I felt as if I was parading around the unit today, only instead of following the marching band, I was following the siren call of the antiquated call light system.
One nurse said the ghost of 43 was at work, because, the call light in that room kept going off. For hours. There were very few places of respite from the "beep, beep, beep". Someone had to be near the board, to see the other lights go off and answer them, when the silence button timed out and started the shrill beeps again.
One of my patients had to be whisked away to a far-off appointment, completely bathed, shaved, fluffed and buffed. He/she will be going home soon, so this appointment was long awaited.
A skittish nurse fell at home over the weekend and scraped her head. No head injury, mind you, except to her pride. I think she enjoyed the attention the patients gave her asking about her condition.
Most of my day centered around the call lights and helping the rest of the nurses, since that was my job today. I was so happy when I got to go home!
And while I've been vegetating, I read a couple of interesting articles about patient stories and doctors ignoring their own health. It makes me think, even the research and graduate work I have has a large storytelling component.
I just hope I do the best job I can.
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