I want to propose a television show. I hate the fact that there are tons of television shows that portray nurses as uneducated and needy. I am so mad when I watch these shows that I am overwhelmed with hate. Did you ever think of the TV shows that disrespect nurses?
ER...remember when the show started and there where three nurses who had strong characters and roles? Then it dwindled down to two then one…how sad.
Scrubs….two women yep then one died….and one is left taking responsibility for being the voice of all nurses.
Grey’s Anatomy…Now I really love the show. Mostly because I relate to Meredith, but with season one they showed nurses strong, independent and even striking for more rights and better pay….then it all went down hill when they portrayed one of the nurses as having Chlamydia. Seriously, how disrespectful can you be to a nurse? It is not our fault that doctors talk to us. But let me tell all the wives that may read this blog. If I wanted to piss in my own back yard I would, but I don’t. Stop fishing for answers to your problems.
So that being said….I want a Television show dedicated to us: NURSES let’s expose the fact that almost every day I find one mistake or more made by an intern or resident. I help patients with the tone of my voice. The touch of my hand, the brain I have that is able to critically think… (Girlvet I spent my time studying for the CEN when I could not face being outside in public, you above all will understand, I passed 125). I “save the day” by thinking three steps ahead, always.
That being said…you know what always gets said first in television shows? In the ED, on the floors…. “NURSE, I NEED A NURSE!!!!” Why, because I know, I know how to fix the problem, yours and the patients.
I want a television show to follow me for one week. Do you?
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Compassion
I was reminded last weekend by my close group of friends that I have not put a blog up in a while so here it goes…
Compassion.
What does that word mean to you?
.. ..
To me it means a skill that makes me who I am. It means having the ability to help others with the palm of your hand and your voice. It means giving to others what they need. It means above all the ability to help. It is a skill that many nurses by profession have. It is not the same for each nurse, nor is it displayed in the same manor. But I consider it a needed piece that makes one whole.
.. ..
I know that some people know, but maybe not all. You see I lost my compassion. For one year my skill was unusable. It was all I could do to be void of emotion and do a job I hope to never have to do again. Something only a few of my friends will ever understand.
.. ..
After that year of my life, I came back to a job I knew and loved without that some vigor or drive that made me who I am. My compassion had been replaced with a type of cynicism that perpetuated a negative attitude and in turn deteriorated my sense of self.
.. ..
It is only now that I realize how different I have become since then. It is hard to explain, but slowly I am regaining sense of self and my ability to be compassionate. I realized it only a few days ago.
.. ..
I was working, and had been given a patient who, with a long laundry list of personal and physical problems had complained of "chest pain"; only it was not relived with any of the typical medications that were being prescribed. I looked at the order sheet in front of me and realized that the laundry list of medications where not the issue, nor where they the solution. I looked at the patient and realized what they needed more than anything was touch, sensitivity and compassion. So, I gave another medication to which I think would have no affect and included touch, with the palm of my hand. I know it sounds odd right? How can the palm of your hand help someone? Well, it doesn't always. But if you let the patient know you acknowledge their pain, and encourage them to release it, sometimes, just sometimes, it helps them to let it go.
.. ..
All I did was simple. I used relaxation therapy with some guided imagery, a tool we are taught but rarely use in nursing. I placed a warm blanket on the patient and darkened the room, and let them rest.
.. ..
I know I did not save their life. Nor did I stop the physical pain, but in a world of western medicine that is reactive versus proactive I think I helped more than inappropriate medications to relive a mental pain.
.. ..
.. ..
In retrospect I guess I am just glad that the dark cloud of my year is lifting. It was very painful for me and I think for my friends too. Even today those who experienced only a month of what my four friends and I did for a year, well…they are not the same. And to be honest, I am thankful that God heard my prayers and a close friend of mine won't have to do what we did. It truly broke my heart to think she was leaving for that mission.
.. ..
To those who don't know or understand, I still can't explain nor do I care to. But thank you for being my friends and letting me reach my own inner peace without pushing me. I have lived a very blessed life because of my family and friends. I can only hope now to continue to grow within my profession and to teach others the same.
Compassion.
What does that word mean to you?
.. ..
To me it means a skill that makes me who I am. It means having the ability to help others with the palm of your hand and your voice. It means giving to others what they need. It means above all the ability to help. It is a skill that many nurses by profession have. It is not the same for each nurse, nor is it displayed in the same manor. But I consider it a needed piece that makes one whole.
.. ..
I know that some people know, but maybe not all. You see I lost my compassion. For one year my skill was unusable. It was all I could do to be void of emotion and do a job I hope to never have to do again. Something only a few of my friends will ever understand.
.. ..
After that year of my life, I came back to a job I knew and loved without that some vigor or drive that made me who I am. My compassion had been replaced with a type of cynicism that perpetuated a negative attitude and in turn deteriorated my sense of self.
.. ..
It is only now that I realize how different I have become since then. It is hard to explain, but slowly I am regaining sense of self and my ability to be compassionate. I realized it only a few days ago.
.. ..
I was working, and had been given a patient who, with a long laundry list of personal and physical problems had complained of "chest pain"; only it was not relived with any of the typical medications that were being prescribed. I looked at the order sheet in front of me and realized that the laundry list of medications where not the issue, nor where they the solution. I looked at the patient and realized what they needed more than anything was touch, sensitivity and compassion. So, I gave another medication to which I think would have no affect and included touch, with the palm of my hand. I know it sounds odd right? How can the palm of your hand help someone? Well, it doesn't always. But if you let the patient know you acknowledge their pain, and encourage them to release it, sometimes, just sometimes, it helps them to let it go.
.. ..
All I did was simple. I used relaxation therapy with some guided imagery, a tool we are taught but rarely use in nursing. I placed a warm blanket on the patient and darkened the room, and let them rest.
.. ..
I know I did not save their life. Nor did I stop the physical pain, but in a world of western medicine that is reactive versus proactive I think I helped more than inappropriate medications to relive a mental pain.
.. ..
.. ..
In retrospect I guess I am just glad that the dark cloud of my year is lifting. It was very painful for me and I think for my friends too. Even today those who experienced only a month of what my four friends and I did for a year, well…they are not the same. And to be honest, I am thankful that God heard my prayers and a close friend of mine won't have to do what we did. It truly broke my heart to think she was leaving for that mission.
.. ..
To those who don't know or understand, I still can't explain nor do I care to. But thank you for being my friends and letting me reach my own inner peace without pushing me. I have lived a very blessed life because of my family and friends. I can only hope now to continue to grow within my profession and to teach others the same.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
We need a voice...
Change of Shift hosted by Emergiblog set out a link by N=1 at Universal Health. The blog “discusses the unexpected silence of the nursing profession regarding the Walter Reed fiasco in Walter Reed Story Is Being Lost - And So Is American Nursing” It is a must read for anyone in my opinion. Because as a military nurse I personally feel pain when our profession and work is called into question and left un-defended. It is truly a shame that military nurses have no voice yet because of the Walter Reed issue they have faced yet again a verbal, political, and visual slap in the face in regards to the care they provide. Many of my peers and friends work at Walter Reed and I know that this latest media attention has hurt their very core. Since the beginning of OIF/OEF we have and continue to give outstanding care. We all entered the military for various reasons, but foremost is the desire to give care to our brothers and sisters in arms. Maybe the ANA should stand up and recognize the nurses who provide care at not just Walter Reed but all military hospitals. In addition, the Army Nurse Corps should stand-up and let these nurses in particular know that their work and efforts do not go un-noticed. What people do not know, or may not be aware of is that MG Gale S. Pollock chief of the Army Nurse Corps has been appointed as acting surgeon general. I think that speaks volumes to the credit of Army Nursing.
YUCK
There are some things as a nurse I just can’t take. We all have one “thing” we don’t handle well. Mine confronted me head on. After placing an NG tube, it happened…projectile green vomitus. And by projectile I mean left right and in the middle all over 7 feet away projectile. And in front of everyone I yelped. To be exact it is probably the same sound a valley girl makes after seeing something terribly scary while watching a movie. Yes, my reaction was that ridiculous. I hate vomit though. And you know what; I have to just admit it right?
We all hate something. Some people don’t deal with certain smells, or disfigurements. I have friends who are community health nurses who don’t do the blood and guts thing like I do in the ER. Nursing is such a diverse population that we can really do anything in nursing to avoid the things we hate. Too bad I can’t get out of nursing and not be confronted with my arch-nemesis Vomit. Oh well right?
Drama Sucks!
Why do I seem to get in trouble for speaking my mind?
Funny thing happened today. A friend of a friend of a friend…told me that “someone” read my blog and was upset b/c they thought it was about them. Even worse, they were (are) upset. So, something I wrote offended someone. Well, that was bound to happen I guess. I mean what is my blog but a site to express myself and rant and rave about work, nursing and write. Immediately thoughts of possibly closing the blog came to mind. My intention was never to hurt anyone’s feelings so really I did not want people reading more into situations then were ever there. But the starting thing is, since I have started blogging I have met other nurses and have started to commiserate and learn if you will. So what to do?
Like any other female I asked my friend “What should I do?” “Who cares”, came the reply “It’s funny and true”. Well that is one opinion. Unfortunately, I do care, but I can’t take back what I said, because it is still how I feel. Hope for more anonymity? Not going to happen as long as I am in the fish bowl of life. I showed one of my other friends the blog I wrote about her, she did not seem to care. To be fair the “friend” in question is someone I look up to and have a lot of respect for so her opinion does affect me. But here I am still sitting in the fish bowl contemplating why it is that what I write matters. The truth is, it only matters if you let it. I could say a billion things. You may agree or disagree but the fact remains these words are words, thoughts, and ideas. I write about nursing concerns and situations that everyone has felt at one time or another. I seriously doubt that I am the only person in the world who has worked with someone they did not agree with, or ever felt the highs and lows that come with work. And more often than not Drama is something that surrounds nursing. Women tend to be catty and then when they are rude to each other they say things like: "See this is why I have mostly male friends". But really I ask you, does a man understand you so much better or not care as much that you complain about stupid stuff? Nurses in general should care for one and other, but in my particular environment they are concerned about their own promotion instead of working towards the betterment of the Nursing Practice as a whole. Nursing leaders should make the example and continue to raise our standards of work and care. Unfortunately we are too concerned about who did what and the latest gossip that probably doesn’t affect us, but it gives us something to laugh and joke about. I could lie and say I don’t listen or participate in gossip, but I do. Although lately I have been dodging the gossip bullet because of the way a rumor affected me.
Anyway, I was thinking. What would this person blog about me? Hm… it would probably go something like this:
Don’t you hate it when you come into work ready to relax and you have to follow an up-tight everything-in-their-spot kind of nurse? You know the kind that has to immediately start cleaning the second she arrives. I have to work with one of those and let me tell you it sucks. Now she is a good nurse, to be fair but seriously, she starts to physically twitch when the percocets are not removed in numerical order. You should see the way the Cavisite is attached to her hip. She notices a piece of paper out of order a mile away and her charting. Seriously, no-one needs to go into such depth over every single detail, but she does every single time. If I have to work on the same shift as her it is exhausting. I feel as though I am tip-toeing around being careful not to put anything away in the wrong place. Have you ever watched Friends and seen Monica yeah that’s her in the nursing form x 5(okay maybe 10). And her attitude, she thinks she knows everything and it is so hard to argue with her. But the absolute worst is when she is having a bad day. She has this look about her, an evil glare I call it. And when it is used on you it honestly incites fear, pain and resignation. But then in an instant she will be a nice person and remember the smallest thing that you appreciate or like and you don’t even remember the person you where talking to ten-minutes earlier. Kind of like Dr. Jekle and Mr Hyde. At this point I am praying for the Mr Hyde days…
Yeah that would be the blog that person might write about me. In the end I have to remember that in order to work through the toughest parts of life and work you have to take each situation and learn from it. Okay enough about that…
Funny thing happened today. A friend of a friend of a friend…told me that “someone” read my blog and was upset b/c they thought it was about them. Even worse, they were (are) upset. So, something I wrote offended someone. Well, that was bound to happen I guess. I mean what is my blog but a site to express myself and rant and rave about work, nursing and write. Immediately thoughts of possibly closing the blog came to mind. My intention was never to hurt anyone’s feelings so really I did not want people reading more into situations then were ever there. But the starting thing is, since I have started blogging I have met other nurses and have started to commiserate and learn if you will. So what to do?
Like any other female I asked my friend “What should I do?” “Who cares”, came the reply “It’s funny and true”. Well that is one opinion. Unfortunately, I do care, but I can’t take back what I said, because it is still how I feel. Hope for more anonymity? Not going to happen as long as I am in the fish bowl of life. I showed one of my other friends the blog I wrote about her, she did not seem to care. To be fair the “friend” in question is someone I look up to and have a lot of respect for so her opinion does affect me. But here I am still sitting in the fish bowl contemplating why it is that what I write matters. The truth is, it only matters if you let it. I could say a billion things. You may agree or disagree but the fact remains these words are words, thoughts, and ideas. I write about nursing concerns and situations that everyone has felt at one time or another. I seriously doubt that I am the only person in the world who has worked with someone they did not agree with, or ever felt the highs and lows that come with work. And more often than not Drama is something that surrounds nursing. Women tend to be catty and then when they are rude to each other they say things like: "See this is why I have mostly male friends". But really I ask you, does a man understand you so much better or not care as much that you complain about stupid stuff? Nurses in general should care for one and other, but in my particular environment they are concerned about their own promotion instead of working towards the betterment of the Nursing Practice as a whole. Nursing leaders should make the example and continue to raise our standards of work and care. Unfortunately we are too concerned about who did what and the latest gossip that probably doesn’t affect us, but it gives us something to laugh and joke about. I could lie and say I don’t listen or participate in gossip, but I do. Although lately I have been dodging the gossip bullet because of the way a rumor affected me.
Anyway, I was thinking. What would this person blog about me? Hm… it would probably go something like this:
Don’t you hate it when you come into work ready to relax and you have to follow an up-tight everything-in-their-spot kind of nurse? You know the kind that has to immediately start cleaning the second she arrives. I have to work with one of those and let me tell you it sucks. Now she is a good nurse, to be fair but seriously, she starts to physically twitch when the percocets are not removed in numerical order. You should see the way the Cavisite is attached to her hip. She notices a piece of paper out of order a mile away and her charting. Seriously, no-one needs to go into such depth over every single detail, but she does every single time. If I have to work on the same shift as her it is exhausting. I feel as though I am tip-toeing around being careful not to put anything away in the wrong place. Have you ever watched Friends and seen Monica yeah that’s her in the nursing form x 5(okay maybe 10). And her attitude, she thinks she knows everything and it is so hard to argue with her. But the absolute worst is when she is having a bad day. She has this look about her, an evil glare I call it. And when it is used on you it honestly incites fear, pain and resignation. But then in an instant she will be a nice person and remember the smallest thing that you appreciate or like and you don’t even remember the person you where talking to ten-minutes earlier. Kind of like Dr. Jekle and Mr Hyde. At this point I am praying for the Mr Hyde days…
Yeah that would be the blog that person might write about me. In the end I have to remember that in order to work through the toughest parts of life and work you have to take each situation and learn from it. Okay enough about that…
Monday, March 26, 2007
Rumors...
One of the hardest things in life to learn was that others would dislike me. I think in my life time I have run the gamut on emotions and reactions to rumors about myself. I should explain that right now where I work is also where I live, eat and sleep. It is obvious to many but just in case, I am an Army Nurse. What’s more, today I finally had what I feel was an epiphany. I wonder if this has happened to anyone else?
In High school, I was a social butterfly, but I usually concentrated on school and Junior ROTC. In school I was completely unaware of people’s rumors. I heard plenty about other people. I even indulged in a few myself (and to tell the truth old habits die hard). But one day I was hit with one. Straight from left field. I had dated the very first love of my life. My High School sweet heart who I thought was “The One”. He had gone off to Marine Corps Boot Camp and returned a very different person. He broke up with me the second day he was home. I was devastated. The guy who I was totally in lust with had dumped me after my months of solitude and writing him long letters, exclaiming how much I missed him. I pleaded through tears for a reason, some type of explanation. His reply was that, “Someone” had told him that I had slept with someone behind his back. Not only did my “One” break-up with me (understand for a H.S. this was tough stuff) but he had accused me of not just sleeping with someone but loosing my dignity too. The ordeal made me sick to my stomach. I cried what seemed like buckets of tears and began to wonder “who”? Who could say something like that about me and what’s more…why?
Maybe H.S. was just the foundation for giving me thick skin, and maybe I should be thankful. I would continue to encounter the “rumor mill” later in life. In Army Basic Training, the rumor was that I slept with my drill sergeant to become the Soldier Leader of the Cycle. It hurt, especially when I had to earn that title by going to a board of 5 non-commissioned officers and answer a battering of questions, a physical fitness test and compete against a handful of peers.
In college I realized the pain of being the new person or what have you. My freshman year I again was slapped with a rumor about how many guys I dated (I think) or maybe the rumor was that I only dated a specific type of guy. The sad part was, my grandmother had passed away my first month in college and I was too preoccupied with my family and temporary depression to date anyone and spent a lot of time with my friends who were still on activity-duty at Ft Lewis and away from the University I attended, rather than even attempt to get to know anyone new.
I guess after ten years of rumors, the initial pain of being told one about you will still hurt. You will still have those questions of who? And Why? But I have learned something. My friends will always know me best and always support me and defend my character when in question. I also know that I can’t be friends with everyone, but I can be polite. Rumors have something about them that is true part of the time. I did win soldier leader of the cycle. My drill sergeant did like me, but not in the way of great romances. I didn’t date the guys I went to school my freshman year in college, I just didn’t want to date anyone. And my old HS flame told me later he said that just to break up with me. He apologized a billion times and I forgave him long time ago too.
There are a plethora of reasons why people start rumors. Maybe they are just expanding upon that which they heard. Someone once told me that people who start rumors are intimidated in some shape or form, about the person they talk about. Sometimes it is easier to be mean behind someone’s back rather than just confront the person.
I decided to confront the person who said this. I am the type of person who would rather just get down to the bottom of the lies. I don’t play the “I don’t want to say who said this but…” The person denied it to her core and turned pale as a ghost. My friends told me not to take it to heart and relax. And the thing is, I think at this point in life, I actually can. I know myself and my core, my friends know me (good, bad and everything in between) and above all He knows, so really it is not like I can hide. I will still be myself: Outgoing and full of sarcastic spunk 110%. But today, instead of getting mad or using all the tricks up my sleeve to make that person feel as big as an ant, I said “Okay” as they lied and I moved on. It is hard to turn the other check, but after the help of my friends who let me vent, it feels really good to not put any more energy into it. Wow, so this is my epiphany eh?
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Charity Is Awesome
What an amazing gift to give. Susan G. Komen for the Cure is teaming up with Masterfoods USA to sell specially packaged bags of dark and light pink M&M’s®. From August 15th through October 21, 2007, a donation of 35 cents for 14-once packages and 50 cents for each 21.3 once packages, and ten percent of “Komen blend purchases made at : http://http://www.mymms.com/sgk/index.asp?src=111814&sc_cid=C_SK_53_SGK_MA8COSGKCSK53111 will be donated for this great cause.
I think this is perfect. I as a woman truly love my snack of M&M’s and now I get the added benefit of having money donated to one of my favorite organizations. I don’t know if everyone knows this but my new years resolution was to donate something (Time, money, brain power) each month to different organizations. I truly believe that Breast Cancer is something all women should have knowledge about and support each other. So look into it, either by looking into worthy causes for yourself or but buying M&M’s. I don’t care what you do, just do something. Thanks!
~m
I think this is perfect. I as a woman truly love my snack of M&M’s and now I get the added benefit of having money donated to one of my favorite organizations. I don’t know if everyone knows this but my new years resolution was to donate something (Time, money, brain power) each month to different organizations. I truly believe that Breast Cancer is something all women should have knowledge about and support each other. So look into it, either by looking into worthy causes for yourself or but buying M&M’s. I don’t care what you do, just do something. Thanks!
~m
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Nurses Unite!
As nurses we really do need to take charge...
I was reading a blog I have a lot of respect for by GirlVet: (Please see my links to the left). She discusses how Nurses do not take ownership of their profession and after consideration; I decided that we really don't. We constantly blame the invisible others: Administration, Nursing Department Heads, Unions, and the horrific JCAHO. Unfortunately the truth is that we are in control of our own destinies. Doctors pay attention to their profession and fight for rights with tooth and nail. As for nurses, we live in a Hodge-podge group of fighters and riders. the fighters, believe in work towards progression in our profession. They attempt to stand up in what they believe in and work towards better goals and outcomes for all nurses to benefit from as a profession. It is their opinion that without the vital nursing role, health care as a whole would sink. The riders, have other things in their lives, and although I do not blame them for their other convictions, I wonder if they too, would be fighters if they realized how close we are to becoming human forms of robots. The more we as a profession allow ourselves to be task oriented workers, the more we loose as a profession. I have an education, I am a free thinker, and it is my assessment and critical thinking skills that help the patient and equate to positive outcomes. I do not want to push medications mindlessly and fill out endless forms of paperwork. I agree with Girlvet when she says
Nurses are the key to health care in the future. We should be the managers of the patient.
We are our own success or failure. I know that not everyone can give up their time to be that fighter for these causes, but we can support each other. It is time we realize that if we do not put that time and effort into our profession that no-one else will. The future is in our hands. We can continue to work in a broken health care system or stat improving the situation and make health care companies and corporations take notice of our vast influence and worth. We can start by networking and supporting each other.
I was reading a blog I have a lot of respect for by GirlVet: (Please see my links to the left). She discusses how Nurses do not take ownership of their profession and after consideration; I decided that we really don't. We constantly blame the invisible others: Administration, Nursing Department Heads, Unions, and the horrific JCAHO. Unfortunately the truth is that we are in control of our own destinies. Doctors pay attention to their profession and fight for rights with tooth and nail. As for nurses, we live in a Hodge-podge group of fighters and riders. the fighters, believe in work towards progression in our profession. They attempt to stand up in what they believe in and work towards better goals and outcomes for all nurses to benefit from as a profession. It is their opinion that without the vital nursing role, health care as a whole would sink. The riders, have other things in their lives, and although I do not blame them for their other convictions, I wonder if they too, would be fighters if they realized how close we are to becoming human forms of robots. The more we as a profession allow ourselves to be task oriented workers, the more we loose as a profession. I have an education, I am a free thinker, and it is my assessment and critical thinking skills that help the patient and equate to positive outcomes. I do not want to push medications mindlessly and fill out endless forms of paperwork. I agree with Girlvet when she says
Nurses are the key to health care in the future. We should be the managers of the patient.
We are our own success or failure. I know that not everyone can give up their time to be that fighter for these causes, but we can support each other. It is time we realize that if we do not put that time and effort into our profession that no-one else will. The future is in our hands. We can continue to work in a broken health care system or stat improving the situation and make health care companies and corporations take notice of our vast influence and worth. We can start by networking and supporting each other.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Morphine!
So a little bit of a rant here, but if you come into my Emergency Room and the first thing you say to me is “Morphine!” well my natural reaction is to take a step back. Seriously.
So working another boring night in the ER and my patient comes in and says “I need Morphine!” Now to be fair he was covered head to toe with abrasions and lacerations. Obviously the guy got beat up, a lot! But my first thought is: Get over it! Don’t we all need some? And why the heck did you get beat the heck up?
But instead, being the ever polite nurse I ask, “What is going on this evening”? To which the reply is again the same: “I need morphine! I’m in pain!”
So it’s obvious that you are in pain from the look on your face, unfortunately I have to know why before I can just hit you up with some Morphine. Give me a break. I am compassionate. I believe in better living through Chemistry. And I always give pain medications, but please do me one small favor! Start your sentence with what happened to you, not that you think you need. Besides, I know way better things for you than just plain old Morphine. Seriously!
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