When Patients Say "NO"

A dying patient has a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) Order: What shall you do?

                                As nurses, it is embodied within us to care infinitely for our patients despite how hard it may seem. That each pain must be eased and each cry must be soothed. If a client asks you to do everything to save him, surely you’ll do just as what you are told. Orders shall be carried out and appropriate interventions shall be given. Medications shall be provided and that vital signs shall be monitored; doing everything just to help the patient recover from his illness. These are just the norms in a nurse’s life. It is a nurse’s call to help and save. However, what if the patient says no towards saving himself? What if he just wants to stop trying and let fate take its toll on him? What should a rightful nurse do?

                                In a medical ward scenario with typically very ill clients, it’s already a custom to have patients with DNR orders or “no code” orders in their files. Most of these clients just wish to leave the earth peacefully without broken ribs or punctured hearts. Some of them do not wish to be revived just to face dementia or brain injury as a consequence. It seems harsh to know but yes, this is a fact. DNR order or the “Do Not Resuscitate” order is somehow advantageous still to the patients who died. They will be spared from the harmful consequences of resuscitation if ever they will be revived. And mind you, reviving a  pulseless patient isn’t as easy as that shown in tv.

                                According to BBC, resuscitation is only indicated to those clients suffering from cardiac or respiratory arrest as an attempt to restore the client. However, it is only done if resuscitation is in accord to the client’s desires or if it is appropriate clinically. Medical futility shall always be prevented so as not to give extra damage to the already-suffering client because sometimes, CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation is not always best or appropriate to be given to a client.

                                CPR is deemed to have 0% probability of success in patients with septic shock, pneumonia, metastatic cancer, and acute stroke (Dr. Braddock, 2012). Hence most likely, these dying patients included in this bracket are those who are pro-DNR order as stated in their files, given that they are conscious and have understood enough to sign such waiver. Or perhaps, if they’re not conscious at all, it would then be the call of the patient’s family and significant others to decide once and for all.

                Since these patients have already decided to leave without resuscitation, it is the role of nurses to prepare them to somehow have a decent death. Interventions not only concerning the physical aspect are needed but spiritual as well. It is deemed vital to spiritually prepare a dying client in order for him or her to have inner tranquillity before passing away. That he or she is now going to experience a life free of pain and illness. That way, the client will be at peace.

Leadership Starts at Home

                When Papa and Mama are away, shall the kids play?

           Rewinding some childhood memories of my brother and I being left to ourselves at home whenever our parents are away makes me smile. How in our young age were we able to stand being left at home without anyone to bother for guidance and care? It then made me realize what our parents actually did. And that was to make the leaders inside us be honed through our own acts, own thoughts, own fashion.

              

           One might wrinkle his forehead thinking about the differences in our leaders today. They don’t seem to be on the same boat. Some are like this while some are like that. These differences truly can make a huge impact as well as to how they deliver their services to their people. Results mimic its equation, they say. A factor that can be viewed based on this root is, how and in what way these leaders were taught leadership. Perhaps in that aspect, the disparity among them can be understood.

                It is undeniable that all of us have had our first lessons way before school started. That is because we were already taught beforehand at home by our first teachers: our parents. Mom and Dad, Papa or Mama, Nanay or Tatay had instilled in our minds the basic learning and values that we need to have as primary allowance for school. Through them, our minds were shaped to view the different corners of life, making us gain knowledge as little as we were.

                With this fact, parents are the ones responsible to appropriately and correctly teach their youngsters about the several aspects of living. Included in this is leadership. No matter how young a kid maybe, to learn about leadership is never early. The mere obedience a kid gives to his parents is a good sign of good leadership. Even arranging one’s toys after playing is another cue. To be respectful to the elders and saying courteous words are pure signs. In addition, studying first before playing is another precursor. 

                Parents teaching their young ones about standing on their own as much as possible is truly crucial but deemed important. Educating them of such things molds them to become independent leaders who can survive on their own two feet. This way, kids will discover means of using one’s own ability to survive each challenge coming their way.

                However, in these little kids’ minds are where honesty and faithfulness shall be also sharpened up. These values were gotten by them from mimicking their role models and that includes their parents who are always around them. Little acts by parents might save huge spaces in those pure eyes and hearts. That is why parents promising of things must also be done away in order for these kids to be spared from heart aches of broken promises. For in these situations rise thoughts about doing the same thing to others since it might also do no major harm to them. This then creates the future crocodiles of the society, promising and promising constantly but never putting their promises to reality.

                If society has a big role in leadership, so does our own homes. Start being a leader at home and one day you’ll find your way easily on top, being a great mighty leader to others and your kin.

Time, a Student's Best Enemy: How to Manage It

            Have you ever risen up from slumber realizing that your tests are scheduled the next day plus you have projects due that week yet you can’t seem to get your hands laid on those because it’s such a busy hospital duty week? If yes, then you are not alone.

            Millions of students (and professionals) have the same problem which is time management.  We can’t seem to fully have the time on our hands and spend it as cleverly as possible. Some find looking at the busy calendar worrisome and overwhelming that procrastination is the best solution thought. While there are some others who still don’t think they have paid as much attention to their tasks, causing them to worry a lot. Various people on the other hand suffer the consequences of not being able to budget time prudently, causing a lot of stress which can be reflected at their skin. This manifestation can make one be prone of dreading himself for being such a slow turtle.

            So to save ourselves from that impending doom, let me give you a guide on how to budget time wisely so to increase productivity. It might seem difficult to be living with a schedule to follow, but trust me, it’s only difficult initially.

• ·         It is important to prioritize your tasks. Categorize your tasks between time-consuming but important and time-consuming but not important. Start your feet at the former then! Prioritizing tasks aid you to spend time and energy economically on those that are truly important to you.
• ·         Learn to practice the 10-minute rule.  Break your large, time-consuming tasks into smaller ones. Work your dreaded task for ten minutes a day. Once you started it, you'll then just realize that you're already getting used to it. 

• ·         Limit your distractions. Find some time also to turn off your phone, refuse visitors, and reject dinner dates in order to spare more time on the task you intend to do. This way, more time will be spent for yourself and not to others.
• ·         If one task feels too heavy for you, then learn to delegate. Ask for some help from your group mates or friends to aid you with your task so you can get done early. Besides, true friends shine the most in the rainy days.

• ·         Once your head is truly in the game, never forget also to take a break. Sometimes, a cluttered mind impedes you to think fast and efficiently. It makes you more disorganized than ever. When you need a break, never hesitate to take one.
• ·         It might be too ironic but in order to be efficient, one must get plenty of sleep and have a healthy lifestyle. Yes the task can be time-consuming but your brain needs to recharge too. Never exhaust it if you want to finish your task correctly and on time. Besides, sleeping results to better concentration and improved focus. You’ll then be amazed at how speedy you are in your task and how organized your thoughts are after you just had a good night sleep.

Such tips are believed to be helpful. Want to prove it? Then go, try it. J Have a happy and efficient time management!