Nursing, what a riot.

Have you thought about the profession of nursing?  Do you ever wonder what you were thinking by going into this career.  I have over the years seen some really different, strange, and wild and crazy things.  There will be no names, but some of you may remember the things that I am speaking of.  

I have over the years been privy to some of the strangest sights.  Here are just a few.

1.  Can you help me?  I can't seem to get the bugs off the ceiling.  This was an older gent, that was really confused due to the medications.  The staff came and asked if there was anything I could do to help them and him.  I walked in the room with my hand wrapped around an invisible spray can.  I asked the man where the bugs were.  He told me and I proceeded to spray the whole room, after having him cover his nose with the sheet.  When done spraying, I asked if he could see any I had missed.  "Just one, right there" he answered.  I sprayed that one, and he thanked me, laid his head down and fell asleep for the rest of the night.  Surprising what can be accomplished with an little ingenuity.

2.  The nurse had just done her rounds and had stopped in a room at the end of the hall.  I followed her in.  The little lady, who had not been able to move on her own, little own get out of bed, was sitting  at the bottom of her bed.  Looking very sheepishly around the room, she asked what was wrong?  Nothing we answered.  What are you doing out of bed?  She said she did not know.  Then we spied a water pitcher under the edge of her bed.... What is that doing under your bed?  She looked at us, while shoving it under the bed with her foot,  without flinching stated she needed to pee and that had worked just fine for the time being.  I leaned to pick it up, at which time she very matter of fact said, "It's OK honey you can just throw that one out.  I'll buy a new one in the morning."  We all began to laugh uncontrollably.  "I was a farm girl and we used these things all the time at home."  Trying to control our laughter, we both in unison stated, "You really need to use the bathroom here."  She started to laugh with us, and was returned to bed without issue.  We left the room still giggling.

The things people say and think, under the influence of drugs.

3.  Last night we were called into a patients room to find him laying on the floor naked.  First thing we thought was oh no he fell.  Upon going to the patient and asking if he was OK, he stated rather loudly, "This is the bed I made.  It's more comfortable that that thing you gave me to sleep in."  He had taken 3 pillows and was laying face down on them with his head under the bed.  Interesting getting him up off the floor.  We helped him back to bed and asked him to let us know if the bed was a problem from now on. 

These are just a couple of the things that have happened.  It seems that the drugs are getting stronger and the patients are getting older, and that is not a good combination.    
I have over the years found people sitting naked in the hall, standing on their beds jumping up and down, and walking down the halls with their all togethers hanging out.  Only to have them tell me I am a liar when I tell them the next day what had happened.  I have developed rather broad shoulders and a positive outlook when it comes to post operative patients.  Some do really well.  Some cry and carry on about things that mean nothing to me or to them, due to drugs.  Many awaken telling us that they do not want go through with the surgery, only to find out it is already over.  We console when we can, laugh with them whenever possible, cry with them now and then, and help which ever way possible to get them through the tough time post op.

The profession I have chosen is one that I love.  At times I hate the job, but I will forever love the work.  I don't remember ever wanting to do anything else.  I just hope when the time comes, I don't act as off the wall and crazy as some of my patients have in the past.  Wonder what the future holds?  Another work day is just around the corner.... Bring on the fun and let me do my stuff...... Just hope this week makes us all laugh, cause "nursing can be a riot".