...during today's final LTC clinical shift, I witnessed first-hand the incredible power of Milk of Magnesia.
The PSWs were all on break, so the two RPNs were left to deal with the ambulatory patient who had no intention of going back to his room. Finally, I just felt too sorry for them, got a pair of gloves, and went to help them out.
What I learned during today's shift: always administer Milk of Magnesia approximately 30 minutes before the end of your shift.
I'm still reeling (and laughing!) from the sight of today's episode!!! That was simply surreal. :-)
Showing posts with label LTC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label LTC. Show all posts
Friday, April 5, 2013
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Final week of second year BScN program!!!
Today is my lab exam -- talking my way through an exam as I show the instructors how I do practical skills.
It'll be either giving injections or doing sterile dressing changes. I have to prepare both procedures thoroughly, and then I find out which one I'm doing at the exam. I just want this over with -- waiting is always the hardest part. Doing something is always much better than waiting to do something!
Tomorrow is my last shift of my LTC rotation. I'm going to miss 'my' patients in the end-stage dementia unit. I've certainly learned a lot there --both in terms of nursing skills and what's truly important in life, what priorities are key in life.
The past few weeks have been a very bumpy ride, and I am extremely grateful that the end of second year is in sight. After tomorrow's clinical shift, I just have 3 final exams to study for, and that's that. I'll officially be "half" a nurse -- half way through nursing school.
Whew. It's flying by faster than I ever expected.
It'll be either giving injections or doing sterile dressing changes. I have to prepare both procedures thoroughly, and then I find out which one I'm doing at the exam. I just want this over with -- waiting is always the hardest part. Doing something is always much better than waiting to do something!
Tomorrow is my last shift of my LTC rotation. I'm going to miss 'my' patients in the end-stage dementia unit. I've certainly learned a lot there --both in terms of nursing skills and what's truly important in life, what priorities are key in life.
The past few weeks have been a very bumpy ride, and I am extremely grateful that the end of second year is in sight. After tomorrow's clinical shift, I just have 3 final exams to study for, and that's that. I'll officially be "half" a nurse -- half way through nursing school.
Whew. It's flying by faster than I ever expected.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
First patient death
Today was an emotional rollercoaster, as I experienced my first patient death. He was palliative yesterday on my shift, and today was his last day. I'm still processing everything that I saw today, from seeing him mobile and active a mere two weeks ago, to seeing him being zipped up into a body bag by the funeral home staff. Powerful stuff.
Another patient also had a fall today, so I got to perform the neuro assessments according to the facility protocol. For the first hour, the assessment was to be performed every fifteen minutes. It was all so new to me, that I barely finished one assessment of vitals, when it was just about time to do the next set of assessments! I am pleased to say, however, that I got much faster the more times I did it.
With all the goings on, I didn't have a chance to do my medication administration today. That will wait until next shift.
I almost felt like a real student nurse today!
Another patient also had a fall today, so I got to perform the neuro assessments according to the facility protocol. For the first hour, the assessment was to be performed every fifteen minutes. It was all so new to me, that I barely finished one assessment of vitals, when it was just about time to do the next set of assessments! I am pleased to say, however, that I got much faster the more times I did it.
With all the goings on, I didn't have a chance to do my medication administration today. That will wait until next shift.
I almost felt like a real student nurse today!
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Registering for Clinicals today!
Tuesday morning, 10h40
Oh the anticipation as I wait for 11 am to come. We register online for our first clinical placements (Long Term Care and Public Health (school nursing)) at that time. They said that the site becomes live at 11 am, and usually by 11:05, the registration is complete.
We had a practice registration session last week, and the site showed all the available spots for each location. However, I'm told that only about 3/4 of the class participated in the run-through, so it will definitely be more intense today when we do it for real.
I think I'll easily get the placement that I'm hoping to get, given that the location of the LTC placement I want is a for-profit nursing home, located on the outer edges of our town. During the practice sign up session, it was evident that most people preferred to be in the hospital-type settings for LTC that were offered, and they are located downtown. As for me, I'm looking for a good experience (which I know I'll get in any LTC placement), an easy commute (I've spent enough years already doing commutes I didn't enjoy), and free parking (which is a bonus for facilities located out of the downtown core, where space is ample.)
What I'm most interested in getting is the lab placement in the time slot I want. Actually, it's a need, given that there is only one that works with my kids' schedule and means I don't need extra daycare.
Fingers crossed!!! The countdown to registration is on...
*********************************************************************
Tuesday morning, 11h05
Well, that took all of 20 seconds to do, once the site was live. I got both the placement I wanted, as well as the lab time I was hoping for. All is well.
I was right, though, in my prediction that the placement location I chose was not one of the coveted ones. I noticed that there was still one spot left at my placement location, when I logged off. All I can say is I hope there are not a bunch of not-too-happy-nursing students in my placement group, who got there by default, because their first choices were filled!
Another new experience done. Now to just focus on preparing for next week's exams. That is somewhat stressful to think of, when I realize just how soon they are.
And Christmas prep, that I'm completely putting on hold until final exams are finished....
Oh the anticipation as I wait for 11 am to come. We register online for our first clinical placements (Long Term Care and Public Health (school nursing)) at that time. They said that the site becomes live at 11 am, and usually by 11:05, the registration is complete.
We had a practice registration session last week, and the site showed all the available spots for each location. However, I'm told that only about 3/4 of the class participated in the run-through, so it will definitely be more intense today when we do it for real.
I think I'll easily get the placement that I'm hoping to get, given that the location of the LTC placement I want is a for-profit nursing home, located on the outer edges of our town. During the practice sign up session, it was evident that most people preferred to be in the hospital-type settings for LTC that were offered, and they are located downtown. As for me, I'm looking for a good experience (which I know I'll get in any LTC placement), an easy commute (I've spent enough years already doing commutes I didn't enjoy), and free parking (which is a bonus for facilities located out of the downtown core, where space is ample.)
What I'm most interested in getting is the lab placement in the time slot I want. Actually, it's a need, given that there is only one that works with my kids' schedule and means I don't need extra daycare.
Fingers crossed!!! The countdown to registration is on...
*********************************************************************
Tuesday morning, 11h05
Well, that took all of 20 seconds to do, once the site was live. I got both the placement I wanted, as well as the lab time I was hoping for. All is well.
I was right, though, in my prediction that the placement location I chose was not one of the coveted ones. I noticed that there was still one spot left at my placement location, when I logged off. All I can say is I hope there are not a bunch of not-too-happy-nursing students in my placement group, who got there by default, because their first choices were filled!
Another new experience done. Now to just focus on preparing for next week's exams. That is somewhat stressful to think of, when I realize just how soon they are.
And Christmas prep, that I'm completely putting on hold until final exams are finished....
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