Random thoughts

It's a stormy day already here in RehabLand, and Bubba's up early wanting donuts. My head is splitting. AND I double booked myself at work today. I can't wait for this day to be over.

Here are a few points to ponder:

There's always some new technology to learn in nursing. It just amazes me, though, that some people figure out how to "game" it as soon as they can. It really gets scary when this gaming potentially interferes with care.
There's an updated version of this code, but somehow, I don't think people like the Slug actually read (or practice) it.

If you get tired of the bullies, check out this advice on bullying or parallel violence from Katie Duke.

And finally, if you want to feel good about what you do, no matter what, check out this post from KevinMD.

Thank you patients. You are the reason why we are all here.

More later...

The weekend is over

It's been busy. Dahey celebrated his birthday with a horrific cold. Bubba is suffering from allergies, so there is a constant chorus of sneezing and coughing here in our house.

As usual, I made Dahey his favorite cake for this birthday. It's not a birthday if I don't make a scratch cake. We had plans for brunch, but those were cancelled while the patient stayed home and rested. Bubba decided we needed donuts, so we went to Local Donut House for a dozen beauties, which the child promptly decided to start eating as soon as we got them in the car. Fortunately, we live close and there were donuts for the birthday boy.

Now, since Dahey felt well enough to go to his friend's benefit event with an escort (Bubba), I'm staying at home waiting for the duo to return.

Monday should be interesting. Hope your week is healthy and happy!

Stay tuned.

TGIF odds and ends

Oh, you know it's going to be an interesting day when your boss calls and asks "What the hell is going on?" Got that cleared up and it was better than I thought.  He/she isn't mad anymore, just worried that he/she will have staffing issues.

I'm a big picture career person, so that's what I'm thinking. Pleasing the boss is important, but having peace of mind and career growth is important, too. One of these days, the HR reps in the Hotel will learn how to read and use telephones. All I can do now is wait.

I found out today is the birthday of the inventor of the x-ray. Unfortunately, unlike our radiology nursing friends at Washington, no one brought donuts.


Since the lovely folks in the media department are printing my MegaConference poster, F., the designer sent me the mockup this week. As usual, she does amazing work. I can't wait until she gets it done.

I'd like to publish something one of these days, but as this article mentions, some publishers are not what they seem, so beware!

On my way out the door today, I did a little occupational therapy reinforcement (along with my unit tour guide duties). I showed one of our newer patients how to navigate the inpatient wifi on his phone.
He was up and running listening to his favorite radio stations on his phone by the time I left.

A little head bopping and a huge smile was a great way to greet the end of the workday

Hope you have a happy weekend wherever you may be.

Gotta love the men

I go to my gynecologist and he's asking what my secret is to losing seven pounds since last year. I tell him I watch carbs and sweets.

He must have missed lunch because we had a lengthy discussion about donuts. (Fortunately, his office is close to a donut shop and within 2 miles of a cable network rated one).

Then I come home and read Dr. Grumpy's post about nurses over at kevinmd.com. Aww! I know who appreciates me, and who doesn't.

Yes, indeed, it was a good day. Gotta love the men!

Saturday special

Oh, adventures with Bubba are never dull. It's fun for a tween boy  if...

1. You can make $40 moving boxes with Dad before 9AM. Dahey and Bubba were helping a friend (along with some big, burly guys Dahey works with) clean out his house and move.

2. You can laugh hysterically at the talking birthday cards in the store.

3. You get to hang out with one of your buddies (and 12 other boys from school) at the local laser tag adventure place, shoot hoops, and generally act silly.

4. You get pizza and you convince your mother to take you to a place that still may have an old fashioned cake donut at 6PM. (and it's not the local donut shop seen on TV either, 'cause they closed at noon).

My weekends are never dull.

The darnedest things

I love gadgets and technology, in part, because my job uses a lot of various technology at the Hotel.

However, when I read this article about dangers of wearable computers, some things just stood out.

1. Lifeblogging? Really? The Truman Show is so not HIPAA, kids.

2.Google Glass. Same as #1. I'm just waiting for a policy at the Hotel.

3. The wearable/embedded device issue. Yes, I'm not really impressed with Dick Cheney and would not go hunting with him, but he does have a point.

4. Cop cam will show who is getting the free donuts and sodas...just sayin'.

5. Smartwatches. Duh! If you have a smartphone policy, just upgrade it appropriately.

6. I like the smart clothing idea, but I don't like the thought of someone making me wear it to work. The authors do have some valid points, and this type of clothing would be valuable for my Hotel patients.

7. Fitbit and insurance rates. I don't like it. Reminds me of that bad "nurses go to heaven" joke, only the HMO nurse doesn't have any repercussions.


Just my $0.02...feel free to chime in.

Sunday fun

We had to get up early to watch the gold medal hockey game. No sporting event is complete without food in our house, so we got donuts (and Bubba got a breakfast sandwich, too, just to make sure he had enough energy).

And while I was reading, I found this article on trends from the Olympics.

Sorry, folks, I already wear PJs at work (aka scrubs). I ain't wearing a onesie, unless I end up on the bobsled team. I grew out of those LONG ago.

And if that's not enough fun for you, head on over to Sunday Stealing for this week's Fifteen meme. My answers are below.

Enjoy your day wherever you are!

What was your first job like? 
Two words: Burger King.

It’s a typical Sunday, how are you spending it? 
Church and getting ready for the week.

What was the happiest day of your life? 
There are so many...

What was the best decision you ever made? 
Going to nursing school.

Tell your go-to “pretend” game as a child (who was your alter-ego?) 
I was a superhero.

What email service do you use? 
A couple.

What fandoms would you consider yourself a part of? 
None.

Do you use anything on your lips? (eg. Chapstick, gloss, balm, lipstick) 
Love me the Burts' Bees with color (watermelon).

How many devices do you own which can access the internet? 
About 10.

Last strong smell you can remember smelling? 
Skunk.

If you had to move your birthday to another date, which one would you choose and why? 
June 15. I want to have my birthday in summer, so I can have a pool party.

Inspiration behind your blog title? 
My job.

If you could spend a rainy day with anyone in the world, who would you choose and why? 
Hmm...so many. Living or dead, for living, not sure who...dead C.S. Lewis.

Is there a foreign culture that you love? 
I lived in France. I'd like to experience more of Europe and Scandinavia, then pick one (or two..)

Do you have a favorite soft drink?
No.
 

Starting with a bang

Oh, it's the first day of vacation, so it's got to be memorable.

I took Bubba out to pick up WildDog's ashes from the vet. He and Dahey plan to inter WildDog in our yard where he worked so hard to keep a yard full of oaks squirrel-free in his prime. As consolation, we picked up a half-dozen donuts Bubba was to share with Dahey, who was at work.

Bubba ate one donut in the car. He said, "I'll share with Dad."

We came home, and I did a lot of work around the house: cleaning, decluttering, and sorting out goods to donate to charity. While doing all this, I bruised my hand, burnt myself and got a blister.

When I finally had a moment to look in the Super Donut box, there was only one left. Bubba had eaten the other five.

His response, "I'm going through puberty, so I'm hungry."

I'm going to need to fill the pantry and buy a new refrigerator if this appetite is any indication of what might happen in high school.

Stay tuned.

It's hard to believe...

But in somewhere around 100 days, the journey will be over. Yes, in that span of days, I hope to complete the final requirements for graduation for a Master's of Science in Nursing.

So how did I celebrate this last day of freedom before the final semester? I ate too many donuts and drank the rest of the wine I opened last night.

And, just because, I started back at the library (in my jammies, of course) and got a few of the articles the librarians suggested I add to my lit review this summer.

I'm ready, kids. Bring it on...I'll suffer whatever I have to for 100 days, 'cause then I'll have what I've been working years for.

And I will definitely appreciate it!

More later...

There must be glue on my chair

I just do not want to get up today.

Too much Scrabble and other computer pursuits...must get going! Too many things to do before going back to work!

And Bubba is ensconced by the TV waiting for football with his donuts.

Yes, indeed, it is Sunday.

Stay tuned.

Cops and nurses

Yes, cops and nurses have a lot in common.

Sometimes we're dealing with sundowning patients who are perfectly content at the beginning of the shift is fun, but don't forget, they add a extra level of excitement just before shift change.

One of our security guys was on rounds and asking if one of our people had "called anyone" today. Nope, I tell Officer T., Mr. X. is good. He just calls his wife, she understands he's demented and plays some music he likes over the phone. Officer T. leaves.

Mr. C., who was being good all night, got perturbed when his son left without getting his ice cream. He called him and he told him he'd be back tomorrow. Hence the agitated cascade begins....and ends with a call to 911 on his cell phone. Unlike the hospital phones where our 911 routes everyone to security, his cell phone sent him to the nearest 911 call center for CouldaWouldaShoulda County.

CWS county does not appreciate 911 calls from demented rehab patients. Officer T. and partner come over to visit Mr. C. and talk to him. Mr. C., agitated, refused to talk to me, but told the officers the same story. He refused to surrender his phone however. I eventually left and passed on the task of getting the phone to Z., the following charge nurse, called  the on-call doc, then notified our house super.

Now if only I'd stopped to get a donut (or a drink) after everything. Maybe next time.
Stay tuned.