Always room for improvement
Pretty much sums up this week. Tuesday was a pretty slow day (I KNOW, I said a taboo word in the world of nursing). But it was. The first patient I saw in the morning left at 10:00 in the morning; he was only there for an outpatient procedure. We arrived on the floor around 7:30 after getting report and the patient I saw wasn't scheduled for his procedure until around 8ish. I had the opportunity to talk to his family and listen to what she has been through in caring for him. Lot of demands, that's for sure, but so much affection. No regrets. Makes you put things into perspective, huh? I wonder if I would feel the same way. Anyway, I had just gotten a cup of coffee and then they were being taken to the OR. I put the coffee down and proceeded to follow them where we talked some more. By the time I came back, the coffee was cold.
I didn't drink it.
Once they left, I was taken to the outpatient part of the hospital to see if there was something I could poke my nose into. And of course, what's the first thing I hear? "There's not much going on today."
-_____-
Luckily though, I was able to talk to one of the care managers, who happened to graduate from Berea!!! The first thing I asked was "so it IS possible?" Had some good conversations about Berea, and learned we actually lived in the same dorm at one point. Woot! So that was nice. She was a nice lady. Saw lots of scoliosis, a dehisced wound opening, and....then I listened to the PA's talk about movies. Then I left. Again, not much of an eventful day. Hopefully next week will be more eventful.
Then comes Thursday. Ironically, I had the same patient. I also got a nice kick in the bum, too....in a good way too. Reminded me that I still have much to learn in my career. It was embarrassing admitting your flaws to someone you respect so much, but I think sometimes that has to happen. I'm not bitter about it; I'm not mad. Just disappointed in myself somewhat. You can do kick-butt assessments and get patients to comply with their medications, but it's the little things that you also have to pay attention to. Waste not, want not came to mind. No, I didn't harm my patient in any way. I didn't put them in danger in any way. Nothing like that. I just...didn't pay attention to the little things, such as their clutter and trash filled room. My instructor told me "they can't clean it themselves. They depend on us." And I was like....gosh you are so right. I felt bad. I felt bad because I didn't even notice.
But, I'm learning. I'm always learning. And next time I won't forget. It's a humbling experience when you're surrounded with a group of your peers to say "I screwed up." I told my peers even when you think you've done the absolute best you can, you can always do better. There's always room for improvement, even if it's just small improvements. Yes...this just in. NURSES and NURSING STUDENTS are NOT PERFECT. PEOPLE...people aren't perfect. But that's when you have to admit your faults, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and move on. It gets better.
Next week I'm doing something a little bit different, so you'll just have to see what it is!
I didn't drink it.
Once they left, I was taken to the outpatient part of the hospital to see if there was something I could poke my nose into. And of course, what's the first thing I hear? "There's not much going on today."
-_____-
Luckily though, I was able to talk to one of the care managers, who happened to graduate from Berea!!! The first thing I asked was "so it IS possible?" Had some good conversations about Berea, and learned we actually lived in the same dorm at one point. Woot! So that was nice. She was a nice lady. Saw lots of scoliosis, a dehisced wound opening, and....then I listened to the PA's talk about movies. Then I left. Again, not much of an eventful day. Hopefully next week will be more eventful.
Then comes Thursday. Ironically, I had the same patient. I also got a nice kick in the bum, too....in a good way too. Reminded me that I still have much to learn in my career. It was embarrassing admitting your flaws to someone you respect so much, but I think sometimes that has to happen. I'm not bitter about it; I'm not mad. Just disappointed in myself somewhat. You can do kick-butt assessments and get patients to comply with their medications, but it's the little things that you also have to pay attention to. Waste not, want not came to mind. No, I didn't harm my patient in any way. I didn't put them in danger in any way. Nothing like that. I just...didn't pay attention to the little things, such as their clutter and trash filled room. My instructor told me "they can't clean it themselves. They depend on us." And I was like....gosh you are so right. I felt bad. I felt bad because I didn't even notice.
But, I'm learning. I'm always learning. And next time I won't forget. It's a humbling experience when you're surrounded with a group of your peers to say "I screwed up." I told my peers even when you think you've done the absolute best you can, you can always do better. There's always room for improvement, even if it's just small improvements. Yes...this just in. NURSES and NURSING STUDENTS are NOT PERFECT. PEOPLE...people aren't perfect. But that's when you have to admit your faults, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and move on. It gets better.
Next week I'm doing something a little bit different, so you'll just have to see what it is!
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