One night left

I just finished my second to last shift in CCU.  Then I have a week of vacation before starting my new job.  For those that aren't sure what my new job is see this post.

It is bitter sweet really.  I'm sad to leave CCU and all my coworkers.  But at the same time I'm excited to try something new and have a new challenge.  I'm nervously excited!!!

This past week has been all about tying up loose ends for the new job.  Getting a new locker in a new area, getting a new boss, finding out what will be involved in the self-orientation, etc.

The first two weeks will be a self-orientation period for myself and the other gal that will be working the 4 nights I'm not.  We are pioneering this position at our hospital so that is quite exciting that we can shape this into what we want it to be along with the expectations that management has for it.  I'm sure at times it will be frustrating but I'm looking forward to the challenges it will bring.

Does it really matter at that point???

We get this patient in DT's (alcohol withdrawal) and my coworker that is assigned to her asks her, as part of the admission assessment, how much she drinks. The patient tells her that she drinks 1L (yes 1 liter!!) of vodka daily.

Now I was taught in nursing school that with cigarrettes and alcohol the patient rarely admits to the actual amount and that the general rule of thumb for both is to double it and then you are closer to the acutal amount.

Does this mean that this woman actually drinks 2L of vodka daily? And if it is 1L or 2L does the difference really matter at that point? She's pickling her liver either way and currently in DT's so, I ask again........when it's THAT much does the actual amount really matter?

It didn't to us then but it just got me thinking..............