Haiku Nurse is out of town
will return
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
VACATION
I have a few weeks off before I start working. I went to New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Vermont.
I did a bit of shopping as usual and Saturday we went to see the Visa USA Gymnastics Championships (Nationals). We saw the Sr Women's Final for All-Around and Event Finals.
It was AMAZING to see live. Reminded me of when a friend of mine and I went to Atlanta for the 1996 Olympics.
I am glad that Shawn Johnson won, along with Nastia Liukin in 2nd place. I feel bad that Jana Bieger is being so poorly scored. Ridiculous!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
RN2B to CPNP
Well, I should change the title of my blog as I am now DONE with nursing school! I am not quite an RN yet, still have to write the OIIQ Board exam and Practical in September (20-22nd). For now I am a CPNP : Candidate to the Practice of Nursing Profession .
But much closer than when I started this blog... and I can FINALLY wear whatever colour scrubs I want! WOOT!
But much closer than when I started this blog... and I can FINALLY wear whatever colour scrubs I want! WOOT!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Friday, June 6, 2008
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Update on EMG...
I realize now that I forgot to update my post about my EMG and Nerve Conduction.
1) Yes it hurt in some spots, the first needle insertion I did not feel at all... the others I did!
2) The Nerve conduction part pinches and surprised me by that!
I was so tired that Friday, having been up since 5:30AM b/c I had my OSCEs that morning for school. I was only being picke up at 4PM from he neuro's office and I was done by 2:40PM, and had my Grad dance that night at 8PM! My neuro is sweet, she let me take a nap in the waiting room even after they were closed (she was still there doing work). I needed that nap too. I was up for 21 hrs that day!
She (neuro) did my right arm (3 spots), one spot in my left arm (deltoid only), and my right leg.
Well, the culprit to the shoulder weakness may very well be the Zanaflex I take, so am now no longer taking it. Damn! I liked it, it worked well for my leg.. too well I guess!
On the plus side, it may help me with the hypotension (low blood pressure) I have, Zanaflex tends to lower BP and mine is already low so of course the Zanaflex complicated it all the more. It may have also been weakening parts of my lower body more than needed too. My neuro increased my Baclofen from 60mg to 80mg to compensate for the lack of Zanaflex, but I seriously am noticing more spasticity. NOT HAPPY! I should be getting more Botox soon so that'll help.
On a side note: I am going to the USA for 3-4 days, VT, NH and MA. And I may be going to see USA Gymnastics National Champs in Boston on Saturday! YIPPEE!
Sex and the City!
In honor of the SATC movie I bought a PINK & Sparkley drink shaker pictured below and a nice set of Martini glasses!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Monday, June 2, 2008
Nursing Research Project on Staff Breastfeeding Education
Mary Wright, RNC, BSN has completed a research study entitled :
Attitudes, Knowledge and Beliefs of Perinatal Staff Related to Breastfeeding Success This study examines staff attitudes to breastfeeding and knowledge deficits and has some interesting implications for improving breastfeeding rates. If you have questions, you can contact Mary Wright at St. Joeseph Hospital in Orange, California via email at Mary.Wright@stjoe.org
Attitudes, Knowledge and Beliefs of Perinatal Staff Related to Breastfeeding Success This study examines staff attitudes to breastfeeding and knowledge deficits and has some interesting implications for improving breastfeeding rates. If you have questions, you can contact Mary Wright at St. Joeseph Hospital in Orange, California via email at Mary.Wright@stjoe.org
Nursing Research Project on Nursing Presence
Ellen Gruwell RNC, NSN and Maryanne Garon, RN, DNSc have completed a research project entitled : Nursing Presence : a secondary analysis of nursing narratives. This study utilized a qualitative, descriptive, phenomenological research method to analyze a sample of 36 narratives written by both novice and experienced nurses. If you have questions or want further information on this project, you can reach Ellen at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, California by email at Ellen.Gruwell@stjoe.org
A culture of caring: Research abstract and commentary
Abstract and Commentary
Carter, L.C., Nelson, J.L., Siever, B.A., Dukek, s.L., Pipe, T.B., & Holland, D.E. (2008). Exploring a culture of caring. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 32, 57-63.
Author’s Abstract
AIM: The delivery of patient-centered care is basic to a large Midwestern healthcare institution's mission and highly valued by the department of nursing. Even so, nurses on one medical unit questioned whether caring behaviors were devalued in a technology-oriented environment of providing care. The nursing leadership on the unit responded to the inquiry by conducting a research study. This study explored the state of patient-centered nursing care on a 36-bed medical unit as perceived by the nursing staff and patients, using Watson's Theory of Human Caring as a framework. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study utilized surveys for both nursing staff (n = 31) and patients (n = 62), and included a focus group of nursing staff (n = 8) to explore ideas for innovation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Both nurses and patients perceived a high level of caring on the unit. The overall theme from the focus group was that "caring begets caring," with 2 subthemes: "relationships of care" and "the context of caring." Caring for each other was identified as essential to keep staff energized and able to work lovingly with patients. Nursing leadership brought the research findings to all staff on the unit for discussion and implementation of structural support for the unit culture of caring.
Commentary by Dana Rutledge, RN, PhD, Nursing Research Facilitator
It is helpful to consider a few details about this study methodology. In order to fulfill their purpose, these authors use a dual method study -- combining a descriptive, comparative survey design (staff plus patients) with a qualitative design using a focus group. The study setting was a medical specialty unit where relationship-based care meant that “nursing staff put at the center of their work a personal relationship with patients and family,… ministering to body, mind, and spirit” (p. 58). Staff completed the Caring Efficacy Scale, a 30-item paper and pencil tool that measures one’s belief in ability to build caring relationships and communicate a caring environment with patients. The tool was deemed to contain the majority of Watson’s carative factors. Patients completed the 10-item Client Perception of Caring Scale, which asks about nonverbal/verbal actions signifying that some aspect of care was carried out by nurses.
Survey respondents were 39% of unit staff (87% RNs; age range 20-60; mean caregiving experience of 7 years; 93% women) and 62 patients (mean age, 65 years; 40% men; 45% with college education). How staff and patients were recruited to be in the study is not mentioned. On average, staff reported they were able to demonstrate caring behaviors and patients had high perceptions of caring. One wonders about the 61% of staff who did not fill out the surveys… what is their perception of ability to give relationship-based care? Unfortunately, although the researchers may have wanted to compare nurse/patient perceptions… because they used different tools for the two groups, direct comparison is impossible. The survey component of the study was fairly ineffective in leading to new knowledge, although the researchers concluded that “nurses’ perceptions of care and patients’ perceptions of care were positive and in alignment” (p. 63).
The focus group (7 RNs, 1 assistant) discussed how to enhance the caring environment. The data discussed from the focus group is quite rich, including categories of care relationships: teamwork, building expertise, personal support from peers, and connecting with patients. The context of caring included the organizational culture, the physical unit, and workload… all of these findings resonate with current situations. A strength of the article is the authors’ ability to discuss relevance of these focus group findings to practice.
Focus group “participants were indeed recognizing that the underlying culture of loving-kindness that keeps a group sustained through periods of time when the environment of caring was stressed by demands and changes” (p.61). This supports the theme that “caring begets caring.” This theme points to the need to recruit and retain staff who embrace caring values, to work for stronger connections with students on units, to promote mentoring among staff, to celebrate caring experiences, and to affirm team and staff member contributions. Specific nurse leader and nurse administrator implications are mentioned by the authors: nurse leader education on therapeutic communication, workflow facilitation, and mutual support; caritas circles for connections of “spiritual renewal and dedication to caring”; establishment of a group ethic that expects care and healing environment with reflective practice.
Carter, L.C., Nelson, J.L., Siever, B.A., Dukek, s.L., Pipe, T.B., & Holland, D.E. (2008). Exploring a culture of caring. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 32, 57-63.
Author’s Abstract
AIM: The delivery of patient-centered care is basic to a large Midwestern healthcare institution's mission and highly valued by the department of nursing. Even so, nurses on one medical unit questioned whether caring behaviors were devalued in a technology-oriented environment of providing care. The nursing leadership on the unit responded to the inquiry by conducting a research study. This study explored the state of patient-centered nursing care on a 36-bed medical unit as perceived by the nursing staff and patients, using Watson's Theory of Human Caring as a framework. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study utilized surveys for both nursing staff (n = 31) and patients (n = 62), and included a focus group of nursing staff (n = 8) to explore ideas for innovation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Both nurses and patients perceived a high level of caring on the unit. The overall theme from the focus group was that "caring begets caring," with 2 subthemes: "relationships of care" and "the context of caring." Caring for each other was identified as essential to keep staff energized and able to work lovingly with patients. Nursing leadership brought the research findings to all staff on the unit for discussion and implementation of structural support for the unit culture of caring.
Commentary by Dana Rutledge, RN, PhD, Nursing Research Facilitator
It is helpful to consider a few details about this study methodology. In order to fulfill their purpose, these authors use a dual method study -- combining a descriptive, comparative survey design (staff plus patients) with a qualitative design using a focus group. The study setting was a medical specialty unit where relationship-based care meant that “nursing staff put at the center of their work a personal relationship with patients and family,… ministering to body, mind, and spirit” (p. 58). Staff completed the Caring Efficacy Scale, a 30-item paper and pencil tool that measures one’s belief in ability to build caring relationships and communicate a caring environment with patients. The tool was deemed to contain the majority of Watson’s carative factors. Patients completed the 10-item Client Perception of Caring Scale, which asks about nonverbal/verbal actions signifying that some aspect of care was carried out by nurses.
Survey respondents were 39% of unit staff (87% RNs; age range 20-60; mean caregiving experience of 7 years; 93% women) and 62 patients (mean age, 65 years; 40% men; 45% with college education). How staff and patients were recruited to be in the study is not mentioned. On average, staff reported they were able to demonstrate caring behaviors and patients had high perceptions of caring. One wonders about the 61% of staff who did not fill out the surveys… what is their perception of ability to give relationship-based care? Unfortunately, although the researchers may have wanted to compare nurse/patient perceptions… because they used different tools for the two groups, direct comparison is impossible. The survey component of the study was fairly ineffective in leading to new knowledge, although the researchers concluded that “nurses’ perceptions of care and patients’ perceptions of care were positive and in alignment” (p. 63).
The focus group (7 RNs, 1 assistant) discussed how to enhance the caring environment. The data discussed from the focus group is quite rich, including categories of care relationships: teamwork, building expertise, personal support from peers, and connecting with patients. The context of caring included the organizational culture, the physical unit, and workload… all of these findings resonate with current situations. A strength of the article is the authors’ ability to discuss relevance of these focus group findings to practice.
Focus group “participants were indeed recognizing that the underlying culture of loving-kindness that keeps a group sustained through periods of time when the environment of caring was stressed by demands and changes” (p.61). This supports the theme that “caring begets caring.” This theme points to the need to recruit and retain staff who embrace caring values, to work for stronger connections with students on units, to promote mentoring among staff, to celebrate caring experiences, and to affirm team and staff member contributions. Specific nurse leader and nurse administrator implications are mentioned by the authors: nurse leader education on therapeutic communication, workflow facilitation, and mutual support; caritas circles for connections of “spiritual renewal and dedication to caring”; establishment of a group ethic that expects care and healing environment with reflective practice.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
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