Thanks for the Memories

Posted by onesista

Aug 6

“One night and one more time

Thanks for the memories

Even though they weren’t so great” -Fall Out Boy

Top Ten Kudos to Patients

10. Go ahead make my day. To the patient who threatened to drink his IV diflucan. Bottoms up!

9. Thank you very much for kicking over your bedside commode which was filled to the top with liquid stool. (Incidentally tested positive for C-diff the next day)

8. Hats off to the patient who drank his urine. Would you like that on ice?

7. Thanks to the demented old lady who was just standing behind her door when the priest who came to visit her fully opened the door and knocked her out. She CODED. No, she did not make it.

6. OK just plain nasty. Patient and boyfriend having sex. Is that bed comfy enough for ya? Well, compare that to couple having sex in the waiting room. Thanks for the HOSPITALity.

5. To the psych patient who brutally beat the security guard.

4. Thanks to the diabetic CHFer who CODED, for bequeathing the 2 boxes of fried chicken, chips, drinks, bags of candy, and much more.(All this was found underneath the patients bed.)

3. To the patient who pulled out his right groin vascular catheter because he was reaching for a candy bar. Um, which bar would that be?… the long slim Jim.

2. Kudos to meemaw, whose oxygen saturation was 68% on admission, locked herself in the bathroom, oxygen intact and lit up a cigarette. Yeah that’s right, leave AMA.

1. Thanks to the Caucasian gentleman that called me the “N” word and left a pile of s— on the bedside table, then had the nerve to threaten to slang it in my face. One sista’s silent thought: shall remain silent. Thank you so much!!

1 Comment

Filed under: RN Central | Tagged as: c-diff, CODED, Fall Out Boy, thanks for the memories

The Magic 3

Posted by onesista

Jul 30

No, this is not one of life’s little mysteries. The Magic 3 usually determines a good night vs a bad night.

Who are you? (I mean, can you tell me your real name?)

What year is it?

Can you tell me where you are?

If a patient answers

3/3 No sleep aid required (Indicative of a good night)

2/3 Silver package (tylenol and benadryl)

1/3 Gold package (ativan, may require 2pts)

0/3 Platinum package ( 4pt + posey combo, may progress to the H bomb)

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Filed under: RN Central | Tagged as: sleep aid

Some People

Posted by onesista

Jul 26

Disrespectful and Inconsiderate.. If you Choose to follow these two words wherever they may lead you, prepare for the worse and expect an a….kickin’.

Really people, no place for this in the nursing world.

Some people just can’t leave “all about me” at the house. Don’t worry it will be there when you get back.

1 Comment

Filed under: Uncategorized

Nurses of a Feather, Flock Together

Posted by onesista

Jul 20

Dear Friends,

It’s midnight. The halls of the emergency room are quiet. My extra shift is complete. As I exit the doors, I hear a whimper. I turned and looked to my right. There sat a young man. “Is there anything I can do for you?”, I asked. “My brother, he’s gone”, he sobbed. Empathetically, I held his hand. In this instance, I reached for my empathy feather. Yes, like the peacock, I have many feathers.

Metaphorically speaking, it is the peacock that guides my nursing existence. The head holds the knowledge acquired and that to be acquired. The body entails compassion. Compassion sprouts not only the many values that I possess, but those to be acquired throughout my career. At the rear of the body is my train and protector. Herein lies my beauty. Like the peacock I am proud, colorful, and expressive.

A few attributes that I am particularly proud of are altruism, respect, and caring. Believe it or not, I was not born with these feathers. I earned these through experience, growth, and patience.

Yours Truly,

OnesistaRN

Nurses of a feather, flock together -Onesista

3 Comments

Filed under: Words of Inspiration | Tagged as: empathy in nursing, nurse attributes, nurse compassion

Gotta Love ‘em

Posted by onesista

Jul 17

36-48 Hours

Don’t ya hate it when after hours of frequent reorientation, your little confused, hallucinatory (ETOH) patient, after multiple attempts and threats, finally Houdini’s his 2 points, jumps over the side-rails, pulls out the Foley, defecates the floor and the walls. Oh, but he was just trying to make it to his truck. Onesista’s silent thought: Didn’t I tell you three hours ago fifty dollars does not buy a knife or a ride to the house. What was that P.O. again? Release restraints, use frequent monitoring and frequent reorientation. Sorry doc, this patient just upgraded to the platinum package (4pt + Posey).

3 Comments

Filed under: RN Central | Tagged as: alcohol withdrawal, restraints

Writers’ Table

Posted by onesista

Jul 12

Relax, Read, Rap!

Share your healthcare stories, insights, and experiences. Please use modesty, no foul language, and consider HIPPA (practice confidentiality). Thanks.

0 Comments

Filed under: Writers Table | Tagged as: healthcare stories, writers' table

Vanishing Voice

Posted by onesista

Jul 10

Follow the story of my experiences and encounters with Selective Mutism. See my blogroll.

1 Comment

Filed under: Breaking the Silence | Tagged as: selective mutism

Fourth of July: Ghetto Shift

Posted by onesista

Jul 4

It’s the Fourth of July

and I’m feelin kinda fly

Havin a thang at work tonite

So I gotta look tight

Bring on the dogs, ice cream, and melon

Ice-tea (not a fotie) in the pitcher, cuz I’m no felon

It’s the Fourth of July

I hope nobody don’t die

Feed, water, and turn

You don’t know, you better learn

Keep it on the low so when the supervisor show

Keep it on the real, he will never know

2 Comments

Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged as: Fourth of July, ghetto

RN Online

Posted by onesista

Jul 3

Two semesters from now I will be completing my online nursing degree (MSN). I remember when I was in high school. I barely knew what a computer was. We didn’t have computers in the schools (not for learning anyway). A few years ago, my four year old was teaching me how to click ‘n’ drag. These online courses are a Godsend. If you are considering continuing your education in nursing, this is a great way to go. But it’s not for everyone. Some things to consider:

Benefits

1. Portability. You can take and do your assignments anywhere.
2. Convenient. It saves time. You don’t have to travel back and forth to classes.
3. Saves money. The base tuition is sometimes more, but you don’t have to pay all the fees
that you would as a traditional student. You save on gas and food, room and board.
4. Flexibility. You can work the hours that you want and schedule study time around your work and personal life.
5. Professors. Instructors are flexible and usually pretty easy to reach if you have questions.

Pitfalls
1. If you are a procrastinator, this is not the place for you. You must be independent.
2. You have to make a schedule and stick to it. Always plan ahead. Usually there are more deadlines to meet
with online courses. And if you don’t meet them, you lose points. Sometimes you get a zero. They are
strict about this.
3. Get rid of all distractions while you are studying. Find a quiet zone, turn the cell phone off, stay off of
Facebook. I usually study between the hours of 2-5 a.m. I am awake anyway and everyone else is
asleep.
4. Technology can fail. Boy did I learn this one. Always plan to turn in assignments at least two days before
the due date. First off, my computer was older than Moses. Sometimes there were problems with the
internet or the school’s website. Invest in a nice computer, you won’t regret it.
5. Find two or three classmates to form online study groups. This comes in handy when you have to outline
15 or 20 chapters and form study questions.
6. Log in to your classes daily. Save all work to jump drive.
7. Stay true to self. You have chosen to advance your education and career for you. Do not cheat yourself.