Change of Shift, Volume 3 Number 26

Welcome to the June 25, 2009 edition of Change of Shift. Many thanks to Kim at emergiblog for allowing me to host this edition.

'Tis the holiday season, so I thought I'd go for a holiday theme for this edition. So since I'm thinking holiday more in the sense of how our British friends and other folks around the world view holidays as Americans view vacation. Ah, relaxing and not being at work tops the list for me.

So while you may not have a Mai-Tai with which you can enjoy this version of Change of Shift, let me be your virtual tour guide, sit back, take a load off and enjoy the stories we have here with your favorite beverage or company in your favorite place and have your own holiday/vacation wherever in the world you are.

The fit holiday

In case your idea of relaxing involves exercise...of any kind, Alvaro Fernandez presents Debunking 10 Brain Training/ Cognitive Health Myths posted at SharpBrains: Your Window into the Brain Fitness Revolution, saying, "Think about this: How can anyone take care of his or her brain when every week brings a new barrage of articles and studies which seem to contradict each other?" I'm with you, Alvaro. I take vacations from reading scholarly articles because my brain will explode if I don't!

On another "fitness" note, Courtney presents Laughter Exercises posted at Depression to Happiness, saying, "Sometimes, laughter can be the best medicine."

While it's not exercise, sagarika presents Dimensions of Health posted at Social Work for Mankind. I have to say she's made me think of social work in a much different light.

And if you're not too comfortable from the trip, Dean from Rebuild your Back discusses Neck Pain, Massage and Ice.

The boys on the beach

You've been there on the beach holiday with sand, surf and of course, surfer dudes. Some are blond and hunky, and once in a while, you run smart fellows who know where all the good waves hit the beach. While most of our guys are not surfers, they know how to tell a good nursing story.

Raise your glass for the men in nursing! Here are a few of the best stories from the guys.

Coturnix presents On Being a Nurse - a guest post posted at A Blog Around The Clock. I have to admit I was floored by this post. It's not all fluff, but a great substantive read.

Chris presents I Did NOT Go To Medical School To Play Nurse In The Bedroom! posted at The Man-Nurse Diaries, saying, "If this is too racy for CoS, let me know so I can submit another! Thanks!" I'll let you all decide what you think. Chris, I loved it! You made me laugh (especially with that photo!) At least, you didn't send tips on how to be a call girl (yes, I did get one of those.)

Sean Dent presents Nurse Jackie vs. HawthoRNe : Hollywarped Television Nurses posted at My Strong Medicine, saying, "The warped sense of Hollywood in regards to nurses." Sean, I'm with you. If only everything was like it was on TV...resolved in an hour or less!

And last but not least, Keith of Digital Doorway has a fish story you have to read to believe: Of Tetanus and Fishing Line. It was about this big (*hands spread out in air*) and it got away! His alter ego, Bob the Nurse relaxes and gets ready for his vacation!

On the family vacation

What family hasn't piled everyone in the car, luggage and all and traipsed hither and yon down the highway on vacation. While they're not exactly family, some patients grow on you, especially if they've been around your place for a while. One patient, Steve Catoe discusses how he makes an impression on nursing students in Miss ATEC « Adventures of a Funky Heart! posted at Adventures of a Funky Heart! Steve, thanks for the memories. I still remember my first irregular character!

When you're out on the road, you have to eat. Christina from Both Sides of the Mask discusses Workflow and workarounds of nursing in of all places a restaurant chain you just may know.

Mona from the Tangled Neuron discusses Axona as used with Alzheimer's patients. As Mona mentions in her subtitle, she's a "layperson reports on memory loss, Alzheimer's disease and dementia." Also Mona states, "This personal site chronicles my search for answers on my father's dementia. Although it's too late to help Dad, I hope any information I can find helps others. " It never hurts to have a guide out there on the trail to help you along the way.

And if mom's not around to help you get it together for the trip, Ashley Cook presents Spring Cleaning and Women's Health posted at Healthy Living Tips, saying, "Some natural alternatives for cleaning around the house." You may not do it on vacation, but you will someday.

The return trip

Being on holiday is bliss, but unless you just got the winning lottery ticket, you eventually have to go back to work. Here are a few good ones to ponder about when you have to go back to work.

As Kim tells us, healthcare can be a headache and it's not just going back to the work environment.

Barbara Olson from florence dot com talks about automation and if it "dumbs down" healthcare providers. (Note: this article requires registration to view).

Nurse Laura from NurseConnect.com discusses the Unwritten Rules within the Nursing Profession.

Victoria Powell has two great articles on her blog you need to see: The Business of Advocacy, and Nurse Life Care Planning.

And if you think your return to the working world was tough following your vacation, maybe you'd better read Caroline's story from brainscramble called Assault. In two minutes or less, you'll be counting your blessings!

That concludes this edition. Thanks for coming along on a virtual holiday with me. I'll be eagerly awaiting my next real world holiday in a few weeks.

Submit your blog article to the next edition of change of shift over at emergiblog using the carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on the blog carnival index page.

Have a great weekend wherever your travels take you!