Ugh! I don't know when to tell my co-workers! This is KILLING ME! (long rant)

apmcm

Ok, so I'm a nurse. I work in an ICU and, on a daily basis, I'm surrounded by the most disgusting bugs/bodily fluids imaginable (seriously, last night I had my head waaaayyy too close to a nasty, disgusting crotch). I work 12 hour shifts that usually leave little time for eating (much less peeing every 1 1/2 hrs) if lunch even happens at all! Nausea's getting just a little worse every day and the scents that surround the ICU could make a non-prego want to puke on a daily basis.

I've somehow made it through so far, but I'm pretty sure at least a couple of co-workers are becoming suspicious about why I'm running off towards the break room every 1-2 hrs (whether it's to pee or snack). I'm sooo nervous that I'm going to get a really sick patient and not be able to either A) take care of myself or take care of my critically-ill patient.

I told my boss and she said that I should go ahead and tell the charge nurses so that I can be assigned pt's that aren't infected with contagious bugs. However, I know as soon as I tell 1 of them, the whole darn hospital will magically find out! I don't want to tell everyone because I'm so afraid of miscarrying (again). If I do have a miscarriage it would be terrible to have to tell everyone or have people asking about the baby when he/she is no longer there.

I just don't know what to do. Sorry to make this so long, but I'm just venting to the people who I know would understand most!

tharper0830

So sorry about your previous loss. I would hope that if you tell them what you just told us then they would respect your privacy and not tell the entire hospital..... I think you should definitely tell them so that they can not assign you to possibly infectious patients. Gotta protect your baby and yourself.

Good luck with what ever decision you make!!!!!!

apmcm

Thanks! I need all the luck I can get!

apmcm

Thanks! Glad to know I'm not the only one! That sucks that you don't have anyone to cover you though. I hope you can find a way to get everything done without much exposure to infectious diseases. Good luck to you too!

I'm definitely at least going to try to wait until after my u/s. Thankfully, mine's next week too! Yay for next Wednesday! Hopefully we'll at least get to see a heartbeat. I would definitely feel a little more confident at that point, so we'll see.

Unfortunately, it's really hard to have someone cover a critical patient due to the layout of the unit. It sucks, but you can't really see more than 2 patients at a time so it's hard to watch someone else's patients. I've just been trying to be extra careful with my "contact precautions" patients. I wear a mask even on those who aren't "droplet precautions."

cmenasco

Im kind of have the same deal going on, but my patients don't carry things I can get.  Im a veterinarian and there are some 'good' smells that have me running to the bathroom!!  I am also around anesthesia and radiographs, so I had to tell my boss why I was avoiding helping with those things.  They were very good about it and promise to keep things quiet.  I also told one of my techs so she can help find other people to take my place if need be (running to puke after smelling rotting tissue with maggots - yeah that was fun...).  I am lucky thought that the people I have told at work, i know they can keep their mouths shut!

Good luck.  One thing that has helped me is chewing gum with a strong mint flavor.  Helps settle my stomach and make the smells not as bad.  Also a small vicks under the nose (just a little!!) with the smelly pts. made a difference.  I just keep it in my pocket!

 

apmcm

Ha! I had a friend teach me the vicks thing waaaay back in nursing school! I haven't tried it yet. But I definitely keep gum handy and it's been my best friend, so far!

Good luck to you too! I couldn't possibly imagine the rotting odors or any pet related odors (besides my boston's everyday stuff). That stuff would make anyone hurl. I hope your ms improves soon!

Oh, and I understand radiographs too! Most ICU pts get daily portable chest xrays, so I try to make myself scarce when I hear the xray machine rolling through.

canthardlywait426

Is there any way that you can tell the charge nurse and explain to her WHY you'd like her to keep it in confidence?