When things can go wrong....

....They will!

And they DID. Yesterday was brutal. We started off the day down a registered staff member. I was charge nurse, and we had a new to the floor staff member who was there as a graduate staff (needing to be cosigned for alot of things) About 9, part way through my 2 hour med pass, the power goes out. The mag lock doors release, the lights go out, and the nurse-call system shuts down; which means increased checks on patients. The generator kicks in and we have very limited power. Hall lights on only, no lights in the med-room, no outlets working meaning my 3 g-tubes will run on battery but only for a short period of time. We got audited by the clinical care co-ordiator, the administrator was in to investigate a complaint, and i had a consult to complete with OT.
I did three intense woundcare procedures, had a new admission and 2 agressive patients,and a pile of charting to do. The next shift comes on and they B**ch that i dont have spoons and straws on the cart yet. I tried to give report and they pay no attention, not even on the ne admit, stellar. I roll out of thier late and frustrated, but hey no one died on my watch so i suppose its not too bad a day right?

What I Wish They Taught in Nursing School!

So i have been nursing for little bit now, and there are a few things i wish they taught in Nsg School.

1. How to Suvrive Working Short! So this weekend at the longterm care facility i work, we were desperate short. I did my med pass on my own floor of 36 residents, i split a med pass on another floor, did a care or two, answered the ever present call bells, and finished the copious amounts of paper work that laid ahead of me. 3 days of that in 100 degree weather with a high high humidex! GROSS!
2. How to Read Minds! I push the final flush through one of 3 G-Tubes on my floor, resume the feed and begin tidying up after administering her many AM meds. As I turn from the bedside my client asks, "did you give me any dilaudid" its only given when asked for soooooYES! I knew you might be in pain, i knew you wanted dilaudid specifically, and i just happen to sign it out, and brought it! OR there is the man who screams "NUUURSE WHAT TOOK YOU SO LOONG" when you walk by his room and enter at his beconning motion. "took me so long?" i respond "YES! I wanted you, i need something" I inquire if he rang his bell, to which he replies "NO! BUT YOU SHOULDVE KNOW!!!"
3. Surviving POLITICS!!! She does care plans but he doesn't, he restocks the med cart but she never does. Shes mad at you b ut your the only one who doesn't know. Your not good enough becuase you have an associates degree, but he is shotty in his work at best.