Into the weekend

We're getting into a holiday weekend at the Hotel. Things usually calm down. Right now, we're so booked up, that the Hotel Rehab is not taking any new patients. This could possibly change at any time, but it's the first time in a long time that we have no admissions scheduled on our board.

My time with my preceptee is winding down. She has demonstrated so many skills that she will be an excellent nurse. I just hope she can stay focused and not get distracted by internet, etc., like so many of her peers of the same age range. My patience is wearing thin with a few of my coworkers because they are spending way too much time on internet items, and not on work. IV pumps and call lights ring and ring because they will not get up promptly to take care of them. It makes me very agitated.

Since it's a holiday in our neck of the woods (nothing big--just one of those bank holidays observed), there won't be too many folks around Monday, either. Hence, my boss just felt the need for me to be in charge. I'm not too happy about it, but I'm sure he's getting ready for the day when I'll go to our sister unit temporarily while some of their folks are out. It's really not a bad place to be. The unit is very nice and several people coveted the spot I managed to get. It's kind of scary, because I've never done anything like it as a nurse. I will get to use skills I've only read about in books and seen during NCLEX preparation.

Bring it on...I'm ready. Stay tuned for updates.

It's flying by...

I can't believe the month is flying by so quickly. Not long now until the conference starts....yippee!

Travelling partner and I are up to no good, according to her man. Imagine, two nurses using free time to shop and be tourists and share all the sale info with your fellow conference attendees.

For shame...!

Stay tuned for more sales, I mean, conference, updates.

Friday, Friday...

Finally, it's sticking in my head that it's Friday. It should since I was able to do all of the things I enjoy on my occasional Fridays such as the following.

First, Bubba went on his weekly pilgrimage out with me and Dahey for breakfast. I can't remember exactly when we started this, but it's been going on so long, the staff remember when we hauled him in the restaurant in his carrier as a baby.

Next, I went to see my friend Giacomo. He survived vacation which included visiting the multitudes of sisters in his native land near the Erie Canal. Not just one sister, but the entire flock of them, along with mom and the requisite contingent of nieces. He was still reeling from being the lone male around and getting all the "attention." In his family, it's not always good to have attention...

Following that, I also saw some of the coffee people I haven't seen in ages. Dahey told me I need to get a medical file, since most of the oldsters are now answering my "How are you?" with all sort of medical complaints and requests for advice. It's hard to be blunt with them when a) they're old, b) they know your entire family--grandparents, parents, etc., and c) a few of them can tell you about your odd habits when you were younger. (just in case you think you're getting too smart for your britches!) For the most part, they're happy and for now, healthy, and I thank God for that. Besides, a few of them even love my zucchini bread!

Whenever I work evenings, or if I happen to be off, Dahey and I usually go somewhere for lunch. This is a good thing because we get to try new restaurants without having to bring our small restaurant critic along. Today, it was soul food near a place I used to work. This end of town was quite scary when I worked there, but every time I come back now, it's getting better and better. The food was magnificent. I thought I died and went to heaven when I got the smothered pork. The portion was so big, with the mac and cheese and the green beans, that I put half away. It probably won't last too long tomorrow.

I keep looking ahead and try to prepare myself for going back to work. I really understand when some of our older nurses say, "It was really hard for me this time to go back." This little vacation has been wonderful. I have made contacts with people I haven't talked to in years all over the world. I have had lunch with friends who I don't normally see, even though they live within two miles of me. I realize more and more how lucky I am in my life, as crazy as it sometimes can be. It has been a thoroughly amazing time.

Tomorrow I get to do a few more things, then start preparing for the return to work. We'll just keep cruising along...stay tuned!

Update

I'm running, running, running. Lots of things going on in my life and I'm still rearranging all the pieces.

I'm working on finding the things that make me happy and I've dropped off the blog for a little while to do that. Things are getting clearer for me, so rest assured, I'll be back later. I'm finding that this blog has a lot of potential. Just think of getting into a well-maintained car with a full tank of gas. There are so many places to go and often, with the freedom of travel, comes restraints (such as how much time and gas money you have.)

So, for now, I'm consulting the road maps, and getting ready to continue on the trips, whether they're long or short.

Stay tuned!