Is ICARE just letters?

For some people, it is. If you do a little research, ICARE shows up on Google about 535,000 times.

If you're a nurse educator, ICARE is a model for education design.

If you're a business person, it's a way of delivering excellent service based on the Ken Blanchard model.

If you're a cancer researcher, iCARE is a model for building risk models.

In some health care organizations, like VA, it defines a code of conduct.

I care about those who have served.

I care about my fellow employees.

I care about choosing “the harder right instead of the easier wrong.”

I care about performing my duties to the very best of my abilities


It's too bad that at the Hotel, some of our patients have told us:
"I'm not telling your manager anything. He/she is lazy and doesn't care."
"I asked that nurse to do something a different way, and he/she didn't."


However, my rehab nurse heart just skips a beat, when my patient recently said, "I've learned more today in the little time I spent with you today, than I've learned all month." Why? Because I took a few minutes to not just educate this patient about the specialty services of the SU (my job), but of the rehab unit as a whole.  I cared.


When do we realize, that as nurses, "I care" isn't just an acronym. It's a verb. It's actions: not just doing, but listening, being present, and doing right, even when it's hard. Even when you're busy, passing pills, doing dressings. Share the rehab wisdom you've developed (or for newbies, are developing)


ICARE is not I Come And Receive Everything. If you're a paycheck nurse, maybe you need another gig.


I care because I am a nurse and a human being with a conscience. It's my job and my philosophy (thank you grad school and Jean Watson).


Don't let the turkeys get you down today. Keep caring!


Enjoy your weekend wherever you are! 

This week's In the news

Oh, the full moon's almost over, but that doesn't mean it can't be crazy.

They say everyone says "sorry" in Canada, but obviously not everyone really IS sorry about this topiary in Windsor.

The folks in this train station surely would have gotten an eyeful had they seen these two.

This is a cult I'd really like to join: Cult of the French Pastry Chef.

Some call this store "Whole Paycheck" and boy, did these robbers run off with quite a few paychecks.

Stay tuned...always something new (and even sillier) on the horizon.

Inquiring minds...

Want to know if their US Congressman(woman) or Senator is taking their paycheck during the government shutdown.

I do, so I found this list.

Here they are...

Seven senators say they plan to keep their salary. 
Those senators are:
Tom Coburn, R-Oklahoma;
Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut;
Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa;
Tom Harkin, D-Iowa;
Roy Blunt, R-Missouri;
Patty Murray, D-Washington.

Nine House members, however, say they're keeping their salary: 
Mike Thompson, D-California;
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Florida;
Rep. Danny Davis, D-Illinois;
Rep. Todd Rokita, R-Indiana;
Rep. William 'Lacy' Clay, Jr., D-Missouri;
Rep. Howard Coble, R-North Carolina;
Rep. Susan Brooks, R-North Carolina;
Rep. Renee Ellmers, R-North Carolina;
James Clyburn, D-South Carolina.


Some people aren't going to be too happy come the next election. I only have one vote, but I urge all of you out there to use yours, too.

Send these bozos packing. Every.single.one.

If we can't pay research scientists who work on cancer cures, people who take care of little kids, and other "non-essential people" who help veterans get compensation, small businesses run or students like me study (PubMed, my favorite resource, is also under shutdown), then why pay a do-nothing politician.

Remember: nurses (and many other medical personnel) are "essential" and get to show up for work in military and VA hospitals for no pay until legislation is enacted.

Just my $0.02.

More to come...

Smiling Saturday

Yes, we have a budget! I like the sound of a paycheck.

Despite the downpour early this morning, the weather is pretty. I visited with a friend, too, which capped it off.
Now I get to go back for another round as charge nurse today, with a break after that for a while.  It should be fun.

Stay tuned...