Wow, feels like ages

Wow, feels like ages since I posted, but it's only been what...3 or 4 days? There isn't much to post regarding work....except for the fact that I hate those surveys the government requires when someone goes home. Because our administration gets the results & then tries to make us believe we are the worst hospital in the world...which I know is not true. They are so confusing too. One minute they are telling us that we are in the top 15 percentile of all hospitals in the nation and the next minute we are in the lowest 1 percentile. How is that possible? I've given up trying to figure out their strategies to motivate us & I will continue to do what I do....just be me & treat my patients as though they were a close family member. That's all I can do....really. I refuse to get caught up in that stress trap that keeps popping up.

Thanksgiving was wonderful. I can't believe how quickly it goes by. The only thing I bought this weekend was a new dryer...cause mine stopped working on Saturday. So that was my present to myself...lovely. It's amazing though...how an appliance can somehow make you a little happier. Maybe it's the newness of it or just out with the old. I want to wash things just so I can see how fast this thing can dry them. Silly, I know. Don't try to understand me.

I ventured out today & saw Breaking Dawn. Sigh. I'm sorry....but I felt like it was so lame. I guess my imagination is better than what they are producing in the movies. I try to like Edward, I really do....but it is impossible. He is too wussy for me. Anyways...I have totally forgotten what was written in the 4th novel & plan to reread it sometime between now & next November....when the final Twilight movie is released. Because I totally forgot what happens next & want to know.

I watched in horror as my Florida Gators lost yet another game...this time to FSU....ugh. Can't get worse than that in football.

My back is about 90% better. I am not even on Advil anymore & it feels pretty darn good. The ears are better too. I finally was able to unblock the left side. Every now & then it clogs back up, but it doesn't stay that way. The new thing now though is if I put my head back or when I lay down...everything starts spinning. Personally I enjoy it. It is sort of like being on a rollercoaster or a ride that makes you dizzy. I'm not too concerned about it as it only lasts maybe 10 seconds. I figure it has something to do with my ears & that as soon as that problem resolves, hopefully the dizziness will too.

That's been my exciting weekend. I go back to work Tuesday night. Maybe I'll have a story or two to tell. :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I have much to be thankful for...but these few things I am not...

*this never-ending cold, I have had it for 3 months now & just when I think nasal congestion is the worst thing ever......it drains from my nose into my middle ear. Now I am convinced that is the worst thing ever. My hearing is all muffled & I can feel the fluid moving. I have tried everything...antibiotics, all the allergy meds, Advil, Flonase, neti pot, etc. My latest try is Mucinex D along with the neti pot, Flonase & Afrin. Only this time with the Flonase & Afrin, I have to put my head down & tilt the bottles in hopes that they reach the Eustachian tubes. Because I am convinced that if I can open those up, all the fluid will come out. And it worked on my right ear, my left is being a bit stubborn. I'm not giving up hope yet.

*my very sore back, I was taking a shower this past Saturday morning & silly me, I leaned down a little to dry off my shins/calves & I instantly felt pain. I know this pain & in my head I was saying nooooooooo, noooooooo, nooooooo! This resulted in me having to call in sick for 2 days from work. I could barely move, even with muscle relaxers. I am feeling better today, but it is still sore. Guess the universe is trying to convince me that there are worse things than ear congestion.

*my tooth, or should I say what is left of my tooth. I was eating some of that laffy taffy candy stuff & lucky me...it pulled out part of my tooth. And my dental insurance doesn't kick in until Jan 1. And it is a holiday weekend. Sigh. Yet the universe trying to show me there are worse things than ear congestion & a sore back. Luckily, I have no pain associated with this tooth loss. At least not yet. I think I may have had a root canal with this tooth, but I honestly can't remember. I sure hope so...cause I don't want tooth pain. It is a long way until Monday.

Ok, universe...you can stop trying to show me there are worse things than what I am currently experiencing. I'm convinced.

Quick update on the guy....well, 2 weeks ago I thought everything was ending. Again, it is my own issues that led me to this conclusion. I see it so clearly. Luckily, I don't scare him off when I run in the other direction. He was needing reassurance & I thought he was wanting out. We tried to just be friends.....that lasted approx. one day. So moving forward, everything is good & back to normal. It's tough though....not living near one another. In a way it is good too, cause we kinda have to take things slower. It can be frustrating too though. Oh well, time to be thankful & for that I am. Just like I am amused he is so crazy about me. I mean it is neat to see how just me being me can make someone else happy. He wrote this to me the other day...

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an

encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle

the inner spirit.

Sweet, isn't it? Ok, enough of that.

Work is still a pain. They are constantly thinking up ways to torture us. At least it seems that way. We have a new manager...again. I have come to learn that nurse managers don't last very long. I have no desire to ever be one or to even be a charge nurse. I just want to take care of my patients & go home. That's all.

Yay for Tony Stewart........2011 Nascar Champion. Yessssssss!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Hope you have a safe & wonderful holiday.

I Survived!

I worked 4 night shifts in a row & have survived to tell you about it! I cannot remember the last time I worked that many hours in 4 days. Truthfully, it wasn't bad. I know I was spared from having any real disasters. Either that or I'm getting good at fixing a disaster before it happens. Who knows?

I had a woman that came in with a fever & 2 weeks later she lays in a bed without any ability to really move or speak. Somewhere along the line she had had a stroke. Next up on the menu was to insert a feeding tube. Sad.

I had a male that up until a month ago was a pretty heavy drinker. Then one day he just stopped & according to his wife...says he began acting strange. Hmmm, perhaps that is why she put up with him drinking...she didn't like his normal behavior. He was ok for me....thoroughly confused. Who is the President........his reply....Woodrow Wilson. Say what? I have never had anyone respond with that answer ever. I had been warned this patient could get combative & that he was one strong dude, so watch out. The first night I had him...piece of cake. Second night...he was a bit more alert which meant he then had a desire to try to stand up. Why do they do this? Our computers were down, so I grabbed my ipad & sat in a recliner next to his bed, reminding him to stay in bed. I was lucky enough to be able to do this for 4 hours. My other patients were sleeping...as good patients should be.

After reminding him to stay in bed for the 3940283043 time & him starting to get restless...I decide it is time for Ativan. Once he felt me flush his IV, the drama started. He latched onto my arm as though I was attempting to cut his other arm off. I hadn't even had the chance to hook up the Ativan, much less push it. I could have taken the easy route & called someone in to help...but nah, I knew I could handle this. So being the talented nurse I am, with one hand I hold his free hand that is trying to attack me & with my other hand, I attach the syringe & push away....all while distracting him with my congested voice (yes, I still have this damn cold 10 weeks later). It worked, within minutes he was relaxing. I was now free to roam around the cabin....just kiddingggggggg.

My third patient was a new admission & very easy to care for. The next night I got the same patients back plus one. Easy night. Monday night...not so much. I was told I was getting a direct admit at shift change. Ugh, hate direct admits any time of the shift, but especially at shift change. Obviously the doctor feels they are so sick they should bypass the ED & go right to the floor, but that means I know really nothing about them as they have had no workup done & the doctor's order reads "Call me when pt arrives to floor." Which means time calling him, him calling back, him placing orders, me having to write orders, me having to clarify with pharmacy the meds, me having to make sure the pt is comfortable, meds are corrects, etc. IT IS TIME CONSUMING & the beginning of the shift is the worst time as I have no extra time.

I didn't stress about it & I am very lucky my patient was not in any distress. She did have CHF & Pneumonia & a drunk daughter outside drinking in the parking lot (lovely).....but the patient was stable & wasn't demanding. My other patients were great too....well, the one basically in a coma & the other one knocked out with Ativan......plus one more that only wanted to read his bible. I realize I really lucked out.

We had a town hall meeting where our CEO basically told us we are the best staff ever & we are #1 against all other Adventist based hospitals as far as employee engagement. I don't know how he does it...because the entire nursing staff is highly stressed & short-staffed, but a few words from the CEO & suddenly we feel wonderful. Brainwashing I tell ya!

I'm off now until Monday night. I'm spending a couple of days with my man. Ahhhh....yep, I haven't run in the other direction yet. Friday I have a nursing skills fair thing. Saturday is a class reunion & Sunday will be my day to do nothingggggggggggg.

Hope everyone is doing well. Have a good week!