Counting Down the Shifts

Well I did my last run of three twelve hour shifts at my current job over the weekend. I changed the assignment sheet on Friday so that I would get the undergraduate nursing employee who is orientating to the unit.  We really didn't have a heavy patient load so I let her do everything.  I find my biggest issue with new grads and students is that I don't have the patience when they are slow at doing initial assessments and vital signs.  I do let them fall behind as it's important for them to recognize where they have to improve but it's hard for me to stand by and not get things done for them.  

One of out patients is a recurrent ETOH cirrhosis guy who has Pickled Brain Syndrome, and unfortunately is MRSA/VRE positive but cannot understand the precautions he needs to take to leave his room.  It's a constant source of tension among the staff because some people let him use the phone if he's properly attired and some people think he shouldn't be allowed to come anywhere near us.  

This guy also has a history of AMA'ing though the current attending seems to think he becomes encephalopathic and we don't realize it and are way too eager to let him sign the form.  So he had the patient sign a letter which his sister witnessed that says he is competent enough right now to know he shouldn't leave and we as staff are not to let him sign the waiver.  I'm assuming that if he did try we would just call security and the team to have him formed but I can already see it becoming a huge deal down the road.

Either way this guy is a pain but it's part of the job right?  Sadly I know I'll be dealing with many of his like in the ER but at least I won't have to deal with the same patient three days in a row.

Granted I was at the desk for Sat and Sun but his room is right across the hallway so he often brings his problems to me.

Anyway, the staff are all giving me a jokingly hard time for leaving though I know some of them really are a bit hurt about it.  But I can't let it get to me, since I have to do what I feel is right for me.