That I try to read my homework whenever possible, so I can get ahead. Yep, that's why. Every page read leads to one more assignment and to one more class to that graduate degree.
The journey of a thousand miles, truly, does begin with a single step.
Showing posts with label journeyman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label journeyman. Show all posts
Monday, July 12, 2010
Monday, February 2, 2009
Before dawn, darkness
The last few days, I've been feeling pretty terrible. The virus-of-the-month in December worked me over good enough, that I've succumbed to one or two more in the interim. I felt so terrible working on Sunday night that I finally surrendered today. It's been sinus hell and coughing for too many days, thank you very much!
I called the MD to see if I needed to come in or if something could be sent out. Apparently, I'm not the only person sick, so I got my prescription. My day today has been, first, take Bubba to school. Next, go back to bed. Wake up a couple of hours later, and call MD.
In the interim, I called in sick to work. Note: this only takes 7 (yes, seven) phone calls to actually reach a live person. What little voice I had left disappeared by the time I finally got my manager, so I creaked that I had called the MD and was not coming for my regular shift today. Manager sounded a little annoyed (no surprise), but nevertheless accepted. (At least I gave enough time to get a replacement!)
Next, I waited an hour after MD office called and confirmed that a script was sent to my local pharmacy. I got to the pharmacy and I waited, because, they, too were inundated with lots and lots of emergencies. No problem, I found a seat in the empty waiting area and sat with my coffee and a magazine. Got meds, and scurried home to take the first dose of my seven days of huge capsules. Then, it was back to bed again, to sleep a few more hours, before Hubby calls to check to make certain I'm still around...and yes, I was in the same spot...in bed!
The weather's improved markedly in our neck of the woods, but there is a bit of winter gloom still hanging around. One person I know went in for surgery and had complications that have changed her life. She's handling it well, thankfully, but when you look at the grand scheme of things, you wonder. Last year this time, one day her husband was alive, the next he had a cold, the following, he was dead.
I'm still wondering about our cancer patient. He's set for staging soon, and some days, he just won't get up. I've taken his meds to him on my med passes recently and I keep the mood light, just as I always have done, and he laughs. But, I worry for him. Hanging out in bed in a dark room in winter is just so depressing. I wish there was more I could do.
Finally, I read an interesting thing in my ANA Smart Brief today, which I get via e-mail daily. I've posted it verbatim below. I think it tells a story people don't really realize now.
I called the MD to see if I needed to come in or if something could be sent out. Apparently, I'm not the only person sick, so I got my prescription. My day today has been, first, take Bubba to school. Next, go back to bed. Wake up a couple of hours later, and call MD.
In the interim, I called in sick to work. Note: this only takes 7 (yes, seven) phone calls to actually reach a live person. What little voice I had left disappeared by the time I finally got my manager, so I creaked that I had called the MD and was not coming for my regular shift today. Manager sounded a little annoyed (no surprise), but nevertheless accepted. (At least I gave enough time to get a replacement!)
Next, I waited an hour after MD office called and confirmed that a script was sent to my local pharmacy. I got to the pharmacy and I waited, because, they, too were inundated with lots and lots of emergencies. No problem, I found a seat in the empty waiting area and sat with my coffee and a magazine. Got meds, and scurried home to take the first dose of my seven days of huge capsules. Then, it was back to bed again, to sleep a few more hours, before Hubby calls to check to make certain I'm still around...and yes, I was in the same spot...in bed!
The weather's improved markedly in our neck of the woods, but there is a bit of winter gloom still hanging around. One person I know went in for surgery and had complications that have changed her life. She's handling it well, thankfully, but when you look at the grand scheme of things, you wonder. Last year this time, one day her husband was alive, the next he had a cold, the following, he was dead.
I'm still wondering about our cancer patient. He's set for staging soon, and some days, he just won't get up. I've taken his meds to him on my med passes recently and I keep the mood light, just as I always have done, and he laughs. But, I worry for him. Hanging out in bed in a dark room in winter is just so depressing. I wish there was more I could do.
Finally, I read an interesting thing in my ANA Smart Brief today, which I get via e-mail daily. I've posted it verbatim below. I think it tells a story people don't really realize now.
Enrollment in nursing programs nationwide has increased every year for almost a decade and the worsening economy is making the profession even more popular. However, some experts say a lack of available spots in nursing schools and the hard work and dedication required of nurses could be barriers for some aspiring RNs. "Yes, it's a route to some form of job security, but you really have to want to be a nurse," said Frances LaFauci, associate dean of nursing for Suffolk County Community College, adding, "You have to be tough, physically and mentally."
Nursing is not for the faint of heart, or the paycheck. I totally agree with the toughness factor. In a way, I feel like a nurse has a lot in common with many tradesmen. I had to apprentice and learn and then go out as a journeyman (or person as you wish) and ply my trade. Everything I learn colors what I do, and I don't look at things the same anymore.
Builders build and/or maintain infrastructure that last far beyond the scope of their lifetimes. Some never see a completed project because it's so huge. What we do as nurses is immediate and visible in our practice and the lives of our patients, even if we don't see it directly. This is why I really enjoy rehab, since we see this happen literally right before our eyes.
Things change, but we adapt them and integrate them into our practice, and the life-changing component remains. And at this point in time, I can't imagine doing anything else.
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