NursingLink

 I consider myself to be a patient advocate in every sense of the word. We all know nurses who go out of the way for their patients and those who do the minimum amount and less for patients. We should be constantly asking ourselves what we can do to improve our patients life and care. An example, yesterday I rec'd a new order for Protonix for my patient, I called it into the pharmacy, wellcare (her Insurance) did not want to cover this drug it is expensive. Since I am no longer a full time case manager and only working pay per visit, I will be on my own time if I want to pursue this for the patient, what do YOU do? Well I picked up the phone and called the insurance company and explained to them that THEY do NOT dictate the care of this lady and this medication is what the doctor ordered, they tried to talk me into Prilosec which she has been on for years (CHRONIC GERG) anyways 2 hours and 6 faxes later my persistance won and they approved her medication. What have you done for your patient lately?????

A nurses' job doesn't end with the change of shift. We often carry it home with us. As a nurse, we do anything we can do to make a patient's situation better . I've worked so many times on my own time trying to help out patients. After all, that's why we became nurses. Just like a mother's job never ends, it's the same with nurses.

I was helping my CNAs out yesterday. I went down to get a resident for lunch. I helped him with his transfer to his electric scooter.  I was being conscientious and trying to make it easier on him, because he is always in alot of pain.  He told me  that I was making it too easy for him. LOL

Hello Everyone,

I wish my sister had nurses and doctors like all of you. If she did, she would not have suffered a brain injury while delivering her child.  One of the hospital staff overdosed her while she was giving birth.  Many mistakes the hospital staff  made lead up to the overdose.  As a result , she has a brain injury and is unable to take care of herself and her child (she was an Elementary School Teacher).  I have been her patient advocate every since.   I talk to one of her neurologist and when they didn't listen, I kept looking until I found one that did.  During my research three years ago, I discovered she had Dorsol Lateral Sydrome.  When her previous neurologist didn't listen to me, I took her to one that did.  I told him that I believe she has DL Syndrome and I asked for a MRI of her brain.  It turns out that I was correct.  I also asked for her to be sent to a Neuropsychologist and a Neuropsychitrist to be evaluated.  Now she is attending speech threapy, going to see the Neuropsychitrist and has had NeuroPsych testing.  If I had not spoken up for her she might have not be receiving proper treatment.  I am currently her patient advocate and will continue to do so for as long as possible.  

I decided to go back to school and get my second Bachelor's Degree in Nursing.  I figured since I have learned alot from taking care of her and her child I might as well use the knowledge I have to gain more knowledge and help others. I want to not only help my sister, but other patients/clients and families that may need someone to speak up for them. Patients/Clients and their families need to know that someone is on their side and is empathic to their situation.  I also want to prevent what happened my sister from happening to other patients.  I have been doing a lot of reading on the Nursing profession so I can have an idea of all the different task Nurses have to do.  I start taking my prereqs for Nursing school this fall.   So if everything goes right, I should have my BSN-RN in 2010 (specializing in Neurology, Psychology or Rehab.

I agree with you nursetb38.  I see alot of nurse that dont go the extra mile for their patients. 

I had a patient about two months ago that was a DNRCCA and the Doctor was giving him one Vicodin every 6 hours for the pain.  We was suffering and was going into respiratory failure. The wife was at the bedside and wanted some relief for his suffering.  I called the doctor and she would not change the pain meds.  Later the patient told me that we wanted to die.  I explained that if he went into arrest would do CPR and drugs till no pulse with the DNR status that was.  He told me NO.  I talked with the patient and wife at great lenght to ensure they understood that we would do nothing but comfort care if we changed the status.  They decided that they wanted to change the status.  I called the Doc and told her of the need to change the status per the patient and family request.  She informed me that we didnt need to be in the hospital if that was what he wanted.  I also asked for Morphine and she told me no.

I dont take No every well when it makes a difference between suffering or comfort.  I called the House officer and exlained the situation that was going on.  he came to the floor and spoke with the patient and the family.  They confirmed that they understood and wanted to make the change.  I called the pain management team, which is on call at night and told the team leader of the issue and asked her to come see the patient right away.  She gave me a one time dose of Morphine till she got there.  I gave that to him and what a difference in the breathing pattern and the comfort level. After the pain team got there I got the pain order I asked for.

My next call was to the head physician of the hospital to get the status changed.  He came to see the patient and signed the order. 

The next morning before I left the children of the patient were at the bedside sharing what  was going to be there last with their father.  He passed away at ten in the morning.  He was at peice and had no pain. 

I filed a complaint on the doctor and action was taken.  I beleive that we have to be there for the patient or what is the point.  We are nurses and patient advocates.  They go hand in hand.

Angie_ri78 says ...

Sometimes little things like uncovering or covering the pt helps keep them comfortable.  Even flipping thier pillow to the other side thats cooler makes a difference.  However the only defense for the aides that don't give back rubs could be is that they don't have time.  There are times where I have pts calling for a bedpan every 30 minutes.  If I'm lucky, the nurse will help me but there are times I get stuck with a nurse that won't "do the aide's job".  Well thats a whole nother rant.

This is so true.......  Thank you for saying this.   I can not even count the times when I have seen nurses at the station sitting and talking while thier lights are going off.  I have even seen nurses who are sitting and talking then ask what room is that? Then they continue to sit and talk and complaign about how the aids are not getting the lights.  Most of the time the aids are in another room cleaning a pt and do not know that they have another light going off.  They come out only to see the nurses sitting there and now they have another pt with a mess in thier bed or perhaps the pt has been laying there in pain for the past 20mins.....  It is just unexcusable for that to happen....  I have a few CNAs' who request to be on my side because my pt's are taken care of and comfortable......  It makes me feel good to have a pt see me at the begining of the shift and see the look in thier eyes as they say thank gosh you are back.....   ;>)  

I find it takes about 15 mins to make a pt comfortable..... if you take that 15 mins you will have a much smoother night and it is a win win situation for everybody.....

 continue to fight for the rights of our patients to demand good care.

Be the pt's advocate, be persistant, stay focused

kayakrn7 says ...

and remember- being a good nurse does not necessarily mean being a good employee....

At the beginning of my career I would have questioned you on that comment, however now I truely do understand ......   Isn't that sad????

Pay attention to your patient's verbal and nonverbal cues to their needs at all times, and be willing to put the effort in to address and take care of these needs.  Become invested in your patients--you are certainly their lifeline.  Care for your patients as if they were someone very dear to you personally.  Expect and demand your coworkers to deliver the same type care, and be willing to work as a team to accomplish this goal.  This will create a win-win situation.  And should you journey into the wonderful field of nursing with preconceived notions of grandeur, quit and do something else if you don't feel you can give 100% of yourself to your patients and their well-being.

 Always look out for your patient's well being even if you get in trouble.