Cooking and Caring
In-tra-ve-nous
ADJECTIVE: existing or taking place within, or administered into, a vein or veins.
A large part of my work day in both the ED and now in Same Day Surgery (SDS) revolves around the insertion of an intravenous device in order that we may do a wide variety of tasks. The evolution of the I.V. over the last 34 years has seen us go from metal needles without any flexibility to a state-of-the-art safety spring-loaded ultra flexible plastic catheters that can remain in the vein for days.
The Intravenous (IV) can be put in any vein in the body (ask an ER nurse where the weirdest place was that they’ve inserted one of these) and is used to give basic fluids, give medications/boluses in a life/death situation or provide a port for numerous blood samples, introduction of anaesthetics and doses of antibiotics and pain medication.
I’m often asked to help when a patient proclaims “I don’t have any veins at all” or a colleague states they don’t have as much experience as I do, and would rather I give it a shot first. And then there is the statement newer nurses hate to hear….”No one ever gets my IV and you’re not trying if you’re not good at it”……sigh. How is a new nurse ever going to get any experience?
IV insertion requires patience, skill and a little bit of luck. Finding the vein is the challenge and making the commitment to insert is your hurdle. Take a moment to explore all of your options before you choose. Of course when your patient can’t wait… then go big or go home! (Antecubital with a #16)
When I first started in the Peds ER trauma room, I was almost horrified to see the team leader pull a chubby toddler’s head over the stretcher end to expose the external jugular site when extremity IV’s were proving to be difficult to find. We also did a lot of scalp vein insertion, which again, took some getting used to as well as cut downs….anyone remember those?
An IV can save a life, it can miraculously rehydrate a floppy infant and give pain numbing happiness to those with chronic illness. Be patient with yourself and always remember to tell your client the truth. Yes, it’s going to hurt BUT getting a small pinch now may save their life later should anything go wrong.
June is my second favourite time of the Niagara fruit belt growing season. This area is renowned for its grapes…but then prior to that, in somewhat rapid succession, are all the other choices of fruit that grow so well here.
Strawberries grow low to the ground, are nestled in straw and require a fairly good back to harvest. (or knees depending on your picking stance.) Memories of running through the rows, sticky-faced and delirious on the smell and taste of the ripened fruit will stay with me forever. I’m not quite sure how many me or my sisters managed to get into a flat for Mum, but the freezer would be full of jam for us to spread on toast well into the winter months.
I again marvel at the tasks completed by the working housewife of yesteryear. I find it difficult to even manage a trip to the farm to sheepishly purchase an already picked flat of red gloriousness to take home….(eating a pint in the car on the way home of course).
Enjoy your strawberries while they last…use the Tea Biscuit recipe here, add a few tablespoons of sugar to the batter or sprinkle some course sugar on top of them after a brushing of milk. I whip fresh cream with vanilla/sugar and serve individual shortcakes for a quick, easy dessert. The simple ingredients really showcase the berries…after all, that’s what its all about!
Happy June!
I am so very proud to be a part of a profession that cares for others in so many ways!
When you sit and actually think of what we do as nurses, the sheer scope of our practice is daunting! We take care of people from the time they enter this world until the last breath on their exit. And of course EVERYTHING in between.
In this month of political electing and backbiting, I believe we can take a message from our governments’ leaders behavior and vow as a large group of professionals to NOT engage in such behaviors amongst ourselves.
How many times as young newbie nurses were we called out for various insufficiencies in our practice? How many times have we heard the wrath of the loudest, most opinionated member of staff going up one side and down the other of a nurse trying her very best to complete the overwhelming amount of work we are expected to complete in 12 hours?
Stop for a moment and remember…Pride.
Underneath the uniform is a person. A person who is trying her best, be it at the start of her career or nearing the end of it. We spend an enormous amount of time caring for others and so little time caring for each other sometimes. Step back, consider your words carefully and use the time to coach, help to understand or physically pitch in to get the work completed with the colleague.
Remember receiving the documents that cemented your registration or how it felt to have that gold school pin placed on the left side of your new white uniform and the stripe on your starched white cap changed to black? The days of pinning ceremonies and teas, starched whites and stockings may be far behind us but the pride still lives in each of us.
Take a moment out of your very busy day to look around your room, or office, desk area or bedside and be proud of all you have and will accomplish. Take a second to pass that pride to someone else on staff. Offer a hand, a quick break, a smile or a word of encouragement.
Pride.
It’s free, its in all of us and it’s so worth sharing with others.
