Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Sunday, December 28, 2008
IS THE LAWSUIT COMING?
We got a patient in at our nursing home with several bad health issues. She had just spent 93 days in the hospital for respiratory failure and had been on a respirator for three weeks before weaned off and a trach was placed. This lady is obese and is diabetic. The family voiced at admission that they were going to sue the hospital for keeping her on the respirator so long that she ended up with a trach. The husband said if anything happened to his wife he would "Shut this place down" He was constantly watching and degrading all care being done. Needless to say it was a tense situation. Last week she was doing well and smiling and she and her husband both seemed to have relaxed then--you guessed it --she died! Around midnight the nurse was suctioning her when she collapsed. A code was called and 911 called but she died at the hospital about an hour later. The hospital said they could not bag her because she was plugged. Well,we suctioned as deep as we could and never pulled out any plugs so I think that because she was unconcious at the time they were bagging it would be impossible to say that she was plugged. Anyway,we are all very upset by this and in shock. The famaly went balistic as would be expected.. I am now worried that I will be pulled into a law suit,have to hire a lawyer,miss work etc. Will keep you posted.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
IN A TIME OF STRESS AND WORRY BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMIC WOES WE MAY FIND IT HARD TO BE HAPPY THIS TIME OF YEAR. AT MY HOME WE SPENT LESS AND EVEN ATE LESS BUT WE STILL LOVE CHRISTMAS .IT IS A TIME TO BE TOGETHER WITH THOSE WE LOVE. AND TO REMEMBER THE REASON FOR THE SEASON.MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Well,we are in the window for state survey so you know everything is crazy! All the dept. heads running around like idiots trying to fix everything and picking and pecking. This time is when the real backstabbers and jerks are at their best,tattling,micro managing,trying to make the little peons look bad so they can look good.This is the time when I would like to leave and come back when it's allover. Trying to pass your meds and take care of your patients is a nightmare. Every time I turned around yesterday someone had my MARS.
I find myself hating nursing more and more each day. I think and think constantly on ways to leave this profession. The changes in the last ten to fifteen years have been the killer of patient care and the emergence of PR and the all mighty $. I miss the days when I could get to know my patients,listen to them ,maybe rub some lotion on their dry skin . Those days are gone. Now it is rush,rush,rush, so you can get everything done in a timely manner and try not to piss off the wrong people. A new year coming- maybe some big changes for me if God is willing. I am so burned out I hate going into work,
I find myself hating nursing more and more each day. I think and think constantly on ways to leave this profession. The changes in the last ten to fifteen years have been the killer of patient care and the emergence of PR and the all mighty $. I miss the days when I could get to know my patients,listen to them ,maybe rub some lotion on their dry skin . Those days are gone. Now it is rush,rush,rush, so you can get everything done in a timely manner and try not to piss off the wrong people. A new year coming- maybe some big changes for me if God is willing. I am so burned out I hate going into work,
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
I just got over a visit from a stomach virus with nausea,diarrhea,headache,muscle aches and fatigue. Here are a few things a person should do before/while they come down with the flu or a stomach bug.
1. Have plenty of toilet paper on hand
2. Have Gatorade or other electrolyte replacement drinks ( I like to buy the little packets and keep them in the pantry) and water and drink-drink-drink to prevent dehydration
3. Have Tylenol because you will have aches and pains
4.Have those little cup of soups that you can microwave because you sure won't feel like opening a can etc. Eat only small amounts at a time which isn't difficult since you don't feel like eating anything but you need to try to get a little nourishment in -just don't force it.
5 Keep away from family and friends so as not to spread this crap
6.Rest all you can
7. Don't try to be superwomen-you need all your energy just to get well
8. Wash your hands often
9. Don't use the same toothbrush --you will just re-contaminate yourself -change it
10. Sanitize all faucet handles,toilet handle,remote control everything you touched .11. Take a long,hot bath with epsom salt in the water -this will ease the aches and pains
1. Have plenty of toilet paper on hand
2. Have Gatorade or other electrolyte replacement drinks ( I like to buy the little packets and keep them in the pantry) and water and drink-drink-drink to prevent dehydration
3. Have Tylenol because you will have aches and pains
4.Have those little cup of soups that you can microwave because you sure won't feel like opening a can etc. Eat only small amounts at a time which isn't difficult since you don't feel like eating anything but you need to try to get a little nourishment in -just don't force it.
5 Keep away from family and friends so as not to spread this crap
6.Rest all you can
7. Don't try to be superwomen-you need all your energy just to get well
8. Wash your hands often
9. Don't use the same toothbrush --you will just re-contaminate yourself -change it
10. Sanitize all faucet handles,toilet handle,remote control everything you touched .11. Take a long,hot bath with epsom salt in the water -this will ease the aches and pains
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
HOLIDAY INN VS. NURSING HOME
THE AVERAGE COST OF A DAY IN A NURSING HOME IS $192. YOU CAN GET A REALLY NICE ROOM AT THE HOLIDAY INN FOR $65. THAT LEAVES $123 FOR BEER,FOOD(ROOM SERVICE),LAUNDRY,ELVIS COLLECTIBLES,GRATUITIES AND CLOTHES. THEY HAVE A SWIMMING POOL,A WORKOUT ROOM,A LOUNGE,CABLE,INTERNET,FREE SOAP,SHAMPOO,CONDITIONER,TOOTHPASTE,IRON AND HAIR DRYER. THERE MAY BE A BIT OF A WAIT TO GET THAT FIRST FLOOR ROOM ,BUT HEY, THERE IS A WAITING LIST TO GET THAT HALF OF A ROOM AND HALF OF A CLOSET AT THE NURSING HOME. THERE IS A SENIOR BUS,THE HANDICAP BUS,A CHURCH VAN ,CABS AND IN SOME CITIES THE DUCK. YOU HAVE SECURITY AND IF SOMEONE SEES YOU DROP OVER I'M SURE THEY WOULD CALL THE AMBULANCE (IF YOU BREAK YOUR HIP,HOPEFULLY THE FAMILY WILL BE SMART ENOUGH TO SUE) WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOR? WITH AARP AND OTHER SENIOR DISCOUNTS,I COULD BE LIVING PRETTY NICELY!!
SO,WHEN I REACH THE GOLDEN AGE HELP ME KEEP MY GRIN; JUST CHECK MY RICKETY BODY INTO THE NEAREST HOLIDAY INN
SO,WHEN I REACH THE GOLDEN AGE HELP ME KEEP MY GRIN; JUST CHECK MY RICKETY BODY INTO THE NEAREST HOLIDAY INN
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
myLot - beauty of old woman ....
myLot - beauty of old woman ....: "much has been said and sung of beautiful young girls, why don't somebody wake up to the beauty of old women? ... by HARRIET BEECHER STOWE
How very true indeed .. so i went and searched for a good poem to all my lady friends to share ... here it is
The old woman by Joseph Campbell
As a white candle
In a holy place,
So is the beauty
Of an aged face.
As the spent radiance
Of the winter sun,
So is a woman
With her travail done,
Her brood gone from her,
And her thoughts as still
As the waters
Under a ruined mill.
i will like to thank all this woman who have sacrificed and faught for 'womans freedom'
cheers"
How very true indeed .. so i went and searched for a good poem to all my lady friends to share ... here it is
The old woman by Joseph Campbell
As a white candle
In a holy place,
So is the beauty
Of an aged face.
As the spent radiance
Of the winter sun,
So is a woman
With her travail done,
Her brood gone from her,
And her thoughts as still
As the waters
Under a ruined mill.
i will like to thank all this woman who have sacrificed and faught for 'womans freedom'
cheers"
Sunday, November 2, 2008
TOP TEN REASONS TO BECOME A NURSE
PAYS BETTER THAN FAST FOOD THOUGH THE HOURS AREN'T AS GOOD
FASHIONABLE SHOES AND SEXY UNIFORMS
NEEDLES: IT'S BETTER TO GIVE THAN RECEIVE
REASSURE YOUR PATIENTS THAT ALL BLEEDING STOPS ......EVENTUALLY
INTERESTING AROMAS
EXPOSE YOURSELF TO RARE ,EXOTIC AND EXCITING NEW DISEASES
DO ENOUGH CHARTING TO NAVIGATE AROUND THE WORLD
CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH ALL YOUR FRIENDS........AT WORK
TAKE COMFORT THAT MOST OF YOUR PATIENTS SURVIVE NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO TO THEM
COUTEOUS AND INFALLIBLE DOCTORS WHO ALWAYS LEAVE CLEAR ORDERS IN PERFECTLY LEGIBLE HANDWRITING
FASHIONABLE SHOES AND SEXY UNIFORMS
NEEDLES: IT'S BETTER TO GIVE THAN RECEIVE
REASSURE YOUR PATIENTS THAT ALL BLEEDING STOPS ......EVENTUALLY
INTERESTING AROMAS
EXPOSE YOURSELF TO RARE ,EXOTIC AND EXCITING NEW DISEASES
DO ENOUGH CHARTING TO NAVIGATE AROUND THE WORLD
CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH ALL YOUR FRIENDS........AT WORK
TAKE COMFORT THAT MOST OF YOUR PATIENTS SURVIVE NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO TO THEM
COUTEOUS AND INFALLIBLE DOCTORS WHO ALWAYS LEAVE CLEAR ORDERS IN PERFECTLY LEGIBLE HANDWRITING
TOP TEN SIGNS OF BURNOUT
10. You're so tired you answer the phone with "Go to Hell!"
9. Your friends call to ask how you have been and you immediately scream "Stop asking me all these damn questions!
8. Your garbage can IS your "in" box
7. You wake up to discover your house is on fire ,but go back to sleep because you just don't care
6. You consider a forty hour week a vacation
5. Visions of the upcoming weekend help you make it through Monday
4. You don't set your alarm anymore because you know your phone will go off before your alarm does
3. You leave for a party and instinctively bring your ID badge
2. Your day timer/week planner exploded a week ago
AND THE NUMBER ONE SIGH THAT YOU ARE BURNED OUT AT WORK...........
1. You think about how relaxing it would be if you were in jail right now
9. Your friends call to ask how you have been and you immediately scream "Stop asking me all these damn questions!
8. Your garbage can IS your "in" box
7. You wake up to discover your house is on fire ,but go back to sleep because you just don't care
6. You consider a forty hour week a vacation
5. Visions of the upcoming weekend help you make it through Monday
4. You don't set your alarm anymore because you know your phone will go off before your alarm does
3. You leave for a party and instinctively bring your ID badge
2. Your day timer/week planner exploded a week ago
AND THE NUMBER ONE SIGH THAT YOU ARE BURNED OUT AT WORK...........
1. You think about how relaxing it would be if you were in jail right now
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Tennessee Nursing Homes
I have worked in nursing homes most of my nursing career. Geriatric patients have always been my favorite patients mainly because they are who they are with no false pretenses. The elderly
need all the help we can give them just as children do. They are dependent on us to keep them safe . This is the main reason I started this blog,not to complain about nursing,but to bring awareness to the dangers of short staffing in nursing homes and the threat it presents to the care of our elderly population. We will all be old some day or dependent on someone if we live.
It is a scary prospect that many people don't think about. Even the president will some day require help from someone,but being who he is,he will have the best care money can buy. As always,it is the haves and the have nots that determines who gets what in this world.
need all the help we can give them just as children do. They are dependent on us to keep them safe . This is the main reason I started this blog,not to complain about nursing,but to bring awareness to the dangers of short staffing in nursing homes and the threat it presents to the care of our elderly population. We will all be old some day or dependent on someone if we live.
It is a scary prospect that many people don't think about. Even the president will some day require help from someone,but being who he is,he will have the best care money can buy. As always,it is the haves and the have nots that determines who gets what in this world.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
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