Deep thoughts

I really loved Jack Handey on Saturday Night Live. Some things they mentioned on that segment of the show were delightfully sarcastic.

While some of you might say the same thing about two things I'll address below, I'm going to say them. Because someone needs to mention them. Because my patients mention them.

So sit down and listen, please.

First, I enjoy getting my regular copy of the American Journal of Nursing every month. Since I subscribe to the newsletter, too, I also get a copy of the electronic table of contents. I saw this listed in the TOC and just about blew a gasket. Why you ask?

Because we have a whole lot more idiots, or shall we say "free spirits" out in the world who are so nervous they have to make fun of things they don't like or understand. Since I am not allowed to discuss politics in my home, I won't even discuss a certain political candidate who has endeared himself to the physically challenged, prisoners of war (also military veterans) and something I can identify with: women.

The point: Nurse researchers, please get with the program. While my folks may use safety belts, I have yet to see any "bound" to a wheelchair. If you are so up-to-date, please use modern terminology, please. Wheelchair user would do just fine in your article.

Finally, never assume. Wheelchair users most likely are not deaf, nor stupid. Treat them the way you'd want to be treated. In the fine words of one of my friends with multiple sclerosis (who celebrated World MS Day this past week), "I have MS, but it doesn't have me!"

And now for a moment from our sponsor. Stay tuned! 

TGIF (for so many reasons)

Yes, I'm thankful it's Friday because I don't have to work on Monday. Happy long weekend to all of you fortunate enough to be able to celebrate our country's presidents Monday.

I have been doing research for another conference abstract (the story of my life lately) so I've managed to find some interesting articles, including this one on writing a good one. Some of these are even appropriate for the abstracts.  Here are a few of the ones I found below.

While I'm not looking for a job right now, I try to keep my reference list up to date. This article talks about how to ask references the right questions to get good information on candidates. While I don't actually check the references, I have interviewed people. One of the folks I interviewed provided us a list of references to check. Surprisingly, the candidate's name and phone number was on his/her list. It gave me a chuckle, as the other interviewers didn't immediately pick up on this. This got said applicant in my "Interesting Interviews Hall of Fame".

The end of this week was sad, though. One of the national folks for our program died suddenly this past weekend just as he was getting ready to watch the Super Bowl. His team won, so despite everything, there were a few smiles knowing that. He was not old and it was not expected.

We found out that one of our coworkers has a family member with cancer. What makes it worse is that it's a child. Being new at the Hotel is crazy enough, then to have your family member have cancer is just awful.

These moments remind us all to be grateful for health. It's never guaranteed.

Until next time...