WiseOldRN stopped by my office today. Actually, he/she is on a schedule and comes by regularly. WORN has worked in an administrative job for over 15 years, but WORN is a proud diploma nurse licensed for many years, who could work "any service on any shift, leave and come back for more".
We have chats regularly and this week's was a doozy. WORN goes all over our hospital system so he/she has some tales. While I'm sure some are peppered with hyperbole, I know some of the characters involved so I'm aware that there is truth.
WORN started ranting when I brought up training. As a diploma nurse, WORN regularly went all over the hospital and worked everywhere. His/her last assignment (as a nurse) was in risk management and quality, but as WORN noted, the only place he/she didn't regularly work was case management. WORN figured being a registered nurse made him/her a case manager every day.
When nurses feel they don't have the skills, I remind them what the overall goal of the day is: managing their assignment. This can vary on the status of the patient, but in our world, bowel, bladder and skin are very important. When we forget about the little things: helping someone with a 4-5 day old beard shave (like I did on my lunch hour while visiting our satellite unit while his nurses charted) and comb his hair, it reminds us all that we are taking care of people, not just completing a task list.
Sure, we have plenty of tasks, but when we can't put care at the top of our task list, are we slowly but surely degrading the importance of having an RN care for each patient?
As WORN says, nurses just do it, if the patient needs it. We don't wait for a million other things, like policies, procedures, or unlicensed personnel.
We see what's in front of us, and do the work. We use that nursing process AND we care.
That's all for now. Gotta leave and take care of my patients. Hope you have a great day with yours, wherever you are.
Showing posts with label assignment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label assignment. Show all posts
Thursday, March 2, 2017
Monday, September 14, 2015
The missing piece
Dear Social Studies Teacher:
I'm so glad I spent a lot of time dealing with this country in my other life. I've been there several times and visited just about every provincial capital. I can tell you all sorts of things and can answer 90% of the questions on this assignment with my eyes closed and one hand behind my back.
However there is no way I can help Bubba identify weather patterns on Map B and C if said maps are not included with the rest of the worksheets.
I may have a pretty good memory for trivia, but no idea on weather maps.
Please send them home and Bubba will complete them tomorrow.
Sincerely yours,
RehabRN
Bubba's personal secretary (aka Mom)
I'm so glad I spent a lot of time dealing with this country in my other life. I've been there several times and visited just about every provincial capital. I can tell you all sorts of things and can answer 90% of the questions on this assignment with my eyes closed and one hand behind my back.
However there is no way I can help Bubba identify weather patterns on Map B and C if said maps are not included with the rest of the worksheets.
I may have a pretty good memory for trivia, but no idea on weather maps.
Please send them home and Bubba will complete them tomorrow.
Sincerely yours,
RehabRN
Bubba's personal secretary (aka Mom)
Monday, October 28, 2013
Oh, it's Monday
Since I had an earworm the other day, I very well could have had this as one today. It really was a Manic Monday.
When competent (but lazy) RNs refuse assignment, you just have to wonder.
OMG.
Where are the Magliozzi Brothers when we need them?
Blame it on the train/But the bus is already there...
When competent (but lazy) RNs refuse assignment, you just have to wonder.
OMG.
Where are the Magliozzi Brothers when we need them?
Blame it on the train/But the bus is already there...
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Winding down
It really was a crazy day today, not unlike my regular Tuesday schedule.
First, I get to work and try to catch up on the e-mails I meant to send yesterday.
Next, I go to the network admin's PC and mess with some specialty software for my school project. (He is the best, and doesn't care if I use his computer when he's out). I go to the staff meeting, all is good, I work for an hour or so before the next meeting, and our patient ditches us.
What's more fun: a beehive full of bees or a pissed off surgeon who's supposed to evaluate a patient for surgery and the patient doesn't show up? Hmm...
After that fun thing, inhale lunch, then sit in the boss's office for a conference call (because we have to stop using up all those unnecessary lines at lunch when we can eat quietly in peace). Thankfully, it was over much more quickly than they said on the agenda.
As a result of that meeting, I get an assignment. Not just any assignment, but one that requires I finish it before I leave...an hour late.
At least, I have one less thing hanging over my head! Stay tuned...it's never dull at the Hotel.
First, I get to work and try to catch up on the e-mails I meant to send yesterday.
Next, I go to the network admin's PC and mess with some specialty software for my school project. (He is the best, and doesn't care if I use his computer when he's out). I go to the staff meeting, all is good, I work for an hour or so before the next meeting, and our patient ditches us.
What's more fun: a beehive full of bees or a pissed off surgeon who's supposed to evaluate a patient for surgery and the patient doesn't show up? Hmm...
After that fun thing, inhale lunch, then sit in the boss's office for a conference call (because we have to stop using up all those unnecessary lines at lunch when we can eat quietly in peace). Thankfully, it was over much more quickly than they said on the agenda.
As a result of that meeting, I get an assignment. Not just any assignment, but one that requires I finish it before I leave...an hour late.
At least, I have one less thing hanging over my head! Stay tuned...it's never dull at the Hotel.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Shake it up
I shook up the assignments when I worked last. I'm sure I'll hear about it again for ages. Why, you ask? I needed to get things done quickly once I arrived, so I did the assignment at home. I did not account for the people who worked the weekend, just as the boss regularly does.
Everyone did get a reasonable assignment, though. I balanced every one's patients so no one had anything impossible. As the leader, I had the lightest assignment, because I got the assignment to be the troubleshooter for everyone. Thankfully, the day was steady and not crazy. Our on-call doc kept me busy, when patients weren't thinking of some things for me to do.
Here's a list of some of the oddball items for the day:
1. One patient was doubled over in his chair and discovered by our chief when he was going to the elevator. Said patient was helped up, then got an order that he needed a strap to get up. He begged me to find something. I looked and looked all over the unit and I finally found one...in my car (I use it with a couple of elderly relatives I occasionally transport.)
He thanked me with a large piece of chocolate cake his wife brought him from one of the local premium bakeries. Yum!
2. Since our doc saw him doubled over, he figured he might need some labs. I drew those, then put in an IV after our super nurse, Mike, the old ICU nurse couldn't get him. Turns out this patient has a secret. His hand veins are the best...and hurt the least. I got one in his hand on the first stick (because couldn't get one in the one of the several monsters on his upper arms).
3. And finally, one patient had an urgent request: he wanted a backgammon board. I scoured the games section of the rec room and didn't find one. I did find him some dominoes, and left a message for the rec therapy people so they can fulfill his "urgent" request when they come back.
Only time will tell how the rest of the week goes, so stay tuned!
Everyone did get a reasonable assignment, though. I balanced every one's patients so no one had anything impossible. As the leader, I had the lightest assignment, because I got the assignment to be the troubleshooter for everyone. Thankfully, the day was steady and not crazy. Our on-call doc kept me busy, when patients weren't thinking of some things for me to do.
Here's a list of some of the oddball items for the day:
1. One patient was doubled over in his chair and discovered by our chief when he was going to the elevator. Said patient was helped up, then got an order that he needed a strap to get up. He begged me to find something. I looked and looked all over the unit and I finally found one...in my car (I use it with a couple of elderly relatives I occasionally transport.)
He thanked me with a large piece of chocolate cake his wife brought him from one of the local premium bakeries. Yum!
2. Since our doc saw him doubled over, he figured he might need some labs. I drew those, then put in an IV after our super nurse, Mike, the old ICU nurse couldn't get him. Turns out this patient has a secret. His hand veins are the best...and hurt the least. I got one in his hand on the first stick (because couldn't get one in the one of the several monsters on his upper arms).
3. And finally, one patient had an urgent request: he wanted a backgammon board. I scoured the games section of the rec room and didn't find one. I did find him some dominoes, and left a message for the rec therapy people so they can fulfill his "urgent" request when they come back.
Only time will tell how the rest of the week goes, so stay tuned!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Charge of the Light Brigade
I got a lot of requests when I was on rounds as the charge nurse recently. Lots of emergency calls on the call light: "Could someone come over here and turn off these lights?" Yes, even the charge nurse runs around turning off lights when all the fun stuff comes on TV. It's only an emergency if it puts a glare on your TV.
The charge nurse brigade just got some new tasks since the boss is away training. The evening charges get to make the assignment, because the daytime charges (doing boss's job while he/she is away) refuse to do it. "I don't want people mad at me!" said Daytime Charge Nurses. I'm having flashbacks to Saintarama. Fortunately, I didn't have anyone changing it when I wasn't looking, as happened there.
I did have one very passive-aggressive 12 hour person, who I'll call D (for Diva) who wasn't too excited with her assignment. I gave D, a nurse assistant, the same assignment as the night before (plus one person) and she stood around for the first hour of the shift in our patient lounge, far in the back, kvetching away with one of the nurses. Perhaps she was perturbed that she didn't get a light assignment, since she thought she deserved one. The other nurse she talked to had a lighter assignment than D because she can pass meds, which D cannot. Everyone else had 3-4 people (one of my better nurses had 5 until a 12 hour person came in to pick up part of the assignment) and so did D. Somehow, I don't see how that's so tragic. No one else complained.
To top it all, one of her patients, Mr. X., who was pretty much self-care, said she only came in the room once during the four hours she was supposed to be taking care of him. Thankfully, one of my other nurse assistants (who had a patient in the same room) saved the day by helping Mr. X out. Since Mr. X. was a new admit, his new nurse (D's replacement) and I straightened the rest of his paperwork out by the end of the shift.
Despite everything, we did have a good shift. K. the charge on the night shift came in early and ran a very special errand. She got goodies so the night shift could celebrate with Mr. A. on the morning of his birthday. Mr. A. has been on our unit for nearly a year. The night crew all went to his room and sang Happy Birthday when the breakfast trays showed up. His nurse on evenings bought him a present he'll really enjoy: Milky Way minis.
All in all, between drama and sugar in all forms, it wasn't a bad night.Stay tuned. More to come...
The charge nurse brigade just got some new tasks since the boss is away training. The evening charges get to make the assignment, because the daytime charges (doing boss's job while he/she is away) refuse to do it. "I don't want people mad at me!" said Daytime Charge Nurses. I'm having flashbacks to Saintarama. Fortunately, I didn't have anyone changing it when I wasn't looking, as happened there.
I did have one very passive-aggressive 12 hour person, who I'll call D (for Diva) who wasn't too excited with her assignment. I gave D, a nurse assistant, the same assignment as the night before (plus one person) and she stood around for the first hour of the shift in our patient lounge, far in the back, kvetching away with one of the nurses. Perhaps she was perturbed that she didn't get a light assignment, since she thought she deserved one. The other nurse she talked to had a lighter assignment than D because she can pass meds, which D cannot. Everyone else had 3-4 people (one of my better nurses had 5 until a 12 hour person came in to pick up part of the assignment) and so did D. Somehow, I don't see how that's so tragic. No one else complained.
To top it all, one of her patients, Mr. X., who was pretty much self-care, said she only came in the room once during the four hours she was supposed to be taking care of him. Thankfully, one of my other nurse assistants (who had a patient in the same room) saved the day by helping Mr. X out. Since Mr. X. was a new admit, his new nurse (D's replacement) and I straightened the rest of his paperwork out by the end of the shift.
Despite everything, we did have a good shift. K. the charge on the night shift came in early and ran a very special errand. She got goodies so the night shift could celebrate with Mr. A. on the morning of his birthday. Mr. A. has been on our unit for nearly a year. The night crew all went to his room and sang Happy Birthday when the breakfast trays showed up. His nurse on evenings bought him a present he'll really enjoy: Milky Way minis.
All in all, between drama and sugar in all forms, it wasn't a bad night.Stay tuned. More to come...
Friday, January 7, 2011
A week to remember
It's been a different sort of life working in the SU and in a way, I'm grateful. For the most part, it's quiet and reasonably paced. This past week, however, has been crazy.
The ineptitude of our unit secretary is coming out in the form of the MD's schedule. I've found errors and have been working to correct them, but not much has been done, since the replacement isn't much better. They just do not comprehend how to take care of patients and keep a day moving. It is a whole lot of non-nursing work, done by nursing staff. So when I complain to my boss, the answer is to talk to the administrative head, who manages the secretaries assigned to each unit. Fun.
Finally, to top it all off, the nurse manager told us she's leaving next month for another unit in the complex. She's been in our area for her entire career. It will certainly be a change. The troops at the Hotel were stunned today. "Who will lead us?" they cried. Not a single volunteer from the old timers, either. It will be an interesting time. Thank goodness no one's asking me. I would need to have that last MegaMillions salary to take a nurse management job at the Hotel with our motley crew!
May have to get my walking boots on once this assignment in the SU is complete. I see bedlam coming...more so than usual.
Stay tuned...exciting times are coming up around the bend.
The ineptitude of our unit secretary is coming out in the form of the MD's schedule. I've found errors and have been working to correct them, but not much has been done, since the replacement isn't much better. They just do not comprehend how to take care of patients and keep a day moving. It is a whole lot of non-nursing work, done by nursing staff. So when I complain to my boss, the answer is to talk to the administrative head, who manages the secretaries assigned to each unit. Fun.
Finally, to top it all off, the nurse manager told us she's leaving next month for another unit in the complex. She's been in our area for her entire career. It will certainly be a change. The troops at the Hotel were stunned today. "Who will lead us?" they cried. Not a single volunteer from the old timers, either. It will be an interesting time. Thank goodness no one's asking me. I would need to have that last MegaMillions salary to take a nurse management job at the Hotel with our motley crew!
May have to get my walking boots on once this assignment in the SU is complete. I see bedlam coming...more so than usual.
Stay tuned...exciting times are coming up around the bend.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Yes, there's relief.
This week's assignments done. Laundry done, dishes in the dishwasher, little kid scrubbed and tucked in bed after a motherlode of goodies in a plastic pumpkin full of at least 5 lbs. of candy, and early to boot! Vegetating listening to this album.
WildDog at my feet after an Indian summer afternoon lounging in the yard, barking at passersby.
Dahey's celebrating his OT today by soaking in the tub.
Wish these hours of stillness could last a little longer!
WildDog at my feet after an Indian summer afternoon lounging in the yard, barking at passersby.
Dahey's celebrating his OT today by soaking in the tub.
Wish these hours of stillness could last a little longer!
Monday, October 4, 2010
This is only the beginning...
Of lots of things, including the week. I already feel tired and I've just gotten started.
First of all, I got back for my first day of work. It's a really long week when I get ready to work the weekend. I'm getting annoyed already when I hear people say, "I don't know how she does it. I'd hate working that schedule." Well, that schedule is my life, so I deal with it.
Trust me, I've tried to get it changed, but the boss is not eager to do anything about it. Showing up and doing a excellent job at work can be an advantage, though. Said boss is going to put me on assignment working with our sister unit on another floor. This will only be temporary, but hopefully, will be helpful in the long run. It will probably unleash the crazies among my coworkers, but we'll see.
And now, I'm at the beginning of prep for my first test of the semester. School can get the best of you if you're not careful. Happily, we have a good team this semester,and hopefully, we'll keep our near-perfect record intact.
Stay tuned...more to come this week! I'm back to cooking ahead for tomorrow.!
First of all, I got back for my first day of work. It's a really long week when I get ready to work the weekend. I'm getting annoyed already when I hear people say, "I don't know how she does it. I'd hate working that schedule." Well, that schedule is my life, so I deal with it.
Trust me, I've tried to get it changed, but the boss is not eager to do anything about it. Showing up and doing a excellent job at work can be an advantage, though. Said boss is going to put me on assignment working with our sister unit on another floor. This will only be temporary, but hopefully, will be helpful in the long run. It will probably unleash the crazies among my coworkers, but we'll see.
And now, I'm at the beginning of prep for my first test of the semester. School can get the best of you if you're not careful. Happily, we have a good team this semester,and hopefully, we'll keep our near-perfect record intact.
Stay tuned...more to come this week! I'm back to cooking ahead for tomorrow.!
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...
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Vacate for a vacation
Yes, it's true, I've been enjoying mine for the past week and I have to go back to work tomorrow. However, I can't imagine not having any time to recharge and renew. One or two days in a row is just not enough.
I read an article recently that stated, "According to an Expedia.com survey, 35 percent of Americans don't use all of their vacation days each year." Sure, some places may pay you for saving up your vacation days and cashing them in, and in this day and age, it wouldn't be too bad, but I cannot imagine doing that anymore. I just need my sanity. Sanity involves leaving the premises and not coming back for a few days.
The best thing I read about vacations was this list: Signs that you need a vacation. Reminds me of the Dilbert book I read at the store the other day: What do you call a sociopath in a cubicle?
Another article talked about how vacations can help you with job performance. I totally believe this. While I'm expecting to get the most demanding assignment on the floor when I get back (they like to do that to people returning from any time off on my unit) right now, I feel as if a rest will be helpful in dealing with it. Having memories of quiet time, coffee, good books and bubble baths, even now, makes me feel relaxed. If that doesn't work, a good time-out never hurt anyone!
I read an article recently that stated, "According to an Expedia.com survey, 35 percent of Americans don't use all of their vacation days each year." Sure, some places may pay you for saving up your vacation days and cashing them in, and in this day and age, it wouldn't be too bad, but I cannot imagine doing that anymore. I just need my sanity. Sanity involves leaving the premises and not coming back for a few days.
The best thing I read about vacations was this list: Signs that you need a vacation. Reminds me of the Dilbert book I read at the store the other day: What do you call a sociopath in a cubicle?
Another article talked about how vacations can help you with job performance. I totally believe this. While I'm expecting to get the most demanding assignment on the floor when I get back (they like to do that to people returning from any time off on my unit) right now, I feel as if a rest will be helpful in dealing with it. Having memories of quiet time, coffee, good books and bubble baths, even now, makes me feel relaxed. If that doesn't work, a good time-out never hurt anyone!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Welcome week
Yes, that's what they should be calling this week. People who were gone are returning and people we haven't seen in a while have come back. If only the Hotel wasn't such a great place to stay!
My day went well. I had the choice of assignment, so in the interest of simplicity for me today and the next time I work, I asked for my two characters from last week back. Yes, maybe I'm a glutton for punishment, or I've finally got them working with me. All went well, so that was nice.
I found I learned a few new things today. The docs are impressed that I read notes. I talked to one of the residents running around with the doc there and they were talking about someone's recent surgery. I told them what I knew about it, asked a couple of questions and got a quick 101 from the specialist. They seemed impressed that I knew what type of surgery it was.
After that, I was rooting around in some lab results and ran into this new bug: Providencia stuartii. eMedicine has a great overview of this family of enterobacter-type infections, which is really interesting.
The rest of my day was taking care of my people, admitting one of the regulars, troubleshooting some tech issues for some other staff, and passing pills for our nurse who was getting a little hypoglycemic from not eating. Ahh, what fun!
The folks on this end were getting restless looking for pills (since they were a few minutes late) until they found out I was delivering them. I've pushed pills down there for so long, I can almost read their minds...and they know I'll bring them what they want. (After the first 100 times, it's pretty easy to remember...I just look and bring the stuff along).
Finally, I passed all the meds, finished my paperwork, helped another person with theirs, and escaped on my merry way.
More to come...stay tuned!
My day went well. I had the choice of assignment, so in the interest of simplicity for me today and the next time I work, I asked for my two characters from last week back. Yes, maybe I'm a glutton for punishment, or I've finally got them working with me. All went well, so that was nice.
I found I learned a few new things today. The docs are impressed that I read notes. I talked to one of the residents running around with the doc there and they were talking about someone's recent surgery. I told them what I knew about it, asked a couple of questions and got a quick 101 from the specialist. They seemed impressed that I knew what type of surgery it was.
After that, I was rooting around in some lab results and ran into this new bug: Providencia stuartii. eMedicine has a great overview of this family of enterobacter-type infections, which is really interesting.
The rest of my day was taking care of my people, admitting one of the regulars, troubleshooting some tech issues for some other staff, and passing pills for our nurse who was getting a little hypoglycemic from not eating. Ahh, what fun!
The folks on this end were getting restless looking for pills (since they were a few minutes late) until they found out I was delivering them. I've pushed pills down there for so long, I can almost read their minds...and they know I'll bring them what they want. (After the first 100 times, it's pretty easy to remember...I just look and bring the stuff along).
Finally, I passed all the meds, finished my paperwork, helped another person with theirs, and escaped on my merry way.
More to come...stay tuned!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Am I seeing a pattern?
Last year, one day after the traditional end of February, I was on my old unit at Saintarama getting some paperwork done. While I was there, a patient coded.
Yesterday, I'm walking in the door and notice one of the people I usually see was not there. I asked what was going on. The answer: he coded in the early AM on the night shift.
The day shift was busy, too. I ended up with one less patient on my assignment. This one didn't code, but he won a lights and sirens trip to the nearest hospital for a dose of tPA.
Just makes you wonder...
Yesterday, I'm walking in the door and notice one of the people I usually see was not there. I asked what was going on. The answer: he coded in the early AM on the night shift.
The day shift was busy, too. I ended up with one less patient on my assignment. This one didn't code, but he won a lights and sirens trip to the nearest hospital for a dose of tPA.
Just makes you wonder...
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Good cop, bad cop
That was my day yesterday. Instead of playing good cop like I usually do, I had to play bad cop. One of our folks violated one of the rules he agreed to and I had to go to the big man (our director) to have him play the heavy. (It was helpful that he was strolling around on the floor...I didn't feel so bad about it...and he wrote up the note, too.) Nothing is more annoying than a patient who gets mad at you in the middle of the shift.
Since the weather was crappy here again, the usual evening shift folks called in yet again, so the call was out for volunteers. I stayed with our charge over an extra few hours to get the main work of evenings done. I had to deliver pills twice on this round and since we're full, it was busy. Everyone wanted pain pills, besides their regularly scheduled one. One particular pain pill character had a fit because his doc decided to schedule his pain meds instead of letting him call us for the PRNs. Someone was not happy with 75mg of morphine (SR) daily (divvied up BID at optimum times) and his q 4 hour Vicodin 7.5s, along with his assorted adjuvants. What did this win him? More drug education from me. The docs changed his med routine a) so he can show up with less pain and actually do the rehab he's supposed to do and b) give him enough at night so he sleeps well. After about five minutes on that sales pitch, he finally believed me, and then it was on to his demented neighbor.
One of the 12 hour folks picked up my assignment, and since she'll usually do it, I told her about what I had left to do, which was minimal. Many of our 7P to 7A people will not do dressings if they think the evening people (4-8) could have done it, but this nurse is good about it. Thankfully, I only had to leave one dressing, and that was because the patient would not turn until I left (at 2000).
I figured the rest of the folks leaving at 2000 were gone because I couldn't find them. I went outside to more big, fluffy flakes of snow, so I cleaned my car. I saw one of the nurses, but not the other, so she must have been trapped in one of the rooms (she had one of our more persnickety characters tonight). I pulled my car up to hers and the two of us got hers cleaned off, and I was on my way.
Bubba is off school today...so we'll be playing and working in the snow. More later!
Since the weather was crappy here again, the usual evening shift folks called in yet again, so the call was out for volunteers. I stayed with our charge over an extra few hours to get the main work of evenings done. I had to deliver pills twice on this round and since we're full, it was busy. Everyone wanted pain pills, besides their regularly scheduled one. One particular pain pill character had a fit because his doc decided to schedule his pain meds instead of letting him call us for the PRNs. Someone was not happy with 75mg of morphine (SR) daily (divvied up BID at optimum times) and his q 4 hour Vicodin 7.5s, along with his assorted adjuvants. What did this win him? More drug education from me. The docs changed his med routine a) so he can show up with less pain and actually do the rehab he's supposed to do and b) give him enough at night so he sleeps well. After about five minutes on that sales pitch, he finally believed me, and then it was on to his demented neighbor.
One of the 12 hour folks picked up my assignment, and since she'll usually do it, I told her about what I had left to do, which was minimal. Many of our 7P to 7A people will not do dressings if they think the evening people (4-8) could have done it, but this nurse is good about it. Thankfully, I only had to leave one dressing, and that was because the patient would not turn until I left (at 2000).
I figured the rest of the folks leaving at 2000 were gone because I couldn't find them. I went outside to more big, fluffy flakes of snow, so I cleaned my car. I saw one of the nurses, but not the other, so she must have been trapped in one of the rooms (she had one of our more persnickety characters tonight). I pulled my car up to hers and the two of us got hers cleaned off, and I was on my way.
Bubba is off school today...so we'll be playing and working in the snow. More later!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
It never happens...usually.
That was my day today. Even though, I'm coming down with another cold (I'll be happy to get rid of them once and for all!), my day went along smoothly.
Surprisingly, since it usually never happens, I had some of the same patients I had on my evening gig. I told them I was just as surprised as they were. I got both of them rolling quickly and it was great. I had to check the computer for orders, and that went well, too. One patient got up in his chair, rolled around and checked things out. It was a beautiful, sunny day, and the temperature even started creeping up to pleasant January levels.
My boss told me I got my permanent appointment. He was a bit taken aback which kind of makes me wonder about him. I think that four hour meeting he was in today fried his brain a bit.
Happily, the census is down for the moment. Hopefully, it will stay that way for a while. I know we'll enjoy the reasonable quiet.
More to come...stay tuned.
Surprisingly, since it usually never happens, I had some of the same patients I had on my evening gig. I told them I was just as surprised as they were. I got both of them rolling quickly and it was great. I had to check the computer for orders, and that went well, too. One patient got up in his chair, rolled around and checked things out. It was a beautiful, sunny day, and the temperature even started creeping up to pleasant January levels.
My boss told me I got my permanent appointment. He was a bit taken aback which kind of makes me wonder about him. I think that four hour meeting he was in today fried his brain a bit.
Happily, the census is down for the moment. Hopefully, it will stay that way for a while. I know we'll enjoy the reasonable quiet.
More to come...stay tuned.
Monday, January 19, 2009
One to go...
Ahh, I really like Mondays when I know that I'll be finished with my five-in-a-row schedule. Sure, I only get one day off and then I'm back until the end of the week, but one day off after five on is better than nothing!
I still feel like I'm hanging on to that random Christmas virus I got. A little nose running, a little hacking cough, a lot of perturbed nurse, who's been trying to rest and beat it. Well, we shall see how it goes!
The last few days I've had pretty much the same assignment--two patients and the med wagon again. Even with LPNs on most of this weekend, I haven't lost that. I don't mind really, since I have an easy area to deal with, and I know pretty much what they want after dealing with them all this time.
Bubba has his birthday this week, so I'll be busy getting ready for the party this weekend. We had a little craziness here with the weather, so that messed me up a bit, but now I'm getting all my stuff going. I'll be really busy tomorrow! I'm glad it's my day off!
More later...
I still feel like I'm hanging on to that random Christmas virus I got. A little nose running, a little hacking cough, a lot of perturbed nurse, who's been trying to rest and beat it. Well, we shall see how it goes!
The last few days I've had pretty much the same assignment--two patients and the med wagon again. Even with LPNs on most of this weekend, I haven't lost that. I don't mind really, since I have an easy area to deal with, and I know pretty much what they want after dealing with them all this time.
Bubba has his birthday this week, so I'll be busy getting ready for the party this weekend. We had a little craziness here with the weather, so that messed me up a bit, but now I'm getting all my stuff going. I'll be really busy tomorrow! I'm glad it's my day off!
More later...
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Remnants of Ike...no Tina
Yes, we're getting that rain here in our neck of the Midwest. The yard now has a big lake in it. Three of my five evening shifts are done and the last few days have been interesting enough.
Friday I went to a prescription drug abuse seminar put on by a local psych hospital. They even had free CEs for the RNs and all sorts of goodies. I registered via e-mail and got a confirmation but I forgot to bring the e-mail along. I show up early figuring my name is on the lists there and my name is no where to be found (for CE people and non-CE people). I was very agitated about this, but a lot of other people were, too, (and they actually paid for the CEs and need them this month for their various licenses) so I decided the best course of action was to find the local Starbucks, get a coffee and read my e-mail.
I had plans for lunch, so I found a Starbucks in the neighborhood, so I didn't have to drive around in rush hour traffic. I couldn't get on to the wifi hotspot on my Palm, so I read my Rehabilitation Nursing magazine from cover to cover (it's on polytrauma), which I had meant to do for a couple of weeks. It was a good read and I highly recommend it. I wanted my e-mail, though, so I headed up the street to a local eatery that had accessible wifi and I found a nice booth and newspaper and I read my e-mail and the paper until lunchtime. It was a diversion, but a pleasant one nevertheless.
After my fun surfing and reading, I met my friend C. for lunch. C. was happy I got bumped so she could escape the office a little earlier. We had a great time.
At work, I've been lucky enough again to be pushing the med cart. Supposedly, we get a less taxing assignment when we're giving pills, but it's not necessarily the case. I had the AB boys (that's what I'm calling them because of their bug--acinetobacter) up in the front and it was hellish. The room was so hot. Something is wrong with the HVAC system and these guys have fans, but to go in their room garbed up in an isolation gown makes me sweat like mad. It's a lot of work. They can be needy. Thankfully, C. the charge on Thursday kept them quiet for me while I adjusted to being back at work and on the pill delivery route, which, incidentally is all the way at the other end of the unit. (Our boss is really good at crazy geographical assignments like that!)
Outside of that, our new schedule came out and yes, I did actually get those vacation days I asked for recently. I got lucky and found a couple of blank spots on the calendar and asked my boss if I could take off three days in October and three days in November. I'll actually be away for six whole days, since those days are right before my normal weekend off. My husband Dahey is going to surprise me this year for our anniversary. He's making all the plans. All I have to do is show up. At least that was a good excuse for buying a new dress and some other new clothes recently. Bubba will be hanging out with my friend's boys while we're out, so he should have fun.
More later. Stay tuned.
Friday I went to a prescription drug abuse seminar put on by a local psych hospital. They even had free CEs for the RNs and all sorts of goodies. I registered via e-mail and got a confirmation but I forgot to bring the e-mail along. I show up early figuring my name is on the lists there and my name is no where to be found (for CE people and non-CE people). I was very agitated about this, but a lot of other people were, too, (and they actually paid for the CEs and need them this month for their various licenses) so I decided the best course of action was to find the local Starbucks, get a coffee and read my e-mail.
I had plans for lunch, so I found a Starbucks in the neighborhood, so I didn't have to drive around in rush hour traffic. I couldn't get on to the wifi hotspot on my Palm, so I read my Rehabilitation Nursing magazine from cover to cover (it's on polytrauma), which I had meant to do for a couple of weeks. It was a good read and I highly recommend it. I wanted my e-mail, though, so I headed up the street to a local eatery that had accessible wifi and I found a nice booth and newspaper and I read my e-mail and the paper until lunchtime. It was a diversion, but a pleasant one nevertheless.
After my fun surfing and reading, I met my friend C. for lunch. C. was happy I got bumped so she could escape the office a little earlier. We had a great time.
At work, I've been lucky enough again to be pushing the med cart. Supposedly, we get a less taxing assignment when we're giving pills, but it's not necessarily the case. I had the AB boys (that's what I'm calling them because of their bug--acinetobacter) up in the front and it was hellish. The room was so hot. Something is wrong with the HVAC system and these guys have fans, but to go in their room garbed up in an isolation gown makes me sweat like mad. It's a lot of work. They can be needy. Thankfully, C. the charge on Thursday kept them quiet for me while I adjusted to being back at work and on the pill delivery route, which, incidentally is all the way at the other end of the unit. (Our boss is really good at crazy geographical assignments like that!)
Outside of that, our new schedule came out and yes, I did actually get those vacation days I asked for recently. I got lucky and found a couple of blank spots on the calendar and asked my boss if I could take off three days in October and three days in November. I'll actually be away for six whole days, since those days are right before my normal weekend off. My husband Dahey is going to surprise me this year for our anniversary. He's making all the plans. All I have to do is show up. At least that was a good excuse for buying a new dress and some other new clothes recently. Bubba will be hanging out with my friend's boys while we're out, so he should have fun.
More later. Stay tuned.
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