Terminal agitation. I have never heard of this term before until my last shift. A patient I had a week ago, who was admitted with a fall, died today after being placed on Hospice care. The previous week, the patient was not oriented to person, place, time, or situation, and was very restless. She wasContinue reading “Terminal Agitation”
Tag Archives: nursing
Criticals, Cultures, and Codes
Today was a tough day from the beginning. At 0800, I got a discharge before I even completed the assessment or given any medications, then at 0900 I got a direct admission coming to an empty room, putting me at six patients. Throughout the rest of my med pass I got 3 critical labs, oneContinue reading “Criticals, Cultures, and Codes”
Please, do not wish to die
Our God is a way-maker, miracle-worker, promise-keeper, a light in the darkness. God will put you out of any situation no matter how wide, how deep, how high, or how low it may be. It breaks my heart to see hurting people believing that ending their life is the only solution. Suicide is the 2ndContinue reading “Please, do not wish to die”
When you don’t want to let go
Nurses always say how nurses are the worst patients. One may think this to be silly since nurses can relate to the work, however it has proven to be true more often than not. Emotions run high in the hospital and having a nurse either as a patient or a controlling family member often provesContinue reading “When you don’t want to let go”
You are a high fall risk: A struggle between safety and autonomy
Nursing care is evaluated and structured from several different agencies and protocols. Nurses are expected to timely document, take all recommended breaks, stay hydrated, care-round every hour, educate on all core measures, keep all family members involved/informed in the plan of care, provide recommendations to doctors, thoroughly assess all six patients, ambulate all six patientsContinue reading “You are a high fall risk: A struggle between safety and autonomy”
Why nursing?
On difficult days at the hospital, it is easy to question if nursing is the right career. Doubt creeps in as I start to remember all of the things I could have done, should have done, or should have known. There are days when nothing may seem to go right and the whole unit isContinue reading “Why nursing?”
The patient with the brain tumor
It was a 25 y/o male with osteosarcoma of the hip. He was receiving outpatient chemotherapy, but presented to the hospital for uncontrolled pain. After having found to be constipated, he was placed on a bowel regimen. He refused all PO medications due to nausea and vomiting, and also did not want a suppository. ItContinue reading “The patient with the brain tumor”
A personal care plan: how to refuel after a shift
Nurses create care plans for patients to guide nursing interventions toward favorable outcomes. We also need to create our own care plans for ourselves in order to continue to care for others. I have created a list of healthy interventions to ensure that I am full, so that I can pour out to others. EXERCISEContinue reading “A personal care plan: how to refuel after a shift”
What makes a good day?
A good day in the hospital is not like a good day on a day off. It is not a lack of patients, more free time to browse social media, or even a full 30 minute, uninterrupted lunch break (although, that would be nice). A good day in the hospital is a day when eachContinue reading “What makes a good day?”
Speak Life: The Power of Words
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21 (NIV) “Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit- you choose.” Proverbs 18:21 (MSG) Choose Joy. Those two words I wear on my badge every day at the hospital. The most common complimentContinue reading “Speak Life: The Power of Words”
Patient Talk 