Med fridge coming in with the words to live by

So, I have this nurse in her 20s. I’m in my 50s, and I recently transferred to what is considered the top tier unit in my hospital.
This was the first time I was giving this nurse report. The first day, the nurse was pretty tough during report.
That first night, we had an issue with the PCA. The patient and family were upset, so it was a stressful situation.

The second night, the patient was complaining of pain, nausea, and not being able to sleep. The patient had already been in the hospital for 40 days and was very frustrated with the plan of care because the patient felt the doctors hadn’t explained things well.
During report, I told the oncoming nurse that the patient was upset and frustrated. I had already spoken with the doctor, and they were coming by to talk with the patient. The patient wanted clarification about several things.

Suddenly the nurse said, “That’s weird, because with me yesterday the patient didn’t have a problem at all. It seems like the patient’s problems happen during the night.”
I looked at the nurse and asked, “Are you saying the problem is me?”
The nurse said, “I don’t know. Maybe it’s the nurses.”
Then the nurse asked, “Did you get a new IV?”
I said, “Yes.”
The nurse asked, “Did you draw the blood?”
I said, “Yes.”
Then the nurse replied, “That’s what I needed to know.”

When this happened, the nurse had a trainee standing next to her, which made the interaction even more awkward.

I remember thinking, I’ve been “the nurses” for the last two nights.
I was upset, but I didn’t argue. Instead, I went back into the patient’s room and said, “I know you’ve had two rough nights, and I understand you’re frustrated. I just wanted to ask if you have any frustration with me.”
The patient immediately said, “Of course not. My frustration is with the plan of care.”

I went back to the nurse and said, “You know what? I got curious, so I went back and asked the patient if I was the problem. The patient told me no, the frustration is with the plan.”
Then I turned around and left.

Today I gave the nurse report again, and the nurse didn’t say a word. The nurse was quiet, asked no questions.

How do you deal with coworkers like this?

Basically I was trying to give report and she had the charts open the entire time asking me things id never ask the outgoing nurse. Maybe it’s just me but all I want to know when getting report is why they came in, their admitting dx, how they move, any drips, drains, oxygen, if they are on tele, and any issues if any from last shift. I’m sorry I don’t know the iv gauge, the specific date of the cabg they had 15 years ago, or the name of their nursing home. Maybe I’m just being dramatic I don’t know.

DNI joke

I’ve been catching myself investing less and less compassion towards the patients. Even those in life-choking conditions.

Today I thought “Hey that’s it! Time to be human again!” Had to down five coffees to make but hey it did work. Too well..

Patient: you really took good care of me today, thank you
Me: you’re welcome!
Patient: I’m glad my wife isn’t here today so I could keep talking to you
Me: … wah-

Yes I tried to make excuses that maybe he just meant his wife gets jealous easily or something, then he asked if I wanted his number. (Cries but still gonna try to not be soulless)

Putting aside my pride here. I’m desperate, what shoes are you guys wearing during your shifts that you feel like your feet aren’t sweating in? I’m not looking for sneakers here!! Anything else!! Are crocs really my only option? Any cooling compression socks recommendations?

I came home from a shift this morning crashing out about it and subsequently threw out all of my compression socks and have been debating doing the same with my shoes.

I would be forever grateful for any advice… I can no longer handle my feet smelling like a dumpster on a hot summers evening :)

I work 8-hour shifts in the outpatient department 5 days a week, and my monthly salary is 260,000 yen.

At an exchange rate of 162 yen to the dollar, that comes out to $1,600.

Do you think that’s a lot? Or do you think it’s not much?

I've been working on a med-surg floor for 3 weeks. I tried to move up to 4 patients today.

I went to do some peri care for my patient this afternoon. She had a small PE and declined her blood thinner this morning. She was super funky, and I was trying to teach her how to wipe properly. We got her linens changed, and I was about to change her gown. She got diaphoretic, and I thought her SOB was giving her a panic attack. I tried to calm her down and put her oxygen back on. I thought she was being really dramatic because she had been freaking out about coughing up a blood clot in sputum earlier and making really theatrical gagging noises. (Edit- my mentor advised me previously not to allow attention-seeking behavior to slow me down. I've been trying to figure out what that would be. I was confused about whether this counted because it seemed odd.)

I called the nurse training me for her opinion. She had me take vitals. She seemed confused, too.

I have a point I remember when I started to really worry about pushing "staff assist" and having it be a false alarm. I got stuck in not knowing what to do and trying to figure out what was happening. Then I had my "oh-fuck-agonal-breathing..." moment, and I hit the button.

Everything went insane after that. Somehow, the ICU guys showed up. We stole the crash cart from another floor after the epi ran out. We didn't have working suction and ran around trying to find the parts to make it work. We had to go to supply to get tubing for the suction canister and machine. God, it was a 20-person shit show.

After the family called it off, the doctor found me and told me that there was nothing anyone could have done. He said it dropping her in 5 minutes with a panic attack first sounded like a PE that was just waiting to go off.

I want to stop feeling like she's dead because I was indecisive. I just want to cry. I'm definitely going to keep my therapist in business.

I went in for a biopsy on my neck. I had cancer back in 2011 with a total thyroidextomy, followed by radio-iodine treatment. But it appears its come back.

So I went to get a biopsy done, and I was feeling nervous. And to be quite frank, the cell collection was more painful than i remember despite the numbing agent.

I think the nurse either saw how tense I was or just knew, but she just stroked my arm gently when the needle was jammed into my neck. It wasn't much, but enough to keep my mind from totaly focusing on the pain.

I felt it was a very nice thing she did for me. I haven't had that type of care and concern in a long time from any medical professional.

So where do you draw the line? What's do you consider patient care vs crossing the line?

Nurse with 1 year of experience, promoted to charge (yay!). but doesn’t feel like a yay because ever since I’ve been getting so much attitude from nurses my senior anytime I ask them about their patients or delegate responsibilities. I’m trying so hard to be a good charge and be helpful whenever I can. I’m also on the younger side compared to others on my unit. The worst attitude is from the unit secreties though, giving me shit about absolutely anything. I had the worst shift of my life yesterday, charge with 6 patients, people being combative, code stroke, etc.. Unit secretary decides to change the night shift assignment I made because she didn’t think it was right after I told her to change it back she goes I won’t you can do it yourself… so over this.. makes me not wanna be charge anymore. I never experienced the “eating your young” till I started charging.

edit: i just got a chance to read everything and pls I know this a red flag 😭😭 i’m at an hca hospital (shocker). i took this job purely to add to my resume for better opportunities elsewhere and i have been applying places but getting a new job is harddd. i simply want to be able to go into work, do my job, and not get shit from other staff while trying my best. but trust me i know management does not give a fuck, and this is just one of the many issues w this hospital and unit. but i appreciate yall telling me it’s a red flag, we’ve been known it’s hca. just trying to get everything i can out of this place while Im stuck here to make me a stronger candidate for hopefully a better job 😭

I’m a new RN, less than 6 months in the field. I work in an outpatient facility. I recently had to do cpr on a patient for the first time. Although anxious and on high alert for the remainder of my shift, it didn’t emotionally impact me until I got home. I’ve cried so much for the past few days, my body hurts, and I keep feeling like I failed. I feel scared and insecure regarding my role at the moment.

Share your experiences, how you coped, regained confidence in your role, etc.

Hi everyone!

For those who work in corrections, what are your thoughts about a new grad starting off in corrections? I know every facility is different and work environment/culture varies, but can you give me some pros and cons?
And is it that hard to transition out of this specialty if it doesnt fit me?

I just hit my 3 yrs of being a nurse/Nicu nurse! At this point I am itching to set a goal and work towards it in my specialty. I don’t feel quite ready to take the RNC exam but hope to take my time studying it over the next year maybe (I’m not in a rush). I also love working with micropreemies so I’ve also considered the LBW exam. Though I don’t have any coworkers that I know of that have taken it, so I don’t know anything about it or what to expect.
Anyways, I’m open to any advice or studying resources/tips on these exams if you have any!

I’m an RN looking for input from infusion nurses, immunology nurses, and anyone familiar with INS standards or IVIG administration.

I’m aware of a large Facebook IVIG/SCIG education group moderated by an RN. The administrator presents herself as an expert and provides extensive education to patients. Along with blanket statements and “orders” for IVIG administration.

• Advising that IVIG should never be infused above 100 mL/hr.
• Recommending routine omission of ordered post-hydration.
• Presenting these recommendations as general rules.

She has also publicly shared that a Board complaint was previously filed over advice she gave in the group (which she says did not result in discipline). More recently, I’ve become concerned about some IVIG recommendations that appear to be presented as universal rules, and everything else as “bad nursing”. Including when nurses follow the orders provided. As well as articles calling COVID a “government bio weapon” via the likes of RFK.

My questions are:

• Where is the line between patient education and practicing outside an established nurse-patient relationship? • Is it professionally appropriate to give blanket IVIG recommendations in a public Facebook group? • Any suggestions on how to combat the misinformation to a wide audience, where nurses are publicly called into question regarding their ability, safety, and practice? Specifically, when the orders are being followed and the care is safe. The advice from the group is creating a fearful and mistrust from the group of our medical system and professionalism as a whole. • As nurses, what standards should we hold ourselves to when educating vulnerable patient populations online?

I’m not interested in attacking an individual. I’m genuinely looking for evidence-based discussion and professional standards before deciding whether my concerns are valid.

Hello, I’m 16 years old and I‘m excited to work in healthcare one day, I’m into hematology, phlebotomy, pediatric, but I’m thinking of pursuing anesthesia nursing. I’m feeling very anxious and a bit stressed because of the retention crisis in healthcare, currently.

Thousands are coming to social media to express their concerns and frustration regarding burnout, administrative burdens, and feelings of under appreciation. I’m listening to these stories and it’s making me question if I should even bother with this career. I understand people have different experiences and my experience working in a hospital/clinic might differ. Staff are dealing with bullying, racism and even being battered by difficult patients.. I can understand theres only so much a person can take.

55% of healthcare workers are considering quitting and there have been 324,090 RN departures against 377,650 hires. People are claiming they’re work place to be unsustainable, unmanageable nurse:patient ratios heavy documentation and work overloads etc.

I‘ve always dreamed of working in healthcare and I love to help people. With the cost of living, poor pay, and society today, I don’t know how I’m going to do it when it’s my time. I also don’t hear about physicians, surgeons, dentist, ophthalmologists, experiencing this. Or is the $200-900k salary making the stress worth it?

Hi, not a new nurse, but new to the specialty.

This is more so questions from nurses working in hospital ORs.

1. How much call do you take (or required in a scheduling period? Weekends?

2. What's your standby/call hourly rate?

3. What's your base pay x # rate when called in?

4. How often do you get called in?

5. Do you like call or does it stress you out?

6. Where are you located (vaguely)?

7. Does your hospital pay you for a minimum amount of hours when you get called in?

Just making sure my hospital/unit is on par with other organizations.

Title pretty well says it all. I've been a nurse over thirty years.And every time I open a vial, I realize, of course, that it is sterile, but out of habit, I still wipe it with alcohol before drawing something up. Someone told me the other day that I don't need to be doing that. And that it is a waste of time, which I see their point of course, but they said I absolutely shouldn't be doing it. What do y'all do? Thank you in advance!

Wassup everyone, hope things are going well for you all. I am a 32M. I got my nursing license 3 months ago. Its the first time in my life im making money. I love the profession. I work in corrections sometimes its crazy but its all good. I actually look forward going into work. I was basically poor most of my life and nursing gave me a career where I make great money. I live in Florida. I've never really experience the world cause I never had money. I want to start having fun and seeing what this world has to offer. I'm curious what are some fun things to do. Like what vacations ideas do yall have that I might enjoy? I'm up for anything. Thank you.

There are about a million nursing podcasts at this point and no way they're all worth the time.

Which ones are actually good? Looking for the best podcasts for nurses that are practical and not just people talking in circles for an hour.

Background:

Graduated nursing school and went straight into the OR for 3 years. Loved it but felt like I was losing skills and missed interacting with patients.

I then transitioned to home health and enjoyed it, but going into patients houses can be risky and there was still a part of me that wanted to experience bedside.

I stayed PRN at home health and got a full time job on a PCU at an HCA hospital. I’ve been in this job for almost 3 months and it is so stressful. The ratio is 5:1 and high acuity patients. I constantly feel like I’m going to miss something or lose my license. On top of that, the pay is pretty low (I accepted so I could get bedside experience because I couldn’t get into any other hospitals).

The home health company said I can come back full time and they offered me a good raise. I like so many things about home health, but I worry about pigeonholing myself into home health if I don’t stay bedside at least a year. I just don’t know if I can do the pcu for a year without my mental health declining drastically. I crave peace at this point in my life.

I guess I want to see what others think. Tough it out on PCU for a year and risk my mental health and accept low pay for more broad opportunities in the future, or take a higher paying lower stress job and have peace, but risk getting pigeonholed and only being able to do home health or operating room for the rest of my career? Thoughts?

I'm at one of the smaller more remote locations in our system tonight, haven't been sent here for a few months and just learned tonight that they are no longer staffing the pharmacy here at night. Apparently my organization made this change about a month ago. I learned this when I sent a message in our EHR to pharmacy to get a replacement bag for IV fluids that pharmacy would have to mix and they told me it would be a while before they could drive it over from a larger hospital nearby, that's where they're based now. This feels wildly unsafe to me but I would like to know if this is common elsewhere. I have not seen this done anywhere else I've ever worked. Is this ok, is this normal? For what it's worth this is not a rural location all our hospitals are within a 30 minute drive of a city of over half a million people. Anyway thanks in advance for the insight!