My shift started at 7 am, and by 8 am, I'd seen 3
patients of varying conditions. My
favorite patient this week is a 91-year-old woman that weighs all of 90 lbs.,
but is feisty, and tells you just what she is thinking. For instance, as my coworker and I tried to
put in a catheter, she proclaimed very sternly, if we tried to put that thing
in her we would be sorry. Well, wouldn't
you know, as soon as we began to insert the cath, my little friend had what she
referred to as, a bad case of the vapors.
We stood up straight to catch our breath and the patient said, told you
not to do it.
My next patient was less feisty, but determined he was
not going to take his prescribed medication. Of course, it's within his right to refuse, however each time I left the
room he would call me back and say he would take it. I'd get it and oh well, he would change his
mind again.
The morning went on, I was vomited on, but otherwise
things went pretty well. I went to lunch
at 11:30, and came back to have a doctor complaining that she could not find
me. I really like most of the doctors I
work with, however this one is always beyond demanding. Today she gave me a list of things to
complete that would take two very capable nurses at least two shifts to
complete. Thank goodness for a great
supervisor that says do what you can and don't worry about it.
I was asked to go help out in the emergency department
around 2, there was an outbreak of patients with flu, and a bus accident with
multiple victims. My first patient was a terrified 8-year-old that had some
cuts that needed sutures. Her mom suffered a broken leg and was headed for
surgery so we had to call other family members in, who happened to be 100 miles
away. This little girl was begging me
not to leave her, so I was doing my best keep checking on her as often as
possible. Another patient had an eye injury and I had to call in an eye
surgeon, who was not thrilled to be called away from his golf game. Back to the
little girl, her grandparents arrived, and she left with them, but not before
giving me a hug and thanking me for taking care of her, making me remember why
I love my job.
Back to my regular floor at 5 pm, where I had two new
patients to do intakes on, and one waiting to be released. One of my patients
had severe anxiety, and needed quite a bit of reassurance that she would be well
cared for during her stay. The other new patient was an elderly man that was
known for his comedy performances at the local nursing home. After admitting him, and spending 45 minutes
with him, I could see why, he was hilarious, it was hard to believe he had
terminal cancer.
At 6 pm I finally sat down to catch up on my notes for
the day. As I prepared them I sat back and reflected on just how much I
accomplished in one day. I have to admit,I was actually a little proud of
myself. Before leaving for the day I made my rounds to tell, all of my patients
that I was going home for the day. My 91-year-old jokingly asked if I'd like to
try another catheter, and my guy that refused medication finally accepted it. I
was able to visit the mom of the little girl that I'd worked with in the
emergency room, it was great to see that she was going to be fine, and to learn
a little more about the little girl, who was already settled in at her
grandparents playing with their dog.
I got into my car at 7:15, took a big sigh, and thought
about the day. Thinking about each of
my patients as I drove home, I’ll just end today’s blog by
saying, I love my job.
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