Here I go again

***Happy National Rehabilitation Week! ***

Life is distracting. Especially when you have lots of things going on at once. Teenage kid getting hormonal. People at work being uncivil. Weather being unusually warm. Such is my life in RehabLand.

I've been finding and cataloging some great articles I've run into about these subjects, so here are a few of them. Hope you enjoy! I am, since it's helping me to stay sane as I get ready for the last week of travel for this year (I hope!) I'm looking forward to more learning, sightseeing and a Philly cheese steak while I'm hanging out with a whole bunch of other rehab nurses from around the country.

It may be from July, but KevinMD never fails to deliver some compelling content from nurses. I have to say if I were going to put something together, I'd be anonymous, too. The truth hurts, but hopefully, more folks will learn from the examples given in this article.

While it's not health related, if you are a foodie, and you love fried chicken, like Dahey (it's a genetic thing) you won't want to miss this article on the best fried chicken in the US. I swear he's still alive because of it. Dahey was a regular many moons ago when he lived down the road from Hattie's first storefront.

Finally, in light of national rehab week, take it from a former rehabber himself (who I just met, along with his parents, on one of my trips recently), ASK. People in wheelchairs, in many cases, can talk and advocate for themselves. Don't be afraid to ask, or you too, might miss a golden opportunity. Thanks Charlie for reminding us.

Hope you enjoy your weekend wherever you are!

Rooting for the underdog

I was perusing a bunch of online articles after another exciting day stirring the pot (and seeing patients) at the Hotel, when I saw this article that struck me. It's title: Fat Guy Across America.

He started over 500 lbs and is heading out to see America. And there's an interesting back story along the way.

I hate smoking and the horrible things that come with it (not the smoker). I've had to work with people who were far too sick because of those "coffin nails" as one of my relatives calls them.

Here's hoping he stops by the Great American Smokeout and makes it all the way across the country.

If you're going to set goals, sometimes you gotta go big.

Stay tuned...

Monday, Monday (aka back to work)

It was a brief trip to MegaConference and it was fun. I even met some new friends on my whirlwind tour. I tried to meet one nurse blogger, but she wasn't coming in, until I left town. I got lots of looks at my poster and made sure I didn't take a single handout home, by using a couple of marketing gimmicks. (I marked my literature holder--aka a brown envelope--with the words TRADE SECRETS).

All that business experience helped. I also corralled a spot near my poster and carefully set my coat and a notebook there (with a glass) so I could go between sessions and not lose my spot. (We were expected to be by the poster at break times, so...)

Dahey and Bubba drove around the town exploring, watching dogs and sailboats. Bubba also proved that kids needing to go to the bathroom is really a universally understood problem, no matter in what sort of ethnic neighborhood you may find yourself. They also saw a movie, which was a good excuse for Dahey to find a dark place with a comfy chair for a nap. (We got up really early to get me to the conference on time, since our hotel was far away in the suburbs.)

There was a party once the session was over, but I literally had to fly out of there, after I talked to an exec I had tweeted to during the sessions. It was nice to finally meet her after conversing back and forth. It was bedlam--cars, taxis, buses, everywhere. It was a miracle Dahey and Bubba could get to me amidst all the masses escaping the conference hall looking for a ride. I was really happy one of the staffers there was able to get us back to the highway to RehabLand.

It was literally down the street and around one corner. So we drove away into the evening to RehabLand.

Today was a long day with lots of caffeine infusions. My last one is wearing off, so I will say good night.

More fun to come...

More on interviewing

Yes, I know I talked about this last year, but since I'm now on my 10th interview panel (I did a bunch last year), I've found a few more things to add:

Things that may cause us not to hire you:

1. If you are a travel nurse and tell me you just want this job until a gig comes up in Florida, you may not get hired.

Yes, spring will be in RehabLand soon. Why should we bother our HR folks to do a whole bunch of work if you won't stay anyway?

2. If you have issues, we may not hire you. As part of a credentialing process, we have to do a background check.

The state of RehabLand will not renew your RN license if you have tax issues.

3. If you may be part of an investigation due to criminal wrongdoing and/or a sentinel event, thanks for letting us know, but we may not select you for hire.

'Tis the season...to retire

Not me (I wish!) but certainly a lot of people around the Hotel are retiring. More than a few messages have appeared in my mailbox for parties for people leaving at the beginning or the end of the month.

It's even happening at the Hotel. A couple of our folks are retiring. They are looking forward to lives where THEY dictate what the schedule looks like. I can't say that I blame them. Others, such as one of our NPs, can't wait to be a grandma (any minute really!).  What perfect timing...retire and spend as much time as you want with your grandchild. Another is working on his/her golf game and the travel associated with it.

Our boss really wants to retire, but since we can't find a replacement, he/she will have to set a date and retire and let the Manglement of the Hotel figure it all out. Waiting for years (yes, it's true) is really not fun.

It's too bad the Hotel only does lip service to succession planning. It might make the transition easier.

One of these days, they'll wake up...and someone will figure it out.

But I'm not sure if that will happen before I retire (many years down the road).

More to come...

Any day now...

Yes, the term (and the summer) will soon be over.

I won't miss the school part. Teaching has been a learning experience for me: lots of work for even less pay. That is all I will say.

Bubba and Dahey had a good time on our road trip, even though Bubba acted as if he had strep throat again (thank goodness he tested negative). I have had enough of communicable diseases, thank you very much!

We had fun traipsing around a historic playground, doing things we never do at home, and vegetating and enjoying nature. It was fun. I wish I would have felt like writing, because it would have been perfect.

One more class. A couple more days. I will perservere...and enjoy.

Stay tuned!

If you thought you had a bad day...

Then you haven't seen this article (or the compelling pictures).

My day may seem crappy, but in retrospect, it's actually pretty darned good, thank you very much.

Hope your Super Bowl Sunday is going well, whether you're celebrating it on the unit or at a party.

Here's this weekend's Sunday Stealing below, since this is the All who wander are not lost (one of my favorite quotes) edition.

Enjoy!

1. Put your music player of choice on shuffle and list the first song
1. Relax, by Frankie Goes to Hollywood.
2. If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? Would you take anyone with you?
1. Right now, it would be somewhere warm. Otherwise, I'd take my husband and son to Paris, France.
3. What is your preferred writing implement? (eg. Blue pen, pencil, green pen)
1. Black pen. Always, and forever. It's legal!
4. When did you go on your first trip alone (without your parents)?
1. When I went to camp at 10.
5. Do you have connections to any celebrities (even minor)? List them.
1. Only drive by ones. I'm related (by marriage) to a pharmaceutical inventor. I went to high school with a girl whose sister is a nurse on a reality show.
6. Name 3 items you could pick up from where you are.
1. Phone, paper, pens
7. How would you describe your sense of humor?
1. Offbeat
8. Do you ever play board games or other non-computer games? Got any favorites?
1. I like Monopoly
9. A musical artist you love that isn’t well known.
1. Johnny Clegg and Savuka
10. A musical artist you love that is well known.
1. Paul Simon
11. What is your desktop background currently?
1. A graphic of leaves.
12. Last person you talked to, and through what you talked to them
1. My husband. The milk was sour.
13. What do you carry your money in?
1. Wallet
14. What timekeeping devices are in the room you are currently in?
1. My phone and my watch.
15. What kind of headphones do you use?
1. All kinds (mostly earbuds)
16. What musical artists have you seen perform live?
1. Midnight Oil, Stevie Ray Vaughn, TMBG, Air Supply, all sorts of bands, really.
17. How often do you clear your browser history?
1. All the time.
18. What’s the best job you’ve ever had?
1. I like the one I have, thanks. 
19. What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
1. Burger King at 16. Got burnt on the fry basket.
20. What magazines do you read, if any? 
1. Lots. Fashion, computers, nursing, you name it.

More fun with Sunday Stealing

Here's this week's meme: Random Randomness part 3. I omitted the ones I don't like, so go on over and see for yourselves.

1) What room are you in?

The kitchen

2) Can you solve a rubix cube?
No.

3) Are you psychic in any way?
Not exactly. Have I had some seriously funky dreams and premonitions? Yes.


5) What's your favorite color?
Blue

6) What's your lucky number?
7

7) Do you have any chores that should be done now?
Laundry (just finishing right now).

8) Did you have a cherished childhood teddy bear or other toy?
Several, but they got worn out or destroyed when my brother put them outside.

9) What was the last thing you bought from a vending machine?
Soda

11) How many pairs of shoes do you own?
Too many.

13) If you were a super hero what powers would you have?
I like the cloak of invisibility, time travel and teleporting.

17) What would you do if you won the lottery?
Depends on how much money I won. Anything under $10 million, keep on working until my financial adviser and I get a plan together.

Over $10 million, I'm so out of there tomorrow (sorry Hotel folks: no offense, it's not you). Then I would take a round the world trip over the course of three months, then decide what I want to do with myself before my one year anniversary.

I would enjoy being retired so I could spend more time working with the charities I like to support now volunteering. One of my coworkers had an idea to work with rehab patients I'd like to explore in more detail.

18) Would you like to build/design your own house?

Yes, wanna see the plans? Sorry, they're still in my head, but include a backup power supply and lots of energy efficient things, HEPA filtration, and a whole house vacuum system. (That's why I'd need to win the lottery!)

19) Which form of public transport do you prefer?
Streetcar.

21) Can you juggle?
Literally, yes (about three things); figuratively, all the time.

Friday flashback

Ah, the 1990s. I was young and carefree and unattached.

I was working in another world, where I planned to travel and market products everywhere, just so I'd get to go on trips. There was no such thing as travelling without my favorite Swiss Army knife that I bought in Switzerland.

I eventually went on a few trips, but alas, my employer never paid for them.

From my desk, via fax machine and the occasional local meeting, I met people from around the world  in my office in RehabLand. When I travelled, I visited my coworkers. I always planned a year in advance, got super cheap fares and even stayed in a youth hostel or two.

I had a blast learning about the places where my coworkers came from. I saw mountains, valleys, stadiums, fireworks, suspension bridges, and even a shoe museum. I visited castles and candy factories. I met butchers, greengrocers and bakers.

I worked for a boss who had a mental disorder. It was crazy, but it was fun.

Wonder if I'll say the same about right now one of these days?

Nuggets for May 15

The Ides of May...whoops, wrong month.

Yes, it's May 15, and a hot one here indeed in RehabLand. Here are a few of the news stories I've encountered during my drive time and surfing around on the internet this week.

The shoes make the man (or woman)
If you are a soccer player, you may want to pay attention when you purchase shoes according to this recent article in the New York Times, entitled Sports injuries and athletic shoes.

Something you just don't want (or what I heard on the drive today)
West Nile virus was very deadly in 2012, and the bug folks are predicting a banner year here in RehabLand, due to the weather conditions.

iPhone secret features
More than a few goodies I didn't know about here at appstorm, so if you own an iPhone, check it out.

Budget travel tips
Since Dahey and Bubba think we've won the lottery sometimes when we're on vacation, here are a few money-saving tips from MoneyNing for those vacations you may be taking this summer (assuming your boss will let you go).

Three words...

Expense report hell.

Still waiting for reimbursement almost a month after MegaConference. Pushing the expense report back and forth, back and forth. Passive aggressive accounting people are so much fun!

Praying this is over soon.

More to come...

Have money...

For cabs, coffees and the copy machine.

Suitcase is packed and ready. Electronics are charging and I'm about ready to do the same right out the door. Left Bubba and Dahey all set up for some little and big man togetherness, roughing it in the refrigerator.

Look out! Here I come.

Stay tuned, 'cause I'm gonna take you all along.

Hallelujah!

One word: passed!

Yes, the corks will be flying soon! Was just too tired after the marathon journey yesterday to stay up and enjoy.

Now to finish the rest of the requirements. In the home stretch!

Reflections and observations

My reflections aren't going to be nearly as meaningful as these from atyourcervix, but here goes...

They don't say it in so many words, but the bigwigs are rationing access to training and travel at the Hotel. I had the pleasure of meeting with a committee recently set up following one of our illustrious inspections by random credentialing agency.

This committee is now auditing how the travel and training committee allocates funds and is structured. How was it before...let me just say this: we paid for "observation" at a resort in a tropical state. Why? Because one of the cyclical meetings that goes around the country was coming to the Hotel and this committee member needed to "observe" how the proceedings were held before we had them in our backyard.

I'm sure the observation was via chaise lounge with a mai tai...or could have been a whiskey sour. She "observed" a lot, and a few other people, including one of my coworkers, did most of the scut work, like running the planning committee, registration and volunteer section when the meeting came to the Hotel.

Now, as a result of the uproar from that "observation" (which the psych nurses say should have occurred in restraints) is that ANY training out of town has to be vetted for necessity, etc.

If you're new in your job and can get out of town training, you'll only be sent if your a manager level staffer.

The peons (who run the ship BTW) like me will just have to fend for ourselves.

Nice! How many more years am I stuck here since I took that puny sign on bonus to pay student loans? Can't wait until the chains are loosened.

An amazing man

One amazing journey...around the world.

Wish I had a car like Otto! (just keeps running...)

Fun on the road

Yes, I'm wreaking havoc at my conference.

My day today:

1. Get up at 0600. Eat breakfast and look longingly at those beautiful sausages. Alas, it's Friday.
2. Go to  meetings. Actually met someone who knew Mitt Romney back in  the day of the Olympics.
3. Learn way more about standardized testing and statistics than I ever want to know.
4. Come back to the hotel.
5. Stroll around the neighborhood.
6. Get out the credit card and go shopping at the nearby upscale mall and find those items on this travel guy's website. 
7. Drop way too much money on fun travel stuff.
8. At least I get credit on Dahey's frequent buyer card. (Maybe that skirt will get paid for after all...)
9. Go find a Lenten indulgence: sushi and spring rolls.
10. Find my way back to the hotel via Starbucks (might as well start with dessert...yum!)
11. Hang out in the bar, get my freebie (since the hotel goofed) and people watch.
12. Finally, go upstairs, shower and vegetate in the room.

Paradise....ah!

Do I really have to study? I'm not tonight. Stay tuned.

Now I know why

I really, really need to make a list (and/or complete my packing) all at once. I also need to plan ground transportation.

Arrived at hotel tonight for nursing conference and realized that,

1. I only have two pairs of pants.
2. I rode here from one of the nation's busiest airports in a Scion cab that smelled of old socks and clove.
3. I spent more on cab rides today than I would have spent on gas to drive here (close anyway).

So now I'm getting ready to call it quits tonight, I'm

1. Thanking my lucky stars for that package of sanitizing wipes.
2. Cheering that I remembered to buy those little packets of travel Tide.
3. I have free internet, so I can tell you all about my excitement.

Now back to getting ready for the 0600 wake up call...er alarm.

Almost like going to work...more later.

Thoughts on escape

The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.  ~St. Augustine

Despite my best intentions, I may have to go back to the Hotel Rehab to get some stuff before I leave for the conference with my travelling partner. Yes, I plan on being in the parking lot early AM for us to carpool, but I really didn't want to touch a computer or go inside. Nevertheless....I'll do what needs to be done. Manager asked if I could lose the Boss. Trust me...I'll try...when we're done! He/she will drive me nuts if I'm stuck with him/her for the whole thing!

This week has not been too bad. The mix of things in a day keeps me occupied. As one of my coworkers mentioned, I had an easy assignment. We also had the luxury of being fully staffed. Sometimes I think the boss does this so I can float around and help others. Many of my coworkers, when given a similar assignment, will not. They go hide in the break room or wherever they can to dodge work. In fact, I was chastised by the Slug when I dodged cleaning out the unit refrigerator when the maintenance crew came through to take care of our current one. He/she likes to comment that "I missed the real work."

Hmm...makes me wonder about his/her prioritization skills. In the same amount of time that the Slug sat glued to the table in the break room with not one, but two other nurses, I got my orientee access to the computer and we went to do a complex dressing change at the request of our charge nurse. I blew off the Slug's comment, because, yes, he/she can do some manual labor once in a while that is not nursing, even if dodging work is his/her game. I'd rather be too busy to notice.

And off I go...more updates to come. Feel free to cross your fingers, toes, light candles or invoke your religious figure of choice. Karma, good thoughts, prayers, etc., are all welcome. Gotta go ask Sr. Mary Martha if there's a patron saint for conference presenters (love the tagline of that blog, "Life is tough. But nuns are tougher."). I have never been so nervous in my life...presenting at a national conference IS a really big deal.

Stay tuned, all you readers...updates will be here first! Have a great weekend!

Do you really think...

I need my house cleaned? Not anymore!

Left to her own devices, RehabRN got out the vac after work, terrorized WildDog by putting him in his room (so he would stop chasing the vacuum), mopped and made dinner all before the guests arrived. Don't worry...he got his cookie for relaxing in his room (he just tries to make me feel guilty!)

Whew! Now for another scoop of pistachio ice cream...I worked hard!

Hope you day went just as well. Traveling partner's been working on the next trip. Who knows...maybe we'll see Elvis.

More later...stay tuned.

Preview

Memorial Day wake up alarm

Yes, I've escaped the land of Hotel Rehab with my trusty conference partner (and a couple of friends, too) and we're coming the hills and dales of another country...okay, it's part of the US but they call it that in some of their ads.

You gotta love it when your fancy schmancy alarm clock awakens you to Chaka Khan...and it's right next to your ear.

Off we go to be tourists for a while....stay tuned.