just the way I see it!

Are you done yet?

As nurses we have to understand that everyone's job is important. It really bothers me when we interrupt or delay someone else's job. If your patient needs to go for an xray, dopplar study or any other procedure,you don't need to do a complete assessment, vital signs and give your medications before they leave. This holds up the person transporting the patient and also delays their diagnostic testing or procedure. If the nurse's aide or patient care assistant is in the middle of giving your patient a bath, don't interrupt to take your vitals or give their meds. You can wait till they are done but if you are in that big of a hurry, help do the bath to speed up the process!

We have nurses who think their duties are more important than the next persons. In some aspect this is true but you also have to realize if it isn't an emergency it can wait.

This is Foxxy and that's just the way I see it! If you agree or disagree let me know how you see it!

Do Not Resuscitate

I know death is never easy especially for immediate family but I believe it is necessary to respect the patient's wishes. Recently we had a patient who was dying of lung cancer and decided he wanted to be a DNR because he was tired of the battle. On the last day of his battle the wife was very upset and wanted the doctor to undo the DNR but was unsuccessful because the doctor told her she had to respect his wishes. Later that night he died and the son went bezerk. He fought with his sister and demanded we do an autopsy because he believed the respiratory therapist killed him(nevermind the fact he was actively dying of end stage cancer). He was told the autopsy would cost $2500 and he said he would pay it. Then he decided he wanted the crime lab to do the autopsy so the funeral home decided they didn't want anything to do with the family. The body was taken to the morgue and the family was left with the responsibility of getting the body transported out by the next morning. Needless to say the family left three hours later but I am sure the drama continued.

My guess is this was his way of coping with his dad's death. People react different ways and usually need someone to blame! I can't imagine what would have happened if the patient had not made his wishes clear up front. I believe it is better to be prepared especially if you are terminally ill. It relieves the family of painful decisions and can also but not always avoid drama.

All comments are greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!

Drill Seargent

Attention!!!!! I have been given the title of drill seargent on my unit. We receive post op heart surgery patients and early ambulation is a key factor in recovering. I am the nurse who doesn't take no for an answer! I don't ask you if you are ready to walk, I tell you it's time to walk. I don't allow patients to lie in bed all day, they must sit in the chair most of the day.I battle with patients and their enabling families about this and I am always the winner. It is my goal to get you back home and not have you endure a lengthy stay. So yes I will take the name drill seargent any day. At ease soldier!

All comments are greatly appreciated!!!!!

Winding Down

For those of you who don't know, nursing is a veryyyyyyyyyyyyy stressful job. We deal with alot of things on a daily basis. Our jobs don't just consist of giving out medications and wiping butts. We deal with sick patients (some of which are very unpleasant and angry because they are ill), their family (some of whom are very demanding and think they know more than the doctors and nurses), doctors (some who think nurses are just stupid even though we are the ones who do all the work), management ( most think this is the way it should be done and there is no other way even though they wouldnt be able to do it themselves), other departments (some think their job is of utmost importance and yours isnt), student nurses (Help them for they do not know what they are getting into lol), family issues (those who want u to play security and give a list of those who are not suppose to visit.......guess they dont know we arent door guardians) and also coworkers (some of whom think they know any and everything. So occasionally we get off work and go grab a drink to wind down.

Last night we visit Cezuela's which is a mexican restaurant. Margaritas were 2 for 1 and so we all had our 2 and got a nice meal, vented about our jobs, talked about our families and just enjoyed ourselves. You need to unwind every now and then with people who understand your job and how it affects your family life as well. I must say I truly enjoyed myself and am looking forward to the next "Margarita night".

What do you do to wind down after a long day of work? Have any venting you would like to do about your job? All comments are greatly appreciated!!!!!!!

Too Hot to Handle!

With the temperatures being as hot as they are, we need to take some precautions. Heatsroke (aka sunstroke) is a very serious heat-related problem. With people doing their gardening, mowing the lawns, cleaning out gutters and such you need to make sure you have adequate fluid intake. If your body temperature is rising and there is not proper measures taken to cool your body down dehydration and more serious things like organ failure can occur. Organ failure means your heart, brain, liver or kidneys cannot work properly due to lack of oxygen.

Signs and Symptoms include:
Headache
Confusion
Passing out
Nausea
Seizures
Flushed skin, sweaty,cold clammy skin
Temp of 104
Irregular,fast heart rate and low blood pressure

If you notice any of these symptoms while out in the heat, you need to seek treatment ASAP. You can apply ice packs to the neck,armpits and groin area. You cna drench yourself with cold water. DO NOT GIVE MEDICATIONS FOR FEVER!!!!

Remember if your kids are playing outside, make sure they come in frequently for water or popsicles or place a water cooler outside for convenience.

All comments are greatly appreciated!!!!!

Morning Routine

How do you start your mornings off? Do you have the same routine every morning? The beginning of my day varies. On a great I get up at 5 am and get on the treadmill for 45 min, shower and am ready to leave for work at 6am no later than 6:15. If I need uplifting I tune in to some gospel music otherwise I laugh with Tom Joyner and his crew. I need to be in a good mood so I can be pleasant to my patients! A happy nurse usually generates happy patients although some people are determined to just be grumpy. Sometimes a smiling face is enough to brighten their day.

Have a routine you would like to share? What motivates you in the mornings? All comments are greatly appreciated!!!!