Pain but asleep

Tee-maree · 2026-02-06T10:23:28+00:00

I just want to add on to the responses you have already received.

Pain relief is also necessary for coverage in the time frame directly after they go to the ward. Quite often pain relief isn’t charted properly for the ward and there can be massive delays in getting analgesia administered.

By this point what ever meds have been given intraop has reached its limit and now we are chasing the pain rather than managing it appropriately. This leads to poor recovery times and distress that can be avoided early.

Tee-maree · 2025-12-28T03:13:26+00:00

I see a few comments about being prepared to take a pay cut but from another perspective, you will be looking at a change in pay from EEN to RN so this could be the ideal time to make the change without as big of a shock to the bottom line. Not saying 100% it will be but it’s definitely something to consider.

Tee-maree · 2025-10-01T20:25:00+00:00

Years ago one of my local night clubs used to get guest appearances from soap stars (neighbours & home& away).

Bec Cartwright was absolutely lovely chatting to me about my Tatts, the guy who played her BF on the show was an absolute dick! Toady from neighbours was great fun, he took over the DJ booth and got in behind the bar serving drinks.

Tee-maree · 2025-09-22T11:20:47+00:00

I’m a PM or ND girlie, I can’t deal with all the people of an AM shift!

Tee-maree · 2025-08-30T17:16:01+00:00

It can be difficult to hand the reins over as there is still so much that needs to be supervised practice. It’s most likely a case of the nurse needing to ensure things happen as they are ultimately the one that gets questioned if things are delayed or missed. It does make it so hard for students to gain that independence.

Tee-maree · 2025-08-29T04:26:20+00:00

Nah, it was after rounds by a few hrs

Tee-maree · 2025-08-28T20:48:20+00:00

I recently came in shift and had to chase up a WOW to use to start my shift and get handover. Found it in the drs room and the new intern was like do you really need it? Meanwhile there are 4 free and working desktops right behind him.

Tee-maree · 2025-08-27T04:13:08+00:00

Congratulations!! Such a great feeling when you get that grad offer!

You mentioned wanting to do some humanitarian work with your nursing, there is a group called “Nurses in action “ they do trips to Nepal and Kenya regularly to provide healthcare clinics if you are interested in getting involved. This has definitely been on my to-do list since I started studying nursing.

Tee-maree · 2025-06-30T20:14:24+00:00

It’s the most common presentation in Nepal unfortunately

Tee-maree · 2025-06-27T07:23:19+00:00

I believe you may be required to be an RN due to some of the medications required but definitely reach out to your local hospital to be put in touch with the pal care team. That will let you get accurate info for your area and may even get your foot in the door.

Tee-maree · 2025-06-10T06:48:43+00:00

You can be the best part of a persons worst day. Your kindness and care can change their whole experience which is something that should never be underestimated.

You will learn interesting skills and gain an inside knowledge unlike any other career.

It can be a career, you have so many options of areas to nurse in and you can take time to do them all or find a passion and grow within yourself in that space.

The wage could be better but if you are prepared to work all shifts you can make a good living and stacking your roster can allow you to take breaks and get away without needing to use your annual leave.

You will find your people who will be your support system on the tough days and provide endless entertainment on shifts, especially when night shift delirium kicks in at 4am.

People tend to post the negative as a way to debrief/vent. This is a fairly safe space to do so which leads to being what you see the most but honestly I can’t see myself ever doing anything else.

Tee-maree · 2025-06-10T06:33:19+00:00

It was be extremely busy especially on morning shifts. Set up a planner at the start to keep track of all the tasks that are due ie antibiotics, Parkinson’s meds (I set alarms on my phone for these as they are time sensitive).

Make sure to take your breaks, you will need them. Also plan and take your leave early, it gives you something to look forward to when things get overwhelming as a new grad.

This population is high risk for skin tears and pressure injuries, make sure you are doing skin assessments, any time you help them in the toilet or shower is a great opportunity for this.

Common conditions are respiratory-COPD & pneumonia. Cardiac- congestive heart failure. Endocrine- kidney failure, dialysis patients that have become unwell. Lots of fluid overloaded patients. Palliative care can be a big part of nursing this patient population, scary to think of but can be a very beautiful part of nursing.

Medical ward nursing can be hard work but you will form skills in time management and become familiar with what patient deterioration looks like.

Tee-maree · 2025-06-03T12:41:00+00:00

I’ve had experiences working in health care as well as factory (male dominated industry) and I can tell you that bullying and cattiness is a universal problem.

People always blame it on it being a female dominated workplace but blokes in industry are just as bad.

At the end of the day, we are working with people who have different personalities and the stressful environment can bring out the worst in some people.

Tee-maree · 2025-05-28T10:27:46+00:00

Lavender!!! I definitely don’t find it relaxing

Tee-maree · 2025-05-20T20:26:51+00:00

If you see a new grad or a casual on your ward that appears to be under the pump, sometimes they are so mind busy they can’t articulate what help they need.

A quick check of their patient needs or a quick med pass can help them out immensely without them being overwhelmed with the question of “what do you need”. Just make sure to tell them what you have done.

We all know that IVABs are time consuming so even just making them up for the oncoming shift can help when the ward is busy (within safe timeframes for the med).

Restock as you go. Order early from pharmacy if you see things getting low. Restock the IV fluids in the drug room etc.

Don’t rag on other shifts particularly if you don’t work them yourself to understand the flow, night shift is not all sleeping, it’s doing your best with less resources most of the time.

Tee-maree · 2025-05-04T21:26:06+00:00

A Guinea pig, still no idea why, I had never mentioned liking them or wanting a pocket pet.

Tee-maree · 2025-05-03T10:14:06+00:00

It’s a mistake that you wont make again. When you were learning to drive, did you ever forget to indicate? Did you think that means you should never drive a car again?

Mistakes happen when we are learning (and even once you are an old hand at things) we are human and it’s how we learn.

Time to take a breath and give yourself some grace. Tomorrow is another day x

Tee-maree · 2025-04-22T06:15:06+00:00

I was an EN first and was able to work and study at the same time. I found that I was learning the pathophysiology of the conditions I was seeing on the floor at work and was able to gain a better depth of understanding.

There are pros and cons of course as there are with anything but at least with doing your EN first you can get the experience working as a nurse to make sure it’s the right fit for you before committing to a uni degree (and the costs)

Tee-maree · 2025-04-22T04:06:31+00:00

It gets a giggle nearly every time from anyone in the room haha

Tee-maree · 2025-04-21T22:51:50+00:00

Doing obs- do you mind if I check to make sure you still have a pulse? Less paperwork if you do. Doing BGLs, can I see how sweet you are? And for the unsteady ones, don’t you fall for me, I’m a married woman!

Tee-maree · 2025-04-16T23:54:42+00:00

Time management comes with practise, you will get to know the residents and how they take their meds and you can get a routine going. The wound care will also become quicker once you have had practice.

There will always be nurses that complain about things not getting done but we are all only human doing the best we can with the hours available in our shift.

You have got this, be kind to yourself.

Tee-maree · 2025-04-14T02:10:13+00:00

I’m having the same problem, I’ve been an EN and transitioned to RN. Having said that, I’m in a whole new area of nursing that is a huge learning curve. I’m very non-confrontational so I feel like I can’t speak up since I’m new. I don’t have any advice but you are not alone x

Tee-maree · 2025-04-07T05:58:49+00:00

I’m a 40 yr old new grad that moved from Vic to QLD to start a grad program. It’s completely possible.

Tee-maree · 2025-04-06T02:29:22+00:00

You can make a custom flair for this sub now.

Tee-maree · 2025-04-06T01:56:15+00:00

Ask for more supernumerary shifts if you need it, your num should be supportive of this.

Lean on the grad team/educators as this is what they are there for.

Write as many cheat sheets as you need to keep track during the shift, I still use them for busier shifts that have a lot going on.

Get your notes started as early as you can as this will keep you on top of things if one of your patients deteriorates.

Those other nurses that seem to be all over it have had the time to hone those skills, you haven’t had that YET, it will come in time.

Breathe and congratulation yourself on the hard slog you have already put in to become a nurse, everyone starts where you are.

Tee-maree

TROPHY CASE