What Do Nurses Do?

Lol! I am NOT sleeping

Can someone PLEASE tell all of my cute little elderly patients that I am NOT sleeping on 3rd shift out at the Nurse's Station?? Lol I can't tell you how many times they have ever-so-sweetly wished me a good nap or apologized for "waking me"!!

- SL

Several things………

"Several things.........
1. We do a crazy amount of continuing education.......our education doesn't stop after nsg school
2. The dr is not gonna be at your bedside for more than 10 min per day.........if he shows up when you have a change in condition it's because A NURSE called him (or her)
3. You're not getting turned and taught splinting and how to use your spirometer postop because of a dr order.......that's your care plan initiated by your nurse
4. Most drs and nurses get along well and view each other as colleagues........I've had drs ask my opinion regarding pt care
5. Sometimes we know more than dr.......a dr may be able to explain how IABP and CRRT work but they don't have a clue how to run the machine
6.......and last........we don't view what we do as a job......it's a career and a calling."

- TMT

I could on…

Nurse to patient ratios not just in hospitals but in SNF's (rehab and long term care units) often rehab nurses 28-30:1 and CNA's 10-14:1... Sometimes 60:1 on LTC for nurses.... Nurse to pt ratios in the hospitals as well can be ridiculous... Floating nurses to other units despite discomfort... The pay scales are ridiculous and offensive.... My CNA husband who often has 14:1 gets $11/hour... Some facilities give RN's $18 an hour and LPN's $16 an hour.... In the event you're curious the hospitals here in Florida prefer RN's with BSN's now.... I could on...

- SH

Nurses are the punching bag most of the time

Nurses are the punching bag most of the time. Problem with the doctor? Patients tell the nurse. The meal service? Nurse hears it. Radiology? Other departments? The telephone? The housekeeper? You name it. We hear about it. So please, voice your concerns but do it nicely smile we are dealing with a billion fires to put out at any given time during a shift, and it's likely there are some more critical than a TV you can't turn on. Sorry, the Unstable SVT next door does not come after your cold meal tray.

- LA

Soon we will be reimbursed based off of our survey scores

We are faced with multiple reimbursement changes and being forced to work within lower budgets. Soon we will be reimbursed based off of our survey scores. This is crazy, I wish pts/families would understand what that survey is for instead of using it as a way to complain about things out of our control.

- AM

Being an EMT I hate that nurses dismiss my information

Being an EMT I hate that nurses dismiss my information or role their eyes when I bring a patient in. I know we get tired but the patient sees that and in the end unless it's a rare occasion where I have to make the split second decision bc they need a specific hospital most patients make the choice of hospitals. So a little more respect upon arrival would go much further.....and for Pete's sake stop calling us Ambulance drivers!!!

- DZL

More job opportunities for us LPNs

Staffing Ratio here in PA. Hospitals fading out LPNs. I had some of the best experience in an Acute Care setting. All aspects from ODs to Oncology. Utilizing us to our fullest potential and giving us a chance to learn MORE instead of staying stagnant. More job opportunities for us LPNs.

- CT

It’s not fair to everyone for 1 person doing all the work

I think the Nurse, CNA, PCT, LPN, PT, RT to patients is scary and needs to be addressed patient need to come first and it should be 10 to 2 RN nurse and 3 CNA to assist in the care of the patients it's not fair to everyone for 1 person doing all the work

- TS

Hospitals get higher reimbursement if their nursing staff are BSNs

Hospitals get higher reimbursement if their nursing staff are BSNs (Bachelors of Science in Nursing). I happen to be one, but feel this trend is cutting out fantastic nurses with other certifications.

- BJN

If you’re working with a 5:1 ratio on a 12 hour shift

If you're working with a 5:1 ratio on a 12 hour shift, and you take one 30 minute break and your documentation takes about 90 minutes, you have a total of about 2 hours to spend with each patient.

- KP

Some home care agencies won’t hire LPNs

Some home care agencies won't hire LPNs. The one I work for does though I do recommend that you be IV certified. We have a bunch of LPNs who aren't and at times it's tough to get all the patients done on time. There are times we have had patients with daily or even worse BID IVs and those certified were working long days.

- MM

Addiction is treatable

Addiction is treatable. It is a disease with treatment options.

- BF

Healthcare workers that work nights do not get to sleep during their shifts

Healthcare workers that work nights do not get to sleep during their shifts. Night shift workers do not necessarily get to sleep all day before working all night. Many of us have a reason for working nights and have children to care for at home... However working nights makes sense for many of us so we can spend more time with our children or do not have to trust a stranger to watch our children.

- RRW

I love my job and work with a group of dedicated, talented, caring people

We have a team of 69 women and men nurses at University of Michigan who do Vascular Access. We place IV's and PICC lines 24 hours seven days a week. Most hospitals only have that service on days. I love my job and work with a group of dedicated, talented, caring people. We are all very proud of what we do. We are all RNs except one very talented LPN who places just IVs.

- MBR

Most people don’t know I am the one safely providing their anesthetic

I'm a CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists) - the general public is usually clueless as to what I do. Most people don't know I am the one safely providing their anesthetic. I've been asked if I hand the anesthesiologist what he needs or if the anesthesiologist tells me what to give.

- KC

While we consider every patient a priority, we must prioritize care

What I'd like the public to know..... I work in a pediatric bridge hospital. A place to transition patients from acute settings to, hopefully, home. We train parents/caregivers in everything from ADLs to trach changes. Our nurse to patient ratios are very fair and manageable in my opinion. I sincerely wish patients' caregivers would understand that while we consider every patient a priority, we must prioritize care.

- DRT

Not hiring LPN’s in hospitals anymore is a cost saving measure

Not hiring LPN's in hospitals anymore is a cost saving measure. They hire CNA's, pay them much less but train and expect them to perform many of the tasks that LPN's used to do. What the CNA's can't do has been put on the RNs. Having an LPN give meds was a huge help to the RN. It's a shame.

- MS

Most of the time, administration has no idea…

Most of the time, administration has no idea...

- SH

Case managers can make a difference and yes we are still nurses

I went from working in labor and delivery to doing Case Management for the last year... It was a hard move but a good one. A completely different world to say the least. It forced me to look at healthcare in different ways. Despite the general populations belief... case managers can make a difference and yes we are still nurses. You are educating someone about diseases, their health and prevention. You are reinforcing what the doctors are trying to tell their patients... You are the support for some that may not have any.

- CKR

We educate the doctors as well

I'm a respiratory therapist at a long term care place.....its rough....we watch people slip away daily....the nurses here are over worked and under paid as are we....we take care of the families as well as the patient....we educate the doctors as well....that's right people....we educate everyone involved....we do this 24/7 and rarely are thanked but are the first for everyone to call out for.....I love my nurses and aides we are a cohesive team....there's no individuals...without one the others fail....

- JS

Feel like my nose is in a computer all day and less face time with my patients

Feel like my nose is in a computer all day and less face time with my patients

- KO

I don’t know why credentials count for more than actual experience

Where I work the nurses run the show pretty much...we know what we are doing and there's rarely a time that I get an order for something that I didn't ask for or at least anticipate. But I still get parents asking to talk to the doctor and disregard everything i'm saying like I haven't been doing this for thousands of hours of my life. It makes me crazy...and then half the time the doc comes in and says...uhhh....you'll have to talk to your nurse about that...or answers a question identically like I just did. I don't know why credentials count for more than actual experience.

- JD

I can stand in the same place for 9+ hours without food, water, sitting or bathroom break

I am a surgical technologist and I can stand in the same place for 9+ hours without food, water, sitting or bathroom break.

- JB

I have a BSN but I am expected to be a customer service rep and tap dance for a positive patient review

ER nurse here. I have a BSN but I am expected to be a customer service rep and tap dance for a positive patient review. It's required that I make sure to fill out a whiteboard because some company the hospital is paying 7 figures to says that it will improve Q scores. Point being, I feel there is more emphasis on making patients happy and less on making them healthy.

- AR

I remember the day I was reminded that “pain is not a life threat”

I'm in orthopedics. I remember the day I was reminded that "pain is not a life threat" and the "vast majority of orthopedic surgeries are elective." That gives a different perspective. We do all we can to help as many as possible but when reasons beyond our control force us to decline doing surgery on someone, I wish more people realized it's not our choice or our preference.

- MD

I’m proud to be an LPN. As I became a nurse to CARE for people not push papers!

I'm an lpn in long term care, have been for 36 years now. Yes we care for your loved ones, and most find a special place in our hearts! As you can see we care about what we do, I'm proud to be an LPN. As I became a nurse to CARE for people not push papers! Times are changing in most professions, this will pass but maybe the next time your in the hospital or nursing home you'll have more respect for those that care for you!

- TL

It is our job as RN’S to rescue

Oncology RN. I teach my students that the reason patients are in the hospital is because they can easily get medically worse, and it is our job as RN'S to rescue. Otherwise the patient is ready to go home, and no nurse is needed. If they take that role seriously, everything else falls into place.

- KV

The general public just has no idea how many of their care decisions are made by nurses in every field of care

The general public just has no idea how many of their care decisions are made by nurses in every field of care. I work in LTC I take care of the same 30 or more people everyday that I work and a lot of times these patients are seen by a doctor for five minutes once a month or less. Many times when I call a doctor to report a change of condition or other issue the first thing they say is ok what would you like to do. I don't think the public realizes how much doctors count on our knowledge of our patients.

- JH

The general public needs to understand what an ER is used for and what and an urgent care is used for

Can someone please tell the 160 patients in triage that they need to be triaged and sometimes there are other people that are more sick than yourself. I'm a trained ER/triage nurse and I know when you need to come back to a room faster than the moment you realized you needed to come to the ER! Your colds, congestion, low grade temp, foot pain x 3 years is going to have to wait behind the stroke symptoms, overdose, septic newborn and low 02 stat elderly person! The general public needs to understand what an ER is used for and what and an urgent care is used for! To many level 3-5's taking over in most of America's ER's! If your waiting it's probably because you don't need to be there!!

- LL

I hate telling a patient over the phone that they have a skin cancer when they call for results

I've been a LPN for 15 years. I've done geriatric, mental health, family planning, and now dermatology. My office is primarily the medical side of derm, meaning we don't do the fillers and injections. We deal with skin cancers and abnormal moles. I hate telling a patient over the phone that they have a skin cancer when they call for results, but I have great satisfaction in knowing that I can tell them that we can take care of it. We do MOHS procedures that by the time they leave the office their skin cancers are gone. We do have our share of the dreaded melanoma, some we excise and some we have to send to a surgical oncologist. So yes, I'm a derm nurse, no I don't have to do holidays, weekends, nights, or 12 hour shifts, but I take care of my patients all the same!

- MC

The general public really has no clue in my experience

FNP (family nurse practitioner) in Michigan and people call me a PA EVERYDAY!! The general public really has no clue in my experience...I love my job but it does stink to do everything a physician does and the public, our patients having no idea what a practitioner is..I'm sure CRNAs must face the same battle...It would be much better if people would stop bickering about who has it worse...Do your job, save some lives, be thankful you have a rewarding career.

- FK

I am a nurse because is my passion and I have no desire to be a doctor.

I work 12 hour night shifts, three in a row. From 7p-12am I do not sit down. I have to complete 20 ceu's every two years. I must do much more to actually keep current. I read approx 10-20 journal articles a week. I am a graduate student, full time plus work full time. I am a nurse because is my passion and I have no desire to be a doctor. I think I could not do my job if I didn't work with an entire team and each part of the team is equally important.

- AR

See if your primary MD has a nurse line! We really do know what we are talking about!

I was tired of being overwhelmed with nonsense in the actual ER that I now am working for a telephone triage service and I keep people away from the ER if needed.  See if your primary MD has a nurse line! We really do know what we are talking about! Call me anytime like Carly Jepsen says!

- LL

The doc isn’t there so if your family member had a crisis it is the nurses taking care of it.

I work in a small ICU, and they should know the doc isn't there so if your family member had a crisis it is the nurses taking care of it.

- KL

I can do many of the same things a doctor can do with my advanced degree. Such as: diagnose, prescribe, treat, and manage various Health issues.

FNP-BC here and what I want the general public to know if that all of us have had extensive training both in the class room and on the job to do what we do EVERY SINGLE DAY (nurses and beyond). I may not "be a doctor" but I can do many of the same things a doctor can do with my advanced degree. Such as: diagnose, prescribe, treat, and manage various Health issues. I learned much of what I do as a FNP not only in graduate school but also when I was staff nursing on med/surg and ICU over the past 8 years. Just like all of us nurses, I also don't just push pills/medications to my patients. I use my nursing education and skills to treat the entire patient (mind,body,soul) with both traditional western and eastern medicine.  We are the heart, soul, and backbone of the healthcare system!

- AM

I not only help my patients, but their families depend on me too.

I am a home health LPN. I work however many hours my patients need. I not only help my patients, but their families depend on me too. They need my support, my knowledge and my time. Sometimes, my being there is the only break they get. I love their acceptance into their home and their lives.

- SF

On a daily basis I fight with insurance companies

Home Health director. The general public doesn't realize that on a daily basis I fight with insurance companies to get the care a doctor has ordered paid for. They don't realize that the reimbursement for their care is directed by standard guidelines and rarely on an individual case by case basis.

- AW

Most people have no idea what our responsibilities include

I have been a RN for 16 years: telemetry unit, stroke and dialysis unit, home health, doctor's office and rehabilitation. I have heard many say... You sit in front of a computer all day. Well, that is when YOU see me. Most people have no idea what our responsibilities include: full head to toe assessments, skin assessments, medication administration, treatments, wound care, etc.... And document on every single task that we do and every conversation we have with a doctor.

- KT

As a hospice nurse we don’t kill patients!

As a hospice nurse we don't kill patients! We don't give morphine to "send them out". We give morphine to ease their pain and make their breathing less labored. Our patients are terminally ill and we allow them to pass comfortably at home surrounded by their loved ones.

- LR

I think In general that the public has no idea how much knowledge that nurses have

I think In general that the public has no idea how much knowledge that nurses have. Nurses know pathophysiology , chemistry, anatomy and how to calculate how much medicine to give, how fast to give it and what the side effects are. Nurses know that you may show your anger at the the nurse when you are really angry at the situation. They know that you haven't slept for days because you are so scared and helpless. Nurses spend more time at the bedside than anyone else in the hospital.

- CSA

We need to educate the public about EVERYTHING our job entails.

We need to educate the public about EVERYTHING our job entails. They truly don't understand... I'm an ICU nurse... I do much more than wipe butts and feed patients... I assess my patients ALL shift, I critically think, I educate patients, family, and doctors, I deal with all the complaints and the verbal abuse, I sympathize and hold my patients hands, I clean them and feed them and turn them, I protect them from pressure ulcers, skin breakdown, and infections from invasive lines, I advocate for them, I'm the patients voice when they can't speak, I titrate medications and look for even the smallest changes in their status so I can hopefully save their life, I'm the code blue team and the medical response team when patients decompensate on the floors, I document every hour the patients intake, output, drips, etc, I run CRRT on the sickest of patients, I walk family members into the room and softly explain everything in the room to decrease their stress just a little, I draw blood and monitor labs, I am a team mate with the rest of the healthcare professionals needed to care for patients... I'm a nurse. WE are nurses and WE do all these things and this is still not close to our ENTIRE job description.

- AC

I want others to know we don’t babysit!

I'm an LPN I work all units however my full time job is in assisted living and I want others to know we don't babysit! Wr pasd meds, do change over, treatments, help with meals, assisting our STNA with showers, transportation etc. There have been nurses that come to AL and say I never would have thought you nurses did this much in AL.

- JC

I want people, family members to spend time with their loved one now, not when it’s to late.

Ltc, I want people, family members to spend time with their loved one now, not when it's to late. This happens everyday, it breaks my heart to hear elderly patients make excuses why their children do not come to visit.  Ex: A patient of mine had her birthday a few weeks ago, her son sent her flowers. She said he was probably to busy to bring them. I know we are busy, but it only takes a hour out of the day.  * he lives in the same city. I see this all of the time, literally heartbreaking.

- EH

My care for them doesn’t stop when I clock out.

What I wish the public knew: as a CNA, I am so much more than a butt wiper. I am there when family is not. I hear their fears and disappointment about aging and dying. I'm there to reassure them and help guide them and make sure they do what they can so they don't lose it. I have my heart broken often by either witnessing the decline or death of your loved ones. My care for them doesn't stop when I clock out. I carry them with me daily...your loved ones will remain in my heart forever and you can bet on it bc in writing this, I'm fighting tears remembering the souls I've met and lost in my 10 month career.

- AM

Many people do not understand how time consuming charting can be

I understand how important charting is, but I spend more time with my computer than with my patients. I am an RN in post surgical ICU step down. Many people do not understand how time consuming charting can be.

- KM

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard “well, am I still going to see the doctor?”

Nephrology ARNP, I can't tell you how many times I've heard "well, am I still going to see the doctor?" Or (my fave) "I came to see the Dr. If you wanted to be one, maybe you should have gone to school longer (wait for it..) no offense." My response: "you are more than welcome to wait back in the waiting room until the doctor is finished seeing her pt, we work as a team and discuss all cases before you come in and at the end of the day, but it IS your choice. And... If you have to say 'no offense', it IS likely offensive.

- SW

We catch and ask for correction of mistakes

I'm an LVN. NICU, PICU, ICU. I believe that many people do not realize that nurses do not always do what the "Drs orders" say right away. What I mean by that is...1. We catch and ask for correction of mistakes. 2. When doc orders Mr. Smith to have laxatives, stool softeners, etc, BID, we are the ones that KNOW it is NOT needed. 3. When doc says, "Ambulate pt TID"....WHOA! Her feet haven't hit the floor in a month! People don't realize WE are the connection between them and their MD. Most often, when they ask for something ridiculous, then insist they must see their doc to ask him themselves, the MD often asks US first what we recommend. Just sayin', we do more than bow down and say Amen. We play a more active roll in their decisions that effect their care than most folks realize.

- NS

I spend more time with THEIR loved ones than I do with my own

ICU RN- I wish people knew that most weeks I spend more time with THEIR loved ones than I do with my own

- HM

ER nurses are trusted to initiate care without doctors orders

ER Nurses are the first one(s) you see when u come to the ER. They have already assessed you, initiated care and and usually diagnosed you before the doctor gets a chance to see you. Most likely before the doctor enters your room, you've gotten your IV, cardiac monitor, oxygen, EKG, and are prepping for a CT Scan..... ER nurses are trusted to initiate care without doctors orders based on Nursing Judgement and Critical Thinking.

- SM

We need to educate the general public on the advanced education nursing offers.

Oncology RN . We need to educate the general public on the advanced education nursing offers. I think education lends credibility to us as a profession.

- MC

I want families to know that it’s okay to have made the decision to entrust your loved one in our care.

LTC RN (Long Term Care). I want families to know that it's okay to have made the decision to entrust your loved one in our care. It's understandable that you feel guilty, but it's not necessary to take your anger/frustrations out on the staff that are working so hard to care for your loved one. If you genuinely thought you could do a better job, then there'd be no need for us to begin with. I also feel that patients/dpoa should have a realistic approach to DNR code status.

- BR

Some see a problem child, but nurses ask why.

I am an LVN for the 4th largest school district in California. We see a lot of sick kids in the health office. Sometimes it's the nurses who can see past why a kid might be getting Fs or not showing up to school. Sometimes they are being neglected or abused. Some see a problem child, but nurses ask why.

- TL

We improve quality of life. Don’t be afraid of the h word.

Hospice RN, was staff development and rehab. Don't wait to put your loved ones on hospice until they are in the late stages. We improve quality of life. Don't be afraid of the h word.

- KA

We taken oath to care for those in need not overpaid waitresses and punching bags.

At this point in my career I am the dreaded agency nurse. I go pretty much where ever with little notice, am mostly treated like a leper by most staff nurses, and apparently no longer have a name but am simply referred to as "the agency nurse". Despite all of that I still do my very best to go above and beyond for my patients since I know it could impact your HCAHPS. That being said, I would like the public to know that we are all rigorously trained professionals that have taken oath to care for those in need not overpaid waitresses and punching bags. I remember working a few weeks ago and thinking I have 80g in student loans, am awaiting conferral of my MSN, and 12 years experience and was heating up my 4th TV dinner for an ever unsatisfied and ungrateful patient. And that burned my ass a bit really.

- MD

Mid management is just as frustrated as floor nurses (or aides) are

I would like bedside staff to know that hospital mid management is just as frustrated as floor nurses (or aides) are. Our hands are tied because we don't have the final say in staffing or budgeting. I feel responsible for so many things that I can't do nothing about. I have been a CNA and a floor RN, so I know first hand that ratios are too high and that you have too many checklists. But if I don't make sure things get done on my unit, someone else will come who will. I try to help as much as possible on the floor, but it is hard with mandatory meetings, patient complaints, staff complaints and 10 audits per day. My job does not stop at 5pm or at 5 days per week.

- ID

Just BE NICE PLEASE. We’re people too

And someone tell the general public to be nice to us human beings. We're not terrorists....we're nurses and we are very nice people. You're always going to have that one bad apple but it seems like lately there are 10 out of 20 bad apples. If you can wait for your food at whataburger, you can wait your turn in the ER. Just BE NICE PLEASE. We're people too

- LL

Don’t realize we work more holidays and weekends than we spend with our own families.

RN for 32 yrs in upstate NY. I've been an IV therapist for 24yrs. Although they see us, most pts and their families don't realize we work more holidays and weekends than we spend with our own families. Most think cuz we work in a hospital, our healthcare and medications are free. I have had pts say that.

- EP

There is so much more to being an RT than just breathing treatments!

I am a Respiratory Therapist. After being asked what I do for a living and I say RT the usual response is "oh so you just give breathing treatments- that must be so easy!" That is NOT all we do. Yes that is ALOT of our job but not entirely. I work in a small hospital so beyond the obvious breathing tx, CPAP, intubation, ect- we also do the echos, dobutamines, EKGs, EEGs, PFTs, and the oh so loved ABG. There is so much more to being an RT than just breathing treatments!

- CC

I would gladly let them borrow my “doctorscope”

26 years, 4 years on a Med Surg floor where we would have 15 to 16 patients a piece and most of them would be total care patients with high acuity and the floor also served as a step down unit for the ICU. Then transferred to the ER where we had 32 beds and on an average day we would have pts on stretchers in the hallway and even cardioverted pts in wheelchairs. Now I'm working in a Urology office and we provide services to pts from a large number of counties around the state. These doctors I work for are amazing and very compassionate and I would gladly let them borrow my "doctorscope".

- KM

We are jack of all trades for patient care.

Float/pacu RN and NP student: When you hear about our day it doesn't sound so busy. What most people don't realize is it's not one patient at a time. It 2-6 patients at a time. And we're not specialized. We are jack of all trades for patient care. We have to know a bit about everything: nutrition, PT, OT, RT, ST, rehab, HHC, SW, psych, transport, CNA, lab, ekg, pharmacy, medicine, etc.  so we have 50 things we must be aware of for 5 pts, then each pts needs - family, pain, shower, dressings, ordering a meal, med reconciliation, discharge by 10am,no info to aunt Sally only to grandma Jo, education, etc. And then the hospitals/ govt demands: hcaps, vaccines, charting, core measures, hourly rounding, what dept gets what kind of report method, etc.

- SM

I’m an ICU RN. I wish the general public knew that I may not gush or smile. It’s not because I don’t care.

I'm an ICU RN. I wish the general public knew that I may not gush or smile. It's not because I don't care. It's because I am focusing on caring for my patients and getting everything done. That my patients always come first. I will go without eating or drinking or bathroom breaks - I sure wish they knew what we do to our bodies. My charting (they need to know we have a crap ton of charting to do) comes last. I may get stuck after my shift an hour or two to chart. Also asking ++++questions while I'm giving meds or assessing the patient takes away my focus and care of the patient. That they need to appoint one person in their family to update others. In a critical area (or any area for that matter) of nursing It is extremely hard to answer multiple questions to 10 different family members or even worse multiple phone calls. Each time I get a call I have to leave a patients room to address it. Please use the call light and don't walk out to the nurses station. Please don't visit or more importantly CALL during shift change. We are educated and have required continuing education. We have to be doctor and pharmacist too. Meaning we need to know correct dosages, frequencies, drug interactions etc, and we catch mistakes that started with a doctors order and was missed by the pharmacist. Also that we look at everything - vital signs, labs, test results, doctor orders, medications and patient history in addition to their assessment. We analyze it all. That is a lot of responsibility. That takes skill and knowledge all of which we don't always have a lot of time to utilize. If we are sitting down we are still working! So many don't understand that.

- DH

Just because a nurse is walking down the hall, her brain is buzzing with all the care she must give her patients and organizing

I would like the public and patients and their families that just because a nurse is walking down the hall, her brain is buzzing with all the care she must give her patients and organizing. The organizing goes on constantly due to changes to pt condition or new pt. Just because we are sitting does not mean we are just relaxing. If or body is not moving, you can be sure our brain is!

- BC

Nothing else seems to matter if you can’t breathe.

I am a registered respiratory therapist and we are unseen many times. But very important in the lives of many. Nothing else seems to matter if you can't breathe.

- JK

Doctors usually don’t round in the middle of the night

Med-tele RN, and mine is that doctors usually don't round in the middle of the night. If you code, then yes, a doc will show up. Sometimes the on call doc will show up if we have called them a lot about the same patient. The residents may come by and check on their patients but a lot our patients are the hospital's patients.... So, you probably won't see them until morning rounds.

- NJ

It never gets “easy” to watch someone die.

I would have to agree with the comments about Hospice nurses, we don't "push" Roxanol to quicken the dying process..and we are truly trying to control pain and offer them some quality of what is left of their life. We struggle with losing patients and we aren't robots part of being a good nurse is offering part of yourself with your care and compassion. It never gets "easy" to watch someone die. I don't think there are many of us that it doesn't affect and at times the emotions can preceded what we've been taught and we cry too, our families witness our sadness at times it's overwhelming . Its a physically demanding job but emotionally difficult as well. Its also an honor to have the trust of a hospice patient and their family to care for them at the end of their life. We support the grieving and then do ours in private.

- TPD

It is a felony to assault a nurse on duty

I want people to know that in the state of NY as of November 2010, it is a felony to assault a nurse on duty. I believe it should be a crime in every state.

- EP

This is my passion! Improving birth one women at a time!!

Certified Nurse Midwife! BSN, MSN in midwifery. I work in an OB/GYN office taking care of women from teens to menopause, perform annuals, treat infections, prescribe birth control and other meds including narcotics. I also provide prenatal care, antepartum care (assist laboring women and delivery, repair) round on my postpartum patients and see them for their postpartum exam. I am in office 4 days a week and on call (24 hour shifts) 3-4 days a week. We do everything a OB/GYN physician does except surgical. I frequently leave the office and go to the hospital at night and then return to the office the next day seeing patients. Very dedicated to my families, and evidence based practice!! This is my passion! Improving birth one women at a time!!

- CB

There are some nights where I soothe the anxious to sleep with a hug and a song or two.

I am a Psychiatric/Mental Health nurse from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I want the general public to know that my job isn't just managing aggressive or annoying behaviors, rather there are some nights where I soothe the anxious to sleep with a hug and a song or two. Most nights I don't get to eat my dinner because I am in the room with a family as they unfurl their drama and after they leave, they expect their loved one on the locked unit to just "deal with it and go to bed." I want them to know that every time they call the unit to yell at someone and complain to me about their loved one not being normal again after a diagnosis of schizophrenia... I don't take it personally and no, they aren't being jerks... they are mourning the loss of a loved one who is still alive and well right in front of them. They are mourning the loss of what could have been and their "new normal." I want the general public to know that when "just another opiate addict" dies in an alley from a heroin overdose.... I am heartbroken and mourn the loss of life that I've most likely helped detox a time or two. Mostly what I want the general public to know is that I'd honestly rather a patient be diagnosed with cancer than a mental illness these days because there is less stigma. Fighting cancer is celebrated and people rally around the patient to encourage them. Fighting a mental illness is a life long sentence of torture and pain for the person diagnosed and I, your psych nurse, am celebrating you and fighting for YOU!

- SK

I want to people to remember that the nicu is still an icu, not a baby nursery

Nicu nurse. I want to people to remember that the nicu is still an icu, not a baby nursery. I understand you want everyone to see your baby, but those babies are at high risk of developing infections so having a lot of visitors is not in the baby's best interest. Another reason is they need their rest to grow and heal. Also, our nicu has a neo that comes to round during the day, but after that they are on call, the nurses and nnps are the ones there to take care of those patients.

- JS

I try to make them smile or laugh

Ortho Trauma OR RN here, Many times I see people at their absolute worst...severe pain, life threatening injuries, possible legal trouble, scared...the list goes on. Anyway, I try to make them smile or laugh. When I'm checking in an 80 year old man who fell and broke his hip, I'll ask him if he took his belly button ring out or if he could be pregnant. It's such a silly question they will usually laugh. I also try to give a running commentary while we are getting them off to sleep just to let them know why we are swarming them and tell them the safety belt is to remind them to keep their hands and feet inside the ride at all times, again just a silly little thing but something to ease their fears. If I can make you laugh before surgery, maybe they'll have a better experience and not a fearful one.

- HP

They do not realize how much actual education goes into becoming get an entry level nurse.

The public does not know that nurses hold college degrees. They do not realize how much actual education goes into becoming get an entry level nurse. They don't understand that in some hospitals every minute of the shift is monitored, meaning that a nurse can never be in one place for more that a few minutes. They really don't realize that satisfaction does not equal outcome. Example: had a STEMI in the ER, we rocked it. Got him to the Cath lab in 25 minutes, he went home without rehab two days later, high 5 total success. Until the wife wrote a letter to complain about how rushed they felt. Or the patient who has CAP and is treated with the gold standard of EBP and goes home cured and complains about pain control, not knowing that sedatives and pain killers will decrease her depth of breathing. A lot of issues just are that the public in general are treating us like servants and have become demanding and entitled. Angry about the day to day stuff in a hospital that they just don't understand.

- MG

There is nothing more insulting than being asked, “when is the doctor coming in?”

DNP, RN, CPNP - I wish that my patients knew that my years as a pediatric nurse both general and in the ED at a level 1 trauma center, in addition to my education, have value. I am able to lay out an excellent treatment plan, there is nothing more insulting than being asked, "when is the doctor coming in?" When I ask if they have any further questions. "Nurse Kathy" does not hold enough clout.

- KK

As an pediatric ER Triage nurse…. Be happy when the I am not “rushing” your child straight back.

1. As an pediatric ER Triage nurse.... Be happy when the I am not "rushing" your child straight back. It means through my years of training and experience I am saying your child will be ok. You don't want to see me run. Me running with your child is a VERY bad sign.
2. I have feelings, but my job requires that I suppress them to sometimes an unhealthy degree. I can not succumb to panic, fear, sadness, anger or disgust. I have literally walked out of a trauma room after putting a child in a body bag and been accosted by another parent because I am being to slow to discharge another child. I am not "ignoring" you, but I am only human.
3. I put my self in the line of every communicable disease every time I work. I don't get the "luxury" of isolation at triage. I can't wear a mask as I greet every pt. I have had to be treated for pertussis 6 times, meningitis twice in the past 12 months.
4. Yep it's 4 am and you've been up since 6 this am and your still waiting to see the Dr. I feel your pain, believe me I'd rather be handing you discharge papers too. You have patience with me and I'll have patience with you. I've got blankets and coffee.

- CH

These certifications give me the training and responsibility to recognize and treat many different life threatening situations, by myself, without a doctor present.

I am an Emergency Room/Trauma RN, straight into the ER out of nursing school. I am ACLS, PALS, TNCC, ENPC, and ASLS certified. What the general public doesn't know or understand, is that these certifications give me the training and responsibility to recognize and treat many different life threatening situations, by myself, without a doctor present. I have run codes and traumas with my fellow nurses and CNAs, without an MD anywhere nearby because of the shear number of high acuity patients we see. We are highly skilled medical professionals, with hundreds of hours of education through our careers. Our education never stops simply because we graduate. Healthcare is constantly changing and evolving with new technology and medications, and we increase our skills and knowledge base accordingly.

- DA

I am not afraid to help breathe a breath into you if you need one

The public has been shown and told that doctors run the show and make all the decisions, therefore nurses must be the hand maidens. It doesn't help the profession that hospitals try to tout themselves as the best place to go for care because we offer you more, leading the public to assume what they are going to receive is 5 star resort treatment. Then to top it off reimbursement now falls on the shoulders of Press Ganey patient surveys from the public who thinks we are hand maidens there to serve up 5 star resort treatment. What do I want the public to know about my profession and the work I do??? I am not afraid to help breathe a breath into you if you need one. I am not afraid to hold a hand when I know the person is taking their last breath. I will spend countless hours pulling together all the resources you need to get you back home again to your loved ones. In my career I have been hit by patients, their families and even doctors. I have been cussed at, my job has been verbally threatened many times and I have had numerous different body fluids on me on more than one occasion. But I have enough personal stories to make up for that, stories of all the people who feel I personally made a life saving difference in their life. Because when it comes down to the nitty gritty, my biggest focus is to care for you in the safest environment and to really look at you the person and not only see your medical need but also see what you as a whole person might need and what your family might need. Then I push for those things on your behalf (the patient) and I will do everything in my power to make it happen for you.

- BT

I would like the general public to know just how hard we have to study to even get through nursing school

I would like the general public to know just how hard we have to study to even get through nursing school. I am on my senior year of my BSN and it has been blood, sweat and tears getting through this program! We have to know so much to be able to go on a floor and take care of people. The prerequisites alone take about 2 years. We have to be extremely intelligent, with endless stamina and able to handle anything. Is not just about giving shots and handing out pills. That's what everyone thinks nurses actually do. I was at work yesterday, I work as nurse tech on a medsurg floor and we had patients who were fine one minute and then get so sick so quickly! We are talking intubated and having to be taken to ICU; but the swift action of a nurse save those lives. If nurses wouldn't be able to recognize such cases, people would die. The doctors aren't there, the nurses, respiratory therapists, nurse techs and everyone including the receptionist calling the RRT are there. The doctors come when stuff is happening. I admire what the nurses do. I want to be just as good, proficient and compassionate when I am able to practice.

- SI

We wear many hats all at one time.

Trauma surgical critical care nurse. I think that it's important for the public to know that while we are fighting to keep our patients alive we also provide care/compassion to our patient's families. We wear many hats all at one time. We do so very willingly because we care.

- AM

We are usually the first ones to deal with abuse-child, elderly and domestic violence

RN-Nurse Educator--I want the public to know that we are usually the first ones to deal with abuse-child, elderly and domestic violence. We are the ones who try to get these people out of these dangerous situations. We are the ones who contact social services, get the hospital social workers involved.

- TF

I’d like the public to understand and respect how much education it takes to become an RN

I'd like the public to understand and respect how much education it takes to become an RN. 4-7 years to get a BSN. Life long continuing education, tests and study for certifications, ACLS, PALS, ATLS. and specialty certifications.

- KL

We nurses do many things and are many things to many people.

Cardiac Nurse here. I would like the general public to be aware that we are here to improve health, heal wounds, care for you in your time of need. We nurses do many things and are many things to many people. We are tolerant and understanding of scared loved ones and patients. I want the general public to know that we don't get paid by your insurance or lack thereof. And while the small comforts of things like ice water or an extra blanket are certainly not outside of our realm of practice, waiting 30 minutes for it is not unreasonable. During that 30 minutes, I could be saving a life or soothing the pain of a life I could not save. Either way, your comforts are not the most important for us all the time. It's sort of like asking the guy who custom built your engine for your dream car to pump your gas.

- MC

My job is to be the best nurse I know I can be to your child

LPN...Home Health Nurse...Pediatrics ..in my field you have the really really involved parent/ parents or the ones that disappear until 5 mins before your shift ends..but nevertheless I'm there taking care of their vent dependent child.. Making sure that everything is done and they are comforted when they become upset or in distress...your child is treated as my child and I'm friendly but Will maintain my professional boundary cause in this field nurses tend to get to comfy... My job is to be the best nurse I know I can be to your child ...definitely love my job!!!

- ARR

We are on the front line.. Doctors aren’t there 24/7

Working in aged care people think all I do is hold hands and paint nails. They don't know all the wound care and assisting with showering... Medications.. Emotional support for families.. And we are on the front line.. Doctors aren't there 24/7

- JS

Nurses deserve to be recognized. Like firemen were during 911

I think it takes something like this to get the ball rolling. Nurses deserve to be recognized. Like firemen were during 911. We are never seen in action, or put into the media spotlight, because we are usually behind closed doors. And HIPPA makes it even more difficult to talk about our day on Facebook or anywhere else for that matter. I can't even post, "bad day!! My patient coded and died." For fear of being fired. I wish my friends and family could see what I do on a daily. There's so many stigmas and misunderstandings about us. That we wear sexy dresses, and only dish out meds all day. And God forbid MEN become nurses! Lol. I had students in a middle school ask me once if men were allowed to be nurses. And my boyfriend, who is a nurse, has been teased for being a nurse, and not an MD because he is a "man." Nursing is NOT for sissies and not for the faint of heart. It's a hard job for tough ass people!!

- JP

You need strong assessment skills to do this

I am a retired er nurse I worked er for 28 years of my 32 year service. It was the nurses responsibility to alert and directed the physician to the most critical patients, You need strong assessment skills to do this, one young er nurse told me you have the best gut instinct for which pt. are really ill. I replied it has nothing to do with a gut feeling, it is knowing. The color of a patients skin, the way they move and many other small things that you learn from seeing many times. The movement of administration to rid themselves of older, slower nurses is just crazy. Our Er now has 1 nurse that has 10 yrs exp. and the rest are young and have less than 5 years, but they are young pretty and smile sweetly so they can get high pt. scores.. Little does the patient know they could be in big trouble if they have a serious problem.

- WW

I do get attached and that there are times when it gets overwhelming but I manage by giving A LOT of hugs

As a Hospice Nurse in Hawaii I often get asked "how do you do this every day?" "how do you cope?" "Don't you get attached?" I tell the that I do get attached and that there are times when it gets overwhelming but I manage by giving A LOT of hugs.... I hug my patients, their families, my husband, my kids.... Anyone who will let me. I listen to music, happy music, sad music, angry music.... Whatever I need to get the emotions out. The biggest help is my art... I draw, I paint, I color.... I create and every patient I have ever come in contact with a piece of them is in what I make... Because I carry them always in my heart.

- DW

We are advocates, scientists and observers.

I'm a nurse w 11 years experience but only 1 1/2 years working in the field of addiction crisis. I love my job and I love my clients. I don't think the public understands the level of critical thinking required to even sit for the boards let alone succeed on the floor. We don't just take an order blindly. We assess the patient. Document our findongs. Then we apply a care plan (which we my recommend). Then the process starts again. We don't just clean bed pans and pass out pills. We are advocates, scientists and observers. We care for our patients and we fight like hell for their recovery. Every day. All the time.

- AD

We become family for some that are alone.

I'm a LPN, Hospice Nurse (15 years total doing hospice) I want the public to know that we do not kill people once they come into hospice or a hospice IPU. It makes me crazy when people say "oh there going to the unit, they wont come back out alive" Um no we do wonderful things like symptom management of every kind, provide a safe environment for those who are in some pretty tough environments, provide a place for someone to die with dignity, provide a home for some, we become family for some that are alone. Society has such a fear when the hear the word "Hospice and Morphine" I would like to change that and I educate others all the time. Its very hard on your heart and soul to watch people decline and then go on to gain their wings. I love my job and would like others to not be scared of Hospice and what it means to actually be a Hospice patient.

- ALM

Wanted to be a nurse as far back as I can remember

Wanted to be a nurse as far back as I can remember. Some days when I get body fluids on me or get hit just because - I wonder why - then I get a smile a kiss and thank you and I remember why.

- DP

People have many misconceptions about nurses, in general

Rn BSN, home health, hospice, ICU, management, traveler- people have many misconceptions about nurses, in general. The most common that I've come across is that RN is better than LPN/VN is better than CNA etc. Everyone is critical and meaningful and has something valuable to contribute.

- CL

We have to be just as knowledgeable and competent in long term care as the nurses in hospitals.

RN/ADON/RAC-CT in long term care. I wish people would realize that just because we work in long term care doesn't mean we are less of a nurse. I have personally experienced more times then I care to count when I tell people what I do they always say… oh so do you plan on trying to get into a hospital job? They act like being a long term care nurse is easy and a waste of a "nurse degree." What I want people to know is that in long term care you are managing people who were just admitted from the hospital and many times they are unstable and have to be sent back shortly after admission because the hospital discharged them too soon. Or that you are dealing with these patients and their families for months maybe years. There also isn't a Doctor in the building so as the nurse we are assessing them, providing immediate interventions and providing care sometimes life changing until the ambulance arrives. I was once told during my nursing school acute care clinic rotation when one of the hospital nurses asked me where I worked as a LPN what I told her was "just a nursing home" and what said told me then completely changed my outlook on long term care. She said never say "just a nursing home" those patients are the hardest to take care of because they have so many co morbidities and you are trying to manage all of them without a doctor being present where as in a hospital we are mainly managing that one problem that brought them to us. So I guess I just wish people knew that we have to be just as knowledgeable and competent in long term care as the nurses in hospitals.

- SS

We are nurses, so much more than you see from the outside..

I have been in nursing 34 years my entire adult working life..Started as LPN in 1981.. life got in the way and I went to RN school and graduated ADN in 1990..BSN in 2013..I work in a Level 1 Neuro trauma ICU..
1. We have continuing education every month called CBL's required by the hospital. We have to fit time for these during work hours or do them on our own time..Not accessible from home..compact license from Virginia which now requires continuing education proof. 
2. Our licenses are expensive and renewable every 2 years..we do not get reimbursed for this fee..over 125$.
3. We do not get paid extra to work holidays..We do get paid if we are working it, if not, we do not..
4. Every morning we do walking rounds with our interdisciplinary team where we inform the critical care doctor of the critical care overview for the past 24 hours. We are responsible for knowing lab values and anticipating sepsis or other detrimental occurrences that could affect our patient. 
4. We are responsible for the total care of our patient from not only assessing their health and illness, but feeding, hygiene care, oral care, turning every two hours. Oftentimes were have no pct on our unit..We miss them when they aren't there.
5. We are involved in doing patient education from a plan of care we design that includes teacHing the patient and family, significant others about their diagnoses, their daily plan of care, medications, diabetes, respiratory equipment, treatments, etc., we do a nursing care plan as well that incorporates everything. This changes all the time.
6. Physical therapy gets the patient up and oob with however many assistants and equipment it takes then leave us to get them back without the use of their equipment.
7. The doctor sees you usually once a day for about 5 minutes then trusts us to monitor the patient's condition throughout the day and be able to paint a picture over the phone of any complications or changes that occur.
8. We have to gather the necessary supplies and equipment to do those emergent life saving procedures.
9. Nurses and pcts NOT THE PHYSICIAN'S ON TV , do CPR, defibrillate patient's, push emergent meds, be time keeper, call out when it's time to change treatment mode, etc.
9. Push 5oo# beds to and from wherever they need to go
10. Go without bathroom breaks, lunch, hydrating during work for hours on end..many times at the end of my 12 hour shift I realIze I haven't peed.
10. We are the eyes and ears for our doctors that depend on us to care for our patients. 
11. We wear MANY hats( but not a nursing cap, to germy). Nurse, mechanic, janitor, chef, social worker, counselor, housekeeper, Moving van, mother, sister, friend, minister, dietician, teacher and oftentimes security guard..
12.Nursing is a talent..it is a calling, a ministry. it's not just a job. It's what I love. I can't imagine a life without being a nurse. We cry, we hurt, we fight for you, we are your biggest advocate.
We make cupcakes to celebrate your 50th day with us in the ICU and throw another celebration when you graduate from our unit to one of lesser acuity.. 
we hold your hand as you take your first breath and as you take your last breath. 
We gently bathe your lifeless body and prepare you to be held one last time by your loved ones before we take you to the morgue.. 
We get angry because we can't do anymore to help your dying body, but we also fight for you to be allowed to die with dignity.. 
We are nurses, so much more than you see from the outside..

- KR

Hospice is meant to be a 6 month benefit not a 48 hour one!

Hospice is meant to be a 6 month benefit not a 48 hour one! Hospice isn't a death sentence. Your terminal illness is. Hospice gives you hope for a quality of life with the time you have left. The sooner you access hospice care the more we can help you have quality of life. Oh, and morphine does not hasten death, it alleviates symptoms that make you miserable and unable to enjoy life.

- MKR

Waiting in the ER is a good thing because that means you aren’t actively dying or losing a limb.

As a former ER nurse....waiting in the ER is a good thing because that means you aren't actively dying or losing a limb. Also, please remember that we are human, too. We have feelings and "life" happening. Please say please and thank you. ...it goes a long way.

- JB

Our ‘job’ comes from our hearts and through our hands

RN for 34 years, requiring ongoing continuing education, certifications. Have cared for patients from birth to death, including the famly in aspects of care when appropriate. I have held severly premature babes until they pass, whispered into the ear of an unconscious person who was terrified the moment they lost consciousness. Have held onto the family members collapsing under the grief of losing a loved one, and rejoiced with the patient and family over the birth of a long-awaited baby. Have recognized a P.E. on a 17 day post-partum mother walking into the ER short of breath. Spent the evening with a family whose beloved mother passed peacefully in her home, and laughed and cried with them during their stories. Washed the feet of the homeless man brought in by ambulance.Stayed at the bedside of the child in Pre-Op who had a pair of scissors in his head from jumping off the couch with scissors, so he wasn't further injured before surgery. Took a 'nurses' kit' to the child of a home health patient who was interested in what I was doing. Patients remember me, families remember me. I am not unlike many thousands of nurses speaking on this forum whose 'job' comes from our hearts and through our hands.

- DW

People often think nurses can turn on and off their emotions or put up walls to deal with loss

People often think nurses can turn on and off their emotions or put up walls to deal with loss. The best nurses are touched every day by the humanity of their patients and sometimes go home at the end of a long day exhausted, not only physically, but emotionally. (Former oncology nurse/IV therapy nurse now working in clinical research.

- AW

We do care does not make a difference if you are incarcerated.

LPN in corrections. I have been there for 28 years. Everyday medical staff put there selves outthere. They are surround by people that are deemed dangerous to society. They try us every chance they get. They put our knowledge to work. Alot of time we have to hold our tongues and our actions. Every once in a while we do have that one who really needs us who's life is in our hands. That let's us know and reminds us as to why we are here. We even deal with families to let them know how their loved one is doing. They are still someone's brother sister mother father child husband wife. Yes they are here for a reason and so are we. I am glad that wife got so see and speak with her husband before he passed.. they caught her just as she was leaving the hospital before he had surgery..called her back..she was there with him when he took his last breath... I have tears just remembering this. THAT'S WHY I do corrections just that one person I actually make a difference for... just that one... Oh and I forgot to mention the training that I do on my own for the population I work with. I am the HiV program Coordinator. I work close with the contracted medical staff to insure that things get done and my inmates do what they need to do. Sometimes they don't care, but we do. It's not over just because you are here and have this dx. We educate, I fuss, I go and do sometimes when it's someone else's to do it I do it anyway. We do care does not make a difference if you are incarcerated...

- AT

I monitor patients as they come out of anesthesia.

I am a recovery room nurse. I monitor patients as they come out of anesthesia. Do you know that many times we must hold your chin up with our hands, no matter how heavy your head is, to keep your airway clear after surgery? You will never remember because you have been given meds to make you forget, but without us, you may never wake up! Credentials -5 years of experience, RN, Soon to be BSN, then MSN...

- DM

I spent a year or longer learning how to read those monitors

I'm a scientist. I spent a year or longer learning how to read those monitors. This line is blood pressure, these two are heart rhythms and rates, this one is the oxygen level. 95% is excellent for your 'mom'. (Mom smoked up until day of surgery, so I'm going to turn down the nc to 2 lpm from 4... I want to increase her drive to breath, not lessen it by providing oxygen). Your mom is 3 days post op. I'm going to get her out of bed and to the chair. Oh that -- thats her chest tubes. (me, gettting down on the floor, on hands and knees), quick count 10 ml one chamber, 25 ml other chamber, no bubbling, even movement with volume tidaling. "Take a deep breath in... and out... hold onto to heart pillow tight to your chest, now give me a big cough"... no, clear that junk in your chest. Lets try again..... "big cough"...."Awesome, you did it". Help pt. to chair. Ask about how she slept, how is her pain. Attach bp cuff, sp02 monitor, look at hr & rhythm, clear table, listening to patient. Ok, your pain is now at 4, but when I woke you, how was your pain then? From 3 to 4 with C & DB, exercise out of bed, and more to come, possible DC of CT's. I see you took 2 percocets at 0400, and now it's 745. I will go gather your morning meds, grab your breakfast tray, and be back in about 20 minutes. Patient 1 of 4 for the day. Lets get rolling.

Cardiovascular Surgical ICU/CVSD

I’m a skilled clinician… I make it look easy, because I love it.

Getting an admit from Cardiac Cath lab. This makes 5 patients. Stress!!! Walk quick to room, turn down bedding, raise bed away from wall. Look at report sheet. 50 y/o male, hx of smoking, NIDDM, obese (wait, he weights 100 kg, about 220 lbs, I wonder how tall he is?). Walk and grab pressurized tubing, pressure bag, 500 ml saline. Spike bag, flip upside down, insert into sleeve of pressure bag, into room, no pole, dam. Go get pole. turn on montors, all cables present, dam, missing one.... on the hunt for a cable for spo2 monitor). Score! found it. Yayyy... back to room, zero bed, write on whiteboard all necessary info. That was a quick, here comes patient. Cath lab ready to drop and run. Awesome. Patient is awake and smiling. Hi, my name is Judy. I'm going to be your nurse. If you dont mind, I have to keep checking this pesky IV in your groin. Sorry, let me feel, peel back dressing, look, feel, no bleeding, site soft!! Score! "your site looks great". But, you have to stay flat for possibly the next 4-6 hours depending upon when I can remove the arterial line in your groin... sorry... but look, I brought ice cubes... I know your thirsty. Are you naseaus? Ok DO NOT LIFT YOUR HEAD OR MOVE YOUR RIGHT LEG>>>> really, the IV there is crazy important. It's in the artery leading from your heart.... while I'm connecting the a line to the monitor to check the bp... This scenario takes 15 mins.... everday, every hospital, every state. I'm a skilled clinician... I make it look easy, because I love it. Thats my job. That is nursing. Smile....

Cardiovascular Surgical ICU/CVSD

I’m a scientist

I'm a scientist. Your potassium level is 5... I'm going to hold your potassium, call your doc, let him/her know, that yesterday your k was 4.5,  You took your lasix yesterday. Yes, Dr. i gave the 20 of lasix just now. You have him on 40 KDUR BID, yes, he got last nights dose. Ok, so you want me to give another 20 by mouth lasix times one dose, decrease KDUR to 20 meq BID, starting first dose TONIGHT, after obtaining chem 7 first, and only restart the KDUR if potassium is less than 4. Doc, do you want me to call you with the C7 results? No. ok. I'll place the order for C7, and write the orders, and let the patient know I've spoken to you. Thanks Doc. Have a great day.

Cardiovascular Surgical ICU/CVSD

Nurses pull arterial lines… were freakin athletes!

Nurses pull arterial lines... were freakin athletes! That big 'ole artey, you know, the aorta; it essentially carries blood from the heart to THE WHOLE BODY... ok. So if someones Blood pressure is 130/85... how much force does it take to stop the bleeding from that hole in your femoral artery? Quick calculation says > 135 mmhg... the force has to be higher than the bp... I'll increase the nitroglycerin drip for another 15 mins first to see if that brings the bp down a little. Come back, activated clotting time is now less than 150 secs!!! yayayyy... bp is now 118/75, and NSR on monitor, Spo2 96%... pt AA & 0. Give 2 mg IV Morphine, explain to patient for 3 rd time that its "kinda painful when I pull it out, then I have to hold pressure manually for at least 25-30 mins".... ABP on for every 3 mins, fluids within reach in case I have to compensate for any drop in bp, check... all systems go... snip stiches, flush line, fast flush, site looks beautiful, no swelling, no bleeding. Locate pulse... me, feeling around groin... there it is ... "ok sir you ready, pull line, hold pressure with thumb.... yep, I dont "mash" on anyones groin. If you have a good hold on that pulse, you can stop bleeding from an artery. Me, holding for 30 mins. Making small talk, continuous monitoring of all vs and pt. response.... awesome.... beautiful. Next! Post Care of a femoral artery discontinuation. Wait.... thats not the end... you now have to continue to have patient lay flat, checking that fermoral site at least every 5 mins X 15, then up to Q 15 mins X 2 hrs..... this is one of your 4 - 5 patients per day. Smile.... This is an awesome job. Cardiovascular Surgical nursing is awesome....

Cardiovascular Surgical ICU/CVSD