My Nursing Career

I don't know where to even begin. Mckay-Dee Hospital has been my little home for 5 years now. I started out as a CNA (with Landon) and worked my way up the ladder to an LPN then a Registered Nurse! Going through school, precepting, residency program, EKG course and ICU critical care course was not easy. Landon and I can not thank our parents enough for all the help they have given us; meals, babysitting and encouragement.

For my records I want to remember how a typical day went on IMC

0500: Get report from the off going nurse

0530-0730: Introduce myself to my 3 pt's, do an assessment (Ask them about pain, nausea, listen to heart/lungs/stomach, neuro checks etc...), run a tele strip (the heart monitors), look up all the am labs and CHART on the computer.

0730-1100: Pass out am medications, Dr.'s start coming in to write orders, help CNA's with AM cares, ambulate pt's in the halls, assist with Physical Therapists, make sure the Dr.'s orders have been verified and done.

1100-1400: Start my second assessment for the day and Chart. Help with lunch, eat my lunch. Continue to assess pain and nausea. Treat blood sugars before meals.

1400-1700: Wrap things up for the day, do education to pt's and family.

1700-1730: Give report to the oncoming nurse.

Now that doesn't sound to bad but.....

- Discharge a pt to either a homeless shelter on the bus, Nursing facility (requires social work needs), home, home with home health care, a pt dies.

- Admit a pt from the ER or whats worse is a Direct Admit (from like a Dr. Office), get a transfer from another unit (usually from ICU).

- A pt pulls out an IV and you have to restart one, or whats worse is a feeding tube.

- A pt is confused and you have to frequently re-orient them.

- Transport isn't available and I have to take my pt down to Radiology for tests.

- Give my pt a golytely prep for a Colonoscopy

- I have a lazy CNA who can't even take vital signs, doesn't chart a thing, isn't proactive about getting the pt up to the chair for meals, or I can never find them for help.

- Titrate drips (Heparin, Insulin, Pressors).

- Alcoholic who is withdrawing and on a CIWA protocol

- Agitated/upset pt who is out of control. Call Security

- Give blood, antibiotics, fluid boluses

- Monitor trends, urine outputs, vital signs, neuro status, 02 requirements

 - Communicating with Pharmacy, Social Workers, Dr's, RT/ PT/OT/ST (different Therapists), dialysis techs, wound care & family

-Clean up code browns (big adult poo messes)

What kinda of pt's does IMC have?

- Pneumonia                                                   

- Sepsis                                                          

- GI Bleeds or Colitis                                       

- Congestive Heart Failure exacerbation             

- Pulmonary issues (diff. breathing, COPD)       

- Ventilator or Trach pt's     

- Head injuries                                                 

- Pancreatitis                                                   

- Brain bleeds   

- Renal and Liver failure

- Diabetics

- DrugOverdoses and Suicidal

- Cancer 

- Obesity w/ multiple issues

- Necrotic wounds with nasty infections

- Seizures

- Strokes (we are THE stroke unit) 

- Falls/Rhabdomyolysis

- Sometimes we just don't know what is wrong                        

IMC has a lot of really great nurses, they have taught me so much. There is a lot to know and I felt like I was learning something new everyday. Leaving this Unit isn't easy, but I am so excited to not wake up at 0400 or try and stay awake all night. I am also excited to eventually get a different job and learn a whole new side of nursing. Most importantly, I am excited to stay at home with my family!