1900
I guess it could be worse. I can tell when there are staffing issues when all the nurses are standing at the white board. Arguing. Something about the RN we were expecting from Ortho turned out to be an LPN. Not that I have any problems with LPNs, but it does tend to throw a wrench into staffing because the Board of Nursing limits their practice, which means they have to be teamed with an RN, and can not be given certain types of patients, requiring certain treatments or medications.
Since I was due to Team Lead, after lots of complaining (read that bitching), I decided to team with her myself.
My patient from yesterday, with the really low blood sugar, is my only primary patient for now (along with the patients I cover with the LPN). His sugars are much more stable, so long as his IV of D10 is going. So far, no D50. However, as soon as I took report, he started vomiting and extreme diarrhea (to where he couldn't make it to the commode without some of it ending up in the bed and on the floor). That earned him a stat call to the MD, so now instead of chasing his blood sugar levels all night long, it looks like I'll be working hip deep in vomit and stool. Not sure yet if I'm better off.
0300
A late transfer via helicopter from some place called Bullhead Arizona. A non-compliant renal failure patient. I had heard from the nurse getting report that he was a challenge to work with, but when he got here, he seemed fine. He probably felt too sick to be argumentative.
0700
The joys of a last-minute dialysis catheter placement in the midst of shift change. Since the nurse was a traveler, and since I had worked with this particular surgeon numerous times, I volunteered to assist. The first time I assisted, I ruined his sterile field. The second time, I accidentally touched a sterile guidewire. Today, while trying to turn on an overhead light, I almost knocked over the bedside table that was holding the procedure tray. Known for being very demanding and impatient, he has always been fine with me
Back for more tonight...
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