Post-it Sunday 8/13/23-what was old is new again

The post-it reads “I’ve been an OR nurse long enough that the issues that we solved years ago are popping up again.”

Sigh.

I’ve been a nurse for 22 years, an OR nurse for 21 of them. Let me tell you, I’ve seen some shit.

I’ve also been on committees that solved the issues.

Do I know why I keep getting invited to committees? No, no I do not.

Probably because I am consistent in my support, and am focused when working on problems.

I am also less likely to go off on personality tangents and to work to settle old feuds.

For me, it is about the work and the best care we can provide.

I don’t care about the personalities, I only care how they can impact the care that we give.

I must be frustrating when I decline to engage in shenanigans that some people find life-changing and worthy of their attention. I am that nurse who just wants to work.

Period.

End of story.

However, I have noticed a decided upswing in the issues that we solved years ago and someone new deciding they were an issue again.

Much sturm and drang commences.

The department is in an uproar.

Things are switched and switched back again.

There is nothing wrong with confirmatory projects.

However, there is something wrong with causing the destruction of thousands and thousands of dollars in supplies because someone decided the old way must be wrong.

AND PROCEEDED TO MARK ON STERILE SUPPLIES WITH A BALLPOINT PEN!

This renders them unsterile and unsafe for patient use. A ballpoint pen can cause microtears in paper, and ink is a liquid that can seep into the previously sterile supply.

There are small stickers at the desk that have been used to track supplies.

Maybe ask next time. And don’t decide because a process is before your time it is useless.

Thank you.