Looking for a nursing job?

I've been dragged, er, lucky enough to be asked by my boss to meet some of the interview candidates at the Hotel.

Part of my job is to also ask questions on our standard questionnaire (which is very short).

While I'm not Ask Annie, I am old (or "seasoned" as the PC people say) when it comes to interviews. If you want real specific HR information for yourself, you'll need to get an HR guru in your own state, as laws vary.

So here are my general tips.

RehabRN's top tips for interviewing success

1. Show up on time.
Not too early (we had one candidate show up at the end of night shift) and not late. NOTE: you may need to leave early to make sure you get to us on time, don't get stuck in traffic, find a place to park, and find the room.

2. Dress professionally.
Neat and clean are especially important, whether you are in scrubs or a suit.

3. Know the job description from the posting.
They may not give it to us to give to you (happens a lot). This is a valuable chunk of information that can help you ask questions of the job.

4. Answer the questions we ask you.
In the worst ever interview, one person was so slow in responding we thought he/she was asleep. He/she was the first interview of the day at 0900, so we're not sure if he/she just finished night shift, or was stoned. (it was hard to tell).

You know it's bad when your manager pleads, "Please, you must answer the question." (this actually happened.)

5. Be able to talk about your job and how you do it.
As the old saying goes, "It ain't bragging if it's true."  We don't know anything about you if you don't tell us.

We will check to see if a reference backs up your storyline. Make sure you have good ones (and at least one manager).

6. Have questions to ask of us about the job.
We can't tell you everything, but we can give you an idea of what you'll do. Preparation is key.

7. Leave your attitudes at the door.
Especially if it's bad or entitled.

8. Never assume.
Never act like we will just hire you because of your RN license and/or your impressive resume. Just because your spouse works in another department down the hall and a job at the Hotel would allow you to carpool is another thing that is not guaranteed to get you hired.

We may not hire you if you are not a good fit with the rest of the personalities, I mean, team, at the Hotel.

Need more information? Check out these sites:
http://www.hrworld.com/features/interviewing-cheat-sheet-092507/
http://humanresources.about.com/od/interviewing/ 
http://careerplanning.about.com/od/jobinterviews/

Best of luck in your next interview!

Something to look forward to...

As if random communicable diseases on a seasonal basis was not enough.

Why teenagers act crazy (from www.nytimes.com).

The wait is over...

Yes, as this nurse suspected, it was salmonellosis (and confirmed by the lab today).

Now that Dahey has had more symptoms (and he ate at the same place Bubba did), I get to play nurse coordinator and get him some medical advice, too.

Joy!

Hope your weekend is a little less exciting than mine. Stay tuned!

The waiting game continues...

Still waiting to see what exactly made Bubba (and Dahey later) sick this week.

Once I know, then Bubba can be ready to play the waiting game for sleepover camp, which is coming soon.

Yes, you got it, I'm stuck waiting, too.

TGIF folks!

Oh, the tummy!

Maybe I should have read this article before I took some naproxen before bed last night without eating.

Suffering....

The waiting game

Is Bubba still sick or not? Will I be rudely awakened again tonight by diarrhea and vomiting?

Will I finally get the stool samples I've been waiting for all day?

Should be interesting to see what happens when Dahey does kid watch duty tomorrow. He couldn't even handle me showing him the 10 language instruction sheet ("I just ate dinner" he said indignantly). He'd never make it as a nurse.

Let's have a show of hands who hasn't discussed a stool sample over a meal. (I thought so...)

At least, I got some other doctors' appointments made and files sorted and filed that I needed to do for months.

Crossing fingers and playing the waiting game...the RehabLand camp out will be here before we know it!

Summer things I don't miss

1. The dreaded heat and humidity combo.

2. Burning hot cars.

3. Food poisoning. 

Guess which one Bubba decided to get this weekend? Joy. Off we go to the pediatrician tomorrow.

Just another reason not to like Mondays, either.

Go get smashed

Yes, I got to get smashed. What on earth does that mean? Took the girls over to the radiology center and got my yearly test.

Call them whatever you want (girls, tatas, breasts) but THAT test is a mammogram. I don't have to be reminded, really, even though the Saintarama Medical Record nagged me at my last visit to my doctor.

There are plenty of other reasons why I don't forget. I can't forget that my mother-in-law is not here anymore because of breast cancer. Neither is a woman I went to grade school with, who was a labor and delivery nurse who left behind a little girl. My next door neighbor (also a nurse) who threw hilarious parties and sang on key when she wasn't working at Private U's trauma ICU, is also not here anymore because of breast cancer.

Besides all those missing souls, I think about the ladies I've taken care of who have had breast cancer with metastasis. They became rehab patients, because they couldn't walk (or walk right) anymore.

All because of something that, in many cases, can be detected by taking the girls to get smashed.

Please, ladies, go get smashed. I'd prefer to see you visiting rehab as a volunteer or family member, not as a patient for something that just might be found by getting smashed once a year.

Thank you and good night!

Some things aren't meant to be

This week there's been a lot of talk on the subject. Frankly, I'm glad this week is nearly over.

1. In the news, the Redskins lost their trademark protection.

2. They're redoing the parking lot (again) and we have a ton of traffic now. I can't wait to have some more!

3. My high school friend was at the far end of RehabLand with her daughter for a dance competition. Too bad I didn't have vacation. Said child one a first place in a national competition!

4. My attempts to get another side job foiled again. Better luck next time!

TGIF in advance!

Cup crazy

Yes, it's all sports around here all the time at the RehabRN ranch, but the boys (Dahey and Bubba) are really getting into the World Cup of soccer.

You can't really blame them, though. That Ghana vs. USA game started with a bang.

That is all...back to the latest game.

Hope you enjoy your week wherever you are.

Can fat really kill you?

I had a patient ask me that very question in the hallway the other day. Yes, indeed, Mr. XYZ, it can.

You could get any of the following diseases:

1. Fatty liver disease is becoming a growing cause of liver transplants.

2. Yes, cholesterol can get you too.

3.  And let's not forget diabetes, either.

Being fat and or predisposed to keeping fat on your body (some of this can be genetic, as noted in the article in #1) is dangerous.

And I made sure I documented my education note as soon as I got back to my desk.

There is never enough nursing education.

TGIF!

Sometimes, you really can't

Go home again. You can't go home without it changing you.

In this article in the NY Times, they discuss how many Africans who believe in female genital mutilation are sending their daughters out of the country for the process to occur in their former home countries, such as Somalia or Mali (including a few others).

I learn something new every day...

Dear recruiter (redux)

Dear Recruiter:

Yes, I'm sure Phoenix is a nice city and all, but no, I'm really not interested in even one week there in summertime. 100+ averages are not my thing.

Please call me in December when it is snowing here.

Yours sincerely,

RehabRN

How to perturb your coworkers, part 2

1. When I tell you something, don't bother listening the first time I tell you. Wait until I ask you later, then get hysterical as you are leaving a meeting. Looks grand in the hallway!

 Twenty points extra if this is your new manager who just got a clue.

2. Roll your eyes in every meeting. One day, I'm going to film our staff meetings to prove it.

3. Be paranoid in video conferences. It just shows that you may need to STAY here, not just work here.

The list grows...stay tuned or comment on some of your favorites!

In the middle of the pouring rain

This describes my life in so many ways lately.

How to perturb your coworkers, inaugural edition

Yes, this list will get long I'm certain, but here are a few things to make people really contemplate revenge.

1. Don't want to come into work? Call in tired. As in, "I'm just too tired to come in."
 NOTE: this is not a nurse who worked a double, but a cough, cough, provider who can't handle an eight hour work day...or children...or life.

Why no one's called the EAP for said MD is beyond me.

2. Wait for someone to leave, become the charge nurse, then reassign all the patients to the nurse with the least seniority. Can you say a$$H0l3? Why? Because said charge nurse can. (Thank goodness he/she will NEVER be my boss!)


3. Just be a general smarta$$. Don't have time for that! 

A dry heat

Dear Recruiter:

Would it be lovely to work the summer in Phoenix? (Yes, a nurse recruiter actually sent me this e-mail today.)

I don't think so. I'll pass. Maybe in January instead when it's icy here.

Sincerely hot (already in RehabLand),


RehabRN

OAS is not a blast from the past

From your history class, either. OAS happens every day to folks who have allergies, especially to tree and weed pollens.

Think you don't like a certain fruit because of a tingly feeling in your throat? You could have OAS.

Stay tuned...

Saturday special

Oh, adventures with Bubba are never dull. It's fun for a tween boy  if...

1. You can make $40 moving boxes with Dad before 9AM. Dahey and Bubba were helping a friend (along with some big, burly guys Dahey works with) clean out his house and move.

2. You can laugh hysterically at the talking birthday cards in the store.

3. You get to hang out with one of your buddies (and 12 other boys from school) at the local laser tag adventure place, shoot hoops, and generally act silly.

4. You get pizza and you convince your mother to take you to a place that still may have an old fashioned cake donut at 6PM. (and it's not the local donut shop seen on TV either, 'cause they closed at noon).

My weekends are never dull.

Rife with opportunities

A big week in the land of healthcare when this guy fell on his sword. It's only the beginning.

The thing about this whole situation, is that maybe something will finally get done. It's not exclusive to just one business. Unethical behavior happens everywhere.

Or the elephant will still be in the room, and the patients will suffer the consequences.

More to come...

Thoughts

We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.~ Maya Angelou

RIP Maya Angelou.

This day

"Memorial Day this year is especially important as we are reminded almost daily of the great sacrifices that the men and women of the armed services make to defend our way of life." -- Robin Hayes

Thank you for your service, Uncle I., killed in action in France, 1945. We remember.

Holiday surprises

Some things you'd rather not get for the first long holiday weekend of the summer.

1. A letter from the corporate attorneys due to a pending investigation.

2. Food poisoning.

2. A speeding ticket (not me, but Dahey did).

At least, I have another day to just hide out under the covers.

More later...

The story of my life, part 12

I read this quote recently in an article and it really struck me:

"The good workers get disheartened and demoralized if they see these non-performing workers making as much as them and they're not doing their job."

I have seen this daily since I started at the Hotel. It really does practically take an Act of God to get someone fired, unless of course, the state takes their license.

However, I am stubborn. I stick around and do my job to the best of my ability to spite them all (and trust me, there are enough of them). It's a challenge, but some days ARE really better than others (today was pretty decent).

I will let it all take its course before I decide to do something else, but the clock is ticking. I have never been so glad to be on the downside of my service contract for graduate school!

Do we know...

In honor of psychology week, do you know the difference between a psychologist and a social worker?

How to use a Hoyer lift?



If not, maybe you need to view this one this one, which should be called What really happens in therapy.



Enjoy the adventures!

Frittering...

I should be doing something productive, but I'm not. I was busy orienting a new nurse who got to spend the day with me in the SU.

It looks easy, but it's not. At least, she got some experience in what might be useful in my world.

And right on cue, I had a couple of folks I had to do walk-in support for today. I told her it only happens every so often...

I didn't even have to call them. They just found me. It's fun.

That is all. Enjoy your week!

What not to do as a nurse, version 100

We have new staff members at the Hotel, so I'll be sure to bring along the latest installment from the RehabLand State Board of Nursing newsletter.

This issue was more sad than silly, unfortunately. When they say you are a "licensed professional nurse" they really are stressing all three of those things. Licensed (you have one) professional (you are one at all times) and nurse (the occupation, not just the job).

Here are the top 10 items: (I wish there weren't this many, but...)

1. Yes, you really can get a ding on your license if you decide to take some controlled substances you got in 2010, and for which you no longer have a prescription.

The little problem happens when your employer makes you pee in a cup.

Can you say "just dispose of this properly and get a script if you need one."? I knew you could.

2. Don't just screw up one thing, screw up many.

A nurse had a really, really bad day and just kind of forgot to follow a bunch of orders on an acutely ill patient (meds, isolation, etc.)

3.Sleep on duty.

Just say no. Sleep on your own time and no one ever reads about it in a newsletter or on the news. End of story.

4. More on not following orders: disobey transfer orders on a patient, then remove a surgically implanted port, then attempt to reinsert it yourself.

O.M.G. After reading this, I would have had a hard time not thoroughly throttling this nurse.

5. Just forget to renew your license for a year.

Whoops! No license, no job. Sorry!

6. You work in an office and you just don't call the patient back when they ask to reschedule. If that's not enough, you just forget other things, too.

My question: How did you pass your boards? Certainly you had to remember SOMETHING?

7. Do drugs (at work, at home, at some place you can't remember).
Yes, all of those came up this issue (cocaine, meth and alcohol). The scariest one: the pregnant nurse doing meth. And yes, the kid tested positive.

Hello, another state agency, Children and Family Services.

8. Fake your license renewal.
Because, really, who wants to pay the State of RehabLand money to work when you can do it for free?

9. Get drunk, go driving, and wave a gun around in the air.
You will win the following: an unlawful use of a firearm, peace disturbance, and driving while intoxicated charges.

10. And finally, the worst one this issue: steal a dead patient's identity to get a cell phone in his/her name.

Despicable... be warned, professionals!

Suspension of reality

It was a regular old Monday. Nothing fancy. Went to work and had a few unforeseen occurrences. No biggie.

Educated patients (my favorite part of being a nurse) and did some other stuff. Went back to my desk, did more stuff, then came home.

Now I feel like doing nothing in particular, but ran into this funny suspension of reality: the dog texts. Made me think of WildDog, who, as a member of one of the smartest dog breeds was a crafty character.

Enjoy!

Happy Mother's Day

Here in the US we are celebrating mothers. Enjoy this stream-of-consciousness song wherever you are!

I raise my glass (of Merlot right now...) to you wherever you are!

Mom, I miss you so much!

Ah, flashbacks

I remember in a previous life that one of my professors said "Always take a glass of water to meetings in case they start talking about price fixing. Spill it in your lap and politely excuse yourself so you won't be able to vote on anything."

I doubt any water was spilled when "cooking the books" was discussed. Recently, there has been much talk of this phenomenon in health care.

However, I was not particularly disturbed until I read this article. A great way to cap off Nurses' Week...NOT!

Disgusting...

Happy Nurses' Week

You could listen to a hospital system or nursing organization tell you to "Lead the Way" (this year's Nurses' Week theme).

Or..you could just enjoy Marcy Hoo's video here, where she does her rendition of Pharrell William's Happy.

Enjoy and have a great week. You deserve it!

Surprise, surprise

Yes, according to the CDC, five things cause most of the deaths in the United States.

I found it funny that alcohol is not mentioned in the unintentional injuries section. At least, it's recognized as a cause of 1 in 4 spinal cord injuries.

More later...enjoy your weekend wherever you are. It's gorgeous (except for that pollen) in RehabLand.

It just keeps coming...

Maybe it's the superstition of threes, or we're just on a roll at the Hotel.

1. One patient died last week.
2. Another one died today.
3. A recently discharged patient went home and was readmitted to FarOff Memorial Hospital today.

Tomorrow really will be TGIF (because I don't think I could handle another day this week).

The crazy week continues

Snippets of my day:

1. Overheard while the tech support guy was in my office: "Really? It was on fire?" Medical equipment and fires just don't mix. It's especially troubling when it catches on fire due to the electrical outlet.

2. The headache from Hades. Was it pollen, sunlight, #1 or the storm front moving through? Not sure at all. Thank goodness for migraine meds!

3. In my role as nurse volunteer for a conference, I got to grade a selection of the poster and paper submissions.

I swear I graded one by some of the folks from Saintarama Rehab. It's blinded, but I do know they are from my neck of the woods. I hope I can stay long enough to see their poster (if the other folks accept it too).

BTW I thought it was pretty good. Would love to implement the same thing at the Hotel. Communication and keeping people from falling is a very good thing.

New moon craziness

Well, according to the calendar, it's not a full moon. I would have thought otherwise recently, though.

People (patients and staff) acting funny at the Hotel made me go and check the calendar.

A few oddities here and there to keep up busy. Among them...

1. A death (not unexpected) in the acute wing. 

2. A seminar (also at the acute wing). Just another occasion to hang out and sell the program (mixed results on that ). The major plus: walking to the parking garage (it was a glorious day and no, I did not rush one bit!).

3. Balky people everywhere. I love reactionaries! Sometimes, we just don't plan in advance, so we're standing there waiting when we could be doing work that will be of benefit later.

The rest of the week awaits...so off I go!

And tell us what you really think?

I know a lot of good folks come to us from At Your Cervix. The author doesn't mince words when she discusses a recent conference.

You go, girl. Tell it, because no one else will. We can't just do it because we've always done it that way.

Yes, EBP is a big hairy deal in the nursing world. And dosed with a healthy helping of common sense, it's a very good thing.

More later...

Truth or fiction version 46

You'd be surprised at some of the articles I've been reading lately.


Take a guess and see how many you get right. No prizes, but you too, can have bragging rights in your neck of the woods.

Go ahead! Get ready (or not) to entertain your friends and family. See who can get the most right. I'll post the answers 24 hours after the initial post.

Robots are running around the hospital seeing patients in rehab. Truth or fiction?

Women are getting the "Cinderall procedure" in droves?

And finally, since we have "bring your kids day", you may just want to bring a furry friend one of these days.

Stay tuned!

Not just for travelers

I saw this article recently in one of my e-mails. As one other article mentioned, there are a lot of myths out there (some perpetrated by well-meaning and not-so-well-meaning folks).

One of the biggest issues is that you may need legal representation, regardless of whether you are sued by a patient or not. If you are investigated by your State Board of Nursing (SBON), your license could be in jeopardy.

Another reason: if you volunteer and use your nursing skills, your employer's malpractice may not cover you in the event something goes wrong because you are not at work.

Many malpractice policies can help you to pay for your defense (as most employers do not cover that). Losing your license often means losing your job. Losing your job means losing your income.

Happily, this can be remedied. Check out a malpractice policy of your own. NOTE: some specialties are more expensive to insure than others, but this may vary by carrier.

If you need a nurse attorney, see one of these fine nurse attorneys (if you are in their states) or contact a firm and ask them if they have nurse attorneys who handle cases before your SBON.

Taralynn Mackay
LaTonia Denise Wright

As always, when in doubt, check it out. Your career (and livelihood) may depend on it.

Never fear...

Still here. Just having writer's block.

Only temporary, and partly fueled by excess pollen in RehabLand leading to an obvious nursing diagnosis of disturbed sensory perception. My nasal passages are definitely disturbed.

Time for more saline spray...

More to come.

Happy Easter!

To all of you who celebrate (whether it's now or later)! Enjoy!

Completely logical

Maybe this dog was just trying to get a chance at chasing (and actually catching) some cars.

Enjoy!

DVT management

Lots of customers come into the Hotel with history of DVT.

While I was reading the RehabLand news today, I saw a very interesting article about removing them to resolve issues.

There were no photos, so Dahey could read this article, too. (He has a weak stomach and ears).

Enjoy your day wherever you are!

Ice cream and Viagra?

Thankfully, we won't (or shouldn't) have anyone eating this at the Hotel.

It's one thing to need a medication fridge, but a freezer for this? Yes, the pharmacy folks keep our shingles vaccine, so we don't have to do it.

It's always something as Roseanne used to say.

Another aftereffect of the Polar Vortex?

I hope not. I already have a longstanding dislike of the pollen in springtime.

Polar vortex = pollen vortex

One word (or interjection): UGH! (scratching eyes as nose runs...)

More to come...

I have to remind myself why I continue...

To blog.

Who knew that keeping a journal may be the one of the best kept productivity secrets out there?

Sounds like a very good reason to me.

TGIF! Enjoy your weekend wherever you are.

Passwords I'd like to use

With the all the Heartbleed news, (a computer security issue) I've spent a good portion of my evening trying to figure out some easier to remember strong passwords.

The Hotel makes us change them on a regular basis, and they've gone from 8-12 characters to a minimum of 15.

So at home, I'm trying to have a middle ground: strong passwords that are easy to remember.

Some I've thought about but won't use are:

• My phone number + my home address (postal). I might run out of characters with that one.
• Engl3bert!Humperd1nck. (just too oddball)
• Pick an expletive (I have used them in the past...because that's what I'm thinking whenever I have to change them).

So I'm going to go with some other options.

• Hiding in plain sight with non-standard characters (wherever I c@n!)
• Plenty of hints
• Creating a passphrase

Hope you enjoy your evening...back to the changing of the passwords. More later!

Far too much entertainment...

When I am not at work. This is not an endorsement, but I found this app because of Rob Fraser, a very nice Canadian.

Nothing like looking at stuff you can see at work and see the comments that are listed.

The end of the line...

Only if you have an old computer. Yes, Microsoft is finally retiring support for Windows xp, unless you work for certain governments who have ponied up for support.

Despite its failings, at least I don't have to worry about this any more. I made all of my xp problems disappear by downloading this version of Linux free. My hardware was just old enough (and underpowered) that it would not support Windows 8.

Be warned: it is a change. I opted for this because I wanted something easy that would support my attached goodies.

Still tinkering...enjoy your day!

Mush

That's what my brain has felt like lately. Total. Utter. Mush.

What could do this you ask? Two things.

First, interminable meetings. One right after the other. Trapping you in a room with closed blinds and crazy weather after a week of freedom should be against the law.

Second, I also got to interview people. For my old unit and the SU. It's so nice to feel wanted...until they tell you that you'll be trapped in a room for that, too. Filling out papers. Lots of papers.

An aside (or rant ..WARNING):

If I told you we were required to ask these kinds of questions, would you come to the interview unprepared? About 25% of the people came in not knowing (or caring). Consequently, it was easier for me to give a lower rating on the interview.

Some folks didn't pay attention to dress, either. Scrubs are not unusual for nurses if the person just came from work, but they should be clean and neat. If they are not, they are not appropriate.

Dress was the least of the worries, though. Some people just couldn't answer the questions. The best person I interviewed was one where my supervisor kept saying, "Feel free to elaborate" as the candidate basically answered the behavioral questions with yes and no. It made me wonder if they had just gotten off the night shift (the candidate never volunteered that information, though).

Needless to say, they declined to offer said candidate a position due to poor performance.

Remember folks, I don't know what you do. The interview is where you tell me what you do and why I should hire you.

Ah, another week ahead, but thankfully, without any interviews.

Stay tuned!

If it's Sunday...

It's time for Sunday Stealing again. Hope you enjoy the latest one called For old times' sake. My answers are below.

Cheers!

===============================================================

When was the last time you swam in a pool? Months ago.

 Do you like to party? Sure.

Describe the shirt you're wearing? Green.

What is one feature film that you don't like? Most action films.

Would people describe you as happy? Yes.

Sleep with or without clothes on? On.

Does it bother you if people swear around you? No.

Do you prefer Wednesdays or Thursdays? Right now, Wednesdays.

Like to travel? Yes.

Think you're attractive? Sure.

Are or were you a good student? Yes.

Are you currently happy? Yes.

Colored or black-and-white photo? I like black and white.

Do you consider yourself the life of the party? No.

Do you drink? Yes.

Do you make fun of people? Only if they pick on me.

Do you think dreams eventually come true? Some do.

Favorite fictional character? George Bailey.

Go to the movies or rent? Both.

Have you ever moved? Yes.

How's the weather right now? Pretty sunny.

Last time you cut your hair? About a month ago.

Last person you talked to on the phone? Husband.

Last time you showered? Last night.

Loud or soft music? All depends.

McDonalds or Burger King? Burger King.

Night or day? Day.

Number of pillows?  One.

Piano or guitar? Guitar.

Current annoyance? Allergies.

Last thing you ate? Cupcakes

Last thing you bought? Groceries

Pick a lyric, any lyric or a song...Because I'm happy...

Pick a movie quote...Here's looking at you, kid.

The joys of spring

RehabLand had a very long winter. Finally, spring came on March 21. Daffodils are popping up and the trees have buds.

Now, we're experiencing the not-so-hot stuff. Hail. Yesterday, it was golfball-sized near the Hotel, but thankfully, miniscule at the Hotel.

With almost 6 inches of rain in the last two days, there are lots of puddles that look like small lakes. Flash flooding really is not like a flash mob, folks.

And if that wasn't enough, here come the tornado warnings.

Let's just hope the power stays on...more later.

Bully pulpit

I have a friend (no April Fool-- call him/her M) who is having this problem, and because he/she felt threatened while we completed our studies, he/she kept quiet until his/her internship was over. He/she suffered.

ANA discusses bullying in their Healthy Nurse section on Bullying and Workplace Violence:

Lateral violence refers to acts between colleagues and bullying is often described as acts perpetrated by one in a higher level of authority. This behavior may involve covert or overt acts of verbal and non-verbal aggression. These types of behavior have been reported to result in enough psychological distress to nurses to cause them to leave the profession (Dellasega, 2009). 

The person perpetrating this bullying is in a higher level of authority. Ever heard of C-suite? Well, he/she is up there. It's hard to believe that your former preceptor would, out of the blue, accuse you of theft of intellectual property and assault your character in company e-mail of a prominent hospital system, but the former preceptor did.

All the while, my friend was just happy to receive a national award recently. When he/she came home the other day, there was a family crisis. Off to the hospital, but not for work. One of the family had become ill and required emergent surgery.

After I calmed him/her down, we discussed what happened since school. Everything is documented. Since the degree is done, I suggested he/she contact an attorney. Life's too short to live in fear of this crazy person.

As the saying goes, tough times never last, but tough people do.

More to come...

Escape!

I didn't get my spring break while Bubba was off, because I escaped the Hotel to travel.

Happy weekend, all, wherever you may roam!

Cheers!

You never forget

The people who die because of medical errors. One patient of ours died last year of ignorance, when a provider just didn't know what to do, and help was too far away.

Consequently, I read this PDF from the National Patient Safety Foundation a little more closely.

It is terrible that they died, but to have them die in vain, is far worse.

Share the love

I really like reading other blogs. Nursing blogs, doctor blogs, you name it.

So today, I'm going to share the love for one of my favorite all-time MD blogs, KevinMD.

While I was enjoying some quality time with Bubba (recuperating from running around on his spring break when I could), I perused blogs I haven't had the chance to really read in a while.

KevinMD had some posts that I really enjoyed. Hope you do, too.

• Have you ever felt that you've been profiled by your doctor? I have (I've been that "asks too many questions" relative). This article was illuminating and had plenty of examples.
  
• CYA medicine? Yes, it really does exist.
  
• People die without love. Sad and so very true.

Spring break diversions

Yes, to keep the vacation atmosphere around here for one little boy: let's go out to eat more than usual. At least that part seemed like a vacation, even when you're staying home, and the parents are working.

I decided if I ever want to be a nursing instructor when I grow up, I ought to take some more education classes before I run out and get a terminal degree. I've been checking out MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) from all over the world here. It seems like a better option than handing over my checkbook for every class.

I actually found a nice course by Curtis Bonk (yes, it's his real name) about using technology in teaching on one of the sites. I knew of a few, but the MOOC list has many I had never even heard of at all.

Professor Bonk has some interesting viewpoints.

1. You need critical friends, web buddies, e-mail pals in online classes.

2. Your blog will be there 100 years later. What you post today might be usable tomorrow. Your digital history may be available for centuries. (Wow was my first thought). The professor mentioned a friend who published the Come and see Africa blog. The author's died in 2010 in a car accident. Her blog remains.

This tidbit of that course provided a lot of food for thought today.I can only imagine what rehab nursing will be like in 100 years, and what would they think of this blog?

Today, I read an article that people are still trying to keep rehab hospitals relevant, when the pointy haired policy wonks want to send everyone to a skilled (nursing home) care facility for rehab.

Only time will tell...enjoy your night wherever you are.

If you're nice, they'll call you back

Ah, the fun times today discussing how nurses and pharmacists have fun talking to patients and customers.

Yes, it is really true.

And for all of you certified RNs out there, Happy Certified Nurses' Day. You go the extra mile and you rock.

From one certified nurse to another, I raise my glass...cheers!

Bonding with Bubba

Oh, the fun and excitement of living with a tween boy who is spring break staycationing.

1. Bubba thinks he's immune to taking baths or showers (and he loves swimming). I'm reminding him that he really does need to clean the cracks and crevices more than he does.

2. Since Dahey had to work, I took him to soccer. His team lost. He was sad. Dahey got updates via text and phone, though. The team got lots of shots, but nothing would go into the goal.

3. We took my sister out to lunch. Both of them are never happier than in an eating establishment. No one is ever bored with food around.

4. Movies are on the agenda, but since it was later in the day when we got home, I decided to hold off on seeing  Mr. Peabody and Sherman, but we had to get Thor.

I was so tired from my crazy week, I promptly feel asleep during most of the movie.

Ah, togetherness...

Spring break TGIF

Oh, how I wish I could run away on spring break with Bubba. Fun, fun, fun.

Since I didn't get the winning lottery ticket, being off this weekend will have to be enough for now.

Stay tuned...

I was in charge of reading this stuff once...

There are no tea leaves at the Hotel unless one of the nurses brings them in or someone tears up one of our fine no-name teabags.

However, rehab nurses, especially on certain shifts, get really good at reading the signs in stool.

Yes, as they taught you in school, color and consistency do matter.

Back to the old grind...

If you're looking for a job at the Hotel

Dear Interviewee:

Thank you for coming to the interview. Here are a few tips:

1. Please be on time. If not, call as soon as possible. Don't turn off your cell phone or just don't answer.

2. When we ask a question, you may answer. There is a reason why we read the questions in advance and give you a copy.


3. If you are too tired from working night shift, please reschedule. Coming in and falling asleep (the silences give you away) during the interview is really not a good thing.

4. When the nurse manager asks what your schedule preference is, please tell him/her. Better to get it out now what kind of schedule you want than not to get it and quit before you are oriented.

If you can't do some (or really all) of these, please decline the interview. We could be spending our time with someone else who really likes to be a nurse and wants to show up every day.

Very sincerely yours ('cause if you don't want to be here, it doesn't hurt me),

RehabRN

The miracles of modern medicine

So many things we take for granted.

Sniff it out

A few studies have noted the ability of dogs to correctly diagnose cancer in some people.

It's just amazing now that scientists have figured out how to replicate this with devices.

Wonders never cease.

Happy Monday!

The randomness of life

I really enjoyed this story about a lady winning the lottery by playing her fortune cookie numbers. The odds may be slim, but at least, they were in her favor for one draw.

The randomness of life hit me when I watched the news today and saw a familiar face. My BLS instructor, a big burly fireman, who taught at the community college here in RehabLand, was killed in a drunk driving accident. A woman was charged today.

He wasn't wearing his seatbelt while off-duty. The same guy who stressed how "seconds count", was himself gone in an instant.

Just makes me want to live this randomness to the fullest.

Because you just never know when your lotto numbers will win, or when someone you love won't be around.

Stay tuned...

An unbelievable story

Rehab is so earth-shattering, that you just might change your name.

(face-plant)

I'm glad it's a slow news day...

I wanna be a beta tester

For this little gadget. We thought the iPhone EKG cases were good.

These surely do look better!

I need a t-shirt that says

"I survived jury duty". I did. I did. I did.

What did I miss in the years I did not get called and picked to serve on a jury? Not much.

A few things I learned though, were very important.

1. Don't let your lawyer clown it up on the opening arguments. He/she should be reasonable and convincing, but bouncing binders in front of the jury to get their attention is not the way to do that. It gave me a headache.

2. Tell the truth. Or at least be expected to use the same story over and over. You know that oath "thingy"? Yes, it applies to you.

3. Related to #2, never swear that you never use the phone. There are records.

4. Don't hire one of your own employees to serve as your "expert witness". It is a little thing called conflict of interest for him/her to participate.

5. Don't repeatedly say your client knows nothing about business, because he/she has been at it for a few years...like 40. Despite everything, the business is solvent, so who's at the wheel?

6. Always be explicit. Some folks, for whom English is a second language, may not understand things that are implied, especially in e-mails.

7. Don't use easels to display e-mail quotes that you've circulated ad nauseum in the courtroom. I got tired of looking at your not-so-hot quotes on foam board.

And finally, one of the most important things I learned from jury duty:

Take every moment you can to enjoy a moment outside in the sunshine. You will never get enough of those. Criminals and crazy relatives tend to stick around, but sunshine doesn't, so enjoy it while you can.

More to come...

The joys of jury duty

Jury duty can be a blessing, or a curse.

Some of the perks/hazards/interesting things: 
 
1. It gets you out of the office. Plenty of interesting folks hang around courthouses. And even more pay traffic (or parking) tickets.

2. You could get sequestered.

2. You know it will get interesting if the folks can't follow directions at the metal detectors.

3. It's also sad seeing the little old people there (many because they need a conservator.)

4. At lunch time, you can eat, shop and roam around. (Lunches for court staff under an hour are rare in our neck of the woods).

5.  Finally, you realize that your job's not so bad after all, your family's not totally silly and the food at the Hotel cafeteria really is pretty good.

And soon enough, it will be time to go home again, back to reality.

That is all...stay tuned.

You just gotta ask

Yes, we ask on our admission form if you have any guns, knives or other contraband items when you come to the Hotel.

Dr. Grumpy has an article about what happens when you don't.

Moral of the story: NEVER assume. (ever)

The darnedest things

I love gadgets and technology, in part, because my job uses a lot of various technology at the Hotel.

However, when I read this article about dangers of wearable computers, some things just stood out.

1. Lifeblogging? Really? The Truman Show is so not HIPAA, kids.

2.Google Glass. Same as #1. I'm just waiting for a policy at the Hotel.

3. The wearable/embedded device issue. Yes, I'm not really impressed with Dick Cheney and would not go hunting with him, but he does have a point.

4. Cop cam will show who is getting the free donuts and sodas...just sayin'.

5. Smartwatches. Duh! If you have a smartphone policy, just upgrade it appropriately.

6. I like the smart clothing idea, but I don't like the thought of someone making me wear it to work. The authors do have some valid points, and this type of clothing would be valuable for my Hotel patients.

7. Fitbit and insurance rates. I don't like it. Reminds me of that bad "nurses go to heaven" joke, only the HMO nurse doesn't have any repercussions.


Just my $0.02...feel free to chime in.

Hearing noises?

After reading this, you may realize that it's really nothing...or not.

I hate bugs, but bugs in body cavities...ugh! We've seen our share of maggots at the Hotel (some hospital grade, some homegrown).

I'll pass, thank you very much!

TGIF

Or why I'm really glad it's Friday edition.

1. Some people will be on vacation next week, so it will get quiet...quiet enough to enjoy!

2. I'm going to go do my civic duty next week. I wiill be reading those books I had planned to read!

3. It's pay day. Hooray!

Hope you enjoy your weekend wherever you are...

Boo Vortex

I'm tired of the cold. The groundhogs are still hibernating. The Hotel is the same. I'm hoping the witch that jinxed my pay raise is freezing everything off.

Meanwhile, I found a recipe I want to make to forget about this cold: rum punch cake.

Wish it could take me to the tropics, too. At least, it might make me happy enough to forget the cold.

Enjoy!

I'm on fire!

The engine fired on all (most) of the cylinders, literally and figuratively. Lots of stuff done today.

I didn't win the lottery, but darn it, I was on fire...like the song says "starburst into the sky".

For Monday, I'll take it!

Sunday fun

We had to get up early to watch the gold medal hockey game. No sporting event is complete without food in our house, so we got donuts (and Bubba got a breakfast sandwich, too, just to make sure he had enough energy).

And while I was reading, I found this article on trends from the Olympics.

Sorry, folks, I already wear PJs at work (aka scrubs). I ain't wearing a onesie, unless I end up on the bobsled team. I grew out of those LONG ago.

And if that's not enough fun for you, head on over to Sunday Stealing for this week's Fifteen meme. My answers are below.

Enjoy your day wherever you are!

What was your first job like? 
Two words: Burger King.

It’s a typical Sunday, how are you spending it? 
Church and getting ready for the week.

What was the happiest day of your life? 
There are so many...

What was the best decision you ever made? 
Going to nursing school.

Tell your go-to “pretend” game as a child (who was your alter-ego?) 
I was a superhero.

What email service do you use? 
A couple.

What fandoms would you consider yourself a part of? 
None.

Do you use anything on your lips? (eg. Chapstick, gloss, balm, lipstick) 
Love me the Burts' Bees with color (watermelon).

How many devices do you own which can access the internet? 
About 10.

Last strong smell you can remember smelling? 
Skunk.

If you had to move your birthday to another date, which one would you choose and why? 
June 15. I want to have my birthday in summer, so I can have a pool party.

Inspiration behind your blog title? 
My job.

If you could spend a rainy day with anyone in the world, who would you choose and why? 
Hmm...so many. Living or dead, for living, not sure who...dead C.S. Lewis.

Is there a foreign culture that you love? 
I lived in France. I'd like to experience more of Europe and Scandinavia, then pick one (or two..)

Do you have a favorite soft drink?
No.
 

I hope it's true...

I know it's a fleeting thought, but the first day of spring is March 20th this year.

For a brief moment, we had reprieve today. It was GLORIOUS! I escaped to the acute unit of the Hotel today, and warts and all, it's getting off to a nice start, despite the rough beginnings when it opened.

Happy Friday to all, wherever you are.

There but for...

Yes, I thought the anatomy book that got to fifth grade was a big deal, until I saw this article recently about liquor chocolates going to school.

I was that super tired parent when Bubba was a young'un, because whenever he got sick, he was up and down all night. Not much changes, either. (His last bout of illness was proof that nothing has changed).

As the saying goes, there but for the grace of God go I...

More later.

I'd love Mary, too, at the Hotel

Or what I'd tell a particularly irritating paranoid person who came to my door.

I have wifi, too. Never thought about it as that scary, since the Hotel now has it everywhere.

But, yes, you never know.

Now, to go get my tinfoil hat just in case (at least they won't know who I am).

More to come...

Hair on fire?

Some days I really think the reactionary Manglement around here enjoy causing people to run around the Hotel as if their hair were really on fire.

Situation 1:
Really? You just figured out that clinics won't see enough people when 1) most of your patients are over 55 and 2) the weather is totally crappy (ice, snow and below zero)?

Captain Obvious, where are you? Obviously not in the Manglement offices.

Situation 2:
And since we've opened a specialty care unit at the Hotel, it's been even better. First, we had the unit all done. Then, there was an emergency in another area of the hospital, so that unit was reallocated to a clinic--for a year and a half. Next, there was a flood in another area (for outpatients, not rehabbers), so we got bounced again.

Hotel Specialty Care wing finally opened recently. They are still figuring out some of the staffing (luckily not nursing). WT..? Another Manglement fumble.

I'm bucking the trend. I'm staying calm for the heck of it.

It's the one thing I can control.

More to come...

This is going to be a bad Monday

How do you know?

1. Your kid is sick with this (when you were hoping it was just a migraine).

2. Your town is experiencing an ice storm. (even better reason to be trapped with all these germs inside). My Lysol fumigation continues...

3. You planned a busy day while kiddo was off school (doctors appointments, dentist appointments, meeting your friend for lunch). All get cancelled.

Maybe I just need to go back to bed and hide until Bubba calls me again...stay tuned.

Weekend fun of sorts

On weekends, besides catching up on chores around the house, I often volunteer. This weekend, I volunteered at PrivateU interviewing students for scholarships. It was very interesting.

I was assigned to a team with a current scholarship student, another alum, and myself. Here are some things I noticed.

1. The kid who wanted to major in computer science, really was a computer nerd (nice, but totally freaked out by my interview question I asked all the candidates).

2. Of the applicants our group reviewed, only two of the candidates were boys. The rest (about 10 in all) were girls.

3. Everyone (except for 2) came because PrivateU has a special early admit program to medical school.

4. Not surprisingly, everyone could tell me how medicine was so important and why they wanted to be a physician. Not one of them demonstrated a real idea of what other professionals do in health care, including the kid who planned on majoring in biomedical engineering.

From the description one gave me, it would have been more appropriate to tell her she could spend more time with patients as a nurse, but blowing her mind right then and there seemed like a bad thing to do.

5. I had all of their applications on paper, but was not sent any other details. My co-interviewers obviously reviewed their homework, but I did not. They seemed a little irritated by this at first, but they got used to me, eventually.

One gave me her form, and I reviewed it. I opted out and asked a non-standard question, which they liked, and was not on the suggested questions handout.

Not surprisingly, many more alums will interview more kids next weekend. Frankly, I thought one weekend of that was enough. 

A lot of good kids and only so many scholarships. Now I know what I have to do to get Bubba in shape for college. A whole lot of work.

More to come...

Things not to do, part 77

It really seems like it. It's so very easy to find things folks should not do.

1. Don't wear jewelry to CPR class.
Especially, if it is a long necklace and is going to get tangled up in the AED simulator. Shock anyone?

2. Diss the nurses.
Not my patient, but even my doctor relatives know this is not a good thing.

3. Stick a q-tip up your nose.
Because it really, really is a bad thing if you break off the long wooden stick, and the rest of it stays in your nose. We will have to send you for an extraction.

Stay tuned!

Things not to do at work

Oh, my coworkers just come up with new fun things to do every single day. Today's installment revolves around computer issues.

Our boss, a lovely physician who is an expert in her field, has a love/hate relationship with her computer. As usual, as soon as our support person leaves for the other side of campus, she has an emergency.

Today's emergency: typing caused the lock screen to come up in the middle of entering the password. I watched as it happened, and noticed something. A large crumb. We repeated the error, so I told our lovely doc, to hold off the attempts to log in until I came back. I brought a can of air and our Saniwipes. To no one's surprise, enough crumbs to feed a small family came flying out of the keyboard.

Moral of the story: don't eat lunch over your desk. Those crumbs are out to get you (especially if they pile up under the keys on your keyboard). A few sprays of the air and cleaning...voila! No more weirdness.

The other problem: some things just shouldn't be used as mouse pads. Here's an explanation from one of the staff: Someone has decided to use Covaderm (yes the dressing) as a mouse pads on a few of the computers causing an abundance of adhesive madness when trying to maneuver the mouse. 

Remember, friends don't let friends use adhesive dressings on computers. Stick to the duct tape.

More later... 

Lazy Sunday

Bubba and Dahey are already watching the Olympics and British football. If we had multiple TVs in the living room, it would look like a sports bar.

My DVD player is finally working, so I'm filling iTunes up again. For exercise, I'm jumping up every time the timer goes off on the dryer (what nurse DOESN'T multitask at home?).

Sunday Stealing is about Valentine's Day (coming up on Friday). Want to answer the meme? Head on over...

Pondering the week to come...will be a crazy busy one. Hope we don't get any more snow to mess things up.

Stay tuned...

Snow again

I'm really going to appreciate spring and summer this year.

I never thought I'd see the day when I thought freezing (32F) was warm.

Ugh!

To teach...

Or not to teach.

When I see what they pay these online teachers, I'm not really interested.

Even if I went back to school, I wouldn't get much more with a PhD.

Nice. Will have to find something else that's a little more lucrative. I have a practice test to take for one organization that at least get me CEUs. (and an average of $20 per hour for taking a test)

Might as well do that instead. Stay tuned.

One fun thing after another...

First, we had the annual inspection. It's nice that these folks care to visit, but suggesting things we don't really need is not going to fix anything. We have two perfectly smart BSNs who can act as case managers, thankyouverymuch, even if one (conveniently) forgets how many visits are done in the clinic yearly.

Get us what we ask for...not c$%p we don't want. Like enough nursing staff. You know...those 24/7 folks who make the place run. Yes, they are handy.

Next, it started snowing in the afternoon. And snowing, and snowing some more. Luckily, my driving skills in the newish family wagon are getting better as I'm getting used to traction control.

Finally, I capped off the night by going to the dentist. Thankfully, no cavities and no slipping or sliding on the icy roads.

Stay tuned...more to come.

If you thought you had a bad day...

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

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

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

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

Enjoy!

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

A sign of the times

The weather here in RehabLand is cold, cloudy and rainy. The birds are still singing.

Great day to roll over and go back to sleep.

Enjoy your weekend wherever you are.

It may seem like a no-brainer

But having patient input in developing a rehab hospital, really is a good thing. One large rehab hospital in Nebraska is actually using a design firm headed by a quadriplegic designer most of you know if you shop at a very large retailer.

Yes, it is really important. So when Madison opens its satellite unit at Washington, our chief NP, a rehab nurse from way back, was duly insulted when she heard this.

"Well, we will just ask a few people to pretend to be a para or a quad and check out stuff in the patient rooms." (I wish this paraphrase was a joke, but it's not).

No, not okay, says the NP. So she makes a few phone calls, and lo and behold, we have several former and current patients volunteering to do a dry run before the unit opens.

Maybe the Manglement will really get this patient engagement thing involves REAL patients, not pretend ones.

You never know...stay tuned!

The fascinating human body

I have always loved anatomy. So many parts to a human and the things they can do! I saw this infographic recently on how cadavers are used to help people with reconstructive surgeries.

I heard about this story on the way to work the other day. Not sure who or what the radio folks were reading, but after a search, I found this blog post from the Mayo Clinic. Transplant patients in this article got better lung function playing the harmonica. There was also another article I found about a guy who created a therapeutic harmonica (that always sounds good) called the Pulmonica. Sounds like a novel way to get people to actually do some exercises (since few ever like that incentive spirometer anyway).

Hope you enjoy! Who knows...you could have a bluegrass musician on your unit before you know it. 

In the news: Byproducts edition

One of my friends posted recently, "I just got hit by C-diff and VRE all at once." Yes, the gross part of being a nurse sometimes stands out more than others.

Note to new nurses: always know where you can get an extra set of scrubs. If you have a good sized locker, this is something you may want to stash, along with an extra pair of underwear and socks. It's good for those gross days, as well as for those times when you have local emergencies, due to snowstorms (as we did recently.)

Blow up
Yes, if you have enough methane in the form of gas and belches, you can indeed cause an explosion, as these folks in Germany found out recently (thank you BBC).

Tales from the ER
I really enjoyed this post from Florencenightnday about gross stuff in nursing. Yes, the trick is really: don't breathe through your nose (sometimes you have to limit how much you breathe through your mouth, too.)


Take a picture
Someone did here. Yes, it's gross, but this is the holy grail of rehab nursing.

Not a nurse, but worried about caregiving?
The Visiting Nurses of New York have this article for you. Don't worry. They won't gross you out too much. 

Last, but not least
Probably one of the mother of all poop posts you can find on the internet from jo at Head Nurse. Read the comments, too, they are valuable.

A cautionary tale

I read this KevinMD article today just because I liked the title: The toxicity of Medicaid.

Some of you may say, "This is a doctor writing this. Boo hoo."

Boys and girls, we should be up in arms, too. The patients described here don't just need nursing care, they DESPERATELY need it. (yes, I'm shouting again.)

The system has engendered dangerously bad habits in people. As nurses on the front lines, I'm sure our friends in the ED could tell us about how many patients might easily be triaged to lower levels of care...if they existed in their area and took Medicaid.

In rehab, we coordinate care regularly between specialties and help people get things they need, even if they are indeed expensive. We need to do more of this for Medicaid patients to keep them out of the ED.

Unfortunately, the EDs of America sit there like the vaunted Motel 6...we'll leave the light on for you. The light is on, but it is unfortunate that many folks miss the most important thing about the ED.

This place is for emergencies only. It's not for a one stop shop to get all your doctors' appointments done right now, so you don't have to get up in the morning, and (gasp) go to more than one place. It's not so you can avoid your copay. It's for emergencies.

Because one day, if you have a heart attack, stroke, or car accident, you may want them to be ready and waiting with the light on, for you.

I think of arm wrestling

Or a juxtaposition of life where you wonder about things. For entertainment purposes, I checked out some interesting books at the library. The latest one: You are a badass: How to stop doubting your greatness and start living an awesome life.

Yes, this is indeed a book title. I didn't make it up.

When I read this opinion piece in the New York Times recently, it struck me for a few reasons. One, it's written by a doctor. Two, it's written by a young doctor with cancer. Three, it reminds me of a character at the Hotel struggling with his own diagnosis.

We can't give him time. We can only tell him that if he gets treated, he will most likely be cured. If he delays, he jeopardizes that chance of living until his grandchildren graduate from school.

He's cheated death a few times, so maybe he's jaded. Or maybe he'd just believe us if we could give him a number.

We can't.

So he's just going, as Becket says, to keep not going, and going along.

Sunday stealing...

Ask Me Meme from "Just keep swimming." -Dorthy, Finding Nemo



1:What was the last argument you had about?
Putting dishes away.

2:How long is your longest relationship?
Almost a lifetime: I've got a couple of friends I've known that long.

3:What is something not many people know about you?
I can crochet.

4:Two truths and a lie. Go.
Ice cream is cold.
Snow is cold.
Coffee must be served hot.

5:Do you believe in fate/destiny?
Yes. I do.

6:Where is somewhere you’ve always wanted to live?
New York or Washington DC for a short defined period.

7:Has there ever been a song that made you cry?
A couple.

8:Do you jump/scare easily?
No.

9:Which birthday has been your favorite?
21. Had lots of fun.

10:Have you ever been pulled over? Arrested?
Pulled over-yes. Arrested-never.

11:Have you ever been to a fortune teller?
No.

12:What’s your favorite series of books?
The Chronicles of Narnia are some of my favorites.

13:Who is someone that you think knows the most about you outside of family?
My best friend.

14:What is the weirdest thing you’ve eaten?
Octopus.

15:List one of your quirks.
I like coffee first thing in the AM.

16:State 1 bad habit of yours.
I snore.

17:Has a scary movie ever given you nightmares?
Yes.

18:When was the last time you got your hair done in a salon?
I go on a regular basis.

19:What was the last thing you did with your friends?
We went out for dinner.

20:What’s something that you like to do that others might see as weird?
I like to do laundry.

21:What was the last trip you took?
I went to Chicago for work.

Brrr!

Oh, the weather outside is sunny and beautiful and COLD. Yes, I'm shouting, because I felt like my face would fall off after walking the 60 feet from my car to the building I work in.

I was properly layered, but no match for the wicked, howling winds all day.

They can call the cold whatever they want: Alberta Clipper, Janus, you name it, but you know it's too cold when you ruin your lettuce if you forget it in the car.

That is really, REALLY cold!

Enjoy your temperature high or low weather wherever  you are!

In the news this week

It's a new year, so lots of things going on. It must be fundraising season, because my alma maters all called me up to say hi...and ask for a big contribution.

The nightmare of rehab hospitals
As a new nurse in an urban rehab hospital, I had a few patients who were not on the hospital registry (aka being on blackout). One in particular stands out. When people called for him/her, they had to give a password to get any sort of information.

For this patient, the spouse who caused the fall that led to rehab called me at least twice asking about him/her without the password. I never gave out any information. The patient recuperated with us and left the state to live with other family members.

I thought of that and someone coming back when I read this article today @nursingpins had in his Twitter feed. Oh, the insanity and the sadness of domestic violence.

On the research front
Some of these folks are seeing promise with spinal cord injury patients regaining lost function. As Martha says, it really IS a good thing, indeed.

Other uses for fruit
My coworker, C., is our wound specialist at the Hotel. She found this gem on staging wounds which compares apples to the different NPUAP wound stages.

And last but not least, Dahey's cousin the psych nurse is cooking around the world. She recently asked about strange looking fruits, so I found the one she was cooking via Google.

Enjoy your week!

Celebrating...

1. Life
2. Finishing my grocery shopping that I put off this weekend. I also did a few errands.
3. Martin Luther King Day.
4. Bubba's birthday (because, why not extend your celebration into a really long weekend from school?)

Hope you enjoy your day wherever you are.

TGIF Meeting hijack

I usually don't have a lot of meetings at the end of the week, but this week was unusual.

One meeting was short and sweet. The doc took notes, assigned the tasks, and away it went. Elapsed time: 20 minutes.

The next one, the token MD at our other hospital, Washington, decided to hijack a pressure ulcer prevention meeting by talking about getting all of our patients these items and getting "some good publicity finally." in the local media.

Ahem, the dander was standing on my neck. The dander was standing up on almost everyone else's neck. I told the doc (since I was only a meeting interloper anyway), "It may not be appropriate for everyone. Come on down to Madison. We can show you this exoskeleton in person (assuming one of our patients is in a trial)."

What I really wanted to say (and everyone else did, too, but didn't) was STFU. Hijacking the meeting for purposes other than what you're supposed to be there for is decidedly rude.

Happily, I did get to escape for a bit. Bubba had one of these ceremonies today at school.  I just wish I could have stayed for the cookies afterward.

TGIF all! Enjoy your weekend (long for some of you) wherever you are.