After my week, I needed a Friday!
So glad I'm not an NP at the Hotel, because there was all sort of debates this week about them and other midlevels. The doctors are restless, and they are starting to irritate our midlevel staff.
Happily, I got all my work done and I escaped. Dahey, Bubba and I went to our local fish fry with friends. It was fun.
Hope you enjoy your weekend wherever you are!
Friday, February 27, 2015
Thursday, February 26, 2015
The light bulb moment
While I was reading some articles on being productive, I ran into this one and it summed up the Hotel to a T. We have had nothing but management changes for the last four years.
I don't consider myself an older employee, but the Hotel has a wide variety (and more older) people in our area.
This part was very familiar.
When I noticed the age difference between my colleagues and me, I immediately thought, “There’s no way they’re going to respect a young girl who’s fresh out of college.” And what’s worse: I let these thoughts infiltrate my management style—I avoided confrontation with the older employees, figuring that they wouldn’t be receptive to my coaching or feedback because I was so young.
And that was my biggest—and most costly—mistake. I didn’t hold my employees accountable, and let their poor performance slide. Since I wasn’t actually managing my employees, I wasn’t doing my job as a boss: helping them succeed.
I don't consider myself an older employee, but the Hotel has a wide variety (and more older) people in our area.
This part was very familiar.
When I noticed the age difference between my colleagues and me, I immediately thought, “There’s no way they’re going to respect a young girl who’s fresh out of college.” And what’s worse: I let these thoughts infiltrate my management style—I avoided confrontation with the older employees, figuring that they wouldn’t be receptive to my coaching or feedback because I was so young.
And that was my biggest—and most costly—mistake. I didn’t hold my employees accountable, and let their poor performance slide. Since I wasn’t actually managing my employees, I wasn’t doing my job as a boss: helping them succeed.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
The range of topics is endless
No, folks, but it surely seems that way.
How my day went today:
1. Took Bubba to school again today since it's still below freezing. Guess he's just spoiled, even if his walk to school is short.
I don't want Children/Family Services getting my license for frostbite, if you know what I mean!
2. Went to work and Dahey actually called in the AM
It is a miracle. He's forgotten his phone every day but today. Somehow, he never forgets his lunch.
3. Sat down at my desk to do "paperwork" (aka trees we kill in the name of a "paperless work environment".) Realized it was time to get up almost three hours later.
Wow! I do get a ton of work done when I shut my door. Unfortunately, some paperwork is not as redemptive as others.
4. Heard this argument multiple times from very unhappy people (aka my travelling NP buddy) who had to create a discharge summary on a patient who was at the Hotel with a long, complex course. The curses at copy/paste in the medical record went on and on.
5. Found out that one of my favorite internet sites scooped a big story in health care. Whoa!
Makes me wonder if the Hotel operations will be a take over target.
Stay tuned...
How my day went today:
1. Took Bubba to school again today since it's still below freezing. Guess he's just spoiled, even if his walk to school is short.
I don't want Children/Family Services getting my license for frostbite, if you know what I mean!
2. Went to work and Dahey actually called in the AM
It is a miracle. He's forgotten his phone every day but today. Somehow, he never forgets his lunch.
3. Sat down at my desk to do "paperwork" (aka trees we kill in the name of a "paperless work environment".) Realized it was time to get up almost three hours later.
Wow! I do get a ton of work done when I shut my door. Unfortunately, some paperwork is not as redemptive as others.
4. Heard this argument multiple times from very unhappy people (aka my travelling NP buddy) who had to create a discharge summary on a patient who was at the Hotel with a long, complex course. The curses at copy/paste in the medical record went on and on.
5. Found out that one of my favorite internet sites scooped a big story in health care. Whoa!
Makes me wonder if the Hotel operations will be a take over target.
Stay tuned...
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
My turn: UTI rodeo
First, my sister had it. Now it's my turn for a UTI.
Thankfully, I'm good at diagnosing myself, and my wonderful ob/gyn doc is willing to take me pronto on a slow day to do a culture and write a script.
Now it's hurry up and wait with some Macrobid. Ugh!
Thankfully, I'm good at diagnosing myself, and my wonderful ob/gyn doc is willing to take me pronto on a slow day to do a culture and write a script.
Now it's hurry up and wait with some Macrobid. Ugh!
Saturday, February 21, 2015
She'll end up like Martha
Martha Stewart that is.
Bubba recently went to a fundraiser at his school, Esteemed Educator Junior High. We sat in a group with a seventh grade girl from the Honor Society and her mother, who was very nice. Blondie was one of those highly strung types who was in love with Harry Potter and wants to be a business executive when she grows up.
I expected Blondie (not her real name) to not know Bubba because she is in a different grade. She kind of looked at him with disdain. Bubba, thankfully, tends to ignore/not notice girls who act silly.
We played a version of Family Feud and Bubba and Blondie guessed most of the answers, since they came from a poll of the seventh grade. Blondie is also a member of the Honor Society who totaled up the poll results and scored them.
Blondie kept telling her mother, "I'm not cheating, I'm using my resources." I really had to bite my tongue. Let's just hope Blondie doesn't get it into her head to join any of the more trusted professions, like nursing.
Because she may have to learn first that what she is doing really IS cheating. As the old adage goes, cheaters never win.
More later...
Bubba recently went to a fundraiser at his school, Esteemed Educator Junior High. We sat in a group with a seventh grade girl from the Honor Society and her mother, who was very nice. Blondie was one of those highly strung types who was in love with Harry Potter and wants to be a business executive when she grows up.
I expected Blondie (not her real name) to not know Bubba because she is in a different grade. She kind of looked at him with disdain. Bubba, thankfully, tends to ignore/not notice girls who act silly.
We played a version of Family Feud and Bubba and Blondie guessed most of the answers, since they came from a poll of the seventh grade. Blondie is also a member of the Honor Society who totaled up the poll results and scored them.
Blondie kept telling her mother, "I'm not cheating, I'm using my resources." I really had to bite my tongue. Let's just hope Blondie doesn't get it into her head to join any of the more trusted professions, like nursing.
Because she may have to learn first that what she is doing really IS cheating. As the old adage goes, cheaters never win.
More later...
Friday, February 20, 2015
One step forward, two steps back...
This seems to be the story of the unit I work with. Our upper Manglement wants to beat the Hotel into submission, then not be responsible for the consequences.
Here are a few shining examples:
1. Demanding staff be rushed through orientation because "they are not new nurses."
Hello folks! Rehab nurses with a clue are not born, they are made by training and learning on the job. Notice: TRAINING comes first.
If we don't train our people properly while they are in orientation, we suffer the consequences.
One of my coworkers told me of a situation that nearly had me in tears. One of our patients with a newer trach went home without supplies for it, without any apparent instruction AND without an obturator!
This was just one complaint regarding this patient's stay. There were others. If I worked there, I'd fear for my license.
2. Don't do care coordination
Somebody should be doing it, everybody knows about it and nobody seems to be doing it in our neck of the woods.
My personal favorite: we now have "RN case managers" who say it's not their job.
3. Have a fit because our patients stay a long time at the Hotel.
Case in point: Guy gets discharged after lengthy hospital stay through no fault of his own (got sick with not one but several nasty bugs). Lived to tell about it, then our department gets yelled at because the patient didn't leave fast enough.
He/she was there so long that he/she was discharged earlier than should have been expected (needed to do transfers independently).
Lo and behold, we get a call less than two weeks later. Guess what Patient X wants to do? Come back for rehab.
There went that readmission rate. Oh well!
Can you tell I'm glad it's Friday? I knew you could. Happy weekend to all!
Here are a few shining examples:
1. Demanding staff be rushed through orientation because "they are not new nurses."
Hello folks! Rehab nurses with a clue are not born, they are made by training and learning on the job. Notice: TRAINING comes first.
If we don't train our people properly while they are in orientation, we suffer the consequences.
One of my coworkers told me of a situation that nearly had me in tears. One of our patients with a newer trach went home without supplies for it, without any apparent instruction AND without an obturator!
This was just one complaint regarding this patient's stay. There were others. If I worked there, I'd fear for my license.
2. Don't do care coordination
Somebody should be doing it, everybody knows about it and nobody seems to be doing it in our neck of the woods.
My personal favorite: we now have "RN case managers" who say it's not their job.
3. Have a fit because our patients stay a long time at the Hotel.
Case in point: Guy gets discharged after lengthy hospital stay through no fault of his own (got sick with not one but several nasty bugs). Lived to tell about it, then our department gets yelled at because the patient didn't leave fast enough.
He/she was there so long that he/she was discharged earlier than should have been expected (needed to do transfers independently).
Lo and behold, we get a call less than two weeks later. Guess what Patient X wants to do? Come back for rehab.
There went that readmission rate. Oh well!
Can you tell I'm glad it's Friday? I knew you could. Happy weekend to all!
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
What we will do for the ones we love
My Bubba has a cold. I went and got him a treat.
My sister needed a ride home from the hospital recently. I took her home, and even offered her favorite thing, Starbucks.
Dahey likes sweets, so I made some banana cake for him to take with him to work today.
My widowed aunt asked me to "go along to a presentation" by a company here in RehabLand that sells nutraceuticals. They work with a soy product that will "save your world." where every member of the audience (she and I were the crowd) who used the product (6 different people) had a testimonial about how it cured everything from rheumatoid arthritis to depression and some forms of cancer.
Since it was snowing, not many folks showed up, even though Warren Buffett owns a network marketing company.
Some things are easier to do than others.
Good night!
My sister needed a ride home from the hospital recently. I took her home, and even offered her favorite thing, Starbucks.
Dahey likes sweets, so I made some banana cake for him to take with him to work today.
My widowed aunt asked me to "go along to a presentation" by a company here in RehabLand that sells nutraceuticals. They work with a soy product that will "save your world." where every member of the audience (she and I were the crowd) who used the product (6 different people) had a testimonial about how it cured everything from rheumatoid arthritis to depression and some forms of cancer.
Since it was snowing, not many folks showed up, even though Warren Buffett owns a network marketing company.
Some things are easier to do than others.
Good night!
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Things not to do as a nurse, February edition
Yes, the fun never stops in RehabLand. Days ago, the State Board sends out renewal notices and today, they send out their regular newsletter.
Guess it's a reminder to answer those questions correctly.
We have plenty of our regulars: lapsed licenses and drug testing abuses. Here's the ones from this edition that you really need to put on your "DO NOT" list, students (and any other RNs for that matter...).
1. Do not attempt to substitute blue mouthwash.
Yes, we all know that certain forms of morphine smell just like some of the mouthwashes on the market, but stealing pain meds from terminally ill patients, is, was, and ever shall be unforgivable.
It will also cost you your license (there were actually two mouthwash switchers in this edition from RehabLand State Board of Nursing).
2. Don't go to a party, get wasted, then trespass.
This is also a problem, especially when you are convicted.
3. Do not share your Pyxis/Omnicell/drug dispenser password.
One person lost his/her license for this (and diverting narcs), but my question is, what happened to the idiot who shared the password?
Here at the Hotel, you would be fired for violating the information security policy.
Speaking of policies...follow them.
4. Don't assess the patient after a violent incident involving security.
This nurse was reprimanded for leaving that lil' old task to someone else. If your facility states you will assess following any altercations you must.
Besides, it's a lawsuit waiting to happen. Remember: you're considered in a position of power.
5. Don't just "borrow" a retiring physician's prescription pad.
When you are from a little town, people talk. And those pharmacists are smart. Hence the reason why they didn't fill any of your prescriptions.
And finally, my personal favorite:
6. Don't go offroading in the company car.
This applies to anyone really, not just nurses, unless of course your company car is an off-road vehicle and/or your job demands it.
Home health RN was out on his/her regular route seeing patients when he/she ran off road and damaged the axel of the car, requiring towing. Luckily, no one was hurt, but since this is a recordable incident while on duty, HHRN was required to submit to a drug screen.
As you may have guessed, he/she flunked (positive for marijuana). Remember kids, buzzed driving, driving while high (or getting high during working hours) is really NOT a good thing.
Guess it's a reminder to answer those questions correctly.
We have plenty of our regulars: lapsed licenses and drug testing abuses. Here's the ones from this edition that you really need to put on your "DO NOT" list, students (and any other RNs for that matter...).
1. Do not attempt to substitute blue mouthwash.
Yes, we all know that certain forms of morphine smell just like some of the mouthwashes on the market, but stealing pain meds from terminally ill patients, is, was, and ever shall be unforgivable.
It will also cost you your license (there were actually two mouthwash switchers in this edition from RehabLand State Board of Nursing).
2. Don't go to a party, get wasted, then trespass.
This is also a problem, especially when you are convicted.
3. Do not share your Pyxis/Omnicell/drug dispenser password.
One person lost his/her license for this (and diverting narcs), but my question is, what happened to the idiot who shared the password?
Here at the Hotel, you would be fired for violating the information security policy.
Speaking of policies...follow them.
4. Don't assess the patient after a violent incident involving security.
This nurse was reprimanded for leaving that lil' old task to someone else. If your facility states you will assess following any altercations you must.
Besides, it's a lawsuit waiting to happen. Remember: you're considered in a position of power.
5. Don't just "borrow" a retiring physician's prescription pad.
When you are from a little town, people talk. And those pharmacists are smart. Hence the reason why they didn't fill any of your prescriptions.
And finally, my personal favorite:
6. Don't go offroading in the company car.
This applies to anyone really, not just nurses, unless of course your company car is an off-road vehicle and/or your job demands it.
Home health RN was out on his/her regular route seeing patients when he/she ran off road and damaged the axel of the car, requiring towing. Luckily, no one was hurt, but since this is a recordable incident while on duty, HHRN was required to submit to a drug screen.
As you may have guessed, he/she flunked (positive for marijuana). Remember kids, buzzed driving, driving while high (or getting high during working hours) is really NOT a good thing.
Friday, February 13, 2015
How to tell
If your nurse manager reads the Wall Street Journal. I decided to pay attention to my manager's communications and noticed:
1. He/she follows his/her name with his/her MBA or MPH credential. Master's degrees in other areas besides nursing have a cachet today.
2. Your boss's e-mail signature includes the subtitle of this article.
3. Finally, your boss is becoming a walking buzzword machine, and once you read a few articles, you'll see all of them.
That is all...TGIF!
1. He/she follows his/her name with his/her MBA or MPH credential. Master's degrees in other areas besides nursing have a cachet today.
2. Your boss's e-mail signature includes the subtitle of this article.
3. Finally, your boss is becoming a walking buzzword machine, and once you read a few articles, you'll see all of them.
That is all...TGIF!
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Biennial joy
Yes, I've been looking for this for a while: the infamous renewal mail from the RehabLand State Board of Nursing.
The last renewal period, the Manglement at the Hotel thought it would be nice to terrorize anyone who did not renew in advance (meaning the second it was mailed out). One of my coworkers got a nastygram from the CNO stating, "Your employment can be terminated if this is not renewed one month early per the Hotel police."
Oh, really? You want to terminate hardworking nurses because they did not renew their license FAR ahead of time? Thankfully, said CNO has retired and hopefully, is enjoying the sunsets somewhere else, far, far away (and gets sand kicked in his/her face from time to time).
Even with online renewal (which is LOVELY), please folks, take your time filling these out. They have some serious questions (including some new ones below). If the answer to any is YES, you cannot fill them out online. (So glad I'm a no!)
Since you last renewed, have you ever been convicted, adjudged guilty by a court, pled guilty, pled nolo contendere or entered an alford plea to any traffic offense resulting from or related to the use of drugs or alcohol, whether or not sentence was imposed? (this includes a disposition of a suspended imposition of sentence (SIS), suspended execution of sentence (SES), or placement in a post plea alternative or diversion court and includes municipal charges of driving while intoxicated, driving under the influence and/or driving with excessive blood alcohol content.)
Yes No
Moral of the story: Drinking then driving can cause issues with your license for years.
Since you last renewed, have you had a judgment rendered against you based upon fraud, misrepresentation, deception, or malpractice related to your practice as a nurse?
Yes No
Moral of the story: Don't steal, lie, cheat or commit any other fraud. Leave the pyramid schemes to someone else. You don't have time for that.
NEW! Are you listed on any state or federal sexual offender list? (they thought this up after a few issues)
Yes No
Moral of the story: Yes, we have to ask, and yes, it can be a problem. Just another thing not to do as a nurse
By checking the following box, I declare that all statements or representations submitted with this application are made under oath or affirmation and are true and correct to my best knowledge under penalty of section XXX which specifies that anyone who makes a false statement in writing with intent to mislead a public official in the performance of his official duties is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.
Select this box if you agree to ALL the above statements and have answered all questions that were presented.
Moral of the story: If you don't, you have some explaining to do...on paper via mail.
I'm so glad I'm done. Happy renewing!
The last renewal period, the Manglement at the Hotel thought it would be nice to terrorize anyone who did not renew in advance (meaning the second it was mailed out). One of my coworkers got a nastygram from the CNO stating, "Your employment can be terminated if this is not renewed one month early per the Hotel police."
Oh, really? You want to terminate hardworking nurses because they did not renew their license FAR ahead of time? Thankfully, said CNO has retired and hopefully, is enjoying the sunsets somewhere else, far, far away (and gets sand kicked in his/her face from time to time).
Even with online renewal (which is LOVELY), please folks, take your time filling these out. They have some serious questions (including some new ones below). If the answer to any is YES, you cannot fill them out online. (So glad I'm a no!)
Since you last renewed, have you ever been convicted, adjudged guilty by a court, pled guilty, pled nolo contendere or entered an alford plea to any traffic offense resulting from or related to the use of drugs or alcohol, whether or not sentence was imposed? (this includes a disposition of a suspended imposition of sentence (SIS), suspended execution of sentence (SES), or placement in a post plea alternative or diversion court and includes municipal charges of driving while intoxicated, driving under the influence and/or driving with excessive blood alcohol content.)
Yes No
Moral of the story: Drinking then driving can cause issues with your license for years.
Since you last renewed, have you had a judgment rendered against you based upon fraud, misrepresentation, deception, or malpractice related to your practice as a nurse?
Yes No
Moral of the story: Don't steal, lie, cheat or commit any other fraud. Leave the pyramid schemes to someone else. You don't have time for that.
NEW! Are you listed on any state or federal sexual offender list? (they thought this up after a few issues)
Yes No
Moral of the story: Yes, we have to ask, and yes, it can be a problem. Just another thing not to do as a nurse
By checking the following box, I declare that all statements or representations submitted with this application are made under oath or affirmation and are true and correct to my best knowledge under penalty of section XXX which specifies that anyone who makes a false statement in writing with intent to mislead a public official in the performance of his official duties is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.
Select this box if you agree to ALL the above statements and have answered all questions that were presented.
Moral of the story: If you don't, you have some explaining to do...on paper via mail.
I'm so glad I'm done. Happy renewing!
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Cold again
Yes, the temperature is dropping and I have a virus form holding my sinuses hostage.
After consulting some of my favorite people (the neighborhood pharmacists, since BFF Rx is out of town) I've found a cocktail that is making life manageable.(Dayquil + Zyrtec)
I just hope I can talk today. Yesterday, despite tea and cough drops, was not so good.
Since Bubba and Dahey will be indulging in a long weekend starting Friday, so will I. I just hope to spend it getting well, not being sick.
Stay tuned...
After consulting some of my favorite people (the neighborhood pharmacists, since BFF Rx is out of town) I've found a cocktail that is making life manageable.(Dayquil + Zyrtec)
I just hope I can talk today. Yesterday, despite tea and cough drops, was not so good.
Since Bubba and Dahey will be indulging in a long weekend starting Friday, so will I. I just hope to spend it getting well, not being sick.
Stay tuned...
Monday, February 9, 2015
More on interviewing
Yes, I know I talked about this last year, but since I'm now on my 10th interview panel (I did a bunch last year), I've found a few more things to add:
Things that may cause us not to hire you:
1. If you are a travel nurse and tell me you just want this job until a gig comes up in Florida, you may not get hired.
Yes, spring will be in RehabLand soon. Why should we bother our HR folks to do a whole bunch of work if you won't stay anyway?
2. If you have issues, we may not hire you. As part of a credentialing process, we have to do a background check.
The state of RehabLand will not renew your RN license if you have tax issues.
3. If you may be part of an investigation due to criminal wrongdoing and/or a sentinel event, thanks for letting us know, but we may not select you for hire.
Things that may cause us not to hire you:
1. If you are a travel nurse and tell me you just want this job until a gig comes up in Florida, you may not get hired.
Yes, spring will be in RehabLand soon. Why should we bother our HR folks to do a whole bunch of work if you won't stay anyway?
2. If you have issues, we may not hire you. As part of a credentialing process, we have to do a background check.
The state of RehabLand will not renew your RN license if you have tax issues.
3. If you may be part of an investigation due to criminal wrongdoing and/or a sentinel event, thanks for letting us know, but we may not select you for hire.
Sunday, February 8, 2015
A really unusual job
Yes, in the life of a rehab nurse, it's all about bowel, bladder and skin.
So I was intrigued when I read an article recently about how one company needs stool donors to fight C. difficile.
Sure, some shifts it seems like you have people who want to compete in a "how many times can I stool" competition.
Just be warned, as the article I read mentioned, "It's harder to get into this program than it is to get into M.I.T." You must be local, and you will be paid for your efforts: about $13,000 per year.
Feel free to share with those friends who are in their neighborhood. I'm sure they won't mind at all.
So I was intrigued when I read an article recently about how one company needs stool donors to fight C. difficile.
Sure, some shifts it seems like you have people who want to compete in a "how many times can I stool" competition.
Just be warned, as the article I read mentioned, "It's harder to get into this program than it is to get into M.I.T." You must be local, and you will be paid for your efforts: about $13,000 per year.
Feel free to share with those friends who are in their neighborhood. I'm sure they won't mind at all.
Saturday, February 7, 2015
Happy weekend to all!
Bright, shiny, and WARM here in RehabLand. Hope you enjoy your weekend wherever you may be.
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Let it go
I'm singing that song in my head a lot lately. Since we've had a full moon this week, I think some of our more melodramatic, er, crazy folks have been living up to the hype.
One of my favorite moments: the idiot who said, "We really shouldn't help you. You're not in our department and you're too much work."
"Really?" I said? "We work for the same company and have the same patients." It's a good thing this was a virtual meeting (i.e. he was nowhere near me). It made things really interesting for the new MD who just joined our group. I will remember this when said idiot needs paperwork help soon.
I love it when 1) someone neglects to tell you when they have a problem, 2) when you find out, you go to all the proper people to resolve it and get a root cause, then finally 3) said melodramatist decides, in her best Scarlett O'Hara routine to tell everyone, "I just can't do it because nothing works right."
I have one potential job on the horizon, I turned down one, and another in the wings.
So very ready to let all of this BS go.
Stay tuned...
One of my favorite moments: the idiot who said, "We really shouldn't help you. You're not in our department and you're too much work."
"Really?" I said? "We work for the same company and have the same patients." It's a good thing this was a virtual meeting (i.e. he was nowhere near me). It made things really interesting for the new MD who just joined our group. I will remember this when said idiot needs paperwork help soon.
I love it when 1) someone neglects to tell you when they have a problem, 2) when you find out, you go to all the proper people to resolve it and get a root cause, then finally 3) said melodramatist decides, in her best Scarlett O'Hara routine to tell everyone, "I just can't do it because nothing works right."
I have one potential job on the horizon, I turned down one, and another in the wings.
So very ready to let all of this BS go.
Stay tuned...
Sunday, February 1, 2015
For Phil tomorrow...
Yes, folks, it's one of the ONLY days of the year that we watch rodents with pomp and circumstance. It's Groundhog Day eve.
It is Super Bowl Sunday, but you have to admit, Groundhog Day is pretty fun, too, even without multimillion dollar commercials. So lots of sites, like Cake Wrecks, are celebrating Phil and all the other furry characters around the country who will be busy prognosticating early tomorrow morning.
And if it's not on in your area, check out the classic movie Groundhog Day.
I will be thinking of all of you, because I'll be hoping my day (and yours) doesn't keep replaying and that someone predicts an early spring.
Happy Groundhog Day to all...
It is Super Bowl Sunday, but you have to admit, Groundhog Day is pretty fun, too, even without multimillion dollar commercials. So lots of sites, like Cake Wrecks, are celebrating Phil and all the other furry characters around the country who will be busy prognosticating early tomorrow morning.
And if it's not on in your area, check out the classic movie Groundhog Day.
I will be thinking of all of you, because I'll be hoping my day (and yours) doesn't keep replaying and that someone predicts an early spring.
Happy Groundhog Day to all...
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Blowin' in the wind
Yes, it does seem like answers lately ARE doing that. It's been extremely windy here in RehabLand lately. From the "dirty fronts" to the Alberta Clipper, the winds are blowing.
The winds of change are also coming soon to RehabLand. We know it because it's leaking out of the management suite slowly, but surely. Our manglement finally GETS what I do in the SU, and they know realize how woefully executed my programs are (due to lack of cooperation from manglement, staff, etc.)
Some folks are even seeing cryptic messages in the media. They are slow on some things, but may be smart on others.
I'm having flashbacks to my other life before nursing. And some of them ain't pretty.
How to tell when change is in the wind (my $0.02)
1. Headquarters hires a new boss from outside who has a reputation for "cleaning house" in a Fortune 500 company.
Some of our armchair pundits at the Hotel may have missed the hint when he/she said, "Some folks won't be with us on the journey." in that welcome e-mail.
Translation: If we can fire you, we will. If we can downsize/rightsize or RIF (reduction in force) you, we will.
2. Said head honcho gets permission to bring in a bunch of high-powered consultants with whom you can sit in a meeting (where you're supposed to be asked about your job) and they will grill you like your at Nuremberg.
The grilling will have very little relevance in relation to you or your job or the reason why they (Manglement) asked you to come in the first place.
My favorite part: watching one of the old doctors (not a consultant, but an "expert") nod off during your session. The runner up was the grilling they gave the education chief. Best description: deer in the headlights. This was scary.
Translation: We're already paid for our time, so this is just a foregone conclusion, but we're trying to figure out how we can get more work "analyzing" your organization.
3. Head honcho publishes a "manifesto for change".
Believe it or not, the Hotel is in it. People like that at work because it makes them feel "safe".
Translation: You'd better believe the Hotel is going to change. Don't feel too comfortable just yet.
Should be interesting to see what happens...
The winds of change are also coming soon to RehabLand. We know it because it's leaking out of the management suite slowly, but surely. Our manglement finally GETS what I do in the SU, and they know realize how woefully executed my programs are (due to lack of cooperation from manglement, staff, etc.)
Some folks are even seeing cryptic messages in the media. They are slow on some things, but may be smart on others.
I'm having flashbacks to my other life before nursing. And some of them ain't pretty.
How to tell when change is in the wind (my $0.02)
1. Headquarters hires a new boss from outside who has a reputation for "cleaning house" in a Fortune 500 company.
Some of our armchair pundits at the Hotel may have missed the hint when he/she said, "Some folks won't be with us on the journey." in that welcome e-mail.
Translation: If we can fire you, we will. If we can downsize/rightsize or RIF (reduction in force) you, we will.
2. Said head honcho gets permission to bring in a bunch of high-powered consultants with whom you can sit in a meeting (where you're supposed to be asked about your job) and they will grill you like your at Nuremberg.
The grilling will have very little relevance in relation to you or your job or the reason why they (Manglement) asked you to come in the first place.
My favorite part: watching one of the old doctors (not a consultant, but an "expert") nod off during your session. The runner up was the grilling they gave the education chief. Best description: deer in the headlights. This was scary.
Translation: We're already paid for our time, so this is just a foregone conclusion, but we're trying to figure out how we can get more work "analyzing" your organization.
3. Head honcho publishes a "manifesto for change".
Believe it or not, the Hotel is in it. People like that at work because it makes them feel "safe".
Translation: You'd better believe the Hotel is going to change. Don't feel too comfortable just yet.
Should be interesting to see what happens...
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Interesting rehab conference in June
If you rehab cancer patients on your rehab unit, you may want to check it out. This is going to be free and located at the NIH in Bethesda, MD.
I may have to see if I can escape to go!
That is all...super busy week. Lots more stories on tap, but will have to sit down long enough to process, then tell them.
I may have to see if I can escape to go!
That is all...super busy week. Lots more stories on tap, but will have to sit down long enough to process, then tell them.
Sunday, January 25, 2015
The doctor IS right
I've been following Dr. Val for a while, and I have to say, part of the reason is that I get her. I get what's she's talking about because I work in rehab.
Physiatrists get rehab, since they train in a specialty known as Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. I happen to work with wonderful physiatrists who have years of experience.
And I have thought the same thing when I have read and seen certain specialists, like Eric Topol in the media. It would be nice to sum up everything we do into a little smartphone app, but it will never happen in this lifetime. Disclaimer: My work actually includes a whole lot of technological interventions.
If we ever get to smartphone-only health care, I fear for everyone who does get a diagnosis, like spinal cord injury, that can benefit from a rehab program by specially trained staff, just like ours at the Hotel.
Cheap is one thing, and quality is another. You can have both to a certain degree; however, we do have to be careful what we wish for. It may not be good enough after all, cheap or no.
Stay tuned....
Physiatrists get rehab, since they train in a specialty known as Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. I happen to work with wonderful physiatrists who have years of experience.
And I have thought the same thing when I have read and seen certain specialists, like Eric Topol in the media. It would be nice to sum up everything we do into a little smartphone app, but it will never happen in this lifetime. Disclaimer: My work actually includes a whole lot of technological interventions.
If we ever get to smartphone-only health care, I fear for everyone who does get a diagnosis, like spinal cord injury, that can benefit from a rehab program by specially trained staff, just like ours at the Hotel.
Cheap is one thing, and quality is another. You can have both to a certain degree; however, we do have to be careful what we wish for. It may not be good enough after all, cheap or no.
Stay tuned....
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
State of the union
I missed the actual address because I've been busy with Bubba, the birthday boy, the last couple of days. No wonder I fell asleep early!
Stay tuned...
Stay tuned...
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