Class Talk Fall 2016

According to Swearingen, Cox, Lesko, Lucas, and Clark (2018), there is a new stroke neuro check called SNAP (Stoke Neuro Assessment by Providence). It is defined by four assessment components; LOC, pupillary response, extremity movement, and originating symptoms. The purpose of this article was to examine SNAP checks between a comprehensive stroke center (CSC) and a primary stoke center (PSC) for any stroke patients that had IV alteplase and/or thrombectomy (Swearingen, 2018). A primary stroke center primarily cares for ischemic strokes while a comprehensive stroke center cares for all types of strokes. In order to check compliance with the SNAP assessment, the number of documented SNAP assessments were divided by the opportunities for the checks. Of the 37 patients in the study, SNAP check compliance was 68%. In the SNAP checks, the highest compliance fell under LOC and the lowest was originating symptoms, 90% to 45% respectively. Comparing the CSC to the PSC, CSC’s had higher compliance rate, 82% to 62% respectively. In conclusion, there needs to be more emphasis on originating symptoms during assessments and compliance with SNAP checks in PSC’s.

Swearingen, N., Cox, K., Lesko, A., Lucas, L., & Clark, D. (2018, January). Abstract 9: Compliance of a New Standard in Stroke Neuro Checks in a Comprehensive Stroke Center Compared to Primary Stroke Centers for IV Alteplase and Thrombectomy Patients. American Heart Association Journals, 49(1).  Retrieved April 06, 2018, from http://stroke.ahajournals.org/content/49/Suppl_1/A9

Go to http://elizabethmostert.cikeys.com/

I did a lit search for trends in elder care and came across an interesting article about meeting the needs of older people who are trans-gendered. My previous perception of gender issues was that it was a movement spearheaded by young people but of course people have had their own gender identities forever, it is just now talked about more.

This Australian article discusses negative experiences that patients have from interactions from staff in nursing homes such as pathologizing, misgendering, marginalizing, and coercive queering, collectively known as cisgenderism.

As a nurse I will take the article’s suggestions to heart, and focus on providing privacy, researching ‘scripts’ that are respectful regarding personal care, using the preferred pronouns for the patient, supporting gender expression and appearance, and advocating for my patients to get the prosthesis or hormones that they express a need for.

Ansara, Y. G. (2015). Challenging cisgenderism in the ageing and aged care sector: Meeting the needs of older people of trans and/or non-binary experience. Australasian Journal On Ageing, 3414-18. doi:10.1111/ajag.12278

My very first patient in nursing school was my most memorable patient. She had a song that she loved to sing and perform for herself and others to hear. Her special instructions were that you clap with her. During the shift I had sang the song with her many times, sometimes even in the hall. By the end of my day, some other classmates and I rounded up the clinical group, instructor included, to listen to her song. It put a smile on all of our faces and certainly brightened up the day. We still try to sing her song to this day.

My very first patient in nursing school was my most memorable patient. She had a song that she loved to sing and perform for herself and others to hear. Her special instructions were that you clap with her. During the shift I had sang the song with her many times, sometimes even in the hall. By the end of my day, some other classmates and I rounded up the clinical group, instructor included, to listen to her song. It put a smile on all of our faces and certainly brightened up the day. We still try to sing her song to this day.

My very first patient in nursing school was my most memorable patient. She had a song that she loved to sing and perform for herself and others to hear. Her special instructions were that you clap with her. During the shift I had sang the song with her many times, sometimes even in the hall. By the end of my day, some other classmates and I rounded up the clinical group, instructor included, to listen to her song. It put a smile on all of our faces and certainly brightened up the day. We still try to sing her song to this day.

My favorite patient was especially troublesome. He was someone that marched to the beat of his own drum and was not at all inclined to follow other people’s rules.

He had been homeless for the last 12 years, drank alcohol everyday, and was intoxicated when he was struck by a vehicle and broke 4 bones. He was in a lot of pain, but that didn’t stop him from trying to roll a cigarette in bed. After I swept the tobacco off the floor, I explained that he couldn’t smoke in the building but was able to at least get him a nicotine patch. His CIWA score wasn’t high enough to warrant an ativan, although I think that could have helped him.

He was my introduction to a radically different type of patient who lived outside of societal norms, and for that reason he will always stick out in my mind.

I engage in self-care via staying hydrated and exercising regularly. In clinical, I notice I don’t take enough time to drink water. However, every time I go to drink my water I usually try to drink the whole bottle or half. This might be 17 or 8 ounces at a time. I need to take more time throughout the day to hydrate. Not even just during the clinical day but the day before also. Friends that I’ve asked also complain of not taking time or having the team to hydrate. Although, one of my friends ensures she gets enough water throughout the day and is very timely with drinking water throughout her shift. Self-care is important for professional development because when you aren’t caring for your own self it’s difficult to be the best asset to the team you can be. When you’re tired, hungry, or dehydrated you can’t make the best decisions for you, your patients, or your team. Keeping yourself fueled, rested, and hydrated ensures you to run as a well-oiled machine and have the proper nutrients to fuel your body and make safe practice decisions. Self-care is important for safety and for the ability to organize the day and to allow yourself some stress relief and regrouping. During spring break I intend to drink 2 gallons of water a day and exercise 5 days a week. I will also take some time to relax my mind and regroup my thoughts and stress.

I engage in self-care via staying hydrated and exercising regularly. In clinical, I notice I don’t take enough time to drink water. However, every time I go to drink my water I usually try to drink the whole bottle or half. This might be 17 or 8 ounces at a time. I need to take more time throughout the day to hydrate. Not even just during the clinical day but the day before also. Friends that I’ve asked also complain of not taking time or having the team to hydrate. Although, one of my friends ensures she gets enough water throughout the day and is very timely with drinking water throughout her shift. Self-care is important for professional development because when you aren’t caring for your own self it’s difficult to be the best asset to the team you can be. When you’re tired, hungry, or dehydrated you can’t make the best decisions for you, your patients, or your team. Keeping yourself fueled, rested, and hydrated ensures you to run as a well-oiled machine and have the proper nutrients to fuel your body and make safe practice decisions. Self-care is important for safety and for the ability to organize the day and to allow yourself some stress relief and regrouping. During spring break I intend to drink 2 gallons of water a day and exercise 5 days a week. I will also take some time to relax my mind and regroup my thoughts and stress.

I engage in self-care via staying hydrated and exercising regularly. In clinical, I notice I don’t take enough time to drink water. However, every time I go to drink my water I usually try to drink the whole bottle or half. This might be 17 or 8 ounces at a time. I need to take more time throughout the day to hydrate. Not even just during the clinical day but the day before also. Friends that I’ve asked also complain of not taking time or having the team to hydrate. Although, one of my friends ensures she gets enough water throughout the day and is very timely with drinking water throughout her shift. Self-care is important for professional development because when you aren’t caring for your own self it’s difficult to be the best asset to the team you can be. When you’re tired, hungry, or dehydrated you can’t make the best decisions for you, your patients, or your team. Keeping yourself fueled, rested, and hydrated ensures you to run as a well-oiled machine and have the proper nutrients to fuel your body and make safe practice decisions. Self-care is important for safety and for the ability to organize the day and to allow yourself some stress relief and regrouping. During spring break I intend to drink 2 gallons of water a day and exercise 5 days a week. I will also take some time to relax my mind and regroup my thoughts and stress.