Refreshed

I hope everyone is doing well.  February is just flying by.  I've had a light schedule at work - which is a nice change.  I had 9 days in a row off, then went back in on Wednesday night.  They scheduled me as the PCT (patient care tech).  It seems the last 5 times I've gone in...I've been scheduled as the PCT.  I don't mind being PCT...but not all the time. 

I can't complain though...the past few times someone else volunteered to be PCT for various reasons.  Another time they pulled me at like 7:20 to be a nurse.  This time however...I was the PCT....but a PCT with an orientee.  That's the best...lol.  It's always nice having an extra set of hands right there to help with patients instead of trying to track other nurses down.  He did really good - jumped right in & started doing vital signs.  It's kinda weird teaching someone to be a PCT when that isn't my usual job role.  I was teaching him from a nurse's perspective & what we as nurses look for when we need help from our PCT's.  It was only his first night, so I'm sure other people will teach him other ways.  I emphasized to him that there is no one way to do things - do what feels right for him.  He seems real helpful & is good with the patients...that's a really good start. 

Most of our patients were alert & oriented....there was only one that I could say was a total care.  We probably could have bathed her, but she was pale as a ghost, full of edema and cold as ice.  I wasn't about to start moving her around in the middle of the night for a bath.  She was getting platelets and fresh frozen plasma.  I got the eery feeling that if we started moving her around, it could lead to a code blue situation.  No thanks...we left well enough alone.

For the next 4 or 5 weeks I'll be working every Sat, Sun & Monday night.  I don't mind - it will be nice to be on a regular schedule & the weekends are usually light with families and doctors.  I'm sure by the end of March I will be tired of this schedule...but the new schedules will be up soon & I can pick & choose what I want.  That's one thing I like about this hospital - the flexibility to pick our own schedule.  We had to sign up for the spring/summer holidays already.  I only had to do one & I chose Easter Sunday...just to get it over with. 

I went to Orlando last weekend & stayed at a really nice hotel....the World Center Marriott (I think that's the name).  It's gigantic...like 1500 rooms and even has a convention center on the ground floor.  It was a nice little get away.  I wish I could go back!  I need more get aways.  Don't we all???

It's late, I need to get to bed.  Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!!!