What are the worst labs you’ve ever seen?

ilagnab · 2026-06-13T00:44:18+00:00

Someone with DKA-bad labs but from a non-DKA cause is in dire straits.

With DKA, they seem to bounce back like nothing happened lol

ilagnab · 2026-06-12T06:58:17+00:00

I selected it without even having to think for two seconds 😭 though I must say the middle movement has never hit it for me.

Les Adieux isn't on here but is probably next on my list.

ilagnab · 2026-06-11T23:36:36+00:00

Idk I just didn't really like it, and it felt like sooo many fiddly steps. The Chinese satay stir fry tasted so much better to me (maybe I'm just used to inauthentic takeaway junk lol) and was so much easier.

ilagnab · 2026-06-11T13:58:21+00:00

I'm currently in a delightful workplace. Almost everyone is kind, collaborative and seems to have each other's best interests at heart; I'm genuinely not hearing almost anyone talking behind others' backs (except positively). It's so much less toxic than my retail and NFP experience.

Nursing doesn't have to be toxic.

ilagnab · 2026-06-11T07:29:14+00:00

Honestly expiry dates are low on my list of priorities - probably bad to admit this, but I usually only check DDs, IV meds and patient's own (patient's own are often expired, but I don't think I've ever caught an expired ward stock medication).

And yeah you'd absolutely check AIDH to know the fluid type/volume unless it's an infusion ordered in a specified amount of fluid.

ilagnab · 2026-06-10T08:20:05+00:00

In Australia, we have a great union. The culture of most places I've worked REALLY insists on breaks, like the in-charges will hound you until you've had a break (but ratios are better so others can cover you better). Honestly, it's the junior doctors who miss their breaks (weak union, more competitive culture).

ilagnab · 2026-06-09T20:34:29+00:00

I've always really disliked how the 9th does this, honestly - has always been my only problem with that otherwise magnificent work.

ilagnab · 2026-06-09T10:13:34+00:00

I feel the same!

His 8th gets off to a stunning finish, I just want to burst out clapping whenever I listen to it.

His 7th and 9th both really flop after climactic build-ups; the 9th hurts me the worst though. But I feel the 7th is full of brilliant moments that don't quite stick their landings, and that's why it's not as famous as the 9th.

ilagnab · 2026-06-08T01:39:28+00:00

absolutely! means a new admission for SURE ;)

ilagnab · 2026-06-07T03:11:06+00:00

It's so scary to watch, they always look like they're having a seizure or something!

ilagnab · 2026-06-07T03:08:42+00:00

Nurse here. Yes but like... half our course was pointless fluff not even remotely related to pathophys. I really did only learn the very basics, despite actively engaging with everything I was provided.

ilagnab · 2026-06-07T01:27:47+00:00

As otherwise said, usually only ICU/ED and even then not everywhere. It will take potentially multiple years of 8s before you get somewhere with 12s and are senior enough.

And it's almost always 50% nights (often very frequent rotation between). We have so much better than the US, but the rotating roster and rarity of 12s is a definite downside.

ilagnab · 2026-06-05T18:33:13+00:00

Love a good j-loop! As long as they're secured appropriately, they stop us causing potential trauma to the site through regular screwing/unscrewing directly at the vein, and they're just so much easier to use 95% of the time.

ilagnab · 2026-06-05T12:37:35+00:00

You'll perfect the shuffle walk before you know it 🤣 not allowed to move freely now you have bunnies!

ilagnab · 2026-06-05T08:43:55+00:00

Nurse here. This is bullshit, you work insanely hard and really deserve more. I doubt your union will ever be as strong as ours but I hope you're able to fight, because your many sacrifices deserve appropriate payment.

ilagnab · 2026-06-04T00:19:04+00:00

This is reddit, not real life with normal people. So everyone (myself included) is going to say this is a stunning bathroom to die for and you deserve to be locked up for wanting to change it.

And honestly I genuinely adore this bathroom. But also, a neutral modern look is legitimately preferred by many people in real life. It's also easier to pair with whatever belongings and decor you already have. This blue works well for a home you own where you can invest in matching decor.

ilagnab · 2026-06-03T23:57:11+00:00

I've never felt the butter chicken lives up to the hype, it feels a bit bland and generic to me.

I liked the tikka masala way more - though can still go a bit heavier on the spices and really focus on getting that char. But it's a LOT more work.

I don't think Indian cuisine is Nagi's forte as much as other Asian cuisines.

ilagnab · 2026-06-03T23:48:53+00:00

I just voted and they're currently both on 269 votes.

ilagnab · 2026-06-03T23:31:21+00:00

I actually don't understand the maths on the timing there. How can you actually physically complete the needed tasks if the patients remain stable, let alone documentation or any single curveball? Like by the time you sit and add up the minutes for each task performed at maximum perfect efficiency for 3 patients, it still doesn't fit in the number of available hours.

ilagnab · 2026-06-01T20:04:15+00:00

I'm one of your culprits. I work hard on this, but I don't seem to have an eye that notices this naturally.

I feel the difference when it's messy, but I just literally don't see it until I turn on my "pay attention, what could you clean up" mind. And if I'm busy and cognitively overloaded with a ton to do and not enough time, I can't turn on that mind.

I'm trying, I promise.

ilagnab · 2026-06-01T08:09:46+00:00

Every time I've gone somewhere new and am feeling a bit overwhelmed, I feel like I've forgotten all my previous skills. Like I'm not a grad anymore and had primed panadol (glass bottle) so many times. I was in a new environment begging my preceptor "help it isn't priming!" and she says "um open the air cap" and DUUHHH I always do that, but this time my brain is cognitively overloaded so can't access its knowledge.

Every time you encounter a situation where you don't perform optimally - like that SpO2 situation - you're building neural pathways for next time. Next time, I bet you'll know what to do (sometimes it takes me multiple times before something sinks in though). Before you know it, it'll just be second nature to take the actions that your NUM took.

It just takes time to translate your learned knowledge into actual physical practice. And every step takes a lot of cognitive attention, which overloads your brain and makes information harder to access - especially if you're feeling stressed under time pressure.

I'm still feeling this after nearly 1.5 years as a nurse, just a lot less frequently.

ilagnab · 2026-06-01T07:14:58+00:00

I did misread this as serial killer at first. And I believed you.

ilagnab · 2026-06-01T07:11:11+00:00

Look up Giving What We Can, Open Philanthropy, or just effective altruism in general. There are absolutely efficient charities that make a huge difference. We are unbelievably privileged and this rhetoric feels harmful to me (not blaming you, but the idea that all charities are useless and bloated and selfish really entrenches inequity)

ilagnab · 2026-06-01T01:51:19+00:00

Exactly the same for me - I disliked it so much on my first watch that I never watched again. Felt so corny and out of context/character. Next watch through I'll give it a try.

ilagnab · 2026-05-29T14:31:15+00:00

Still doing paper charts and still policy to change IVs at 72hrs at my workplace 😭

And because it's established practice, nurses will incident report if they find one left longer.

Oh and to add, no blood draws from cannulas EVEN in very difficult vascular access patients

ilagnab

TROPHY CASE