Frittering...

I should be doing something productive, but I'm not. I was busy orienting a new nurse who got to spend the day with me in the SU.

It looks easy, but it's not. At least, she got some experience in what might be useful in my world.

And right on cue, I had a couple of folks I had to do walk-in support for today. I told her it only happens every so often...

I didn't even have to call them. They just found me. It's fun.

That is all. Enjoy your week!

Down the rabbit hole

Sometimes life surely seems that way. I've been busy doing this, that and the other thing and I feel so overwhelmed.

Just like being on the floor, you have to have a plan.

The current plan:

1. Orient the new boss. Nice character, so this should not be difficult. I like hands-on management, especially when I don't feel like I need to take a cultural orientation class to figure out what to do with them.

2. Orient my manager re: my new projects. I just love being an employee who reports to multiple people.

3. Work, work, work until the end of the semester for my grad class. So glad it will be done in just shy of one week.

Then this house really will be merry!

Stay tuned...

Training down...now more

Yes, it's the end of my first week of training in the sister unit, and surprisingly, things are going well. The day was not jam-packed today, so I was able to get some extra work done.

First, I came in and worked with a trainer for the position I'll be doing. She's really good and I think I got notes on just about everything. I'm going to transcribe everything, so I get it done and so she can review it prior to my start.

Next, I got an hour of orientation from one of the main staffers. My job is to support him/her and several programs the SU runs. I understand the materials, but the actual process of getting people in and out is a bit different. It's rehab, but mainly similar to something you'd see in a mental health setting.

I'm really happy I'm a rehab nurse, or this would have all blown me out of the water by now. I also got the call today that I'm being featured in a nursing newsletter soon, and I've been appointed to a committee due to my  "leadership skills." I had a chuckle about that....I never feel like I'm leading anything but the poop cleanup parade. It's nice to feel wanted.

After that, it was a slow afternoon, so we did follow-up calls and paperwork. All in all, not a bad week at all. I will get to learn new skills, and hopefully, wow all the inspectors who'll be coming around in my first month. My boss will let me continue training on a regular basis until my start date. The grumblers on the floor are finally quieting down. I shouldn't take their grumblings personally, but I get really irritated when they direct their angry comments at me.

As Dahey says, expressing displeasure at the treatment I get is not a bad thing and needs to be done right away. Guess I've been used to being the whipping-boy, er, girl for too long.

And off I go into the weekend. There's plenty to do here at the ranch. Stay tuned!

A little delusional

Delusion (from www.m-w.com)
Something that is falsely or delusively believed or propagated b : a persistent false psychotic belief regarding the self or persons or objects outside the self that is maintained despite indisputable evidence to the contrary; also : the abnormal state marked by such beliefs

Oh, that was the story of my life on a recent night at the Hotel. What sorts of delusions you ask? Plenty...

1. One patient, when asked the date, stated that it's 1893 or 1954, he/she couldn't decide. Same patient also said spouse was dead and could a couple of nurses please jump in bed with him/her so he/she could warm up. I don't think so...

According to the notes, spouse thinks patient may have Alzheimer's and cannot drive an electric wheelchair anymore due to too many accidents, running into people while shopping.

2. Another patient, with an alcoholic liver will be discharged soon. Patient says she's going home. Family says otherwise. The bus is coming, but no one's 'fessing up to the destination, especially not the POA.

According to the notes, doctor's not disturbing this delusion, either. Gotta thank the doc for this. This girl is a handful when perturbed, and our staff have the stories to prove it.

3. Maybe delusion, maybe not, but one of our patients actually likes the limb splints we have to put on  at night. "Hey where are you?" I heard on the intercom. "I want my thing put on, it's time."

If it makes you happy and isn't harmful, let's go! And off to sleep he/she went. Hooray!

Stay tuned...

Sunday Monday Tuesday

One patient yesterday told me it was a nice Sunday. No Mr. R., it was actually Monday. It surely seemed like Sunday on the unit when I got there.

It quickly turned to Monday, however, since our doc on call started ordering labs here, there and everywhere, on healthy and sick patients.

So now it really is Tuesday...and I'm taking a breather. More later, so stay tuned.