Signs in the Hotel that it's Monday.
1. Patients are moving around. Can you say bed bingo? No one is where you expect them. I really wish Santa would have brought us private rooms instead of so many doubles (thank goodness triples fell out of vogue).
2. Coworkers get flat tires. Not one, but two of them. Craziness.
3. It rains yet again. I don't care if it's knee high by Saturday, it will get mowed when I don't have to go to work the next day.
4. You find things you don't need to see (or hear about) in the office photo copier, especially things that are not yours.
On we go with the rest of the week. Stay tuned.
Monday, June 29, 2015
Friday, June 26, 2015
The weekend is here again
Next week is a short one. Dahey returns from his travels. We have a holiday.
Can you say stress? RehabRN hits the road to visit patients in their homes (I occasionally see patients with our super home care team) all by myself. Yes, I'm going in a company car and I'm a nervous wreck. I have to get to the farthest patient first, see the next one (who can be a curmudgeon) and see if I can get the last one in before that day is over, so I don't have to go through the "request a company car" thing all over again.
I admire all of you in home care who do 5-6 visits per day. I don't know how you do it.
However, it's now Friday night. I am off this weekend, which makes me incredibly happy. I'm not going to be stressed about getting ready. I'm just going to do what I can with what I have.
Hope you have a happy weekend too, wherever you are.
Can you say stress? RehabRN hits the road to visit patients in their homes (I occasionally see patients with our super home care team) all by myself. Yes, I'm going in a company car and I'm a nervous wreck. I have to get to the farthest patient first, see the next one (who can be a curmudgeon) and see if I can get the last one in before that day is over, so I don't have to go through the "request a company car" thing all over again.
I admire all of you in home care who do 5-6 visits per day. I don't know how you do it.
However, it's now Friday night. I am off this weekend, which makes me incredibly happy. I'm not going to be stressed about getting ready. I'm just going to do what I can with what I have.
Hope you have a happy weekend too, wherever you are.
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
2.7 billion ways
There are that many ways to say "oops!" I find it hard to believe that they just "discovered" this. Decimal points in the numbers do make a difference.
It would be nice to get what you need to do your job (i.e. supplies, etc.), but with an outfit like this, I wouldn't hold my breath.
Stay tuned. Another oops method can't be far away!
It would be nice to get what you need to do your job (i.e. supplies, etc.), but with an outfit like this, I wouldn't hold my breath.
Stay tuned. Another oops method can't be far away!
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Little things
Lately, little things mean a lot, or little things can get on my nerves. I'm working hard to let the latter ones go.
Bubba waits for making decisions and it drives me crazy. I almost had a heart attack over him changing his mind about a field trip. I forgot important stuff and had to come back home before I could go to work. A little stop and check would have solved everything.
Some people get on my nerves at work. It might be their attitudes or habits or anything. I just think sometimes, it gets magnified. I am singing that song "Let it go" in my head a lot lately. I can't fix them, so I have to let it go. I'll let them fall on their faces first, because no matter what, they are right. Once they get scraped up, they'll get it.
It's time to live for the good little things, not the bad. Savor the good and let the bad ones go.
Bubba waits for making decisions and it drives me crazy. I almost had a heart attack over him changing his mind about a field trip. I forgot important stuff and had to come back home before I could go to work. A little stop and check would have solved everything.
Some people get on my nerves at work. It might be their attitudes or habits or anything. I just think sometimes, it gets magnified. I am singing that song "Let it go" in my head a lot lately. I can't fix them, so I have to let it go. I'll let them fall on their faces first, because no matter what, they are right. Once they get scraped up, they'll get it.
It's time to live for the good little things, not the bad. Savor the good and let the bad ones go.
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Heartbroken
I just cannot believe it. One of my childhood friends asked me a while ago about getting another heart surgery. She had had several strokes in the past and wanted to get her problem fixed. I mentioned to her that ANY surgery is risky and to consider that in her plan. She agreed.
She went in for that surgery, and never came out. Her husband and four children, the youngest is Bubba's age (a preteen) are left behind.
She was almost 46 and a half years old. One year and months older than my own mother when she died.
The last time we saw each other was at a funeral for a relative of one of our classmates. We said we'd get together after she had some time to process her own loss. That time will never come.
I hugged Bubba tighter today. And tonight, I pray for all of them.
Hug your kids (and friends) today. You just never know...
She went in for that surgery, and never came out. Her husband and four children, the youngest is Bubba's age (a preteen) are left behind.
She was almost 46 and a half years old. One year and months older than my own mother when she died.
The last time we saw each other was at a funeral for a relative of one of our classmates. We said we'd get together after she had some time to process her own loss. That time will never come.
I hugged Bubba tighter today. And tonight, I pray for all of them.
Hug your kids (and friends) today. You just never know...
An unwanted visitor
Dear Brown Recluse Spider:
Hanging out in my shower is not good. Especially after I just spent an hour fighting with a lawn mower in heat and humidity, with grass stuck all over my lower extremities.
There is a reason why I wear heavy soled shoes. The only good spider (in my house) is a dead one.
Sorry (but not really, because I'm sure one of your relatives will come and take your place soon enough no matter how much I clean).
Sincerely not,
RehabRN
Hanging out in my shower is not good. Especially after I just spent an hour fighting with a lawn mower in heat and humidity, with grass stuck all over my lower extremities.
There is a reason why I wear heavy soled shoes. The only good spider (in my house) is a dead one.
Sorry (but not really, because I'm sure one of your relatives will come and take your place soon enough no matter how much I clean).
Sincerely not,
RehabRN
Thursday, June 18, 2015
On retirement of a dear friend
Dear Bette:
I'm so happy you're retiring. I know you are, too, even though you say it's bittersweet. Much of life often is, to remind us to be thankful. You've been through a lot the last few years, but you always smiled, even though, being sick often sucks. You were a trouper. It was my pleasure to work with you.
I'll miss you coming up to get coffee in the mornings and discussing all the interesting patients we'd see at the Hotel. You have the uncanny ability for people to trust you and tell you EVERYTHING, even things we didn't really want to know.
You made us realize that our folks are multidimensional people, and to only look at them from one side, was doing them a terrible disservice. Thank you. I know my practice changed from the time I spent working with you.
I will never forget your pioneering spirit, embracing new projects and treatment methods, and I'm sure the rest of the Hotel won't, either. (I promise I won't give your phone number out when some of those providers ask what you really think of those treatment methods, since you are an expert).
You hopefully, will be healthy and stress-free very soon, too, as you leave the hallowed Hotel halls soon for retirement.
I will miss you terribly, but I will never forget you. You are braver than any other person I know, and have given so much to me, our staff, and our patients with your presence.
Godspeed on the rest of your journey.
With warmest regards,
RehabRN
I'm so happy you're retiring. I know you are, too, even though you say it's bittersweet. Much of life often is, to remind us to be thankful. You've been through a lot the last few years, but you always smiled, even though, being sick often sucks. You were a trouper. It was my pleasure to work with you.
I'll miss you coming up to get coffee in the mornings and discussing all the interesting patients we'd see at the Hotel. You have the uncanny ability for people to trust you and tell you EVERYTHING, even things we didn't really want to know.
You made us realize that our folks are multidimensional people, and to only look at them from one side, was doing them a terrible disservice. Thank you. I know my practice changed from the time I spent working with you.
I will never forget your pioneering spirit, embracing new projects and treatment methods, and I'm sure the rest of the Hotel won't, either. (I promise I won't give your phone number out when some of those providers ask what you really think of those treatment methods, since you are an expert).
You hopefully, will be healthy and stress-free very soon, too, as you leave the hallowed Hotel halls soon for retirement.
I will miss you terribly, but I will never forget you. You are braver than any other person I know, and have given so much to me, our staff, and our patients with your presence.
Godspeed on the rest of your journey.
With warmest regards,
RehabRN
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Learning every day
I tell my patients and other nurses that I learn something new every day. Lately, it's been very true. So many things in my life, at home and at work are precipitating the changes. I'm hoping they are all for the better.
While I'll never become a maternal/child nurse, I learned about STABLE the other day from one of my e-mail groups I belong to related to technology. This course is provided virtually for those nurses who are in rural areas who cannot attend in person, due to time or expense.
I'm learning more than I ever wanted to know about some new technologies. Just because it's expensive, doesn't always mean it will work. A long, arduous task was made harder. However, I shouldn't complain. I have a technical guy with a lot of history, who can figure out just about anything. I am extremely lucky.
I have to remind myself of that very fact, too. I am lucky to be able to learn so much.
More later...
While I'll never become a maternal/child nurse, I learned about STABLE the other day from one of my e-mail groups I belong to related to technology. This course is provided virtually for those nurses who are in rural areas who cannot attend in person, due to time or expense.
I'm learning more than I ever wanted to know about some new technologies. Just because it's expensive, doesn't always mean it will work. A long, arduous task was made harder. However, I shouldn't complain. I have a technical guy with a lot of history, who can figure out just about anything. I am extremely lucky.
I have to remind myself of that very fact, too. I am lucky to be able to learn so much.
More later...
Monday, June 15, 2015
Not just nice
Sometimes, it's necessary. Introducing yourself to the specialist who may be visiting your unit is not just a common (really uncommon) courtesy, it's important. Especially to your patient who needs him/her and his/her expertise.
Thank you Suzanne Gordon for reminding us of this very important fact.
Remember, look up and introduce yourself. Your patient is worth it (and so are you)!
Stay tuned.
Thank you Suzanne Gordon for reminding us of this very important fact.
Remember, look up and introduce yourself. Your patient is worth it (and so are you)!
Stay tuned.
If only...
A man loses 2/3 of his weight and needs necessary surgery to remove excess skin. This is the story of one of our Hotel patients.
Dressing this patient is a challenge. Even with a loss of half of his/her previous body weight, it's a challenge. Said patient needed a custom one of these to get up in a wheelchair (not to mention a bariatric chair). It was a challenge for staff to get it on him/her, but they figured it out.
Caring for bariatric patients is a necessary evil. Please be careful out there and use every piece of equipment and tool you have that is appropriate.
Your patient and the rest of the staff (and your back) will appreciate it.
More later...
Dressing this patient is a challenge. Even with a loss of half of his/her previous body weight, it's a challenge. Said patient needed a custom one of these to get up in a wheelchair (not to mention a bariatric chair). It was a challenge for staff to get it on him/her, but they figured it out.
Caring for bariatric patients is a necessary evil. Please be careful out there and use every piece of equipment and tool you have that is appropriate.
Your patient and the rest of the staff (and your back) will appreciate it.
More later...
Saturday, June 13, 2015
The agony and the ecstasy, part 31
These are themes I've seen over and over in my life and practice this week.
Agony:
Agony:
- Breaking very expensive equipment. Fibre optic cables that get stuck, then shatter in your hand and cut you as you're trying to gently extricate them. Ugh! I just hope the boss doesn't have a cow. Reported it already. Still terribly sad.
- Rousing the troops to no avail. Really? Not ONE of you could come to check this out? Yes, I know it was last-minute, but heaven forbid we do anything on a Friday. No one will show (unless it involves free food or money). Disclaimer: I did manage to grab two RNs from the floor wandering by, though. My remote site loved it.
- Get one thing fixed, break another. Thankfully, I'll be able to resolve this, but it will take a while.
- Dahey will be going on a TDY odyssey soon without Bubba and me. If we're lucky, we may be able to visit him before he leaves.
Ecstasy:
- Dr. EI will get his Christmas present (hopefully) by July. All the planets have aligned.
- I finally got into a pilot program which will get our site new, fancy equipment to take rehab and health care out to patients. YIPPEE! (Have waited a LONG time for this, too.)
- Things in this house are starting to come together. New paint adorns a few of the walls and will continue as Bubba and I get ready to tackle some of the easier rooms Dahey left for us.
- Planning a little vacation. Bubba will have another item on his "dreams come true" list complete this summer.
Stay tuned. It's never dull at the Hotel Rehab!
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Dear paranoid relative
Thank you for travelling across the country, stopping in three different airports. It must have been not just physically, but mentally taxing.
Coming to our house was probably better than roaming around the airport. Yes, I did actually clean your room just before you arrived. I washed the linens that very day, so you'd have the fresh ones. (I also did this because I couldn't find the other ones I normally use, and decided these were good enough for your once a decade visits).
However, when you panic when we are out and about, on every choice of public restroom, I want to throttle you. Throttling a 50-something year old person in public is still not common here in RehabLand, unless you threw a punch at Dahey or said something obnoxious to me or the other ladies in the crowd.
That is all. The secret to life in a public restroom is wash your hands and use a paper towel to open the door. Pure and simple.
Hope you remember this the next time you visit and we take you out on the town.
Sincerely ('cause I'd hate to throttle you in public),
RehabRN
Coming to our house was probably better than roaming around the airport. Yes, I did actually clean your room just before you arrived. I washed the linens that very day, so you'd have the fresh ones. (I also did this because I couldn't find the other ones I normally use, and decided these were good enough for your once a decade visits).
However, when you panic when we are out and about, on every choice of public restroom, I want to throttle you. Throttling a 50-something year old person in public is still not common here in RehabLand, unless you threw a punch at Dahey or said something obnoxious to me or the other ladies in the crowd.
That is all. The secret to life in a public restroom is wash your hands and use a paper towel to open the door. Pure and simple.
Hope you remember this the next time you visit and we take you out on the town.
Sincerely ('cause I'd hate to throttle you in public),
RehabRN
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Summer reading club
Yes, raise your hand, if you're one of those people who makes a New Year's resolution to read more? That's me, too. In my day-to-day work, I'm always reading. Most of the things I read are guidelines, policies, procedures or official-type documents.
As a kid, I was a veteran of the Summer Reading Club here in RehabLand. I have many fond memories of going to my local library, doing the program and getting my name put up on the wall with those of the other kids in my school in the children's section. I loved getting the certificate of completion and the FREE book. Although I loved to read, my free book was always a Peanuts paperback book. It was something they didn't loan out much in the library, and it was my reward for finishing. Snoopy was the subject of my first book.
Thankfully, I don't have to worry anymore about losing my summer reading club book list. Our new library has a reading club online and they give prizes to adults, too! It may not be Snoopy books, but it's fun.
Here's what I've read or am reading right now. Hope you'll enjoy them, or head on over to your local library and find one of your own.
1.Thoughts are things: Turning your ideas into realities by Bob Proctor & Greg S. Reid. I enjoyed this book about ideas and using them in life.Based on the ideas of the Napoleon Hill Foundation.
2. Small Batch: Pickles, cheese, chocolate, spirits and the return of artisanal foods, by Suzanne Cope. If you love food and love stories, you'll like this book, which talks about history, food and the new companies that have grown up doing what our ancestors did all the time.
3. Simple Lessons for a Better Life by Charles E. Dodgen. I'm still reading this, and I'm loving it. A couple of stories hit home for me, and really look a lot like what has happened occasionally at the Hotel. If you want a different view of nursing homes and older people from a the perspective of a psychologist., this is it.
As a kid, I was a veteran of the Summer Reading Club here in RehabLand. I have many fond memories of going to my local library, doing the program and getting my name put up on the wall with those of the other kids in my school in the children's section. I loved getting the certificate of completion and the FREE book. Although I loved to read, my free book was always a Peanuts paperback book. It was something they didn't loan out much in the library, and it was my reward for finishing. Snoopy was the subject of my first book.
Thankfully, I don't have to worry anymore about losing my summer reading club book list. Our new library has a reading club online and they give prizes to adults, too! It may not be Snoopy books, but it's fun.
Here's what I've read or am reading right now. Hope you'll enjoy them, or head on over to your local library and find one of your own.
1.Thoughts are things: Turning your ideas into realities by Bob Proctor & Greg S. Reid. I enjoyed this book about ideas and using them in life.Based on the ideas of the Napoleon Hill Foundation.
2. Small Batch: Pickles, cheese, chocolate, spirits and the return of artisanal foods, by Suzanne Cope. If you love food and love stories, you'll like this book, which talks about history, food and the new companies that have grown up doing what our ancestors did all the time.
3. Simple Lessons for a Better Life by Charles E. Dodgen. I'm still reading this, and I'm loving it. A couple of stories hit home for me, and really look a lot like what has happened occasionally at the Hotel. If you want a different view of nursing homes and older people from a the perspective of a psychologist., this is it.
Monday, June 8, 2015
Why you need insurance
***SOAPBOX ALERT**** (aka something to consider)
There are lots of insurance products out there: life, homeowners, renters, automobile, motorcycle, health, disability insurance you name it. Some are required by law, like automobile insurance, or homeowners, because they protect a valuable asset (your home or your car). This is mostly required by creditors. Life insurance protects you and your family. We know that nursing is a hard, sometimes dangerous profession. Disability insurance is another thing to consider, since nurses are very likely to be injured on the job vs. to die at work.
However, many nurses practice without insuring something just as valuable. They practice without nursing malpractice insurance. In the few years I've practiced, I've heard a lot of stories about lawsuits and the judgments that often come with them.
Many people rationalize why they don't want insurance. They are not "those people". If they buy insurance, they'll be sued. The hospital will protect me, since I've been a good employee and never disciplined. My state board will protect me.
Unfortunately, those people or nurses who get sued are very nice people just doing their jobs like you are. If you are like me, you live in an "at will" state. You can be fired at any time (and you can leave at any time). This means even with your stellar record, your facility could let you go. Finally, most state boards may discipline you if you are found negligent. If you lose your license, you lose your livelihood.
If you love your job, your family, your house and your car, you need to consider carrying malpractice insurance, too. There are many good firms out there, some specifically for nurses. Seek them out.
Your career may depend on it.
More to come...
There are lots of insurance products out there: life, homeowners, renters, automobile, motorcycle, health, disability insurance you name it. Some are required by law, like automobile insurance, or homeowners, because they protect a valuable asset (your home or your car). This is mostly required by creditors. Life insurance protects you and your family. We know that nursing is a hard, sometimes dangerous profession. Disability insurance is another thing to consider, since nurses are very likely to be injured on the job vs. to die at work.
However, many nurses practice without insuring something just as valuable. They practice without nursing malpractice insurance. In the few years I've practiced, I've heard a lot of stories about lawsuits and the judgments that often come with them.
Many people rationalize why they don't want insurance. They are not "those people". If they buy insurance, they'll be sued. The hospital will protect me, since I've been a good employee and never disciplined. My state board will protect me.
Unfortunately, those people or nurses who get sued are very nice people just doing their jobs like you are. If you are like me, you live in an "at will" state. You can be fired at any time (and you can leave at any time). This means even with your stellar record, your facility could let you go. Finally, most state boards may discipline you if you are found negligent. If you lose your license, you lose your livelihood.
If you love your job, your family, your house and your car, you need to consider carrying malpractice insurance, too. There are many good firms out there, some specifically for nurses. Seek them out.
Your career may depend on it.
More to come...
Sunday, June 7, 2015
To our esteemed readers
Dear readers:
Thank you for stopping by to visit. It's been a crazy week. When you bury a relative as part of a large (we have so many kids/grandkids/nieces/nephews) that we can almost rent the entire hotel family, it gets a little crazy. Unlike most Irish wakes, Auntie Em didn't get to come to the party at the Hibernian hall after the funeral. However, she would have loved it.
Lots of food and drinks and even a little gambling going on at the bar in the other room. Since Auntie Em's state allows gaming in bars, it was fun dragging the kids away from their popcorn machine (aka kid magnet) before the state liquor commissioners passed by. Happily, the bartenders shut the door and the kids found the cookies.
The banquet hall was full. Lots of people came out in the middle of the week to say goodbye at the wake, the funeral and the luncheon at the Hibernians. Auntie Em's boss (a retired allergist who was younger) even showed up, which is something that doesn't always happen for folks who die in their nineties. Dahey and Bubba had a good time. Bubba with the other kids, Dahey with his cousins who he doesn't get to see nearly enough.
Dahey's family may start visiting in between weddings and funerals, but it remains to be seen. Sure would be nice to celebrate while we're all here to do it in the same room.
Again, thanks for understanding. It is deeply appreciated.
Sincerely,
RehabRN
Thank you for stopping by to visit. It's been a crazy week. When you bury a relative as part of a large (we have so many kids/grandkids/nieces/nephews) that we can almost rent the entire hotel family, it gets a little crazy. Unlike most Irish wakes, Auntie Em didn't get to come to the party at the Hibernian hall after the funeral. However, she would have loved it.
Lots of food and drinks and even a little gambling going on at the bar in the other room. Since Auntie Em's state allows gaming in bars, it was fun dragging the kids away from their popcorn machine (aka kid magnet) before the state liquor commissioners passed by. Happily, the bartenders shut the door and the kids found the cookies.
The banquet hall was full. Lots of people came out in the middle of the week to say goodbye at the wake, the funeral and the luncheon at the Hibernians. Auntie Em's boss (a retired allergist who was younger) even showed up, which is something that doesn't always happen for folks who die in their nineties. Dahey and Bubba had a good time. Bubba with the other kids, Dahey with his cousins who he doesn't get to see nearly enough.
Dahey's family may start visiting in between weddings and funerals, but it remains to be seen. Sure would be nice to celebrate while we're all here to do it in the same room.
Again, thanks for understanding. It is deeply appreciated.
Sincerely,
RehabRN
Sunday, May 31, 2015
A lazy afternoon
At least it was for a moment. I got most of the errands done, however, I had an additional one after the neighborhood flock of robins decided to attack my car only on the driver's side, right near the door handles.
I'm convinced they read this Far Side cartoon.
Hope you enjoy your Sunday wherever you are.
I'm convinced they read this Far Side cartoon.
Hope you enjoy your Sunday wherever you are.
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Let me count...
The possible headlines for this article. (BTW we also had a devious character in the Hotel who was leaving piles in trash cans.)
1. Poo on you, I didn't doo it.
2. If he didn't sh$t, you must acquit.
3. You want me to do WHAT?
4. Am I in the hospital?
5. What rights do you have? Obviously not s...
It seems like this is made up, but it's not. It's a true story about genetics and DNA.
1. Poo on you, I didn't doo it.
2. If he didn't sh$t, you must acquit.
3. You want me to do WHAT?
4. Am I in the hospital?
5. What rights do you have? Obviously not s...
It seems like this is made up, but it's not. It's a true story about genetics and DNA.
Just because you can do something doesn't always mean you should.
Stay tuned!
Friday, May 29, 2015
Another Memorial Day
Many years ago, when we got home from a trip, we got a phone call. My father-in-law passed away. We had just seen him days before.
This year, we didn't go anywhere on Memorial Day, but we got the same news. Dahey's aunt passed away this time. A different date, a different year, but still on Memorial Day.
We will miss you Aunt M. You lived a good, long life with many children, friends and neighbors.
This year, we didn't go anywhere on Memorial Day, but we got the same news. Dahey's aunt passed away this time. A different date, a different year, but still on Memorial Day.
We will miss you Aunt M. You lived a good, long life with many children, friends and neighbors.
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Dear Surgeon
When you come on the floor, could you actually talk? Grunting and pointing are things Bubba did when he was three years old. Besides, you're not in the OR with a mask on any more. It scares the patients. They think you never smile. (BTW I win bets when you do.)
And finally, please, please, please, do not poke around on folks who have pressure ulcers near bones.
I do not like finding out a patient is in a pool of blood when I turn him/her for the other provider to see his/her wounds because you were just poking around to see what would happen. (Just ask me--I've seen exsanguination like this before.) Dr. X can't see anything with all the blood and I have to get our people to get your people, and then you can't take off on time to go eat your lunch on the veranda with your wife.
It is not fun to volume deplete someone here at the Hotel when getting blood products here is a major, hours long ordeal. We don't have an ICU, so if you screw up, we call 911 and pray.
Thanking you in advance (and I promise I won't trip you in the hallway),
Sincerely not,
RehabRN
And finally, please, please, please, do not poke around on folks who have pressure ulcers near bones.
I do not like finding out a patient is in a pool of blood when I turn him/her for the other provider to see his/her wounds because you were just poking around to see what would happen. (Just ask me--I've seen exsanguination like this before.) Dr. X can't see anything with all the blood and I have to get our people to get your people, and then you can't take off on time to go eat your lunch on the veranda with your wife.
It is not fun to volume deplete someone here at the Hotel when getting blood products here is a major, hours long ordeal. We don't have an ICU, so if you screw up, we call 911 and pray.
Thanking you in advance (and I promise I won't trip you in the hallway),
Sincerely not,
RehabRN
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