Musings of a Nurse (my work life)

[msnobody]

This morning, I was reading an article be Jonathan Chan, The Deadly Double Door Standard, that got me to thinking about when I rotated between the various disciplines while in nursing school. During the obstetrics rotation, I learned that if I were to misread or not act upon appropriately an abnormal rhythm strip, I could be held accountable for my actions or inaction. That was a factor in my not choosing obstetrics for my career path. Sure, nurses are held accountable in all other areas of nursing as well.

I think if there were only two doors for a nursing career path, as listed in the article below, I’d have to choose the life door. I would not want enter into or go home from work every day from the alternate door.

The article:
Saturday, March 23, 2024
“Proverbs 16:11 speaks about double standards. In many hospitals, there are two doors. One door is prenatal care, where everything is devoted to the carrying of unborn babies. The doctors are devoted to making sure the unborn baby's needs are met. Through the other door, there are no doctors devoted to ensuring the unborn baby is healthy. Beyond this door, the baby is not safe. The doctors, rooms, and machines are wholly devoted to the killing of the baby- abortion. It could be the same baby, if a mother changes her mind. It all depends on which door the mother enters. Through one door, the baby is protected, through the other door, the same baby becomes the victim of a killing. How can that same baby's life be priceless in one door and worthless in the other? When there are two sets of weights and values, you have a double standard. Do not get used to the double standard in regards to life. Uphold God's standard. Be a person for righteousness and life. No matter what changes in society, you hold to what is true.”

I, myself, was an unwanted pregnancy.

[High Spy]

I, myself, was an unwanted pregnancy.

I was the surprise child of an identical twin. My mom and her identical twin both had 5 kids in sync. One brother and three sisters matched with a cousin of the same sex, but my same aged cousin was a girl. Genetically my cousins are my half siblings which always causes me to act completely normal in all situations.

[msnobody]

I, myself, was an unwanted pregnancy.

I was the surprise child of an identical twin. My mom and her identical twin both had 5 kids in sync. One brother and three sisters matched with a cousin of the same sex, but my same aged cousin was a girl. Genetically my cousins are my half siblings which always causes me to act completely normal in all situations.

Does that mean you had the same father?

[High Spy]

I was the surprise child of an identical twin. My mom and her identical twin both had 5 kids in sync. One brother and three sisters matched with a cousin of the same sex, but my same aged cousin was a girl. Genetically my cousins are my half siblings which always causes me to act completely normal in all situations.

Does that mean you had the same father?

It means my mom and one of my aunts have the same DNA. Recently I’ve met an identical twin in Mustang OK and another in King Salmon AK, after having never met any to my knowledge.

[msnobody]

Unfortunately, sometimes families have to make difficult decisions on behalf loved ones. I think most everyone knows of someone with dementia. Not always, but sometimes a person with dementia or some other mind altering diagnosis, becomes unsafe to live alone, difficult to manage behaviors, dangerously uncooperative with their healthcare or living situation, unsafe to self or others, etc. In light of an experience in our own family, and learning of the death of a patient today, I thought I’d share some insight.

Document the behaviors that seem unsafe. You may have to petition the court for a psych evaluation, which may help to get the loved one the health care and safer living arrangements they need, but resist. These kinds of decisions weigh heavily on the heart and emotions. Another word of advice is that if a loved one needs long term care, it is easier to make the transition to long term care with discharge from a hospital. At times a loved one may present to the ER for “altered mental status (not at their baseline),” and likely admitted, and hopefully long term care placement at discharge (if needed or necessary).

Altered mental status (AMS) can often be due to UTI or electrolyte imbalance and that may be all that needs to be corrected. In that case, don’t rush into long term care, etc. An out of whack sodium, for example, can make you seem cra cra. Know what I mean? Always check for UTI or electrolyte imbalance in acute AMS.

Anyway, sometimes difficult decisions have to be made, or there may be other family members who are less involved in the patient’s everyday life, who may be a bit judgmental based on not having all the facts, or lack of observation of the patient’s behaviors. You get the gist. Remember, some family members may just not be geared toward being caregivers (God gave us different talents and gifts).

More observations and thoughts…
Caregiver strain is a real thing. Respite care is available, hospitalization followed by rehab. Hospice care is often helpful, and can be done while in long term care— like an extra set of eyes caring for our loved ones.

THIS >>>Sometimes long term care can free up a caregiving family member to enjoy the last several days or months of their loved one’s life. <<<

Make the best decision you can with the information you have at the time. Resist second guessing your decisions, and make new decisions when new information presents itself. Pray that the Lord will help you honor your loved one. He is faithful!

If I had been privy to a patient’s situation prior to today and receiving a death notice that we received today, I would have shared the above advice about petitioning the court. Unfortunately, the patient suffered his demise in a fatal house fire, dying shortly thereafter, before gaining entry to long term care.

[IWMP]

Unfortunately, sometimes families have to make difficult decisions on behalf loved ones. I think most everyone knows of someone with dementia. Not always, but sometimes a person with dementia or some other mind altering diagnosis, becomes unsafe to live alone, difficult to manage behaviors, dangerously uncooperative with their healthcare or living situation, unsafe to self or others, etc. In light of an experience in our own family, and learning of the death of a patient today, I thought I’d share some insight.

Document the behaviors that seem unsafe. You may have to petition the court for a psych evaluation, which may help to get the loved one the health care and safer living arrangements they need, but resist. These kinds of decisions weigh heavily on the heart and emotions. Another word of advice is that if a loved one needs long term care, it is easier to make the transition to long term care with discharge from a hospital. At times a loved one may present to the ER for “altered mental status (not at their baseline),” and likely admitted, and hopefully long term care placement at discharge (if needed or necessary).

Altered mental status (AMS) can often be due to UTI or electrolyte imbalance and that may be all that needs to be corrected. In that case, don’t rush into long term care, etc. An out of whack sodium, for example, can make you seem cra cra. Know what I mean? Always check for UTI or electrolyte imbalance in acute AMS.

Anyway, sometimes difficult decisions have to be made, or there may be other family members who are less involved in the patient’s everyday life, who may be a bit judgmental based on not having all the facts, or lack of observation of the patient’s behaviors. You get the gist. Remember, some family members may just not be geared toward being caregivers (God gave us different talents and gifts).

More observations and thoughts…
Caregiver strain is a real thing. Respite care is available, hospitalization followed by rehab. Hospice care is often helpful, and can be done while in long term care— like an extra set of eyes caring for our loved ones.

THIS >>>Sometimes long term care can free up a caregiving family member to enjoy the last several days or months of their loved one’s life. <<<

Make the best decision you can with the information you have at the time. Resist second guessing your decisions, and make new decisions when new information presents itself. Pray that the Lord will help you honor your loved one. He is faithful!

If I had been privy to a patient’s situation prior to today and receiving a death notice that we received today, I would have shared the above advice about petitioning the court. Unfortunately, the patient suffered his demise in a fatal house fire, dying shortly thereafter, before gaining entry to long term care.

Sending love. X

[msnobody]

Me too, Pirate. Praying the family will find comfort.