Everything old is new again

When they send an e-mail at the end of the day, one of my colleagues at the Hotel says, "it's usually not good."

The latest e-mail: one of the most hated medical administrators is back. Apparently, he/she came out of retirement to take a job in our internal medicine service, the largest service in our system.

Frankly, I just hope the rest of them stay retired.

Enjoy your weekend wherever you are. Stay tuned...

Kids these days

I feel like an old lady reading this article, or perhaps, rightly so, like a person from another century. This is a non-nursing publication, but I hate to say this could have been about some folks (and some spots) at the Hotel.

I know startup companies (from reading, and hearing from my friend's kids who have one, not experience) often allow booze at work. That's not too shocking, probably because I did once work in an environment where we talked of imbibing all day, and we actually did it after work ("product testing").

However, who'd a thunk that you'd have to tell people not to have sex in public parts of your office building.

Different strokes. Ugh!

Stay tuned.

Almost home

The office mate is at a conference. His/her previous office mates dropped off the rest of his/her stuff yesterday. Why people don't move EVERYTHING when they move is beyond me. I'm just surprised they haven't asked to change the locks yet.

We are still in a fishbowl with no window coverings (blinds, etc.) which means no patients in our treatment area. One of these days our interior design staff will get a clue.

I'm hoping that clue comes special delivery today.

The patients that pass do like coming in to look around. Most folks in wheelchairs can do a 360 in the space in front of our desks, which is nice.

It's nice to be almost home.

I just hope...

I don't kill my new office mate. Since I forgot to take some stuff into my office before the holidays, I dropped what I needed off. I noticed my helpful coworker moved stuff on my desk. Not because he/she needed to do something near my desk. I think it was "just because".

I admit I have OCD, but when someone moves around stuff on your desk, when essential equipment (i.e. your computer) hasn't even been moved by the IT staff (since most of them took off Friday, too), I get frustrated.

Needless to say, I moved it all back. I'll call my IT guy myself, since I saw my trouble ticket, i.e. the ticket to officially move, was not touched. My neighbor had no PC, either, and we have no connected phones.

This may take some getting used to at first. Thankfully, this person roams to our other clinics.

I'll be counting the days...

Stay tuned.

How you know it's Monday

Signs in the Hotel that it's Monday.

1. Patients are moving around. Can you say bed bingo? No one is where you expect them. I really wish Santa would have brought us private rooms instead of so many doubles (thank goodness triples fell out of vogue).

2. Coworkers get flat tires. Not one, but two of them. Craziness.

3. It rains yet again. I don't care if it's knee high by Saturday, it will get mowed when I don't have to go to work the next day.

4. You find things you don't need to see (or hear about) in the office photo copier, especially things that are not yours.

On we go with the rest of the week. Stay tuned.

It's HOT!

Dear Summer:

I know it's not Labor Day yet, and the kids are back in school, but this 100+ degree temperature thing needs to go.

I finally got used to not freezing to death at the Hotel. Now my space is so cold I have to either 1) talk to patients in the hallway, if it's possible or 2) turn the air off and sweat while I talk to patients.

All this stuff about designing rooms for patients is nice, but once in a while, couldn't we get a universal design that works for EVERYONE?

I know I'll be waiting for the remodeling (that may never come) in my end of the Hotel. Here's hoping the HVAC folks can get it right.

Sincerely (only if you fix climate control),

RehabRN

Bringing home the Bacon

Yes, I'm very thrilled that Dahey has a new job, but the manglement at his employer, Overlord Contracting, leaves a little bit to be desired.

Dahey and I met at PrivateU, when his dreams consisted of being an industrial labor specialist. Throughout his career, he has successfully worked with lots of unions, crafts people, engineers, truck drivers, secretaries, and yes, even the occasional nurse.

Recently, the Overlord people were not amused when he asked about bringing home this Bacon, as in Davis-Bacon Act.

So, after the brouhaha in the break room died down, they made all of the employees hired recently come to a meeting. Telling people they will not get prevailing wage and appropriate overtime as dictated by law is really not a good thing, Dahey said.

Moments later, after much fidgeting, and several calls to the Overlord corporate office, they apologized. Bonehead Recruiter made a mistake.

And that is why I love him. 

Finding the lost

That was a lot of my job recently. Because our office is right off the beaten path, the lost seem to show up there a lot.

People come to our area by mistake. This week the clinic they missed the most was...(drum roll, please) the wheelchair clinic. Oh, I was calling our friend Ralph over there, a few times to say "I've got another one for you." Ralph, being the nice man that he is, was waiting down the way with the door open whenever he could. You just look down the hall, and there you go, I said, about 30 times it seemed like one day.

Some lost souls make me sad. The little guy with hemiparesis in his wheelchair who came all the way from Faraway at 0300 to make his appointment at the Hotel. He got dropped off right next to the elevator, but couldn't get on it. That's where I found him. I got him on it, took him to the clinic he needed to go to, got him his paperwork, helped him get it done, then I handed him off to the clinic nurse who was free. M. our clerk, even stuck around to get his paperwork.

A little later, I met an elderly band leader who was wandering through our building. He was with his wife. He was a little confused on where to go, but I got the two of them on their way, too.

It's not really my job to lead people around the building. We have transporters for that. I tell all the students, though, that it is my job to take care of patients.

If that's the only care I get to give them some days, I figure some care to get them to their appointments on time and happy, is the best care I can give.

Stay tuned...

I think I'll call...

Grumpy made me think of a phrase we hear often at the Hotel. Amongst the rabble, er, employees at the Hotel, we say it in jest. However, the patients take it seriously.

"I'm going to call my Congressman(woman or Senator)!"

While I was doing a follow-up call with one of our folks, he/she was really close to uttering that famous line. I was fortunate that I was able to resolve the problem thanks to one of my office pals.

What happened to a consult for an AFO that was submitted electronically? It went everywhere internally it could go. Things got messed up when it went to the vendor on paper (who'll actually make this one). Somehow the paperwork from the vendor never ended up where it should have.

That's not all...when  Patient X called right around Christmas to see what happened with his/her paperwork, someone (of course they don't have a name) told Patient X, "Well, you know, I'm sorry. We've been busy since So and So retired." Customer service? I don't think so.

Pal enlightened me. "Nobody retired over here, RehabRN. Don't worry, Mike, the assistant chief will call Patient X."

And he did. And Patient X was happy. And so was the Congressman/woman and the Senator.

Brr!

Yes, the Arctic blast is back again. I just may have to try some of those tricks I saw on TV.

1. Counting how fast a pot of boiling water freezes when left outside.
2. Throwing a cup of hot water into the air and turning it into vapor.

And yes, at the Hotel, the heating system is crazy. In a couple of rooms, we need some tropical foliage and sand, so we can say we're at the beach.

Or one of our case managers can just put a sign on her door that says "Sauna", since her office temps never go below 90.

It's always something...

I'm sure you're jealous...

Yes, I actually had a couple of people say they were jealous of me today.

I am terribly lucky. I have a job I love that has intermittent idiotic things happening. That saying "you can't fix stupid" really is so true in my day-to-day life. I just strive to work around it. My favorite idiot this week: our surly office secretary. Yes, she's supposed to answer the phone, file, sort mail and process time cards, but heaven forbid she do any more than she has to do. Her job includes providing customer service to phone callers. She's so useless in that regard, and I'm tired of the complaints, that I'm asking all those wronged to file formal complaints because that's the only thing she seems to understand. (Reprimands are expensive at Madison...)


On a beautiful spring day, I headed up to our mother ship, Washington and was working on a site-wide demo with the kids (our new techs) from the SU. It was fun. I got to meet one of my nursing counterparts who works in another rehab unit. A. got me plenty of marketing materials for one of our programs (and hers) so I worked it over and put it out at the Hotel. She was thrilled.

I took my time on the way back. The sunshine-filled day had me taking the back roads to the office, so I made sure I called my favorite restaurant and picked up lunch for Dahey, my travelling partner and me.

Happy Friday all. Enjoy your weekend, wherever you are.

Heard on the unit

"Here's something for your office." Mr. G.

One of our patients made a ceramic planter in an art therapy class (part of our OT department) and put a small houseplant in it. He gave it to me because I told him my artwork in the office (made by another patient and Bubba) had flowers and plants in them.

It made my day.

It figures...

My life has had shades of Murphy's Law the whole day.

1. Painters came back to the Hotel, right outside my office. What does this mean? Paint fumes galore. Thankfully, my friends upstairs let me hide out at the spare desk in their area. The painters stayed away from there.

Still don't know if our office staff chief got the painters a work order to paint my office, which hasn't been painted since the Ford Administration (which was also when the building was built...love those historical cornerstones!)

2. WildDog fell down and strained his front leg. Poor thing! He's a geriatric dog.

3. I feel a cold (or other random virus) coming on, just in time for my presentation tomorrow.

I'll be crossing my fingers (and hoping I have a voice tomorrow). Stay tuned.

All on a Monday

You know you're going to have a day when...

1. The first two things you learn when you come to work is that one coworker and one relative of a coworker died over the weekend.

2. The wheelchair you've been waiting for never shows up. Paging therapy, purchasing, anyone who can get you wheels.

3. The crazy MD you talked to as you were walking out the door Friday sent you a cheery e-mail. Why am I having this Cruella DeVil vision when I think about that phone conversation?

4. Your supposedly "clean" office is so dusty, you may just have to go back to the allergist.

But things get better...really.

1. You get a guy who's been at your place for two weeks out of bed. "C'mon, I need your help." works a lot...I guess if you're a lonely guy who feels sorry for the nutty clinic nurse who can fling him on his stretcher with the best of them.

2. You and your office mates stage the latest potluck to scare away culinary boredom at the hospital cafe. How about a nice salami, mortadella and some coppa with that melon....yum!

At least, I'll get to do some more fun stuff later this week. Can't wait...stay tuned.

Be careful

What you wish for, because you just might get it.

Oh, I got it today all right. Our hospital network Big Cheese said at our meeting, "Sure. You get a desk and your own office and all the admin stuff done you asked for. I'll take care of it."

"So can you open that clinic by the end of the month?"

WT...I think my mouth was open so wide I could have had a whole lot of flies coming on in.

Thankfully, Bob, our clinic manager (and my orienting RN) pinched me and said to BC, "Sure. We'll get it done."

No more daydreaming, because it's off to work on the finest clinic in the SU of RehabLand. I'm gonna need a whole lot more coffee...stay tuned.

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.

Spent

I'm still tired from my weekend shifts. It does not help that I slept horribly last night. I had what was one of my biggest meetings today. I am in contention for a brand new position at the Hotel and while it was posted on job hunting sites galore, there are very few people being considered.

Happily, I made it through our meeting/interview without a hitch. I believe I made my points that I would be a good person to work at this new Hotel position. It involves management, but is so far removed from my current work (and that of the SU). It will require a lot of mental stamina, more than physical, and not a lot of perks (no office, but plenty of freedom).

Only time will tell...more stories to tell later. Stay tuned.

Counting down

I really am torn. I am counting down the number of days until my return to the Hotel. I like certain aspects of working in the SU, but despise others. It is cleaner in a clinic environment, and relatively quieter. I like having an office, even if it's passed through constantly because the office printer, much of the supplies as well and microwave and refrigerator are in there. Frankly, if my cohort needs a vacation when the doc is not going, I'd be happy to come back.

A few of my Hotel cohorts were at S's retirement party the other day. "We're ready for you to come back," the charge nurse said. "We're just spread thin, and we need you. So many new people are getting oriented and they're just not there yet." It's nice to feel wanted, even if the return will not be welcomed by all.

In between all of this, I found a great article about writing poetry. I have been collecting snippets of thoughts here and there. Maybe one of these days I can put them all together and publish some.

More later...

Good excuses

Here are some really good excuses to miss your appointment with your specialist. (some I had lately).

1. You have horrible diarrhea. I am a nurse, but so happy you're not coming in today.

2. You're currently in the ICU (happened to two people lately) which leads to ...

3. You're on a vent. I really believe ABCs apply here.

3. You're on major antibiotics. We can't perform that procedure you want when that happens.

4. You're still on a (name any) major blood thinner. I'm not talking aspirin, folks. If you're on Plavix, Coumadin, Ticlid or a couple of others, we can't work on you, either.

Yet, even with these good ones, there are the run-of-the-mill ones, not so good ones, too.

1. I'm in too much pain.
2. I'm not in pain, so I don't need to come anymore (which is followed up by a call in one week...)
3. The weather is too bad (like it never snows here) or
4. It's too nice to go sit in a doctor's office.
5. Amnesia is always a good excuse. One recently drove the doc nuts. "Well, I was late (missed) because I was at the (fill in the blank) party getting a free lunch."

I'm stopping the list here, but I'm sure all of you office folks get some really good ones.

Stay tuned....more to come.

How I live

In spite of some of the crap I had to deal with today, it wasn't as crazy as usual this Wednesday. Our RPIA (Royal Pain In the Arse) secretary actually scheduled the right amount of people. This is the first time this year. She, as usual, copped an attitude when I asked her to do something that was clearly her job. I'm just trying to make documentation of her errors easier to do. I would like to spend more time being an RN rather than a secretary babysitter.

On another crap note, the big boss attended our monthly meeting and determined that crap was the word of the day in reference to said secretary. Boss has his/her own plans on replacements, but not sure if/when that will ever happen.

So despite not having to deal with actual live crap in the SU like on the  floor, it's mainly a mental exercise in living well. Do little things with great love I've read (according to Mother Teresa), so I realized that's how I survive.

This week Bubba and I visited Giacomo and got him a diet-friendly present that doesn't elevate his blood sugar. He was pleasantly surprised. Parts of it will even last until the Super Bowl rolls around.

When we weren't shopping for our friends, Bubba got his store-bought cupcakes to take to his evening class and some for school tomorrow. I packed his presents and if there's no snow, he'll trudge off  again with his cupcakes and goodies.

Finally, I really despise when our clerks let our older patients roam around and be in the wrong place. One patient was in our office waiting for an appointment that was clear across campus. (No one knew why he was still sitting there). I found out and called the other office. Even though Mr. X. was late (and some clinics cancel you if you're over 15 minutes late), they said they'd take him, since he was on the way. Score one for the little old character and the good people in the other campus clinic.

It made me think of this quote from Von Ryan's Express, an old war movie I liked as a kid, with Frank Sinatra, Trevor Howard and Edward Mulhare.

Maj. Eric Fincham: I once told you Ryan, if only one gets out, it's a victory.

Stay tuned....