RehabRN book club: Summer 16 part 3

I've been busy reading, since Bubba is in the home stretch of the local reading club. We take at least 1-2 trips to the library each week.

I'm still working on We have the technology, which has vignettes by sense, and I really enjoy it.

However, on our latest trip (since they are closed Monday for the holiday) I found a book I've been waiting to read, When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi. I saw his interviews and knew some of the story, but the little book (I actually read it all this afternoon) was so much more than the videos of his interviews.

You read about what it's like for a doctor to get cancer and be a patient. You read about happy things, but things are also very sad. Many reviewers, big name authors themselves, recommend this as one of the most important books you'll read. I have to agree. Life is short, and only some of us will have the courage to live it, in the face of some terrible things, on our own terms with dignity.

More later on what's new on the reading list...

The many hats of RehabRN

One of the neuropsychologists on our unit who I really like said that he/she liked the nurses because we're so versatile.

Somehow, he/she hit the nail on the head recently for one of my shifts.

In one shift, I was...

1.Secretary and chief air traffic controller.
Okay, it wasn't air traffic, but I had to print, type and call about 12 people to get one of our patients sent out to an appointment and get another patient from the already closed clinic back to his/her home three hours away. The ride was late just because they weren't in a hurry to get to the Hotel.

2. Waitress.
This is the story of my life. Don't ask for ice, though, if you have two hands that work and you're rolling all over the unit wreaking havoc.

3. Laundry attendant.
Pretty much the same applies to this as to #2. I can't stand the thought of people going to rehab in dirty clothes.

4. General Ms. Fix It.
I know where the screwdrivers on the unit are...fear me! Most of the time, I'm just asked to fix stuff the engineering department forgets. Now if they'd let me have Allen wrenches, I'd rule the world.

5. Computer geek.
Mr. Laptop has had me install and reinstall software for him after he inadvertently removed an important program.

6. Tour guide
Get lost and end up on our unit? I'll get you where you're going whether it's on campus or in the neighborhood. I wish we printed brochures sometimes, since it would make things easier.

Happily, I'm going to enjoy my current job: wife and mother for the whole weekend. Dahey, Bubba, WildDog and I plan on having a wonderful time visiting relatives and just relaxing.

More to come...