Whoa....really?

It's that time again...already??? I'm starting my 7th year of nursing. Wow! It really does fly by, even though on some of my latest shifts, it seems like it's crawling. Happy Anniversary to me!

It's one of the best decisions I've ever made & even though there are times when it is so hard, I'm glad I followed this path. It has allowed me financial freedom finally as well as job security. The two things I was seeking when I decided to go back to school. I've come a long way since then & happy to report that all is well. Even my ankles are feeling better.

And if that isn't enough, a patient of mine finally wrote to my CEO & praised what a great nurse I am. It's the little things that mean so much, isn't it?

Work has been soooooooo tough lately. Soooo many very sick patients and the acuity is outrageous. Not to mention we are understaffed & admin really doesn't seem to care. I don't get it....they strive how important it is to make sure the patients are happy, yet they shortcut every avenue it takes to make sure the patients are happy. I'm trying to lay low & hoping that this too shall pass. I'd be lying if I didn't think/hope there is some place better out there where common sense does prevail & it's not all about the numbers. I'll always wish for the day that administration actually comes to the floors & spends a few shifts seeing all that we do, but again, I'm probably dreaming. It's better for them not to face reality.

I had a patient the other night who told me he has leukemia and that he wants to die. What do you say to someone who is opening their heart to you that way? He's not a candidate for chemo and he's refusing hospice. He says he wants to stop being a burden to his family, that he sees the worry in their eyes. Heartbreaking.

I had another patient admitted the other morning....who has full blown alzheimer's. So sad, the way she treated her husband. All I could think is that she must have been...at one time...a very kind person to him, for him to take care of her day after day in the condition she's in now.

These aren't the things most people visualize when it comes to their final days, but it is reality.

My weekend option was almost taken away. There are rumors they are going to get rid of it, but so far they are forcing us to not only work the weekends, but to pick up an extra shift every pay period. They rather have us work more than hire additional employees. I hope this is temporary...the not hiring additional employees. My hospital really, really needs more nurses.

I'm gonna go work out & hope my ankles survive. Having dinner later with my nieces...should be fun. Have a good week everyone!

Oops I did it again...

I tripped & fell while exercising (walking) & now sprained my other ankle. It's not as bad as last time, but how in the world do I manage to do this? Grrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm taking it as a sign that God does not want me exercising. Just kidding!

I have to work this weekend. I'm hoping it's better by Monday because I want to walk & play Kinect (awesomeeeee Xbox 360 thingy). For now though, I shall rest.

Hope you're having a better time than I am!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I can't believe I only posted one time in December. Wow. Let me post some updates:

*lost another 5 lbs or so, still doing Weight Watchers although I really don't follow what they say. They switched to a new program which requires you to use a calculator for everything & that is just not me. I think what works is the fact I have to go weigh in every week, so I have really cut back on the junk I eat. I haven't stopped eating it completely & probably never will, but I am making better choices.

*I found a new trail to walk...which is a good thing. The bad thing...I was out there this morning & after a mile of walking, I tripped on a tree root & hurt my other foot. Grrrrrr. It's not bad, but I stopped walking & came home...just so I wouldn't make it worse. Hopefully it will heal quickly. My other ankle is still swollen, but no pain. I'm changing my name to Clumsy!

*Not even a month after I sign the contract for weekend option, my hospital decides to eliminate weekend option. The good news is that my contract is good until November. The bad news is that it won't be renewed. Well, unless they become really desperate. It aggravates me that they are eliminating every perk there is to being a nurse. They got rid of overtime bonuses and now weekend options. You would think they were overstaffed to be doing this, but nope....we are really busy & really understaffed. No doubt it's someone in administration deciding this stuff. Oh well, hopefully things will change.

*With that being said, sometimes I think about going back to my old hospital. Just because it's so conveniently located...5 miles from my house as opposed to 25 miles. I went out to lunch the other day & in the parking lot I see this truck with a license plate of my old hospital. I'm thinking "Who the heck would drive around with a hospital license plate on the front of their car?" Next thing I see...the CEO of that hospital getting into the truck. Is it a sign?

*I worked in ICU a couple of weeks ago & I said goodbye to my patient in the morning. As I'm walking down the hall to leave, I hear him frantically yelling "Jenniferrrrrrrrrr, takeeeeeeee meeeeeee withhhhhhh youuuuuu." I was so embarrassed because he kept yelling it louder & louder. Poor guy.

*I watched the best show ever last night...a documentary on Tim Tebow. I am a big fan....not a fanatic though. I don't have any Tebow jerseys or pictures or stuff like that, but I do admire him. I don't know what it is...when he speaks, I just want to listen. The documentary was awesome, he even makes exercise look fun! I don't think his calling is football...I think he's meant to do greater things than that, but for now, I hope he does well as quarterback in the NFL. They had an energy supplement commercial he supports & I'm sure I'm not the only one that went on & ordered the free sample. It's called FRS...I'll let you know how it is when I get it.

*Speaking of energy drinks, I was talked into trying Spark. Not sure if any of you have ever tried it...but so far I'm not impressed. Maybe because one of the main ingredients is 750% of B12......which should give one some extra energy, but I have Pernicious Anemia which means I cannot absorb B12 naturally, I take injections. I don't know if I feel any more energetic than when I don't drink the energy mix. Plus it has like 120 mg of Caffeine as well as a bunch of vitamins. I'm not sold on it. Thus the reason I'm willing to try FRS.

*I had lab work done last month & the results were great. Much better than when I had it done last March. So I guess diet, exercise & fish oil really do work. I'm actually looking forward to June when I will get lab work done again.

*Lady Gaga concert is in about 98 days. Seems far, but I know the next 3 months will go by quickly. I cannot wait! She better not cancel!

Ok, that's about all I can think of right now. It's time to go rest these weak feet of mine & watch the Jersey Shore premiere. Hope everyone has a great weekend!