Learning

"I don't know how you're always calm and collected, always in control..." -frazzled family member of a 1-month-LOS patient.

I learned a few things about myself today at work- I learned that I work better/efficiently when calm and relaxed. My patients see the difference and use the call-bell less. Two families and patients realized this and complimented me on it today; not to mention these families are difficult to deal with, as one of them is thinking of suing the hospital. Usually, the call bell is going off all the time for these families, but I tried to anticipate their needs and quell it asap.

I notice if you make an effort to know your patients, the days get better and they tend to work with you more. Being social helps. Laughing, making jokes helps, too. Depends on the patient, but the effort should be made.

I also brought in a book for a patient from my bookshelf at home...her case really touched my heart and she really grew to like me as her nurse and would request to see me sometimes if I wasn't her nurse. I gave her the book i read enroute to the Philippines February 2009- "Eat, Pray, Love." She was really grateful and the look on her face was priceless.. she showed me the picture of her 4 month old son Michael and I told her to hang on and to read.. then left for the night.

I can't imagine sitting in a room- all white walls, day in and day out, makes you go crazy..

I also transferred a patient to CCU because he went into rapid Afib. HR 220s. Adenosine x2, amio, adenosine x2 given and he converted back to afib low 100s. I made sure to xfer him out right away and give report, unlike last time when I should have given report a long time ago and my patient went back into vtach.
Acting calm and collected in this "code-like" situation helped too. Just thinking about what u need and communication are key.