No, I'm not a kid going back to school, but returning to work after escaping for a conference was very similar. I feel as if I was jarred out of a deep, restful sleep and thrown into a world that is constantly going and I'm running in, then looking forward to the time I can run straight out.
It's always nice to go to a conference just for nurses. People, for the most part, look at you, talk to you in the hall and are social. Some other disciplines (which will remain nameless...Freudian cough cough) often walk with darting glances because you might actually talk to them. We had lots of interesting sessions. I even gave one this year. One presenter brought her demo dog, as she was speaking about how to get a service dog and ADA guidelines.
Overall, I had a wonderful time. I may even look to turn my presentation into a journal article (one of the things on the bucket list). I'm fortunate that my subject is not typical rehab (bowel, bladder or skin), so I just need to sit down and do it.
This week, I get to interview new staff for the Hotel. It should be exciting. I just hope they can survive the Manglement.
Stay tuned...
Showing posts with label conferences. Show all posts
Showing posts with label conferences. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Thursday, March 24, 2016
Full moon fever
Oh, the natives are getting restless, and for a moment, I didn't know why. Ah, the full moon! It was one of those days recently. Everything and nothing goes right.
One patient I follow is still ditching me for his/her monthly follow-up. Since I have to report to his/her provider re: progress, this makes things sticky. Try, try, again.
I am finally (maybe) getting resources to start a program I proposed earlier this year. Got clearance from the local committee and everything. If all goes as planned, the key pieces will fall into place next week. I'll still be sending prayer requests to my favorite nuns, monks, and old ladies, though. Working in this arena is rewarding, but endlessly frustrating with the amount of backtracking I have to do.
Thank goodness some of my folks still love me!
And speaking of the love, my next door neighbor and I found out our abstracts have been accepted to one of our favorite conferences.
The show WILL hit the road again, just in time for hurricane season, Labor Day and a family wedding. Why not have everything big happen in one week's time?
Stay tuned and enjoy your weekend! Happy Easter to all who celebrate!
More later...
One patient I follow is still ditching me for his/her monthly follow-up. Since I have to report to his/her provider re: progress, this makes things sticky. Try, try, again.
I am finally (maybe) getting resources to start a program I proposed earlier this year. Got clearance from the local committee and everything. If all goes as planned, the key pieces will fall into place next week. I'll still be sending prayer requests to my favorite nuns, monks, and old ladies, though. Working in this arena is rewarding, but endlessly frustrating with the amount of backtracking I have to do.
Thank goodness some of my folks still love me!
And speaking of the love, my next door neighbor and I found out our abstracts have been accepted to one of our favorite conferences.
The show WILL hit the road again, just in time for hurricane season, Labor Day and a family wedding. Why not have everything big happen in one week's time?
Stay tuned and enjoy your weekend! Happy Easter to all who celebrate!
More later...
Monday, March 7, 2016
Sin City indulgences
Yes, it was beautiful weather in Las Vegas when I was there recently. But, as usual, in conference season, it's also crazy. A couple getting married was on our flight. We all signed napkins with marital advice and they got a bottle of the sparkly stuff for their trip.
I got to stay at one of the most beautiful places around in the Mandalay Bay complex. Pools, palms, casinos, shows, nightly turn down service, you have it all.
What I would have preferred though? A lighter duvet. You would have sworn it got to 30 below zero outside even though the thermostat in the room never went below 65 (I tried to no avail). This lead to much discomfort at night. I figured out (on the last night) that I actually slept better in the bathrobe with just the sheet covering me.
We had lovely meals (hence the indulgences that made my scale go up) and I ate EVERY dessert (although most were tiny). Tiny pain au chocolat at breakfast, tiny chocolate mousse and other sundry mousse-like items, and tiramisu (also tiny). They were all good.
To make up for it, I tried to march around the mall every chance I got, because it beat walking around in the casinos which could get smoky. I also ran up stairs wherever possible.
And yes, I gave some money to the house at Mandalay Bay and Luxor. After I ran through $80 of my $100 budget, I gave up and went to the airport. On my last $20 I put in the slots near my gate, I made $50. I cashed out and vegged while awaiting my plane in the crowded terminal.
The flight back was nice. I sat next to a pilot who was returning to start his work week. Got a lot of insider information and it was fun.
Now, it's back to work. Let the week begin. Hope you enjoy yours wherever you are!
I got to stay at one of the most beautiful places around in the Mandalay Bay complex. Pools, palms, casinos, shows, nightly turn down service, you have it all.
What I would have preferred though? A lighter duvet. You would have sworn it got to 30 below zero outside even though the thermostat in the room never went below 65 (I tried to no avail). This lead to much discomfort at night. I figured out (on the last night) that I actually slept better in the bathrobe with just the sheet covering me.
We had lovely meals (hence the indulgences that made my scale go up) and I ate EVERY dessert (although most were tiny). Tiny pain au chocolat at breakfast, tiny chocolate mousse and other sundry mousse-like items, and tiramisu (also tiny). They were all good.
To make up for it, I tried to march around the mall every chance I got, because it beat walking around in the casinos which could get smoky. I also ran up stairs wherever possible.
And yes, I gave some money to the house at Mandalay Bay and Luxor. After I ran through $80 of my $100 budget, I gave up and went to the airport. On my last $20 I put in the slots near my gate, I made $50. I cashed out and vegged while awaiting my plane in the crowded terminal.
The flight back was nice. I sat next to a pilot who was returning to start his work week. Got a lot of insider information and it was fun.
Now, it's back to work. Let the week begin. Hope you enjoy yours wherever you are!
Friday, February 12, 2016
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...
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...
Sunday, August 30, 2015
Anniversary, it is...
But a happy one? Not exactly.
This weekend is the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina wreaking havoc in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast. It has gone on record as one of the deadliest natural disasters in US history.
We should learn a few things though.
1. No matter where you are, you should have an emergency plan. Yes, my plan's not the best, but I am fortunate, that most of the time, I work close enough to walk home if anything happened here in RehabLand. Bubba is close to home at school and we have some basic supplies on hand.
Don't forget your desk/locker/car trunk. You can store some basics in there too, just in case.
2. Figure it will take three days to get help. We are fortunate that a lot of important public services are less than a mile from us, but we still stay ready. When it's time to evacuate, you need to evacuate.
However, there are happy things. Very soon, in September, many rehab professionals will descend on the Crescent City (or the Big Easy) for their annual conferences. If you are there, and are free, I'd highly recommend one or both (ASCIP for all you SCI nurses or professionals and/or the Annual ARN conference, for any rehab nurse). New Orleans is a pretty city with lots of history and delicious treats. Don't miss it.
Who knows...maybe I'll even see you there. Stay tuned!
This weekend is the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina wreaking havoc in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast. It has gone on record as one of the deadliest natural disasters in US history.
We should learn a few things though.
1. No matter where you are, you should have an emergency plan. Yes, my plan's not the best, but I am fortunate, that most of the time, I work close enough to walk home if anything happened here in RehabLand. Bubba is close to home at school and we have some basic supplies on hand.
Don't forget your desk/locker/car trunk. You can store some basics in there too, just in case.
2. Figure it will take three days to get help. We are fortunate that a lot of important public services are less than a mile from us, but we still stay ready. When it's time to evacuate, you need to evacuate.
However, there are happy things. Very soon, in September, many rehab professionals will descend on the Crescent City (or the Big Easy) for their annual conferences. If you are there, and are free, I'd highly recommend one or both (ASCIP for all you SCI nurses or professionals and/or the Annual ARN conference, for any rehab nurse). New Orleans is a pretty city with lots of history and delicious treats. Don't miss it.
Who knows...maybe I'll even see you there. Stay tuned!
Thursday, June 27, 2013
The relief...for a moment
Ah, thankfully the technological gremlins ran away early. I got my deadline material submitted ahead of time.
Yes, RehabRN is hitting the road again. I'll be playing a hotel conference center to talk about my job in the SU. Some of the folks are impressed, but I'm just hoping I don't have any flight delays, because if I do, I could be very grumpy before I talk.
For fun, a couple of my grad school classmates and I are getting together to take our own collective show to Vegas. (that deadline is soon, too)
It should be fun to see if they take us up on the offer.
More to come...
Yes, RehabRN is hitting the road again. I'll be playing a hotel conference center to talk about my job in the SU. Some of the folks are impressed, but I'm just hoping I don't have any flight delays, because if I do, I could be very grumpy before I talk.
For fun, a couple of my grad school classmates and I are getting together to take our own collective show to Vegas. (that deadline is soon, too)
It should be fun to see if they take us up on the offer.
More to come...
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Still tired...
So much work and training and conferences in the last week has left me exhausted!
Hung out with some of the folks at this conference. It was an amazingly interesting and fun time. Saw old and new friends from all over the country.
Stay tuned...
Hung out with some of the folks at this conference. It was an amazingly interesting and fun time. Saw old and new friends from all over the country.
Stay tuned...
Friday, September 24, 2010
Things you learn at a conference
1. There are long lines for any good free stuff.
2. Occasionally someone you know will win a raffle.
3. Some conferences feed you exceptionally well (meals and snacks), and others, not so much.
4. Your boss,will get up and dance,if some nurses from another hospital pick him up under the arms and drag him.
5. One of your coworkers will document #4 for posterity.
6. You will volunteer someone else to babysit the boss and entertain him/her, so you can escape.
7. Some people can speak before hundreds of people, and others, not so much.
8. You find that lots of people have problems similar to those on your unit.
9. When you work for a large healthcare system, everyone knows everyone in one way or another. Six degrees of separation? Nope. It's more like two.
10. Finally, enjoy your old and new friends whenever you get the chance. You never know when it will be the last time you see them.
2. Occasionally someone you know will win a raffle.
3. Some conferences feed you exceptionally well (meals and snacks), and others, not so much.
4. Your boss,will get up and dance,if some nurses from another hospital pick him up under the arms and drag him.
5. One of your coworkers will document #4 for posterity.
6. You will volunteer someone else to babysit the boss and entertain him/her, so you can escape.
7. Some people can speak before hundreds of people, and others, not so much.
8. You find that lots of people have problems similar to those on your unit.
9. When you work for a large healthcare system, everyone knows everyone in one way or another. Six degrees of separation? Nope. It's more like two.
10. Finally, enjoy your old and new friends whenever you get the chance. You never know when it will be the last time you see them.
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