Ah, yes, it's just so much fun when you get melodramatic patients...and nurses.
One patient came to us after a stay in the ICU due to respiratory issues. Patient had a very productive cough, thanks to some aggressive respiratory treatment.
"That nurse beat me! Don't do that!" was the response when I asked if I could do chest PT when the patient was turned. Nice. Said patient did let me do a quad cough, though.
The Slug was back recently. "Oh," he/she said to a patient, "I had to move all of my relative's heavy wooden furniture. I didn't let anyone take breaks." Guess what...he/she made up for it while at work.
It wasn't a surprise, but one of my favorite charge nurses will be gone in May. S, one of the nice, sweet regulars will be going to an area with less heavy lifting since her back is going out. We will miss her.
I will be so glad to be off this weekend. I get to dye eggs with Bubba for a party. Fun!
Stay tuned...
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
A view from across the pond
Straight from AJN's Off the Charts blog, an interesting viewpoint about the changes in American healthcare. My favorite quote is below:
If ‘socialist health care’ means supporting your family and fellow citizens and ensuring no one dies of undetected cancer or bankrupts themselves having treatment, I’m all for it.
If ‘socialist health care’ means supporting your family and fellow citizens and ensuring no one dies of undetected cancer or bankrupts themselves having treatment, I’m all for it.
'Tis allergy season again!
Oh, the joys of seasonal allergies. I can empathize with my patients, because, yours truly has been fighting the battle of seasonal pollen for as long as I can remember. When the sun shines and the trees are in bloom, some of the people around the Hotel start sneezing.
And if the trees and flowers aren't enough, we have people with other sorts of allergies cropping up--latex and even skin cleaners we use frequently. It makes your day go from happy and smiling to itching and writhing pretty quickly.
On the floor, I got to take care of the same folks, so it's been nice. I take care of them when they're sick and when they're well. No offense, but I prefer the patients on the well side. Some people are just not good sick patients! Mr. Fox just came back to us after he had already visited for a long time. He nearly died. We knew he was feeling better because a) he wasn't in ICU anymore and 2) despite looking worse for wear, he was all smiles because he was back with us. He knows we can take care of him, know his habits, and that he has lazy but not paralyzed bowels as the residents at Washington told him.
When I wasn't working with my buddies, I was working on computers. Thankfully, some of the computer people were working to solve some of our problems, but not all of them worked. We went from many WOWs as they like to call our mobile computers to a bare minimum.
There's still lots of talk about Facebook. It's in the news, and since one of our coworkers is on it frequently, everyone's stewing as to why the boss hasn't noticed. Maybe it has to do with all the extra work the boss has suddenly ended up with due to the new hospital administration and nursing boss.
Reminds me of that cannibal joke Maha has up on her blog. We don't work directly with the administrators, but as a worker bee, I really enjoyed it.
Now it's back to the thrill of waiting for appointments and running errands. More to come...
And if the trees and flowers aren't enough, we have people with other sorts of allergies cropping up--latex and even skin cleaners we use frequently. It makes your day go from happy and smiling to itching and writhing pretty quickly.
On the floor, I got to take care of the same folks, so it's been nice. I take care of them when they're sick and when they're well. No offense, but I prefer the patients on the well side. Some people are just not good sick patients! Mr. Fox just came back to us after he had already visited for a long time. He nearly died. We knew he was feeling better because a) he wasn't in ICU anymore and 2) despite looking worse for wear, he was all smiles because he was back with us. He knows we can take care of him, know his habits, and that he has lazy but not paralyzed bowels as the residents at Washington told him.
When I wasn't working with my buddies, I was working on computers. Thankfully, some of the computer people were working to solve some of our problems, but not all of them worked. We went from many WOWs as they like to call our mobile computers to a bare minimum.
There's still lots of talk about Facebook. It's in the news, and since one of our coworkers is on it frequently, everyone's stewing as to why the boss hasn't noticed. Maybe it has to do with all the extra work the boss has suddenly ended up with due to the new hospital administration and nursing boss.
Reminds me of that cannibal joke Maha has up on her blog. We don't work directly with the administrators, but as a worker bee, I really enjoyed it.
Now it's back to the thrill of waiting for appointments and running errands. More to come...
Monday, March 29, 2010
Feeling artsy....
Well, it's a full moon in honor of Dahey's natal day, and it's full of excitement, just like the weekend was.
First, I got to get artsy figuring out how to lay the Tegaderm dressings I had to put on a couple of my patients with PICC lines. Sometimes it gets crazy when the best place for the PICC is not the best place for the dressing, like on the inside of an arm of a patient who's very contracted.
Next, since it was time to bake the annual hubby natal day cake, I got to work early. Thankfully, no one snuck in and ate all the icing like they did last year. Between kid and dog, I'm not sure who's worse...and yes, I know cake and icing is not good for dogs. Tell the WildDog that for me, would you? Maybe I'll just get him his own, like this dog....
After that, I tried Photoshopping, cropping and beautifying some of our vacation photos. Another artsy thing I like to do even though I'm not the greatest. When in doubt: grayscale hides a lot!
Finally, I got the note from grad school saying my poem was accepted into the Medical Campus student journal. I have never been published in any capacity as a nurse.
Should prove to be an interesting week...stay tuned!
First, I got to get artsy figuring out how to lay the Tegaderm dressings I had to put on a couple of my patients with PICC lines. Sometimes it gets crazy when the best place for the PICC is not the best place for the dressing, like on the inside of an arm of a patient who's very contracted.
Next, since it was time to bake the annual hubby natal day cake, I got to work early. Thankfully, no one snuck in and ate all the icing like they did last year. Between kid and dog, I'm not sure who's worse...and yes, I know cake and icing is not good for dogs. Tell the WildDog that for me, would you? Maybe I'll just get him his own, like this dog....
After that, I tried Photoshopping, cropping and beautifying some of our vacation photos. Another artsy thing I like to do even though I'm not the greatest. When in doubt: grayscale hides a lot!
Finally, I got the note from grad school saying my poem was accepted into the Medical Campus student journal. I have never been published in any capacity as a nurse.
Should prove to be an interesting week...stay tuned!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Stormy weekend? Perhaps not...
So maybe we won't have a stormy moon at our place this weekend...why you ask?
Let me count the ways...
1. We lost some patients. Spring has sprung and they'll do anything to get discharged or go on pass for the weekend. I love that part of spring!
2. The supervisors are not micromanaging at the moment. It helps that a few just got back from vacations in the tropics watching baseball and getting a tan. Want to divert them from looking at your drink at the nurses' station? Just ask them about spring training and who they saw.
3. Some of the drama mamas won't be working this weekend due to illness or vacation. At least they can go nuts at home with their families, and not with us!
I'd say the q-word, but I'm not going to jinx it....stay tuned!
Let me count the ways...
1. We lost some patients. Spring has sprung and they'll do anything to get discharged or go on pass for the weekend. I love that part of spring!
2. The supervisors are not micromanaging at the moment. It helps that a few just got back from vacations in the tropics watching baseball and getting a tan. Want to divert them from looking at your drink at the nurses' station? Just ask them about spring training and who they saw.
3. Some of the drama mamas won't be working this weekend due to illness or vacation. At least they can go nuts at home with their families, and not with us!
I'd say the q-word, but I'm not going to jinx it....stay tuned!
Friday, March 26, 2010
A night out with the big men
No, I'm not going out with Dahey and Bubba, nor am I partaking in that festival of festivals called the NCAA tournament. (although a few of my patients will be glued to the TV). No, I'm working at the Hotel again. People come in, and people go out, and when I get in, we'll see who's left.
Lately, it's been placid, but that tends to change when 1) the moon does (the Storm Moon is coming Monday) and 2) the drama mamas come to work.
I'll just hang with the big men, thank you very much!
Stay tuned!
Lately, it's been placid, but that tends to change when 1) the moon does (the Storm Moon is coming Monday) and 2) the drama mamas come to work.
I'll just hang with the big men, thank you very much!
Stay tuned!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Nuggets for March 24
Time flies when you're having fun. Oh, it's been a barrel of monkeys around the Hotel.
For the first time in a very long time, the booking agents have no one scheduled. Hooray! It may have something to do with the requirement that you be on xx isolation to get in, but...oh well!
Since we're on the animal theme (I almost typed aminal...weird) here are a few selections from my latest meanderings on the 'net.
Enjoy your visit to the zoo!
From the blogosphere....
Man Nurse Diaries just made me think of hippos when I saw his post about HIPAA. You'd be surprised how many people in East Bohunk think HIPAA is HIPPA or HIPPO.
At Your Cervix has some great wildlife photos recently including a bald eagle. Cool!
Maha lost her kitty over at Call Bells make me nervous. So sorry to hear that...18 wow!
They're not animals...
But there's a special species of human in some of these places.
At Serenity Now Hospital, ER doc sees some interesting things in the country in his post Only in the country: drugs don't lie.
Tex has some great photos from Wal-mart over at Weird Nursing Tales. And to think, she probably just needed a candy bar and the gift shop was closed!
For the first time in a very long time, the booking agents have no one scheduled. Hooray! It may have something to do with the requirement that you be on xx isolation to get in, but...oh well!
Since we're on the animal theme (I almost typed aminal...weird) here are a few selections from my latest meanderings on the 'net.
Enjoy your visit to the zoo!
From the blogosphere....
Man Nurse Diaries just made me think of hippos when I saw his post about HIPAA. You'd be surprised how many people in East Bohunk think HIPAA is HIPPA or HIPPO.
At Your Cervix has some great wildlife photos recently including a bald eagle. Cool!
Maha lost her kitty over at Call Bells make me nervous. So sorry to hear that...18 wow!
They're not animals...
But there's a special species of human in some of these places.
At Serenity Now Hospital, ER doc sees some interesting things in the country in his post Only in the country: drugs don't lie.
Tex has some great photos from Wal-mart over at Weird Nursing Tales. And to think, she probably just needed a candy bar and the gift shop was closed!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Everyone knows everyone
Especially when you're from a smaller town.
Some examples (aka 6 degrees of separation):
J, one of our longtime RNs has a sick husband. We're chatting about him and I found out I worked with several docs in hubby's MD's practice. I even know some of their peculiar habits, like riding bicycles to work (one lives very close to the office).
One of our patients came from Saintarama to our rehab unit. People ask about him/her all the time, since patient comes in our place from time to time. (Hi, Zee! ) Patient visits them, but not as much (and the old coworkers are really jealous!)
Our boss is familiar with one of my docs. All I did was mention Dr. G's name and he diagnoses me. Nice. At least, I can keep a few things to myself. Besides, Dr. G. has known me forever. Dr. G. scared the bejeezus out of me recently when he/she asked, "Do you know what?" I was waiting for the "I'm retiring" speech. Thankfully, Dr. G. just told me I've been a patient more than half of my life.
Dr. G. forgot about seeing me in peds...must have just been doing research on those roaches or something.
Dahey had a party recently and invited all the geeks to our house. One has an MD relative, so I asked Dr. Specialist if he/she knew Dr. Miscellany. "Oh, I don't think Dr. Miscellany is (fill in specialty here)."
"Really?", I said, "I thought he/she was."
So what happens. Dr. Specialist's curiosity is piqued, and he/she heads to Google. "Well, I do know Dr. Miscellany was in xx practice. I know who trained him/her at xx university. He/she must be 60. Is your husband that old?" PA sitting next to Dr. Specialist is not amused (PA is 60+ and most of our patients enjoy his cameraderie).
Ahh, I love doctors! (tongue planted firmly in cheek)
Stay tuned...more excitement to come...
Some examples (aka 6 degrees of separation):
J, one of our longtime RNs has a sick husband. We're chatting about him and I found out I worked with several docs in hubby's MD's practice. I even know some of their peculiar habits, like riding bicycles to work (one lives very close to the office).
One of our patients came from Saintarama to our rehab unit. People ask about him/her all the time, since patient comes in our place from time to time. (Hi, Zee! ) Patient visits them, but not as much (and the old coworkers are really jealous!)
Our boss is familiar with one of my docs. All I did was mention Dr. G's name and he diagnoses me. Nice. At least, I can keep a few things to myself. Besides, Dr. G. has known me forever. Dr. G. scared the bejeezus out of me recently when he/she asked, "Do you know what?" I was waiting for the "I'm retiring" speech. Thankfully, Dr. G. just told me I've been a patient more than half of my life.
Dr. G. forgot about seeing me in peds...must have just been doing research on those roaches or something.
Dahey had a party recently and invited all the geeks to our house. One has an MD relative, so I asked Dr. Specialist if he/she knew Dr. Miscellany. "Oh, I don't think Dr. Miscellany is (fill in specialty here)."
"Really?", I said, "I thought he/she was."
So what happens. Dr. Specialist's curiosity is piqued, and he/she heads to Google. "Well, I do know Dr. Miscellany was in xx practice. I know who trained him/her at xx university. He/she must be 60. Is your husband that old?" PA sitting next to Dr. Specialist is not amused (PA is 60+ and most of our patients enjoy his cameraderie).
Ahh, I love doctors! (tongue planted firmly in cheek)
Stay tuned...more excitement to come...
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Spring cleaning
I've made a few changes here and there, especially to blog links. If your blog was there and was inadvertently deleted, let me know.
My verification system: go check the links. No blog anymore = no link.
This is highly variable, as I am still working on my required caffeine intake this morning on my coffee break in between patients.
Wanna link here? Let me know.
My verification system: go check the links. No blog anymore = no link.
This is highly variable, as I am still working on my required caffeine intake this morning on my coffee break in between patients.
Wanna link here? Let me know.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
In case you're wondering...
It's National Colorectal Cancer Awareness month. I'm sure one of my husband's relatives is thrilled...he/she's a GI.
So I sent him/her this post from casesblog. Who can miss a song from Peter Yarrow (yes, the Peter from Peter, Paul and Mary).
WARNING: soapbox ahead...
In my short lifespan and career, I've seen the horrible, heart-breaking effects of colon cancer. Do yourself a favor...if you need one, get one. No, I don't get a commission.
Colonoscopy preps are not pretty (trust me...we do lots at the Hotel) but colon cancer and its after effects aren't so nice, either.
So I sent him/her this post from casesblog. Who can miss a song from Peter Yarrow (yes, the Peter from Peter, Paul and Mary).
WARNING: soapbox ahead...
In my short lifespan and career, I've seen the horrible, heart-breaking effects of colon cancer. Do yourself a favor...if you need one, get one. No, I don't get a commission.
Colonoscopy preps are not pretty (trust me...we do lots at the Hotel) but colon cancer and its after effects aren't so nice, either.
He told us not to do it...
So I'm not going to even LOOK at that class while it's spring break. Thanks Mr. H.!
On to more fun assignments, like laundry, cleaning and lunch with the folks out and about.
Sometimes, I love the weekend!
On to more fun assignments, like laundry, cleaning and lunch with the folks out and about.
Sometimes, I love the weekend!
Friday, March 19, 2010
Top 25? Not too shabby.
Thanks Liza. Got this in my e-mail today. Check out the links below.
Thanks for the nod, and please vote for this blog if you get the chance.
And most of all, have a wonderful weekend, wherever you are! I'm on spring break! No school, no school!
Stay tuned...
My name is Liza and I write for the Lydia’s Uniforms Blog. I’m contacting you because we’re currently holding a contest where our readers can vote on the top nurse blogs. We’ve selected RehabRN to be on our list of the top 25 - congratulations! If you would like to vote for your blog, or have others vote, please visit this link: http://blog.lydiasuniforms.com/blog/lydias-uniforms/0/0/top-nurse-blogs-cast-your-vote. We’ll be announcing the winners during Nurses Week 2010.
Thanks for the nod, and please vote for this blog if you get the chance.
And most of all, have a wonderful weekend, wherever you are! I'm on spring break! No school, no school!
Stay tuned...
Did you know...
Today is Certified Nurses Day? Yours truly got her name in the newsletter.
At least they didn't put my face on a wanted posted at the Hotel.
At least they didn't put my face on a wanted posted at the Hotel.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
You don't have to be Einstein...
To get on over to Nursing Student Chronicles and check out the latest and greatest Change of Shift. It's the best and the brightest of the nursing blog world, so go check it out.
It's so easy, even a robot could do it.
It's so easy, even a robot could do it.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
I feel so loved...
The latest installment of Heard on the unit...
"So and so forgot to do all my laundry." Mr. Z.
Well, Mr. Z., So and so is a new nurse, so you need to help train him/her by telling them what you need.
It really is a crisis to deprive an Irishman of his green clothes on this, St. Patty's Day...thankfully, the Hotel has green PJs for our guests. Problem solved.
"I missed you this weekend." Groovy New Nurse #1
GNN#1 missed me because he/she got stuck with the Slug, who probably spent the weekend doing one or all of the following things: 1) talking on the phone, 2) goofing off on Facebook the whole shift, or 3) doing absolutely nothing.
Yes, dear, it does suck to work with the Slug and everybody else who thinks he/she "is a great person, especially at parties." Well, kids, this ain't no party all the time...
"I don't want one of those Port-a-Cath things. They kill people." Mr. Y.
You'd think they would educate the patient on his/her access possibilities, right? Nope. We got to be the lucky stiffs to talk about what exactly a port was and how it will be used.
"Can I sit in the shower and let the water run over my head while you make my bed?" Mr. X.
Mr. X hasn't had a shower in a very long time, so he was happy to oblige while I got things ready for him.
Anything to make you happy....more later
"So and so forgot to do all my laundry." Mr. Z.
Well, Mr. Z., So and so is a new nurse, so you need to help train him/her by telling them what you need.
It really is a crisis to deprive an Irishman of his green clothes on this, St. Patty's Day...thankfully, the Hotel has green PJs for our guests. Problem solved.
"I missed you this weekend." Groovy New Nurse #1
GNN#1 missed me because he/she got stuck with the Slug, who probably spent the weekend doing one or all of the following things: 1) talking on the phone, 2) goofing off on Facebook the whole shift, or 3) doing absolutely nothing.
Yes, dear, it does suck to work with the Slug and everybody else who thinks he/she "is a great person, especially at parties." Well, kids, this ain't no party all the time...
"I don't want one of those Port-a-Cath things. They kill people." Mr. Y.
You'd think they would educate the patient on his/her access possibilities, right? Nope. We got to be the lucky stiffs to talk about what exactly a port was and how it will be used.
"Can I sit in the shower and let the water run over my head while you make my bed?" Mr. X.
Mr. X hasn't had a shower in a very long time, so he was happy to oblige while I got things ready for him.
Anything to make you happy....more later
Happy St. Patrick's Day....
I am Patrick, a sinner, most uncultivated and least of all the faithful and despised in the eyes of many.
Saint Patrick
For all of you wearin' the green, I salute you and raise my glass.
Saint Patrick
For all of you wearin' the green, I salute you and raise my glass.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Nuggets for March 16
Ah, yes, it's eagerly anticipated in our house...the month of March. Birthdays, St. Patrick's Day parties and most of all, basketball. Dahey looks so happy to grab the paper each day to read the latest and follow his faves online. While his teams didn't make it this year, he's eagerly following the fun.
So while yours truly is a basketball widow for a while, I'm surfing the 'net looking for goodies. Here they are in no particular order.
Another reason why I'm glad I'm not in the ER
With Medicaid cuts, doctors and patients drop out (from www.nytimes.com)
What comes first, the chicken or the egg strikes again. Hello, all you folks in the state legislatures, give the ER people a break. Give enough reimbursement to the docs so at least some of the people will stop using the ER as primary care.
From the blogosphere...
Some things aren't what they seem, according to this recent post from Maha at Call Bells Make Me Nervous. No one EVER does that here do they? (fingers crossed and tongue firmly in cheek).
It's short, sweet and to the point. I love it when Tex has a great post like this one called Band-Aid Bunny.
ER stories had a great one recently about the guy who just has to go to the bris. Could be a damper if he does. I'm with you, doc!
NYC RN retells his muffin top story, and it's not taking place at Panera Bread, or your favorite bakery, either.
In the news
Sure the 2010 Winter Olympic Games may be over, but check out the 2010 Paralympics for some great coverage of winter sports for people in wheelchairs that is running in Vancouver from March 12 to March 21.
It's no urban legend
Some urologists are marketing vasectomies during March Madness. Doesn't hurt to stay home and watch TV while something good is on TV, now, does it?
Happy March Madness to all and to all a good night!
So while yours truly is a basketball widow for a while, I'm surfing the 'net looking for goodies. Here they are in no particular order.
Another reason why I'm glad I'm not in the ER
With Medicaid cuts, doctors and patients drop out (from www.nytimes.com)
What comes first, the chicken or the egg strikes again. Hello, all you folks in the state legislatures, give the ER people a break. Give enough reimbursement to the docs so at least some of the people will stop using the ER as primary care.
From the blogosphere...
Some things aren't what they seem, according to this recent post from Maha at Call Bells Make Me Nervous. No one EVER does that here do they? (fingers crossed and tongue firmly in cheek).
It's short, sweet and to the point. I love it when Tex has a great post like this one called Band-Aid Bunny.
ER stories had a great one recently about the guy who just has to go to the bris. Could be a damper if he does. I'm with you, doc!
NYC RN retells his muffin top story, and it's not taking place at Panera Bread, or your favorite bakery, either.
In the news
Sure the 2010 Winter Olympic Games may be over, but check out the 2010 Paralympics for some great coverage of winter sports for people in wheelchairs that is running in Vancouver from March 12 to March 21.
It's no urban legend
Some urologists are marketing vasectomies during March Madness. Doesn't hurt to stay home and watch TV while something good is on TV, now, does it?
Happy March Madness to all and to all a good night!
Back to the old grind...
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. And oh, what a time it was!
It was a trip with planes, trains and automobiles, with a boat here and other transportation there thrown in for a little excitement. Over hill and dale, by land and by sea, we came and we saw the shows and some wild characters, even with a kid whose stomach is not the best traveler. (Thankfully, that was a one-time thing).
And when we weren't running around being tourists, we ate interesting food and enjoyed the beautiful weather and the splendid vistas.
Now it's back to work...more to come.
It was a trip with planes, trains and automobiles, with a boat here and other transportation there thrown in for a little excitement. Over hill and dale, by land and by sea, we came and we saw the shows and some wild characters, even with a kid whose stomach is not the best traveler. (Thankfully, that was a one-time thing).
And when we weren't running around being tourists, we ate interesting food and enjoyed the beautiful weather and the splendid vistas.
Now it's back to work...more to come.
Friday, March 12, 2010
All ready...
The puppy is curled up at my feet. His sitter is on the way, and she's gonna spoil him.
The bags are packed.
The paperwork is complete.
In mere moments, we'll be on our way.
It may only be a couple of days, but it's so nice to get away!
The bags are packed.
The paperwork is complete.
In mere moments, we'll be on our way.
It may only be a couple of days, but it's so nice to get away!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Nuggets for March 11
Oh, there's been so many items of note lately, I can't believe it.
Social networking (a la Facebook)
It's been a big hairy deal at our place, since one of our coworkers was disciplined for Facebook use.
Think your thoughts on Facebook are private? Think again. In fact, some insurance companies want access to your Facebook account. according to an article on ZDnet recently.
Misuse of social networking sites may have ethical implications according to this ONS article.
If you're not sure what to do and not to do on Facebook, check out this article from
www.pcworld.com.
Preaching to the choir
Nurses spend most of their time on paperwork according to a recent study from Healthcare IT News.
You want what?
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this story on Reuters tonight: Netherlands: Nurses' union: care does not include sex.
Oh. My. Freaking. Heavens. (clutching chest). Makes me want to go back to karate class again!
Get healthy!
You gotta love those multipurpose exercises...I sure do.
Social networking (a la Facebook)
It's been a big hairy deal at our place, since one of our coworkers was disciplined for Facebook use.
Think your thoughts on Facebook are private? Think again. In fact, some insurance companies want access to your Facebook account. according to an article on ZDnet recently.
Misuse of social networking sites may have ethical implications according to this ONS article.
If you're not sure what to do and not to do on Facebook, check out this article from
www.pcworld.com.
Preaching to the choir
Nurses spend most of their time on paperwork according to a recent study from Healthcare IT News.
You want what?
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this story on Reuters tonight: Netherlands: Nurses' union: care does not include sex.
Oh. My. Freaking. Heavens. (clutching chest). Makes me want to go back to karate class again!
Get healthy!
You gotta love those multipurpose exercises...I sure do.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Pretty soon...
I'm gonna shake the dust of this crummy little town off my feet*...and get going.
I love the weekend!
*from It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
I love the weekend!
*from It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Happy, happy
Paper is done, complete, finito! Amen! I have never felt such joy for a paper to be over. This one could have easily been made into a book with the amount of material we had.
My department got a few awards, according to my buddy who read me the e-mail since I was out of the Hotel today. Joy spread around and shared is a good thing. A few of us will even get certificates and other goodies. It's nice to be recognized once in a while, even if it's by the bureaucrats.
People are going home today. Some I'll miss, some...well, they are stories for another day.
Back to work...more to come.
My department got a few awards, according to my buddy who read me the e-mail since I was out of the Hotel today. Joy spread around and shared is a good thing. A few of us will even get certificates and other goodies. It's nice to be recognized once in a while, even if it's by the bureaucrats.
People are going home today. Some I'll miss, some...well, they are stories for another day.
Back to work...more to come.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Lunchtime langor
I know it's Monday, it's lunch time and I still feel like I'm stuck in the mud!
Thankfully, my classmate P. has got the bases covered on our group paper. Otherwise, I might commit murder and TYPE IN ALL CAPS just to let off steam.
Back to my irregularly scheduled lunch...
Thankfully, my classmate P. has got the bases covered on our group paper. Otherwise, I might commit murder and TYPE IN ALL CAPS just to let off steam.
Back to my irregularly scheduled lunch...
Saturday, March 6, 2010
I'm gettin' old...
And I may be getting creaky from flinging people around, but this here nurse ran a darned good race and lived to tell about it.
Or so that computer chip on my shoe said...
Now I'm gonna go raise a glass to all of you who are still at work, doing the heave ho.
This (insert your beverage of choice)'s for you!
Or so that computer chip on my shoe said...
Now I'm gonna go raise a glass to all of you who are still at work, doing the heave ho.
This (insert your beverage of choice)'s for you!
Heard on the unit
A few of the more interesting things in our neck of the woods.
"He's too heavy." (multiple people)
We're getting more and more bariatric patients at the Hotel. Some people are getting so irate at staff meetings that they are refusing to move some people. We have equipment, but no one wants to help each other when people have to get up for whatever reason.
I think we need some team building...fast!
"Get out of here you b&(*h" Mr. Demented to nurse manager and male staff
At least, we girls, don't have to be the only ones to put up with inappropriate behavior from this one.
"I'm going to go home and grill a steak." Mr. H.
Mr. H. has been with us for nearly a year. Spring is coming. He's having food fantasies and swapping so many grilling stories with people that he's making me hungry. He should be good to go in the next couple of days.
"I can't believe we didn't think of that sooner." Charge M.
M. our charge nurse has been around for a very long time. We used a rare, side entry maneuver to get a patient into his/her wheelchair without issue after one of our new nurses brought it up. We haven't used it in a long time, so that's probably why we forgot it, but so did the therapists.
"He's too heavy." (multiple people)
We're getting more and more bariatric patients at the Hotel. Some people are getting so irate at staff meetings that they are refusing to move some people. We have equipment, but no one wants to help each other when people have to get up for whatever reason.
I think we need some team building...fast!
"Get out of here you b&(*h" Mr. Demented to nurse manager and male staff
At least, we girls, don't have to be the only ones to put up with inappropriate behavior from this one.
"I'm going to go home and grill a steak." Mr. H.
Mr. H. has been with us for nearly a year. Spring is coming. He's having food fantasies and swapping so many grilling stories with people that he's making me hungry. He should be good to go in the next couple of days.
"I can't believe we didn't think of that sooner." Charge M.
M. our charge nurse has been around for a very long time. We used a rare, side entry maneuver to get a patient into his/her wheelchair without issue after one of our new nurses brought it up. We haven't used it in a long time, so that's probably why we forgot it, but so did the therapists.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Change of Shift
The latest edition of Change of Shift is now up at mamatrauma.
Go check it out...one of my posts actually made it in. Thankyou...thankyou verrah much!
Go check it out...one of my posts actually made it in. Thankyou...thankyou verrah much!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Crusin' into the weekend
Even though, I will be busy doing homework this weekend, I am looking forward to it. My day was a lot of heavy lifting today. Thankfully, I used a technique one of our newer nurses pointed out to us the other day, and I still can't recall why we hadn't thought of it in the first place. (We have used it before!) Life is so much easier, when you can get people in and out of their wheelchairs simply.
Mr. X., our patient from a recent post has gotten more not so good news. His surgery has become more complicated. He's got a lot more thinking to do, because it will be life-altering.
I have a moderate to large manual I have to read by the weekend.
Stay tuned for more updates....
Mr. X., our patient from a recent post has gotten more not so good news. His surgery has become more complicated. He's got a lot more thinking to do, because it will be life-altering.
I have a moderate to large manual I have to read by the weekend.
Stay tuned for more updates....
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
What's next? Beer?
Had a good chuckle over the latest, beverage-inspired political group:
Coffee Party, With a Taste for Civic Participation from www.nytimes.com
Coffee Party, With a Taste for Civic Participation from www.nytimes.com
Monday, March 1, 2010
So glad it's Monday...
And the crazy full moon weekend is over. Being in charge ain't all it's cracked up to be!
My shift in the hot seat included:
1. Assigning all the patients. The Slug was in charge before me on the previous shifts, and lo and behold, one patient went unassigned. Granted, said patient is easy to care for (little to do on our shift) but it really looks bad if you forget to give him/her a nurse.
2. Avoiding mutiny in the ranks. Another installment of "he said, she said, I wanted OT and didn't get it." My advice: communicate. Said nurses could have and would have avoided the whole drama thing if they just would have talked to the people they needed to.
No, it's just too easy to be passive aggressive and yell at your co-workers...
3. Dealing with a patient who thought chest pain is no big deal. The joy of all the tests, time spent on the phone, with the on-call doc, with the patient's regular doc, the supervisor, the pharmacy. I really miss my phone headset on those days.
4. Blood pressure issues and a patient who doesn't want to go home. He/she is mad at the world and I was the lucky target. Finally, we got everything under control...at least for the oncoming shift.
And blissfully, every single person showed up before I was ready to leave the building, so I was not forced to stay and work a double. I am always so, so happy to go home.
More to come...
My shift in the hot seat included:
1. Assigning all the patients. The Slug was in charge before me on the previous shifts, and lo and behold, one patient went unassigned. Granted, said patient is easy to care for (little to do on our shift) but it really looks bad if you forget to give him/her a nurse.
2. Avoiding mutiny in the ranks. Another installment of "he said, she said, I wanted OT and didn't get it." My advice: communicate. Said nurses could have and would have avoided the whole drama thing if they just would have talked to the people they needed to.
No, it's just too easy to be passive aggressive and yell at your co-workers...
3. Dealing with a patient who thought chest pain is no big deal. The joy of all the tests, time spent on the phone, with the on-call doc, with the patient's regular doc, the supervisor, the pharmacy. I really miss my phone headset on those days.
4. Blood pressure issues and a patient who doesn't want to go home. He/she is mad at the world and I was the lucky target. Finally, we got everything under control...at least for the oncoming shift.
And blissfully, every single person showed up before I was ready to leave the building, so I was not forced to stay and work a double. I am always so, so happy to go home.
More to come...
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