It's that time of year, otherwise known as June, the due date month. Due date for presentations and my annual review (which I have to prepare feedback on every year, even if I don't get promoted.)
I have fun doing slide shows. Since we have to have everything we present approved in advance by legal, I have lots of fun. For a long time, I refused to use photos (I'd use free license cartoons, but no pictures). I decided this year that was dumb. For fun, I have added some old home ones with interesting captions. I'm actually in one, so I'm not technically picking on just relatives. And I don't have to ask for permission from anyone, which is helpful.
My annual review, unfortunately, doesn't include pictures. If it did, I could have a lot of fun.
Things I'd take pictures of to put in my review if I could:
1. The ethics consultation (no photo available) part. Can you photograph integrity? Maybe not, but our ethics chair looks like he came out of a film noir. (His photo would be good in black and white).
2. The associate chief nurse looking befuddled when I explained that her simple project wouldn't be so simple. It only took her a couple of years for her to believe that I actually knew my job. She thought another manager (who was directly assigned to his/her position with no experience) knew everything.
That look was priceless. I wanted to say "I told you so" but I didn't. Hindsight is 20/20.
3. The pie my coworkers and I bought after a long ride to take care of a patient in his/her home. The famous pie place was on the trip back. I'd have given our driver a gold medal, but it wasn't available.
I guess if they ever make us do a portfolio, I'll have to add more photos.
Hope you enjoy the rest of your week wherever you are. Friday will be here soon enough.
Showing posts with label manager. Show all posts
Showing posts with label manager. Show all posts
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Quality or not
We had the long (not awaited) meeting with our nurse manager. I like the manager, I just detest being stuck with some of my ne'er-do-well coworkers.
Our manager had the not enviable position of beginning the discussion about changes coming to our Hotel clinic and home care group. Some folks just rolled their eyes. One person was on vacation. My cohort had a migraine. I thought I would have one, too.
The Slug made a comment I'll never forget when the nurse manager talked about liking Madison since he/she "can make a difference here."
The Slug replied, "I don't want to make a difference, I just want to be."
Be lazy? He/she's got that down.
Be greedy? Absolutely, when all you're worried about when your job title is going to change in the computer to care manager (because that title usually--but not always--gets you a pay raise).
Be an idiot? Completely. But when you have YEARS of nursing experience, especially doing stupid things, it's not surprising.
Quality, caring employees might be just the Christmas gift for the Hotel this year.
Stay tuned...
Our manager had the not enviable position of beginning the discussion about changes coming to our Hotel clinic and home care group. Some folks just rolled their eyes. One person was on vacation. My cohort had a migraine. I thought I would have one, too.
The Slug made a comment I'll never forget when the nurse manager talked about liking Madison since he/she "can make a difference here."
The Slug replied, "I don't want to make a difference, I just want to be."
Be lazy? He/she's got that down.
Be greedy? Absolutely, when all you're worried about when your job title is going to change in the computer to care manager (because that title usually--but not always--gets you a pay raise).
Be an idiot? Completely. But when you have YEARS of nursing experience, especially doing stupid things, it's not surprising.
Quality, caring employees might be just the Christmas gift for the Hotel this year.
Stay tuned...
Friday, February 13, 2015
How to tell
If your nurse manager reads the Wall Street Journal. I decided to pay attention to my manager's communications and noticed:
1. He/she follows his/her name with his/her MBA or MPH credential. Master's degrees in other areas besides nursing have a cachet today.
2. Your boss's e-mail signature includes the subtitle of this article.
3. Finally, your boss is becoming a walking buzzword machine, and once you read a few articles, you'll see all of them.
That is all...TGIF!
1. He/she follows his/her name with his/her MBA or MPH credential. Master's degrees in other areas besides nursing have a cachet today.
2. Your boss's e-mail signature includes the subtitle of this article.
3. Finally, your boss is becoming a walking buzzword machine, and once you read a few articles, you'll see all of them.
That is all...TGIF!
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Follow your arrow
We talk a lot about how we work together as a team, but sometimes, it seems like we miss the point.
I have had to work with Manglement to bring nurses into the Hotel. One manager has retooled all the interview questions (yes, we use them for a number of reasons) to ask questions about the team.
One nurse wanted to transfer from one unit to another. No dice because this nurse has had an issue with the hiring manager in the past. We also had other unsuitable candidates. Why? Because some of them just don't come prepared. They don't sell themselves. You give them time and they don't know how to do it!
So, if you're on a journey, and want to go somewhere new, follow your arrow. Learn along the way. Just because something fails once or twice, or even three to thirteen times, you will eventually get to success. Listen. Find mentors and read the signs along the way.
Enjoy your weekend wherever you may roam.
I have had to work with Manglement to bring nurses into the Hotel. One manager has retooled all the interview questions (yes, we use them for a number of reasons) to ask questions about the team.
One nurse wanted to transfer from one unit to another. No dice because this nurse has had an issue with the hiring manager in the past. We also had other unsuitable candidates. Why? Because some of them just don't come prepared. They don't sell themselves. You give them time and they don't know how to do it!
So, if you're on a journey, and want to go somewhere new, follow your arrow. Learn along the way. Just because something fails once or twice, or even three to thirteen times, you will eventually get to success. Listen. Find mentors and read the signs along the way.
Enjoy your weekend wherever you may roam.
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Looking for a nursing job?
I've been dragged, er, lucky enough to be asked by my boss to meet some of the interview candidates at the Hotel.
Part of my job is to also ask questions on our standard questionnaire (which is very short).
While I'm not Ask Annie, I am old (or "seasoned" as the PC people say) when it comes to interviews. If you want real specific HR information for yourself, you'll need to get an HR guru in your own state, as laws vary.
So here are my general tips.
RehabRN's top tips for interviewing success
1. Show up on time.
Not too early (we had one candidate show up at the end of night shift) and not late. NOTE: you may need to leave early to make sure you get to us on time, don't get stuck in traffic, find a place to park, and find the room.
2. Dress professionally.
Neat and clean are especially important, whether you are in scrubs or a suit.
3. Know the job description from the posting.
They may not give it to us to give to you (happens a lot). This is a valuable chunk of information that can help you ask questions of the job.
4. Answer the questions we ask you.
In the worst ever interview, one person was so slow in responding we thought he/she was asleep. He/she was the first interview of the day at 0900, so we're not sure if he/she just finished night shift, or was stoned. (it was hard to tell).
You know it's bad when your manager pleads, "Please, you must answer the question." (this actually happened.)
5. Be able to talk about your job and how you do it.
As the old saying goes, "It ain't bragging if it's true." We don't know anything about you if you don't tell us.
We will check to see if a reference backs up your storyline. Make sure you have good ones (and at least one manager).
6. Have questions to ask of us about the job.
We can't tell you everything, but we can give you an idea of what you'll do. Preparation is key.
7. Leave your attitudes at the door.
Especially if it's bad or entitled.
8. Never assume.
Never act like we will just hire you because of your RN license and/or your impressive resume. Just because your spouse works in another department down the hall and a job at the Hotel would allow you to carpool is another thing that is not guaranteed to get you hired.
We may not hire you if you are not a good fit with the rest of the personalities, I mean, team, at the Hotel.
Need more information? Check out these sites:
http://www.hrworld.com/features/interviewing-cheat-sheet-092507/
http://humanresources.about.com/od/interviewing/
http://careerplanning.about.com/od/jobinterviews/
Best of luck in your next interview!
Part of my job is to also ask questions on our standard questionnaire (which is very short).
While I'm not Ask Annie, I am old (or "seasoned" as the PC people say) when it comes to interviews. If you want real specific HR information for yourself, you'll need to get an HR guru in your own state, as laws vary.
So here are my general tips.
RehabRN's top tips for interviewing success
1. Show up on time.
Not too early (we had one candidate show up at the end of night shift) and not late. NOTE: you may need to leave early to make sure you get to us on time, don't get stuck in traffic, find a place to park, and find the room.
2. Dress professionally.
Neat and clean are especially important, whether you are in scrubs or a suit.
3. Know the job description from the posting.
They may not give it to us to give to you (happens a lot). This is a valuable chunk of information that can help you ask questions of the job.
4. Answer the questions we ask you.
In the worst ever interview, one person was so slow in responding we thought he/she was asleep. He/she was the first interview of the day at 0900, so we're not sure if he/she just finished night shift, or was stoned. (it was hard to tell).
You know it's bad when your manager pleads, "Please, you must answer the question." (this actually happened.)
5. Be able to talk about your job and how you do it.
As the old saying goes, "It ain't bragging if it's true." We don't know anything about you if you don't tell us.
We will check to see if a reference backs up your storyline. Make sure you have good ones (and at least one manager).
6. Have questions to ask of us about the job.
We can't tell you everything, but we can give you an idea of what you'll do. Preparation is key.
7. Leave your attitudes at the door.
Especially if it's bad or entitled.
8. Never assume.
Never act like we will just hire you because of your RN license and/or your impressive resume. Just because your spouse works in another department down the hall and a job at the Hotel would allow you to carpool is another thing that is not guaranteed to get you hired.
We may not hire you if you are not a good fit with the rest of the personalities, I mean, team, at the Hotel.
Need more information? Check out these sites:
http://www.hrworld.com/features/interviewing-cheat-sheet-092507/
http://humanresources.about.com/od/interviewing/
http://careerplanning.about.com/od/jobinterviews/
Best of luck in your next interview!
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
How to perturb your coworkers, part 2
1. When I tell you something, don't bother listening the first time I tell you. Wait until I ask you later, then get hysterical as you are leaving a meeting. Looks grand in the hallway!
Twenty points extra if this is your new manager who just got a clue.
2. Roll your eyes in every meeting. One day, I'm going to film our staff meetings to prove it.
3. Be paranoid in video conferences. It just shows that you may need to STAY here, not just work here.
The list grows...stay tuned or comment on some of your favorites!
Twenty points extra if this is your new manager who just got a clue.
2. Roll your eyes in every meeting. One day, I'm going to film our staff meetings to prove it.
3. Be paranoid in video conferences. It just shows that you may need to STAY here, not just work here.
The list grows...stay tuned or comment on some of your favorites!
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Enduring manglement
Yes, that's the game we've been playing at the Hotel.
Bigwigs come and go, but power struggles last forever.
This week: the Manglement tried to suspend our boss, because he/she was one calendar day late on producing a document to his/her boss. It didn't matter that he/she couldn't take the class the day it was due because they had him/her doing something else "important" (as if 7 hours a week minimum of meetings isn't enough).
His/her PHB, our feckless chief nurse, got HR to send a letter of reprimand over, with requirements they figured he/she'd never fulfill.
At the behest of the Hotel MD chief, he/she sent over the missive to the hospital director and his second in command. It was lengthy, and told a story of an LPN who became an RN, who now as a nurse manager, took over the position at the Hotel after several other people said it would never work.
He/she knows us. He/she was one of us on the floor, and us old timers remember that. The nurse who never said, "I'm too busy to wash Mr. Z's hair," or "I don't want to do x, y , or z." This is the nurse who got certified in rehab, worked hard to keep patients and their rooms immaculate, to really CARE about what happened to them. The nurse who is proud to be a nurse .
So now we endure as he/she awaits the results of the appeal. Here's hoping they see the light before they screw up something else. The dim view of the Hotel could very well get worse.
More later...
Bigwigs come and go, but power struggles last forever.
This week: the Manglement tried to suspend our boss, because he/she was one calendar day late on producing a document to his/her boss. It didn't matter that he/she couldn't take the class the day it was due because they had him/her doing something else "important" (as if 7 hours a week minimum of meetings isn't enough).
His/her PHB, our feckless chief nurse, got HR to send a letter of reprimand over, with requirements they figured he/she'd never fulfill.
At the behest of the Hotel MD chief, he/she sent over the missive to the hospital director and his second in command. It was lengthy, and told a story of an LPN who became an RN, who now as a nurse manager, took over the position at the Hotel after several other people said it would never work.
He/she knows us. He/she was one of us on the floor, and us old timers remember that. The nurse who never said, "I'm too busy to wash Mr. Z's hair," or "I don't want to do x, y , or z." This is the nurse who got certified in rehab, worked hard to keep patients and their rooms immaculate, to really CARE about what happened to them. The nurse who is proud to be a nurse .
So now we endure as he/she awaits the results of the appeal. Here's hoping they see the light before they screw up something else. The dim view of the Hotel could very well get worse.
More later...
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
One day
When I retire, I may have to write a book entitled, "The Poop Chronicles". Some days are so FOS, as the radiologists say.
Recently, WildDog, who is getting pretty old, now only relieves himself on our front porch (next to the bushes) or in the driveway. He's gotten pretty adept at surrounding the RehabRN family truckster with feces. Most of the time, Dahey cleans up after him quickly.
Not so much this weekend. Dog poop turned into smashed dog poop in the driveway. Now, we have to get out the scraper or maybe even the dreaded hose.
And while most of you may go to boring old staff meetings where certain members of the "interdisciplinary team" only show up if there is food available and a show, we are different. The game of choice for our team: complain about the nursing staff BEFORE the manager gets to the meeting. Don't wait, don't give a recap, leave the recap to the office manager to do that.
I wonder what those industrial psychologists would say about our "team dynamics". Poopy, was my first thought, and it wasn't because incontinence in therapy was mentioned, either.
Lots of fertile ideas, and they aren't all poopy.
That is all. Enjoy your day!
Recently, WildDog, who is getting pretty old, now only relieves himself on our front porch (next to the bushes) or in the driveway. He's gotten pretty adept at surrounding the RehabRN family truckster with feces. Most of the time, Dahey cleans up after him quickly.
Not so much this weekend. Dog poop turned into smashed dog poop in the driveway. Now, we have to get out the scraper or maybe even the dreaded hose.
And while most of you may go to boring old staff meetings where certain members of the "interdisciplinary team" only show up if there is food available and a show, we are different. The game of choice for our team: complain about the nursing staff BEFORE the manager gets to the meeting. Don't wait, don't give a recap, leave the recap to the office manager to do that.
I wonder what those industrial psychologists would say about our "team dynamics". Poopy, was my first thought, and it wasn't because incontinence in therapy was mentioned, either.
Lots of fertile ideas, and they aren't all poopy.
That is all. Enjoy your day!
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Gratitude
When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.~ Gilbert K. Chesterton
I thought of this when I heard the news that one of the nurses at work lost her home in an early morning fire the other day. I was wondering why I didn't see her at work. She and her family got out with the clothes on their backs and nothing else.
We had a staff meeting recently and the conversation started to get heated. Finally, the manager calmed things down. It was about time. It took a JC visit to get things going and for people to realize that it's really about the patients, and not us. It's important we do a good job so we continue to have patients to take care of at the Hotel.
Finally, I saw my late coworker's wife and children for the first time since the funeral at the elementary school in town at a back to school night. They looked happy, lots of kids ran around, and there were popsicles.
Just another reminder to be grateful and have an attitude of gratitude.
I thought of this when I heard the news that one of the nurses at work lost her home in an early morning fire the other day. I was wondering why I didn't see her at work. She and her family got out with the clothes on their backs and nothing else.
We had a staff meeting recently and the conversation started to get heated. Finally, the manager calmed things down. It was about time. It took a JC visit to get things going and for people to realize that it's really about the patients, and not us. It's important we do a good job so we continue to have patients to take care of at the Hotel.
Finally, I saw my late coworker's wife and children for the first time since the funeral at the elementary school in town at a back to school night. They looked happy, lots of kids ran around, and there were popsicles.
Just another reminder to be grateful and have an attitude of gratitude.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Sometimes
I wonder about my faith in humanity when I see the world around me. Idiots and criminals get me rattled.
But today, I have flashbacks to my former lives.
JJ, one of our tech folks, took good care of one of my doctors, when her laptop when crazy.
His cohort, who made various sexist remarks when I brought the laptop over yesterday, had me wishing I had a beer bottle. (One, to drink and two, to smash over his head for his callousness.) Too bad it's verboten on our property and two, I'd have a hard time justifying giving him a beer bottle headache.
All in all, after a nice chat with my new manager, I think the Hotel may get where we need it to be.
Cross your fingers (toes, and other appendages) because I will be too.
More later.
But today, I have flashbacks to my former lives.
JJ, one of our tech folks, took good care of one of my doctors, when her laptop when crazy.
His cohort, who made various sexist remarks when I brought the laptop over yesterday, had me wishing I had a beer bottle. (One, to drink and two, to smash over his head for his callousness.) Too bad it's verboten on our property and two, I'd have a hard time justifying giving him a beer bottle headache.
All in all, after a nice chat with my new manager, I think the Hotel may get where we need it to be.
Cross your fingers (toes, and other appendages) because I will be too.
More later.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Now I know why...
The Hotel requires fluent nurses, since you just have to ask ahead of time.
I guess they were so busy that the nurse manager didn't get an interview and just did not pick up on that little tidbit that most likely would not have escaped notice in a verbal interview.(scratches head)
Wow!
More to come...
I guess they were so busy that the nurse manager didn't get an interview and just did not pick up on that little tidbit that most likely would not have escaped notice in a verbal interview.(scratches head)
Wow!
More to come...
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Some things are better left unsaid
Some days I ponder the meaning of life and who the he-double hockey sticks left some of the people in Manglement at the Hotel in the management track. The bang head on desk scenario and the infamous dope slap happen far too often (or in the latter case, NEED to happen)...
Here's some recent snippets.
1. "I really don't know what you're supposed to be doing." --Boss
WTF? Hello? Did you not read the job description HR sent, nor the information I forwarded you from those Clinic Trainers about my new job, the one you're supposed to be managing and mentoring me on?
Thank heavens, after surviving the Hades of nursing school and other businesses, I am pretty good at assembling memos documenting my skills and what I'm expected to do, with Hotel corporate procedures (since I actually read the established ones) and winging it when there are none.
Just 'cause I'm nice, I'll document it for you so you can put it into my personnel file when YOUR boss comes looking for it.
2. "Do you really need an accessible office?" --Hotel Real-estate agent (aka office manager)
Well, yes, honey, I do, when you expect people with walkers, canes and wheelchairs to actually come into my office (which also needs a door BTW). A hallway with a computer in the corner, with no walls and doors, just won't cut it, especially for the folks who enforce HIPAA.
You can start by evicting that supposed secretary who does not answer the phone half the time and loses appointments when the docs give them to her. Her office (she actually has not one, but two desks in two places in the clinic) would be a great place for me.
3. "I'd never work the floor again if I were you." Nurse assistant who was talking about me moving to my new job.
Thanks dude. Should I take that as a compliment or a slap? Hmmm....So glad I'm good at that selective nurse hearing.
Here's some recent snippets.
1. "I really don't know what you're supposed to be doing." --Boss
WTF? Hello? Did you not read the job description HR sent, nor the information I forwarded you from those Clinic Trainers about my new job, the one you're supposed to be managing and mentoring me on?
Thank heavens, after surviving the Hades of nursing school and other businesses, I am pretty good at assembling memos documenting my skills and what I'm expected to do, with Hotel corporate procedures (since I actually read the established ones) and winging it when there are none.
Just 'cause I'm nice, I'll document it for you so you can put it into my personnel file when YOUR boss comes looking for it.
2. "Do you really need an accessible office?" --Hotel Real-estate agent (aka office manager)
Well, yes, honey, I do, when you expect people with walkers, canes and wheelchairs to actually come into my office (which also needs a door BTW). A hallway with a computer in the corner, with no walls and doors, just won't cut it, especially for the folks who enforce HIPAA.
You can start by evicting that supposed secretary who does not answer the phone half the time and loses appointments when the docs give them to her. Her office (she actually has not one, but two desks in two places in the clinic) would be a great place for me.
3. "I'd never work the floor again if I were you." Nurse assistant who was talking about me moving to my new job.
Thanks dude. Should I take that as a compliment or a slap? Hmmm....So glad I'm good at that selective nurse hearing.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Transitions, part 1
How hard is it? Plenty, when you're dealing with Manglement at the Hotel.
Here's my transition plan as of this week:
1. Get e-mail from Second-in-command Assistant Chief Nurse Mangler:
Go right ahead and see X, since she's been running the clinic while we've been waiting for you to get hired. We'll let you know when your start date is later, because we're waiting for people to come back from sick leave and the new hires to start.
2. I discuss specifics with my department Nurse Mangler.
NM: "Sure. Set up time with X and let me know what's going on."
3. I call X, set up appointment, come in on day off. I have to do this since NM can't possibly let me leave for a minute to go up two floors to see X for one hour, even though some of his/her favorites park in the cafeteria three blocks away while on duty for longer time periods than that.
NM is okay with this plan and it's confirmed via e-mail and verbally by conversation in hall with several witnesses present.
4. Meet X on my day off and get items I need to set up for a learning plan in the Hotels' Learning System. Total time for this, including printout of manual: two hours. As a result of this meeting, also advise NM that I have to attend another quarterly department meeting this week before I work an evening shift.
NM: Fine, just get to work on time.
5. Now after investing this much time in meetings, learning plan setup, etc., NM tells me I will not be compensated for my time to attend meetings, etc., until I start in the new position (which is the same department, but a different "cost center" per accounting.) Otherwise, "if I let you off for comp time, you're stealing time from this unit." (yes, this was a direct quote)
6. WTF?! Express "concern about lack of compensation" with a straight face and proceed to assemble everything for HR.
7. Notify X that I will have to start training later, which sets off its own cascade of idiocy all the way up to the boss of the center.
8. Get call from center boss. Center boss says "hold tight and we'll straighten this out. You won't lose anything"
And they wonder why people are so frustrated! If this was not my dream job, I'd run straight out the door.
Stay tuned for the continuing saga, because drama at the Hotel is new everyday.
Here's my transition plan as of this week:
1. Get e-mail from Second-in-command Assistant Chief Nurse Mangler:
Go right ahead and see X, since she's been running the clinic while we've been waiting for you to get hired. We'll let you know when your start date is later, because we're waiting for people to come back from sick leave and the new hires to start.
2. I discuss specifics with my department Nurse Mangler.
NM: "Sure. Set up time with X and let me know what's going on."
3. I call X, set up appointment, come in on day off. I have to do this since NM can't possibly let me leave for a minute to go up two floors to see X for one hour, even though some of his/her favorites park in the cafeteria three blocks away while on duty for longer time periods than that.
NM is okay with this plan and it's confirmed via e-mail and verbally by conversation in hall with several witnesses present.
4. Meet X on my day off and get items I need to set up for a learning plan in the Hotels' Learning System. Total time for this, including printout of manual: two hours. As a result of this meeting, also advise NM that I have to attend another quarterly department meeting this week before I work an evening shift.
NM: Fine, just get to work on time.
5. Now after investing this much time in meetings, learning plan setup, etc., NM tells me I will not be compensated for my time to attend meetings, etc., until I start in the new position (which is the same department, but a different "cost center" per accounting.) Otherwise, "if I let you off for comp time, you're stealing time from this unit." (yes, this was a direct quote)
6. WTF?! Express "concern about lack of compensation" with a straight face and proceed to assemble everything for HR.
7. Notify X that I will have to start training later, which sets off its own cascade of idiocy all the way up to the boss of the center.
8. Get call from center boss. Center boss says "hold tight and we'll straighten this out. You won't lose anything"
And they wonder why people are so frustrated! If this was not my dream job, I'd run straight out the door.
Stay tuned for the continuing saga, because drama at the Hotel is new everyday.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Not exactly appropriate
Ah, I LOVE being in charge of the Hotel Rehab (yes, I say that with much, much irony). Thankfully, my last spate of being at the wheel were relatively busy, then boring. Boring is not bad when one is in charge.
So much fun. Got to do a lot of education. One, why does Nurse X disappear with Patient Y, asked one of our newer to us nurses? And the answer is ...she always does when Patient Y comes in for his annual checkup. Is it appropriate that she leaves her other patients to take care of this one? Not really, but since she's a fave of the nurse manager, it happens.
Mr. D., one of our newest rehabbers is doing really well, now that he realizes that we are in the business of getting you to function to your highest ability. He's going out with the therapists and doing more every day. I'm just crossing my fingers that this continues, because he's getting to the A student status among our patients really fast.
I love it when people realize a) we are not really a hotel, b) inpatient rehab is merely a stop on the journey, and c) we can really help you help yourself if you listen and do what we ask.
You only get as much out of rehab as you put into it.
More to come....
So much fun. Got to do a lot of education. One, why does Nurse X disappear with Patient Y, asked one of our newer to us nurses? And the answer is ...she always does when Patient Y comes in for his annual checkup. Is it appropriate that she leaves her other patients to take care of this one? Not really, but since she's a fave of the nurse manager, it happens.
Mr. D., one of our newest rehabbers is doing really well, now that he realizes that we are in the business of getting you to function to your highest ability. He's going out with the therapists and doing more every day. I'm just crossing my fingers that this continues, because he's getting to the A student status among our patients really fast.
I love it when people realize a) we are not really a hotel, b) inpatient rehab is merely a stop on the journey, and c) we can really help you help yourself if you listen and do what we ask.
You only get as much out of rehab as you put into it.
More to come....
Friday, January 7, 2011
A week to remember
It's been a different sort of life working in the SU and in a way, I'm grateful. For the most part, it's quiet and reasonably paced. This past week, however, has been crazy.
The ineptitude of our unit secretary is coming out in the form of the MD's schedule. I've found errors and have been working to correct them, but not much has been done, since the replacement isn't much better. They just do not comprehend how to take care of patients and keep a day moving. It is a whole lot of non-nursing work, done by nursing staff. So when I complain to my boss, the answer is to talk to the administrative head, who manages the secretaries assigned to each unit. Fun.
Finally, to top it all off, the nurse manager told us she's leaving next month for another unit in the complex. She's been in our area for her entire career. It will certainly be a change. The troops at the Hotel were stunned today. "Who will lead us?" they cried. Not a single volunteer from the old timers, either. It will be an interesting time. Thank goodness no one's asking me. I would need to have that last MegaMillions salary to take a nurse management job at the Hotel with our motley crew!
May have to get my walking boots on once this assignment in the SU is complete. I see bedlam coming...more so than usual.
Stay tuned...exciting times are coming up around the bend.
The ineptitude of our unit secretary is coming out in the form of the MD's schedule. I've found errors and have been working to correct them, but not much has been done, since the replacement isn't much better. They just do not comprehend how to take care of patients and keep a day moving. It is a whole lot of non-nursing work, done by nursing staff. So when I complain to my boss, the answer is to talk to the administrative head, who manages the secretaries assigned to each unit. Fun.
Finally, to top it all off, the nurse manager told us she's leaving next month for another unit in the complex. She's been in our area for her entire career. It will certainly be a change. The troops at the Hotel were stunned today. "Who will lead us?" they cried. Not a single volunteer from the old timers, either. It will be an interesting time. Thank goodness no one's asking me. I would need to have that last MegaMillions salary to take a nurse management job at the Hotel with our motley crew!
May have to get my walking boots on once this assignment in the SU is complete. I see bedlam coming...more so than usual.
Stay tuned...exciting times are coming up around the bend.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Bittersweet
Coming back to the Hotel made me feel that way yesterday.
Bitter: Oh, the boss was bitter and it was obvious. We had a meeting and he/she was really going. Never saw a boss quite as shaken as that. And...we're getting Press-Ganeys...what joy!
The lecture is a no-brainer, but unfortunately, the people who need to hear it were absent for one reason or another. Maybe he/she should send them an e-mail so they can read about it.
Thankfully, while my boss was perturbed, he/she was nothing like my team mate's boss. Said boss is in proceedings to get her fired for a trumped up charge and is playing the hellion with the rest of the staff. Note: this is a brand new nurse manager. Said NM was told that he/she had to be a manager to get advanced to the next level. Nothing like breaking the troops once they're under your command. Mutiny, anyone?
Sweet: Got to see that some of our long-term patients went home. Got to talk to people getting ready to go home who are absolutely excited. Three to four people will be leaving the Hotel in the next four days. Sure, we'll get more, but we'll just have to wait and see.
My classes finished. Hooray! All assignments and evaluations complete, which now leaves me time to pursue other fun things like writing, housework and redecorating.
More later...
Bitter: Oh, the boss was bitter and it was obvious. We had a meeting and he/she was really going. Never saw a boss quite as shaken as that. And...we're getting Press-Ganeys...what joy!
The lecture is a no-brainer, but unfortunately, the people who need to hear it were absent for one reason or another. Maybe he/she should send them an e-mail so they can read about it.
Thankfully, while my boss was perturbed, he/she was nothing like my team mate's boss. Said boss is in proceedings to get her fired for a trumped up charge and is playing the hellion with the rest of the staff. Note: this is a brand new nurse manager. Said NM was told that he/she had to be a manager to get advanced to the next level. Nothing like breaking the troops once they're under your command. Mutiny, anyone?
Sweet: Got to see that some of our long-term patients went home. Got to talk to people getting ready to go home who are absolutely excited. Three to four people will be leaving the Hotel in the next four days. Sure, we'll get more, but we'll just have to wait and see.
My classes finished. Hooray! All assignments and evaluations complete, which now leaves me time to pursue other fun things like writing, housework and redecorating.
More later...
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