Once upon a time, I carried a laptop wherever I went for work. Every so often, I went to meetings with my team in restaurants. What better way to see what was happening out in the world.
Met up with a couple of members of the software madness team today for lunch...who brought laptops and met in a restaurant, some with nice, cold frosty beverages. I miss the people but not the neuroses of some of our customers.
Now if JCAHO would let us have beverages at the nurses' station....ahh!
More later...
Thursday, April 22, 2010
I keep telling myself
I love evening shift, I love evening shift, I love evening shift.
Even if I don't. I know it's not nights, but I'm still tired!
Even if I don't. I know it's not nights, but I'm still tired!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
A few more days...
Yes, I'm counting the days when I can escape the Hotel Rehab for a couple of fun conferences....
41 days until my travelling partner and I hit the road for conference #1
Please note, we will not be attending this conference, but it looks interesting!
and...
a mere 151 days when we roll the roadtrip map out again for conference #2, which is in that conference haven of all time, no, not Chicago...Las Vegas.
If only we could leave the bosses at home for both of them!
41 days until my travelling partner and I hit the road for conference #1
Please note, we will not be attending this conference, but it looks interesting!
and...
a mere 151 days when we roll the roadtrip map out again for conference #2, which is in that conference haven of all time, no, not Chicago...Las Vegas.
If only we could leave the bosses at home for both of them!
Nuggets for April 21
Oh yes, it's Nugget time again. Here's a few items I've found in my recent meanderings on the internet and visiting various blogs. Hope you enjoy!
From the blogosphere
Check out these treats from far and near in the blogosphere.
The office
So many things to talk about...and sometimes there are things you'd just rather not know about your coworkers. Bowel habits, shaving preferences, reasons why they divorced xx spouse and the list could go on and on. This Yahoo!Finance article called Spare the Details is just the ticket. That boss in a Speedo image makes me thankful one of my bosses is not my Facebook friend.
School
It's a classic you'll hear about again in a few weeks, but I've loved this column since it came out. From the archives of the Chicago Tribune, just remember to wear sunscreen.
Brain training
Yes, I've bought those brain training games and used them to no avail. They're cool at first, but end up boring. Check out this article from www.forbes.com called Becoming a Memory Whiz for a few tips on sharpening your memory.
An eye-opener
Many RNs already know about the contentious nature of the DNP credential in healthcare. My good friends from Ye Olde State Nurses' Association hooked me up with this interesting article written by an actual MD, Dr. Bernadine Healy, called The New Doctors in the House.
Did you know
Robert Pound, the physicist behind everyone's favorite noisy and claustrophobia-inducing diagnostic machine, the MRI passed away recently. As it turns out, Mr. Pound was a great British car buff. I really enjoyed the last line of his obit.
"Others recall that when confronted with a mechanical problem in a laboratory setting, he often gave the same advice as he would in the garage: “Did you try whacking it?” "
From the blogosphere
Check out these treats from far and near in the blogosphere.
- Maha solves problems in the ER with tricks she learned at the salon in Bet they didn't teach that in med school
- Dr. Grumpy's got the power to check up on you if you're shopping for narcs, kiddies. Look out!
- Parents of pre-teens, you'll never think of this the same way again once you read ER Doc from Serenity Now Hospital's story called Does your 12 year old little girl shave? Just gives me the creeps...and slight homocidal feelings if that were my kid!
- I really enjoyed AtYourCervix's Lost and Found recently. One of my recurring nightmares often involves losing something valuable at work...and having to dig to find it.
- She's not a nurse, but Pissed Off Patient has some interesting things to say about life with chronic illness. Go on over and check her out!
The office
So many things to talk about...and sometimes there are things you'd just rather not know about your coworkers. Bowel habits, shaving preferences, reasons why they divorced xx spouse and the list could go on and on. This Yahoo!Finance article called Spare the Details is just the ticket. That boss in a Speedo image makes me thankful one of my bosses is not my Facebook friend.
School
It's a classic you'll hear about again in a few weeks, but I've loved this column since it came out. From the archives of the Chicago Tribune, just remember to wear sunscreen.
Brain training
Yes, I've bought those brain training games and used them to no avail. They're cool at first, but end up boring. Check out this article from www.forbes.com called Becoming a Memory Whiz for a few tips on sharpening your memory.
An eye-opener
Many RNs already know about the contentious nature of the DNP credential in healthcare. My good friends from Ye Olde State Nurses' Association hooked me up with this interesting article written by an actual MD, Dr. Bernadine Healy, called The New Doctors in the House.
Did you know
Robert Pound, the physicist behind everyone's favorite noisy and claustrophobia-inducing diagnostic machine, the MRI passed away recently. As it turns out, Mr. Pound was a great British car buff. I really enjoyed the last line of his obit.
"Others recall that when confronted with a mechanical problem in a laboratory setting, he often gave the same advice as he would in the garage: “Did you try whacking it?” "
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
And I left the cool gloves at home
So Bubba and the scouts had to put up with plain, old white vinyl gloves. No pretty purple nitriles for the kiddies.
Thankfully, while we were cleaning up our section of adopted road recently, the following things occurred:
Stay tuned...
Thankfully, while we were cleaning up our section of adopted road recently, the following things occurred:
- No kids fell into the creek from a height of 12 feet or greater.
- No one was cut by broken glass.
- No one ran into the street.
- And last but not least, there was no need to explain uncapped needles or pornographic magazines as they did last time on this cleanup.
Stay tuned...
Monday, April 19, 2010
Mondays are fun...
The boss is away so the mice will play.
The Slug and company were at it again with their two hour lunches. If only someone cared.
One of our scatterbrained former educator nurses (we have three, so let's call him/her Scatty) griped and complained about his/her assignment. Since Mom/Dad, the nurse manager, was gone to a conference today, Scatty had no one to complain to and get the assignment changed. So what happened?
Scatty sat around when he/she could have been working. Scatty couldn't possibly get his/her patient up right away. Nope, Scatty didn't even try until NurseMom ('cause she is like everyone's mom) and I went to him/her and said we'd help. The Slug can't stand Scatty, so he/she sent minions in to find out if Scatty 'helped' get the patient out of bed. I really wanted to tell minion to tell the Slug to bugger off, but in my best customer service voice, I said, "Scatty sure did!"
For our gratitude, Scatty left the campus, practiced some retail therapy, then went to lunch. It would have been nice if Scatty would have remembered to tell someone, perhaps even the charge? Nah...not when the boss is gone!
NurseMom went to a meeting so I covered some of her stuff for our charge. My people did not want to go to bed, so they rolled around and visited with relatives.
We had some NFL types roaming around with the customary PR toadies in tow. Some interesting dilemmas...how do you get a linebacker in one of our isolation gowns? They were nice though, and the patients had fun with it all, toadies or no.
Finally, I did my stuff, got my goodies and went on my merry way. More to come...
The Slug and company were at it again with their two hour lunches. If only someone cared.
One of our scatterbrained former educator nurses (we have three, so let's call him/her Scatty) griped and complained about his/her assignment. Since Mom/Dad, the nurse manager, was gone to a conference today, Scatty had no one to complain to and get the assignment changed. So what happened?
Scatty sat around when he/she could have been working. Scatty couldn't possibly get his/her patient up right away. Nope, Scatty didn't even try until NurseMom ('cause she is like everyone's mom) and I went to him/her and said we'd help. The Slug can't stand Scatty, so he/she sent minions in to find out if Scatty 'helped' get the patient out of bed. I really wanted to tell minion to tell the Slug to bugger off, but in my best customer service voice, I said, "Scatty sure did!"
For our gratitude, Scatty left the campus, practiced some retail therapy, then went to lunch. It would have been nice if Scatty would have remembered to tell someone, perhaps even the charge? Nah...not when the boss is gone!
NurseMom went to a meeting so I covered some of her stuff for our charge. My people did not want to go to bed, so they rolled around and visited with relatives.
We had some NFL types roaming around with the customary PR toadies in tow. Some interesting dilemmas...how do you get a linebacker in one of our isolation gowns? They were nice though, and the patients had fun with it all, toadies or no.
Finally, I did my stuff, got my goodies and went on my merry way. More to come...
It's almost over...
It's almost over, I keep telling myself, as I look at the tree I murdered for my class to print out all of the handouts, instead of reading them all online.
In mere weeks, I'll actually get a vacation from school...for about three weeks.
I am motivated! Motivated to get done.
Stay tuned...and note, no tree was murdered to post this, either. ;->
In mere weeks, I'll actually get a vacation from school...for about three weeks.
I am motivated! Motivated to get done.
Stay tuned...and note, no tree was murdered to post this, either. ;->
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Hannibal used to say...
"I love it when a plan comes together." and chomped on his cigar, in just about every episode.
I thought of this very saying when I read Theresa Brown's latest installment called When Nursing is a Team Sport.
Makes me wish this happened more often on our unit. She mentioned some valid concerns--especially ego and too much overtime.
Hope you enjoy this happy phenomenon wherever you are today...stay tuned for more excitement.
I thought of this very saying when I read Theresa Brown's latest installment called When Nursing is a Team Sport.
Makes me wish this happened more often on our unit. She mentioned some valid concerns--especially ego and too much overtime.
Hope you enjoy this happy phenomenon wherever you are today...stay tuned for more excitement.
Spring has sprung, part 37
The sun is finally shining, the birds are singing, and we are all sneezing at home and at the Hotel Rehab.
The seasons change, but for the most part, the stories remain the same...with a few variations.
Some of our regulars come in for annual testing and we see them on the unit. Sometimes they have good news, and sometimes they have not so good news. One character came in with bandaged feet. We just wonder how long it will be before he stays with us again.
And if they can survive the hell that is flu season, we hear from them. Some, however, didn't make it this year. One of our recent visitors left and never returned. He/she got a cold, turned into pneumonia, and not long after, he/she was dead.
The flowers are beautiful in our garden, with the tulips and other flowers. It's too beautiful to stay inside.
More to come...
The seasons change, but for the most part, the stories remain the same...with a few variations.
Some of our regulars come in for annual testing and we see them on the unit. Sometimes they have good news, and sometimes they have not so good news. One character came in with bandaged feet. We just wonder how long it will be before he stays with us again.
And if they can survive the hell that is flu season, we hear from them. Some, however, didn't make it this year. One of our recent visitors left and never returned. He/she got a cold, turned into pneumonia, and not long after, he/she was dead.
The flowers are beautiful in our garden, with the tulips and other flowers. It's too beautiful to stay inside.
More to come...
Thursday, April 15, 2010
The weekend? Yes!
I'll be so happy it's the weekend. My day was not bad, but lots of physical labor. I found out today a few people wonder if my true calling is "upstairs" (in the offices).
Sure, if it means I can keep my back a bit longer!
I'll be resting up this weekend...sort of. Should be interesting. I hope the rains will wash ALL the pollen away.
More to come...
Sure, if it means I can keep my back a bit longer!
I'll be resting up this weekend...sort of. Should be interesting. I hope the rains will wash ALL the pollen away.
More to come...
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Spring has sprung
There's no patio furniture outside, but with all the stretchers and wheelchairs on the back patio, you'd think we were having a party.
At least, it keeps people out of trouble...and gets some of the nurses outside on "business". It's rough when you have to eat your lunch with a patient outside.
More to come...stay tuned
At least, it keeps people out of trouble...and gets some of the nurses outside on "business". It's rough when you have to eat your lunch with a patient outside.
More to come...stay tuned
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
A good Nurses' Week gift
Tired of all that stupid stuff you get for Nurses' Week? Are you creative?
Here's your chance to 1) get something you want, 2) potentially win a real prize and 3) support a good cause, the March of Dimes.
I got this note from the mailbag today, so read and have a look.
Here's your chance to 1) get something you want, 2) potentially win a real prize and 3) support a good cause, the March of Dimes.
I got this note from the mailbag today, so read and have a look.
Dear RehabRN,
My name is Josh Lohr and I am the Promotions Manager at Fibers.com. Fibers.com is a custom clothing company that gives our users the opportunity to design and order personalized products, such as t-shirts, hoodies, and a variety of other clothing items.
In observance of the approaching 2010 Nurse's Week May 6th-12th, Fibers.com and MedicalSolutions.com have partnered to bring you Give it a Shot! Nurses Week T-Shirt Challenge, a contest where Nurses and Nurse-aficionados can create clever and compassionate t-shirt designs all for the appreciation of the Nursing profession.
Beginning April 12, users may submit designs using the simple yet powerful Fibers.com design tool. No design skills necessary! Fibers.com has everything you need to create your own contest entry with over 400 fonts and 10,000 images. The contest ends May 12, the birthday of the founder of modern nursing Florence Nightingale. Three winners will be chosen to win over $500 in prizes. Vote for your favorite design today!
Visit the following link to view, participate, and vote in the contest:
I am writing in hopes that you may also help us promote the contest by sharing it with your readers. The goal of the contest is to honor the nursing profession all whilst rewarding those with the best design or slogan. Proceeds from the winning designs will be donated to March of Dimes. All are encouraged to participate and vote! Please feel free to share on Twitter, Facebook, or any other social media.
Grab a banner for your site here:
Best of luck and feel free to contact us with any partnership or promotion ideas!
Best,
Josh Lohr
Promotions Manager
Fibers.com
1931 H Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
1-888-542-0808 ext: 706
Josh Lohr
Promotions Manager
Fibers.com
1931 H Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
1-888-542-0808 ext: 706
Monday, April 12, 2010
Sick and very tired
I'm so glad I'm home today. I just feel so tired.
The last few days have been taxing. We sent out one of our regulars, for what may be his/her last time. Recently, we sat in the break room and I had a grand philosophical discussion with one of our nurses who's been around forever. She just couldn't believe the fact that this character couldn't get his/her needs met.
Oh, sometimes I wish our staff had to get more palliative care workshops, especially the docs. What's the point of waiting until it's too late?
The last few days have been taxing. We sent out one of our regulars, for what may be his/her last time. Recently, we sat in the break room and I had a grand philosophical discussion with one of our nurses who's been around forever. She just couldn't believe the fact that this character couldn't get his/her needs met.
Oh, sometimes I wish our staff had to get more palliative care workshops, especially the docs. What's the point of waiting until it's too late?
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Shufflin' through...
The full moon blues...it's always something interesting at the Hotel.
Recently, the character we sent to Saint Suburbia got intubated. Just makes you wonder why we take people back to rehab in the first place, when they're too sick to be with us. Can you say making a full house?
Mr. Demented was demented again and so loud, security came by to make sure we were taking care of him. Nice. Maybe the boss will move him to the other quiet area of the unit, where he won't disturb security...and everyone else going in or out of the building. Makes that poster welcoming visitors to our 'quiet, restorative environment' look a bit off.
If I ever get my wish of a genie in a bottle, it's aerosol Ativan for all, including staff!
And...I can't say it enough...thank you, thank you to all the folks with links to this blog, especially AtYourCervix. Want one? Go right ahead. Let me know so I can link to you, too.
I guess it is true...if you post it, they will come!
More to come...stay tuned!
Recently, the character we sent to Saint Suburbia got intubated. Just makes you wonder why we take people back to rehab in the first place, when they're too sick to be with us. Can you say making a full house?
Mr. Demented was demented again and so loud, security came by to make sure we were taking care of him. Nice. Maybe the boss will move him to the other quiet area of the unit, where he won't disturb security...and everyone else going in or out of the building. Makes that poster welcoming visitors to our 'quiet, restorative environment' look a bit off.
If I ever get my wish of a genie in a bottle, it's aerosol Ativan for all, including staff!
And...I can't say it enough...thank you, thank you to all the folks with links to this blog, especially AtYourCervix. Want one? Go right ahead. Let me know so I can link to you, too.
I guess it is true...if you post it, they will come!
More to come...stay tuned!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Some want out...
Others want to get into the Hotel Rehab.
Here's the latest installment of Heard on the unit from the mouths of sundown.
"Get out of here, b*6tch. You're trying to poison me." Demented character #1
He/she screams so loudly, we had to move him/her to a end of the unit where the sound is a bit deadened by open space between rooms. Besides poisoning, we were also attempting to commit murder according to this character.
"Move that sheet. I need to get up and get going." Demented character #2
Oh, no you don't. It's not time to get up I had to remind Mr. Night Shift. You just went to bed and you're not driving that truck over the road any more.
Thankfully, turning off the overhead lights, and then turning on his night light quieted him.
Here's the latest installment of Heard on the unit from the mouths of sundown.
"Get out of here, b*6tch. You're trying to poison me." Demented character #1
He/she screams so loudly, we had to move him/her to a end of the unit where the sound is a bit deadened by open space between rooms. Besides poisoning, we were also attempting to commit murder according to this character.
"Move that sheet. I need to get up and get going." Demented character #2
Oh, no you don't. It's not time to get up I had to remind Mr. Night Shift. You just went to bed and you're not driving that truck over the road any more.
Thankfully, turning off the overhead lights, and then turning on his night light quieted him.
Friday, April 9, 2010
These are the days...
One of my patients recently went home. He/she had a particularly harrowing set of tests to determine the origin of a problem. Tests were completed and patient left with family and no problems.
Patient grabs me in front of family, gives me a hug, and says, "I'd have never made it without you, RehabRN."
These are the days I really like my job.
Patient grabs me in front of family, gives me a hug, and says, "I'd have never made it without you, RehabRN."
These are the days I really like my job.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Writing, researching...
And ready to tear my hair out. This is a group paper, so we're all tearing our hair out together.
Wanna come work with me? At least, work is a break from the paper.
More to come...
Wanna come work with me? At least, work is a break from the paper.
More to come...
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
I want one!
If only I could get one of these:
Towel-folding robot (courtesy of www.bbc.com)
Look at all the time I could save! Amazing!
Towel-folding robot (courtesy of www.bbc.com)
Look at all the time I could save! Amazing!
It happens
Just as GuitarGirl mentioned in a recent post, sh*t does happen.
So why all of a sudden are we getting so many colonoscopy patients? Must be a sale...
More later. Stay tuned.
So why all of a sudden are we getting so many colonoscopy patients? Must be a sale...
More later. Stay tuned.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Miracles never cease
The Slug got through his/her required customer service ninja training (I'm not kidding...) as a customer service leader.
WTF? Was he/she in charge of answering the phone?
WTF? Was he/she in charge of answering the phone?
One brave woman
She wasn't a brave, but Wilma Mankiller was one amazing woman. I really enjoyed a quote of hers below:
"Friends describe me as someone who likes to dance along the edge of the roof," she wrote. "I try to encourage young women to be willing to take risks, to stand up for the things they believe in, and to step up and accept the challenge of serving in leadership roles."
May we all be so brave, even if we never happen upon the edge of a roof.
"Friends describe me as someone who likes to dance along the edge of the roof," she wrote. "I try to encourage young women to be willing to take risks, to stand up for the things they believe in, and to step up and accept the challenge of serving in leadership roles."
May we all be so brave, even if we never happen upon the edge of a roof.
Hubby mourns...
The end of one basketball season...on to baseball. For me, it's on to work, and the rest of the week.
Stay tuned!
Stay tuned!
Monday, April 5, 2010
RIP
Dear old coffeepot. You made our day every single day of the year. Since my old klunky espresso maker died, I've come to rely on you for that syrupy percolated blend made fresh every morning.
Now I've got to go shopping and finally buy a new coffeemaker. Too many decisions on a Monday.
Now I've got to go shopping and finally buy a new coffeemaker. Too many decisions on a Monday.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Child plus...
Easter egg hunt in freshly mown grass plus multiple other little kids, equals mess for mom.
It's always fun until you feel like you're in a detergent commercial.
Happy Easter to all!
It's always fun until you feel like you're in a detergent commercial.
Happy Easter to all!
Friday, April 2, 2010
Chug-a-chug-a...
Choo choo! That was me, just putting nose to the grindstone getting work done. Boss gave me a crazy a&sed assignment and I felt like calling him/her on it. Thankfully, I got slowed up by the regularly scheduled rounding on each and every patient, so I had no choice but to squeeze things in here and there, between hanging IVs and medicating the minions here and there.
The Slug actually talked to me...in several sentences related to work. Darned near fell over from that since it's the most I've heard him/her say directly to me (not a jibe, mind you) since I started here years ago. Maybe he/she was being good on this here Good Friday. He/she's an atheist and lords it about on occasion and started to do so today. I'm all about the American view of freedom of speech, but his/her diatribes make me want to seek out the folks who can do something about harassment.
I found out recently my traveling partner and I will be hitting the road, not once, but twice this year. Unfortunately, one trip is with the boss, who apparently has groupies. The nice thing is, we can wear high heels if we want, since our show does not require standing for hours...hooray! Should be interesting...if we don't kill him/her before we get on the plane. The good thing: Dahey and I may get to celebrate our anniversary in one city while I'm there. Oh, I can't wait!
Now, it's back to prepping for Easter dinner company. Lots of cleaning, folding, egg dyeing and basket building going on here and some homework thrown in for good measure. Should be fun...stay tuned.
The Slug actually talked to me...in several sentences related to work. Darned near fell over from that since it's the most I've heard him/her say directly to me (not a jibe, mind you) since I started here years ago. Maybe he/she was being good on this here Good Friday. He/she's an atheist and lords it about on occasion and started to do so today. I'm all about the American view of freedom of speech, but his/her diatribes make me want to seek out the folks who can do something about harassment.
I found out recently my traveling partner and I will be hitting the road, not once, but twice this year. Unfortunately, one trip is with the boss, who apparently has groupies. The nice thing is, we can wear high heels if we want, since our show does not require standing for hours...hooray! Should be interesting...if we don't kill him/her before we get on the plane. The good thing: Dahey and I may get to celebrate our anniversary in one city while I'm there. Oh, I can't wait!
Now, it's back to prepping for Easter dinner company. Lots of cleaning, folding, egg dyeing and basket building going on here and some homework thrown in for good measure. Should be fun...stay tuned.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
How not to study
Sitting here with a beer and surfing away at some of my favorite blogs. Darn it, I should study but I just don't want to do it!
Anywho, don't forget this week it's Change of Shift at Dean's Millionaire Nurse blog. Have a look, it's no April Fools' joke.
Back to studying...more to come.
Anywho, don't forget this week it's Change of Shift at Dean's Millionaire Nurse blog. Have a look, it's no April Fools' joke.
Back to studying...more to come.
Nuggets for April 1
No foolin' around...here are some of the latest and greatest items I've encountered on the internet.
Enjoy!
The workplace
Ah, I just love Hotel Rehab...I just go crazy sometimes when I have to deal with the crazies, especially when they're supposed to be coworkers, or even the boss. Being naturally cynical, I thought this article about bosses was somewhat ironic. Thankfully, no one's ever used these examples on me.
Technology
One of these days, we're gonna have that iPod attached to a headband and we'll be able to use thought control or skin to control those gadgets.
Eccentricities
Oh, it must be rough refusing a $1 million prize (from www.usatoday.com) But, then, I would think being a math genius has it's difficult moments.
Just in time for the Easter Bunny
I know why I love the BBC: Chocolate can cut blood pressure. Yum...now back to my dark chocolate!
Enjoy!
The workplace
Ah, I just love Hotel Rehab...I just go crazy sometimes when I have to deal with the crazies, especially when they're supposed to be coworkers, or even the boss. Being naturally cynical, I thought this article about bosses was somewhat ironic. Thankfully, no one's ever used these examples on me.
Technology
One of these days, we're gonna have that iPod attached to a headband and we'll be able to use thought control or skin to control those gadgets.
Eccentricities
Oh, it must be rough refusing a $1 million prize (from www.usatoday.com) But, then, I would think being a math genius has it's difficult moments.
Just in time for the Easter Bunny
I know why I love the BBC: Chocolate can cut blood pressure. Yum...now back to my dark chocolate!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Drama returns...
Ah, yes, it's just so much fun when you get melodramatic patients...and nurses.
One patient came to us after a stay in the ICU due to respiratory issues. Patient had a very productive cough, thanks to some aggressive respiratory treatment.
"That nurse beat me! Don't do that!" was the response when I asked if I could do chest PT when the patient was turned. Nice. Said patient did let me do a quad cough, though.
The Slug was back recently. "Oh," he/she said to a patient, "I had to move all of my relative's heavy wooden furniture. I didn't let anyone take breaks." Guess what...he/she made up for it while at work.
It wasn't a surprise, but one of my favorite charge nurses will be gone in May. S, one of the nice, sweet regulars will be going to an area with less heavy lifting since her back is going out. We will miss her.
I will be so glad to be off this weekend. I get to dye eggs with Bubba for a party. Fun!
Stay tuned...
One patient came to us after a stay in the ICU due to respiratory issues. Patient had a very productive cough, thanks to some aggressive respiratory treatment.
"That nurse beat me! Don't do that!" was the response when I asked if I could do chest PT when the patient was turned. Nice. Said patient did let me do a quad cough, though.
The Slug was back recently. "Oh," he/she said to a patient, "I had to move all of my relative's heavy wooden furniture. I didn't let anyone take breaks." Guess what...he/she made up for it while at work.
It wasn't a surprise, but one of my favorite charge nurses will be gone in May. S, one of the nice, sweet regulars will be going to an area with less heavy lifting since her back is going out. We will miss her.
I will be so glad to be off this weekend. I get to dye eggs with Bubba for a party. Fun!
Stay tuned...
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
A view from across the pond
Straight from AJN's Off the Charts blog, an interesting viewpoint about the changes in American healthcare. My favorite quote is below:
If ‘socialist health care’ means supporting your family and fellow citizens and ensuring no one dies of undetected cancer or bankrupts themselves having treatment, I’m all for it.
If ‘socialist health care’ means supporting your family and fellow citizens and ensuring no one dies of undetected cancer or bankrupts themselves having treatment, I’m all for it.
'Tis allergy season again!
Oh, the joys of seasonal allergies. I can empathize with my patients, because, yours truly has been fighting the battle of seasonal pollen for as long as I can remember. When the sun shines and the trees are in bloom, some of the people around the Hotel start sneezing.
And if the trees and flowers aren't enough, we have people with other sorts of allergies cropping up--latex and even skin cleaners we use frequently. It makes your day go from happy and smiling to itching and writhing pretty quickly.
On the floor, I got to take care of the same folks, so it's been nice. I take care of them when they're sick and when they're well. No offense, but I prefer the patients on the well side. Some people are just not good sick patients! Mr. Fox just came back to us after he had already visited for a long time. He nearly died. We knew he was feeling better because a) he wasn't in ICU anymore and 2) despite looking worse for wear, he was all smiles because he was back with us. He knows we can take care of him, know his habits, and that he has lazy but not paralyzed bowels as the residents at Washington told him.
When I wasn't working with my buddies, I was working on computers. Thankfully, some of the computer people were working to solve some of our problems, but not all of them worked. We went from many WOWs as they like to call our mobile computers to a bare minimum.
There's still lots of talk about Facebook. It's in the news, and since one of our coworkers is on it frequently, everyone's stewing as to why the boss hasn't noticed. Maybe it has to do with all the extra work the boss has suddenly ended up with due to the new hospital administration and nursing boss.
Reminds me of that cannibal joke Maha has up on her blog. We don't work directly with the administrators, but as a worker bee, I really enjoyed it.
Now it's back to the thrill of waiting for appointments and running errands. More to come...
And if the trees and flowers aren't enough, we have people with other sorts of allergies cropping up--latex and even skin cleaners we use frequently. It makes your day go from happy and smiling to itching and writhing pretty quickly.
On the floor, I got to take care of the same folks, so it's been nice. I take care of them when they're sick and when they're well. No offense, but I prefer the patients on the well side. Some people are just not good sick patients! Mr. Fox just came back to us after he had already visited for a long time. He nearly died. We knew he was feeling better because a) he wasn't in ICU anymore and 2) despite looking worse for wear, he was all smiles because he was back with us. He knows we can take care of him, know his habits, and that he has lazy but not paralyzed bowels as the residents at Washington told him.
When I wasn't working with my buddies, I was working on computers. Thankfully, some of the computer people were working to solve some of our problems, but not all of them worked. We went from many WOWs as they like to call our mobile computers to a bare minimum.
There's still lots of talk about Facebook. It's in the news, and since one of our coworkers is on it frequently, everyone's stewing as to why the boss hasn't noticed. Maybe it has to do with all the extra work the boss has suddenly ended up with due to the new hospital administration and nursing boss.
Reminds me of that cannibal joke Maha has up on her blog. We don't work directly with the administrators, but as a worker bee, I really enjoyed it.
Now it's back to the thrill of waiting for appointments and running errands. More to come...
Monday, March 29, 2010
Feeling artsy....
Well, it's a full moon in honor of Dahey's natal day, and it's full of excitement, just like the weekend was.
First, I got to get artsy figuring out how to lay the Tegaderm dressings I had to put on a couple of my patients with PICC lines. Sometimes it gets crazy when the best place for the PICC is not the best place for the dressing, like on the inside of an arm of a patient who's very contracted.
Next, since it was time to bake the annual hubby natal day cake, I got to work early. Thankfully, no one snuck in and ate all the icing like they did last year. Between kid and dog, I'm not sure who's worse...and yes, I know cake and icing is not good for dogs. Tell the WildDog that for me, would you? Maybe I'll just get him his own, like this dog....
After that, I tried Photoshopping, cropping and beautifying some of our vacation photos. Another artsy thing I like to do even though I'm not the greatest. When in doubt: grayscale hides a lot!
Finally, I got the note from grad school saying my poem was accepted into the Medical Campus student journal. I have never been published in any capacity as a nurse.
Should prove to be an interesting week...stay tuned!
First, I got to get artsy figuring out how to lay the Tegaderm dressings I had to put on a couple of my patients with PICC lines. Sometimes it gets crazy when the best place for the PICC is not the best place for the dressing, like on the inside of an arm of a patient who's very contracted.
Next, since it was time to bake the annual hubby natal day cake, I got to work early. Thankfully, no one snuck in and ate all the icing like they did last year. Between kid and dog, I'm not sure who's worse...and yes, I know cake and icing is not good for dogs. Tell the WildDog that for me, would you? Maybe I'll just get him his own, like this dog....
After that, I tried Photoshopping, cropping and beautifying some of our vacation photos. Another artsy thing I like to do even though I'm not the greatest. When in doubt: grayscale hides a lot!
Finally, I got the note from grad school saying my poem was accepted into the Medical Campus student journal. I have never been published in any capacity as a nurse.
Should prove to be an interesting week...stay tuned!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Stormy weekend? Perhaps not...
So maybe we won't have a stormy moon at our place this weekend...why you ask?
Let me count the ways...
1. We lost some patients. Spring has sprung and they'll do anything to get discharged or go on pass for the weekend. I love that part of spring!
2. The supervisors are not micromanaging at the moment. It helps that a few just got back from vacations in the tropics watching baseball and getting a tan. Want to divert them from looking at your drink at the nurses' station? Just ask them about spring training and who they saw.
3. Some of the drama mamas won't be working this weekend due to illness or vacation. At least they can go nuts at home with their families, and not with us!
I'd say the q-word, but I'm not going to jinx it....stay tuned!
Let me count the ways...
1. We lost some patients. Spring has sprung and they'll do anything to get discharged or go on pass for the weekend. I love that part of spring!
2. The supervisors are not micromanaging at the moment. It helps that a few just got back from vacations in the tropics watching baseball and getting a tan. Want to divert them from looking at your drink at the nurses' station? Just ask them about spring training and who they saw.
3. Some of the drama mamas won't be working this weekend due to illness or vacation. At least they can go nuts at home with their families, and not with us!
I'd say the q-word, but I'm not going to jinx it....stay tuned!
Friday, March 26, 2010
A night out with the big men
No, I'm not going out with Dahey and Bubba, nor am I partaking in that festival of festivals called the NCAA tournament. (although a few of my patients will be glued to the TV). No, I'm working at the Hotel again. People come in, and people go out, and when I get in, we'll see who's left.
Lately, it's been placid, but that tends to change when 1) the moon does (the Storm Moon is coming Monday) and 2) the drama mamas come to work.
I'll just hang with the big men, thank you very much!
Stay tuned!
Lately, it's been placid, but that tends to change when 1) the moon does (the Storm Moon is coming Monday) and 2) the drama mamas come to work.
I'll just hang with the big men, thank you very much!
Stay tuned!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Nuggets for March 24
Time flies when you're having fun. Oh, it's been a barrel of monkeys around the Hotel.
For the first time in a very long time, the booking agents have no one scheduled. Hooray! It may have something to do with the requirement that you be on xx isolation to get in, but...oh well!
Since we're on the animal theme (I almost typed aminal...weird) here are a few selections from my latest meanderings on the 'net.
Enjoy your visit to the zoo!
From the blogosphere....
Man Nurse Diaries just made me think of hippos when I saw his post about HIPAA. You'd be surprised how many people in East Bohunk think HIPAA is HIPPA or HIPPO.
At Your Cervix has some great wildlife photos recently including a bald eagle. Cool!
Maha lost her kitty over at Call Bells make me nervous. So sorry to hear that...18 wow!
They're not animals...
But there's a special species of human in some of these places.
At Serenity Now Hospital, ER doc sees some interesting things in the country in his post Only in the country: drugs don't lie.
Tex has some great photos from Wal-mart over at Weird Nursing Tales. And to think, she probably just needed a candy bar and the gift shop was closed!
For the first time in a very long time, the booking agents have no one scheduled. Hooray! It may have something to do with the requirement that you be on xx isolation to get in, but...oh well!
Since we're on the animal theme (I almost typed aminal...weird) here are a few selections from my latest meanderings on the 'net.
Enjoy your visit to the zoo!
From the blogosphere....
Man Nurse Diaries just made me think of hippos when I saw his post about HIPAA. You'd be surprised how many people in East Bohunk think HIPAA is HIPPA or HIPPO.
At Your Cervix has some great wildlife photos recently including a bald eagle. Cool!
Maha lost her kitty over at Call Bells make me nervous. So sorry to hear that...18 wow!
They're not animals...
But there's a special species of human in some of these places.
At Serenity Now Hospital, ER doc sees some interesting things in the country in his post Only in the country: drugs don't lie.
Tex has some great photos from Wal-mart over at Weird Nursing Tales. And to think, she probably just needed a candy bar and the gift shop was closed!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Everyone knows everyone
Especially when you're from a smaller town.
Some examples (aka 6 degrees of separation):
J, one of our longtime RNs has a sick husband. We're chatting about him and I found out I worked with several docs in hubby's MD's practice. I even know some of their peculiar habits, like riding bicycles to work (one lives very close to the office).
One of our patients came from Saintarama to our rehab unit. People ask about him/her all the time, since patient comes in our place from time to time. (Hi, Zee! ) Patient visits them, but not as much (and the old coworkers are really jealous!)
Our boss is familiar with one of my docs. All I did was mention Dr. G's name and he diagnoses me. Nice. At least, I can keep a few things to myself. Besides, Dr. G. has known me forever. Dr. G. scared the bejeezus out of me recently when he/she asked, "Do you know what?" I was waiting for the "I'm retiring" speech. Thankfully, Dr. G. just told me I've been a patient more than half of my life.
Dr. G. forgot about seeing me in peds...must have just been doing research on those roaches or something.
Dahey had a party recently and invited all the geeks to our house. One has an MD relative, so I asked Dr. Specialist if he/she knew Dr. Miscellany. "Oh, I don't think Dr. Miscellany is (fill in specialty here)."
"Really?", I said, "I thought he/she was."
So what happens. Dr. Specialist's curiosity is piqued, and he/she heads to Google. "Well, I do know Dr. Miscellany was in xx practice. I know who trained him/her at xx university. He/she must be 60. Is your husband that old?" PA sitting next to Dr. Specialist is not amused (PA is 60+ and most of our patients enjoy his cameraderie).
Ahh, I love doctors! (tongue planted firmly in cheek)
Stay tuned...more excitement to come...
Some examples (aka 6 degrees of separation):
J, one of our longtime RNs has a sick husband. We're chatting about him and I found out I worked with several docs in hubby's MD's practice. I even know some of their peculiar habits, like riding bicycles to work (one lives very close to the office).
One of our patients came from Saintarama to our rehab unit. People ask about him/her all the time, since patient comes in our place from time to time. (Hi, Zee! ) Patient visits them, but not as much (and the old coworkers are really jealous!)
Our boss is familiar with one of my docs. All I did was mention Dr. G's name and he diagnoses me. Nice. At least, I can keep a few things to myself. Besides, Dr. G. has known me forever. Dr. G. scared the bejeezus out of me recently when he/she asked, "Do you know what?" I was waiting for the "I'm retiring" speech. Thankfully, Dr. G. just told me I've been a patient more than half of my life.
Dr. G. forgot about seeing me in peds...must have just been doing research on those roaches or something.
Dahey had a party recently and invited all the geeks to our house. One has an MD relative, so I asked Dr. Specialist if he/she knew Dr. Miscellany. "Oh, I don't think Dr. Miscellany is (fill in specialty here)."
"Really?", I said, "I thought he/she was."
So what happens. Dr. Specialist's curiosity is piqued, and he/she heads to Google. "Well, I do know Dr. Miscellany was in xx practice. I know who trained him/her at xx university. He/she must be 60. Is your husband that old?" PA sitting next to Dr. Specialist is not amused (PA is 60+ and most of our patients enjoy his cameraderie).
Ahh, I love doctors! (tongue planted firmly in cheek)
Stay tuned...more excitement to come...
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Spring cleaning
I've made a few changes here and there, especially to blog links. If your blog was there and was inadvertently deleted, let me know.
My verification system: go check the links. No blog anymore = no link.
This is highly variable, as I am still working on my required caffeine intake this morning on my coffee break in between patients.
Wanna link here? Let me know.
My verification system: go check the links. No blog anymore = no link.
This is highly variable, as I am still working on my required caffeine intake this morning on my coffee break in between patients.
Wanna link here? Let me know.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
In case you're wondering...
It's National Colorectal Cancer Awareness month. I'm sure one of my husband's relatives is thrilled...he/she's a GI.
So I sent him/her this post from casesblog. Who can miss a song from Peter Yarrow (yes, the Peter from Peter, Paul and Mary).
WARNING: soapbox ahead...
In my short lifespan and career, I've seen the horrible, heart-breaking effects of colon cancer. Do yourself a favor...if you need one, get one. No, I don't get a commission.
Colonoscopy preps are not pretty (trust me...we do lots at the Hotel) but colon cancer and its after effects aren't so nice, either.
So I sent him/her this post from casesblog. Who can miss a song from Peter Yarrow (yes, the Peter from Peter, Paul and Mary).
WARNING: soapbox ahead...
In my short lifespan and career, I've seen the horrible, heart-breaking effects of colon cancer. Do yourself a favor...if you need one, get one. No, I don't get a commission.
Colonoscopy preps are not pretty (trust me...we do lots at the Hotel) but colon cancer and its after effects aren't so nice, either.
He told us not to do it...
So I'm not going to even LOOK at that class while it's spring break. Thanks Mr. H.!
On to more fun assignments, like laundry, cleaning and lunch with the folks out and about.
Sometimes, I love the weekend!
On to more fun assignments, like laundry, cleaning and lunch with the folks out and about.
Sometimes, I love the weekend!
Friday, March 19, 2010
Top 25? Not too shabby.
Thanks Liza. Got this in my e-mail today. Check out the links below.
Thanks for the nod, and please vote for this blog if you get the chance.
And most of all, have a wonderful weekend, wherever you are! I'm on spring break! No school, no school!
Stay tuned...
My name is Liza and I write for the Lydia’s Uniforms Blog. I’m contacting you because we’re currently holding a contest where our readers can vote on the top nurse blogs. We’ve selected RehabRN to be on our list of the top 25 - congratulations! If you would like to vote for your blog, or have others vote, please visit this link: http://blog.lydiasuniforms.com/blog/lydias-uniforms/0/0/top-nurse-blogs-cast-your-vote. We’ll be announcing the winners during Nurses Week 2010.
Thanks for the nod, and please vote for this blog if you get the chance.
And most of all, have a wonderful weekend, wherever you are! I'm on spring break! No school, no school!
Stay tuned...
Did you know...
Today is Certified Nurses Day? Yours truly got her name in the newsletter.
At least they didn't put my face on a wanted posted at the Hotel.
At least they didn't put my face on a wanted posted at the Hotel.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
You don't have to be Einstein...
To get on over to Nursing Student Chronicles and check out the latest and greatest Change of Shift. It's the best and the brightest of the nursing blog world, so go check it out.
It's so easy, even a robot could do it.
It's so easy, even a robot could do it.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
I feel so loved...
The latest installment of Heard on the unit...
"So and so forgot to do all my laundry." Mr. Z.
Well, Mr. Z., So and so is a new nurse, so you need to help train him/her by telling them what you need.
It really is a crisis to deprive an Irishman of his green clothes on this, St. Patty's Day...thankfully, the Hotel has green PJs for our guests. Problem solved.
"I missed you this weekend." Groovy New Nurse #1
GNN#1 missed me because he/she got stuck with the Slug, who probably spent the weekend doing one or all of the following things: 1) talking on the phone, 2) goofing off on Facebook the whole shift, or 3) doing absolutely nothing.
Yes, dear, it does suck to work with the Slug and everybody else who thinks he/she "is a great person, especially at parties." Well, kids, this ain't no party all the time...
"I don't want one of those Port-a-Cath things. They kill people." Mr. Y.
You'd think they would educate the patient on his/her access possibilities, right? Nope. We got to be the lucky stiffs to talk about what exactly a port was and how it will be used.
"Can I sit in the shower and let the water run over my head while you make my bed?" Mr. X.
Mr. X hasn't had a shower in a very long time, so he was happy to oblige while I got things ready for him.
Anything to make you happy....more later
"So and so forgot to do all my laundry." Mr. Z.
Well, Mr. Z., So and so is a new nurse, so you need to help train him/her by telling them what you need.
It really is a crisis to deprive an Irishman of his green clothes on this, St. Patty's Day...thankfully, the Hotel has green PJs for our guests. Problem solved.
"I missed you this weekend." Groovy New Nurse #1
GNN#1 missed me because he/she got stuck with the Slug, who probably spent the weekend doing one or all of the following things: 1) talking on the phone, 2) goofing off on Facebook the whole shift, or 3) doing absolutely nothing.
Yes, dear, it does suck to work with the Slug and everybody else who thinks he/she "is a great person, especially at parties." Well, kids, this ain't no party all the time...
"I don't want one of those Port-a-Cath things. They kill people." Mr. Y.
You'd think they would educate the patient on his/her access possibilities, right? Nope. We got to be the lucky stiffs to talk about what exactly a port was and how it will be used.
"Can I sit in the shower and let the water run over my head while you make my bed?" Mr. X.
Mr. X hasn't had a shower in a very long time, so he was happy to oblige while I got things ready for him.
Anything to make you happy....more later
Happy St. Patrick's Day....
I am Patrick, a sinner, most uncultivated and least of all the faithful and despised in the eyes of many.
Saint Patrick
For all of you wearin' the green, I salute you and raise my glass.
Saint Patrick
For all of you wearin' the green, I salute you and raise my glass.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Nuggets for March 16
Ah, yes, it's eagerly anticipated in our house...the month of March. Birthdays, St. Patrick's Day parties and most of all, basketball. Dahey looks so happy to grab the paper each day to read the latest and follow his faves online. While his teams didn't make it this year, he's eagerly following the fun.
So while yours truly is a basketball widow for a while, I'm surfing the 'net looking for goodies. Here they are in no particular order.
Another reason why I'm glad I'm not in the ER
With Medicaid cuts, doctors and patients drop out (from www.nytimes.com)
What comes first, the chicken or the egg strikes again. Hello, all you folks in the state legislatures, give the ER people a break. Give enough reimbursement to the docs so at least some of the people will stop using the ER as primary care.
From the blogosphere...
Some things aren't what they seem, according to this recent post from Maha at Call Bells Make Me Nervous. No one EVER does that here do they? (fingers crossed and tongue firmly in cheek).
It's short, sweet and to the point. I love it when Tex has a great post like this one called Band-Aid Bunny.
ER stories had a great one recently about the guy who just has to go to the bris. Could be a damper if he does. I'm with you, doc!
NYC RN retells his muffin top story, and it's not taking place at Panera Bread, or your favorite bakery, either.
In the news
Sure the 2010 Winter Olympic Games may be over, but check out the 2010 Paralympics for some great coverage of winter sports for people in wheelchairs that is running in Vancouver from March 12 to March 21.
It's no urban legend
Some urologists are marketing vasectomies during March Madness. Doesn't hurt to stay home and watch TV while something good is on TV, now, does it?
Happy March Madness to all and to all a good night!
So while yours truly is a basketball widow for a while, I'm surfing the 'net looking for goodies. Here they are in no particular order.
Another reason why I'm glad I'm not in the ER
With Medicaid cuts, doctors and patients drop out (from www.nytimes.com)
What comes first, the chicken or the egg strikes again. Hello, all you folks in the state legislatures, give the ER people a break. Give enough reimbursement to the docs so at least some of the people will stop using the ER as primary care.
From the blogosphere...
Some things aren't what they seem, according to this recent post from Maha at Call Bells Make Me Nervous. No one EVER does that here do they? (fingers crossed and tongue firmly in cheek).
It's short, sweet and to the point. I love it when Tex has a great post like this one called Band-Aid Bunny.
ER stories had a great one recently about the guy who just has to go to the bris. Could be a damper if he does. I'm with you, doc!
NYC RN retells his muffin top story, and it's not taking place at Panera Bread, or your favorite bakery, either.
In the news
Sure the 2010 Winter Olympic Games may be over, but check out the 2010 Paralympics for some great coverage of winter sports for people in wheelchairs that is running in Vancouver from March 12 to March 21.
It's no urban legend
Some urologists are marketing vasectomies during March Madness. Doesn't hurt to stay home and watch TV while something good is on TV, now, does it?
Happy March Madness to all and to all a good night!
Back to the old grind...
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. And oh, what a time it was!
It was a trip with planes, trains and automobiles, with a boat here and other transportation there thrown in for a little excitement. Over hill and dale, by land and by sea, we came and we saw the shows and some wild characters, even with a kid whose stomach is not the best traveler. (Thankfully, that was a one-time thing).
And when we weren't running around being tourists, we ate interesting food and enjoyed the beautiful weather and the splendid vistas.
Now it's back to work...more to come.
It was a trip with planes, trains and automobiles, with a boat here and other transportation there thrown in for a little excitement. Over hill and dale, by land and by sea, we came and we saw the shows and some wild characters, even with a kid whose stomach is not the best traveler. (Thankfully, that was a one-time thing).
And when we weren't running around being tourists, we ate interesting food and enjoyed the beautiful weather and the splendid vistas.
Now it's back to work...more to come.
Friday, March 12, 2010
All ready...
The puppy is curled up at my feet. His sitter is on the way, and she's gonna spoil him.
The bags are packed.
The paperwork is complete.
In mere moments, we'll be on our way.
It may only be a couple of days, but it's so nice to get away!
The bags are packed.
The paperwork is complete.
In mere moments, we'll be on our way.
It may only be a couple of days, but it's so nice to get away!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Nuggets for March 11
Oh, there's been so many items of note lately, I can't believe it.
Social networking (a la Facebook)
It's been a big hairy deal at our place, since one of our coworkers was disciplined for Facebook use.
Think your thoughts on Facebook are private? Think again. In fact, some insurance companies want access to your Facebook account. according to an article on ZDnet recently.
Misuse of social networking sites may have ethical implications according to this ONS article.
If you're not sure what to do and not to do on Facebook, check out this article from
www.pcworld.com.
Preaching to the choir
Nurses spend most of their time on paperwork according to a recent study from Healthcare IT News.
You want what?
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this story on Reuters tonight: Netherlands: Nurses' union: care does not include sex.
Oh. My. Freaking. Heavens. (clutching chest). Makes me want to go back to karate class again!
Get healthy!
You gotta love those multipurpose exercises...I sure do.
Social networking (a la Facebook)
It's been a big hairy deal at our place, since one of our coworkers was disciplined for Facebook use.
Think your thoughts on Facebook are private? Think again. In fact, some insurance companies want access to your Facebook account. according to an article on ZDnet recently.
Misuse of social networking sites may have ethical implications according to this ONS article.
If you're not sure what to do and not to do on Facebook, check out this article from
www.pcworld.com.
Preaching to the choir
Nurses spend most of their time on paperwork according to a recent study from Healthcare IT News.
You want what?
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this story on Reuters tonight: Netherlands: Nurses' union: care does not include sex.
Oh. My. Freaking. Heavens. (clutching chest). Makes me want to go back to karate class again!
Get healthy!
You gotta love those multipurpose exercises...I sure do.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Pretty soon...
I'm gonna shake the dust of this crummy little town off my feet*...and get going.
I love the weekend!
*from It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
I love the weekend!
*from It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Happy, happy
Paper is done, complete, finito! Amen! I have never felt such joy for a paper to be over. This one could have easily been made into a book with the amount of material we had.
My department got a few awards, according to my buddy who read me the e-mail since I was out of the Hotel today. Joy spread around and shared is a good thing. A few of us will even get certificates and other goodies. It's nice to be recognized once in a while, even if it's by the bureaucrats.
People are going home today. Some I'll miss, some...well, they are stories for another day.
Back to work...more to come.
My department got a few awards, according to my buddy who read me the e-mail since I was out of the Hotel today. Joy spread around and shared is a good thing. A few of us will even get certificates and other goodies. It's nice to be recognized once in a while, even if it's by the bureaucrats.
People are going home today. Some I'll miss, some...well, they are stories for another day.
Back to work...more to come.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Lunchtime langor
I know it's Monday, it's lunch time and I still feel like I'm stuck in the mud!
Thankfully, my classmate P. has got the bases covered on our group paper. Otherwise, I might commit murder and TYPE IN ALL CAPS just to let off steam.
Back to my irregularly scheduled lunch...
Thankfully, my classmate P. has got the bases covered on our group paper. Otherwise, I might commit murder and TYPE IN ALL CAPS just to let off steam.
Back to my irregularly scheduled lunch...
Saturday, March 6, 2010
I'm gettin' old...
And I may be getting creaky from flinging people around, but this here nurse ran a darned good race and lived to tell about it.
Or so that computer chip on my shoe said...
Now I'm gonna go raise a glass to all of you who are still at work, doing the heave ho.
This (insert your beverage of choice)'s for you!
Or so that computer chip on my shoe said...
Now I'm gonna go raise a glass to all of you who are still at work, doing the heave ho.
This (insert your beverage of choice)'s for you!
Heard on the unit
A few of the more interesting things in our neck of the woods.
"He's too heavy." (multiple people)
We're getting more and more bariatric patients at the Hotel. Some people are getting so irate at staff meetings that they are refusing to move some people. We have equipment, but no one wants to help each other when people have to get up for whatever reason.
I think we need some team building...fast!
"Get out of here you b&(*h" Mr. Demented to nurse manager and male staff
At least, we girls, don't have to be the only ones to put up with inappropriate behavior from this one.
"I'm going to go home and grill a steak." Mr. H.
Mr. H. has been with us for nearly a year. Spring is coming. He's having food fantasies and swapping so many grilling stories with people that he's making me hungry. He should be good to go in the next couple of days.
"I can't believe we didn't think of that sooner." Charge M.
M. our charge nurse has been around for a very long time. We used a rare, side entry maneuver to get a patient into his/her wheelchair without issue after one of our new nurses brought it up. We haven't used it in a long time, so that's probably why we forgot it, but so did the therapists.
"He's too heavy." (multiple people)
We're getting more and more bariatric patients at the Hotel. Some people are getting so irate at staff meetings that they are refusing to move some people. We have equipment, but no one wants to help each other when people have to get up for whatever reason.
I think we need some team building...fast!
"Get out of here you b&(*h" Mr. Demented to nurse manager and male staff
At least, we girls, don't have to be the only ones to put up with inappropriate behavior from this one.
"I'm going to go home and grill a steak." Mr. H.
Mr. H. has been with us for nearly a year. Spring is coming. He's having food fantasies and swapping so many grilling stories with people that he's making me hungry. He should be good to go in the next couple of days.
"I can't believe we didn't think of that sooner." Charge M.
M. our charge nurse has been around for a very long time. We used a rare, side entry maneuver to get a patient into his/her wheelchair without issue after one of our new nurses brought it up. We haven't used it in a long time, so that's probably why we forgot it, but so did the therapists.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Change of Shift
The latest edition of Change of Shift is now up at mamatrauma.
Go check it out...one of my posts actually made it in. Thankyou...thankyou verrah much!
Go check it out...one of my posts actually made it in. Thankyou...thankyou verrah much!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Crusin' into the weekend
Even though, I will be busy doing homework this weekend, I am looking forward to it. My day was a lot of heavy lifting today. Thankfully, I used a technique one of our newer nurses pointed out to us the other day, and I still can't recall why we hadn't thought of it in the first place. (We have used it before!) Life is so much easier, when you can get people in and out of their wheelchairs simply.
Mr. X., our patient from a recent post has gotten more not so good news. His surgery has become more complicated. He's got a lot more thinking to do, because it will be life-altering.
I have a moderate to large manual I have to read by the weekend.
Stay tuned for more updates....
Mr. X., our patient from a recent post has gotten more not so good news. His surgery has become more complicated. He's got a lot more thinking to do, because it will be life-altering.
I have a moderate to large manual I have to read by the weekend.
Stay tuned for more updates....
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
What's next? Beer?
Had a good chuckle over the latest, beverage-inspired political group:
Coffee Party, With a Taste for Civic Participation from www.nytimes.com
Coffee Party, With a Taste for Civic Participation from www.nytimes.com
Monday, March 1, 2010
So glad it's Monday...
And the crazy full moon weekend is over. Being in charge ain't all it's cracked up to be!
My shift in the hot seat included:
1. Assigning all the patients. The Slug was in charge before me on the previous shifts, and lo and behold, one patient went unassigned. Granted, said patient is easy to care for (little to do on our shift) but it really looks bad if you forget to give him/her a nurse.
2. Avoiding mutiny in the ranks. Another installment of "he said, she said, I wanted OT and didn't get it." My advice: communicate. Said nurses could have and would have avoided the whole drama thing if they just would have talked to the people they needed to.
No, it's just too easy to be passive aggressive and yell at your co-workers...
3. Dealing with a patient who thought chest pain is no big deal. The joy of all the tests, time spent on the phone, with the on-call doc, with the patient's regular doc, the supervisor, the pharmacy. I really miss my phone headset on those days.
4. Blood pressure issues and a patient who doesn't want to go home. He/she is mad at the world and I was the lucky target. Finally, we got everything under control...at least for the oncoming shift.
And blissfully, every single person showed up before I was ready to leave the building, so I was not forced to stay and work a double. I am always so, so happy to go home.
More to come...
My shift in the hot seat included:
1. Assigning all the patients. The Slug was in charge before me on the previous shifts, and lo and behold, one patient went unassigned. Granted, said patient is easy to care for (little to do on our shift) but it really looks bad if you forget to give him/her a nurse.
2. Avoiding mutiny in the ranks. Another installment of "he said, she said, I wanted OT and didn't get it." My advice: communicate. Said nurses could have and would have avoided the whole drama thing if they just would have talked to the people they needed to.
No, it's just too easy to be passive aggressive and yell at your co-workers...
3. Dealing with a patient who thought chest pain is no big deal. The joy of all the tests, time spent on the phone, with the on-call doc, with the patient's regular doc, the supervisor, the pharmacy. I really miss my phone headset on those days.
4. Blood pressure issues and a patient who doesn't want to go home. He/she is mad at the world and I was the lucky target. Finally, we got everything under control...at least for the oncoming shift.
And blissfully, every single person showed up before I was ready to leave the building, so I was not forced to stay and work a double. I am always so, so happy to go home.
More to come...
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Charge it, baby!
I just love being in charge...the authority, the paperwork, the personal interaction with families and staff.
Now if it really were as great as this, I'd have more time to post, wouldn't I?
Stay tuned for more excitement....
Now if it really were as great as this, I'd have more time to post, wouldn't I?
Stay tuned for more excitement....
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Nuggets for February 25
Yes, I'm a little behind, but I've been saving up so many goodies I've found, I thought this would be a better use of my time at this very moment, instead of getting ready for work.
Here are a few of the items I've found out on the 'net and in the blogosphere while meandering. Hope you enjoy!
Tips and tricks
Ian from impactEDnurse has a great little video about keeping air bubbles out of your IV
lines.
Not Nurse Ratched has an informal tip for you (or your patients) experiencing nausea. Not sure where it came from, but would be happy to do the research. The Hotel is full of smells, particularly on evenings.
While it's not a specific trick, this PBS segment on Dr. Atul Gawande's book, The Checklist Manifesto, talks about using checklists in hospitals and health care.
Jo has a survival guide to the night shift at her blog, Head Nurse.
Check 'em out
If you work odd hours, such as evenings, nights and weekends, you need to check out Life in the Trenches: Nursing at Night and on the Weekend. This blog is a part of Dr. Patti Hamilton of Midwestern State University's RWJF funded research project about nursing at these times of day and what happens.
We've heard a lot about the Haiti earthquake's wake lately, and one thing, you don't always hear about is how to meet the psychosocial needs of patients after disaster. Somehow, I stumbled upon this interesting CEU article called Psychiatric Emergency: Caring for Patients in Crisis.
The OMG section
Rehab is predominantly a low-tech area of nursing, because patients need to get up and running with a minimal number of devices. As an escaped techie, though, I never cease to be amazed by all the technological prodecures and devices that are on the market or will be there soon.
Liver transplants that do their job, then fade away is about a transplantation procedure, used primarily in kids, featured recently in the NY Times.
Coping
Bravo Roger! I found the Well blog article over at the NY Times which discusses life for Roger Ebert since his cancer surgery. Appearance is not everything. You might just blurt stuff out, as your wife says, but sometimes they are things we just need to hear.
Scuba diving accessible to people with disabilities? Check it out here in this article. (from www.pva.org)
Here are a few of the items I've found out on the 'net and in the blogosphere while meandering. Hope you enjoy!
Tips and tricks
Ian from impactEDnurse has a great little video about keeping air bubbles out of your IV
lines.
Not Nurse Ratched has an informal tip for you (or your patients) experiencing nausea. Not sure where it came from, but would be happy to do the research. The Hotel is full of smells, particularly on evenings.
While it's not a specific trick, this PBS segment on Dr. Atul Gawande's book, The Checklist Manifesto, talks about using checklists in hospitals and health care.
Jo has a survival guide to the night shift at her blog, Head Nurse.
Check 'em out
If you work odd hours, such as evenings, nights and weekends, you need to check out Life in the Trenches: Nursing at Night and on the Weekend. This blog is a part of Dr. Patti Hamilton of Midwestern State University's RWJF funded research project about nursing at these times of day and what happens.
We've heard a lot about the Haiti earthquake's wake lately, and one thing, you don't always hear about is how to meet the psychosocial needs of patients after disaster. Somehow, I stumbled upon this interesting CEU article called Psychiatric Emergency: Caring for Patients in Crisis.
The OMG section
Rehab is predominantly a low-tech area of nursing, because patients need to get up and running with a minimal number of devices. As an escaped techie, though, I never cease to be amazed by all the technological prodecures and devices that are on the market or will be there soon.
Liver transplants that do their job, then fade away is about a transplantation procedure, used primarily in kids, featured recently in the NY Times.
Coping
Bravo Roger! I found the Well blog article over at the NY Times which discusses life for Roger Ebert since his cancer surgery. Appearance is not everything. You might just blurt stuff out, as your wife says, but sometimes they are things we just need to hear.
Scuba diving accessible to people with disabilities? Check it out here in this article. (from www.pva.org)
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Prognosis
Some things change, and some things stay the same. And while some appear similar, life will never be the same for one of our patients.
Mr. X came to us for a sore that wouldn't heal. This is not exactly a big deal with many of our patients because, due to the nature of their various injuries, slow-healing wounds are not uncommon. Some people have them on and off for years, as did our patient.
One day, the doc comes in and tells patient, "I don't like that wound. We need to do a biopsy." I accompany one of the providers from the service that day and he does the biopsy and sends it off.
A few days later, on the next rounds, Doc tells him, "You have a malignancy. We will have to evaluate you to see what we need to do." A few specialists later, they evaluate the plan and Doc tells Mr. X that he has options. "One, they can operate. It is not without peril, since about one third of patients don't survive the surgery. Two, they can let it go and do nothing."
While my account may seem terse, Doc explained the patient's options very slowly, carefully, and most of all, very compassionately.
Mr. X says, "I want to do something." Doc tells him he'll have more information for him by next week.
So he waits...
Mr. X came to us for a sore that wouldn't heal. This is not exactly a big deal with many of our patients because, due to the nature of their various injuries, slow-healing wounds are not uncommon. Some people have them on and off for years, as did our patient.
One day, the doc comes in and tells patient, "I don't like that wound. We need to do a biopsy." I accompany one of the providers from the service that day and he does the biopsy and sends it off.
A few days later, on the next rounds, Doc tells him, "You have a malignancy. We will have to evaluate you to see what we need to do." A few specialists later, they evaluate the plan and Doc tells Mr. X that he has options. "One, they can operate. It is not without peril, since about one third of patients don't survive the surgery. Two, they can let it go and do nothing."
While my account may seem terse, Doc explained the patient's options very slowly, carefully, and most of all, very compassionately.
Mr. X says, "I want to do something." Doc tells him he'll have more information for him by next week.
So he waits...
Monday, February 22, 2010
You want what?
The story of my days recently.
1. You want to admit how many people today? Our usual is one per MD during normal business hours, but we went way over the limit on a recent day. No wonder they were snapping so much!
2. You want what kind of lunch? We're all out.
Don't you just love it when the dietician says, "I wish they'd put Ms. X on her colonscopy prep early. We're out of xx food item she needs."
3. You want to get up everyone 250+ lbs. plus today on a stretcher? It just seemed that way for a while...my back's still hurting.
4. You want my evaluation? I've already sent it.
Now please put me on the list for a pay raise, and I'll forget all about how many times you asked for and I e-mailed my information that you requested over and over!
Stay tuned...it can only get better!
1. You want to admit how many people today? Our usual is one per MD during normal business hours, but we went way over the limit on a recent day. No wonder they were snapping so much!
2. You want what kind of lunch? We're all out.
Don't you just love it when the dietician says, "I wish they'd put Ms. X on her colonscopy prep early. We're out of xx food item she needs."
3. You want to get up everyone 250+ lbs. plus today on a stretcher? It just seemed that way for a while...my back's still hurting.
4. You want my evaluation? I've already sent it.
Now please put me on the list for a pay raise, and I'll forget all about how many times you asked for and I e-mailed my information that you requested over and over!
Stay tuned...it can only get better!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Splat! Gold!
I love watching the Olympics on TV. Swoosh! Bam! Slide!
One of my patients who's a big WWF wrestling kind of guy is just enamored of curling. I can barely pry him from the TVs when it's on.
A whole lot of hoisting, lifting and swinging people around. One of these days rehab nursing will be equated to Olympic sports, because somedays, you need that Herculean strength to manipulate the poses, lifts and cushions to get people going.
More to come...
One of my patients who's a big WWF wrestling kind of guy is just enamored of curling. I can barely pry him from the TVs when it's on.
A whole lot of hoisting, lifting and swinging people around. One of these days rehab nursing will be equated to Olympic sports, because somedays, you need that Herculean strength to manipulate the poses, lifts and cushions to get people going.
More to come...
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Technobabbly
Can I just say that I need to read a little more on nursing terminologies and start making a flash card game or a map to keep it all straight?
Thanks, I knew you all would understand. (whew!)
Life at the Hotel Rehab is still the same. The sights of patients going here and there to therapy. The smells...thankfully not of vomit, although a few flowers would be nice. (Hint: no one bought us any flowers this year. Where's Mr. Romantic when you need him...Indiana?) The sounds were of all those rolling people laughing and smiling and hanging out with people coming in for our regularly scheduled lunches by one of the organizations.
And I escaped...just so I could spend time at school with Bubba, when he got his citizenship award. Aww...I'm so proud. You only get so many of these moments in life, so I am going to savor them.
Stay tuned...I'll be back!
Thanks, I knew you all would understand. (whew!)
Life at the Hotel Rehab is still the same. The sights of patients going here and there to therapy. The smells...thankfully not of vomit, although a few flowers would be nice. (Hint: no one bought us any flowers this year. Where's Mr. Romantic when you need him...Indiana?) The sounds were of all those rolling people laughing and smiling and hanging out with people coming in for our regularly scheduled lunches by one of the organizations.
And I escaped...just so I could spend time at school with Bubba, when he got his citizenship award. Aww...I'm so proud. You only get so many of these moments in life, so I am going to savor them.
Stay tuned...I'll be back!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Not quite...
Nursing school ready, and certainly not Hotel Rehab on evening shift ready....
Bubba tells me about his day at school.
"Mom I puked at school today."
"Okay," I ask, "what happened?"
"Something smelled really bad in the boys' bathroom and it really made me sick."
"How are you now?" I ask.
"Much better, thanks. " says Bubba.
The joys of school...makes me wonder if the custodian threw sawdust down on the floor.
Bubba tells me about his day at school.
"Mom I puked at school today."
"Okay," I ask, "what happened?"
"Something smelled really bad in the boys' bathroom and it really made me sick."
"How are you now?" I ask.
"Much better, thanks. " says Bubba.
The joys of school...makes me wonder if the custodian threw sawdust down on the floor.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Snow!
And if I didn't need another holiday gift...the powdery white stuff is all about.
Just may be sledding before I go to work, just after I clean off the car.
More to come...enjoy your day wherever you are!
Just may be sledding before I go to work, just after I clean off the car.
More to come...enjoy your day wherever you are!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Holiday weekend...
If there's not enough to do....
Birthday parties x 2.
Ice skating.
Mardi Gras
President's Day...and a little fella gets to spend the entire day with Mommy on Monday 'til Daddy gets home.
Chinese New Year
And yes, again, it's Valentine's Day tomorrow. The Hotel is happily decorated with hearts and lots of cards and drawings by the neighborhood kids.
This year, they've even covered some of the hallways. It's just too cute. The patients who get up are regaling us with some of their favorite ones and the rest are looking at their own-- "Look at that drawing.", "Aw, he can't spell, but it's so cute." "She put glitter on MY heart, Bob." To top it off, they've even scheduled a concert. Lots and lots of staff taking patients to a fun party.
And I suspect many of our people will be thinking of this quote, since they're away from home this year.
Can miles truly separate you from friends... If you want to be with someone you love, aren't you already there?
Richard Bach
Enjoy your day! Stay tuned...
Birthday parties x 2.
Ice skating.
Mardi Gras
President's Day...and a little fella gets to spend the entire day with Mommy on Monday 'til Daddy gets home.
Chinese New Year
And yes, again, it's Valentine's Day tomorrow. The Hotel is happily decorated with hearts and lots of cards and drawings by the neighborhood kids.
This year, they've even covered some of the hallways. It's just too cute. The patients who get up are regaling us with some of their favorite ones and the rest are looking at their own-- "Look at that drawing.", "Aw, he can't spell, but it's so cute." "She put glitter on MY heart, Bob." To top it off, they've even scheduled a concert. Lots and lots of staff taking patients to a fun party.
And I suspect many of our people will be thinking of this quote, since they're away from home this year.
Can miles truly separate you from friends... If you want to be with someone you love, aren't you already there?
Richard Bach
Enjoy your day! Stay tuned...
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Great expectations
That's what I get for opening my mouth in class.
The instructor assigned me to quiz, query and otherwise get one of our guests to tell us everything we'd possibly want to know about a certain nursing terminology.
Oy! Off to my reading...stay tuned for more goodies!
The instructor assigned me to quiz, query and otherwise get one of our guests to tell us everything we'd possibly want to know about a certain nursing terminology.
Oy! Off to my reading...stay tuned for more goodies!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Not so sharp...
And I'm not talking about razors, either.
A recent admission: patient comes in for an evaluation by a specialist that he/she cannot get in his nearby hospital. Patient unpacks stuff and I notice three packs of smokes. Patient had a screaming fit when I advise him/her of our tobacco policy. Nevertheless, I had to do remove the smokes according to appropriate policies. Patient was counseled re: quitting. We offer appropriate support for those nicotine needs-- patches, gum, etc. Patient calms down and apologizes.
To assure his happiness, said patient also brings some snacks, and a few cans of soda. In addition to the soda, I notice the non-alcoholic beer. Another argument ensues (nicely of course), but I had to get one of our bosses to confiscate that. Patient just refused to part with the near beer without an authority present.
The ironic part: Admitting MD notes that patient would have come to us sooner had he/she not been busy cleaning up legal issues related to alcohol.
A recent admission: patient comes in for an evaluation by a specialist that he/she cannot get in his nearby hospital. Patient unpacks stuff and I notice three packs of smokes. Patient had a screaming fit when I advise him/her of our tobacco policy. Nevertheless, I had to do remove the smokes according to appropriate policies. Patient was counseled re: quitting. We offer appropriate support for those nicotine needs-- patches, gum, etc. Patient calms down and apologizes.
To assure his happiness, said patient also brings some snacks, and a few cans of soda. In addition to the soda, I notice the non-alcoholic beer. Another argument ensues (nicely of course), but I had to get one of our bosses to confiscate that. Patient just refused to part with the near beer without an authority present.
The ironic part: Admitting MD notes that patient would have come to us sooner had he/she not been busy cleaning up legal issues related to alcohol.
Friday, February 5, 2010
By hook or by crook...
I'm probably going to end up in Vegas this year...maybe for my anniversary! Dahey said we could renew our wedding vows there for fun at one of those chapels. I told him only if he wears an Elvis costume. I was told I have to be Priscilla...not sure if the blonde or brunette one!
Anywho...enough of me. The work week ended with much excitement. The docs obviously didn't think we had enough to do, so they gave us a few extras at the last minute, like getting a PICC line and blood cultures for my patient who slept most of the day, because he stayed up watching movies all night and ringing the light for candy.
Our boss decided to redo a presentation my conference companion and I had done for one conference and submit it for another conference. Of course, all of the information had to be done stat, because, the boss never wants to wait (and he/she has ADHD) and the deadline is 1201 EST. This conference is in Las Vegas, too.
Happily, right now I'm working on a group project in my class and it's going very nicely. We have a larger group and being the project manager, I'm having fun doing and doling out the work where needed. We will deliver on time, by golly!
So now, a couple of shots...of espresso later, I'm ready to go to bed. To sleep, perchance, to dream...of a free weekend.
Stay tuned....more to come.
Anywho...enough of me. The work week ended with much excitement. The docs obviously didn't think we had enough to do, so they gave us a few extras at the last minute, like getting a PICC line and blood cultures for my patient who slept most of the day, because he stayed up watching movies all night and ringing the light for candy.
Our boss decided to redo a presentation my conference companion and I had done for one conference and submit it for another conference. Of course, all of the information had to be done stat, because, the boss never wants to wait (and he/she has ADHD) and the deadline is 1201 EST. This conference is in Las Vegas, too.
Happily, right now I'm working on a group project in my class and it's going very nicely. We have a larger group and being the project manager, I'm having fun doing and doling out the work where needed. We will deliver on time, by golly!
So now, a couple of shots...of espresso later, I'm ready to go to bed. To sleep, perchance, to dream...of a free weekend.
Stay tuned....more to come.
I love this job some days
Those are the days that click. I got to have fun recently. At Madison, nurses from Washington, our main hospital, come to the beautiful Hotel Rehab to hang out with us and see how we care for our patients in rehab. Our people sometimes strike the old school nurses as "needy", and some of them are, but some of their needs are not optional--they are necessary. Many of them see them when they're sicker than sick, or just before they come to us.
I got the pleasure of being shadowed by a nurse with way more experience than me. She has been a nurse almost as long as I've been alive. M. retired from World Renown Hospital, one of our nearby local university-affiliated trauma one centers. She saw the opportunities at Washington and said, "I want to try it."
M. and I discussed issues that come up with our people and all the rationale why these issues can be a big deal. I even gave her some of our patient ed cards so she had something to take back. On top of that, she actually thanked me for my explanations of our policies, procedures and how we operate.
It's lots of fun telling a willing audience about what you do and have them be interested.
I got the pleasure of being shadowed by a nurse with way more experience than me. She has been a nurse almost as long as I've been alive. M. retired from World Renown Hospital, one of our nearby local university-affiliated trauma one centers. She saw the opportunities at Washington and said, "I want to try it."
M. and I discussed issues that come up with our people and all the rationale why these issues can be a big deal. I even gave her some of our patient ed cards so she had something to take back. On top of that, she actually thanked me for my explanations of our policies, procedures and how we operate.
It's lots of fun telling a willing audience about what you do and have them be interested.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Change of Shift, February 4, 2010
Howdy all! I'm just back from a major cross-country road trip in the land of Dead Man's Wash and Bloody Basin. Only slightly saddle, or seat-sore from all the switchbacks, so I'm recuperating from beautiful but dusty environs, cactus pollen and the quirks of roadside hotel beds.
Sit on down at the bar, have a beverage of your choice, and enjoy the official, genuine authentic February 4, 2010 edition of change of shift.
Aaliyah Williams presents 10 Tips to Help You Take Control of Your Medical Records posted at MPH Degree, saying, "Your medical records, whether paper or electronic, are important documents that are generated or updated every time you visit a doctor."
Sit on down at the bar, have a beverage of your choice, and enjoy the official, genuine authentic February 4, 2010 edition of change of shift.
Aaliyah Williams presents 10 Tips to Help You Take Control of Your Medical Records posted at MPH Degree, saying, "Your medical records, whether paper or electronic, are important documents that are generated or updated every time you visit a doctor."
Faithe Jamse presents 17 Healthcare Trends that Are Actually Bad for Us posted at Masters in Health Care, saying, "Computerization, recession issues, the digital divide and even the price of gas all affect people and their health care. This list of seventeen healthcare trends and why they might be bad for us shows that some issues might be debatable."
Canika Jackson presents 11 Ways You Can Get Medical Care for Free posted at Radiologic Technician Schools, saying, "Medical care is an expensive proposition and any price discounts or freebies are hard to come by. However, if you donate the time and energy, you can find some surprising savings."
Janine posts about life and death and all the Shades of Grey on her similarly named blog. You'll never think about feet the same again after you read her post, My Big Toe.
Laney from over at Nursing Student Chronicles hits the nail on the head in regard to assessment and a new nursing student in her post, And then my head exploded.
Heartstrong presents Celebrate National Wear Red Day® this February with The Heart Truth®! posted at Healthy Hearts with Heartstrong.
That concludes this edition of Change of Shift back in the land of RehabRN. Thanks for visiting!
Submit your blog article to the next edition of change of shift at emergiblog February 18 using the carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.
Canika Jackson presents 11 Ways You Can Get Medical Care for Free posted at Radiologic Technician Schools, saying, "Medical care is an expensive proposition and any price discounts or freebies are hard to come by. However, if you donate the time and energy, you can find some surprising savings."
And since I've been travelling lately, Dean at the Millionaire Nurse blog has this timely post called Journey to Money Success--It Has to Start Somewhere. Be sure to read and think about this when you have to pay the tax guy coming up soon, or if you're one of the lucky folks who'll be getting a refund.
Janine posts about life and death and all the Shades of Grey on her similarly named blog. You'll never think about feet the same again after you read her post, My Big Toe.
Laney from over at Nursing Student Chronicles hits the nail on the head in regard to assessment and a new nursing student in her post, And then my head exploded.
Stefanie Kelly presents 57% Nurse Case Managers and Non-Clinical Nurses Look for New Jobs in 2010! Should You Be Looking Too? posted at Pathway Medical Blog, saying, "Survey shows 57% of nurse case managers and non-clinical nurses looking for new jobs in 2010."
Heartstrong presents Celebrate National Wear Red Day® this February with The Heart Truth®! posted at Healthy Hearts with Heartstrong.
the muse presents Nursing Orientation ? Good One or Bad? posted at the Muse, RN, saying, "Sorry! I may be too late, but I hope not. " Nope, you made it!
Mamatrauma tells us about a day gone awry in I hit my stride...then stumbled.
Mike King presents 100 Ways to Serve Others posted at Learn This, saying, "Nursing requires a strong attitude of providing care to others. This list outlines 100 ways to serve others in all areas of life, but certainly applicable to nursing as well."
Trish Torrey discusses How are nurses portrayed on tv? And why does it matter to us. in this about.com post.
That concludes this edition of Change of Shift back in the land of RehabRN. Thanks for visiting!
Submit your blog article to the next edition of change of shift at emergiblog February 18 using the carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Sick, tired and broken
Me, me and the major necessities of life. Thank goodness friends will come around when you need them!
Another good thing...Change of Shift...here...tomorrow.
Don't miss it!
Another good thing...Change of Shift...here...tomorrow.
Don't miss it!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Where has RehabRN been?
That crazy late 80s song is reverberating in my head, even if I haven't seen Michael J. Fox anywhere. All those darned signs make me want to look for prospectors or some cowboy to appear on the landscape.
We'll begin the drive back to RehabLand soon, so this show will hit the road.
Please keep those cards and letters coming...Change of Shift is here on February 4th.
We'll begin the drive back to RehabLand soon, so this show will hit the road.
Please keep those cards and letters coming...Change of Shift is here on February 4th.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Heard on the unit, volume 2
"RehabRN!" "RehabRN!" "RehabRN!" Patient #2
Remember him from our last installment? Yes, Mr. Demented proceeded to call out my name all weekend according to the night shift and he did it on day shift, too.
One of these days, we'll get those meds calibrated correctly, won't we smarty Dr. GeroPsych?
"Who is that nurse who looks like Gumby in pink?" Mr. Complains-a-lot.
All I can say is....I like Easter egg colors some times.
"If I had the middle covered up on this brace, (a TLSO) I'd paint a six pack on it." Mr. Renoir
Somebody really, really doesn't want to adhere to a diet that does not allow pie with every lunch and dinner. Said patient was outed to the dietician for eating seconds on pie this weekend, which is not part of his weight loss plan.
And if that's not entertaining enough, seen in orders....
"Record patient bowel movements to see if we need more forceful bowel preparations." noted for one of our patients being evaluated for colostomy.
We really like BM stories at the Hotel. We also get requests for frequency, color, and smell. We sent a C-diff for one patient after s/he suffered all weekend soiling the linens and the MDs wrote it off as a diet change....right!
School started recently so I'll be reading away.
Don't forget...the next Change of Shift will be right here at the Hotel Rehab on February 4th. Keep those cards and letters coming!
Remember him from our last installment? Yes, Mr. Demented proceeded to call out my name all weekend according to the night shift and he did it on day shift, too.
One of these days, we'll get those meds calibrated correctly, won't we smarty Dr. GeroPsych?
"Who is that nurse who looks like Gumby in pink?" Mr. Complains-a-lot.
All I can say is....I like Easter egg colors some times.
"If I had the middle covered up on this brace, (a TLSO) I'd paint a six pack on it." Mr. Renoir
Somebody really, really doesn't want to adhere to a diet that does not allow pie with every lunch and dinner. Said patient was outed to the dietician for eating seconds on pie this weekend, which is not part of his weight loss plan.
And if that's not entertaining enough, seen in orders....
"Record patient bowel movements to see if we need more forceful bowel preparations." noted for one of our patients being evaluated for colostomy.
We really like BM stories at the Hotel. We also get requests for frequency, color, and smell. We sent a C-diff for one patient after s/he suffered all weekend soiling the linens and the MDs wrote it off as a diet change....right!
School started recently so I'll be reading away.
Don't forget...the next Change of Shift will be right here at the Hotel Rehab on February 4th. Keep those cards and letters coming!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Just another reason why...
You don't want to go to the hospital alone. I will definitely heed my nursing instructors' advice if I ever end up in this situation.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Come on down!
It's your turn on the Price is Right...wait a minute! It's time for that perennial favorite...Change of Shift!
This week Kim's got a lot of CoS goodies over at emergiblog and on February 4th, you'll find Change of Shift right here, direct from the Hotel Rehab.
Use the BlogCarnival sidebar item on the right or e-mail them straight away to hotelrehab at nyms dot net.
Enjoy the latest and greatest...and get those fingers typing!
This week Kim's got a lot of CoS goodies over at emergiblog and on February 4th, you'll find Change of Shift right here, direct from the Hotel Rehab.
Use the BlogCarnival sidebar item on the right or e-mail them straight away to hotelrehab at nyms dot net.
Enjoy the latest and greatest...and get those fingers typing!
Lucky ducky
Yes, I am lucky.
So lucky that both of the codes I was called to today were resolved (or very near that) by the time I went to them.
First one was a fire code that I ran in the rain to get to the building. No smoke, no nothing. Just a whole lot of people standing around saying, "Okay, which smoke alarm was it?"
Next, was the code I got called to by the charge nurse, who said, "Come with me." in one of those voices that makes you think 1)one of the patients just did something horrible, or 2) someone just died. Happily, neither of those scenarios materialized. Visitor fainted in the parking lot by another building and was assessed by the folks there.
Walk back, wait, and it's time to go home....an exciting way to end the day.
So lucky that both of the codes I was called to today were resolved (or very near that) by the time I went to them.
First one was a fire code that I ran in the rain to get to the building. No smoke, no nothing. Just a whole lot of people standing around saying, "Okay, which smoke alarm was it?"
Next, was the code I got called to by the charge nurse, who said, "Come with me." in one of those voices that makes you think 1)one of the patients just did something horrible, or 2) someone just died. Happily, neither of those scenarios materialized. Visitor fainted in the parking lot by another building and was assessed by the folks there.
Walk back, wait, and it's time to go home....an exciting way to end the day.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Nuggets for January 20
Yes, it's Wednesday again and here's the latest and greatest goodies on the 'net. Enjoy!
Editing takes all the fun out of it
I was really stunned when I initially saw this story on the BBC website about how blonde women were more aggressive. The story must have pretty inflammatory (and they removed the Margaret Thatcher photo), so it was revised to reflect the researcher's actual research. Darn, it would have been fun posting this at work when it was about hair color!
A little rehab
We talk about lots of conditions that can cause you to end up in rehab at the Hotel--brain injury, spinal cord injury, and especially stroke. This article from this past weekend's NY Times is about strokes in children called Children Don't Have Strokes? Just ask Jared, which is a great article about this not-so-uncommon problem in pediatrics.
Battle of the sexes
As Gilda Radner used to say, "It's always something." Here are some recent articles of interest about men and women, inequality, housework and marriage.
Female Scientists Do More Housework (from the Chronicle for Higher Education) The first line is one of the best mental pictures for this type of article.
More Men Marrying Wealthier Women (from NY Times) It's an interesting trend.
Health and informatics
2 Nurses emerge as leaders in informatics A press release from AMIA, the American Medical Informatics Association.
Finally, just start jogging away from the desk right after you read this: Experts: Sitting too much could be deadly (from AP via Yahoo!)
Editing takes all the fun out of it
I was really stunned when I initially saw this story on the BBC website about how blonde women were more aggressive. The story must have pretty inflammatory (and they removed the Margaret Thatcher photo), so it was revised to reflect the researcher's actual research. Darn, it would have been fun posting this at work when it was about hair color!
A little rehab
We talk about lots of conditions that can cause you to end up in rehab at the Hotel--brain injury, spinal cord injury, and especially stroke. This article from this past weekend's NY Times is about strokes in children called Children Don't Have Strokes? Just ask Jared, which is a great article about this not-so-uncommon problem in pediatrics.
Battle of the sexes
As Gilda Radner used to say, "It's always something." Here are some recent articles of interest about men and women, inequality, housework and marriage.
Female Scientists Do More Housework (from the Chronicle for Higher Education) The first line is one of the best mental pictures for this type of article.
More Men Marrying Wealthier Women (from NY Times) It's an interesting trend.
Health and informatics
2 Nurses emerge as leaders in informatics A press release from AMIA, the American Medical Informatics Association.
Finally, just start jogging away from the desk right after you read this: Experts: Sitting too much could be deadly (from AP via Yahoo!)
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Oh happy day!
Time to clean and work on lots of paperwork...why is all that paperwork appearing? Nothing like tax season and the start of the semester for the senseless murder of trees.
For my resource-obsessed coworker, S: Look, blog uses no paper! S is a little different...she brings her water in an aluminum bottle from home, which makes me believe she thinks the Hotel water (a mere five miles from her house) is poisoned. Nothing like a paranoid person to deal with when you work. Thankfully, we rarely work on the same shift. I hear of her exploits from the other folks.
One of my New Year's resolutions is not to talk about people much at all, even in terms of whether they were at work or not. I'm beginning to think that military truism of only having the absolute necessary information to work is better with one's coworkers. Some things I'd rather just not know.
I had a little time last night to look up a few topics and so did a couple of other people, so we were Google dueling for a while. Someone picks a condition and we google it to see who comes up with the best information first, without getting info from Wikipedia.
It's always interesting on the evening shift.
For my resource-obsessed coworker, S: Look, blog uses no paper! S is a little different...she brings her water in an aluminum bottle from home, which makes me believe she thinks the Hotel water (a mere five miles from her house) is poisoned. Nothing like a paranoid person to deal with when you work. Thankfully, we rarely work on the same shift. I hear of her exploits from the other folks.
One of my New Year's resolutions is not to talk about people much at all, even in terms of whether they were at work or not. I'm beginning to think that military truism of only having the absolute necessary information to work is better with one's coworkers. Some things I'd rather just not know.
I had a little time last night to look up a few topics and so did a couple of other people, so we were Google dueling for a while. Someone picks a condition and we google it to see who comes up with the best information first, without getting info from Wikipedia.
It's always interesting on the evening shift.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Over halfway through...
I can hardly believe January has gone by this quickly. So many things on the horizon...road trips, birthdays and grad school starts again.
The time is just flying again...more to come, so stay tuned!
The time is just flying again...more to come, so stay tuned!
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Heard on the unit...2010
I haven't really had too much in a long while for this segment, but it's getting better and better everyday.
Here's a few I've had recently...
"Please call the minister. I want to let him know what I want for my funeral." Patient #1
He's not even dying yet, but this guy wanted us to do everything to get the chaplain on the unit right away recently. Chaplain had already left for the day, so we left the service a message. Now if he starts dreaming about the dead relatives and the farm...that's a whole other story!
"Is that a beer bottle over there on the shelf?"
"Where's my good luck kiss before I go in the ring?" Patient #2
This patient is demented and his worst periods often happen in the middle of the night. No, there is no beer bottle, but the flashlight we keep there sure can look like one in the dark.
I get the pleasure of reorienting him back to the hospital, which isn't nearly as exciting as his career in the Marines, the boxing ring, or as a bartender.
Stay tuned for more goodies!
Here's a few I've had recently...
"Please call the minister. I want to let him know what I want for my funeral." Patient #1
He's not even dying yet, but this guy wanted us to do everything to get the chaplain on the unit right away recently. Chaplain had already left for the day, so we left the service a message. Now if he starts dreaming about the dead relatives and the farm...that's a whole other story!
"Is that a beer bottle over there on the shelf?"
"Where's my good luck kiss before I go in the ring?" Patient #2
This patient is demented and his worst periods often happen in the middle of the night. No, there is no beer bottle, but the flashlight we keep there sure can look like one in the dark.
I get the pleasure of reorienting him back to the hospital, which isn't nearly as exciting as his career in the Marines, the boxing ring, or as a bartender.
Stay tuned for more goodies!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Welcome back!
Things you always want to see on your first night back from vacation:
1. Patient who is given a bottle of magnesium citrate, just as your shift starts. Load up the pads, towels and cleaning supplies.
2. Patient who goes from obnoxious all day to threats to assault to taking a swing. Security!
3. Patient who remembers your name and yells it out every single time you walk past his/her room, just to see if you'll come in.
Maybe I should have just given him the night shift charge nurse's name, instead.
1. Patient who is given a bottle of magnesium citrate, just as your shift starts. Load up the pads, towels and cleaning supplies.
2. Patient who goes from obnoxious all day to threats to assault to taking a swing. Security!
3. Patient who remembers your name and yells it out every single time you walk past his/her room, just to see if you'll come in.
Maybe I should have just given him the night shift charge nurse's name, instead.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Help Haiti
Here are a few links if you're interested in helping those affected by the Haitian earthquake yesterday.
For nurses and other first responders, check out this page at nursingworld.org.
For more information on contacting relatives, etc., check out the Department of State blog.
Here are charities actively working in Haiti who need cash donations now to help their already established organizations there:
American Red Cross
Cross International
Food for the Poor
St. Boniface Haiti Foundation
For nurses and other first responders, check out this page at nursingworld.org.
For more information on contacting relatives, etc., check out the Department of State blog.
Here are charities actively working in Haiti who need cash donations now to help their already established organizations there:
American Red Cross
Cross International
Food for the Poor
St. Boniface Haiti Foundation
Nuggets for January 13
Yes, it's Nuggets...the post-holiday edition. Sit back and enjoy wherever you are. The regularly scheduled holidays may be over, but if you want to make up your own holiday, check out some of the items below.
So what is January 13, anyway?
Just go nuts...or maybe Knuts would be more appropriate today, which is St. Knuts Day in random parts of Scandinavia. Want to know more? Check out this page about St. Knut's Day.
Nurse vs. IRS
Nurses are very smart people, and sometimes they need just a little more education to do their jobs effectively. This Wall Street Journal article called Nurse Outduels IRS to Deduct M.B.A. Tuition tells a great story you may need to use later. Lori Singleton-Clarke, you are my hero! Hope you get a book deal!
J. Lo --the ideal woman?
Tired of chubby buns and thighs? Never fear! Salvation is here. According to this BBC News story; Having a big bum, hips and thighs 'is healthy'
For all the parents out there...
Take heed if you have a leaky lad or lass. All is not lost. The 18 and under section of the NY Times health blog has a great story about bedwetting among kids over 5. Read the whole thing...the last paragraph is priceless.
And for all the corrections nurses...
This one's for you. Jeffrey Rosen has a great story called Prisoners of Parole, which was discusses alternative ways to keep certain offenders from reoffending and going back to prison.
So what is January 13, anyway?
Just go nuts...or maybe Knuts would be more appropriate today, which is St. Knuts Day in random parts of Scandinavia. Want to know more? Check out this page about St. Knut's Day.
Nurse vs. IRS
Nurses are very smart people, and sometimes they need just a little more education to do their jobs effectively. This Wall Street Journal article called Nurse Outduels IRS to Deduct M.B.A. Tuition tells a great story you may need to use later. Lori Singleton-Clarke, you are my hero! Hope you get a book deal!
J. Lo --the ideal woman?
Tired of chubby buns and thighs? Never fear! Salvation is here. According to this BBC News story; Having a big bum, hips and thighs 'is healthy'
For all the parents out there...
Take heed if you have a leaky lad or lass. All is not lost. The 18 and under section of the NY Times health blog has a great story about bedwetting among kids over 5. Read the whole thing...the last paragraph is priceless.
And for all the corrections nurses...
This one's for you. Jeffrey Rosen has a great story called Prisoners of Parole, which was discusses alternative ways to keep certain offenders from reoffending and going back to prison.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
I love allergies
No, I don't wear an allergy band, but if I did, they'd probably have to print it in very small font.
You'd think that all the mold in this place would finally be frozen with the oh-so-low temps we've been having lately. No way...that's why the maintenance guys have turned up the heat.
Welcome to the house (or hotel) dust storm! A-choo!
More to come...stay tuned.
You'd think that all the mold in this place would finally be frozen with the oh-so-low temps we've been having lately. No way...that's why the maintenance guys have turned up the heat.
Welcome to the house (or hotel) dust storm! A-choo!
More to come...stay tuned.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
New Year's Resolution: Another club to join
We don't have any of the biggest and baddest of these in our neck of the woods, but we do have a 50 story monster I took on this morning in a test climb.
Skyscraper 0, Nurse 1.
Just like doing the upstairs rounds at work, only several times over...now it's march, march, march until D-day, the day of the climb.
Skyscraper 0, Nurse 1.
Just like doing the upstairs rounds at work, only several times over...now it's march, march, march until D-day, the day of the climb.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Late Nite...
It's the latest version of Change of Shift up at emergiblog, silly. Who knows where or what Letterman is doing.
Go check it out!
Go check it out!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Nuggets for January 7
Happy New Year, all! Welcome to the very first edition of Nuggets for the new year.
Lots and lots of goodies out there on the 'net and in the blogosphere for your enjoyment. If you're snowed in and at work, like me, take a break, take a load off and enjoy a moment to yourself, 'cause that shift may last a LOOOONG time if relief doesn't get there!
More new year's resolution stuff
Here are a few goodies I've run into on this front, if you're up to a change:
How to keep your new year's resolutions (from Time Magazine)
Swissballs - info on one balance ball maker
Thinking of going to graduate school? Check out this article, if you're thinking about the humanities: Just Don't Go. (from the Chronicle of Higher Education)
Nursing, technology, etc.
It's in the news all the time...here are some interesting items recently.
Nursing: we take care of the whole family as our patients, including some unusual family members: Nurses take care of man's seeing eye dog (from the Lincoln, NE Journal Star)
Technology: The merger of these two health record systems may be a noted as a major accomplishment one of these days: VA, Kaiser to share health records (from Sign On San Diego)
Love story: Yes, it's not necessarily nursing-related, but it is a good story nevertheless, so go ahead and read it. Could I forgive him one last time? (from the NY Times)
Lots and lots of goodies out there on the 'net and in the blogosphere for your enjoyment. If you're snowed in and at work, like me, take a break, take a load off and enjoy a moment to yourself, 'cause that shift may last a LOOOONG time if relief doesn't get there!
More new year's resolution stuff
Here are a few goodies I've run into on this front, if you're up to a change:
How to keep your new year's resolutions (from Time Magazine)
Swissballs - info on one balance ball maker
Thinking of going to graduate school? Check out this article, if you're thinking about the humanities: Just Don't Go. (from the Chronicle of Higher Education)
Nursing, technology, etc.
It's in the news all the time...here are some interesting items recently.
Nursing: we take care of the whole family as our patients, including some unusual family members: Nurses take care of man's seeing eye dog (from the Lincoln, NE Journal Star)
Technology: The merger of these two health record systems may be a noted as a major accomplishment one of these days: VA, Kaiser to share health records (from Sign On San Diego)
Love story: Yes, it's not necessarily nursing-related, but it is a good story nevertheless, so go ahead and read it. Could I forgive him one last time? (from the NY Times)
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Decade, what decade?
"Time flies when you're having fun." anonymous
I was reading Maha's post the other day about the last decade, and it got me thinking about my own whereabouts.
My decade...in a nutshell.
2000: Maybe they should have called it --Y2K, your life. My life: family deaths, weddings, and a job change all in one year.
2001: Job is cool and all of a sudden on my way to a meeting, hundreds of people are in the lobby. Whoa, some meeting, I think. 9-11 is happening on the screens as I go by, which was so surreal. Next, go to the meeting, come out, get ready to go to another meeting, and find out the people I was supposed to meet cancelled for a very good reason. They were called in to their Army Reserve jobs immediately. Project delayed.
2002: Things were very different after 9-11. Projects on hold. Market tanks and old, venerable company has first layoff. Out I go. I enjoy unemployment so much, I get pregnant. Dahey promptly leaves town for work.
2003: Almost like 2000 again: good things (baby, new job) and bad things (literally and figuratively crazy relatives, wacko real estate deal). Lots of stress going back to work. Dahey is out of job for much of the year, which actually turned out to be a good thing. Can you say Mr. Mom?
2004: Love/hate relationship with job. Lots of stuff in head...go do MBA or take nursing prereqs? Start prereqs, since they're cheaper.
2005: Find out boss is shopping my job to contracting firms. Very, very pissed. Start looking for other jobs. Relative dies, which actually turned out to be a good thing. Relative is best friend of godfather, who works at same company. Boss realizes this and out of the goodness of his heart (with tail between his legs to boss, since he now had some explaining...) rescinds job search for my position. In retaliation, I find a job with better pay and benefits and give two weeks notice. Finished nursing prereqs. Apply to several nursing programs in two states.
2006: Freak out when I get acceptance letter from PrivateU's nursing school. Pay deposit and wait six months. Oh.My.Freaking.Heavens. Give notice at job before start of the year of living dangerously in an accelerated program. One of my coworkers tells me before I leave, "That is the best kiss-off letter I've ever read!"
2007: Graduate from nursing school. What an experience! The overachievers there made business school look like kindergarten! Work at Saintarama in my first job. Have fun, learn lots and have a sore back from all the heave-ho.
2008: Decide I need to leave Saintarama. Was wanted in a bean-counting job, but just couldn't do it, for all the tea in China (way too much hassle, even if it was "education".) Get job at Madison with so much less and so much more. Less driving and hassle and more money. Still have fun with rehab patients. Learn about government bureaucracy. Go to my first conference ever in my career. Have a blast and decide to pursue certifications.
2009: It's a good at the Hotel Rehab. I get pay raises, certifications, an award, and a chance at a desk for that clock/radio I got for nurse's week. Okay, so I don't have the desk yet, and the clock part doesn't work, but it was an effort. Started grad school as a new hobby...sometimes I wish I liked needlepoint like my friend S.
And now it's 2010. We'll just have to wait and see...
I was reading Maha's post the other day about the last decade, and it got me thinking about my own whereabouts.
My decade...in a nutshell.
2000: Maybe they should have called it --Y2K, your life. My life: family deaths, weddings, and a job change all in one year.
2001: Job is cool and all of a sudden on my way to a meeting, hundreds of people are in the lobby. Whoa, some meeting, I think. 9-11 is happening on the screens as I go by, which was so surreal. Next, go to the meeting, come out, get ready to go to another meeting, and find out the people I was supposed to meet cancelled for a very good reason. They were called in to their Army Reserve jobs immediately. Project delayed.
2002: Things were very different after 9-11. Projects on hold. Market tanks and old, venerable company has first layoff. Out I go. I enjoy unemployment so much, I get pregnant. Dahey promptly leaves town for work.
2003: Almost like 2000 again: good things (baby, new job) and bad things (literally and figuratively crazy relatives, wacko real estate deal). Lots of stress going back to work. Dahey is out of job for much of the year, which actually turned out to be a good thing. Can you say Mr. Mom?
2004: Love/hate relationship with job. Lots of stuff in head...go do MBA or take nursing prereqs? Start prereqs, since they're cheaper.
2005: Find out boss is shopping my job to contracting firms. Very, very pissed. Start looking for other jobs. Relative dies, which actually turned out to be a good thing. Relative is best friend of godfather, who works at same company. Boss realizes this and out of the goodness of his heart (with tail between his legs to boss, since he now had some explaining...) rescinds job search for my position. In retaliation, I find a job with better pay and benefits and give two weeks notice. Finished nursing prereqs. Apply to several nursing programs in two states.
2006: Freak out when I get acceptance letter from PrivateU's nursing school. Pay deposit and wait six months. Oh.My.Freaking.Heavens. Give notice at job before start of the year of living dangerously in an accelerated program. One of my coworkers tells me before I leave, "That is the best kiss-off letter I've ever read!"
2007: Graduate from nursing school. What an experience! The overachievers there made business school look like kindergarten! Work at Saintarama in my first job. Have fun, learn lots and have a sore back from all the heave-ho.
2008: Decide I need to leave Saintarama. Was wanted in a bean-counting job, but just couldn't do it, for all the tea in China (way too much hassle, even if it was "education".) Get job at Madison with so much less and so much more. Less driving and hassle and more money. Still have fun with rehab patients. Learn about government bureaucracy. Go to my first conference ever in my career. Have a blast and decide to pursue certifications.
2009: It's a good at the Hotel Rehab. I get pay raises, certifications, an award, and a chance at a desk for that clock/radio I got for nurse's week. Okay, so I don't have the desk yet, and the clock part doesn't work, but it was an effort. Started grad school as a new hobby...sometimes I wish I liked needlepoint like my friend S.
And now it's 2010. We'll just have to wait and see...
Back to basics
Keep It Simple, Stupid, or the KISS principle as it's known in IT circles has been the story of my days lately.
Lucky me, the grad student, got nominated by the boss to be on the IT committee for the unit for some redesigning work and a special project. What does this mean? In addition to my regular duties keeping everyone happy at the Hotel, I've been working on analysis of some of the upgrades that are coming. (See, some of those classes really do come in handy!)
Now I just have to manage to herd the other RN on this project into more meetings and get my boss to cooperate in letting me off the floor for said meetings.
It should make this an interesting few months...stay tuned.
Lucky me, the grad student, got nominated by the boss to be on the IT committee for the unit for some redesigning work and a special project. What does this mean? In addition to my regular duties keeping everyone happy at the Hotel, I've been working on analysis of some of the upgrades that are coming. (See, some of those classes really do come in handy!)
Now I just have to manage to herd the other RN on this project into more meetings and get my boss to cooperate in letting me off the floor for said meetings.
It should make this an interesting few months...stay tuned.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Another fun evening
Yes, today's the first business day of the new year, and we're looking forward to the booking agents filling up all the empty rooms in the Hotel again. Our census has been low, low, low, so now we have to start combing the hospitals, homes and clinics hither and yon, to fill up the place. Should make things exciting this week.
Happily, I've been enjoying having less people, because I've been able to spend more time with my patients. One is confused. He's getting better, but why is it that all the confused people, who sometimes can't remember where they are, can remember down to the minute, when they get their next pain pill (and badger me until they get it)?
I'm praying the prosthetic people bring one of our amputee patients his stump shrinkers. He sure needs them. I can't properly wrap his stumps with ACE wraps, and it's driving him (and me) crazy. He finally believed me when the charge nurse told him we weren't really wrapping his stumps according to the book protocol (with ACE going around the waist).
Outside of that, I finally got my grades sent off and am awaiting next semester's bill to submit. Let's hope the education people don't run out of money!
Stay tuned...more to come from the exciting land of Hotel Rehab.
Happily, I've been enjoying having less people, because I've been able to spend more time with my patients. One is confused. He's getting better, but why is it that all the confused people, who sometimes can't remember where they are, can remember down to the minute, when they get their next pain pill (and badger me until they get it)?
I'm praying the prosthetic people bring one of our amputee patients his stump shrinkers. He sure needs them. I can't properly wrap his stumps with ACE wraps, and it's driving him (and me) crazy. He finally believed me when the charge nurse told him we weren't really wrapping his stumps according to the book protocol (with ACE going around the waist).
Outside of that, I finally got my grades sent off and am awaiting next semester's bill to submit. Let's hope the education people don't run out of money!
Stay tuned...more to come from the exciting land of Hotel Rehab.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Happy New Year
I got to spend New Year's Eve at the Hotel working with patients, and as I was driving home, people in the neighborhood were blowing fireworks off, lighting up the already bright blue moon sky.
So, I've been recreating here and there in between shifts and sleeping. Never can get enough sleep.
I woke up disoriented this morning thinking it was a day ahead, and somehow the paper people forgot my Sunday paper. Alas, it's only Saturday. Now, it's time for work.
Stay tuned...more to come! The year awaits...
So, I've been recreating here and there in between shifts and sleeping. Never can get enough sleep.
I woke up disoriented this morning thinking it was a day ahead, and somehow the paper people forgot my Sunday paper. Alas, it's only Saturday. Now, it's time for work.
Stay tuned...more to come! The year awaits...
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