At least for me...the planets have aligned and I've been given what I'm due. The scholarship program I was enrolled in (and thought I'd lost when I went to the SU) has to be given to me. Program director told me recently, "You earned it, they (meaning Human--aka Useless--Resources) haven't changed anything for you so I have to give it to you."
The psycho woman can't take that away from me if she tries. Relief! Yes, it was indeed a Happy Monday!
Stay tuned.
Showing posts with label scholarships. Show all posts
Showing posts with label scholarships. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Developing a good reputation...
Takes more time and effort than a bad one. Working hard daily with your patients to develop a system that works really is work, even though Manglement may not reward you for it.
So, you have to go out and motivate yourself, even if no one else will.
Per Hotel policy and procedure, I had to fill out extra paperwork for a free CE thing I'm doing, but I figured while I was at it, I may as well let the boss's boss know what I'm up to. Yes, I am getting my master's degree. Yes, I am a certified specialty nurse, and yes, I need to do these CE things (including out-of-town ones that I get scholarships to attend).
Stepping outside of my little box on my little unit at the Hotel helps me to do that...and see the country.
And I take pride in developing a good reputation, even if it's a little inconvenient on occasion. My patients deserve it.
Thanks so much Mr. I. for saying I was your "number one nurse" while you stayed with us when I packed you up ready to go. I work hard to earn that reputation from you, and all my patients.
So, you have to go out and motivate yourself, even if no one else will.
Per Hotel policy and procedure, I had to fill out extra paperwork for a free CE thing I'm doing, but I figured while I was at it, I may as well let the boss's boss know what I'm up to. Yes, I am getting my master's degree. Yes, I am a certified specialty nurse, and yes, I need to do these CE things (including out-of-town ones that I get scholarships to attend).
Stepping outside of my little box on my little unit at the Hotel helps me to do that...and see the country.
And I take pride in developing a good reputation, even if it's a little inconvenient on occasion. My patients deserve it.
Thanks so much Mr. I. for saying I was your "number one nurse" while you stayed with us when I packed you up ready to go. I work hard to earn that reputation from you, and all my patients.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Wild and wonderful
That's been my story at work lately. The transition from one shift to another sometimes can be wild.
One day, I walk in, get going and the gates of Hades open all at once. Nurse Assistant has a patient who's got shortness of breath and "looks funny". Well, he's not acting funny, but probably is a little shaky from the albuterol he just took. Get him situated, tell docs, do vitals, get more albuterol. In a few minutes, patient looks happy as a clam and is chatting away as the nurse assistant gets him ready.
Another day, the specialists round. They like me. Not only do I get to deal with my patients, I have to help them with paperwork on a couple of others, because I know how to work the computers for that feature, even though, all I do is act as a witness. Gee, I feel so special! Thankfully, boss and company only follow these people around once a week. Other nurses thank their lucky stars that they don't get "picked". I've known the specialist for a while before I came to Madison. He can be loud and obnoxious, but underneath, he's a softie. He just doesn't want any of the nurses to know that.
Doc Specialist is also a running doc. It seems like the specialists drift to one of two categories--they either golf or they run. Our leader is the exception. He's too brainy to do either; although, if I had to guess, he'd probably fall in a lot easier with the runners rather than the golfers.
So after all the wild and crazy antics, I get a phone call. Miraculously, I got a scholarship for grad school. They confirmed I was there to send the fax to me. I looked it over and saw it was for the entire amount of the program. You could have knocked me over with a feather. I'll have some other restrictions and requirements as a result, but my financial burden will be lessened. I was so relieved. I don't have to keep doing number-crunching to figure out how many extra shifts I need to pick up to pay for each semester. Now, I just have to concentrate on getting my work done and my schoolwork done...just like Bubba, who starts school soon. Should be fun getting into school routine after some time away from it.
More to come...stay tuned.
One day, I walk in, get going and the gates of Hades open all at once. Nurse Assistant has a patient who's got shortness of breath and "looks funny". Well, he's not acting funny, but probably is a little shaky from the albuterol he just took. Get him situated, tell docs, do vitals, get more albuterol. In a few minutes, patient looks happy as a clam and is chatting away as the nurse assistant gets him ready.
Another day, the specialists round. They like me. Not only do I get to deal with my patients, I have to help them with paperwork on a couple of others, because I know how to work the computers for that feature, even though, all I do is act as a witness. Gee, I feel so special! Thankfully, boss and company only follow these people around once a week. Other nurses thank their lucky stars that they don't get "picked". I've known the specialist for a while before I came to Madison. He can be loud and obnoxious, but underneath, he's a softie. He just doesn't want any of the nurses to know that.
Doc Specialist is also a running doc. It seems like the specialists drift to one of two categories--they either golf or they run. Our leader is the exception. He's too brainy to do either; although, if I had to guess, he'd probably fall in a lot easier with the runners rather than the golfers.
So after all the wild and crazy antics, I get a phone call. Miraculously, I got a scholarship for grad school. They confirmed I was there to send the fax to me. I looked it over and saw it was for the entire amount of the program. You could have knocked me over with a feather. I'll have some other restrictions and requirements as a result, but my financial burden will be lessened. I was so relieved. I don't have to keep doing number-crunching to figure out how many extra shifts I need to pick up to pay for each semester. Now, I just have to concentrate on getting my work done and my schoolwork done...just like Bubba, who starts school soon. Should be fun getting into school routine after some time away from it.
More to come...stay tuned.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Fantasy becomes reality
Lots of good and potentially not so good stuff going on today, so some fantasies readily become reality and some we wish would just go away.
First, one of our patients who was very depressed during his/her stay came to us in a very good mood. Said patient has a goal--to go hunting this fall. All patient needs is a letter from us so patient can get a special permit from our nearby state to participate in a special program. We wished patient well and hopefully, this fall, we'll see some venison sausage and lots of smiles. If only we could convince more of our patients to participate in the Wheelchair Games!
Second, lots of things were discussed recently with our team, which includes the nurses. One of the worst patients the place has ever seen may be returning to the unit. Said patient is so abusive and mean to staff that some long-serving nurses have threatened to quit if said patient is brought back. It's all about policy and paperwork, so we'll see what happens.
Third, my patient who's been wanting to get out of bed for days got his wish. His bowel problems resolved enough that I was able to get him out of bed for his allotted hours. He went to therapy and worked his arms so much he was tired by the time he got back, so I put him to bed.
Finally, our facility is cutting more costs. Our own "Chainsaw Al" is willing to burn and pillage to make a name. We can only wait to see what happens next, as I pretty much kiss any hope of anything extra for school or certification goodbye.
Maybe that lottery fantasy comes true, so while I wait, I'm still filling out scholarship forms. It's a long shot, but at least, most scholarships have better odds than the lottery.
More later...
First, one of our patients who was very depressed during his/her stay came to us in a very good mood. Said patient has a goal--to go hunting this fall. All patient needs is a letter from us so patient can get a special permit from our nearby state to participate in a special program. We wished patient well and hopefully, this fall, we'll see some venison sausage and lots of smiles. If only we could convince more of our patients to participate in the Wheelchair Games!
Second, lots of things were discussed recently with our team, which includes the nurses. One of the worst patients the place has ever seen may be returning to the unit. Said patient is so abusive and mean to staff that some long-serving nurses have threatened to quit if said patient is brought back. It's all about policy and paperwork, so we'll see what happens.
Third, my patient who's been wanting to get out of bed for days got his wish. His bowel problems resolved enough that I was able to get him out of bed for his allotted hours. He went to therapy and worked his arms so much he was tired by the time he got back, so I put him to bed.
Finally, our facility is cutting more costs. Our own "Chainsaw Al" is willing to burn and pillage to make a name. We can only wait to see what happens next, as I pretty much kiss any hope of anything extra for school or certification goodbye.
Maybe that lottery fantasy comes true, so while I wait, I'm still filling out scholarship forms. It's a long shot, but at least, most scholarships have better odds than the lottery.
More later...
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Taming the monsters
Yes, the full moon is coming, so you always know things will get exciting...crabby patients and even the occasional homicidal one. Well, at least the docs will enjoy talking about that this week.
My particular monster is the paperwork monster. Last week, I finally filled out my loan benefit forms, so we'll see if the almighty out-of-state (OOS) office approves of them. I calmed down my own homocidal tendencies re: this, since different person is in charge of submissions for this benefit. New person told me OOS office aware of idiot who caused all the work in the first place, so I will be crossing my fingers.
I'm finishing the rest of the grad paperwork and checking out more financial resources. At least, all my computer time is not in vain if I can get some funding somewhere. One large resource site with a huge chunk of cash will have submissions in August. Hooray!
Besides the paperwork, work has been interesting. The first night we got to send out one of our regulars due to possible MI. My other patients were really pretty easy, even if one or two was slightly demented. You know it will be an interesting evening when your patient rings the call light, then says, "I forgot why I called." Repeat 25 times and you have my shift the other day. Thankfully, I figured a way around that. I made sure I rounded on someone very regularly and got him/her comfy while I was in the room each time. The next shift...hardly any calls.
In my free time, I started looking at the CRRN material again. Happily, this exam is in December, so I have some time to study before it. It's not a requirement for employment at my job, but since I started in rehab nursing, it's been my goal. It also helps that work wants more certified people, particularly to maintain our CARF certification and to eventually get Magnet status for our hospital.
So since I have some free time coming up, I'm going to get some work done around here. More to come...
My particular monster is the paperwork monster. Last week, I finally filled out my loan benefit forms, so we'll see if the almighty out-of-state (OOS) office approves of them. I calmed down my own homocidal tendencies re: this, since different person is in charge of submissions for this benefit. New person told me OOS office aware of idiot who caused all the work in the first place, so I will be crossing my fingers.
I'm finishing the rest of the grad paperwork and checking out more financial resources. At least, all my computer time is not in vain if I can get some funding somewhere. One large resource site with a huge chunk of cash will have submissions in August. Hooray!
Besides the paperwork, work has been interesting. The first night we got to send out one of our regulars due to possible MI. My other patients were really pretty easy, even if one or two was slightly demented. You know it will be an interesting evening when your patient rings the call light, then says, "I forgot why I called." Repeat 25 times and you have my shift the other day. Thankfully, I figured a way around that. I made sure I rounded on someone very regularly and got him/her comfy while I was in the room each time. The next shift...hardly any calls.
In my free time, I started looking at the CRRN material again. Happily, this exam is in December, so I have some time to study before it. It's not a requirement for employment at my job, but since I started in rehab nursing, it's been my goal. It also helps that work wants more certified people, particularly to maintain our CARF certification and to eventually get Magnet status for our hospital.
So since I have some free time coming up, I'm going to get some work done around here. More to come...
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