Last night was a particularly hard night. 1st off, I know it is not nice to say, but my Co-nurse, might possibly have some dementia herself. She is the RN charge nurse, the final decision maker. The one you go to for advise or consult. YEAH RIGHT!! She is only worked at the facility for a couple of months, and still needs some procedural guidance as far a paperwork and such, but I shouldn't have to still spend so much of my time telling her what papers to fill out, or telling her to do things one step at a time because multiple steps are overwhelming.
OK, on to #2 one patient has been moved to comfort measures only. This is an end of life treatment where all you do for the patient is keep them as comfortable as possible. Lots of family that didn't get much warning, daughters that are finding it hard to let go (not that I blame them) and one patient that just is NOT comfortable. Requiring ALOT of attention to aid in her comfort. Not that I mind one little bit at this point making her comfortable is my #1 priority.
Now to #3 one patient with a mental disorder that is giving me a mental disorder. I cant really say more than that due to patient confidentiality but lets just say she is sucking up WAY more than her fair share or my time. Now for #4 Little Miss Behaviors, laying in her bed screaming my name or my nurse's aids name to the top of her lungs all night long for one little ridiculous thing or another such as.."I dropped my tissue" or "can I have some more water" when she still has half a glass. Cover my feet, uncover my feet, turn up my air conditioner 1 degree, turn down my air 2 degrees, move my left foot to right might 1 inch, my heels touching the bed" and so on and so on. All this screaming all night wakes up #'s 5, 6, and 7. Who would not have known they needed pain pills or cough meds or 986 trips to the bathroom if she would have just used a call light to drive me crazy. #8 Fall..."I just fell on my butt" at least he is happy..lol, but no less paperwork for me. #9 Skin tear, huge, mean old woman that does NOT want washed off never the less bandaged. #9 again...She bit my CNA....#9 again, man she really does not like that bandage...ugg, she has to wear the bandage.
So, here is # 10 and it is a biggy...by 3:30am, not one nurse's note done, not one incident report done, books not signed, NOTHING. When I do sit down at my computer to start to compose my thoughts my co-nurse stands besides me and starts to draw a picture, stating "don't mind me, this is just something I do". I try no ignore her (I have ADD, so this is not easy for me) Luckily it doesn't take more than 15 to 20 minutes. She then shows me that she is standing there sketching my profile. This is so ridiculous that all I can do is laugh. My brain is spinning in so many circles that I am not sure where to chart first and my co-worker is sketching my face.
The one good thing about tonight was my CNA's they all came through for me last night. They covered me, one stayed late, one came in early, one picked up the slack. They got things done and if they could handle things they did and only asked me for help when they had to. They don't know how much I am grateful to them. They rocked!!!
PS..The #'s above were only my patients. I could have assigned some #'s to some patients on the other side that needed my help, but I am trying to block those out..lol.
WHY.....?
I am a Geriatric Nurse. I didn't really "choose" this field of nursing. I am starting to think it has chosen me. I have done several types of nursing over my past 20(+) years in medical services, but I keep coming back to my old folks. It's always good to know yourself and through the years I have figured out that there hasn't been many other fields of nursing that I have a passion for, or that I enjoy doing so well. There is just something about helping someone that has been through "it". They have weathered all the storms that I am going through. They have made it through the trials that life brings all of us and most are still smiling. They are crippled up and can hardly walk or can't walk at all, and yet, most don't even complain. It is my pleasure to serve them, to help them when they can't even ask for help.
I do believe it is in your best interest to order more ammunition and have them dig a deeper pond. One CNA declined the wonderful invitation of joining the circus due to having a systolic # that can't be brought below 180. I believe this is due in part to patient #s 3 & 4. I love you and will join you soon with a $200 gift card from Cabelas and a D6,
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