I'm not at the Hotel, but at the RehabRN household, Dahey, Bubba and I are doing lots of oddball stuff we've had on hold. Trimming bushes, sorting books, you name it.
Don't fret though, we're taking lots of breaks in between, enjoying the beautiful weather here in RehabLand.
And for all my friends laboring away today with your patients, the Labor Day songs here are for you.
My favorite is below, because it talks about working hard, in crazy circumstances, as many of you are doing today.
"'Cause it's hard to keep a good man (or woman) down!"
Monday, September 5, 2011
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Another...
I can hardly believe that another of my old coworkers from Saintarama has been diagnosed with cancer.
I never thought rehab was a dangerous specialty, but I'm wondering what might be causing this. So many epidemiological factors, so many people aging, so much time.
Whew...crossing fingers and hoping this ends soon. Too many people lately are getting lives stalled and retirements shortened.
I never thought rehab was a dangerous specialty, but I'm wondering what might be causing this. So many epidemiological factors, so many people aging, so much time.
Whew...crossing fingers and hoping this ends soon. Too many people lately are getting lives stalled and retirements shortened.
Friday, September 2, 2011
One week down
Yes, it's terribly different in the clinic I'm in. With all the construction and learning new stuff, I am thoroughly discombobulated. I'm not horribly exhausted, but my days literally fly by as I work on e-mails and documents I have to attend to on a regular basis.
I still traverse through the Hotel, but lately, with all the construction, there's not much people stuff going on. No patients congregating in the hallways between therapies, not too many outside, since the weather's getting weird again, and not too much activity.
Overall, though, I'm pleased with the change. I like doing this work in the clinic because it is challenging. I am forced to grow, and to make contact with lots of people from lots of places every day.
Despite the fact that some of the work reminds me of being in sales again (the making the numbers part), I feel like I can make a difference: for those patients, as well as for my coworkers and the staff at our sister hospitals, too.
I may be a newbie, but I'm ready to go. I'll keep at it until we get everything done...and right!
Stay tuned...it's a thrill a minute here!
I still traverse through the Hotel, but lately, with all the construction, there's not much people stuff going on. No patients congregating in the hallways between therapies, not too many outside, since the weather's getting weird again, and not too much activity.
Overall, though, I'm pleased with the change. I like doing this work in the clinic because it is challenging. I am forced to grow, and to make contact with lots of people from lots of places every day.
Despite the fact that some of the work reminds me of being in sales again (the making the numbers part), I feel like I can make a difference: for those patients, as well as for my coworkers and the staff at our sister hospitals, too.
I may be a newbie, but I'm ready to go. I'll keep at it until we get everything done...and right!
Stay tuned...it's a thrill a minute here!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
When the cat's away...
Some folks can look so busy doing nothing that they seem indispensable.~Kin Hubbard
The mice will play. I am so glad I am not responsible about telling the big boss about all the havoc the sister hospitals have perpetrated by NOT doing what they're supposed to do. Had to report it, but nothing will ever happen at the rate Madison moves.
Oh, so much fun. At least, it won't harm patients or the innocent, but I wish the guilty parties would just get over it and do their work for once.
Ah, love flashbacks to the old life...it's just the same as the floor without as many bodily fluids. So much fun....stay tuned.
The mice will play. I am so glad I am not responsible about telling the big boss about all the havoc the sister hospitals have perpetrated by NOT doing what they're supposed to do. Had to report it, but nothing will ever happen at the rate Madison moves.
Oh, so much fun. At least, it won't harm patients or the innocent, but I wish the guilty parties would just get over it and do their work for once.
Ah, love flashbacks to the old life...it's just the same as the floor without as many bodily fluids. So much fun....stay tuned.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Cranking away
I just may get my own office after all the construction and craziness. It ain't new and fancy like the princess psychologist got, but it will work! I never would have thought a hard hat would be part of my uniform, but it seems it was for a while.
And I got the locks changed so there's no way the previous occupants can come back pilfering snacks.
Fun!
Stay tuned. I may even get to retire my hard hat.
And I got the locks changed so there's no way the previous occupants can come back pilfering snacks.
Fun!
Stay tuned. I may even get to retire my hard hat.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Still alive...
And kicking, but busier than I ever thought. Training for a new gig at the Hotel is interesting, especially with construction going on. One day, I'll get a space that's mine for a while.
Whatcha gonna do...I'm just gonna stay, alive and kicking. More to come, so enjoy!
Whatcha gonna do...I'm just gonna stay, alive and kicking. More to come, so enjoy!
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Devilish delights
I have always enjoyed the stolen memes on Sunday Stealing, and since it's Sunday, here's one of my recent favorites, in memory of a blogger's recently deceased husband.
Bless me Father, 'cause here's Sunday Stealing...
Sunday Stealing: The 31 Meme, Part Two: In Memory of Clyde
Cheers to all of us thieves!
16. What's the longest shift that you worked at a job?
15 hours, although, I do have nightmares that I will be trapped at work due to a natural disaster, just like my coworker, J., who got caught at work for days just after Hurricane Ike.
17. What was the last concert that you attended?
An international one...local African group. Very cool
18. What the last DVD (or Blu Ray, of course) movie that you watched?
Haven't watched TV in ages...
19. How did you like the film?
n/a
20. What comedian do you love?
It really depends. I don't have a favorite.
21. Do you ever sleep in the nude?
I have been known to do so on occasion...when the really good sheets are on my bed!
22. Have you ever had a long distance relationship?
Tried for 6 short weeks as a college freshman and he dumped me, only to come back about a year later. No dice, pal!
23. What do you think of astrology?
I enjoy it, but I don't base my life on it. I think I really fit my astrological sign perfectly.
24. What's you're favorite lyric quote from a song?
Gee, there are so many..."Life is a cabaret, old chum." sometimes really sums up my life though (lots of acting, dancing and singing).
25. Tell us something random about yourself.
I love spinach, even though my stomach does not.
26. Have ever attended a theme party? If yes, do tell.
80s parties, 60s parties, dress as your favorite teacher parties, you name it. My friends liked themes to see who would get dressed outrageously so we could take photos for blackmail purposes. Now, everyone's old and rarely goes all out anymore.
27. What is your favorite thing about winter?
I love snow, particularly when I have to stay home. I love to watch it snow at night by streetlight.
28. What was the name of your first pet?
Louis, a lizard.
29. What have you done so far this weekend?
Worked, got homework ready, went out to eat three times.
30. Has your humor ever been called “sick”?
Yes, I've gotten more skilled since I became a nurse.
31. If you could have one thing, what would it be?
Right now: an antacid; forever: peace with a side of contentment.
Bless me Father, 'cause here's Sunday Stealing...
Sunday Stealing: The 31 Meme, Part Two: In Memory of Clyde
Cheers to all of us thieves!
16. What's the longest shift that you worked at a job?
15 hours, although, I do have nightmares that I will be trapped at work due to a natural disaster, just like my coworker, J., who got caught at work for days just after Hurricane Ike.
17. What was the last concert that you attended?
An international one...local African group. Very cool
18. What the last DVD (or Blu Ray, of course) movie that you watched?
Haven't watched TV in ages...
19. How did you like the film?
n/a
20. What comedian do you love?
It really depends. I don't have a favorite.
21. Do you ever sleep in the nude?
I have been known to do so on occasion...when the really good sheets are on my bed!
22. Have you ever had a long distance relationship?
Tried for 6 short weeks as a college freshman and he dumped me, only to come back about a year later. No dice, pal!
23. What do you think of astrology?
I enjoy it, but I don't base my life on it. I think I really fit my astrological sign perfectly.
24. What's you're favorite lyric quote from a song?
Gee, there are so many..."Life is a cabaret, old chum." sometimes really sums up my life though (lots of acting, dancing and singing).
25. Tell us something random about yourself.
I love spinach, even though my stomach does not.
26. Have ever attended a theme party? If yes, do tell.
80s parties, 60s parties, dress as your favorite teacher parties, you name it. My friends liked themes to see who would get dressed outrageously so we could take photos for blackmail purposes. Now, everyone's old and rarely goes all out anymore.
27. What is your favorite thing about winter?
I love snow, particularly when I have to stay home. I love to watch it snow at night by streetlight.
28. What was the name of your first pet?
Louis, a lizard.
29. What have you done so far this weekend?
Worked, got homework ready, went out to eat three times.
30. Has your humor ever been called “sick”?
Yes, I've gotten more skilled since I became a nurse.
31. If you could have one thing, what would it be?
Right now: an antacid; forever: peace with a side of contentment.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Some things are better left unsaid
Some days I ponder the meaning of life and who the he-double hockey sticks left some of the people in Manglement at the Hotel in the management track. The bang head on desk scenario and the infamous dope slap happen far too often (or in the latter case, NEED to happen)...
Here's some recent snippets.
1. "I really don't know what you're supposed to be doing." --Boss
WTF? Hello? Did you not read the job description HR sent, nor the information I forwarded you from those Clinic Trainers about my new job, the one you're supposed to be managing and mentoring me on?
Thank heavens, after surviving the Hades of nursing school and other businesses, I am pretty good at assembling memos documenting my skills and what I'm expected to do, with Hotel corporate procedures (since I actually read the established ones) and winging it when there are none.
Just 'cause I'm nice, I'll document it for you so you can put it into my personnel file when YOUR boss comes looking for it.
2. "Do you really need an accessible office?" --Hotel Real-estate agent (aka office manager)
Well, yes, honey, I do, when you expect people with walkers, canes and wheelchairs to actually come into my office (which also needs a door BTW). A hallway with a computer in the corner, with no walls and doors, just won't cut it, especially for the folks who enforce HIPAA.
You can start by evicting that supposed secretary who does not answer the phone half the time and loses appointments when the docs give them to her. Her office (she actually has not one, but two desks in two places in the clinic) would be a great place for me.
3. "I'd never work the floor again if I were you." Nurse assistant who was talking about me moving to my new job.
Thanks dude. Should I take that as a compliment or a slap? Hmmm....So glad I'm good at that selective nurse hearing.
Here's some recent snippets.
1. "I really don't know what you're supposed to be doing." --Boss
WTF? Hello? Did you not read the job description HR sent, nor the information I forwarded you from those Clinic Trainers about my new job, the one you're supposed to be managing and mentoring me on?
Thank heavens, after surviving the Hades of nursing school and other businesses, I am pretty good at assembling memos documenting my skills and what I'm expected to do, with Hotel corporate procedures (since I actually read the established ones) and winging it when there are none.
Just 'cause I'm nice, I'll document it for you so you can put it into my personnel file when YOUR boss comes looking for it.
2. "Do you really need an accessible office?" --Hotel Real-estate agent (aka office manager)
Well, yes, honey, I do, when you expect people with walkers, canes and wheelchairs to actually come into my office (which also needs a door BTW). A hallway with a computer in the corner, with no walls and doors, just won't cut it, especially for the folks who enforce HIPAA.
You can start by evicting that supposed secretary who does not answer the phone half the time and loses appointments when the docs give them to her. Her office (she actually has not one, but two desks in two places in the clinic) would be a great place for me.
3. "I'd never work the floor again if I were you." Nurse assistant who was talking about me moving to my new job.
Thanks dude. Should I take that as a compliment or a slap? Hmmm....So glad I'm good at that selective nurse hearing.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Mulling
Waiting to see how things go in the new semester, in the clinic, and with the soon-to-be new boss.
The Hotel is hopping since there is less staff right now and they're expected to do more.
We shall see what happens...
The Hotel is hopping since there is less staff right now and they're expected to do more.
We shall see what happens...
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Nuggets for August 25
Oh, it's been a long time, but I went meandering about the web and found these goodies. Hope you enjoy!
Chug, chug, chug
Think Gatorade is great after a marathon? What about near beer? A recent German study says non-alcoholic beer may be the best drink after you run. (from www.nytimes.com)
Sad, but true
The cancer bogeyman is back visiting Steve Jobs of Apple and he's decided to call it quits. (from www.nytimes.com)
ER is the real deal
Emergency nursing was recently recognized by the ANA. Kudos to all those ER nurses out there, especially Maha, Kim and Nurse K. (from www.nurse.com)
Pot calling the kettle...
Yes, I'm guilty. I do exercise to look better, but I feel better, too. (from www.latimes.com)
Chug, chug, chug
Think Gatorade is great after a marathon? What about near beer? A recent German study says non-alcoholic beer may be the best drink after you run. (from www.nytimes.com)
Sad, but true
The cancer bogeyman is back visiting Steve Jobs of Apple and he's decided to call it quits. (from www.nytimes.com)
ER is the real deal
Emergency nursing was recently recognized by the ANA. Kudos to all those ER nurses out there, especially Maha, Kim and Nurse K. (from www.nurse.com)
Pot calling the kettle...
Yes, I'm guilty. I do exercise to look better, but I feel better, too. (from www.latimes.com)
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Whole lotta shakin' goin' on again!
No, it's not another Virginia earthquake today, but the sounds of construction at the Hotel Rehab.
Turns out, though, the construction crews may just get a little more work. While they've been busy on one wing of the Hotel, the other started showing some serious cracks recently.
What does this mean? The engineers to the rescue. Apparently, the other crew has fixed one thing that caused problems on another.
What does it mean for us? A pleasantly lower census while they fix the bathrooms and everything else. Mr. Crabby left today, so I'm sure there was much rejoicing.
Stay tuned...
Turns out, though, the construction crews may just get a little more work. While they've been busy on one wing of the Hotel, the other started showing some serious cracks recently.
What does this mean? The engineers to the rescue. Apparently, the other crew has fixed one thing that caused problems on another.
What does it mean for us? A pleasantly lower census while they fix the bathrooms and everything else. Mr. Crabby left today, so I'm sure there was much rejoicing.
Stay tuned...
Monday, August 22, 2011
There but for...
The grace of God go I...the old saying goes.
I absolutely loved the following line in one of KevinMD's posts entitled, What this doctor learned when he was a patient.
Dr. D’s orthopedist has about the communication skills of a mentally-retarded clam.
Sometimes we nurses say the same thing...about everything I just mentioned. Thanks KevinMD having such a great guest post. It's a great story.
I absolutely loved the following line in one of KevinMD's posts entitled, What this doctor learned when he was a patient.
Dr. D’s orthopedist has about the communication skills of a mentally-retarded clam.
Sometimes we nurses say the same thing...about everything I just mentioned. Thanks KevinMD having such a great guest post. It's a great story.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Misspent youth, part 2
1. Aerodynamics tests off the roof at school.
2. Planes, trains and automobiles in college. My first plane ride, riding the trains of Europe, and a series of old clunkers before I was able to get a real job (read one that allows you to afford a car that is all one color!)
3. Partying it up dancing the night away in clubs, discos, and bars long gone by here, there and everywhere. And who can forget the electric slide..?
2. Planes, trains and automobiles in college. My first plane ride, riding the trains of Europe, and a series of old clunkers before I was able to get a real job (read one that allows you to afford a car that is all one color!)
3. Partying it up dancing the night away in clubs, discos, and bars long gone by here, there and everywhere. And who can forget the electric slide..?
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Don't stand so close to me...
What I wanted really wanted to tell a few people at work the other day...
Friday, August 19, 2011
Shave and a haircut...
Not 15 cents, but sometimes priceless.
I took care of a cranky, old man who changed significantly once one of our staff gave him a haircut. He went from looking like the Unabomber's uncle, to looking more like himself: a seventysomething year old man.
Another patient got a haircut and feels wonderful because he can wash his hair himself with a wash cloth...just like his days in the Marines.
I took care of a cranky, old man who changed significantly once one of our staff gave him a haircut. He went from looking like the Unabomber's uncle, to looking more like himself: a seventysomething year old man.
Another patient got a haircut and feels wonderful because he can wash his hair himself with a wash cloth...just like his days in the Marines.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Families
We see a lot of families crossing the threshold of Hotel Rehab. You name it...we get it. We get regular Joe and Jill nuclear families with 1.5 kids, and the whole enchilada of all those plus grandma, grandpa, all the aunts, uncles and cousins.
In addition, we see families in various forms dysfunction often caused by divorce or disagreement. Since I've been at the Hotel, I've seen examples of the cute family with that 1.5 kids break down because, lo and behold, Wifey finds out (while Hubby is with us) that Hubby has another woman, and she's pregnant with his kid and wants to know who's going to support her now Hubby's been injured. Hmm...calling Social Work and Psychology right now for this one!
But lately, lots of people are coming in who don't really have a family nearby. They've estranged them for one reason or another, have family members with their own significant health, financial or employment issues, or have simply outlived everyone in their families. We become their families, and they get really upset when they realize that they can't stay with us forever. One character mentioned suicide just to buy more time.
Some others, however, end up going over to another unit, down the way, with the great view of nature and what awaits us all. Yes, we keep getting more and more people with terminal illnesses, and we are becoming a feeder unit for hospice. One of the non-nursing staff did ask a good question recently: if they stay so long that we're like their families, why do we throw them out when they're dying?
If only I had the time to tell him/her that we do it because we love them. We care about them, but sometimes it's a terrible duty for a rehab nurse to have to admit defeat. This patient will never regain function beyond what they have, and most likely, they'll lose it all before they die. We aren't set up to do hospice, and don't have all the comfort things they have readily available.
Admitting our job is over doesn't mean we don't care. We do. Sometimes, though, we have to know when to say when and let someone else take over. Some of them will always be in our hearts and minds, especially on days when we remember them, as our unit did recently.
To live in hearts we leave behind
Is not to die.
~Thomas Campbell, "Hallowed Ground"
In addition, we see families in various forms dysfunction often caused by divorce or disagreement. Since I've been at the Hotel, I've seen examples of the cute family with that 1.5 kids break down because, lo and behold, Wifey finds out (while Hubby is with us) that Hubby has another woman, and she's pregnant with his kid and wants to know who's going to support her now Hubby's been injured. Hmm...calling Social Work and Psychology right now for this one!
But lately, lots of people are coming in who don't really have a family nearby. They've estranged them for one reason or another, have family members with their own significant health, financial or employment issues, or have simply outlived everyone in their families. We become their families, and they get really upset when they realize that they can't stay with us forever. One character mentioned suicide just to buy more time.
Some others, however, end up going over to another unit, down the way, with the great view of nature and what awaits us all. Yes, we keep getting more and more people with terminal illnesses, and we are becoming a feeder unit for hospice. One of the non-nursing staff did ask a good question recently: if they stay so long that we're like their families, why do we throw them out when they're dying?
If only I had the time to tell him/her that we do it because we love them. We care about them, but sometimes it's a terrible duty for a rehab nurse to have to admit defeat. This patient will never regain function beyond what they have, and most likely, they'll lose it all before they die. We aren't set up to do hospice, and don't have all the comfort things they have readily available.
Admitting our job is over doesn't mean we don't care. We do. Sometimes, though, we have to know when to say when and let someone else take over. Some of them will always be in our hearts and minds, especially on days when we remember them, as our unit did recently.
To live in hearts we leave behind
Is not to die.
~Thomas Campbell, "Hallowed Ground"
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Swan song
Well, not quite, but my last evening shift in charge recently was definitely interesting.
First problem: Since it was the boss's first day of vacation, I knew someone would call in sick. Mike, one of our nurse assistants (who will not miss me as a charge nurse) decided to be the one. No surprise, really. Mike likes those extended three-day weekends just like the rest of the slacker patrol and he's made it a habit of taking off the day before and the day after his weekend off, or when I'm in charge.
Second problem: one of our RNs, who has a chronic medical condition gets sick at the beginning of the shift. Docs are called (ours, not hers) and lots of fuss is made over her, because she could have gotten all wigged out on us. I let some of the crew keep her safe while I got the rest of the folks to hold down the fort until the super could determine whether I needed an ambulance or not.
Happily, she was fine within a couple of hours, but was pissed at me once she felt better. I was a witch and changed her assignment, so she had very little chance of potentially hurting any patients. Sure, she was bored, but what choice did I have? Not much. Oh, the joys of lots of CYA documentation!
Finally, I redistributed the load to the rest of the crew and we did well. My patients did well. I was so happy they were cooperating with everything, especially when I took a little longer on my regular rounds.. Even with all that, I still managed to get one in the shower, so he could get ready for an appointment tomorrow, and wash his hair, which he said was driving him crazy. Head and Shoulders to the rescue!
It was crazy, but we survived, even if no one stuck around to leave with me once I'd finished giving report to the next crew.
I won't miss the BS at all....come on clinic!
More to come...
First problem: Since it was the boss's first day of vacation, I knew someone would call in sick. Mike, one of our nurse assistants (who will not miss me as a charge nurse) decided to be the one. No surprise, really. Mike likes those extended three-day weekends just like the rest of the slacker patrol and he's made it a habit of taking off the day before and the day after his weekend off, or when I'm in charge.
Second problem: one of our RNs, who has a chronic medical condition gets sick at the beginning of the shift. Docs are called (ours, not hers) and lots of fuss is made over her, because she could have gotten all wigged out on us. I let some of the crew keep her safe while I got the rest of the folks to hold down the fort until the super could determine whether I needed an ambulance or not.
Happily, she was fine within a couple of hours, but was pissed at me once she felt better. I was a witch and changed her assignment, so she had very little chance of potentially hurting any patients. Sure, she was bored, but what choice did I have? Not much. Oh, the joys of lots of CYA documentation!
Finally, I redistributed the load to the rest of the crew and we did well. My patients did well. I was so happy they were cooperating with everything, especially when I took a little longer on my regular rounds.. Even with all that, I still managed to get one in the shower, so he could get ready for an appointment tomorrow, and wash his hair, which he said was driving him crazy. Head and Shoulders to the rescue!
It was crazy, but we survived, even if no one stuck around to leave with me once I'd finished giving report to the next crew.
I won't miss the BS at all....come on clinic!
More to come...
Monday, August 15, 2011
What is old school anyway?
We had a lively discussion about this on a recent evening shift.
What really is "old school nursing"? Does it mean you do your job, then do some more, and walk with the fear of the Almighty in you, that you would never think of whipping out your smartphone and talking for an hour?
Do you really think we need the big woman in whites and the "hat" to come back and tell you if you're not moving that you should be cleaning?
Every shift, I'm beginning to think that. I get so tired of trying to figure out if I have everything I need, that I just bring my "emergency pack" into a room, because I can never expect someone to think ahead, or be nice enough to leave anything in there.
Maybe a little less "There, there" and a little more "Get your arse out of the chair!" would be appropriate.
We can only hope....stay tuned!
What really is "old school nursing"? Does it mean you do your job, then do some more, and walk with the fear of the Almighty in you, that you would never think of whipping out your smartphone and talking for an hour?
Do you really think we need the big woman in whites and the "hat" to come back and tell you if you're not moving that you should be cleaning?
Every shift, I'm beginning to think that. I get so tired of trying to figure out if I have everything I need, that I just bring my "emergency pack" into a room, because I can never expect someone to think ahead, or be nice enough to leave anything in there.
Maybe a little less "There, there" and a little more "Get your arse out of the chair!" would be appropriate.
We can only hope....stay tuned!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
No matter what...
"There's a time and place for everything/For everyone,
We push with all our might,
But nothin's gonna come...
(and then things change...)
...No matter what I say or do/
You know my heart is true/
I can't stop lovin' you."
--Van Halen, "I can't stop lovin' you" 1995
Word to the wise: Rehab nurses are ALWAYS rehab nurses, no matter where they put us!
We push with all our might,
But nothin's gonna come...
(and then things change...)
...No matter what I say or do/
You know my heart is true/
I can't stop lovin' you."
--Van Halen, "I can't stop lovin' you" 1995
Word to the wise: Rehab nurses are ALWAYS rehab nurses, no matter where they put us!
Friday, August 12, 2011
Whiz bang technology
In the form of a temporary tattoo. We could have a lot of fun with these at the Hotel with rehab patients of all sorts.
Maybe I'll send the inventor the boss's name...
Maybe I'll send the inventor the boss's name...
Ready, set...
Go! I flew out of the gate on my latest shift, and it, happily, went smoothly. Everyone cooperated, I got stuff done and for the most part, the warts on the night didn't show.
The genie came out of the bottle. Today I received a letter from HR that I am to report to the clinic for my first day very soon. In fact, it's much sooner than I could have imagined. My boss said, "The big guy did it (pointing to the ceiling)" but it was not a miracle. No, it was the big cheese, the CNO, who made it all happen. When it comes down to brass tacks, as Momma used to say, let the brass do it (or their designees).
I'm in for a wild final run here in the Hotel. Cross your fingers!
The genie came out of the bottle. Today I received a letter from HR that I am to report to the clinic for my first day very soon. In fact, it's much sooner than I could have imagined. My boss said, "The big guy did it (pointing to the ceiling)" but it was not a miracle. No, it was the big cheese, the CNO, who made it all happen. When it comes down to brass tacks, as Momma used to say, let the brass do it (or their designees).
I'm in for a wild final run here in the Hotel. Cross your fingers!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Captain Obvious strikes again
Or he put someone up to this particular article about nurse retention.
Every day, I am more certain that the Captain (and his followers) work in Manglement at the Hotel.
That is all...resume your fun, all. I'm back to homework. Stay tuned!
Every day, I am more certain that the Captain (and his followers) work in Manglement at the Hotel.
That is all...resume your fun, all. I'm back to homework. Stay tuned!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Thank you Susie
Who ever you are. One of our patients owns a bakery and liked the care he got on our unit so much that to repay the nurses, he brings in pastries of all sorts regularly.
The latest one: one of his bakers made a mistake on a huge, chocolate-covered strawberry birthday cake. He put "Happy 50th Birthday Susie" on the cake. Lo and behold, Susie was only turning 40 at her birthday party...oops! It would have made CakeWrecks proud.
So one of our nurses, who's getting ready to retire, volunteered to be Susie (and pulled out the plates), so we could cut the cake. We even sang to her. If only they didn't ban video at the Hotel, or we'd have had a fine one for YouTube.
It was absolutely divine, and as a result, I'll still need to work on doing more 30 minute workouts this week. The agony!
More to come...when Sam brings another cake...stay tuned!
The latest one: one of his bakers made a mistake on a huge, chocolate-covered strawberry birthday cake. He put "Happy 50th Birthday Susie" on the cake. Lo and behold, Susie was only turning 40 at her birthday party...oops! It would have made CakeWrecks proud.
So one of our nurses, who's getting ready to retire, volunteered to be Susie (and pulled out the plates), so we could cut the cake. We even sang to her. If only they didn't ban video at the Hotel, or we'd have had a fine one for YouTube.
It was absolutely divine, and as a result, I'll still need to work on doing more 30 minute workouts this week. The agony!
More to come...when Sam brings another cake...stay tuned!
Monday, August 8, 2011
You know it's Monday when...
"It's a cruel, crazy, beautiful world./Every day you wake up/I hope it's a blue, blue sky." --Johnny Clegg
1. Your patient is the heaviest one on the floor.
2. The first thing you have to do when you walk into the room and say hi, is suction said patient.
3. After that, you have to change the patient's external catheter, since the last shift somehow managed to pull it off. Said patient has a wet pad beneath him.
4. Clean up patient and change pad.
5. Wait for docs to round. Hold bowel routine, 'cause heaven forbid a doctor see a patient who poops whilst they're in the room!
6. Once Dr. HarvardMedSchool gives you crazy orders (like attach dressings without attaching them and you're not using one of these), start bowel routine.
7. Bowel routine over, so bathe patient. Suction again, and again, and again, before shave, after shave, after turning, etc.
8. Feed patient lunch. Suction patient.
9. Be so happy you follow the rules re: isolation gowns in rooms because as you dress patient, patient has a lot of gas, which is accompanied by a moderate amount of loose stool, which sprays bed rail, bed, and some gets on you.
10. Take off gown, wash hands, put on new isolation gown and other assorted PPE, then suction patient again.
11. Get patient dressed, into wheelchair and adjusted. (This takes 30 minutes including cleanup after explosion).
12. Get patient out door.
13. Patient returns in two minutes frothing. Suction again.
14. This time it works, get patient to therapy for evaluation for new wheelchair.
15. Patient is gone for not quite an hour. Lo and behold, the PT inadvertently pulls off external catheter during transfer. Put patient back to bed and clean up.
16. Suction patient again once in bed. Finish cleanup.
17. Dress patient in new clothes. Get patient adjusted then resupply room for next nurse.
18. Give report.
19. Wash wet cushion cover.
20. Go home.
And in between all that, I had 1) other patients and 2) lots of documentation to do.
So glad I eat fast and early! And I'm thrilled my work Monday is over, over, over!
Stay tuned...
1. Your patient is the heaviest one on the floor.
2. The first thing you have to do when you walk into the room and say hi, is suction said patient.
3. After that, you have to change the patient's external catheter, since the last shift somehow managed to pull it off. Said patient has a wet pad beneath him.
4. Clean up patient and change pad.
5. Wait for docs to round. Hold bowel routine, 'cause heaven forbid a doctor see a patient who poops whilst they're in the room!
6. Once Dr. HarvardMedSchool gives you crazy orders (like attach dressings without attaching them and you're not using one of these), start bowel routine.
7. Bowel routine over, so bathe patient. Suction again, and again, and again, before shave, after shave, after turning, etc.
8. Feed patient lunch. Suction patient.
9. Be so happy you follow the rules re: isolation gowns in rooms because as you dress patient, patient has a lot of gas, which is accompanied by a moderate amount of loose stool, which sprays bed rail, bed, and some gets on you.
10. Take off gown, wash hands, put on new isolation gown and other assorted PPE, then suction patient again.
11. Get patient dressed, into wheelchair and adjusted. (This takes 30 minutes including cleanup after explosion).
12. Get patient out door.
13. Patient returns in two minutes frothing. Suction again.
14. This time it works, get patient to therapy for evaluation for new wheelchair.
15. Patient is gone for not quite an hour. Lo and behold, the PT inadvertently pulls off external catheter during transfer. Put patient back to bed and clean up.
16. Suction patient again once in bed. Finish cleanup.
17. Dress patient in new clothes. Get patient adjusted then resupply room for next nurse.
18. Give report.
19. Wash wet cushion cover.
20. Go home.
And in between all that, I had 1) other patients and 2) lots of documentation to do.
So glad I eat fast and early! And I'm thrilled my work Monday is over, over, over!
Stay tuned...
Sunday, August 7, 2011
The weekend draws to a close...
Lots and lots of fun was had by all at the RehabRN household.
I got lots done in the house and started getting ready for the next road trip coming in a few weeks. Travelling partner and I don't have to share a room this time, but we plan on learning AND having fun, even if Manglement makes us give three presentations on our spiel when we get back to the Hotel. We may even let Big Boss buy us lunch this year (he/she ditched us last year in Vegas).
Bubba went to his last baseball games and had a grand old time, hitting and fielding. He even talked Dahey into a bounce-back thingamajig so he can practice all the way up until soccer season. Dahey managed to find it on the local sales board at the grocery store.
WildDog actually got to go outside once or twice, and get spoiled with freshly broiled chicken and the occasional leaf of salad (he loves veggies as much as meat).
So now, I return to chores, until I get another moment of freedom. Stay tuned...
I got lots done in the house and started getting ready for the next road trip coming in a few weeks. Travelling partner and I don't have to share a room this time, but we plan on learning AND having fun, even if Manglement makes us give three presentations on our spiel when we get back to the Hotel. We may even let Big Boss buy us lunch this year (he/she ditched us last year in Vegas).
Bubba went to his last baseball games and had a grand old time, hitting and fielding. He even talked Dahey into a bounce-back thingamajig so he can practice all the way up until soccer season. Dahey managed to find it on the local sales board at the grocery store.
WildDog actually got to go outside once or twice, and get spoiled with freshly broiled chicken and the occasional leaf of salad (he loves veggies as much as meat).
So now, I return to chores, until I get another moment of freedom. Stay tuned...
Friday, August 5, 2011
Coincidence?
I often wonder about some people. When Mr. X, our demented howler, came back from Saint Suburban's acute wing after a bout with urosepsis for rehab, I wondered how did I get so lucky to admit him.
Well, turns out, later in the week, I also got lucky enough to take care of him on my regular shift. Thanks Charge Nurse! Just up my alley...I get (just about) all the people no one wants. I fluffed and buffed him (including shampoo, shave and nail filing), got him up to therapy, got him lots of nice equipment, then bam! He comes back to the unit and says, "My butt itches."
If he wasn't so old, and RehabLand was not so far away, I'd think it was this patient who visited Nurse K in Montana.
I am just so happy I don't get to work this weekend, even if I have to stay home and clean my house. There are worse things to do...
Stay tuned.
Well, turns out, later in the week, I also got lucky enough to take care of him on my regular shift. Thanks Charge Nurse! Just up my alley...I get (just about) all the people no one wants. I fluffed and buffed him (including shampoo, shave and nail filing), got him up to therapy, got him lots of nice equipment, then bam! He comes back to the unit and says, "My butt itches."
If he wasn't so old, and RehabLand was not so far away, I'd think it was this patient who visited Nurse K in Montana.
I am just so happy I don't get to work this weekend, even if I have to stay home and clean my house. There are worse things to do...
Stay tuned.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Patient comments and assorted shenanigans
Ah, being in charge ain't all it's cracked up to be. Here's a few things I had to deal with recently during my time in charge.
Playground politics
Patient needs help, doesn't get it, so he makes a mess. Other patients give him trouble about it. Muttering and rolling around follow up and down the hall.
One nurse solves problem: give patient his own little trash can. No more stuff on floor, and no more complaints from other kiddies.
Common sense...it's amazing! Now if the rest of the staff will pay attention...
Signs of a patient who needs to go home
Patient decides to keep wheelchair, walker (which he can't use anymore) and other wheelchair in his room. Problem: he has two other roommates and we don't allow wheelchairs in rooms overnight due to safety hazards (mainly for staff). Patient throws fit when I try to take the last wheelchair out of room, and he barricades it in a corner so far that I would have to rearrange furniture to get it out, turning on all the lights and possibly calling security.
Decision: bounce ball back to nurse manager...make her decide. The night crew did not need anymore excitement, thankyouverymuch!
Yes, I miss you too
Patient X (who was recently admitted), "I thought you didn't work here anymore?"
Me: "No still work here, you just saw me on the SU, when you went to the clinic."
Patient X: "Oh, that's why you were there."
Me: "Yep. Any questions?"
Stay tuned...
Playground politics
Patient needs help, doesn't get it, so he makes a mess. Other patients give him trouble about it. Muttering and rolling around follow up and down the hall.
One nurse solves problem: give patient his own little trash can. No more stuff on floor, and no more complaints from other kiddies.
Common sense...it's amazing! Now if the rest of the staff will pay attention...
Signs of a patient who needs to go home
Patient decides to keep wheelchair, walker (which he can't use anymore) and other wheelchair in his room. Problem: he has two other roommates and we don't allow wheelchairs in rooms overnight due to safety hazards (mainly for staff). Patient throws fit when I try to take the last wheelchair out of room, and he barricades it in a corner so far that I would have to rearrange furniture to get it out, turning on all the lights and possibly calling security.
Decision: bounce ball back to nurse manager...make her decide. The night crew did not need anymore excitement, thankyouverymuch!
Yes, I miss you too
Patient X (who was recently admitted), "I thought you didn't work here anymore?"
Me: "No still work here, you just saw me on the SU, when you went to the clinic."
Patient X: "Oh, that's why you were there."
Me: "Yep. Any questions?"
Stay tuned...
Happiness abounds...
When you get lucky and some people actually want to work overtime. I was aghast when Madame Butterfly, one of our night shift nurses, called in sick. She left me in a lurch until another nurse (who wanted our rare OT) came in so I could go home.
Yes, I am a happy camper!
Yes, I am a happy camper!
Monday, August 1, 2011
Catastrophe and chicanery
It never fails...the Hotel doesn't change.
Who else would put up with one person who constantly talks about being on the "team" and working together and then when the team needs him/her the most, because two of the folks working have very close relatives who have had 1) a stroke and 2) mental status changes after hitting their head, calls in sick leaving the crew horribly short?
Another one of our nurses has sciatica (and a few other medical conditions) so bad that he/she cannot stand to work.
At least, it was pleasant while I worked. Everyone who could, including "Mr/Ms. Team" showed up. I'm just hoping none of our other employees get any ideas about calling in sick while I'm in charge!
Stay tuned...it's one drama after another at the Hotel Rehab.
Who else would put up with one person who constantly talks about being on the "team" and working together and then when the team needs him/her the most, because two of the folks working have very close relatives who have had 1) a stroke and 2) mental status changes after hitting their head, calls in sick leaving the crew horribly short?
Another one of our nurses has sciatica (and a few other medical conditions) so bad that he/she cannot stand to work.
At least, it was pleasant while I worked. Everyone who could, including "Mr/Ms. Team" showed up. I'm just hoping none of our other employees get any ideas about calling in sick while I'm in charge!
Stay tuned...it's one drama after another at the Hotel Rehab.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Savoring the last moments...
Of vacation until I go back to work. So I'm taking my self on in...and this is really what you're gettin', kiddos!
More to come...stay tuned.
More to come...stay tuned.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
The joys of teamwork
I don't know how my coworker J. kept all the balls in the air when managing projects for our little tech team at BehemothConsumerProducts, where I worked at many moons ago, but I certainly appreciate it now.
Lately, I've been taking on that role in my graduate school classes, which, incidentally, require at least one team project per semester. Add to the excitement: all the members of the team are not necessarily in the same state, or even country. Ah, the joys of online learning.
Nevertheless, I orchestrated a beautiful team plan, divvied out all the tasks and organized meetings online and via phone when needed. I even posted our completed project ahead of the required time.
And while I was enjoying myself at a long awaited celebration with one of my nurse friends, one of the teammates got wigged out over one little thing.
Happily, I was able to smooth it over with the instructor, and get everything settled.
Only one thing remains: said nurse needs a psych consult. I can't diagnose it, but someone definitely may need a prescribed chill pill.
So glad the semester is over. CJ, one of my other classmates, an escaped rehab nurse from down south (now a tech trainer), and I celebrated by phone, by lifting our well-deserved glasses of pinot grigio in our respective places.We survived another semester of grad school. Happy, happy, happy.
And now I return to the last full day of vacation. Reality hits again next week...hope I'm ready.
Lately, I've been taking on that role in my graduate school classes, which, incidentally, require at least one team project per semester. Add to the excitement: all the members of the team are not necessarily in the same state, or even country. Ah, the joys of online learning.
Nevertheless, I orchestrated a beautiful team plan, divvied out all the tasks and organized meetings online and via phone when needed. I even posted our completed project ahead of the required time.
And while I was enjoying myself at a long awaited celebration with one of my nurse friends, one of the teammates got wigged out over one little thing.
Happily, I was able to smooth it over with the instructor, and get everything settled.
Only one thing remains: said nurse needs a psych consult. I can't diagnose it, but someone definitely may need a prescribed chill pill.
So glad the semester is over. CJ, one of my other classmates, an escaped rehab nurse from down south (now a tech trainer), and I celebrated by phone, by lifting our well-deserved glasses of pinot grigio in our respective places.We survived another semester of grad school. Happy, happy, happy.
And now I return to the last full day of vacation. Reality hits again next week...hope I'm ready.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
When in Rome
I would have gone if they would have let me have a longer vacation, but alas, they would not. So to slake my thirst for something Italian, I hopped in the auto and drove a ways to the Italian neighborhood of BigTown nearby.
I love this Italian neighborhood because everything is close. You park on one street and you can literally walk along the business district from one end to another in a pleasant walk, passing schools, the local church and lots of neighborhood homes, most small but neat and tidy, with little Madonnas and tri-colors in the front yards and the occasional "Beware of dog" signs in Italian.
First, I stopped for lunch at one of the sandwich places. It wasn't crowded, but the gaggle of screaming kids with two harried ladies nearly gave me indigestion. I like the guys who own the place, so I was happy with my lunch.
Next, I strolled down to the stores. I passed a couple of bakeries and grocery stores getting their deliveries. Good thing I wasn't here yesterday, or I'd have been run over by the mass of humanity that seems to show up on Wednesdays.
After that I headed over to the salumeria, which is world-famous because several Brat Packers had standing orders from this place because Frank Sinatra discovered it on a concert trip. It's a real hole in the wall, but an actual meat factory that sells all over the world. I had an interesting conversation with the lady at the counter over Abruzzese and Calabrese sausage. Yes, everything south of Milano is southern to the Lombards, and one day, I'll get to a restaurant that appreciates the difference.
I headed out with my sausages and took a break at the corner coffee store, which also happens to roast and sell coffee commercially. One of the employees was roasting a batch, so I sat in the front window seat and watched, as the drone of the roaster provided some nice, soothing white noise. The smell was delightful. I got a cup and a spicy chocolate biscotti and soaked up some sunshine in the front window (which wasn't as horribly hot as outside).
It was a relaxing way to end my trip to the Italian neighborhood. One of these days, hopefully, I'll be on my way to the old country...
I love this Italian neighborhood because everything is close. You park on one street and you can literally walk along the business district from one end to another in a pleasant walk, passing schools, the local church and lots of neighborhood homes, most small but neat and tidy, with little Madonnas and tri-colors in the front yards and the occasional "Beware of dog" signs in Italian.
First, I stopped for lunch at one of the sandwich places. It wasn't crowded, but the gaggle of screaming kids with two harried ladies nearly gave me indigestion. I like the guys who own the place, so I was happy with my lunch.
Next, I strolled down to the stores. I passed a couple of bakeries and grocery stores getting their deliveries. Good thing I wasn't here yesterday, or I'd have been run over by the mass of humanity that seems to show up on Wednesdays.
After that I headed over to the salumeria, which is world-famous because several Brat Packers had standing orders from this place because Frank Sinatra discovered it on a concert trip. It's a real hole in the wall, but an actual meat factory that sells all over the world. I had an interesting conversation with the lady at the counter over Abruzzese and Calabrese sausage. Yes, everything south of Milano is southern to the Lombards, and one day, I'll get to a restaurant that appreciates the difference.
I headed out with my sausages and took a break at the corner coffee store, which also happens to roast and sell coffee commercially. One of the employees was roasting a batch, so I sat in the front window seat and watched, as the drone of the roaster provided some nice, soothing white noise. The smell was delightful. I got a cup and a spicy chocolate biscotti and soaked up some sunshine in the front window (which wasn't as horribly hot as outside).
It was a relaxing way to end my trip to the Italian neighborhood. One of these days, hopefully, I'll be on my way to the old country...
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Heat and furry friends
Yes, in summertime in these parts, you always hear stories about people leaving their dogs (and sometimes their kids) in the car "for just a minute."
Since WildDog is getting older and belongs to the Loyal Order of Double-Coated Dogs he needed a good bath and grooming.
He now looks a lot lighter, and he's happy he's escaped those groomers, even though they were very nice.
I bribed him with cookies before and after. I'm just hoping he doesn't leave as many hair clumps all around the house.
Since WildDog is getting older and belongs to the Loyal Order of Double-Coated Dogs he needed a good bath and grooming.
He now looks a lot lighter, and he's happy he's escaped those groomers, even though they were very nice.
I bribed him with cookies before and after. I'm just hoping he doesn't leave as many hair clumps all around the house.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Misspent youth
It's not too far off
It's not exactly the same but Old MD Girl must have been at the Hotel recently. I really hate cases like these.
My favorite quote recently about one of our patients sent to our hospice unit at Madison: "Well hospice thought that patient we sent them would die faster."
Last time I checked purposely ending someone's life was a crime. Hmm, guess hospice doesn't want to do end-of-life care anymore unless you're DOA. Makes things easier on staff. Yeah, right....
My favorite quote recently about one of our patients sent to our hospice unit at Madison: "Well hospice thought that patient we sent them would die faster."
Last time I checked purposely ending someone's life was a crime. Hmm, guess hospice doesn't want to do end-of-life care anymore unless you're DOA. Makes things easier on staff. Yeah, right....
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Memories for me, too
My least favorite thing
As a nurse, revolves around a body product. Yes, I deal with pee, poop, blood and sputum all the time, but my Achilles heel (in the right context) is emesis.
That regular ol' vomit will send yours truly to sick bay in the right circumstances. Alas, sometimes those rascally patients will do it once in a while.
So at work the other day, at the nurses' station, I was talking to the charge nurse and a few others about these Achilles heel issues we have.
Charge nurse: "Oh, I just can't do sputum. Coughing, spitting...yuck!" To Mr. J., one of our characters with a trach who hangs out at the nurses' station to catch up on gossip between therapies, "J., I know I've known you for years, but you'd better not cough anything over here or else." J. just rolled his eyes and went somewhere else, since we started grossing him out. Obviously, no gossip was going to be discussed.
Newbie nurse: "I worry about someone having an arterial bleed. That much blood is scary. What if I pass out and can't hold pressure anymore?"
Our most experienced rehab NP: "RehabRN, did I ever tell you about when I worked at the kids camp one summer before cell phones? (this automatically piques the interest of the junior nurses, who can't imagine life without one.)"
"I had a kid with a high temp that wouldn't go down whatever I did. I was really worried about him, so I called the parents at camp and told them what ER I was taking Johnny to. On my way out of camp, my husband Bob was driving in, per usual. I rolled down the window, told him what was going on and that he could stay or follow me."
"I thought Bob elected to stay back at camp, so I kept going to the ER. All of a sudden, Johnny says, 'My stomach really hurts, I think I'm going to be sick.' So I pull over to the side of the road, and he opens door."
"What I didn't know, was that Bob decided to follow me, stop once he saw me pull over, then approach the passenger's side of the car. Kid then proceeded to vomit all over Bob once he opened the door."
"Needless to say, Bob doesn't approach the car from the passenger's side of the car anymore."
Lessons learned: Listen to your experienced NP wife, get a cell phone, and never assume anything with kids.
(BTW this post was inspired by NurseXY's comment about his sick kid. Hope you have a great vacation, dude, with little to no more vomit in store!)
That regular ol' vomit will send yours truly to sick bay in the right circumstances. Alas, sometimes those rascally patients will do it once in a while.
So at work the other day, at the nurses' station, I was talking to the charge nurse and a few others about these Achilles heel issues we have.
Charge nurse: "Oh, I just can't do sputum. Coughing, spitting...yuck!" To Mr. J., one of our characters with a trach who hangs out at the nurses' station to catch up on gossip between therapies, "J., I know I've known you for years, but you'd better not cough anything over here or else." J. just rolled his eyes and went somewhere else, since we started grossing him out. Obviously, no gossip was going to be discussed.
Newbie nurse: "I worry about someone having an arterial bleed. That much blood is scary. What if I pass out and can't hold pressure anymore?"
Our most experienced rehab NP: "RehabRN, did I ever tell you about when I worked at the kids camp one summer before cell phones? (this automatically piques the interest of the junior nurses, who can't imagine life without one.)"
"I had a kid with a high temp that wouldn't go down whatever I did. I was really worried about him, so I called the parents at camp and told them what ER I was taking Johnny to. On my way out of camp, my husband Bob was driving in, per usual. I rolled down the window, told him what was going on and that he could stay or follow me."
"I thought Bob elected to stay back at camp, so I kept going to the ER. All of a sudden, Johnny says, 'My stomach really hurts, I think I'm going to be sick.' So I pull over to the side of the road, and he opens door."
"What I didn't know, was that Bob decided to follow me, stop once he saw me pull over, then approach the passenger's side of the car. Kid then proceeded to vomit all over Bob once he opened the door."
"Needless to say, Bob doesn't approach the car from the passenger's side of the car anymore."
Lessons learned: Listen to your experienced NP wife, get a cell phone, and never assume anything with kids.
(BTW this post was inspired by NurseXY's comment about his sick kid. Hope you have a great vacation, dude, with little to no more vomit in store!)
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Shoulda gone to Rehab
Not mine, but down the way. In some ways, drug rehabilitation is way harder than physical rehab.
RIP Amy Winehouse. Death is a horrible way to get rid of the demons.
RIP Amy Winehouse. Death is a horrible way to get rid of the demons.
Developing a good reputation...
Takes more time and effort than a bad one. Working hard daily with your patients to develop a system that works really is work, even though Manglement may not reward you for it.
So, you have to go out and motivate yourself, even if no one else will.
Per Hotel policy and procedure, I had to fill out extra paperwork for a free CE thing I'm doing, but I figured while I was at it, I may as well let the boss's boss know what I'm up to. Yes, I am getting my master's degree. Yes, I am a certified specialty nurse, and yes, I need to do these CE things (including out-of-town ones that I get scholarships to attend).
Stepping outside of my little box on my little unit at the Hotel helps me to do that...and see the country.
And I take pride in developing a good reputation, even if it's a little inconvenient on occasion. My patients deserve it.
Thanks so much Mr. I. for saying I was your "number one nurse" while you stayed with us when I packed you up ready to go. I work hard to earn that reputation from you, and all my patients.
So, you have to go out and motivate yourself, even if no one else will.
Per Hotel policy and procedure, I had to fill out extra paperwork for a free CE thing I'm doing, but I figured while I was at it, I may as well let the boss's boss know what I'm up to. Yes, I am getting my master's degree. Yes, I am a certified specialty nurse, and yes, I need to do these CE things (including out-of-town ones that I get scholarships to attend).
Stepping outside of my little box on my little unit at the Hotel helps me to do that...and see the country.
And I take pride in developing a good reputation, even if it's a little inconvenient on occasion. My patients deserve it.
Thanks so much Mr. I. for saying I was your "number one nurse" while you stayed with us when I packed you up ready to go. I work hard to earn that reputation from you, and all my patients.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Time to celebrate
And relish in doing nothing....for a whole week if I want.
This joy is vacation and I'll take every second I can get!
More to come!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
How to tell if your boss is an idiot, part 2
Or how to tell if your boss and his/her boss are not getting along.
Since Madison requires that nurses transferring to the clinic I'm going to be oriented and trained by our crack corporate training staff (Employee Edu-mucation), I told my boss once I found out what the training schedule was, as this needs to be completed soon.
1.Send e-mail to boss. Boss says "Sure, go right ahead." (which is totally unusual, since Boss doesn't usually act like he/she cares about anything right away.
2. Read this e-mail. All is good. Will talk to admin person (who coordinates all the details) in morning.
3. No, boss comes out and says "Read your e-mail." His/her boss says, "No way are you just going to that training. You have to submit Form X to Committee Y and get approval from Director Z before you can even think about going to that."
And the final line (after Boss's boss CC's the corporate training director, chief nurse and other minions -- 4 in all).
4. Boss's boss says, "Please fill out form X and send in ASAP so we can get this done."
5. Needless to say, once I looked down from the computer, I noticed it was time to go home. And so I left this paper for another day...
Stay tuned ...
Since Madison requires that nurses transferring to the clinic I'm going to be oriented and trained by our crack corporate training staff (Employee Edu-mucation), I told my boss once I found out what the training schedule was, as this needs to be completed soon.
1.Send e-mail to boss. Boss says "Sure, go right ahead." (which is totally unusual, since Boss doesn't usually act like he/she cares about anything right away.
2. Read this e-mail. All is good. Will talk to admin person (who coordinates all the details) in morning.
3. No, boss comes out and says "Read your e-mail." His/her boss says, "No way are you just going to that training. You have to submit Form X to Committee Y and get approval from Director Z before you can even think about going to that."
And the final line (after Boss's boss CC's the corporate training director, chief nurse and other minions -- 4 in all).
4. Boss's boss says, "Please fill out form X and send in ASAP so we can get this done."
5. Needless to say, once I looked down from the computer, I noticed it was time to go home. And so I left this paper for another day...
Stay tuned ...
Dear Mr. Poikilothermic
Dear Mr. P.:
I love you to death because, despite the loss of voice you occasionally have, you are so darned snarky and funny that you make me laugh.
But since it is over One Hundred degrees here in RehabLand, I must have the air conditioning on in your room. As Dad used to say, "You can always put on a sweater, but can't take one off if you don't have it." I wish we had rules on what the temps could be.
So here's your blanket, so I don't melt into a puddle in your room with my gown, gloves and other assorteds on, because I will if you keep that thermostat above 85 degrees again.
Sincerely (unless I melt into a puddle, then deal's off),
RehabRN
I love you to death because, despite the loss of voice you occasionally have, you are so darned snarky and funny that you make me laugh.
But since it is over One Hundred degrees here in RehabLand, I must have the air conditioning on in your room. As Dad used to say, "You can always put on a sweater, but can't take one off if you don't have it." I wish we had rules on what the temps could be.
So here's your blanket, so I don't melt into a puddle in your room with my gown, gloves and other assorteds on, because I will if you keep that thermostat above 85 degrees again.
Sincerely (unless I melt into a puddle, then deal's off),
RehabRN
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Just when you think you've seen everything...
Something completely different happens. We got a person who came onto the unit at the Hotel who asked to be "checked in" right at dinner time. Rehab is not a unit people just typically appear on, so this was the first red flag.
Patient then says, "Oh, I was over in the unit down the way over 10 years ago. Can I just go back?" Patient then describes an experience between psych and drug rehab (they mistake us all the time--no surprise when the word "rehab" is on the sign). I call the supervisor who asks me, "Do you think he's a mental health patient?" Yes, I reply without belying that the super has asked if he has suicidal ideation, which he did not.
Thankfully, I managed to get walk-on to the ER, where I later found out that he told them a different story. He was indeed suicidal, so he won a free trip to the psych unit. Not sure if he'll rehab or not at our lovely Hotel, but if he does, I'm sure he'll see the drug rehab folks, and not the physical rehab folks that I'm used to working with here on our unit.
Sometimes people just want to go home again at your hospital.
Stay tuned...
Patient then says, "Oh, I was over in the unit down the way over 10 years ago. Can I just go back?" Patient then describes an experience between psych and drug rehab (they mistake us all the time--no surprise when the word "rehab" is on the sign). I call the supervisor who asks me, "Do you think he's a mental health patient?" Yes, I reply without belying that the super has asked if he has suicidal ideation, which he did not.
Thankfully, I managed to get walk-on to the ER, where I later found out that he told them a different story. He was indeed suicidal, so he won a free trip to the psych unit. Not sure if he'll rehab or not at our lovely Hotel, but if he does, I'm sure he'll see the drug rehab folks, and not the physical rehab folks that I'm used to working with here on our unit.
Sometimes people just want to go home again at your hospital.
Stay tuned...
Monday, July 18, 2011
How to tell if your boss is an idiot, part 1
Yes, more and more, either he/she's got amnesia or needs a vacation, I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion that my boss is a first-class idiot.
Case in point: recall the post about uncompensated training recently? Guess what? I can be compensated per rule #xx in the handbook.
Our person who normally handles this is out of the office (on vacation) but the chirpy HR lady they switched me to at Central HR said, "Yep. If he/she can't let you use that comp time for a day off, you get your OT."
I e-mail this and proposed clinic training plan to boss.
His/her response: "Really?"
So glad I'm not working or I'd bang my head firmly into the wall...over and over. Just makes me wonder what else he/she's been messing up in the mean time.
More to come...it's one thing after another here at the Hotel!
Case in point: recall the post about uncompensated training recently? Guess what? I can be compensated per rule #xx in the handbook.
Our person who normally handles this is out of the office (on vacation) but the chirpy HR lady they switched me to at Central HR said, "Yep. If he/she can't let you use that comp time for a day off, you get your OT."
I e-mail this and proposed clinic training plan to boss.
His/her response: "Really?"
So glad I'm not working or I'd bang my head firmly into the wall...over and over. Just makes me wonder what else he/she's been messing up in the mean time.
More to come...it's one thing after another here at the Hotel!
Some things I wish I didn't know about...
1. An older nurse at work and her sexual escapades with other staff and patients. Surprisingly, she's still working with us, which is a whole other ball of wax as my Grandpappy used to say.
2. What happens when a prostate cancer patient has a bowel impaction and you have to digitally remove it.
3. That my favorite classmate from nursing school has cancer. I wish I could just make it go away.
More later...
2. What happens when a prostate cancer patient has a bowel impaction and you have to digitally remove it.
3. That my favorite classmate from nursing school has cancer. I wish I could just make it go away.
More later...
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Transitions, part 1
How hard is it? Plenty, when you're dealing with Manglement at the Hotel.
Here's my transition plan as of this week:
1. Get e-mail from Second-in-command Assistant Chief Nurse Mangler:
Go right ahead and see X, since she's been running the clinic while we've been waiting for you to get hired. We'll let you know when your start date is later, because we're waiting for people to come back from sick leave and the new hires to start.
2. I discuss specifics with my department Nurse Mangler.
NM: "Sure. Set up time with X and let me know what's going on."
3. I call X, set up appointment, come in on day off. I have to do this since NM can't possibly let me leave for a minute to go up two floors to see X for one hour, even though some of his/her favorites park in the cafeteria three blocks away while on duty for longer time periods than that.
NM is okay with this plan and it's confirmed via e-mail and verbally by conversation in hall with several witnesses present.
4. Meet X on my day off and get items I need to set up for a learning plan in the Hotels' Learning System. Total time for this, including printout of manual: two hours. As a result of this meeting, also advise NM that I have to attend another quarterly department meeting this week before I work an evening shift.
NM: Fine, just get to work on time.
5. Now after investing this much time in meetings, learning plan setup, etc., NM tells me I will not be compensated for my time to attend meetings, etc., until I start in the new position (which is the same department, but a different "cost center" per accounting.) Otherwise, "if I let you off for comp time, you're stealing time from this unit." (yes, this was a direct quote)
6. WTF?! Express "concern about lack of compensation" with a straight face and proceed to assemble everything for HR.
7. Notify X that I will have to start training later, which sets off its own cascade of idiocy all the way up to the boss of the center.
8. Get call from center boss. Center boss says "hold tight and we'll straighten this out. You won't lose anything"
And they wonder why people are so frustrated! If this was not my dream job, I'd run straight out the door.
Stay tuned for the continuing saga, because drama at the Hotel is new everyday.
Here's my transition plan as of this week:
1. Get e-mail from Second-in-command Assistant Chief Nurse Mangler:
Go right ahead and see X, since she's been running the clinic while we've been waiting for you to get hired. We'll let you know when your start date is later, because we're waiting for people to come back from sick leave and the new hires to start.
2. I discuss specifics with my department Nurse Mangler.
NM: "Sure. Set up time with X and let me know what's going on."
3. I call X, set up appointment, come in on day off. I have to do this since NM can't possibly let me leave for a minute to go up two floors to see X for one hour, even though some of his/her favorites park in the cafeteria three blocks away while on duty for longer time periods than that.
NM is okay with this plan and it's confirmed via e-mail and verbally by conversation in hall with several witnesses present.
4. Meet X on my day off and get items I need to set up for a learning plan in the Hotels' Learning System. Total time for this, including printout of manual: two hours. As a result of this meeting, also advise NM that I have to attend another quarterly department meeting this week before I work an evening shift.
NM: Fine, just get to work on time.
5. Now after investing this much time in meetings, learning plan setup, etc., NM tells me I will not be compensated for my time to attend meetings, etc., until I start in the new position (which is the same department, but a different "cost center" per accounting.) Otherwise, "if I let you off for comp time, you're stealing time from this unit." (yes, this was a direct quote)
6. WTF?! Express "concern about lack of compensation" with a straight face and proceed to assemble everything for HR.
7. Notify X that I will have to start training later, which sets off its own cascade of idiocy all the way up to the boss of the center.
8. Get call from center boss. Center boss says "hold tight and we'll straighten this out. You won't lose anything"
And they wonder why people are so frustrated! If this was not my dream job, I'd run straight out the door.
Stay tuned for the continuing saga, because drama at the Hotel is new everyday.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
I see friends shaking hands
Saying "How do you do?"
They're really saying,
"I love you"
-Louis Armstrong "What a wonderful world"
Yes, friends, it really is a beautiful world, Manglement or not. This is one of Bubba's favorite songs. Who would believe I'm the mother of a boy who loves the "really old stuff" as he calls it. I heard, "Mama, play Louie" more than once this weekend while riding around town.
Enjoy the day! I will, rain or shine.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Things that make me smile
Yes, even though some of our nurses say we should not nominate people for department awards for doing the little things as part of their job, it is the little things that people remember. It brings back all those lectures on servant leadership. Keeping things stocked and thinking of the nurse who follows you are two things that were impressed upon me in my first nursing job, and yes, it is everybody's business.
And as a result, the things that have made me smile recently during all this Manglement madness have been the little things.
1. Patient X goes home and calls me recently from a restaurant we talked about all during his stay. I even got the lowdown on the daily special.
2. Patients who say "please" and "thank you". There are just too many barbarians who have forgotten their manners. Mr. X., thank you for thinking of me and being polite, even when many of your other fellow patients do not do the same.
3. Dr. F. brought us all goodies this week. It made us feel important, too.
4. And finally, one of my patients came back to the unit, We had a really nice chat and I told him about his old roommate sending us a card, which was posted on our bulletin board. Before he left, he told me, "You know, I miss seeing you. You are the best."
Thanks Mr. D., and so are you. We loved the candy, even if it means another mile on the treadmill for me.
Stay tuned.
And as a result, the things that have made me smile recently during all this Manglement madness have been the little things.
1. Patient X goes home and calls me recently from a restaurant we talked about all during his stay. I even got the lowdown on the daily special.
2. Patients who say "please" and "thank you". There are just too many barbarians who have forgotten their manners. Mr. X., thank you for thinking of me and being polite, even when many of your other fellow patients do not do the same.
3. Dr. F. brought us all goodies this week. It made us feel important, too.
4. And finally, one of my patients came back to the unit, We had a really nice chat and I told him about his old roommate sending us a card, which was posted on our bulletin board. Before he left, he told me, "You know, I miss seeing you. You are the best."
Thanks Mr. D., and so are you. We loved the candy, even if it means another mile on the treadmill for me.
Stay tuned.
Monday, July 11, 2011
If it was good today...
On a Monday, what, oh, what will it be like tomorrow?
At this point, I don't mind that Monday breezed by. It was lovely. Patients were happy and did as they pleased with relatively little irritations for the nurses or the medical staff.
We did have some weirdness go on. Check out the following and see what you'd do.
Supplies, supplies, supplies.
Searching for them has been the story of our charge nurse's life. She spends way too much time being the unit purchasing and acquisitions agent.
Per usual on Monday morning, she gets her list and send it to the supply folks. Here are a couple of things on the list and what we got:
If the Manglement calls this quality, I'd hate to see what they call disaster!
Stay tuned...never a dull moment at the Hotel!
At this point, I don't mind that Monday breezed by. It was lovely. Patients were happy and did as they pleased with relatively little irritations for the nurses or the medical staff.
We did have some weirdness go on. Check out the following and see what you'd do.
Supplies, supplies, supplies.
Searching for them has been the story of our charge nurse's life. She spends way too much time being the unit purchasing and acquisitions agent.
Per usual on Monday morning, she gets her list and send it to the supply folks. Here are a couple of things on the list and what we got:
- tracheal suction kits: asked for 24 (for all our patients on trachs --about 4, so 6 per patient); got 4 kits.
- trach care kits: asked for 4 patient's worth, got one. One lousy trach care kit. I say we make the patients (or their nurses) arm wrestle for it!
- catheter bags (one for every current inhabitant with one--approximately 8 patients). What did we get? Three.
If the Manglement calls this quality, I'd hate to see what they call disaster!
Stay tuned...never a dull moment at the Hotel!
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Adios, arrivederci, sayonara
Middle age is when work is a lot less fun and fun is a lot more work. ~Author Unknown
We've got just about the average number of baby boomer nurses who are eligible to retire soon, and since Manglement is being so kind, a couple have taken them up on their offers. Two so far have announced they're retiring, and those two alone have 75 years of combined experience in a variety of bedside settings, including the last 10 in rehab.
It also helps that Manglement is threatening to upend the Hotel and send all the specialty nurses floating here, there and everywhere since they're saving money by not hiring anyone. This is sending morale into the crapper, even in the units that traditionally have been extremely happy. Many are just sick and tired of all the idiocy of nurses in Manglement who haven't seen a live patient in a floor setting in years coming out of the woodwork and saying, "Just do more with less."
Less is certainly what they're getting out of some of the folks who work at our satellite hospitals. It is just sad.
Maybe one day, the nurse execs will lose their bonuses over it for all the turnover, but I'm not holding my breath.
It's getting pretty unsafe in these here parts...can't wait to move to the new office, if and when they can get all the construction done. Stay tuned.
We've got just about the average number of baby boomer nurses who are eligible to retire soon, and since Manglement is being so kind, a couple have taken them up on their offers. Two so far have announced they're retiring, and those two alone have 75 years of combined experience in a variety of bedside settings, including the last 10 in rehab.
It also helps that Manglement is threatening to upend the Hotel and send all the specialty nurses floating here, there and everywhere since they're saving money by not hiring anyone. This is sending morale into the crapper, even in the units that traditionally have been extremely happy. Many are just sick and tired of all the idiocy of nurses in Manglement who haven't seen a live patient in a floor setting in years coming out of the woodwork and saying, "Just do more with less."
Less is certainly what they're getting out of some of the folks who work at our satellite hospitals. It is just sad.
Maybe one day, the nurse execs will lose their bonuses over it for all the turnover, but I'm not holding my breath.
It's getting pretty unsafe in these here parts...can't wait to move to the new office, if and when they can get all the construction done. Stay tuned.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
A truly new economy
I saw this article while I was online today and thought about another article I read recently, which said, "Welcome to the new economy."
It certainly seems like a different kind of idea to me. If you can have a nurse case manager or life care planner, why not a paid cemetery visitor?
Just sayin'...more to come. You never know what will show up in the news.
It certainly seems like a different kind of idea to me. If you can have a nurse case manager or life care planner, why not a paid cemetery visitor?
Just sayin'...more to come. You never know what will show up in the news.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Grandstanding
Dear Wannabe Lazy Grandstander:
Some people just don't get it. Working as a team does not mean showing off to the management, unions and the like to look like "you're so into everything."
No, it just shows how much you only think about yourself, when you attend multiple meetings instead of taking another shift's place so they may attend the meeting you already sat through once. How coincidental, since someone else gets to do all your work!
There is an I in our team, (you) and here's hoping someone erases it from the list one of these days. Then it will really BE all about you.
Sincerely not,
RehabRN
Some people just don't get it. Working as a team does not mean showing off to the management, unions and the like to look like "you're so into everything."
No, it just shows how much you only think about yourself, when you attend multiple meetings instead of taking another shift's place so they may attend the meeting you already sat through once. How coincidental, since someone else gets to do all your work!
There is an I in our team, (you) and here's hoping someone erases it from the list one of these days. Then it will really BE all about you.
Sincerely not,
RehabRN
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
A judgment for today...
Punishment is now unfashionable... because it creates moral distinctions among men, which, to the democratic mind, are odious. We prefer a meaningless collective guilt to a meaningful individual responsibility. ~Thomas Szasz
One of me favorites...
Oh, the days of the Kerry dancing
Oh, the ring of the piper's tune
Oh, for one of those hours of gladness
Gone, alas, like our youth, too soon.
When the boys began to gather
In the glen of a summer's night
And the Kerry piper's tuning
Made us long with wild delight!
Oh, to think of it
Oh, to dream of it
Fills my heart with tears!
Monday, July 4, 2011
Happy Fourth of July
Happy Independence Day, America!
And I never realized until today that there are so many verses to this song. Read and enjoy!
America the Beautiful
Words by Katharine Lee Bates,
Melody by Samuel Ward
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare of freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!
O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for halcyon skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the enameled plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till souls wax fair as earth and air
And music-hearted sea!
O beautiful for pilgrims feet,
Whose stem impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till paths be wrought through
wilds of thought
By pilgrim foot and knee!
O beautiful for glory-tale
Of liberating strife
When once and twice,
for man's avail
Men lavished precious life!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till selfish gain no longer stain
The banner of the free!
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till nobler men keep once again
Thy whiter jubilee!
And I never realized until today that there are so many verses to this song. Read and enjoy!
Words by Katharine Lee Bates,
Melody by Samuel Ward
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare of freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!
O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for halcyon skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the enameled plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till souls wax fair as earth and air
And music-hearted sea!
O beautiful for pilgrims feet,
Whose stem impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till paths be wrought through
wilds of thought
By pilgrim foot and knee!
O beautiful for glory-tale
Of liberating strife
When once and twice,
for man's avail
Men lavished precious life!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till selfish gain no longer stain
The banner of the free!
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till nobler men keep once again
Thy whiter jubilee!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Holiday fun
We could hear and even see some of the fireworks from the park down the street if you went outside. That was the closest I'll get to 4th of July festivities, since I'm working at the Hotel.
For the most part, the headaches are subsiding. I'll just chalk it all up to allergies to something. I've been taking all my meds religiously and adding a couple of OTC ones as needed. I hate doing it, but I also hate having a stopped up head and ears.
So far, besides Manglement issues, there's been no trouble at the Hotel. We can only wait for what happens next. I hope I'm spared some of the drama, but suspect I will have to deal with it soon enough. The great halcyon days of the Hotel are most likely over. It's just going to be interesting to see the kicking, screaming and jockeying that comes next.
Stay tuned...gotta enjoy the moments before it all starts again.
For the most part, the headaches are subsiding. I'll just chalk it all up to allergies to something. I've been taking all my meds religiously and adding a couple of OTC ones as needed. I hate doing it, but I also hate having a stopped up head and ears.
So far, besides Manglement issues, there's been no trouble at the Hotel. We can only wait for what happens next. I hope I'm spared some of the drama, but suspect I will have to deal with it soon enough. The great halcyon days of the Hotel are most likely over. It's just going to be interesting to see the kicking, screaming and jockeying that comes next.
Stay tuned...gotta enjoy the moments before it all starts again.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Corporate mayhem
Sure, you can work for a non-profit hospital, but yes, you can have corporate mayhem. That's been happening at the Hotel.
Upper Manglement has decided that we'll have some "town hall meetings" to make us aware of some changes coming down the pike, and none of the rumored changes are good. Census is down and costs are up. Our chief hospital honcho is coming down for not one, but multiple meetings and the rumored agenda involves funding, staffing, unit management and even a few transfers. No one knows the real agenda, but we've been told to be ready for anything, and be specific.
As a former corporate worker bee, I'm teaching my coworkers how to create opportunities--use talking points. No, I'm not Norma Rae, but after patients, nurses working in the front lines of healthcare keep the rest of the house open. Without 24/7 nursing staff, hospitals cannot run. So I'm prepping people who one of our senior nurses has asked to speak with talking points. It's like Toastmasters all over again. I finally have a use for all those note cards I couldn't use in nursing school.
It should be an interesting week! Stay tuned.
Upper Manglement has decided that we'll have some "town hall meetings" to make us aware of some changes coming down the pike, and none of the rumored changes are good. Census is down and costs are up. Our chief hospital honcho is coming down for not one, but multiple meetings and the rumored agenda involves funding, staffing, unit management and even a few transfers. No one knows the real agenda, but we've been told to be ready for anything, and be specific.
As a former corporate worker bee, I'm teaching my coworkers how to create opportunities--use talking points. No, I'm not Norma Rae, but after patients, nurses working in the front lines of healthcare keep the rest of the house open. Without 24/7 nursing staff, hospitals cannot run. So I'm prepping people who one of our senior nurses has asked to speak with talking points. It's like Toastmasters all over again. I finally have a use for all those note cards I couldn't use in nursing school.
It should be an interesting week! Stay tuned.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Something everyone needs
This would be a cool thing to have, but I'd never get Bubba away from the computer.
Wish me luck as I drag my migraine-muddled mind back to work today.
Stay tuned!
Wish me luck as I drag my migraine-muddled mind back to work today.
Stay tuned!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Headaches...literal and figurative
Woke up again to a stuffed up nose and clogged ears, which by the time I get upright equals a headache.
'Tis summertime again in RehabLand and all the pollen's come out to play.
Will resume normal postings as soon as my head cooperates...
'Tis summertime again in RehabLand and all the pollen's come out to play.
Will resume normal postings as soon as my head cooperates...
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Change up
Here I thought, at the beginning of the week that I would have to work day shift for a while and lo and behold the boss switches my schedule around.
So working half in one shift, and half in another, I got to see some crazy stuff I don't normally see.
We occasionally have discharging patients who don't want to go home. We had one this week. This patient tried to think up every excuse in the book. It doesn't help it if the patient also has psychiatric issues and is not only anxious, but getting manic.
Psychiatrist, psychologist, and MD get patient a nice dose of something especially calming for the road. Nevertheless, the patient gets halfway home and calls to say, "I need to come back." MD tells transportation to take patient to nearest emergency room if things get crazy.
Another patient gets in his wheelchair with snacks and a soda and proceeds to roll his chair off a wheelchair ramp in front of the Hotel, into the curb and somehow flip the chair. Thankfully, he couldn't go too far away. We have no idea why or how he did it. Called our docs, called the on-call doc, called the super. Patient gets the all clear. Lots and lots of fun paperwork to do for the charge nurse.
Another anxiety attack was averted when Mr. Z's nurse finally found his soda and snacks in his room. I don't think he could handle losing those items, which would have been worse than breaking his leg!
Stay tuned...we'll see what shift I work next!
So working half in one shift, and half in another, I got to see some crazy stuff I don't normally see.
We occasionally have discharging patients who don't want to go home. We had one this week. This patient tried to think up every excuse in the book. It doesn't help it if the patient also has psychiatric issues and is not only anxious, but getting manic.
Psychiatrist, psychologist, and MD get patient a nice dose of something especially calming for the road. Nevertheless, the patient gets halfway home and calls to say, "I need to come back." MD tells transportation to take patient to nearest emergency room if things get crazy.
Another patient gets in his wheelchair with snacks and a soda and proceeds to roll his chair off a wheelchair ramp in front of the Hotel, into the curb and somehow flip the chair. Thankfully, he couldn't go too far away. We have no idea why or how he did it. Called our docs, called the on-call doc, called the super. Patient gets the all clear. Lots and lots of fun paperwork to do for the charge nurse.
Another anxiety attack was averted when Mr. Z's nurse finally found his soda and snacks in his room. I don't think he could handle losing those items, which would have been worse than breaking his leg!
Stay tuned...we'll see what shift I work next!
Monday, June 27, 2011
My Monday
1. Rain.
2. Drop kid off at camp.
3. Take car to mechanic for funny noise. Get rental.
4. Go to work late.
5. Take care of usual suspects.
6. Hear one of suspects "compliment" me on what a "fun" person I am. (Said suspect is up to something).
7. Suspect leaves for doctor's appointment with specialist.
8. Idiot pulls fire alarm.
9. Get ready to evacuate, but figure out there's no fire.
10. Notify boss and security. Secretary gets to tell fire department, who have arrived looking for a big fire.
11. Go back to charting.
12. CNA logs me out of system because I rolled 3 feet away from PC and wasn't using it.
13. Suppress urge to kill CNA. Get computer back and start charting.
14. Five minutes before I leave, get new patient weighed (forgot about it earlier).
15. Five more minutes, get weight charted and finally leave.
16. Come home and find out Dahey's car needs help.
17. Call tow truck.
18. Thank lucky stars I have a rental. Dahey picks up Bubba.
19. Lather, rinse, repeat (hope not!) tomorrow.
2. Drop kid off at camp.
3. Take car to mechanic for funny noise. Get rental.
4. Go to work late.
5. Take care of usual suspects.
6. Hear one of suspects "compliment" me on what a "fun" person I am. (Said suspect is up to something).
7. Suspect leaves for doctor's appointment with specialist.
8. Idiot pulls fire alarm.
9. Get ready to evacuate, but figure out there's no fire.
10. Notify boss and security. Secretary gets to tell fire department, who have arrived looking for a big fire.
11. Go back to charting.
12. CNA logs me out of system because I rolled 3 feet away from PC and wasn't using it.
13. Suppress urge to kill CNA. Get computer back and start charting.
14. Five minutes before I leave, get new patient weighed (forgot about it earlier).
15. Five more minutes, get weight charted and finally leave.
16. Come home and find out Dahey's car needs help.
17. Call tow truck.
18. Thank lucky stars I have a rental. Dahey picks up Bubba.
19. Lather, rinse, repeat (hope not!) tomorrow.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Fun Sunday
This is for M., one of my dearest friends in the world who manages a pharmacy out west. She would have been a helluva math teacher if she hadn't decided to be a legal drug dealer for the Evil Empire.
You can check out other cartoons here: http://www.xkcd.com/
You can check out other cartoons here: http://www.xkcd.com/
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Ethical dilemmas
In rehab, we keep people for a long time, as long as they're progressing. In the Hotel, we keep people a long time, because we can for a variety of reasons.
Sometimes, we even have staff get entangled in the issues. Here are some that have come up since I arrived at the Hotel.
1. The infamous, "He said, she said". Someone overhears part of a conversation, and reports it. Patient and nurse have two different stories. Reporter decides to write it up and nurse, of course, gets in trouble, because, as in most service industries, "the customer is always right." Patient is mad at nurse for rest of stay, and nurse is in hot water.
2. Patient stays with us for protracted periods of time when they actually need to be somewhere else. Examples: 86 year old patient with metastatic cancer says, "I can be rehabbed." Oncologist says patient has six months max due to the nature of the mets. We lose a rehab spot, because our boss says, "Go ahead and try." Hospice case worker fortunately has his head on straight: "We'll keep a bed for whenever he's ready to cross that bridge."
3. Nurses get involved (financially, sexually, etc.) with patients. It's no help when said nurse is a favorite of your nursing administration. Nurses also abuse the kindness of patients by eating their snacks, etc. I counsel them to report to no avail, because they fear retribution while they're still here.
4. Boss trains two people for a specialty position over the past year. Both people will be gone from Hotel by September, and boss knew this. WTH is the matter with the boss? Does he/she like training people for other companies? Obviously...training wheel starts over again in a few months.
5. Succession planning. What's that you ask? Well, it means that you train in advance for people moving, retiring or just quitting your organization. As usual, this is just another thing lacking at the Hotel.
Happily, this is not a bad thing. At least, it gives me a topic for my latest grad school paper to write about due this coming week.
Sometimes, we even have staff get entangled in the issues. Here are some that have come up since I arrived at the Hotel.
1. The infamous, "He said, she said". Someone overhears part of a conversation, and reports it. Patient and nurse have two different stories. Reporter decides to write it up and nurse, of course, gets in trouble, because, as in most service industries, "the customer is always right." Patient is mad at nurse for rest of stay, and nurse is in hot water.
2. Patient stays with us for protracted periods of time when they actually need to be somewhere else. Examples: 86 year old patient with metastatic cancer says, "I can be rehabbed." Oncologist says patient has six months max due to the nature of the mets. We lose a rehab spot, because our boss says, "Go ahead and try." Hospice case worker fortunately has his head on straight: "We'll keep a bed for whenever he's ready to cross that bridge."
3. Nurses get involved (financially, sexually, etc.) with patients. It's no help when said nurse is a favorite of your nursing administration. Nurses also abuse the kindness of patients by eating their snacks, etc. I counsel them to report to no avail, because they fear retribution while they're still here.
4. Boss trains two people for a specialty position over the past year. Both people will be gone from Hotel by September, and boss knew this. WTH is the matter with the boss? Does he/she like training people for other companies? Obviously...training wheel starts over again in a few months.
5. Succession planning. What's that you ask? Well, it means that you train in advance for people moving, retiring or just quitting your organization. As usual, this is just another thing lacking at the Hotel.
Happily, this is not a bad thing. At least, it gives me a topic for my latest grad school paper to write about due this coming week.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Not your average day
What a day. All was going well, I was on time getting our patient ready to roll when, as I was carefully prepping a dressing, I inadvertently snipped an access line. Nothing like lopping the end off a central line that was scheduled to come out Tuesday.
Off goes patient for an early appointment to get this removed. No harm, no foul, but no one can bring back the "saved" time that was lost.
All I had to say once it was done...TGIF!
Stay tuned...
Off goes patient for an early appointment to get this removed. No harm, no foul, but no one can bring back the "saved" time that was lost.
All I had to say once it was done...TGIF!
Stay tuned...
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
A wonderful present
“My interest is in the future because I am going to spend the rest of my life there”
Charles F. Kettering quotes (American engineer, inventor of the electric starter, 1876-1958)
Today is my best friend's birthday. We went out to celebrate recently on my day off. We escaped children, dogs and husbands to sit and enjoy ourselves discussing everything and nothing at all. Thank goodness we had a wonderful waitress who didn't mind that we took a two hour lunch chitchatting!
And today, I got a present. Besides having a wonderful friend, I found out I was chosen to work in a different part of the Hotel. It will be a change from my normal routine, but it will be interesting nevertheless. I have never interacted with patients daily in this type of clinic, so it will be exciting.
I'm still on hold as to when I'll move to that area of the Hotel. I can now wait without wondering what was going on in HR.
Stay tuned...
Charles F. Kettering quotes (American engineer, inventor of the electric starter, 1876-1958)
Today is my best friend's birthday. We went out to celebrate recently on my day off. We escaped children, dogs and husbands to sit and enjoy ourselves discussing everything and nothing at all. Thank goodness we had a wonderful waitress who didn't mind that we took a two hour lunch chitchatting!
And today, I got a present. Besides having a wonderful friend, I found out I was chosen to work in a different part of the Hotel. It will be a change from my normal routine, but it will be interesting nevertheless. I have never interacted with patients daily in this type of clinic, so it will be exciting.
I'm still on hold as to when I'll move to that area of the Hotel. I can now wait without wondering what was going on in HR.
Stay tuned...
Monday, June 20, 2011
Word to the wise
Dear Royal Pain Lazy Slug RN:
If you particularly go out of your way to leave me out of a conversation about an important event when I know the answer to your question, I can and will not answer it.
When you ask me why, I also will explain to you (with appropriate people who saw and heard scenario #1) exactly why I did what I did.
And, of course, being a wonderful person (since I happen to like the patient this issue involves more than you) I will give the answer as professionally as possible when no one else finds it.
It's the least I can do.
Hope you enjoyed the results. At least, Mr. X did.
Sincerely (for now anyway),
RehabRN
If you particularly go out of your way to leave me out of a conversation about an important event when I know the answer to your question, I can and will not answer it.
When you ask me why, I also will explain to you (with appropriate people who saw and heard scenario #1) exactly why I did what I did.
And, of course, being a wonderful person (since I happen to like the patient this issue involves more than you) I will give the answer as professionally as possible when no one else finds it.
It's the least I can do.
Hope you enjoyed the results. At least, Mr. X did.
Sincerely (for now anyway),
RehabRN
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Just for fun
My travelling partner and I went to a local patient symposium the other day to talk about stuff we do in rehab, complete with show and tell.
Had a lot of fun. I just hope the tape recorded version is not so bad. My makeup artist, hair stylist and wardrobe person were not working that day.
I'm glad I wore my *dress* scrubs.
More later...
Had a lot of fun. I just hope the tape recorded version is not so bad. My makeup artist, hair stylist and wardrobe person were not working that day.
I'm glad I wore my *dress* scrubs.
More later...
Friday, June 17, 2011
Dislike
I tell you if Facebook had a DISLIKE button, I'd be putting it on a few things here at the Hotel.
Some of the random chaos I came back to after a weekend off during inspection season:
1. Candy wrappers on the floor in a clean storage closet. Come on people, put them in your pocket until you can get to a trash can. There's a reason why there is no trash can in a clean utility room!
2. Paranoia, part 3. Boss thoroughly combed the unit for any little piece of paper in the wrong place, had us label, mark, time, date and initial everything. Then Ms. Inspector woman comes to a clean utility room and finds something unmarked. Automatic ding.
3. Paranoia, part 4. Somebody let a patient keep his/her paperwork from Dr. X out of their storage closets, they then left it on a wheelchair, and in their haste to put the wheelchair into storage, it stayed on the seat. Ding #2.
4. And finally, the last dislike: coworkers acting like arses just because they can. What goes around comes around...
Stay tuned. The inspection madness isn't over yet.
Some of the random chaos I came back to after a weekend off during inspection season:
1. Candy wrappers on the floor in a clean storage closet. Come on people, put them in your pocket until you can get to a trash can. There's a reason why there is no trash can in a clean utility room!
2. Paranoia, part 3. Boss thoroughly combed the unit for any little piece of paper in the wrong place, had us label, mark, time, date and initial everything. Then Ms. Inspector woman comes to a clean utility room and finds something unmarked. Automatic ding.
3. Paranoia, part 4. Somebody let a patient keep his/her paperwork from Dr. X out of their storage closets, they then left it on a wheelchair, and in their haste to put the wheelchair into storage, it stayed on the seat. Ding #2.
4. And finally, the last dislike: coworkers acting like arses just because they can. What goes around comes around...
Stay tuned. The inspection madness isn't over yet.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Nuggets for June 15
Happy June 15! Since I haven't done a Nuggets section in ages, I thought, why not? I've been reading some really interesting medical stuff for my grad class, and lo and behold, some of my favorite MD bloggers have interesting posts that should be seen.
So here goes, folks. Please enjoy the scenery. There is some very vivid mental imagery here if you really think about these items...just sayin'
Enjoy!
So you have been living in this century for how long now?
ER Doc from Serenity Now Hospital has a great post about a really out there patient who is still figuring out how to use the telephone.
The epitome of tact or Why you should turn off the cellphone in the ICU
Grumpy, one great neurologist (and no, I don't work for him...he's nicer than our boss) has a public service announcement you'd think was obvious.
Never assume...
Last but not least
KevinMD has a couple of posts you shouldn't miss.
Medicine or family first discusses a series of articles running in the NY Times debating if part-time physicians should exist.
And now, since it's bikini season, he discusses a hairy (literally) topic which can have some significant complications.
Stay tuned....more to come.
So here goes, folks. Please enjoy the scenery. There is some very vivid mental imagery here if you really think about these items...just sayin'
Enjoy!
So you have been living in this century for how long now?
ER Doc from Serenity Now Hospital has a great post about a really out there patient who is still figuring out how to use the telephone.
The epitome of tact or Why you should turn off the cellphone in the ICU
Grumpy, one great neurologist (and no, I don't work for him...he's nicer than our boss) has a public service announcement you'd think was obvious.
Never assume...
Last but not least
KevinMD has a couple of posts you shouldn't miss.
Medicine or family first discusses a series of articles running in the NY Times debating if part-time physicians should exist.
And now, since it's bikini season, he discusses a hairy (literally) topic which can have some significant complications.
Stay tuned....more to come.
Heard on the unit
Call it the Chronic absurdity version of Heard on the unit. Guess which one(s) is(are) true?
1. So and So just lets his/her blood pressure get high to get attention.
2. I think X is paranoid and has a list of people to investigate if anything happens to him.
3. Did I get "any"? How could I get "any" in here?
4. Where is Mr. Z? I haven't seen him in a long time, so is he sick?
Answers: all true.
So is the Hotel Rehab really a crazy place? Well, some folks (like me) say rehab is a little psych and a little med-surg, so who'd be surprised with what patients (and some staff) say.
The first one shocked me because this is what one staff member said about another. I think she needs a vacation very badly and/or we have a whole lot of Munchausen Syndrome going on at the Hotel. There are some people who even suspect one of our insulin dependent diabetic staffers is overdosing on insulin for attention.
Hello, neuropsych! Can you help US? We need a real EAP folks. I'm going to go to HR and find out if they have one yet. Or I'm getting a poster of a beach in the tropics so people can chill out while eating lunch.
Surprisingly, the same person who noted this diabetic fact also noticed that since "X has become paranoid, there have been no hypoglycemic incidents." Hmm...
Number three was my fault. Never assume that patients understand pronouns or articles refer back to something you've already discussed when their minds are obviously somewhere completely different. The reply noted was when I had asked Mr. X, who keeps refusing to let the lab draw his blood (or let us draw his labs). I had asked if he had had any blood draws recently, and repeated, since he's quite deaf, "So have you had any...blood draws?" Of course, Mr. X missed the last part. Oops!
Mr. X was also startled to discover that RNs have magical "selective hearing" when necessary. Mr. X. had been dropping double entendres left and right and wondered why I was not playing along. I had to put on the RehabRN Old School Nursing Cap (which I had to borrow from F, my mentor) and lay it out, chapter and verse, according to Hotel policy, which meant, no, I cannot and will not discuss certain things at work with you. End of story. If you want Viagra, you have to talk to the psychologists, who then refer you to the appropriate medical team member for evaluation.
And finally, yes, Mr. Z. hasn't been around recently. He had a psychotic episode while apparently high/drunk/stoned on something on our unit. Security has been advised by the hospital legal staff that he cannot come back until he proves he has completed his substance abuse treatment program and meets other conditions.
Yet another thing I gloss over with a blank, "You know, I don't really know."
Stay tuned. You never know what I'll hear next.
1. So and So just lets his/her blood pressure get high to get attention.
2. I think X is paranoid and has a list of people to investigate if anything happens to him.
3. Did I get "any"? How could I get "any" in here?
4. Where is Mr. Z? I haven't seen him in a long time, so is he sick?
Answers: all true.
So is the Hotel Rehab really a crazy place? Well, some folks (like me) say rehab is a little psych and a little med-surg, so who'd be surprised with what patients (and some staff) say.
The first one shocked me because this is what one staff member said about another. I think she needs a vacation very badly and/or we have a whole lot of Munchausen Syndrome going on at the Hotel. There are some people who even suspect one of our insulin dependent diabetic staffers is overdosing on insulin for attention.
Hello, neuropsych! Can you help US? We need a real EAP folks. I'm going to go to HR and find out if they have one yet. Or I'm getting a poster of a beach in the tropics so people can chill out while eating lunch.
Surprisingly, the same person who noted this diabetic fact also noticed that since "X has become paranoid, there have been no hypoglycemic incidents." Hmm...
Number three was my fault. Never assume that patients understand pronouns or articles refer back to something you've already discussed when their minds are obviously somewhere completely different. The reply noted was when I had asked Mr. X, who keeps refusing to let the lab draw his blood (or let us draw his labs). I had asked if he had had any blood draws recently, and repeated, since he's quite deaf, "So have you had any...blood draws?" Of course, Mr. X missed the last part. Oops!
Mr. X was also startled to discover that RNs have magical "selective hearing" when necessary. Mr. X. had been dropping double entendres left and right and wondered why I was not playing along. I had to put on the RehabRN Old School Nursing Cap (which I had to borrow from F, my mentor) and lay it out, chapter and verse, according to Hotel policy, which meant, no, I cannot and will not discuss certain things at work with you. End of story. If you want Viagra, you have to talk to the psychologists, who then refer you to the appropriate medical team member for evaluation.
And finally, yes, Mr. Z. hasn't been around recently. He had a psychotic episode while apparently high/drunk/stoned on something on our unit. Security has been advised by the hospital legal staff that he cannot come back until he proves he has completed his substance abuse treatment program and meets other conditions.
Yet another thing I gloss over with a blank, "You know, I don't really know."
Stay tuned. You never know what I'll hear next.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Irony in the news
This story from South Texas just made me bristle...and want to cheer.
A fitting end to an unfit perpetrator.
A fitting end to an unfit perpetrator.
Who knows what...
Tomorrow will bring. We escaped the surveillance of the inspectors for a day. I admitted one very nice patient who drove on over and stated, "You said you'll be done Thursday. I have things to do this weekend, so I'll be out of here then."
We don't get that many who actually show up, then leave as promised.
It's very refreshing. Now if I could go on vacation and do the same. Only 42 days until then. It seems like forever.
Stay tuned for more inspection excitement...
We don't get that many who actually show up, then leave as promised.
It's very refreshing. Now if I could go on vacation and do the same. Only 42 days until then. It seems like forever.
Stay tuned for more inspection excitement...
Sunday, June 12, 2011
OMG inspection season
Yes, we all have to be fluffed, buffed and on our best behavior all week this week . The charge nurse cried, "OMG the OIG are back again."
It seems like they've come every year since I started here at the Hotel. And tomorrow is Monday, and said charge nurse is out-of-town with daughter who's getting surgery tomorrow.
I'm just praying I don't get stuck with the inspector like the last time.
Stay tuned.
It seems like they've come every year since I started here at the Hotel. And tomorrow is Monday, and said charge nurse is out-of-town with daughter who's getting surgery tomorrow.
I'm just praying I don't get stuck with the inspector like the last time.
Stay tuned.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
When it rains...
It pours, the lights flicker, the wind shakes the windows and WildDog starts opening doors to tell us he's not staying in a room by himself.
No, siree, I'm a guard dog and I'm "guarding" you whether you like it or not.
At least he does not destroy things or jump in bed. He just sits on my side of the bed and whines...and I wake up to pat him on the head to quiet him.
I love summer thunderstorms. At least, it wasn't a tornado!
No, siree, I'm a guard dog and I'm "guarding" you whether you like it or not.
At least he does not destroy things or jump in bed. He just sits on my side of the bed and whines...and I wake up to pat him on the head to quiet him.
I love summer thunderstorms. At least, it wasn't a tornado!
Friday, June 10, 2011
A fond sendoff for the week
Dear CNA:
What part of delegation do you not understand?
You have report and I am going home. While I am down the hall walking out the door is not the appropriate time to complain that I did not clean someone up when I found out about the person's status thirty seconds before I started walking out the door.
I choose delegation of an appropriate task to you today, as I have reported off to your shift and to the charge nurse and I really wanted to get to my car to get to Bubba's baseball game. I know you can't believe that I actually wanted to leave on time, since it so rarely happens, but it was true.
And no, I will not hold this against you, unless you decide to ruminate all week over this "injustice" of making you work immediately out of report, which is great for me, but not for you.
Sincerely not,
RehabRN
What part of delegation do you not understand?
You have report and I am going home. While I am down the hall walking out the door is not the appropriate time to complain that I did not clean someone up when I found out about the person's status thirty seconds before I started walking out the door.
I choose delegation of an appropriate task to you today, as I have reported off to your shift and to the charge nurse and I really wanted to get to my car to get to Bubba's baseball game. I know you can't believe that I actually wanted to leave on time, since it so rarely happens, but it was true.
And no, I will not hold this against you, unless you decide to ruminate all week over this "injustice" of making you work immediately out of report, which is great for me, but not for you.
Sincerely not,
RehabRN
Thursday, June 9, 2011
I'm sorry
Due to the nature of rehab nursing I occasionally have to do things I really don't like. For those things, I am sorry.
I really didn't want you to be in pain when I put in that catheter, but the fact that we had orders to catheterize you every four hours made me lobby with the physician that perhaps a Foley is not inhumane when you have a horrific case of prostatitis and an equally neurogenic bladder. No one needs that trauma every four frickin' hours when you're pushing 80 years old and are otherwise in good shape.
And yes, Dr. So and So, if you get your derriere chewed because you gave me an order for a lidocaine urojet so I could at least alleviate a little of the pain when putting in the catheter, please call me, and I'll offer to cath the non-impaired culprit WITHOUT it.
I'm not the greatest IV stick in the world. Thanks for understanding when I had to poke you twice to get you that IV for your infection, since we had no oral meds that would work equally well. I'm a "three strikes you're out" kind of girl, so if I don't get you in three, you're getting a nurse who's better at it than me.
Finally, folks, don't make fun of me giving patients suppositories and relieving impactions that come from having to take lots of narcotics to at least knock the edge of your pain for you to function in rehab. I'll order lidocaine for this too, if you need it, because I'm sure it hurts.
And I'd want someone to do the same for me.
I really didn't want you to be in pain when I put in that catheter, but the fact that we had orders to catheterize you every four hours made me lobby with the physician that perhaps a Foley is not inhumane when you have a horrific case of prostatitis and an equally neurogenic bladder. No one needs that trauma every four frickin' hours when you're pushing 80 years old and are otherwise in good shape.
And yes, Dr. So and So, if you get your derriere chewed because you gave me an order for a lidocaine urojet so I could at least alleviate a little of the pain when putting in the catheter, please call me, and I'll offer to cath the non-impaired culprit WITHOUT it.
I'm not the greatest IV stick in the world. Thanks for understanding when I had to poke you twice to get you that IV for your infection, since we had no oral meds that would work equally well. I'm a "three strikes you're out" kind of girl, so if I don't get you in three, you're getting a nurse who's better at it than me.
Finally, folks, don't make fun of me giving patients suppositories and relieving impactions that come from having to take lots of narcotics to at least knock the edge of your pain for you to function in rehab. I'll order lidocaine for this too, if you need it, because I'm sure it hurts.
And I'd want someone to do the same for me.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
A song here
Another there. When the singing and dancing groups aren't visiting the Hotel Rehab, the cicadas are. They are all over the trees, and occasionally on a patient who decides to sit in the shade on the bench in the back.
I even had one land on me as I was coming out of the local library with Bubba. Thankfully, Dahey was with us to remove it. The cicada he said looked like an artsy pin on my lapel.
I'm just so glad it didn't fall off in the crowded library. That would have been interesting.
More later...back to reading for my grad class.
I even had one land on me as I was coming out of the local library with Bubba. Thankfully, Dahey was with us to remove it. The cicada he said looked like an artsy pin on my lapel.
I'm just so glad it didn't fall off in the crowded library. That would have been interesting.
More later...back to reading for my grad class.
Monday, June 6, 2011
No less momentous
On this very day in 1944, the largest assault of the Second World War occurred just off the coast of France.
It's summertime
As the song and an old friend used to say, and the livin' is easy. We'll see how many people call in sick on such a beautiful Monday.
Back to our regularly scheduled Monday...stay tuned!
Back to our regularly scheduled Monday...stay tuned!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Thud!
Dear Bubba,
When you get a new baseball bat, swing a little too hard and klunk Dad (Dahey) in the head, you know it's time for a little education.
Please dear, do not inflict a TBI on your dad. Mom has enough TBI patients at work to take care of and I'd like to not have one at home.
Love and Kisses,
Mama (aka your personal RehabRN)
When you get a new baseball bat, swing a little too hard and klunk Dad (Dahey) in the head, you know it's time for a little education.
Please dear, do not inflict a TBI on your dad. Mom has enough TBI patients at work to take care of and I'd like to not have one at home.
Love and Kisses,
Mama (aka your personal RehabRN)
Saturday, June 4, 2011
The power of suggestion
It's been interesting lately at the Hotel. As usual, as the temperatures go up outside, the tempers flare on the inside. Lately, things have been wilder than ever.
We have a full house again, with lots of work and lots of scheduled vacations, we are back to some folks working overtime. People are crabby, whiny, and generally out of sorts. A few people are even angry, patients and staff included.
Several patients are angry at the doctors for keeping them at the Hotel when they could be home enjoying summer. This, in turn, makes them lash out at the nursing staff. A few of the people I have taken care of have gotten so incensed that they have mounted a campaign to get one staff member in trouble.
How? They composed a suggestion and put it in the suggestion box on the unit which is monitored by the Manglement for the sake of maintaining the ever-onerous "high satisfaction" ratings. Since the named staff member was already in hot water, said person got called to a meeting with the head honchos to determine his fate.
And when that drama is over, someone also "suggested" that staff is sleeping on the night shift. No one knows who did it, but it's caused lots of anger amongst the ranks of the night shift and among the supervisors, too.
So I'm thinking of making a few suggestions myself out of the box:
1. Get a framed copy of the patient agreement put up on our unit. You'd be surprised how many times we try to enforce the rules and patients say, "I knew nothing about that." even though they get a copy and are advised in advance.
2. Maybe we all need to start spouting chapter and verse, so patients really get it when they have a complaint with staff. My line, "You need to notify the charge nurse, then the nurse manager. If that is not resolved appropriately, patient relations number is extension XXXX, because it is your right (as noted in #1) to get your needs addressed."
3. Do not whisper: speak and communicate. Tell other nurses if their patients have problems before reporting it to the boss as appropriate.
We have a full house again, with lots of work and lots of scheduled vacations, we are back to some folks working overtime. People are crabby, whiny, and generally out of sorts. A few people are even angry, patients and staff included.
Several patients are angry at the doctors for keeping them at the Hotel when they could be home enjoying summer. This, in turn, makes them lash out at the nursing staff. A few of the people I have taken care of have gotten so incensed that they have mounted a campaign to get one staff member in trouble.
How? They composed a suggestion and put it in the suggestion box on the unit which is monitored by the Manglement for the sake of maintaining the ever-onerous "high satisfaction" ratings. Since the named staff member was already in hot water, said person got called to a meeting with the head honchos to determine his fate.
And when that drama is over, someone also "suggested" that staff is sleeping on the night shift. No one knows who did it, but it's caused lots of anger amongst the ranks of the night shift and among the supervisors, too.
So I'm thinking of making a few suggestions myself out of the box:
1. Get a framed copy of the patient agreement put up on our unit. You'd be surprised how many times we try to enforce the rules and patients say, "I knew nothing about that." even though they get a copy and are advised in advance.
2. Maybe we all need to start spouting chapter and verse, so patients really get it when they have a complaint with staff. My line, "You need to notify the charge nurse, then the nurse manager. If that is not resolved appropriately, patient relations number is extension XXXX, because it is your right (as noted in #1) to get your needs addressed."
3. Do not whisper: speak and communicate. Tell other nurses if their patients have problems before reporting it to the boss as appropriate.
Friday, June 3, 2011
51 days...
Repeating it to myself...in 51 days, I will not be in the hot Hotel, in 51 days, in 51 days, in 51 days.
Counting down to vacation...yes!
Counting down to vacation...yes!
A very interesting perspective
In light of recent issues at the Hotel, (see previous post) I really enjoyed this Facebook discussion topic on the Oncology Nursing Society's page, especially this comment about patients and friendships:
Some people just don't get it
Case in point:
Dear HippieRN:
Being friends (or thinking you are friends) with patients is really not a good idea. Working here is really work, and since the Establishment says friendships are not a good idea, it means that it really isn't a good idea. You can think whatever you want to yourself, but verbalizing those thoughts with patients (and their significant others) is not a good thing. Yes, that's the reason why the boss changed your assignment recently and had a little chat with you.
What you did was not really therapeutic communication, so please don't do it again. Your count, as they say in baseball, is 3-2 right now, and you're not a home run hitter type.
Doing your work and not texting or chatting in person (or online) with patients really IS a good thing.
Here's hoping you get a clue, otherwise, your dope slap (and a pink slip) is waiting.
Sincerely,
RehabRN
Dear HippieRN:
Being friends (or thinking you are friends) with patients is really not a good idea. Working here is really work, and since the Establishment says friendships are not a good idea, it means that it really isn't a good idea. You can think whatever you want to yourself, but verbalizing those thoughts with patients (and their significant others) is not a good thing. Yes, that's the reason why the boss changed your assignment recently and had a little chat with you.
What you did was not really therapeutic communication, so please don't do it again. Your count, as they say in baseball, is 3-2 right now, and you're not a home run hitter type.
Doing your work and not texting or chatting in person (or online) with patients really IS a good thing.
Here's hoping you get a clue, otherwise, your dope slap (and a pink slip) is waiting.
Sincerely,
RehabRN
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
When they say evacuate...
They mean evacuate. I wish I could hang a few of these photos from St. John's in Joplin, MO up on the unit so my patients could see them. Maybe then, the next time we ask them to move for a storm warning, they'll do it.
I just don't think people get it.
That is all.
I just don't think people get it.
That is all.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Finally!
Someone read my name on my board and sent a letter telling the boss what a wonderful experience he/she had while I took care of him/her.
I had taken care of this character before, and he'd always "forgotten" to mention me.
It's nice to be remembered once in a while.
Stay tuned!
I had taken care of this character before, and he'd always "forgotten" to mention me.
It's nice to be remembered once in a while.
Stay tuned!
Shake it up
I shook up the assignments when I worked last. I'm sure I'll hear about it again for ages. Why, you ask? I needed to get things done quickly once I arrived, so I did the assignment at home. I did not account for the people who worked the weekend, just as the boss regularly does.
Everyone did get a reasonable assignment, though. I balanced every one's patients so no one had anything impossible. As the leader, I had the lightest assignment, because I got the assignment to be the troubleshooter for everyone. Thankfully, the day was steady and not crazy. Our on-call doc kept me busy, when patients weren't thinking of some things for me to do.
Here's a list of some of the oddball items for the day:
1. One patient was doubled over in his chair and discovered by our chief when he was going to the elevator. Said patient was helped up, then got an order that he needed a strap to get up. He begged me to find something. I looked and looked all over the unit and I finally found one...in my car (I use it with a couple of elderly relatives I occasionally transport.)
He thanked me with a large piece of chocolate cake his wife brought him from one of the local premium bakeries. Yum!
2. Since our doc saw him doubled over, he figured he might need some labs. I drew those, then put in an IV after our super nurse, Mike, the old ICU nurse couldn't get him. Turns out this patient has a secret. His hand veins are the best...and hurt the least. I got one in his hand on the first stick (because couldn't get one in the one of the several monsters on his upper arms).
3. And finally, one patient had an urgent request: he wanted a backgammon board. I scoured the games section of the rec room and didn't find one. I did find him some dominoes, and left a message for the rec therapy people so they can fulfill his "urgent" request when they come back.
Only time will tell how the rest of the week goes, so stay tuned!
Everyone did get a reasonable assignment, though. I balanced every one's patients so no one had anything impossible. As the leader, I had the lightest assignment, because I got the assignment to be the troubleshooter for everyone. Thankfully, the day was steady and not crazy. Our on-call doc kept me busy, when patients weren't thinking of some things for me to do.
Here's a list of some of the oddball items for the day:
1. One patient was doubled over in his chair and discovered by our chief when he was going to the elevator. Said patient was helped up, then got an order that he needed a strap to get up. He begged me to find something. I looked and looked all over the unit and I finally found one...in my car (I use it with a couple of elderly relatives I occasionally transport.)
He thanked me with a large piece of chocolate cake his wife brought him from one of the local premium bakeries. Yum!
2. Since our doc saw him doubled over, he figured he might need some labs. I drew those, then put in an IV after our super nurse, Mike, the old ICU nurse couldn't get him. Turns out this patient has a secret. His hand veins are the best...and hurt the least. I got one in his hand on the first stick (because couldn't get one in the one of the several monsters on his upper arms).
3. And finally, one patient had an urgent request: he wanted a backgammon board. I scoured the games section of the rec room and didn't find one. I did find him some dominoes, and left a message for the rec therapy people so they can fulfill his "urgent" request when they come back.
Only time will tell how the rest of the week goes, so stay tuned!
Monday, May 30, 2011
This Memorial Day
For my great uncle, who was killed in action in France, January 23, 1944, and left behind a wife and three children for the freedom I enjoy today. Thank you.
I think of you today as I take care of my veterans who returned.
All gave some and some gave all
And some stood through for the red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some gave all.
--Billy Ray Cyrus, Some Gave All
I think of you today as I take care of my veterans who returned.
All gave some and some gave all
And some stood through for the red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some gave all.
--Billy Ray Cyrus, Some Gave All
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