They took lots of pictures and they asked lots of questions. My doc for this clinic was stellar. He even remembered to keep his white coat on, which was hysterical. (Normally, he never wears his coat in the office.)
We had to wait a long while for the dignitaries to come through, so we asked the doc lots of questions. He told us his father was a military doctor who worked in a controlled area and never talks about his work.
My technical specialist, S., said "I did the same thing when I was in the military. I can't talk about it, either."
"Well, I won't ask any more, because I don't want to hear, 'if I tell you, I'll have to kill you.'" I told S.
The patient, Mr. Q., who was a "jungle grunt" in Vietnam (his words) says, "All they told me about this appointment was that I had to talk to people. Maybe I ought to leave."
"We're just being silly, Mr. Q." I told him. I'm not letting S. do anything to you or he doesn't get anymore Mountain Dew.
S. just smiled...and clutched his bottle close to his chest.
You just have to know what really makes people tick...and where their sense of humor lies.
Mr. Q. had a good time and told me he was going to stay in his room and rest this afternoon, in case he needed to sign any autographs later.
We had a good laugh.
And off I go to sleep. My destiny awaits (with a quick trip to PublicU).
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
No Sandy but...
When your advisor has to reform a panel so you can take your comps exams this week, since some of the folks are marooned on the East Coast, it makes you think.
1. Thank goodness I decided to go to PublicU, which, is not on the East Coast.
2. Thank goodness I thought ahead to buy plenty of beer right now, since I'm having one to calm my already frayed nerves.
What could fray one's nerves? Oh, showing up at work surely could especially when...
1. You still have mayhem with some others in your group who keep insisting on reliving it no matter what.
2. You get a phone call that a VIP delegation will be coming to Madison and you really have to show them what you do in the SU...and have a patient ready at 0900 for the VIP to talk to about your work.
So much for a relaxing, just get things done before I leave to go to comps Hell at PublicU.
Nothing a nice Kolsch can't solve at the moment...stay tuned.
1. Thank goodness I decided to go to PublicU, which, is not on the East Coast.
2. Thank goodness I thought ahead to buy plenty of beer right now, since I'm having one to calm my already frayed nerves.
What could fray one's nerves? Oh, showing up at work surely could especially when...
1. You still have mayhem with some others in your group who keep insisting on reliving it no matter what.
2. You get a phone call that a VIP delegation will be coming to Madison and you really have to show them what you do in the SU...and have a patient ready at 0900 for the VIP to talk to about your work.
So much for a relaxing, just get things done before I leave to go to comps Hell at PublicU.
Nothing a nice Kolsch can't solve at the moment...stay tuned.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
A little break
And while I was doing that I got flashbacks to the old days when I worked in marketing. First when I saw this new Adobe commercial and then later when I saw this classic IBM ad on buzzword bingo (which we actually played at one firm).
Fun times....stay tuned.
Fun times....stay tuned.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Best discussion I've heard at a conference in a while
I should have been studying, but I committed to this conference six months ago.
They were talking about alternative medicine in this local nursing conference and Wahoo NP was talking about O cream, which I had never heard of before (take 2 Viagra compounded into a neutral base cream and voila!)
Her quote, "Doc, it doesn't matter what you're saying. What you're really doing with that O cream is teaching them how to masturbate."
No one was napping after lunch with comments like that zinging around the room.
They were talking about alternative medicine in this local nursing conference and Wahoo NP was talking about O cream, which I had never heard of before (take 2 Viagra compounded into a neutral base cream and voila!)
Her quote, "Doc, it doesn't matter what you're saying. What you're really doing with that O cream is teaching them how to masturbate."
No one was napping after lunch with comments like that zinging around the room.
Friday, October 26, 2012
The sun will come out tomorrow...
Yes, my life is still crazy. My exams really are in one week.
Methinks I'll have to hold off on posting until they're over because I feel so overwhelmed between work and this looming test. Or not. Decisions...
I've only worked YEARS on my own time for this moment.
At least, I had a good day. Still have the a-holes giving me trouble. I went to spineless boss and said, "You're his/her boss. You need to handle it." (Can't believe I did that, but I was really irate at the petty cr&p)
On a bright, shiny note, our area chief nurse at Madison nominated me for an award. It really is a big hairy deal if I make it all the way through the 13 levels my chief's essay has to pass--hospital, region, witch doctors, then the big kahuna. (okay, no witch doctors...)
We'll see...as they say, it is an honor to be nominated. Frankly, I thought I was getting in trouble!
Stay tuned...
Methinks I'll have to hold off on posting until they're over because I feel so overwhelmed between work and this looming test. Or not. Decisions...
I've only worked YEARS on my own time for this moment.
At least, I had a good day. Still have the a-holes giving me trouble. I went to spineless boss and said, "You're his/her boss. You need to handle it." (Can't believe I did that, but I was really irate at the petty cr&p)
On a bright, shiny note, our area chief nurse at Madison nominated me for an award. It really is a big hairy deal if I make it all the way through the 13 levels my chief's essay has to pass--hospital, region, witch doctors, then the big kahuna. (okay, no witch doctors...)
We'll see...as they say, it is an honor to be nominated. Frankly, I thought I was getting in trouble!
Stay tuned...
Thursday, October 25, 2012
The joy of Bubba
We had Bubba's first parent-teacher conference of the year recently. It was a hoot.
This year, Bubba is in the big kids section of the LocalWarHero elementary school on the second floor (this is a nice building built in the early 1970s but with frequent updates so it looks pretty decent compared to my 1940-something bomb shelter looking grade school).
His teacher Mrs. G. is a riot. You can tell she's an old pro because one, she doesn't get upset that he's a rambunctious boy. Two, she's figured out how to harness that energy to learn. Bubba has taken it upon himself to study everything about the elections and he can tell you the who/what/where of all the candidates from president to municipal dog catcher (wait, we don't vote on that one anymore).
Three, unlike many of Bubba's other teachers, she doesn't tell us anything is wrong with him, she tells us how to manage his habits in the classroom and that it seems like we're doing a good job of that at home. "He is kind and a joy for everyone to be around."
He's pretty smart, since he's also figured out how to mess up the computerized tests by answering incorrectly on purpose. The test gets done faster, too, she said. (Can't say he's not efficient!)
Overall, compared to last year, Mrs. G. is a breath of fresh air. She really IS a professional teacher who knows how to get kids to learn.
More to come...
This year, Bubba is in the big kids section of the LocalWarHero elementary school on the second floor (this is a nice building built in the early 1970s but with frequent updates so it looks pretty decent compared to my 1940-something bomb shelter looking grade school).
His teacher Mrs. G. is a riot. You can tell she's an old pro because one, she doesn't get upset that he's a rambunctious boy. Two, she's figured out how to harness that energy to learn. Bubba has taken it upon himself to study everything about the elections and he can tell you the who/what/where of all the candidates from president to municipal dog catcher (wait, we don't vote on that one anymore).
Three, unlike many of Bubba's other teachers, she doesn't tell us anything is wrong with him, she tells us how to manage his habits in the classroom and that it seems like we're doing a good job of that at home. "He is kind and a joy for everyone to be around."
He's pretty smart, since he's also figured out how to mess up the computerized tests by answering incorrectly on purpose. The test gets done faster, too, she said. (Can't say he's not efficient!)
Overall, compared to last year, Mrs. G. is a breath of fresh air. She really IS a professional teacher who knows how to get kids to learn.
More to come...
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
The good, the bad, the ugly
The good: the sun eventually came out today. The torrents of rain ended before I was ready to leave the Hotel.
The bad: I had to send my slightly squirrely EKG to my provider today. She never called me back, so I take it that it wasn't anything major.
The ugly: The ways people from our interdisciplinary team manage to talk about how nursing is "so unprofessional" and maybe we need training.
I really wanted to bang my head on the table. Why not? It's just another form of not-so-subtle nurse bashing.
And I get to be the battering ram before our group at an area meeting tomorrow. Nice.
I'm taking backup.
To be continued...
The bad: I had to send my slightly squirrely EKG to my provider today. She never called me back, so I take it that it wasn't anything major.
The ugly: The ways people from our interdisciplinary team manage to talk about how nursing is "so unprofessional" and maybe we need training.
I really wanted to bang my head on the table. Why not? It's just another form of not-so-subtle nurse bashing.
And I get to be the battering ram before our group at an area meeting tomorrow. Nice.
I'm taking backup.
To be continued...
Monday, October 22, 2012
Why Bubba's getting an upgrade
To reflective tape on his Halloween costume this year. Just so no one mistakes him for a skunk.
What.The...?
More to come...
What.The...?
More to come...
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Sunday vegetating
The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.~ Bertrand Russell
Sometimes I just have to remember Bubba is growing up. He makes me laugh so much. He really is becoming a tween before my very eyes.
We plan on having lots of fun jumping in piles of leaves and doing nothing today with Dahey.
I need a little break after a marathon conference call with my classmates yesterday.
Stay tuned...
Sometimes I just have to remember Bubba is growing up. He makes me laugh so much. He really is becoming a tween before my very eyes.
We plan on having lots of fun jumping in piles of leaves and doing nothing today with Dahey.
I need a little break after a marathon conference call with my classmates yesterday.
Stay tuned...
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Now, for something completely different...
Yes, I can tell from the word play on this theme from an old SNL episode that my husband Dahey is a punny sailor.
More to come...
More to come...
Friday, October 19, 2012
Not passive, but definitely agressive
Oh, it was such a delight to read an e-mail with lovely things like this:
"Don't we already do this?"
Yes, but not the way the main office says we will do it.
"Does it make our staff look incompetent?"
Not if you aren't already, and with e-mail like this, I wonder.
"..prime therapy time stolen"
FYI this is for aquatherapy...for which only certain Hotel patients qualify. Yes, I'm asking for that time (around an hour) so I'm that time thief.
So being a good team member, I bounced this to a couple of nurses at another two hospitals in the system.
Their answers when I gently mentioned the time conflicts were similar:
"Yes, we had the same thing until the chief medical officer had a chat..."
"Once they knew we were really going to do it and not back down..."
And after I recovered from the shock, I asked whether it would be okay with these folks to bring along two of the people who helped me write the bulk of the process documentation at the request of the boss.
I loved the response to that. My reason: share and share alike (if there going to try to take me down, I'm bringing my own backup...)
"Not sure what that has to do with explaining the reason for the change."
It will be interesting to see what happens at our meeting. Stay tuned. TGIF!
"Don't we already do this?"
Yes, but not the way the main office says we will do it.
"Does it make our staff look incompetent?"
Not if you aren't already, and with e-mail like this, I wonder.
"..prime therapy time stolen"
FYI this is for aquatherapy...for which only certain Hotel patients qualify. Yes, I'm asking for that time (around an hour) so I'm that time thief.
So being a good team member, I bounced this to a couple of nurses at another two hospitals in the system.
Their answers when I gently mentioned the time conflicts were similar:
"Yes, we had the same thing until the chief medical officer had a chat..."
"Once they knew we were really going to do it and not back down..."
And after I recovered from the shock, I asked whether it would be okay with these folks to bring along two of the people who helped me write the bulk of the process documentation at the request of the boss.
I loved the response to that. My reason: share and share alike (if there going to try to take me down, I'm bringing my own backup...)
"Not sure what that has to do with explaining the reason for the change."
It will be interesting to see what happens at our meeting. Stay tuned. TGIF!
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Teamwork...not!
How's this for teamwork....
1. Boss tells you, "I'll handle that." and proceeds not to do what you ask him (communicate).
2. So, doing the job your boss asked you to do, you send an e-mail to all the affected parties for further feedback and updates on the plan Boss asked you to implement.
3. One of the teams sends a very inappropriate e-mail with feedback, then demands your presence at their next team meeting.
4. Boss also mentions that he/she will go with you to meeting.
5. Since you thought this was a team project all along, you invite some of the other folks who helped you work on the plan.
6. Said team (who wants you at the meeting) says, "Why do they have to come?"
7. You kindly reply that you thought an interdisciplinary team was just that...an interdisciplinary team.
And pray, that your boss will actually show up for said meeting since you think he'll just ditch everyone and leave you out in the cold.
We shall see...so much for team cohesiveness in RehabLand.
1. Boss tells you, "I'll handle that." and proceeds not to do what you ask him (communicate).
2. So, doing the job your boss asked you to do, you send an e-mail to all the affected parties for further feedback and updates on the plan Boss asked you to implement.
3. One of the teams sends a very inappropriate e-mail with feedback, then demands your presence at their next team meeting.
4. Boss also mentions that he/she will go with you to meeting.
5. Since you thought this was a team project all along, you invite some of the other folks who helped you work on the plan.
6. Said team (who wants you at the meeting) says, "Why do they have to come?"
7. You kindly reply that you thought an interdisciplinary team was just that...an interdisciplinary team.
And pray, that your boss will actually show up for said meeting since you think he'll just ditch everyone and leave you out in the cold.
We shall see...so much for team cohesiveness in RehabLand.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Heard on the unit
I love the random comments and compliments I hear right up at the front of the SU.
"You don't need anything? You mean you're going to do whatever it takes? Okay. If I can help you, I will". --TechnoWizard
If he/she only knew how many silk purses (as a nurse) I've been forced into, sometimes I feel like MacGyver. Do not leave any loose wire or chewing gum near me, or never complain, never explain might be more appropriate.
"Cool! You get all the good stuff." --Mr. X.
As I told TechnoWizard, I show all the geek patients the technology (no matter what it is) whenever it's in the SU. They enjoy the distraction.
"I'm getting paroled."--Mr. P.
Mr. P. says he sees people that look familiar from his days working the transit beat. Sometimes, he says the darnedest things.
"I'm sorry." --Dr. Snitty
This doctor is rarely apologetic about anything. It was nice to catch him/her in a good mood today.
"You don't need anything? You mean you're going to do whatever it takes? Okay. If I can help you, I will". --TechnoWizard
If he/she only knew how many silk purses (as a nurse) I've been forced into, sometimes I feel like MacGyver. Do not leave any loose wire or chewing gum near me, or never complain, never explain might be more appropriate.
"Cool! You get all the good stuff." --Mr. X.
As I told TechnoWizard, I show all the geek patients the technology (no matter what it is) whenever it's in the SU. They enjoy the distraction.
"I'm getting paroled."--Mr. P.
Mr. P. says he sees people that look familiar from his days working the transit beat. Sometimes, he says the darnedest things.
"I'm sorry." --Dr. Snitty
This doctor is rarely apologetic about anything. It was nice to catch him/her in a good mood today.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
I love chocolate, so...
I really loved this article I saw today about the Nobel Prize winners for economics (aka the dismal science).
One of them obviously, Alvin Roth, is not dismal at all...rather funny. He posted about Nobel prize winners and chocolate, then had to post a note Monday that his blog post would be delayed. (Maybe due to a really early wake up call).
One of them obviously, Alvin Roth, is not dismal at all...rather funny. He posted about Nobel prize winners and chocolate, then had to post a note Monday that his blog post would be delayed. (Maybe due to a really early wake up call).
Monday, October 15, 2012
I've always wanted a cattle prod
But, alas, they are not FDA approved.
However, maybe the Manglement at the Hotel will advocate for our patients to start wearing sets of these so they do pressure relief when they're rolling around the unit.
I'm sure those docs in Calgary already thought of the cattle prod and got shot down, too. Shout out to my peep Ray-Ray and his family. (I sure miss P. and the stories about Timmy's and your orders just "appearing" when you walked in.)
I love the last line...all you rehab peeps know they HAD to say this or they'd short staff us all.
That is all...back to grad school madness.
However, maybe the Manglement at the Hotel will advocate for our patients to start wearing sets of these so they do pressure relief when they're rolling around the unit.
I'm sure those docs in Calgary already thought of the cattle prod and got shot down, too. Shout out to my peep Ray-Ray and his family. (I sure miss P. and the stories about Timmy's and your orders just "appearing" when you walked in.)
I love the last line...all you rehab peeps know they HAD to say this or they'd short staff us all.
That is all...back to grad school madness.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Never leave anyone behind...
I was a little busy last weekend, so I missed this story, but it reminds me why I do what I do.
Here come the Marines to make sure one little boy isn't left behind on his mission.
Here come the Marines to make sure one little boy isn't left behind on his mission.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
The clock's ticking...
And in less than a month, I'll be on a jet plane, flying in to take my comprehensive exam at PublicU.
This is how I'm feeling right now, since this voyage is nearly over. And if I had my way, I'd enjoy every minute.
Just a little anxious now...
This is how I'm feeling right now, since this voyage is nearly over. And if I had my way, I'd enjoy every minute.
Just a little anxious now...
Thursday, October 11, 2012
If your eye is your problem
The gospel passage says, "pluck it out."
Well, Mr. Q. already had his out. His prosthetic eye was at home when he was hospitalized at Saintarama before he come to the Hotel. One of his relatives just brought it over recently.
I've dealt with lots of prosthetics of all sorts for patients since I've come to RehabLand. Since we haven't had any eyes in quite a while, it made quite an impression in our weekly meeting, since many of the nursing and non-nursing staff we have (who are new) hadn't seen any, either.
Thank goodness Mr. Q. has a sense of humor. I like him already.
Stay tuned...
Well, Mr. Q. already had his out. His prosthetic eye was at home when he was hospitalized at Saintarama before he come to the Hotel. One of his relatives just brought it over recently.
I've dealt with lots of prosthetics of all sorts for patients since I've come to RehabLand. Since we haven't had any eyes in quite a while, it made quite an impression in our weekly meeting, since many of the nursing and non-nursing staff we have (who are new) hadn't seen any, either.
Thank goodness Mr. Q. has a sense of humor. I like him already.
Stay tuned...
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Just maybe...
These guys can get us a clock with the correct time or that rascally quantum computer I was always hearing about as a kid on every sci-fi show out there.
Happy Nobel Prize season all!
Back to work....
Happy Nobel Prize season all!
Back to work....
Monday, October 8, 2012
Thanksgiving...
Yes, it really is Thanksgiving today if you live in Canada (yes, and a happy day to all my friends up there, bisous to all!)
I'm just thankful that this beautiful Monday is a day of vacation for me. After all the excitement with the Dahey tribe in-laws and outlaws, it was a crazy busy weekend attending Deity Doctor Brother's daughter's wedding. Katie is a lovely girl.
I have come to the conclusion that if Dahey had to pack for the entire family, we would not have a thing. When I have to pack for the entire family in one short evening between meetings, I'm bound to forget something. All Dahey had to pack for himself was a tie (since he never likes the ones I pick out).
Well, we get to Appointed Electric Brother's house (who's having a party for all of us who weren't invited to Deity Brother's party--since we are all technically relatives of the bride) and he tells me, "I forgot my tie."
In my haste to get out of the house after leaving work a bit early I forgot something, too. All of my makeup. Yes, this assured my early AM trip to the nearest drugstore which fortunately sells a couple of brands I can wear without breaking out into hives (have had this happen a few times).
We took a trip to the drugstore, then the mall, ate lunch and were back to get dressed and be at the church on time for family photos. This is a big deal, since at our wedding, Dahey's family members got lost on the way to church. We couldn't find them so everyone panicked.
"I'm the bride," I told them. "I can be late. Just wait for them to get here." Fortunately, they did (and we were only about 5 minutes late).
The ceremony was lovely, but I'm sure the rector will bolt the doors the next time he sees Dahey's family coming. Within five minutes of assembling for pictures, something glass (no idea what it was) got broken. Out comes the wedding coordinator with the broom to sweep it up.
Next, since the kids (there were plenty of them) got bored really easily (as evidenced by Bubba's rolled eyes in more than a few pictures...) the Wild Girls (Military Brother's kids) decided to play run up and down the choir loft steps. They had lots of fun, until the rector saw them and asked them to stop.
Bubba wanted to follow on the stairs until I persuaded him not to by saying, "You always want to listen to the minister of the church, even if you don't belong. It is disrespectful if you don't." Bubba marched back, sat down, and Military Brother went into the choir loft to fetch his wild child who was happily ensconced right next to the organist. She eventually came down to sit with us.
Finally, we went back to our hotel, so Dahey and Bubba checked out the swimming pool. (He gets really mad if he doesn't get to swim). We went to Deity Brother's suite and started our party before the reception. Grandma Susie brought cookies from home. OMG! I thought I'd died and gone to Heaven. They were the best.
Deity Brother made us all toast in the suite with a shot of apple flavored moonshine. My a&hole brother-in-law, the typical sailor comments, "It's like urine with an apple flavor". I downed mine fast and thought it was more like apple cider with a kick.
The reception was fun. No one broke anything and none of the sorority girls brawled or acted silly like at the bachelorette party. The kids had their own table, a coloring table AND a table full of candies and sweets to take along after the reception.
Bubba tired out early but so did we. I was glad when the wild weekend was over!
Stay tuned...mere days before the excitement of a lifetime: comp exams.
I'm just thankful that this beautiful Monday is a day of vacation for me. After all the excitement with the Dahey tribe in-laws and outlaws, it was a crazy busy weekend attending Deity Doctor Brother's daughter's wedding. Katie is a lovely girl.
I have come to the conclusion that if Dahey had to pack for the entire family, we would not have a thing. When I have to pack for the entire family in one short evening between meetings, I'm bound to forget something. All Dahey had to pack for himself was a tie (since he never likes the ones I pick out).
Well, we get to Appointed Electric Brother's house (who's having a party for all of us who weren't invited to Deity Brother's party--since we are all technically relatives of the bride) and he tells me, "I forgot my tie."
In my haste to get out of the house after leaving work a bit early I forgot something, too. All of my makeup. Yes, this assured my early AM trip to the nearest drugstore which fortunately sells a couple of brands I can wear without breaking out into hives (have had this happen a few times).
We took a trip to the drugstore, then the mall, ate lunch and were back to get dressed and be at the church on time for family photos. This is a big deal, since at our wedding, Dahey's family members got lost on the way to church. We couldn't find them so everyone panicked.
"I'm the bride," I told them. "I can be late. Just wait for them to get here." Fortunately, they did (and we were only about 5 minutes late).
The ceremony was lovely, but I'm sure the rector will bolt the doors the next time he sees Dahey's family coming. Within five minutes of assembling for pictures, something glass (no idea what it was) got broken. Out comes the wedding coordinator with the broom to sweep it up.
Next, since the kids (there were plenty of them) got bored really easily (as evidenced by Bubba's rolled eyes in more than a few pictures...) the Wild Girls (Military Brother's kids) decided to play run up and down the choir loft steps. They had lots of fun, until the rector saw them and asked them to stop.
Bubba wanted to follow on the stairs until I persuaded him not to by saying, "You always want to listen to the minister of the church, even if you don't belong. It is disrespectful if you don't." Bubba marched back, sat down, and Military Brother went into the choir loft to fetch his wild child who was happily ensconced right next to the organist. She eventually came down to sit with us.
Finally, we went back to our hotel, so Dahey and Bubba checked out the swimming pool. (He gets really mad if he doesn't get to swim). We went to Deity Brother's suite and started our party before the reception. Grandma Susie brought cookies from home. OMG! I thought I'd died and gone to Heaven. They were the best.
Deity Brother made us all toast in the suite with a shot of apple flavored moonshine. My a&hole brother-in-law, the typical sailor comments, "It's like urine with an apple flavor". I downed mine fast and thought it was more like apple cider with a kick.
The reception was fun. No one broke anything and none of the sorority girls brawled or acted silly like at the bachelorette party. The kids had their own table, a coloring table AND a table full of candies and sweets to take along after the reception.
Bubba tired out early but so did we. I was glad when the wild weekend was over!
Stay tuned...mere days before the excitement of a lifetime: comp exams.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Temptation, frustration...
Temptation: for me lately, it's food. Everything is temptation when you're on a diet. I hope the dress I want to wear this weekend fits (it was a little dicey a while ago.) I am just too stressed with family and work right now.
Frustration: Knowing upper management is "clueless". Yes, maybe you will understand why your satisfaction scores are in the toilet, if we explain it to you one more lousy time. Or we'll continue to vote with our feet.
Graduate adviser sending you an e-mail that you need to rework your stuff. After you send and ask for feedback two weeks ago. Then you find out he/she's been answering folks in your group before you in the line. Nice.
Off to bed...maybe a little more sleep might help. Stay tuned...
Frustration: Knowing upper management is "clueless". Yes, maybe you will understand why your satisfaction scores are in the toilet, if we explain it to you one more lousy time. Or we'll continue to vote with our feet.
Graduate adviser sending you an e-mail that you need to rework your stuff. After you send and ask for feedback two weeks ago. Then you find out he/she's been answering folks in your group before you in the line. Nice.
Off to bed...maybe a little more sleep might help. Stay tuned...
Friday, September 28, 2012
Sometimes you're the windshield...
And sometimes, you're the bug, as the song says. Nevertheless, it's Friday and I survived.
It was a busy week punctuated by technical difficulties, rascally coworkers, and stressed out providers who bark orders at you, then apologize later (after you've got a nice case of indigestion).
That was just my side of the house in the beauty of the old, untouched, 70s era Hotel. The new, renovated part of the Hotel is shiny, and the infection control nurse is worried about me. "If you don't have a sink in there where you see patients, what are you going to do?"
Turns out I do have a sink, since I use a clinic room that has one. Problem averted. He/she makes me nervous since one of the therapists tried putting the popcorn machine used by the volunteer group in my clinic room. "No dice." I told the therapist. "We have to move it or it will be confiscated." Thankfully, we found a couple of legal spots for the machine in the renovated Hotel section down the hall. Yes, we'll have to walk, but it has its own spot ensconced next to the nutrition refrigerator.
There was sadness, too. One of our very sick patients got back home and died the other day. He was a sort I wasn't sure would get out of the Hotel. He was elderly and got sick while he was over for his annual check-up. He just bounced back and forth for a while. I was happy to see he was up and motoring around with his wife, who became a minor celebrity on the unit when she was featured in a newspaper story about our town before he left us. They never did hold that "autograph session" I was always teasing them about in the lobby, since we have a paper box nearby.
Godspeed Mr. V. You fought the good fight. We'll miss you and your "famous" wife, too.
It was a busy week punctuated by technical difficulties, rascally coworkers, and stressed out providers who bark orders at you, then apologize later (after you've got a nice case of indigestion).
That was just my side of the house in the beauty of the old, untouched, 70s era Hotel. The new, renovated part of the Hotel is shiny, and the infection control nurse is worried about me. "If you don't have a sink in there where you see patients, what are you going to do?"
Turns out I do have a sink, since I use a clinic room that has one. Problem averted. He/she makes me nervous since one of the therapists tried putting the popcorn machine used by the volunteer group in my clinic room. "No dice." I told the therapist. "We have to move it or it will be confiscated." Thankfully, we found a couple of legal spots for the machine in the renovated Hotel section down the hall. Yes, we'll have to walk, but it has its own spot ensconced next to the nutrition refrigerator.
There was sadness, too. One of our very sick patients got back home and died the other day. He was a sort I wasn't sure would get out of the Hotel. He was elderly and got sick while he was over for his annual check-up. He just bounced back and forth for a while. I was happy to see he was up and motoring around with his wife, who became a minor celebrity on the unit when she was featured in a newspaper story about our town before he left us. They never did hold that "autograph session" I was always teasing them about in the lobby, since we have a paper box nearby.
Godspeed Mr. V. You fought the good fight. We'll miss you and your "famous" wife, too.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Just what I always wanted!
What would you think if you got this e-mail...(a recent e-mail subject line)
Dermatitis for the iPad
Somehow, I don't think an antivirus would remove that. Yuck!
Back to reading for me...
Dermatitis for the iPad
Somehow, I don't think an antivirus would remove that. Yuck!
Back to reading for me...
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
My plan
Is to stay here under ground watching TV with Bubba and WildDog while we wait for all the crazy, tornadic weather to head on over and out. Dahey is stuck at work where it's been raining like cats and dogs all afternoon.
I can't wait until winter and snow show up again...this storm crap is OLD!!
I'm so glad I'm not at the Hotel. Evacuating patients is worse than having a herd of 10 year old kvetching about not having a fully charged Nintendo DS (or other gaming device.)
Back to the pacing dog...
I can't wait until winter and snow show up again...this storm crap is OLD!!
I'm so glad I'm not at the Hotel. Evacuating patients is worse than having a herd of 10 year old kvetching about not having a fully charged Nintendo DS (or other gaming device.)
Back to the pacing dog...
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Children and homework
Nothing like the 11th hour to get everything done before the end of the grading period.
Dahey thought he had Bubba reading everything he needed, and alas, Bubba has failed all his reading tests.
FML for me...ugh!
Taking a break and getting ready for work tomorrow...
Dahey thought he had Bubba reading everything he needed, and alas, Bubba has failed all his reading tests.
FML for me...ugh!
Taking a break and getting ready for work tomorrow...
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Have to have a goal after grad school hell is over
Mine: learn to play that black bass guitar that's been sitting idle for over a year. This is one of the songs I want to play with a couple of my friends.
Maybe I could start a nurse version of the Rock Bottom Remainders....hmmm.
Maybe I could start a nurse version of the Rock Bottom Remainders....hmmm.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Totally TGIF
Maybe it's something in the air, or some thing about the winds of change, or the coming weekend that makes people edgy.
I wanted to strangle the group that made an appointment with some of our folks at one time and told me another (at a later date). Not going to work, kids. If you leave me out of the discussion, I will not get what you need.
Sometimes, you just see things you don't want to see...
Driving from Washington for a meeting, I see a person who looks vaguely familiar. He's one of our customers and he's surrounded. Turns out an ambulance turns the corner and picks him up.
So I go back to work and ask Madge, our NP, "Have you gotten any calls on Mr. X?"
"No. Why?" she asks.
"I saw some guy getting picked up by an ambulance near Washington that vaguely resembled him."
I leave and come back. Madge gets a call.
Yes, indeed. It was Mr. X. He was diverted since Washington's ER could not take him.
Happy, happy Friday to me.
I wanted to strangle the group that made an appointment with some of our folks at one time and told me another (at a later date). Not going to work, kids. If you leave me out of the discussion, I will not get what you need.
Sometimes, you just see things you don't want to see...
Driving from Washington for a meeting, I see a person who looks vaguely familiar. He's one of our customers and he's surrounded. Turns out an ambulance turns the corner and picks him up.
So I go back to work and ask Madge, our NP, "Have you gotten any calls on Mr. X?"
"No. Why?" she asks.
"I saw some guy getting picked up by an ambulance near Washington that vaguely resembled him."
I leave and come back. Madge gets a call.
Yes, indeed. It was Mr. X. He was diverted since Washington's ER could not take him.
Happy, happy Friday to me.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Only 42 days
And I feel like I'm still scrambling, running, trying to get everything done. They're not really as big as these, but still stress-inducing.
I just hope I know everything when I need to know it...or can make them think I do!
Stay tuned...
I just hope I know everything when I need to know it...or can make them think I do!
Stay tuned...
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Things that make you go hmmm...
One word: lawsuit.
Not because you didn't do something, but because someone can. Nice. At least that's what someone in the know told me. Legal will just have a blast with this one.
But there was an upside today: I got both my flu shot AND my annual TB test.
I just wish I would have gotten a SpongeBob bandaid!
Stay tuned for more excitement...
Not because you didn't do something, but because someone can. Nice. At least that's what someone in the know told me. Legal will just have a blast with this one.
But there was an upside today: I got both my flu shot AND my annual TB test.
I just wish I would have gotten a SpongeBob bandaid!
Stay tuned for more excitement...
Monday, September 17, 2012
Children are so much fun..
When they are asleep and not getting into trouble.
Bubba is a character. He decided he had "sore teeth" and when I looked in his mouth I saw he had horrible stains that looked as if his teeth were decaying. Photos of Mountain Dew mouth nightmares were going through my head.
Alas, his problem wasn't related to soda, but Bubba has learned that he needs to take better care of his teeth.
We got some Oragel and Bubba got some one-on-one instruction on how to properly brush his teeth with a new soft toothbrush...yet again.
More later...
Bubba is a character. He decided he had "sore teeth" and when I looked in his mouth I saw he had horrible stains that looked as if his teeth were decaying. Photos of Mountain Dew mouth nightmares were going through my head.
Alas, his problem wasn't related to soda, but Bubba has learned that he needs to take better care of his teeth.
We got some Oragel and Bubba got some one-on-one instruction on how to properly brush his teeth with a new soft toothbrush...yet again.
More later...
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Public confession
As a disciple of Juan Valdez (aka the I love coffee club), I will never ever be going on this blasphemous diet.
Not only do you have to give up coffee but every other thing that goes with it (or that might remotely taste good, except mushrooms).
So all you SU patients who tell me your gonna take this stuff for your bowels/feel better/reduce inflammation, you're on your own.
I'm not trying that either. I'll be very happy here with my friend Joe (as in Java Joe...)
More later...
Not only do you have to give up coffee but every other thing that goes with it (or that might remotely taste good, except mushrooms).
So all you SU patients who tell me your gonna take this stuff for your bowels/feel better/reduce inflammation, you're on your own.
I'm not trying that either. I'll be very happy here with my friend Joe (as in Java Joe...)
More later...
Friday, September 14, 2012
Wild Friday
Yes, I'm so, so glad this week is over. My Friday was really, really weird and probably just the culmination of an extraordinary week.
Besides all the brouhaha of the new digs opening, one of our nurses, who works the home health side had to call an ambulance for herself from a patient's home this week. We still don't know what happened to her.
The boss's boss came over to inspect again. S/he's just so friendly--only talks to the people she wants to. I've given up doing anything but speaking when spoken to. Why bother when s/he doesn't acknowledge you anyway?
And on top of this, my sibling who was coming to town got delayed and so did our hospitalized relative who was supposed to be discharging this week. Logistical nightmare trying to get him/her home caused a problem that could not be resolved until Monday. I personally don't believe it was all logistics, but then again, just call me a cynic.
I know a long weekend when I see one, so I'm taking one, myself.
Stay tuned...it should be a fun weekend.
Besides all the brouhaha of the new digs opening, one of our nurses, who works the home health side had to call an ambulance for herself from a patient's home this week. We still don't know what happened to her.
The boss's boss came over to inspect again. S/he's just so friendly--only talks to the people she wants to. I've given up doing anything but speaking when spoken to. Why bother when s/he doesn't acknowledge you anyway?
And on top of this, my sibling who was coming to town got delayed and so did our hospitalized relative who was supposed to be discharging this week. Logistical nightmare trying to get him/her home caused a problem that could not be resolved until Monday. I personally don't believe it was all logistics, but then again, just call me a cynic.
I know a long weekend when I see one, so I'm taking one, myself.
Stay tuned...it should be a fun weekend.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
On the cusp
Drugs are not always necessary. Belief in recovery always is. ~Norman Cousins
New beginnings: the Hotel got some much needed rehabbing and the occupants (staff and patients) are overjoyed. Nothing like new stuff to make people happy. The SU got some upgrades and will get more as the remodeling goes on down the way.
The end of the odyssey: my sick relative is finally going home after a trip through one hospital (twice) and one nursing home. Problems can indeed by solved eventually if you have a nervy nurse who just keeps asking questions. (The nervy nurse would be me.)
The beginning of the end of the great grad school journey: I have my date at PublicU for my exams, now all I have to do is work on my paper and my slide show and I'll be done. Hard to believe I will be done in less than two months.
Back to work....more to come.
New beginnings: the Hotel got some much needed rehabbing and the occupants (staff and patients) are overjoyed. Nothing like new stuff to make people happy. The SU got some upgrades and will get more as the remodeling goes on down the way.
The end of the odyssey: my sick relative is finally going home after a trip through one hospital (twice) and one nursing home. Problems can indeed by solved eventually if you have a nervy nurse who just keeps asking questions. (The nervy nurse would be me.)
The beginning of the end of the great grad school journey: I have my date at PublicU for my exams, now all I have to do is work on my paper and my slide show and I'll be done. Hard to believe I will be done in less than two months.
Back to work....more to come.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Sunday night special
Oh, I can't wait until Monday. Dr. RPIA, one of the specialists I work with in the SU called Friday and left a message on my personal cell phone. Yes, I do actually have a phone in my office with voice mail, but I'm sure his/her ADD kicked in and he/she wanted a response immediately.
I'm sure s/he'll have a temper tantrum since someone in his clinic double booked him/her.
Hello not my problem, Doc. You can go to Helen Waite, our complaint specialist. Or sing the song below...
Heaven knows we can wait for another specialist like you to show up, since the last one lost his visa last month. Or we can make your chief start taking patients again.
Stay tuned...
I'm sure s/he'll have a temper tantrum since someone in his clinic double booked him/her.
Hello not my problem, Doc. You can go to Helen Waite, our complaint specialist. Or sing the song below...
Heaven knows we can wait for another specialist like you to show up, since the last one lost his visa last month. Or we can make your chief start taking patients again.
Stay tuned...
One of those moments
I had to chuckle when I read this article about a woman buying a box for $50 with a Renoir painting in it.
Guess she just had to check since it said "Renoir" right there on the front.
Guess she just had to check since it said "Renoir" right there on the front.
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Pinching self...
One of the "dinosaurs" (as they call themselves in this specialty) saw my work from this summer's conference and sent me a reply in an e-mail recently where he/she said it was "exceptional". From the source, that IS a major compliment. It really made my day.
Wow.
Now back to reality...finished some yardwork that got derailed by hurricane remnants last week, went shopping and now getting ready to go out to a coworker's shindig to celebrate the end of summer (that got cancelled because of the rain, too.)
Back to the old grind soon enough...
Wow.
Now back to reality...finished some yardwork that got derailed by hurricane remnants last week, went shopping and now getting ready to go out to a coworker's shindig to celebrate the end of summer (that got cancelled because of the rain, too.)
Back to the old grind soon enough...
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Thank you Grumpy
I'd like to take this to work and put it on my door.
Please try to keep in mind that medicine is a team sport. When you view other doctors (or nurses, or whatever) as the opposition, the only person who really loses is the patient.
You can read more of this Grumpy post on his blog.
Please try to keep in mind that medicine is a team sport. When you view other doctors (or nurses, or whatever) as the opposition, the only person who really loses is the patient.
You can read more of this Grumpy post on his blog.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
I love it...
When people in your online class actually pay attention. Thank you ladies for taking time to go to our meeting at the very last minute.
Helps me feel less overwhelmed by everything! Especially since my comps date is now looming over there ==> in the sidebar...
Stay tuned...
Helps me feel less overwhelmed by everything! Especially since my comps date is now looming over there ==> in the sidebar...
Stay tuned...
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Monday, September 3, 2012
Relax...
I'm trying anyway, since I'm going to get grilled (have my oral exams) in less than two months.
So I'm figured I might as well start taking up yoga in small increments.
Otherwise, I'm escaping to the 1980s to relax with Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Back to the old grind at the Hotel tomorrow...
So I'm figured I might as well start taking up yoga in small increments.
Otherwise, I'm escaping to the 1980s to relax with Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Back to the old grind at the Hotel tomorrow...
Friday, August 31, 2012
Buried
My last semester of grad school started. I am already swamped and the remains of Hurricane Isaac have not even dropped much rain here in RehabLand yet.
Looks like I'll be hunkered down until at least early November...ugh!
Stay tuned
Looks like I'll be hunkered down until at least early November...ugh!
Stay tuned
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Boarding
While I was waiting with a relative in the ER recently, I learned about this term. He/she was lucky enough to get a room with a door and some privacy. The others in the ER were in the hallway on stretchers.
He/she needed some help, so I stuck around and provided it. I don't bug staff, especially, when this was a level one trauma center and they were calling out the incoming customers with much frequency. After that, it was noisy, since there's some construction on the edge of the unit. The sounds of drills were right outside his/her room in the morning.
I was so happy when he/she got a bed. We just missed being there 24 hours.
He/she needed some help, so I stuck around and provided it. I don't bug staff, especially, when this was a level one trauma center and they were calling out the incoming customers with much frequency. After that, it was noisy, since there's some construction on the edge of the unit. The sounds of drills were right outside his/her room in the morning.
I was so happy when he/she got a bed. We just missed being there 24 hours.
Monday, August 27, 2012
It's hard to believe...
But in somewhere around 100 days, the journey will be over. Yes, in that span of days, I hope to complete the final requirements for graduation for a Master's of Science in Nursing.
So how did I celebrate this last day of freedom before the final semester? I ate too many donuts and drank the rest of the wine I opened last night.
And, just because, I started back at the library (in my jammies, of course) and got a few of the articles the librarians suggested I add to my lit review this summer.
I'm ready, kids. Bring it on...I'll suffer whatever I have to for 100 days, 'cause then I'll have what I've been working years for.
And I will definitely appreciate it!
More later...
So how did I celebrate this last day of freedom before the final semester? I ate too many donuts and drank the rest of the wine I opened last night.
And, just because, I started back at the library (in my jammies, of course) and got a few of the articles the librarians suggested I add to my lit review this summer.
I'm ready, kids. Bring it on...I'll suffer whatever I have to for 100 days, 'cause then I'll have what I've been working years for.
And I will definitely appreciate it!
More later...
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Sunday silliness
I love old Bill Cosby.
He really had fun with his brother in this skit.
Sister Brunhilda Whatsername actually had us listen to the Noah's Ark skit in religion class.
He really had fun with his brother in this skit.
Sister Brunhilda Whatsername actually had us listen to the Noah's Ark skit in religion class.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
My "no I don't have problems" moment today
After I read this article about a botched operation, I realized that no, I really haven't had any problems at work.
At least nothing of this magnitude.
Here's one for the nursing/medical/contingency planning books.
Back to the weekend...enjoy yours wherever you are!
At least nothing of this magnitude.
Here's one for the nursing/medical/contingency planning books.
Back to the weekend...enjoy yours wherever you are!
Puttering suits me...
So glad it's the weekend, and a long one for me. All the chores I don't cram in today, will work get worked in somewhere later.
WildDog is reveling in the ecstacy of his favorite rug's return to the house. (after the annual trip to the carpet cleaner for cleaning, deodorizing and dogproofing.) Right now, he's passed out on it. WildDog is from a rescue program and he is domestic to a certain point, but he absolutely will not sleep on a dog bed. He was looking a little forlorn lately, so I was happy when the company called to ask me to pick it up.
Since there was a special on rug cleaning, I took the substitute rugs to the cleaners today, so he's happy again.
Dahey is reading an article I'm writing for a publication (related to an industry conference). He's my favorite copy editor. Cross your fingers that I get selected.
Now to vegetate for a bit while the laundry chugs away in the laundry room...
Stay tuned.
WildDog is reveling in the ecstacy of his favorite rug's return to the house. (after the annual trip to the carpet cleaner for cleaning, deodorizing and dogproofing.) Right now, he's passed out on it. WildDog is from a rescue program and he is domestic to a certain point, but he absolutely will not sleep on a dog bed. He was looking a little forlorn lately, so I was happy when the company called to ask me to pick it up.
Since there was a special on rug cleaning, I took the substitute rugs to the cleaners today, so he's happy again.
Dahey is reading an article I'm writing for a publication (related to an industry conference). He's my favorite copy editor. Cross your fingers that I get selected.
Now to vegetate for a bit while the laundry chugs away in the laundry room...
Stay tuned.
Friday, August 24, 2012
TGIF!
Yes, I'm glad it's Friday. The heat and stormy weather may be back, but the weekend is here.
Hooray!
Stay tuned...who knows what fun Bubba will find this weekend.
Hooray!
Stay tuned...who knows what fun Bubba will find this weekend.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
There's no DISLIKE button
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
It could have been worse...
I could have had a whole lot of meetings today. Two big ones were cancelled, so I HAD to do my required education at my desk and close the door to keep the rabble out all afternoon
But, never fear, friends, I still had lots of other entertainment at the meetings I did attend.
I got to hear about Dr. R's trip to the Big Ditch and the ride on the mule. In some spots, you can't see the bottom. Good thing for that sure footed creature!
We got to discuss our patients in our weekly meeting (that's what rehab centers have to do on a regular basis). I got to discuss my interventions from my office to keep some patients out of trouble. (Always fun.)
I couldn't do anything about the character offering to "help" another patient with his stash of marijuana.
No matter what we do, some of these folks just don't get it that we are not in a state that allows Mary Jane for medicinal purposes (keep driving west, please!)
And for a finale to my day, I heard rain outside my window. It was only S, the rec therapist with the patients watering the garden below. Everything was fine and dandy, and S. went back to her office and brought patients inside. Well, we thought they all came in...Mr. G., a particular character decided he was going to move the sprinkler. When he did that and started rolling in the front door, he started dragging the hose inside underneath his electric wheelchair.
A man in the lobby saw Mr. G. coming in and helped him get the hose out from under the chair, just as he was dragging the sprinkler inside. Thankfully, only Mr. G. got wet. A Good Samaritan turned off the hose, so Mr. G. wouldn't flood the whole front entrance.
All in all, it was a pretty good day. One (or even two) less meetings in life is a very good thing.
More later...
But, never fear, friends, I still had lots of other entertainment at the meetings I did attend.
I got to hear about Dr. R's trip to the Big Ditch and the ride on the mule. In some spots, you can't see the bottom. Good thing for that sure footed creature!
We got to discuss our patients in our weekly meeting (that's what rehab centers have to do on a regular basis). I got to discuss my interventions from my office to keep some patients out of trouble. (Always fun.)
I couldn't do anything about the character offering to "help" another patient with his stash of marijuana.
No matter what we do, some of these folks just don't get it that we are not in a state that allows Mary Jane for medicinal purposes (keep driving west, please!)
And for a finale to my day, I heard rain outside my window. It was only S, the rec therapist with the patients watering the garden below. Everything was fine and dandy, and S. went back to her office and brought patients inside. Well, we thought they all came in...Mr. G., a particular character decided he was going to move the sprinkler. When he did that and started rolling in the front door, he started dragging the hose inside underneath his electric wheelchair.
A man in the lobby saw Mr. G. coming in and helped him get the hose out from under the chair, just as he was dragging the sprinkler inside. Thankfully, only Mr. G. got wet. A Good Samaritan turned off the hose, so Mr. G. wouldn't flood the whole front entrance.
All in all, it was a pretty good day. One (or even two) less meetings in life is a very good thing.
More later...
Monday, August 20, 2012
Yes, I had a Monday
Power outage, rascally equipment, surly coworkers, you name it. It was a Monday.
But I'll also probably have one of those Tuesdays (meeting day from Hell-back to back for four hours), Wednesday (hump day) and Thursday (madhouse clinic day).
.
I am so glad the folks at the BBC could find researchers willing to solve this terrible problem of Mondays, by saying it's not just Mondays.
Still makes me want to go buy a winning lottery ticket and/or look for some other random financial windfall so I can stay home when I don't want to work.
Stay tuned.
But I'll also probably have one of those Tuesdays (meeting day from Hell-back to back for four hours), Wednesday (hump day) and Thursday (madhouse clinic day).
.
I am so glad the folks at the BBC could find researchers willing to solve this terrible problem of Mondays, by saying it's not just Mondays.
Still makes me want to go buy a winning lottery ticket and/or look for some other random financial windfall so I can stay home when I don't want to work.
Stay tuned.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Acoustic Sunday
Heard this while driving around this morning on a local radio show which plays acoustic versions of various songs.
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Weekend madness
You know your weekend is going to be interesting when...
Friday afternoon you take time to attend a sick relative's consult appointment which is only 30 minutes. Talk to MD and he orders lots of labs (most of which he/she actually needs)...but the phlebotomy people in their office are gone for the day. Go to the outpatient center. Find out they close at 5PM. Then walk completely around the hospital campus to main registration, then to the main lab. Wait for nearly an hour while they call the Mayo Clinic to figure out which tube they want the oddball lab to go into. Finally, help phlebotomist get lab drawn after two sticks (not her fault...just thick blood and 8 tubes to fill). Elapsed time: nearly 4 hours, including the traffic jam on the way home.
Today, wake up and favorite coffee maker breaks. It's 13 months old and has a 1 year warranty. Make coffee in backup pot (hallelujah!). Eat breakfast.
Child is sitting with geriatric dog in living room and screams. GD had accident. Hustle him outside to complete the task. Child runs outside to get away from smell and vomit in bushes. Clean up dog poop and deodorize.
Finally, get in the shower and enjoy the water running over your head. Meditating under the shower head is very, very nice after a wild morning.
Now I'll just cross my fingers that Dahey can hold down the fort while I go run errands...stay tuned!
Friday afternoon you take time to attend a sick relative's consult appointment which is only 30 minutes. Talk to MD and he orders lots of labs (most of which he/she actually needs)...but the phlebotomy people in their office are gone for the day. Go to the outpatient center. Find out they close at 5PM. Then walk completely around the hospital campus to main registration, then to the main lab. Wait for nearly an hour while they call the Mayo Clinic to figure out which tube they want the oddball lab to go into. Finally, help phlebotomist get lab drawn after two sticks (not her fault...just thick blood and 8 tubes to fill). Elapsed time: nearly 4 hours, including the traffic jam on the way home.
Today, wake up and favorite coffee maker breaks. It's 13 months old and has a 1 year warranty. Make coffee in backup pot (hallelujah!). Eat breakfast.
Child is sitting with geriatric dog in living room and screams. GD had accident. Hustle him outside to complete the task. Child runs outside to get away from smell and vomit in bushes. Clean up dog poop and deodorize.
Finally, get in the shower and enjoy the water running over your head. Meditating under the shower head is very, very nice after a wild morning.
Now I'll just cross my fingers that Dahey can hold down the fort while I go run errands...stay tuned!
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
On your last day
Of summer vacation, you could just veg out and play your video games all day.
Nope. Bubba hung out with Dahey and had a grand old time. First, the daring duo headed to Ye Old Pancake House, where Bubba did a number on a Two of Everything platter (2 eggs, 2 sausage, 2 bacon, 2 pancakes) and helped Dahey eat about 1/2 of his waffles.
Next, after that big meal, Bubba and Dahey headed to the links at the driving range/golf course. Nothing like hitting a bucket of balls with Dad, then using him as your caddy on nine holes. Dahey says at least Bubba's not putting with his shoe like Granddad who often cheated, I mean "shoe putted". This was one of the first things I learned about my father-in-law when I got married from his brother.
Then Bubba and Dahey went to lunch. (yes, after all of that!) I called at actual lunch time (about 1130ish) and told them I was ready to leave the Hotel after my training in the morning. I came home, took them to one of my favorite lunch places where Bubba decided he needed to eat half of my bag of potato chips and part of Dahey's brownie.
I took them home after lunch and went back to work. The boys vegged the rest of the afternoon and played baseball after Bubba had dinner.
"I had a lot of fun with Dad, Mom." Bubba said. And both of them looked content.
So it really was a great way to spend the last day of summer vacation: dad bonding with lad.
Nope. Bubba hung out with Dahey and had a grand old time. First, the daring duo headed to Ye Old Pancake House, where Bubba did a number on a Two of Everything platter (2 eggs, 2 sausage, 2 bacon, 2 pancakes) and helped Dahey eat about 1/2 of his waffles.
Next, after that big meal, Bubba and Dahey headed to the links at the driving range/golf course. Nothing like hitting a bucket of balls with Dad, then using him as your caddy on nine holes. Dahey says at least Bubba's not putting with his shoe like Granddad who often cheated, I mean "shoe putted". This was one of the first things I learned about my father-in-law when I got married from his brother.
Then Bubba and Dahey went to lunch. (yes, after all of that!) I called at actual lunch time (about 1130ish) and told them I was ready to leave the Hotel after my training in the morning. I came home, took them to one of my favorite lunch places where Bubba decided he needed to eat half of my bag of potato chips and part of Dahey's brownie.
I took them home after lunch and went back to work. The boys vegged the rest of the afternoon and played baseball after Bubba had dinner.
"I had a lot of fun with Dad, Mom." Bubba said. And both of them looked content.
So it really was a great way to spend the last day of summer vacation: dad bonding with lad.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Ways to lose your license in RehabLand
Yet, another version of MiddleOfNowhere SBON Newsletter appeared in my mailbox recently and it has the most interesting revocation notices in it. Sadly, most of the infractions noted are due to drug diversion or alcohol abuse. Once you have substance issues and get caught, you have report to monitoring agencies in order to complete probation and get your license back.
Some things, though, are downright scary. You can lose your license if you do the following:
1. Threaten bodily harm. To other staff members, to patients, to visitors. Probably the worst threat overheard and recorded: "Oh, don't worry about X (an obese patient) for evacuation. He/she will just have to die if there's a fire, since we won't be able to get the bed out of the room."
2. Prescribe drugs for your family, that your license does not allow.
3. Forget to tell the Board about that conviction you had several years ago for drug dealing and embezzlement. No, kids, you didn't just forget...
4. Get a facility handbook from your hospital system that says, "no loafing" After that, proceed to sleep on the job and get caught not documenting on your seven patients on multiple occasions.
And finally, if those weren't scary enough:
Work as the only licensed nurse at an assisted living facility, when you're listed as a resident AND you're disabled enough to have your own guardian, who thinks you're just filing records all day in the office.
Some things, though, are downright scary. You can lose your license if you do the following:
1. Threaten bodily harm. To other staff members, to patients, to visitors. Probably the worst threat overheard and recorded: "Oh, don't worry about X (an obese patient) for evacuation. He/she will just have to die if there's a fire, since we won't be able to get the bed out of the room."
2. Prescribe drugs for your family, that your license does not allow.
3. Forget to tell the Board about that conviction you had several years ago for drug dealing and embezzlement. No, kids, you didn't just forget...
4. Get a facility handbook from your hospital system that says, "no loafing" After that, proceed to sleep on the job and get caught not documenting on your seven patients on multiple occasions.
And finally, if those weren't scary enough:
Work as the only licensed nurse at an assisted living facility, when you're listed as a resident AND you're disabled enough to have your own guardian, who thinks you're just filing records all day in the office.
There is a God in Heaven...
At least for me...the planets have aligned and I've been given what I'm due. The scholarship program I was enrolled in (and thought I'd lost when I went to the SU) has to be given to me. Program director told me recently, "You earned it, they (meaning Human--aka Useless--Resources) haven't changed anything for you so I have to give it to you."
The psycho woman can't take that away from me if she tries. Relief! Yes, it was indeed a Happy Monday!
Stay tuned.
The psycho woman can't take that away from me if she tries. Relief! Yes, it was indeed a Happy Monday!
Stay tuned.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Saturday, August 11, 2012
I'm ready
To jump/Don't look back now, baby.
There's only so much you can learn in one place.
Can you tell I have senioritis? And the last semester hasn't even started yet!
Back to grooving away until the last classes start at the end of the month.
There's only so much you can learn in one place.
Can you tell I have senioritis? And the last semester hasn't even started yet!
Back to grooving away until the last classes start at the end of the month.
Weekend delights
Child who stays up late wakes up early...at 0500.
Why? There's a leak in his room from the dehumidifier he noticed when he got out of bed.
Husband's cell phone has an annoying chirp whenever the battery runs low on power. This started going off before 0500.Trying to hunt it down in the dark was a treat, since it only beeps every 30 seconds.
Dog is now barking, because, don't you know it's 0600 and you people usually feed me by now.
Will be so glad when they leave to go to the driving range so I can go back to sleep...
Why? There's a leak in his room from the dehumidifier he noticed when he got out of bed.
Husband's cell phone has an annoying chirp whenever the battery runs low on power. This started going off before 0500.Trying to hunt it down in the dark was a treat, since it only beeps every 30 seconds.
Dog is now barking, because, don't you know it's 0600 and you people usually feed me by now.
Will be so glad when they leave to go to the driving range so I can go back to sleep...
Friday, August 10, 2012
Childhood memories
One day when Bubba was little, he made a collage from magazine photos. It has all sorts of random stuff on it, so I asked him to explain his artwork.
He carefully pointed to each item and explained every item and its significance to him.
On the last one, he said, "And Momma, that's a coffee cup, because when I see one, I think of you."
He carefully pointed to each item and explained every item and its significance to him.
On the last one, he said, "And Momma, that's a coffee cup, because when I see one, I think of you."
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Reflections and observations
My reflections aren't going to be nearly as meaningful as these from atyourcervix, but here goes...
They don't say it in so many words, but the bigwigs are rationing access to training and travel at the Hotel. I had the pleasure of meeting with a committee recently set up following one of our illustrious inspections by random credentialing agency.
This committee is now auditing how the travel and training committee allocates funds and is structured. How was it before...let me just say this: we paid for "observation" at a resort in a tropical state. Why? Because one of the cyclical meetings that goes around the country was coming to the Hotel and this committee member needed to "observe" how the proceedings were held before we had them in our backyard.
I'm sure the observation was via chaise lounge with a mai tai...or could have been a whiskey sour. She "observed" a lot, and a few other people, including one of my coworkers, did most of the scut work, like running the planning committee, registration and volunteer section when the meeting came to the Hotel.
Now, as a result of the uproar from that "observation" (which the psych nurses say should have occurred in restraints) is that ANY training out of town has to be vetted for necessity, etc.
If you're new in your job and can get out of town training, you'll only be sent if your a manager level staffer.
The peons (who run the ship BTW) like me will just have to fend for ourselves.
Nice! How many more years am I stuck here since I took that puny sign on bonus to pay student loans? Can't wait until the chains are loosened.
They don't say it in so many words, but the bigwigs are rationing access to training and travel at the Hotel. I had the pleasure of meeting with a committee recently set up following one of our illustrious inspections by random credentialing agency.
This committee is now auditing how the travel and training committee allocates funds and is structured. How was it before...let me just say this: we paid for "observation" at a resort in a tropical state. Why? Because one of the cyclical meetings that goes around the country was coming to the Hotel and this committee member needed to "observe" how the proceedings were held before we had them in our backyard.
I'm sure the observation was via chaise lounge with a mai tai...or could have been a whiskey sour. She "observed" a lot, and a few other people, including one of my coworkers, did most of the scut work, like running the planning committee, registration and volunteer section when the meeting came to the Hotel.
Now, as a result of the uproar from that "observation" (which the psych nurses say should have occurred in restraints) is that ANY training out of town has to be vetted for necessity, etc.
If you're new in your job and can get out of town training, you'll only be sent if your a manager level staffer.
The peons (who run the ship BTW) like me will just have to fend for ourselves.
Nice! How many more years am I stuck here since I took that puny sign on bonus to pay student loans? Can't wait until the chains are loosened.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Complaint department
I'm near a busy spot in the Hotel, not far from the lobby, so I hear a lot of the comings and goings among the staff, patients and visitors. Here are a few of the more memorable ones.
The employees complain about complaint procedures. Fill out this form in this many days and wait.
The patients complain about the food. While our food wasn't quite as scary looking as this, the dietitian tries. You just never know what that kitchen staff will do.
The visitors complain about the parking, the signs, the lack of wheelchairs in the lobby. One of our housekeepers remarked that he heard patients took our wheelchairs home. "Of course," I said, "Do you know that's why they don't have those folding wheelchairs at Saintarama and other big hospitals."
Tomorrow, I'm getting a sign like this. I'm sure someone will complain.
The employees complain about complaint procedures. Fill out this form in this many days and wait.
The patients complain about the food. While our food wasn't quite as scary looking as this, the dietitian tries. You just never know what that kitchen staff will do.
The visitors complain about the parking, the signs, the lack of wheelchairs in the lobby. One of our housekeepers remarked that he heard patients took our wheelchairs home. "Of course," I said, "Do you know that's why they don't have those folding wheelchairs at Saintarama and other big hospitals."
Tomorrow, I'm getting a sign like this. I'm sure someone will complain.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Monday madness, part 107
Oh, I love Mondays, when they go quickly without incident. When does that happen, you ask? Maybe once or twice a month, if I'm lucky.
Today just was classic.
1. You're waiting for two patients to show up. One shows up for clinic. One doesn't show. The four calls you made to his/her nursing home to get him/her to the appointment were a waste. I really love transportation companies when they screw up!
2. The crazy specialist you have to work with forgets how to code his encounters. The coding staff are off today. He/she decides to do something crazy and puts his notes in incorrectly. Nice...
3. You forget your lunch at home...in the fridge. All the while, as you wait for Dr. Crazy, you're dreaming about lunch.
Despite the weirdness that appeared, disappeared and reappeared, things did get better.
1. I escaped! Out of the building! For my ENTIRE lunch time. Hallelujah!
2. Since all the patients were done for the day, I drove down the road to my favorite coffee place and got a pound to take home and a drink. I was running late so a lady waiting for another store gave me her place in line. I thanked her profusely and gave her my coupon for a super cheap drink while she waited.
3. I finished the day, slowly, surely and very nicely. And away I went...
Stay tuned...
Today just was classic.
1. You're waiting for two patients to show up. One shows up for clinic. One doesn't show. The four calls you made to his/her nursing home to get him/her to the appointment were a waste. I really love transportation companies when they screw up!
2. The crazy specialist you have to work with forgets how to code his encounters. The coding staff are off today. He/she decides to do something crazy and puts his notes in incorrectly. Nice...
3. You forget your lunch at home...in the fridge. All the while, as you wait for Dr. Crazy, you're dreaming about lunch.
Despite the weirdness that appeared, disappeared and reappeared, things did get better.
1. I escaped! Out of the building! For my ENTIRE lunch time. Hallelujah!
2. Since all the patients were done for the day, I drove down the road to my favorite coffee place and got a pound to take home and a drink. I was running late so a lady waiting for another store gave me her place in line. I thanked her profusely and gave her my coupon for a super cheap drink while she waited.
3. I finished the day, slowly, surely and very nicely. And away I went...
Stay tuned...
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Virtually cool stuff
Every day, there's something interesting to read about. Efforts to help our troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan makes sense for many reasons.
There are even games that can make a difference when we take care of patients by reducing pain when drugs can't.
We live in an interesting time and I love it!
Stay tuned for more goodies...
There are even games that can make a difference when we take care of patients by reducing pain when drugs can't.
We live in an interesting time and I love it!
Stay tuned for more goodies...
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Flashbacks to the last conference tonight when Bubba played this
Now, just imagine a hundred or so nurses, young and old, hamming it up in a stuffed shirt old money style ballroom.
Ah, memories! Cheers boys and girls!
Ah, memories! Cheers boys and girls!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Turning the tables...
Usually, I have lots of stories, so I decided to turn the tables and tell you all about some of the stories I've heard on the unit from people passing through the Hotel.
I don't check for veracity, but I do enjoy a good story, true or not. And no, I'm not going to tell you about the stuff they tell us to get drugs. (The ER nurses like my classmate Q. get a new one of those every day.)
Police stories:
Dim bulb
In some professions, people developed a heightened sense of awareness of things. Police officers are trained to be highly alert, but some of the scenarios Good Cop (he called himself that when he roomed with another former cop--Bad Cop) told me about were just crazy.
GC was out on patrol one night and noticed a guy had his license plate light out (an infraction that would win a ticket in his town). Once GC got to the window and took the guy's license he said, "I didn't do it."
GC said something about the way he said that wasn't right. He asked again, and the guy says the same thing and "I didn't rob that liquor store."
GC asks Mr. Chatty to step out of the car. GC proceeds to cuff and stuff him. Before he knew it, the call came out on the radio about the robbery. GC calls his coworker back and asks him if he wants him to bring Mr. Chatty back by the liquor store (about 4 blocks away). Coworker says "come on over." Meanwhile, Mr. Chatty keeps talking...
Mr. Chatty is identified as the perpetrator by the store owner, and off he went to the police station and booking.
Get it straight
GC pulls over a man for speeding. Mr. Lam is apologetic and GC says, "I almost let him go. Just seemed like a really nice guy."
But Mr. Lam was not a nice guy. He was a fugitive wanted on federal warrants for murder. The warrants were 16 years old.
So how did GC figure out Mr. Lam wasn't who he said he was? Well, if you give a bogus drivers' license to a police officer, make sure you sign the same name that's on the drivers' license you give to the officer. If you sign your real name (not your alias), someone, like GC, might figure you out.
I don't check for veracity, but I do enjoy a good story, true or not. And no, I'm not going to tell you about the stuff they tell us to get drugs. (The ER nurses like my classmate Q. get a new one of those every day.)
Police stories:
Dim bulb
In some professions, people developed a heightened sense of awareness of things. Police officers are trained to be highly alert, but some of the scenarios Good Cop (he called himself that when he roomed with another former cop--Bad Cop) told me about were just crazy.
GC was out on patrol one night and noticed a guy had his license plate light out (an infraction that would win a ticket in his town). Once GC got to the window and took the guy's license he said, "I didn't do it."
GC said something about the way he said that wasn't right. He asked again, and the guy says the same thing and "I didn't rob that liquor store."
GC asks Mr. Chatty to step out of the car. GC proceeds to cuff and stuff him. Before he knew it, the call came out on the radio about the robbery. GC calls his coworker back and asks him if he wants him to bring Mr. Chatty back by the liquor store (about 4 blocks away). Coworker says "come on over." Meanwhile, Mr. Chatty keeps talking...
Mr. Chatty is identified as the perpetrator by the store owner, and off he went to the police station and booking.
Get it straight
GC pulls over a man for speeding. Mr. Lam is apologetic and GC says, "I almost let him go. Just seemed like a really nice guy."
But Mr. Lam was not a nice guy. He was a fugitive wanted on federal warrants for murder. The warrants were 16 years old.
So how did GC figure out Mr. Lam wasn't who he said he was? Well, if you give a bogus drivers' license to a police officer, make sure you sign the same name that's on the drivers' license you give to the officer. If you sign your real name (not your alias), someone, like GC, might figure you out.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Perspective
One day you get a terminal diagnosis, like Mr. X. Madge, our NP, briefs the staff by saying, "Mr. X. may complain of a sudden pain and that will be it." Lots of people are worried, about you, but we do a pretty good job of bluffing sometimes.
You finally realize that maybe you should go to hospice, because, even though your siblings love you, they just don't know if they can take losing you by themselves at home. As usual, for some people, the Hotel becomes their home for many reasons, as it did for Mr. X.
Our docs get ready to send you to the hospice unit. You say you're okay with that and wheel around in your chair. Your relatives come and even bring your little dog, Fido, who's missed you ever since you've been gone on this odyssey of one life-threatening event after another.
That day, your sister comes for lunch and brings you the biggest burger from Burgers-R-Us nearby, which you tell us are the best ever (just like the sign out front says) and you eat your lunch out on the patio.You go to bed, telling staff you're happy, after a wonderful, sunny day.
Early the next morning, Sasha, the night nurse, finds you. Unresponsive. Gone. She wept and wept. It was her first death on the unit.
She wept for all of us.
We'll miss you, Mr. X., your family and your little dog, too. Godspeed...
You finally realize that maybe you should go to hospice, because, even though your siblings love you, they just don't know if they can take losing you by themselves at home. As usual, for some people, the Hotel becomes their home for many reasons, as it did for Mr. X.
Our docs get ready to send you to the hospice unit. You say you're okay with that and wheel around in your chair. Your relatives come and even bring your little dog, Fido, who's missed you ever since you've been gone on this odyssey of one life-threatening event after another.
That day, your sister comes for lunch and brings you the biggest burger from Burgers-R-Us nearby, which you tell us are the best ever (just like the sign out front says) and you eat your lunch out on the patio.You go to bed, telling staff you're happy, after a wonderful, sunny day.
Early the next morning, Sasha, the night nurse, finds you. Unresponsive. Gone. She wept and wept. It was her first death on the unit.
She wept for all of us.
We'll miss you, Mr. X., your family and your little dog, too. Godspeed...
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Too darned hot, part 77
First part: get an e-mail from the gal in HR processing an incentive program for you. Have to escape the office to drive to her office on company time (yippee!) Hot, hot, hot. Had fun, though. Susie, always has the darnedest stories about the idiocies of trying to recruit for the Hotel and Washington and our system.
"Hey, if they need you, you get the incentive period. Don't know why Idiot X in that department cares. Needs to get her panties out of a bunch."
I love Susie. Wish she could order more executives around!
Later, sitting in the drive-thru of the chicken place Bubba chose as his "eat out nite" place was brutal today. As Murphy would have it, we had to line up behind a van load of people with special orders.
Technically, it's was only 102 degrees Fahrenheit, but the temp gauge on my old car said 120 degrees.
Glad that twenty minutes of my day is over and done.
More to come...
"Hey, if they need you, you get the incentive period. Don't know why Idiot X in that department cares. Needs to get her panties out of a bunch."
I love Susie. Wish she could order more executives around!
Later, sitting in the drive-thru of the chicken place Bubba chose as his "eat out nite" place was brutal today. As Murphy would have it, we had to line up behind a van load of people with special orders.
Technically, it's was only 102 degrees Fahrenheit, but the temp gauge on my old car said 120 degrees.
Glad that twenty minutes of my day is over and done.
More to come...
Monday, July 30, 2012
A rainy postscript
Dear Spirits of the Water:
Yes, I did wash my windows to get it to rain recently.
However, I did not return back to work recently so it could "rain" inside when the idiots from maintenance found out why that shower clogged in the restroom above the office next door.
It's really better for equipment that costs way more than a nice BMW to stay clean and dry at all times, not just on some days.
Thank you maintenance for fixing the problem quickly. I love working in an old building.
Truly dry now, I am,
Sincerely yours,
RehabRN
Yes, I did wash my windows to get it to rain recently.
However, I did not return back to work recently so it could "rain" inside when the idiots from maintenance found out why that shower clogged in the restroom above the office next door.
It's really better for equipment that costs way more than a nice BMW to stay clean and dry at all times, not just on some days.
Thank you maintenance for fixing the problem quickly. I love working in an old building.
Truly dry now, I am,
Sincerely yours,
RehabRN
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Hallelujah, it's raining!
Keep it up and maybe my flowers will stop wilting!
No silly, just rain, not men. Hearing that phrase did make me think of this song though...blast from the past.
Happy weekend everyone wherever you are...
No silly, just rain, not men. Hearing that phrase did make me think of this song though...blast from the past.
Happy weekend everyone wherever you are...
Saturday, July 28, 2012
It's official!
Only one more semester of grad school left...and hopefully, not one more group project, since I won't have my partner, Q. on my team anymore (we won't have any more classes together but will graduate together).
I made darned sure I celebrated...woo hoo! Happy weekend to me.
Off for three or so weeks, then the countdown begins!
Stay tuned.
I made darned sure I celebrated...woo hoo! Happy weekend to me.
Off for three or so weeks, then the countdown begins!
Stay tuned.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Working vacation
Around the house. Since I've been a busy grad school student in addition to work, I have been neglectful of my duties as chief housekeeper so it was time for an intervention. Yes, I finally buckled down, and decluttered my son's entire room (I left some stuff for him to do, though).
After that, I vacuumed, dusted and cleaned the floors. I also washed all the linens and curtains in the room. I will wash the windows before I go back to work if it doesn't rain (or I'll cure the drought with my window washing!)
Another fun task: bagging up, washing and distributing old stuff (clothes, toys, books) to one of the local charity thrift shops. Bubba doesn't want it--it's going to them. They are more than happy to sell off his stuff he no longer plays with for me. No craigslist, no weirdos coming to my house or meeting me in a nearby mall parking lot. So much simpler!
Today, I finished up some more cleaning and decluttering in my room. It's not completely done, but the start is better than what we had! So, so happy.
If only every vacation could be as productive as this one!
Stay tuned!
After that, I vacuumed, dusted and cleaned the floors. I also washed all the linens and curtains in the room. I will wash the windows before I go back to work if it doesn't rain (or I'll cure the drought with my window washing!)
Another fun task: bagging up, washing and distributing old stuff (clothes, toys, books) to one of the local charity thrift shops. Bubba doesn't want it--it's going to them. They are more than happy to sell off his stuff he no longer plays with for me. No craigslist, no weirdos coming to my house or meeting me in a nearby mall parking lot. So much simpler!
Today, I finished up some more cleaning and decluttering in my room. It's not completely done, but the start is better than what we had! So, so happy.
If only every vacation could be as productive as this one!
Stay tuned!
Thursday, July 26, 2012
My kind of gal
Yes, I'll admit it. I really enjoy reading some obituaries. I particularly liked reading this one in the New York Times recently about a children's author.
Her mother told her to never get a tattoo or she'd regret it. She got one anyway, and it was a great story.
Makes me think about the patient who had a four leaf clover on his hip. He got it just because he always wanted to have one...
Her mother told her to never get a tattoo or she'd regret it. She got one anyway, and it was a great story.
Makes me think about the patient who had a four leaf clover on his hip. He got it just because he always wanted to have one...
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Spot on
I do have to say, despite not considering myself a politico of any sort, I do enjoy political debates. Some of the personalities, however, drive me nuts.
As a student in the 1980s, like a lot of people my age, I thought Bill Bennett was the crazy schoolmaster intent on robbing us of having a good time and simply thinking up more rules we didn't need.
He even has his own conservative radio show. I don't listen to Rush or Bill or any of the other characters either. But while perusing my nightly off-topic reading (my escape from work life and school), I ran into this article William Bennett wrote about the "Aurora Three", posted today.
It made me realize that this is not a conservative value he's talking about...it's a human one.Those young guys really were heroes, especially to their girlfriends. They are also a reminder of the potential hero in everyone of us.
As a student in the 1980s, like a lot of people my age, I thought Bill Bennett was the crazy schoolmaster intent on robbing us of having a good time and simply thinking up more rules we didn't need.
He even has his own conservative radio show. I don't listen to Rush or Bill or any of the other characters either. But while perusing my nightly off-topic reading (my escape from work life and school), I ran into this article William Bennett wrote about the "Aurora Three", posted today.
It made me realize that this is not a conservative value he's talking about...it's a human one.Those young guys really were heroes, especially to their girlfriends. They are also a reminder of the potential hero in everyone of us.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
An old saying
The complete phrase is "my word is my bond" meaning that just by giving your word, one can be assured that the promise will be kept.
Too bad no one really means it any more when they tell you they'll do something.
More later....
Too bad no one really means it any more when they tell you they'll do something.
More later....
Call me a cynic...
But I found this quote highly ironic in one of the "winners" press releases for the award:
"The annual U.S.News rehabilitation hospitals list is based on independent surveys of randomly selected board-certified physicians specializing in rehabilitation medicine who were asked to name the hospitals that provide the best care to patients with serious conditions, regardless of location or expense."
Why on earth would outcomes actually count for anything? (scratches head)
Just my $0.02...
"The annual U.S.News rehabilitation hospitals list is based on independent surveys of randomly selected board-certified physicians specializing in rehabilitation medicine who were asked to name the hospitals that provide the best care to patients with serious conditions, regardless of location or expense."
Why on earth would outcomes actually count for anything? (scratches head)
Just my $0.02...
Monday, July 23, 2012
Ever have a Monday? I did.
My Monday:
1. Get up, drive Bubba to camp, have gas light come on.
2. Drop Bubba off at camp, go to gas station.
3. Get blocked in by monster truck (luckily monster left before I was ready to go.)
4. Get behind every slow idiot who does not understand the difference between a yield sign and a merge sign. For some reason this is a HUGE problem here in RehabLand.
Remember kids, yield is red (may need to stop), merge is yellow (go slow, don't stop dead)...
5. Go to work and find out you need to sign more useless papers. (Don't sign them because they are as useless as the last ones.)
6. Find out that the scheduled opening of the patient unit really isn't as scheduled. This means your programs have to find a new home until it is open.
7. Spend a good chunk of the morning doing admin work on room arrangements, etc. Secretaries don't do that...that would be WORK (a 4 letter word)!
8. Finally get all the details done, e-mails sent, arranged, rearranged and technical details scheduled. How much of this really required an RN?
If you guessed absolute zero, you are correct.
9. Meanwhile, secretary is still attached to desk phone whispering each time I pass the printer. Would love to audit her phone log! (Which would require an Act of Congress). If I had a dollar for every minute she wastes, every copier she leaves run out of paper, ink, toner, etc. (and every single one is no more than 20 feet from her desk)...
10. Eat lunch, attend a conference call.
11. Get a call that Bubba is sick. Dahey to do pickup duty.
12. Get on conference call that starts, stops and sputters. Give up when I can't hear a thing.
13. Finally get everything done and go home.
14. Start to wind down and relax...and another telemarketer calls.
15. Thank goodness for online complaint submissions!
1. Get up, drive Bubba to camp, have gas light come on.
2. Drop Bubba off at camp, go to gas station.
3. Get blocked in by monster truck (luckily monster left before I was ready to go.)
4. Get behind every slow idiot who does not understand the difference between a yield sign and a merge sign. For some reason this is a HUGE problem here in RehabLand.
Remember kids, yield is red (may need to stop), merge is yellow (go slow, don't stop dead)...
5. Go to work and find out you need to sign more useless papers. (Don't sign them because they are as useless as the last ones.)
6. Find out that the scheduled opening of the patient unit really isn't as scheduled. This means your programs have to find a new home until it is open.
7. Spend a good chunk of the morning doing admin work on room arrangements, etc. Secretaries don't do that...that would be WORK (a 4 letter word)!
8. Finally get all the details done, e-mails sent, arranged, rearranged and technical details scheduled. How much of this really required an RN?
If you guessed absolute zero, you are correct.
9. Meanwhile, secretary is still attached to desk phone whispering each time I pass the printer. Would love to audit her phone log! (Which would require an Act of Congress). If I had a dollar for every minute she wastes, every copier she leaves run out of paper, ink, toner, etc. (and every single one is no more than 20 feet from her desk)...
10. Eat lunch, attend a conference call.
11. Get a call that Bubba is sick. Dahey to do pickup duty.
12. Get on conference call that starts, stops and sputters. Give up when I can't hear a thing.
13. Finally get everything done and go home.
14. Start to wind down and relax...and another telemarketer calls.
15. Thank goodness for online complaint submissions!
Interesting services on the street
They've got lots of different entrepreneurs in India. I don't think our NP is going to hit the streets doing this...yet.
If we can do drive-thru flu shots, who know what's next?
If we can do drive-thru flu shots, who know what's next?
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Summer...according to Nat
Roll out those lazy, hazy crazy days of summer...
Enjoying my Sunday. Hope you all are too, wherever you may be! Back next week...grad school Hell will indeed end! Stay tuned.
Enjoying my Sunday. Hope you all are too, wherever you may be! Back next week...grad school Hell will indeed end! Stay tuned.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
A political message
(WARNING: political message)
I noticed a lot of themes in President Obama's and Mitt Romney's messages for the Colorado shooting victims:
love, help, cooperation, compassion, coming together, reaching out.
Now can we keep up the sentiment for the rest of the year? Would be nice!
(end of political message)
I noticed a lot of themes in President Obama's and Mitt Romney's messages for the Colorado shooting victims:
love, help, cooperation, compassion, coming together, reaching out.
Now can we keep up the sentiment for the rest of the year? Would be nice!
(end of political message)
Friday, July 20, 2012
Sadness in Colorado
To my friends in Aurora, I'm praying for all of you after all the craziness today.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Some people...
Just get my dander up being veritable 'holes, if you know what I mean. They are the "holier than thous" who really are downright mean to patients and don't even notice.
Unless, of course, you do something really damaging to a patient, like move the internet router from his/her room so it can be shared across the hall for others.
This particular hole is very irritating. So glad tomorrow is Friday...and I'm sneaking out early.
Unless, of course, you do something really damaging to a patient, like move the internet router from his/her room so it can be shared across the hall for others.
This particular hole is very irritating. So glad tomorrow is Friday...and I'm sneaking out early.
Rejected
You know it's a bad day when....
Mr. X, our guy from yesterday, is told he needs to get emergency surgery. Washington takes him via ambulance, then, the surgeon there says, "Nope. It's too complicated. We can't do anything."
Said surgeon gets on the phone to World Renown, the major medical center (ranked way up there in all those polls/surveys/popularity contests) which performs ground-breaking medical procedures.
Patient goes to World Renown to Uber Surgeon. We get a call at the desk from Dr. F. Mr.X. has been declined for surgery. Uber Surgeon says he is not a candidate. Report is called to the floor and Mr. X. rolls back in with a red baseball cap on looking tired and squirmy on the stretcher.
"Nice cap," I tell him, and give him a pat on the arm, as the drivers brought him back to the unit and I passed him in the hall.
I wish there was more I could do. What do you say to a man who got his terminal diagnosis today?
Very, very sad...
Mr. X, our guy from yesterday, is told he needs to get emergency surgery. Washington takes him via ambulance, then, the surgeon there says, "Nope. It's too complicated. We can't do anything."
Said surgeon gets on the phone to World Renown, the major medical center (ranked way up there in all those polls/surveys/popularity contests) which performs ground-breaking medical procedures.
Patient goes to World Renown to Uber Surgeon. We get a call at the desk from Dr. F. Mr.X. has been declined for surgery. Uber Surgeon says he is not a candidate. Report is called to the floor and Mr. X. rolls back in with a red baseball cap on looking tired and squirmy on the stretcher.
"Nice cap," I tell him, and give him a pat on the arm, as the drivers brought him back to the unit and I passed him in the hall.
I wish there was more I could do. What do you say to a man who got his terminal diagnosis today?
Very, very sad...
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
I know I'm not having a bad day
I knew I was not having a bad day when I heard/observed the following:
1. One of my friends announced on Facebook that she got fired from a firm that she had worked for a very long time. Reason: she took too many sick days? Why? She has a medical condition exacerbated by stress.
Oh, you lawyers, karma's a b*&ch as they say...
2. One of my patients, who was up rolling around while waiting for his sister to come with his little dog to visit before it's too hot said, "Bob, I can't play cards at lunch today. I'm going to have to leave by then. The docs told me I have to have emergency surgery. I hope I make it back for another time."
One of the docs wrote in his notes: "Patient has been made aware that the surgery may be fatal."
We can only pray...and that made me say, "No, I am not having a bad day at all."
1. One of my friends announced on Facebook that she got fired from a firm that she had worked for a very long time. Reason: she took too many sick days? Why? She has a medical condition exacerbated by stress.
Oh, you lawyers, karma's a b*&ch as they say...
2. One of my patients, who was up rolling around while waiting for his sister to come with his little dog to visit before it's too hot said, "Bob, I can't play cards at lunch today. I'm going to have to leave by then. The docs told me I have to have emergency surgery. I hope I make it back for another time."
One of the docs wrote in his notes: "Patient has been made aware that the surgery may be fatal."
We can only pray...and that made me say, "No, I am not having a bad day at all."
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Got a couple of customers for this one
Thanks Grumpy for this ass-tonishing story. (Yes, stop groaning...bad pun, I know).
There are a couple of our Hotel customers who surely could use one set of these with all the complaints we get from them.
There are a couple of our Hotel customers who surely could use one set of these with all the complaints we get from them.
Not quite the dust bowl...
But close. The farmers in RehabLand aren't getting much. Some are harvesting their dried out fields not for grain for the elevators, but enough greens to feed the animals, since there's not much hay.
Our home health nurse D. saw the signs on the highway saying "Extremely dry conditions. Proceed with caution." but the person who threw his/her cigarette butt out the window didn't. Meanwhile, D. saw a brush fire on her way to a patient's home. She called the authorities and when she came back, it was out, but many yards along the shoulder were scorched black.
It's miserable for patients, too. One guy's van broke down on the way to the Hotel. Now he has to find a place that's not a dealer, since the dealer wants to charge him $4000.
When you drive cross country to get to us, that's just too far to go in this heat. We're hoping a Good Samaritan mechanic (and the social services folks) will help him and his wife get on their way home.
Stay tuned...
Our home health nurse D. saw the signs on the highway saying "Extremely dry conditions. Proceed with caution." but the person who threw his/her cigarette butt out the window didn't. Meanwhile, D. saw a brush fire on her way to a patient's home. She called the authorities and when she came back, it was out, but many yards along the shoulder were scorched black.
It's miserable for patients, too. One guy's van broke down on the way to the Hotel. Now he has to find a place that's not a dealer, since the dealer wants to charge him $4000.
When you drive cross country to get to us, that's just too far to go in this heat. We're hoping a Good Samaritan mechanic (and the social services folks) will help him and his wife get on their way home.
Stay tuned...
Monday, July 16, 2012
Don't let the door...part 2
Not my favorite vintage of whine, but nothing new...
RPIA Doctor: "You mean I have to do the paperwork for that appointment?" (audible, loud, obnoxious 14 year old sigh).
RehabRN: "Yes you do. I'll get you some help." (calls tech support)
Dept. Tech: (shows RPIA what to do with in-person demo) "Okay, well I guess I can do it." (RPIA walks away)
Dept. Tech and I banged our heads into the nearby desks. Ugh!
Some people just don't get that bad four letter word...work! Technology is a means to get it done, don't you know?
RPIA Doctor: "You mean I have to do the paperwork for that appointment?" (audible, loud, obnoxious 14 year old sigh).
RehabRN: "Yes you do. I'll get you some help." (calls tech support)
Dept. Tech: (shows RPIA what to do with in-person demo) "Okay, well I guess I can do it." (RPIA walks away)
Dept. Tech and I banged our heads into the nearby desks. Ugh!
Some people just don't get that bad four letter word...work! Technology is a means to get it done, don't you know?
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Hits too close to home...
In so many ways, I can't even count.
Thanks Grumpy for your post about Karl. Brain cancer is a bugaboo I hope, one day, will be resolved and cured.
Thanks Grumpy for your post about Karl. Brain cancer is a bugaboo I hope, one day, will be resolved and cured.
That bad joke...only real
My relative used to tell this one all the time...giggling like a schoolgirl.
Q What do you call a person who graduates last in his medical school class?
A. Doctor!
Only, it's not so funny when you can't read an x-ray and get busted by the cops.
Have fun in jail, Doctor!
Q What do you call a person who graduates last in his medical school class?
A. Doctor!
Only, it's not so funny when you can't read an x-ray and get busted by the cops.
Have fun in jail, Doctor!
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Slipping away...
Time is precious and it's slipping away...thank goodness! So glad there's not much left of grad school like this.
Makes work seem like a picnic...
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Attention all student nurses
Looking for stuff to prep for NCLEX that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? Check out the Elsevier Student Life site. For fun, I like to help student nurses prep for the test, and this is my absolute favorite book of all time (and I have used several tools).
Try it out and enjoy! If you find something better, post a comment, and share with the rest of the group. ;->
NOTE: they only asked me to do this. I'm not getting any free books, so you'll have to check them out and buy your own.
Good luck!
Try it out and enjoy! If you find something better, post a comment, and share with the rest of the group. ;->
NOTE: they only asked me to do this. I'm not getting any free books, so you'll have to check them out and buy your own.
Good luck!
Don't let the door hit you on the way out...
Quote from one of our docs who's leaving to 1) go to greener pastures or 2) is having a late mid-life crisis.
When I asked him/her if Mr. Z. one of our patients who saw a specialist could get an order printed for his nursing home printed out, he said,
"Oh, I don't believe in using that stuff like Dr. S. I think it's hocus pocus, so I'm not going to write that order for the nursing home."
Said doc is patient's primary care provider at the Hotel, but I don't think he/she gets the EBP part.
Good riddance.
When I asked him/her if Mr. Z. one of our patients who saw a specialist could get an order printed for his nursing home printed out, he said,
"Oh, I don't believe in using that stuff like Dr. S. I think it's hocus pocus, so I'm not going to write that order for the nursing home."
Said doc is patient's primary care provider at the Hotel, but I don't think he/she gets the EBP part.
Good riddance.
Heard on the unit...
In the offices, under the bed, outside, in the halls, you never know what people will say.
"What? Mr. X was 'ambulatory' at the scene of his slow motor vehicle accident? It's a miracle!" --Nurse Q.
Mr. X hasn't walked in years, partly because he doesn't have two legs. Q always is so observant when reading the notes the referral centers send to us.
"Mr. X was 'clean' according to the note. WTF? Did he have his accident in a car wash?"--Nurse Q
Yes, Q is a little too funny. Mr. X hasn't been clean in all the years I have known him, Q told me later. Said character is afraid he'll melt in water.If you can picture Pig Pen all grown up and missing a limb or two, you know what I mean.
"No wonder that pump didn't work. It did flip flops in his/her abdomen."--Nurse Madge
Nurse Madge is in charge of filling medication pumps at the Hotel. One patient's pump flipped so many times, it required surgical intervention to fix.
"It's better to ask forgiveness than to ask permission." --Doctor Barnum, our new boss.
Not when you piss off your referral nurse, it's not. Referral Nurse had to set boss straight, because they need to talk to get patients admitted to the Hotel. No customers is not good business, especially to the big bosses.
Stay tuned...the people I work with (and even the patients) say the darnedest things!
"What? Mr. X was 'ambulatory' at the scene of his slow motor vehicle accident? It's a miracle!" --Nurse Q.
Mr. X hasn't walked in years, partly because he doesn't have two legs. Q always is so observant when reading the notes the referral centers send to us.
"Mr. X was 'clean' according to the note. WTF? Did he have his accident in a car wash?"--Nurse Q
Yes, Q is a little too funny. Mr. X hasn't been clean in all the years I have known him, Q told me later. Said character is afraid he'll melt in water.If you can picture Pig Pen all grown up and missing a limb or two, you know what I mean.
"No wonder that pump didn't work. It did flip flops in his/her abdomen."--Nurse Madge
Nurse Madge is in charge of filling medication pumps at the Hotel. One patient's pump flipped so many times, it required surgical intervention to fix.
"It's better to ask forgiveness than to ask permission." --Doctor Barnum, our new boss.
Not when you piss off your referral nurse, it's not. Referral Nurse had to set boss straight, because they need to talk to get patients admitted to the Hotel. No customers is not good business, especially to the big bosses.
Stay tuned...the people I work with (and even the patients) say the darnedest things!
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Hurry up, Saturday!
By Saturday, I will only have two weeks left in my last (jumping for joy!) summer semester graduate school class.
With the quirky instructor we have now, it just won't get here soon enough! Where is Bob (one of my favorite professors) when I need him?
Stay tuned...
With the quirky instructor we have now, it just won't get here soon enough! Where is Bob (one of my favorite professors) when I need him?
Stay tuned...
Monday, July 9, 2012
Back in the saddle...
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Sharp and tingling
It's the time of year that they start selling prickly pear sherbet in these parts (my guess is that it's imported to RehabLand from the Southwest).
Just wish I could try to make my own like these folks did with their cactus sorbet.
I think mine really would have been better with tequila and a squeeze of lime!
Stay tuned. It might even be under 100 degrees tomorrow. (A girl can dream, can't she?)
Just wish I could try to make my own like these folks did with their cactus sorbet.
I think mine really would have been better with tequila and a squeeze of lime!
Stay tuned. It might even be under 100 degrees tomorrow. (A girl can dream, can't she?)
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Fun things to do on the weekend
1. Herd the dog and the kid out of the way. Why is it everyone hunkers down right near where I need to be?
2. Clean (since you've already herded the kid and dog in #1) Start by vacuuming. Hope the door stays locked and the kid stays interested in what he's doing in said locked room, so dog doesn't come out to attack the "invader" (aka the vacuum).
3. Keep kid and dog off freshly mopped floors until dry. Bribes work best (cookies for all--dog and kid). Just make sure kid knows not to feed dog the chocolate chip ones.
4. Start laundry before it becomes 150 degrees outside. Sure, I could dry it all outside, but the birds don't like me right now (see car for proof) and the clothesline I ordered is not in yet.
5. Finally, sit down, relax and enjoy that coffee...ahh!
The moments of the weekend won't last for long. Monday will be here in no time!
Stay tuned!
2. Clean (since you've already herded the kid and dog in #1) Start by vacuuming. Hope the door stays locked and the kid stays interested in what he's doing in said locked room, so dog doesn't come out to attack the "invader" (aka the vacuum).
3. Keep kid and dog off freshly mopped floors until dry. Bribes work best (cookies for all--dog and kid). Just make sure kid knows not to feed dog the chocolate chip ones.
4. Start laundry before it becomes 150 degrees outside. Sure, I could dry it all outside, but the birds don't like me right now (see car for proof) and the clothesline I ordered is not in yet.
5. Finally, sit down, relax and enjoy that coffee...ahh!
The moments of the weekend won't last for long. Monday will be here in no time!
Stay tuned!
Friday, July 6, 2012
Almost here, halfway done
The Paralympic Games will be held in London this year. There is inspiration at every turn. Even more exciting, Oscar Pistorius will run with South Africa in the London Olympics.
Looks like 2012 is going to continue to be a heck of a year!
Looks like 2012 is going to continue to be a heck of a year!
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Heaven is a place on earth...
But it's sure not here in RehabLand! It's been so hot lately that some of the locals are taking to cooking outdoors: frying eggs and bacon on the sidewalk, and baking cookies on the dashboard.
When life hands you lemons...stay tuned for radiator chicken next (that's what Dahey's asking for.)
Too bad my commute isn't 50 miles longer...
When life hands you lemons...stay tuned for radiator chicken next (that's what Dahey's asking for.)
Too bad my commute isn't 50 miles longer...
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