NP Odyssey

Might not be Einstein, but...

2012-01-12T06:04:00.000-08:00

“Don’t say you don’t have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Louis Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson and Albert Einstein.” - - H Jackson Brown

I just need better time management and to prioritize.

Life

2012-01-10T18:10:00.000-08:00

Treat your family honorably and in the right way now.

Jobs, status and school: Yes, they are important, but not the most important thing as people seem to forget and jeopardize everything trying to get ahead.

In the end, it will not be your job or status that will come to care and visit you on your deathbed.
It will be your family who is there, that is if you happened to be there for them earlier.

Death

2012-01-09T15:12:00.000-08:00

This ran through my head as I heard just ONE of the new fully armed F35 fighters would cost $184,000,000 dollars.

Wars that cost trillions of dollars a year to operate.

Military machines and weapons that cost billions of dollars a year to build and they sit waiting to do their jobs.

Death row inmates costing $257,000 a yr to lodge, feed, supervise and supply medical and dental care.

So much money in this world is consumed by governments with the ultimate outcome of death.

Is it any different when patients are denied coverage of new and more expensive treatments, only because health insurance and pharmaceutical companies think about money to owners, stockholders and board members first. Experimental drugs and treatment are denied daily, that is unless you have money. Research is pretty conclusive that has shown the more affluent you are, the better your health care and access. Not just in the States, but worldwide.

Saving our loved ones and providing the best care possible should be worth more than a plane, bomb or even one of those tires off of a 184 billion dollar plane.

Just my little rant.

Minnesota Tease

2012-01-05T18:27:00.000-08:00

No, Minnesota tease is not an old girlfriend, although …

First, the National news tonight reported that Minnesota was warmer than Florida. I was there for Christmas and no snow. Yes, that is unusual or it would not make the news. It made me think that if global warming keeps this up, maybe going back to MN is a possibility. I always tell people in other parts of the country, that Minnesota is wonderful place to live eight months out of the year. Lots of fresh air, water, semi-friendly citizens (they can be a little passive-aggressive at times) and yes, weather. We will see what the future hold.

As for that old girlfriend, when will people learn? I have not had a landline in nine years and the same cell number since. Therefore, once in a great while I get a drinking and dialing message from old an ex. Honestly, there is an ex or two I would like to hear from, but not her. Well, maybe there is one more thing in MN I do not miss.

Minnesota Teacher Salaries

2012-01-02T16:04:00.000-08:00

Teachers are an important part of our society and I have two of them in my family. If you compare their pay to an athlete making millions for playing a game or some of those Wall Street rube's making millions from others suffering, then yes they are underpaid.

However, do not feel too sorry for the profession they choose. (Minnesota teachers Pay)

Many teachers, including my family members, want it both ways.
My brother-in-law is very happy to tell you all the rewards of being a teacher. Relishing in his summers off, and never having to work a holiday. He likes that there are only 180 school days a year, and that every month has a long-weekend so he can hunt.

In casual conversation, my brother-in-law and sister acknowledge that new teachers put in some extra prep time outside of those school days. However, saying by the time you are tenured you have a set curriculum that just needs a little tweaking each year.

On the other hand, these two are quick to pull out the poor teacher card whenever it suits them or benefits their cheapness. Here is the problem with their claims. These two middle schoolteachers who cry poor me, each make over $72,000 a year, and I had to call them out.

You see since taxpayers pay their salaries, there is a freedom of information act. Their income is posted for all to see. So be cheap, just don't make excuses.

What your teacher or public employee makes is public information.
Here is a link for Minnesota. Just go to the education part and type in their name.

http://www.twincities.com/dataplanet

Black Sheep

2011-12-22T20:29:00.000-08:00

I look back at my friends and co-workers who had numerous sibling in the family, and it seems that one becomes estranged or decides they do not want to be a part of the family anymore. They become unavailable for family functions and/or stopped being sociable. At times, a spouse or fiancé influence their new thoughts about family members. Other times it was only their selfishness or perceived feeling of not being treated equally. They operate on blame and excuses, but ultimately it was their decision to alienate themselves.
For the longest time I thought my family was immune to this situation. However, over the past few years I have watched it develop with one of my sisters and her husband.

Truthfully, if these individuals were not family they would never be friends. They would simply be people passing through our lives.

This year the holiday is a good reminder and it reinforces my belief. I will leave the door open for their return, although I am done wasting time and energy on those who have anointed themselves the victims.

Careful

2011-12-18T19:42:00.000-08:00

I forget that even though I try to be anonymous, there is no such thing on the Internet. Two people have emailed me recently using my real name. I use Google+, Gmail and blogger, is it because they are all a part of the Google monopoly and that I use my real name on one of these services? Anyway, even though I would like to be more honest and say, this situation sucks or this patient, teacher or doctor was crazy. I need to watch myself and be careful what I say.

No rest for the ...

2011-12-17T09:58:00.000-08:00

Could say no rest for the wicked, weary or a dozen other things. Because I am burnt, and now I have to shop and travel for the holidays. Classes are finished and grades will be posted by the 23^rd, why not just wait until Christmas day and really bring joy or despair to someone. One instructor who is a tough cookie and still puzzles me a bit, but I guess that sometimes you need that person to keep you on your toes.

The information learned and my brain still hurts with T-cells, research, disease and on and on. I thought it would help that as a nurse you give numerous suppositories and catheterize men and women patients on a regular basis. Not really, it was still uncomfortable and no help when it came to checking my first prostate and doing a cervical exam.

Completing my bachelor’s degree was all about research and writing papers, lots of papers. Here in every class it is all about weekly quizzes, checkouts and stressful mid-term and final exams. Out one week and I am already thinking about starting again in January.

Gratitude

2011-12-05T09:29:00.000-08:00

It gets to a point where you do not want to study anymore so of course you check email and read blogs. I ran across this quote and decided it was time to study some more.

Develop an attitude for gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you. Knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.
-Brian Tracy

Kimmirut

2011-12-02T09:51:00.000-08:00

One paper and five finals over the next 7 days and they are calling me to work. No thank you that is why I switched to per Diem, because I knew these days would be coming. In fact, two years ago when I decided to finish my bachelors and go on to graduate school, I knew it would not be an easy journey. I evaluated the options of whether to give up steady pay, benefits and insurance in order to put it all on the line with a goal in mind. This is the first round of finals in graduate school and although the hurdles are higher and I may stumble, I will keep going.

What is Kimmirut? There is a little town of approx. 400 people located above the Arctic Circle on Baffin Island. The thing is they have regular weather updates and a webcam set up looking out over a few houses and a bay. I have never seen a person and I think the ice and snow was gone for 2-3 months this summer. I am a little geeky with meteorology, but why am I fascinated looking at this little Inuit town on the edge of an island in the Arctic, and their 24 hr a day webcam? Somebody walk by the camera already.

Live Kimmirut webcam

Good Luck?

2011-12-01T07:25:00.000-08:00

Here is what my instructor emails me last night after hearing my story. “Please remember that a small bad luck prevents a big bad luck and turns into a good luck in the future.” She may be Asian and it may sound like confucious or a fortune cookie, but coming from her it meant a lot.

It was not referring to my grades, but we will see if it applies after finals next week. She was trying to cheer me up after a long day. I had not slept much the night before and then spent 10 hours out at school and I was tired. Forgetting something, I emailed her a course question. Then seeing that it was 7:30 pm, I decided it was a good time to do a couple quick errands. My favorite little produce store was near Costco so I could grab a bag of persimmons and fill up my tank and no problem back in 30 minutes.

So produce in the back seat and tank filled up I get in to start my car at the Costco gas bar, turn the key and nothing happens. Long story short AAA; drop my car at the mechanics and a 30-minute trip turned into almost 3 hours.

Good thing I use the train to commute to school and I will be waiting for that good luck in the future.

Nature calling

2011-11-28T17:24:00.000-08:00

Things are just happening so quickly that I have not felt like blogging about work or school lately. However, after practicing in the skills lab this morning I went outside to find that the fog had cleared and it was a nice day.

Walking or anything that resembles exercise has not been a regular part of my routine over the past few months. Therefore, it was nice to get some fresh air and sunshine before heading home. Not sure if I want to stay in the city after graduation, because I like having nature a little closer than a two-hour drive. A patch of grass among the high-rise buildings might work for some, but not me.

This little girl was having some fun, but I could not decide if I was amused or disgusted as I watched her run amongst the pigeons. Not the kind of nature I grew up with.

A truth be told

2011-11-15T07:21:00.000-08:00

This was part of the speech given by Steve Jobs at the commencement ceremony at Stanford in 2005, and it was after he was diagnosed with cancer. It kind of motivated me, especially the second paragraph.

No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary

Overwhelmed

2011-11-12T11:23:00.000-08:00

To say this quarter has been tough is an understatement and I don't know if I have ever felt this overwhelmed. Remember that feeling of being a young hormone induced teenager. That peer pressure and feeling of needing to be accepted, of being wanted and liked by that certain person in the front row who maturated a little earlier. Well, that is how out of control, stressed and overwhelmed these six classes have me feeling right now. At times an internal debate is happening as to whether this stress is worth it.

Study Groups

2011-10-25T10:11:00.000-07:00

Never been a big fan of study groups because they always seem to turn into gossip sessions instead of productive time to learn. Although a couple of weeks ago, a few us tried to get together and it worked well for the sessions we met. However, now a couple of people decided to make it an open invitation for anyone who wants to join us. FYI, when a study group hits double digits in attendance, it is no longer is a study group. It has now morphed into an accumulation of people wasting time with different ideas of how to accomplish the same thing.

Where are my flashcards?

Be careful where and how you study

2011-10-24T11:14:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite ways of studying is to make up some flashcards, leave the headphones at home and take long walks along wilderness trails. The fresh air and semi-quite surroundings seem to help me concentrate. Although, sometimes these trails will wander through a neighborhood park.

While I review the material, I have a habit of assessing myself as I go along. Last week with the cardiac section, I would walk along pointing to my chest and say things like, here S1 mitral and tricuspid valves closing, “lub”. On the other hand, when it was the lymph nodes of the head, neck and upper torso, I walked around massaging my face where they were located and which way they flowed.

However, today while enjoying the weather and walking around it was no different, except that this week it is the chest, breast and lungs. Part of our skills assessment is to do the exams and educate the patient on how to do a monthly breast exam at home.

Fair enough, but I just need to remind myself that while walking alone through the park, with all the nannies and stay-at-home moms watching their kids run around. It is not cool for a man to be talking to himself while demonstrating a breast exam.

Substance Theory

2011-10-21T14:35:00.000-07:00

Being around all these students and with the majority of them women, this has its pros and cons. I am reminded of something a co-worker said to me about 10 years ago. While asking me about an acquaintance one morning she said, you won't be happy with her, you need someone with substance. She didn’t go into detail, but I knew what she meant.

Many guys are content with looking at, fantasizing and dating women strictly based on looks.
Don't get me wrong I like to look at beautiful women too. Honestly though, there is something about a woman who can hold an intelligence conversation and has a passion for something in life, besides herself. To me that makes a woman ten times more attractive. Now that does not mean she needs degrees or a high IQ, she just needs to have some substance, if you know what I mean.

You need a tune-up

2011-10-20T23:37:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I am not the brightest bulb in the tree. My car has been sitting for a few days because I take the train into school during the week. Getting home, I decided to run to the grocery store and jumped in my car starting it up. Just then, it starts shaking and I look behind thinking someone is joking around rocking my bumper. Nobody there so I think it is idling rough, but then it stops.

Only at the store when someone comments on the earthquake did it all make sense. It happened over the hill in Berkeley and was only a 3.8, to the 4.0 that happened earlier in the day. I never felt that one either. Only in California would I confuse my rough running car to an earthquake.

To Change Your Future Alter Your Decisions Today

2011-10-18T11:56:00.000-07:00

It has been a long time since I have felt this overwhelmed. On top of that, I am making stupid decisions by picking up shifts at the hospital. Staffing knows my school schedule, so they call me on my days off begging and saying we are short can you come in. News flash, you are always short quit being so cheap and hire some more nurses. It is hard to give up the easy money, but just picking up a shift burns you out for the day and makes it almost impossible to study after work. So finally, yesterday I told them I would not be working for at least the next 2 weeks.

I need to smarten up, because over the past two years I planned and budgeted so I would not have to work much once I got to this point.

In addition, I need to start taking care of my old brain cells and body, because I will not even go into how I have sabotaged and turned my eating, exercise and intermittent personal life into shit since school started. Time to get organized and refocused.

F.I.N.O

2011-09-27T12:59:00.000-07:00

Only two weeks ago I was wishing for school to start again because the three months off seemed like an eternity. However, be careful what you wish for. It is not the seven different classes I am taking, the weekly quizzes or the time constraints of it all. It is getting my mind and a daily routine established to the new chaos of this journey. It is freaking me out that books and papers are already in piles on the table, shelf and floor, I need to take a deep breath, get organized and remember.

Remember that this is doable and that hundreds have done it before me, feeling the same stressful feeling of what the hell did I get myself into.

One instructor said to take the philosophy of Failure Is Not an Option. I like that mentality and will fight through until I find my new routine.

Finally

2011-09-18T10:35:00.000-07:00

Finally school is starting tomorrow, well at least orientation for new grad students will be tomorrow. Because I really need something different to focus on outside of the generalized bullshit and daily activities that have been going on around me. Ten years ago I never would have thought it, but I am actually looking forward to learning and filling my head with subjects like physical examinations, psychiatry and advanced pathophysiology.

Minnesota, you have to love it

2011-09-17T10:33:00.000-07:00

Don't know who the author was, but having spent 15 years in MN and considering it home away from home, it must be a someone who can laugh at themselves because they know the State and people too well.

In case you didn't know...

Minnesota became the 32nd state on May 11, 1858 and was originally settled by a lost tribe of Norwegians seeking refuge from the searing heat of Wisconsin 's winters.

Minnesota gets its name from the Sioux Indian word "mah-nee-soo-tah," meaning, "No, really... They eat fish soaked in lye."

The state song of Minnesota is "Someday the Vikings will... Aw, never mind."

The Mall of America in Bloomington , Minnesota covers 9.5 million square feet and has enough space to hold 185,000 idiot teenagers yapping away on cell phones.

Madison , Minnesota is known as "the lutefisk capital of the world." Avoid this city at all costs.

"The Mary Tyler Moore Show" was set in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and was Mary's first real acting job since leaving the "Dick van Dyke Show. The show about a single woman's struggle to find happiness in the big city was originally titled "Life Without Dick," but that was changed for some reason.

Downtown Minneapolis has an enclosed skyway system covering 52 blocks, allowing people to live, work, eat, and sleep without ever going outside. The only downside to this is that a Norwegian occasionally turns up missing.

Cartoonist Charles M. Shultz was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and grew up in St. Paul. He was the only artist to accurately depict the perfectly circular heads of Minnesota natives.

The Hormel Company of Austin, Minnesota produces 6 million cans of Spam a year, even though no one actually eats it. Spam is a prized food in Japan & Hawaii--Spam sushi!!

Minnesota license plates are blue & white and contain the phrase "Blizzards on the 4th of July - you get used to it."

Frank C. Mars, founder of the Mars Candy Co. Was born in Newport, Minnesota. His 3 Musketeers candy bar originally contained three bars in one wrapper, each filled with a different flavor of nougat - chocolate, Spam and lutefisk.

Tonka trucks continue to be manufactured in Minnetonka, Minnesota, despite the thousands of GI Joe dolls killed by them annually in rollover accidents. No airbags, no seat belts. These things are deathtraps, I tell ya!

Author Laura Ingalls Wilder was raised at Walnut Grove, Minnesota, and was famous for writing the "Little House" series of books, as well as inventing the "Spam diet" which consists of looking at a plate of Spam until you lose your appetite. Much like the "lutefisk diet."

The snowmobile was invented in Roseau , Minnesota to allow families a means of attending 4th of July picnics.

Minnesotans are almost indistinguishable from Wisconsinites. The only way to tell them apart is to ask if they voted for Mondale in '84.

Now... it is up to you to forward this to all your friends. If one of them does not forward it to others, he/she will be given an entrance pin to attend the Eelpout Festival in Walker, MN, February 18-20, 2012.

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Now, COLD is a relative thing

65° outside
Arizonans turn on the heat.
People in Minnesota plant gardens.

60° outside
Californians shiver uncontrollably.
People in Minnesota sunbathe.

50° outside
Italian & English cars will not start.
People in Minnesota drive with the windows down.

40°
Georgians don coats, thermal underwear, gloves, and wool hats.
People in Minnesota throw on a flannel shirt.

35°
New York landlords finally turn up the heat.
People in Minnesota have the last cookout before it gets cold.

20°
People in Miami all die.
Minnesotans close their windows.

Zero°
Californians fly away to Mexico.
People in Minnesota get out their winter coats.

10 below zero:
Hollywood disintegrates.
The Girl Scouts in Minnesota are selling cookies door to door.

20 below zero:
Washington DC runs out of hot air.
People in Minnesota let their dogs sleep indoors.

30 below zero:
Santa Claus abandons the North Pole.
Minnesotans get upset because they can't start the snowmobile.

40 below zero:
ALL atomic motion stops.
People in Minnesota start saying..."Cold enough for ya?"

50 below zero:
Hell freezes over.
Minnesota public schools will open 2 hours late

Watson, come quickly...

2011-09-12T12:16:00.000-07:00

Remember the attention IBM received when they put their supercomputer up against previous Jeopardy winners and it beat them severely. Well it appears the supercomputer nicknamed Watson has found a new job with a major health insurance company, WellPoint.

Taking test results, medical history and all other information about the patient, the computer can make a diagnosis and treatment plan in approximately 3 seconds. Supposedly, this will be only another tool to help make decisions. I think it could be a good tool and talking to a computer might be an improvement on some doctors bedside manner.

However, dig a little deeper and you find there is also a plan for the computer to take into consideration the patient’s financial situation. Remember this is a for profit health insurance company that will be using this machine. So does anyone think for a second that a treatment plan for someone who is homeless versus someone who is financially well off will be the same?

This reminds me of a time when they said machines and computers will never replace humans on assembly lines or in manufacturing.

9/11

2011-09-11T00:02:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe it has been 10 years and as most people I remember where I was that Tuesday morning when things changed forever. The day before I had attended my first nursing classes and thought how great it was to be starting a new career path. How suddenly one event can change the way you see the world for a time.

My 6am shift with the county was less than an hour old, and like most mornings we had the TV on in the background listening to the news. At about 10 minutes to 7:00, Minnesota time, the talking heads on the news stations went crazy. The first plane had hit the World Trade Center. Memorized we watched as the smoke billowed out of the building. Having a pilot’s license and maybe thinking I had a little more insight, a co-worker asked if I thought it was an accident. All I could say was that I don't know, but there is no way a commercial jet should be flying that low over Manhattan.

Minutes later the second plane hit and everybody knew this was no accident.

I tried to call my little sister who lives in New York with her husband, but the cell phone system was overloaded. A short time later my mother relayed the message that they had called and were all right, but were being forced to evacuate their office building 40 blocks away.

The rest of that day and week seems so clear in my mind, and I kept thinking of the devastated families and people who were lost forever. Continued thoughts and Prayers to everyone affected.

Picture of the Day

2011-09-07T10:05:00.000-07:00

How to ruin a maple long john

Shopping in Hopkins Minnesota last week and I had a craving for a donut, and sometimes a maple long john is one that I prefer. However, upon approaching the display case this is what I saw and lost my appetite for all sweets. The concept might have been good because warm bacon goes so well with warm pancakes and syrup, but a cold donut with cold bacon on top just didn't do it for me.

Random Thoughts

2011-09-05T18:03:00.000-07:00

Is it wrong to send unsolicited junk mail back? They keep sending me credit card, insurance and mortgage applications, and I write ‘No Thanks” and then use their convenient pre-paid envelopes to send their junk back. I did not ask for it, so stop sending it. Besides the postal service seems to need a little extra change, so here is another 44 cents.

Tip Jars: Everywhere I look someone is asking for a tip. There is a difference between basic customer services and having a skill that should be tipped. The skill of being a good server, cutting hair or making a good cup of coffee should earn a tip, but waving a bottle of water in front of a scanner at Starbucks is not a skill.

Kimchi, sauerkraut, coleslaw and boiled, why do I have four types of cabbage in my refrigerator?

Why do people believe in psychics? If they knew what was going to happen in the future or could read people's thoughts, don’t you think they would be better off financially? Instead of soliciting and begging for money from shady downtown offices and apartment buildings. Who read their fortune?

Welcome Back Students

2011-09-04T15:48:00.000-07:00

It seems that most of the student nursing and doctor blogs that I read are back in school or starting back this week. I'm sure there will be many interesting, funny, bizarre and factual posts to follow.

So welcome back to school and have a good year

A Degree in Relationships

2011-09-01T19:21:00.000-07:00

Vacations are too short and is visiting family and friends really a vacation?

Back on the west coast but after my vacation and I realized again that Minnesota and the Twin cities are still a great place to live. Now if we can convince the rest of the country that it is not frozen most of the year, they would see it too. Post graduation it will remain a consideration as to places to look for work, but not to get ahead of myself.

I need to start wrapping my head around the upcoming school year and preparing for the onslaught. Truthfully, I did some coasting over the last couple of quarters. You get to know what your instructors are looking for and feed into their values. I realize that going into graduate school will be different and frankly, I am scared shitless. Although, I am scared in a good way as I need to challenge myself.

Really can working on a master’s degree be any tougher than working on a relationship, because you don’t seem to be able to coast in a relationship.

We all need Encouragement

2011-08-18T22:48:00.000-07:00

With everything going on there has been a lot of stress in life lately. I know everyone has seen versions of this list, but it gave me a little needed boost.

1. There are at least two people in the world that you would die for.

2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.

3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you.

4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.

5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.

6. You mean the world to someone.

7. You are special and unique.

8. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.

9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.

10. When you think the world has turned its back on you…take another look.

11. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks

MD vs. Dr.

2011-08-10T13:18:00.000-07:00

Has the term Doctor become too generic? Having worked in several health care facilities, I have noticed more doctors are identifying themselves as MD’s on their documentation and even how they are identified by the hospital or clinic.

Here is what I’m thinking. When I was a kid and went to the doctor, it meant sticking my tongue out and saying "Ahh". Followed by some booster shot or needle for whatever was going around. I did not think of the doctor as anything other than medical in nature. Now every time you turn on the news or some talk show there is a doctor of something.

True that anyone with a PhD can call himself or herself a doctor, and I do not take anything away from that accomplishment, because they worked damn hard to get it. However, I don’t associate the PhD doctors of botany, astrophysics, zoology and business with the term doctor I grew up with and recognize.

Yes, maybe Dr. Seuss confused me as a little kid, and I still don't know who he is, but it seems different in how the word doctor is used today. Besides those with a PhD being able to call themselves doctor, in 5 minutes I could think of Dr. Dre, Dr. Oz, Dr. Drew, Dr. Laura, Dr. Phil, Dr. Scholl’s, Dr. Pepper, Dr. Dolittle and the Rug Doctor. Isn’t Dr. Oz the only real medical doctor in this bunch?

Along with that Nurse Practitioners will have to have a PhD starting in 2015. I think I will be happy to just be an NP, even if I get a PhD.

Religious Freedom

2011-08-09T14:13:00.000-07:00

At professional sporting events, they sing the National Anthem or things like God Save the Queen or the Star Spangled Banner. However, I think NASCAR is the only professional sport that holds a prayer before the race, and leave it to this Pastor to include corporate sponsors in a prayer to Jesus. Then the drivers laugh as the Pastor mentions his smoking hot wife. You can practice whatever religion you want as long as you don't harm anyone, and I guess no harm here. So remember Jesus Loves NASCAR

"The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men"

2011-08-06T17:19:00.000-07:00

When school ended, I thought I would be smart and make myself available whenever they needed me to pick up as many shifts as possible. I knew that once school resumed in September the last thing I would feel like doing is working most weekends.

Well the idea might have sounded good two months ago, but now they are calling almost every day. In most situations this would be fine, however, now I’m tired of working with patients. Well, it’s not so much the patients, because only a few are the ones who suck your motivation and energy, like the government has sucked the confidence out of the American people. It is more the unit politics and certain staff that make for difficult shifts. You learn quickly who the team players are; they jump in and help when it’s needed. While some are never available, that is unless they need you.

The money helps, but being burned out before school and clinicals even start is not a good idea. So how much is the lottery up to?

Gratuitous cute mouse picture

Cure for Type II Diabetes ?

2011-08-05T13:13:00.000-07:00

The diabetic educator was talking about this research at work and I am surprised we don't hear more, because it seems relevant and another statement about our dietary habits. An English study points out that when people are put on a strict diet for eight weeks that included low calories and mostly non-starchy vegetables, many could actually reverse their diabetes. This is not the first study suggesting these findings and that by eating this way you can purge the pancreas of a lot of its’ built up fat. In simple terms, this gives the beta cells and pancreas enough of a break from the fat that they produce sufficient amount of insulin again.

Not saying this works for all Type 2 diabetics, or for the 10% of the people who have Type 1 diabetes. Although research has shown for years that most type 2 diabetes is obesity and lifestyle related.

Here is the problem. Most people should decrease the amount of fat built up in our livers, pancreas and bodies in general. However, as Americans and really most of the industrialized world, we cannot change our fat ass lifestyles. We have no will power to the marketing of cheap foods that are laden with salt, saturated fat, sugar, chemicals and preservatives that are thrust in our faces daily in order that food companies can make billions in profits.

Just my opinion, now off to Costco because I’m sure I need some mega bag of something they are pushing today.

You're So Vain *

2011-07-31T10:20:00.000-07:00

Information is starting to arrive for the graduate program and I am excited and scared at the same time. Even though tuition and books are relatively expensive, it does not register as a negative because it is part of my end goal. It also looks like there will be no rest as clinicals start right away in the first quarter. Among this information, there was a list of 10 names, along with that of an instructor; these are the people will form my clinical group.

As NP students, I know we will be practicing in many forms including sim labs, the real world and on each other. However, for some reason as I read that we will be practicing full physical exams on each other (Minus genital, breast and rectal exams), I felt a little self-conscious. Reading over the names in my clinical group, I notice that I am the only male listed. Now call me crazy because one of the reasons I like nursing is getting to work with mostly women, but that was not the issue.

The issue was the vain thought that crossed my mind of needing to lose 5-10 lbs by the time my peers started poking and prodding me in September. Maybe I have been working around women too long, because my mechanic would never think that.

*Thanks Carly Simon for the post title.

Don't try this at Home

2011-07-28T11:43:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday night a wife called 911 worried about her husband who decided to do a little surgery, on himself.

It appears a 63-year-old man was tired of having his hernia protruding from his abdomen, so with a butter knife in hand he went outside and lay in his lawn chair and started to operate on himself. That is when his wife called 911. Police arrived to find the man with a butter knife sticking from his gut. As they watched, he pulled the knife out and put a lit cigarette in the wound.

As I heard this story on the radio like many I thought drugs or alcohol would be involved, but he was sober. Although, no surprise that they put him under a 5150, which is California’s 72 hour psychiatric hold and observe law. In the end, he was admitted to the hospital and will be having his hernia fixed.

Personally, I will clean and dress big nasty wounds and do most things for patients without a second thought, but for some reason trach care and hernias make me uneasy.

Marriage, til death do us part...or you get voted out.

2011-07-26T13:38:00.000-07:00

Not having to study until September and my mind gets active. So seeing the news of New York state passing a same sex marriage law and I had to laugh at the hypocrisy in this country, and many others, when it comes to marriage. I really do not care who people marry, because not that long ago you were forbidden to marry outside of your religion or ethnic background, so things are changing. Still some people act like marriage is this untouchable sacred institution. Truthfully, I do understand wanting to meet your soul mate or marrying because of religious reasons, but really, look at what people are protecting.

Married people are very much a minority of the population, and yet they like to thrust their artificial values of how others should be living. Everybody knows that over 50% of marriages will end in divorce, and if you think about it, almost all relationships in general will end in failure or death. So why should we deny these joyful experiences to those who are gay.

In addition, how sacred is marriage when it has been turned into a profitable marketing industry and reality game shows for TV. The Bachelor and Bachelorette franchise are the most famous, where you can find your spouse on national TV in 12 weeks, yeah right. Over the years many other reality/game shows have come and gone, included Who Wants to Marry my Dad and Average Joe. Some have even taken it a step farther by mixing superficial values and marriage together and coming up with things like, Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire and The Millionaire Matchmaker.

I get the equality and legal part of marriage that people are striving for. However, in the end people need to be with someone because they Love them and it feels right, not because of others beliefs, laws and sense of what they think is morally right.

Random thoughts...

2011-07-21T04:45:00.000-07:00

If I were a patient in the hospital and could have my choice of nurses to take care of me, including myself. I don’t think I would be my first choice, or for that matter even my second.

My new bachelor’s degree arrived and it says "Magna Cum Laude". Did the school do that great of a job if I had to Google what the hell Magna Cum Laude means?

Because even though your dog doesn't speak, I still understand him better. This is in reference to my past girlfriend's pet dogs.

The “Daisy Award” is given to recognize outstanding nurses. Yes, it is a good award. However, as a man I really do not want my picture on some random wall of the hospital, and on the facility website labeling me a daisy. (I have several theories as to why men still make up less than 10% of nurses. This would fall into one of those categories )

Why do I enjoy the guilty pleasure of watching stupid people being humiliated when Maury says, "You Are Not The Father".

Stop Making Excuses

2011-07-16T15:25:00.000-07:00

So tired of some people and their excuses, including some patients and even one of my family members.

In reality, we all make half-assed excuses for things like not eating well or exercising enough. However, some people just seem to have excuses for everything.

Look at these two women who have been in the news lately and should be role models for people living their lives without excuses.

Jaycee Dugard, was kidnapped, mentally tortured and sexually assaulted for 18 years from the time she was 11 years old.

Elizabeth Smart, was kidnapped and mentally tortured for 9 months, when she was 14 years old.

When their ordeals ended these two amazing women did not make excuses and say “poor me” my life is ruined because of someone else’s actions. They moved forward and are living life to its fullest and not letting past circumstances dictate how they live in their future.

Most of us know individuals who blame family, friends, the government and history for all their problems. Instead of spending energy moving forward in life and bettering themselves, they make excuses as to why it is everybody else's fault. So blame or make excuses if it makes you feel better, but chances are until you realize it is you have control, things will not change.

Hurry up and wait.

2011-07-15T10:05:00.000-07:00

Like everyone else I hate pulling that tab at the DMV and getting a number like 73, when they just called 42.
However, I'll try to remember this line I saw while walking near the campus yesterday, and not stress so much about my wait times. Because, these poor people were just trying to get into the building and get a number.

Coping Skills

2011-07-08T06:48:00.000-07:00

I think I offended someone yesterday with a generalized obesity in society comment and then I deleted my post. Then, I got mad at myself. This blog is one of my coping mechanisms, so screw them. They can go read someone else’s blog justifying how their life is unfair. So to vent and be a little sarcastic here goes:

People who work in healthcare in any capacity, have tough jobs. It may not always be physically tough, but it is always mentally challenging. We are not working with inanimate objects on an assembly line. We work with people’s physical and mental health problems, and the wide range of emotions that go along with them.

Death is a regular part of our jobs, but so is life and hope. When a patient dies, we understand and feel the families’ pain. We can be sympathetic, but we are not allowed to grieve. We have no time and have to move on and take care of other sick patients. Not tomorrow, but during that same shift, and maybe only ten minutes after your loved one has died, we are in the room next door providing treatment to a new admission.

We also have coping mechanisms that usually come in two forms, we laugh and we vent.
Yes, we laugh at patients during and after work, but we also laugh with patients and their families. Why would it be a surprise to you that we vent our frustrations about your pain in the ass family members, so get over it. Like any job we like working with the nice people, and avoid the a**holes.

Besides prostitutes, how many people do you know who go to work and expect to be abused by the same people they are trying to take care of?
For the next 8-12 hour shift I will be your maid and your waitress, while also pushing drugs in your veins that can kill you if administered wrong. So complaining because your food tray is five minutes late is a bad idea.

If you are sensitive, do not read my blog. I will be complaining about hypothetical patients and their families, and if you think it is mean or unjust, then move along. There is probably a cute little poetic or wedding cake blog by hitting the next blog button. This is one way I cope with the people I work with daily. They are alive, opinionated and have emotions, and many times those emotions are taken out on my co-workers and me. Nevertheless, I still love 90% of my patients and choose to work with them.

I did not even touch on the overall other form of abuse from administration and managers.

Is this a "Just Culture"

2011-07-03T11:40:00.000-07:00

This story was sent to employees email accounts a few days ago with a link to read it. It has since bothered me on so many levels.

First, this is Kimberly Hiatt and she worked at a hospital that followed a so-called “Just Culture” model, "which recognizes the need to use errors to identify and correct systemic problems, rather than focusing on penalizing individuals”. Many hospitals around the country follow this model today, especially when it comes to medication and surgical procedures.

Kim Hiatt, made her career at this particular hospital for the past 24 years. Last year she made a medical error and gave an infant 10 times the ordered dose of calcium chloride. The infant was not doing well before this incident and did pass away 5 days later, but it is not clear whether this contributed to the baby death. Also, the parents of this baby understood that it was an accident and did not want anyone to take the fall for the mistake.

So here is the kicker. In this so-called “Just Culture” hospital, this nurse was immediately escorted off the hospital property and subsequently fired. She gave 24 years to this hospital and never had a serious mistake prior to this. This happened at Seattle's Children's Hospital, but the truth is it could have happened at any hospital.

Kim committed suicide.

Reading the whole story it appears that there were other contributing factors as to why the hospital was so quick to fire her. Because, even though her co-workers loved her and say she was a good nurse, the hospital appeared to have a problem with her lesbian lifestyle. I am sure there were other contributing personal and professional factors, but that does not excuse how the hospital went above and beyond to penalize her.

Nurses are scared to report errors the way it is, and that should not be the case. However, nurses also have to remember that hospitals are going to look after themselves first. That is one of the big reasons for so much paperwork, hospitals are trying to cover their asses. This makes nurses and doctors do the same thing and try to cover their asses as well.

This story is wrong on so many different levels

Circumcisions. Just a little off the top please

2011-06-30T09:21:00.000-07:00

The Jewish and Muslim people have teamed up to fight an evil enemy. An enemy they call racists. An enemy they call anti-Semitic to both the Muslims and Jews. However, this fight is not taking place in the Middle East, but in the city of San Francisco, and over a little piece of skin.

A group has successfully collected enough signatures for a measure to be added to the November elections. So if passed it would make San Francisco the first city in the US to ban male circumcisions.

Maybe it's a health issue, as studies have suggested and that circumcisions prevent future health problems like STDs, HIV and UTIs. On the other hand, maybe it is only a personal choice or a religious preference.Are we infringing on the rights of parents?

The ancient Egyptians performed circumcisions, and if done in infancy is it really traumatizing? Personally, I do not remember having it done and I have never talked to a guy who remembers it happening. I am sure by now some lawyer would have used a traumatized circumcision defense if possible. The only problem is, if it was removed as a baby no guy remembers it happening.

I guess we will let the people decide in November.

How to Blog

2011-06-25T10:01:00.000-07:00

A friend will be starting nursing school this fall and after reading about so many other people's journeys back into school. I thought she should document hers as well. So what kind of advice would you give a new blogger, or an old blogger for that matter?

Let’s face it school, work and life can be stressful. Some bloggers including myself believe blogging is beneficial to relieving some of that stress and providing a way to process all of the positive and negative emotions. Reading other people’s experiences and insight may also help because they have been through it.

Personally, I would say there is no right or wrong way to blog, just start writing and your style will develop. Everyone is different in what they like to read, so at first write for yourself and not what you think other people want to read. You are not writing an academic paper to be graded, so enjoy yourself. Although, I have noticed that bloggers seem to have better writing skills than most. ( Maybe not mine)

Some people want others to read their blog, while others do not care because they are writing for themselves. There is a follower’s widget and by following someone, they may follow you. However, the best advice I can give to gain followers is not my own, you have to click here and read this older post by Red Means Go. She is a fun read and does not take herself too seriously. With over 2200 followers, she understands that followers do not equal readers.

The blog roll is something I’m indecisive about and always changing mine and playing around. However, it is good to look at other people’s blog links and click on them, because you might find other blogs that you really like.

People can be very creative with their blog templates, while others like mine are somewhat boring. I really need a change. So play around with the backgrounds and layouts.

Then she needs to decide whether to be anonymous or use her real name. Privacy is a big thing in health care and if you make accusations, bitch or say something negative about a patient, staff member or the facility, it can come back to bite you.

Any other ideas or advice?

Legal Killing

2011-06-23T10:15:00.000-07:00

These are 3 of the 9 new cigarette warnings that will be required by the FDA.

Disclaimer: I smoked for years and thought it was my right to do so. I was also stupid in choosing to smoke, and that was my right as well.

Smoking causes approximately 443,000 deaths in the US every year. Therefore, the government's way of thinking is to add new warning labels. Some people may quit because of these new labels. But, as a former smoker it was never a warning label that made me quit.

Being in healthcare what bothers me is that the government still allows products that kill people to be sold. We do not live in a free market economy we regulate most things for peoples safety. If a company sells defective cribs that kill babies or defective cars that kills people, the government forces companies to recall them. The only difference is that tobacco kills you slowly.

Why my little soap box rant? Because even though I haven't smoked in a while, I really wanted one yesterday.

Put it on a stick and deep fry it. It's done.

2011-06-20T18:26:00.000-07:00

Downloaded and handed in a hard copy of my final paper, which ended up being 33 pages. Funny, how the minute you hand in that final paper and complete that final exam, you forget how awful the last 11 weeks have been. Nevertheless, it is over now.

Twelve weeks with nothing to study and no assignments due until at least September. (Look a fragmented sentence and I don’t care). I can read something for pleasure and not because it is required. If I had crappy cable TV, I would be watching it. Note to self don’t get cable. Should pick up some extra shifts at the hospital, but probably no more than required to pay the bills. I’m sick of working too.

Heading to Minneapolis in August to visit family and friends. Might need to get some Sweet Martha’s Cookies too, along with some other various edible things on a stick. The MN State Fair is a uniquely gross, and yet tantalizing event. So many future overweight cardiac cath patients in one place, eating and eating and eating. However, that's the tradition. They started eating and doing this fair thing before the Civil war, so who's to argue with tradition. I wonder what they deep fried back then?

Pull the Plug Already

2011-06-12T21:48:00.000-07:00

I'm to the point where I'm sick of school and burnt out, at least for this quarter.

I've been in universities that use the semester system and ones that use the quarter system and really, I don't think it makes a big difference. Because, like a slow death the closer you get to the end of the semester or quarter you just want it to end. Pull the effing plug already.Talking to another student who was also a travel nurse in her past and I compared school to a travel assignment. When you travel nurse you sign 13 week contracts with the hospital and it is exciting, at least in the beginning.

The first couple of weeks you are in a new city, learning a new floor, a new system and meeting new people.

Then next few weeks you still ask many questions and start falling into a routine. You get to know your co-workers and who to trust and who to avoid. The same with the new city your living in, you learn where to go and what to avoid.

Then for the next four or five weeks, you can coast a little, being sure to cover your ass and not be blamed for anything. You know what doctors to call when there's a problem and who to bother to get a patient discharged, that should have been gone days before. In town, you have learned the good places to eat and the parks and tourist areas to explore.

Then that last week or two you relax and stop giving a shit. Not about the patients, but the politics of the floor and hospital where you are working. It really is sad that it only takes a few weeks to get involved in the politics; the regular staff is always looking for a new person to listen to their complaints, and take their side.

Well, I am into the last week of school and the I don’t give a shit phase. I really need a break.

Men are Stupid

2011-06-09T13:45:00.000-07:00

Men are stupid; although most women already know that.

Every time you turn on the news, some politician or celebrity is being caught with their Weiner in the wrong place, and if it has not happening to someone around you, it probably will. Moreover, why is the spouse always better looking than the other woman is?

My theory is they want to be caught, because serial killers do a better job of covering up evidence than most men do. Think about it, numerous detectives spending hours a day for years searching for clues and not finding anything. While a husband leaves pictures, messages and numbers on his cell phone. Sorry and yes, this means your boyfriend or husband really is dumber than a serial killer is. Although, being more stupid in this area may be a good thing for women. Furthermore, if a serial killer is caught, they only have to deal with the cops and not their wives. That should be more than enough incentive to do a better job covering your tracks.

Goodwill Deal?

2011-06-07T12:29:00.000-07:00

There is a Goodwill store on the way home from school, so yesterday I took a tour looking for any deals. Although, in my annual visit I never seem to find anything, and I am not interested in owning other people's dishes or wearing their clothes. I get enough second hand stuff at work from patients, like advice and body fluids

There on the shelf at Goodwill sits an incentive spirometer, why would someone donate that and why did Goodwill not throw it away? I understand wheelchairs, walkers and maybe a commode, but trying to sell an incentive spirometer for $2.99. Do people even know what the hell it is or how to use it? Do they understand that someone sick enough to be in the hospital also had their lips wrapped around it. I like a bargain, but I think I will stick to Target.

Old Nurses

2011-06-05T13:21:00.000-07:00

I was not sure whether to be flattered or slightly depressed, as the financial aid seminar progressed. The counselor explained how she liked nursing students and had a soft spot for them, especially after the recent hospitalization of her mother and the nurses who cared for her. Well the majority of nurse are likable I thought. As she explained further about her financial aid department doing everything possible to assist us in not worrying about money for school. That helps, because the added stress of money on top of everything else is too much for some people. She then started clarifying the demographics of the students making up the university, including the old nurses.

Okay she didn't exactly say old nurses, what she said was that the average age of the students in the nursing programs, was 10 years older than that of the average age of those students in the school of medicine. Again to self, that explains why those residents and new doctors keep getting younger every time I go to work.

I should give a little more background about this university. It is attached to a large medical and research facility and consists of only medical, dental, pharmacy and graduate nursing programs.

So anyway many of these old nurses entering graduate school have been working for years as registered nurses, before coming back to school for their masters or PhD. The counselor went on to say that they are more likely to have established themselves in life and have families, children and a mortgage. This meant their financial worries and stresses were a little different. Whereas, the medical students tended to be younger, more flexible and probably more willing to move for their careers, while trying to establish themselves in the medical field.
Not sure, what these average ages were, maybe 28 and 38, or it could be just a few old nurses or young medical students dragging the curve along with them.

Thinking again, this is a different stereotype than exists in the outside world, where people usually think of old doctors and young nurses.

Note to self, don't over think it.

2011-06-02T11:22:00.000-07:00

Graduate school. I keep repeating it to myself, because sometimes I don’t believe it. So many times in my life, I could have taken the wrong turn and ended up dead, and too many times, I did take that wrong turn and just got lucky. I am sober now, but I gave a fair share of my money to the liquor industry over the years, and when younger tried just about every street drug available. Probably a good thing for bad experiences or I might have taken things too far.

I have thought about this on and off over the last few months and it came up again last night while eating with a friend. She was telling me of her personal conflicts from the past and although different, good life lessons. I understand people who have lived life and been to the edge, I think it makes them appreciate and understand things better.

Memorial Day

2011-05-30T09:08:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all those who have served and their families.

Looking at other countries around the world fighting for their freedom I realize how lucky we are. I am free to go to school, have my own thoughts, express them openly, and make mistakes without being persecuted for them.

Extreme Couponing

2011-05-24T13:26:00.000-07:00

Extreme Couponing, has anyone seen this, because after listening to a couple people at work talk about the show and saying how much they love it, it made me want to get cable TV again. Everybody has seen the people on TV who go into a store and buy $100 worth of groceries for less than a $1. Well, I guess TLC has taken it to a new level and shows people who make it an obsession and full-time job. They don't pay for anything.

This kind of mental illness reality TV I can handle, like Hoarders or Intervention. You can keep the Bachelor, House Wives of whatever city and those Jersey people. Although, I think those whiny Jersey people have some mental health problems too.

Yes, I have been called cheap a few times over the years, although I prefer the word thrifty. You know a Costco, Target somewhat thrifty kind of a person. Being in school full-time doesn't help either with the money situation, and if I can get a coupon or good deal, I’m there.

The funny thing is that most of the people who call others cheap, are usually cheap themselves and in some kind of denial. Coupons are a good thing and there is a reason companies spend money putting them out there.

OK, these are a different kinds of extreme couponing, but feel free to use them.

Bombing for Peace is Like...........

2011-05-20T08:15:00.000-07:00

Sometimes in class you just shut your mouth or wish you would have when certain discussion happen, and there have been some good ones over the years, when I just sit back and bite my tongue wanting to say something. As practitioners in the health care field they say listening is sometime the hardest thing to do. So last night I put in my quick two cents, then told myself to shut-up as the class got into all kinds of different political and health care funding talk. However, I need to get out of my system what I wanted to say.

Certain politicians instead of going after Wall Street billionaire stealing from the middle class, still want to cut programs like teenage pregnancy prevention and family planning. Yes, that includes Planned Parenthood. Where a huge 3% does actually go towards abortion, but that mean 96% apparently, does not. Instead, it is used for things like education, contraception, cancer screening, STD prevention and treatment, and other health issues along with family planning. You can read their annual report here. If politicians want to stick by their belief that is fine, I can even respect it at times.

However, some of these same politicians also want to cut programs like women, infant, children (WIC) and Head Start for low-income families with children.

Therefore, these individuals want to take away alternatives and figuratively force women to have the babies, but they don't want to do anything to help them once they do?

It seemed a little hypocritical and does not make sense to me, it also reminding me of the old saying,

Bombing for Peace

is like

Fucking for Virginity

People should really read the law of Title X

People are People

2011-05-17T12:05:00.000-07:00

Over the years of reading blogs, I have see individuals complaining about how they feel like their clinicals or community work is akin to free labor. Maybe they had a bad day; however, I hope I don't become jaded like that, because one of the best experiences I am having right now is volunteering at a free clinic.

In reality, some of why I am enjoying it so much has to do with the years of dealing with stupid hospital politics, catering to patients and families and documenting everything. Yes, I know it is important to chart positive flatus.

As for this clinic, it is very basic and just above street level care with volunteer doctors, nurses, pharmacists, social workers and most importantly interpreters. I love my interpreter, because she understands my weird sense of humor. Anyway, they operate in donated spaces and even out of an elementary school gym one night a week. These are not places for checkups or handing out pain meds; we have signs everywhere letting patients know there are no pain meds on site. These uninsured individuals who cannot afford to see anyone for things like uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension, and they just need a little help and maybe a prescription.

No politics, no bean counters, no egos and no kissing ass, just basic care for people who fell through the cracks.

Things work out

2011-05-13T17:24:00.000-07:00

It feels like things are finally starting to fall into place, in the academic world anyway. The bachelor’s degree will be done next month and the acceptance letter to start the graduate program in September has been confirmed. In addition, there is financial seminar next weekend, to learning where the money is coming from, one stress I do not want to deal with.

Even though my finals and papers are coming due, graduate school is right around the corner, my sisters and I are starting a lawsuit against our stepmother and I have no health insurance, my stress level is really low right now.

Maybe it is time to start dating again after a self-imposed hiatus, or go visit some distant family to ratchet up the stress and release of some cortisol.

A Real Mother's Day

2011-05-08T08:41:00.000-07:00

What would every mother like for Mother’s Day, maybe a complete and professional makeover of her hair and makeup?

Well, that is what happened in the city yesterday to 25 women, but these women were not part of a win a makeover for your Mother on Mother's day contest.

No, these 25 Mothers called one of the local shelters home and next week they will be receiving job training and interview skills. When you have children, the last place you plan to call home is a shelter. Therefore, although I wish all mothers a happy mother’s day, I wish these ones a little bit more of one.

Happy Mothers Day - Sort of

2011-05-06T12:31:00.000-07:00

One day all our Mothers will be this age, so let's enjoy them while we can.

Dead bodies and Recipes

2011-04-28T12:51:00.000-07:00

As nurses you become desensitized to a lot, but once in a while a wtf moment hits you.

Yesterday, because of sick calls they had me helping in the cardiovascular ICU. Halfway into the shift an elderly Asian gentleman passed away; it was not unexpected as most of the family had been called and were at the bedside.

After he passed, the family wanted to spend more time with him and have their 6-year-old granddaughter come into the room to say goodbye. The patient had been on a ventilator with lines and tubes inserted into every possible orifice and extremity. It would have been a scary site to most, but why subject a 6 year old to this?

Anyway we had the family go to the waiting room as we fully gowned and masked up. Because of his condition we knew there would be extensive body fluids everywhere; also bathing and turning a dead patient requires a lot of contact.

The air in the room smelled horrible as we started pulling lines, tubes and clean up the man's body. Then the two nurses with me started exchanging recipes for some type of bread pudding dish.
I laughed a little and found it is sad, because while cleaning up that poor dead man's smelly fluids, their talk actually made me hungry.

750 Words.com

2011-04-22T12:23:00.000-07:00

There is a site called 750 words and it kind of describes why I started blogging, but it is not a Blogging site or Facebook. It is a place where you write 750 words a day to yourself, and nobody reads it. Kind of like the old days when people kept journals or diaries about their thoughts.

By writing 750 words a day you release some of that inner energy, creativity or frustration. You can write in the mornings to get your mind working or at the end of the day to let things go. They call it "a daily brain dump" and creative or not it probably helps.

To write freely and say what is really on my mind. That's my problem I recently started worrying about what others would think or want to read and see.

http://750words.com/

Party Like a Nurse

2011-04-18T12:32:00.000-07:00

Today is the 105th anniversary of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake that pretty much leveled and burned the city to the ground.
However, one of the aftermaths of that disaster was the establishment of one of the oldest nursing schools in the country at UCSF. With a proud history of graduate and research nursing that has lasted through two world wars, financial meltdowns and political fighting, it helped make nursing a respectable occupation.

The flip side:

Advance for Nurses is a company dedicated to making and selling products to nurses and health care professionals. Yet, they play right into spreading the stereotype of being the good time party nurse. Thanks for spreading the professional image and making a buck off us at the same time.

Special Place in Hell

2011-04-15T16:53:00.000-07:00

Maybe I'm noticing it more or maybe it's happening more; those stories in the news that make you think how could somebody do that?

A wheelchair van is stolen.
An elderly 90-year-old woman is pushed down to the ground and assaulted.
A greedy pharmacist dilutes cancer medication to increase his profits.
Cemetery grave markers and headstones are destroyed by a bunch of drunken partying idiots.

Now this, three girls in Georgia were running a lemonade stand to raise money for their two-year-old cousin who is sick and needs surgery. Two losers decide they are going to steal the $130 dollars the girls had raised and run.

Good people always seem to step-up in these situations by donating to make things right. Just a sad commentary on some people these days. Someday in Hell they will wish they had some Lemonade.

Forget You

2011-04-07T15:18:00.000-07:00

It came out last year and sorry if it offends anyone, but I still love this song by Cee Lo and the 50-60's Motown style and feeling about it, and I think we've all had someone like this in our past.

Also next time you get cut off in traffic, disrespected, or just happen to be dealing with someone who is rude, recite a couple key phrases in your head. (Out loud if appropriate). Guaranteed you will feel better.

(Sorry this is not the dumbed down edited radio or Glee version.)

Remember when he did Crazy in Gnarls Barkley

Attitude

2011-04-03T16:16:00.000-07:00

I've been stressed lately and there is no reason for it, because life is good. Even though I have this quote by Charles Swindoll stuck on my fridge as a reminder of how important attitude is, sometimes I forget.

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.

Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.

And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes

-Charles R. Swindoll

Buy your Friends at Usocial

2011-03-27T14:13:00.000-07:00

A company called Usocial will let you buy your friends and followers in bulk.

Yes, for $87 you can buy 1000 Twitter followers or for $197 1000 Facebook friends, not bad less than .20 cents a friend, and much cheaper than buying friends at your local campus bar during dollar drink night.

So I was thinking of alternative ways they can advertise and sell their product.

Are you a talentless Hollywood reality star who wants to prove that other people really care what you think? Well, now this is your chance by showing them that you have thousands of Twitter followers who pretend to care.

Or when you're arrested for being a serial killer do you want to be like the others and hear the police and your neighbors saying, he was a quite loner who kept to himself. No, then prepare and prove them wrong with your countless Facebook friends from around the world.

But wait, if you act in the next 30 minutes we can double your order of friends at no additional cost. Because think about it, your real life friends may be cheap, but these ones are cheaper, and they won't borrow your stuff or steal your boyfriend or girlfriend.

Frustration with school

2011-03-25T17:38:00.000-07:00

Haven't been posting about school lately because frankly I'm not liking it. Between the PowerPoint presentation and final papers I would rather be doing than just about anything else, including cleaning up incontinent, confused and restrained patients.

Plus, an instructor who I used to think was wonderful, has transformed into one of the biggest bitches in my life, which is saying a lot.

As nurses you are always told to leave you personal issues at the door, and I understand that we all have bad days from time to time. But, to our detriment her bad days and personal problems have lasted for months now and were tired of hearing about it.

Amendment 3/27: Sorry I usually don't like to read about others complaining and I did the exact same thing :(

Exercise, Sex Can Boost Heart Attack Risk

2011-03-22T15:20:00.000-07:00

that was the headline on WebMd today.

Well, eff me I was going to start exercising tomorrow.

Makes me wonder....

2011-03-21T11:16:00.000-07:00

Am I strange because the rest of the planet uses Facebook and I don't? I have no desire to collect more friends I will never meet.

As I get older isn't eating preservatives a good thing?

Why do we label people?

Now with cell/smart phones I can't remember phone numbers.

I wonder why doctors are the worst at washing their hand before going into patient rooms?

A woman leaving Target the other day with one shopping bag and she stops a foot from the double doors, looks around and walks to the right so she could use the automatic ones.

If you can't text and walk, what makes you think you can text and drive?

Why many medical centers employ more people in the billing and collects department than they do doctors.

And thanks for the shout out today Estelle at Word Lust, you don't make me wonder, well maybe a little.

I think I know this patient

2011-03-11T21:42:00.000-08:00

I don't know why but I have to click & pull the play button back a few seconds to hear the audio.

Local Media Hype

2011-03-11T15:43:00.000-08:00

First, let me say that what happened in Japan was horribly sad and people should help if they can.

I don't understand the local media; although you would think living in the Midwest I would be immune to all the hype they portray. It was kind of a strange phenomenon that we used to joke about at work, and any chance a TV stations got they would break away from programming to tell us about a thunder or snow storm. Even if there wasn't a tornado, but conditions were ripe for one, it was like the start of the Apocalypse with their maps, radar and news trucks.

However, most people would continue golfing, fishing or gardening until trees started to fall around them, because this was the upper Midwest and conditions were always ripe for bad weather. It's kind of like saying it might be overcast and misty in Seattle, newsflash it's always overcast and misty in Seattle.

So today I witnessed this type of reporting here in the Bay Area. The media is like that friend who wants to make everything about them or put a local twist on it. Most people know of Chinatown, with the largest Chinese community outside of Asia, but there is also Japantown. In fact over 30 percent of the city of San Francisco is made up of Asian people. So instead of reporting about what was going on in Japan they had to tie-in some local hardships.

From their news helicopters and vans they showed the marina with the boats getting tossed around, but then not being dramatic or emotional enough someone must've decided it was a good idea to take their vans to Japantown and find distraught relatives. It was sad, instead of preying on those hurting how about telling us what we can do to help.

No wonder people feel depressed after watching the news.

Japantown (sfcitizen.com)

Eeyore needs Prozac

2011-03-07T15:18:00.000-08:00

Your mind wanders when you're doing research papers for hours on end, and I thought about how as a child I had a stuffed Pooh and Eeyore, and I always liked Eeyore the best. However, these days I'm surprised they haven't said Eeyore is not a good toy for children because he suffers from depression.

Then again maybe Pooh's inability to stay focused and he would be diagnosed with ADHD and they would recommend Ritalin or Adderall.

Should have been a Veterinarian or Marine Biologist

2011-03-03T14:55:00.000-08:00

I ran across this blog about someone training to become a marine biologist and seeing the pictures of the animals and being able to work outdoors while breathing fresh air made me think, I should have done that. Guaranteed the next time I am assisting my aid with cleaning up a patient with c-diff I will be thinking of that fresh air.
You could find a hundred ways to compare human and animal patients, but that wouldn't be fair to the humans.

Growing up I was fortunate in that we always had animals and I was able to spend a lot of time outdoors. Then as a teenager I spent 18 months working for a veterinarian, because I thought that was the field I would pursue.
However, life happens and time passes fast; then you go into an occupation that you know is stable and will always be needed.

After graduation maybe I can find a place of employment that affords us a little hobby farm with some goats and chickens or we can adopt abused animals. Plus coming home to animals after working with people all day would also be a great stress reliever.

*&#@+#$ Computer Virus

2011-03-02T14:09:00.000-08:00

The last few weeks of the quarter and here I sit in the schools computer lab, because my computer is with the Geek Squad at Best Buy. So let me thank the low-life piece of shit who's big contributes to society is using up oxygen and inventing #*+&@^# computer viruses. You're smart enough to mess with millions of people's computers, so why not instead try to do something useful with your life.

It's been five days so I stopped in to ask how things were going and the woman said to me it was post-op and would be ready tomorrow. Post-op I said as she looked at me and explained, all the systems had been worked on and they would run a diagnostic test over night.

I thought it was kind of cool how different terminology intermingles into different professions. Pre and Post op were probably military terms before medicine adopted them. So not only can my computer catch a virus that can spread and needs to be operated on, but it can get worms and a Trojan horse. Now don't think of a horse wearing a Trojan, that's a different website. Alright back to work so I can get out of here.

Stereotypes

2011-02-24T14:27:00.000-08:00

Frequently patients or family members think I'm a doctor as I walk in the room at the beginning of the shift, or they ask if I'm doing this until I go to medical school. Maybe it's because males are less than 10% of nurses or it could be my boring blue scrubs and demeanor. Face it women nurses tend to wear happy scrubs with lots of colors and patterns. Yes, that is a stereotype and that's my point. As a male nurse we are stereotyped a lot.

Everybody stereotypes or jumps to conclusions about something or someone, its human nature. We do it with individual people, races, cultures, communities and even whole countries, and of course the occupational stereotypes.

Teaching is still a women dominated profession and we keep hearing about the ones getting caught doing a little extra curricular activities with their students.

Is there anybody who doesn't know a lawyer joke or have something positve to say?

Body building and steroid use equals small testicles. Does anybody outside of bodybuilders think this is a profession?

Doctors have that God complex. Personally, I notice this trait more in the Neurosurgeons.

Try not to stereotype a secretary, cop, construction worker, flight attendant, cook, trucker, librarian, farmer or architect. They are all noble professions, but it seems every occupation can bring up some stereotypes so don't go postal on me.

If you are offended or agree then good, because nurses still have the worst stereotype. Look at this ad I found in the Vegas phone book a while back.

For every one person who associates Florence Nightingale with nurses, one hundred think of this stereotype.

Why does Jesus hate religion?

2011-02-22T15:57:00.000-08:00

Last visit home I saw this sign and had to take a picture. I'm more spiritual than religious and I don't know why Jesus hates religion, but I think it has something to do with the people who preach the word in order to profit from it. I can understand that and actually commend this church for putting it out there.

Many independent studies have shown the benefits of prayer, religion, spirituality, faith or whatever cultural practices you believe in, do in fact help in the healing process.

Survivor vs Biggest Loser

2011-02-18T10:07:00.000-08:00

For the first time in a long time I watched a whole episode of Survivor and the show has changed. Remember when contestants actually had to show some survival skills and maybe eat a bug or two. Now it seems like they pick people who look good in bikinis or are controversial. My ideas would be different.

I want to see a real survivor show, so how about dropping these people in Canada or Northern Minnesota in the winter and seeing how they survive.

The contestants do lose a lot of weight over the 39 days. So how about combining the show The Biggest Loser and Survivor together, can you imagine the mind games on that island? Now I would watch that every week.

Shift Report

2011-02-15T16:36:00.000-08:00

As a new grad nurse shift reports were one of those nerve racking parts of the job, but over time like everything else it becomes routine. You have your nurses who expect you to tell them everything about the patient, even as far as doing their whole shift assessment. Then you have the veteran nurses who just like you to hit the abnormalities.

Last shift I was taking over for a nurse who just worked 16 hours and I told her hit the highlights and go home. Her report for the first patient was short and sweet as he was a fresh heart cath, then she started with the second patient saying he was a 55-year-old morbidly obese Hispanic male who was crossing the border when he ate a burrito and experienced an MI, but he's fine.

I looked up from my paper because what I just visualized a Chris Farley comedy moment.

She may have been tired but this was too good to let go. I look at her and said, you just told me that an overweight Mexican was crossing the border when he ate a burrito and had a heart attack. I let her think for a minute before she had the same visual I did and laughed.

Nurses have a warped sense of humor and this patient is fine, but sometimes you need to take care of your co-workers and if you can lighten the moment then do it.

Later I looked at the doctors H&P and saw that three days ago he was crossing the border with some friends in a truck and had eaten a burrito while waiting. He then started experiencing some chest pain, and after three days of this intermittent chest pain he decided it was a good idea to go the hospital.

Dead Blogs

2011-02-08T15:43:00.000-08:00

Haven't been in the mood to write lately so I have been reading other people blogs from all over the world, and it has been interesting to say the least. I wish I could be creative and write like some of these people, but we all can't be like the Estelle's of the world. Shit most of my writing involves school and research papers that I love it and hate it at the same time.

Although, one pet peeve I keep noticing is that most people list others blogs on their sites, which is a good thing. But, so many have blogs listed that I would consider dead, you know they have not had an entry in over a year

I clicked on one of these links recently that has not had a post since 2008. Obama was still running, the Jonas Brothers were on top and some people actually thought Sarah Palin had something to say. Who knows maybe that blogger really is dead?

Keep moving forward

2011-02-03T09:12:00.000-08:00

One group project this quarter and of course all the obligatory papers to write. Although looking forward to our a service learning class that needs to be completed in the community. Basically volunteering for over 60 hours in your chosen field and then writing a paper about it, and when they say over 60 hours trust me it will not be much over that, because this is not even part of the graduate program yet. Mostly I'm looking forward to being in a different health care setting besides my current hospital, even if it is just volunteer work.

But, why is it only february and I feel burnt out already.

Egypt

2011-02-01T19:14:00.000-08:00

As I watch the continuing news coverage on what is happening in Egypt I feel so happy for the people. They are making their destiny and for the most part in a peaceful manner; which is amazing for a country so large with over 80 million people.
If that happened here the rioters and looters would be out of control, heck it take a lot less than that, sometimes just a little alcohol and a sports championship to ignite the stupidity.

I'm sure we will hear about incidents, situations and lies that a dying government will try to use, but I wish the people well on this new journey and may it stay peaceful now and into their future.

Update: I wrote this yesterday because today things turned and the pro-government thugs moved in and started clashing with the demonstrators.

Borderline

2011-01-28T17:29:00.000-08:00

I have the specialty I want, but sometimes I think I should have applied for a nurse practitioner in psychiatric and mental health care.
It just seems to be that more and more patients are presenting with mental illness and it's not limited to any specific floor. I float everywhere; oncology, cardiac, step-down or the surgical unit, and I receive patients with mental health issues. These are not dementia or certified psych patients just those borderline cases. Having worked with this population before becoming a nurse I take it in stride, but it can be funny watching how they manipulate some of the staff including doctors.
I actually kind of enjoy most of them, but then again some might say I am borderline.

Yin Yang

2011-01-27T15:25:00.000-08:00

Sad that Jack LaLanne pasted away, he did so much over the years to encourage people to get off their asses and move.
I could use some of that encouragement now, with school and work it's so easy to just say I'll exercise tomorrow even knowing you feel so much better and think so much clearer when you exercise today.

But my life always seems to be in that Yin Yang flux where one cannot exist without the other.
Unlike the west where people equate it to good and bad I adhere to the Taoists theory in that they balance each other out and are intertwined, just like night and day need each other.

I buy my old fashioned oatmeal, then purchasing one of those strategically placed slices of chocolate cake on the way out. How can one be good or bad?

I exercised inside today because it is was foggy and chilly outside, then read a textbook with a bowl of buttered popcorn. So I can stress about school, but feel satisfied with a buttery treat.

Alcatraz and Mom

2011-01-23T14:31:00.000-08:00

One week seems to be the right amount of time for a visit from my mother, just wish it was not during the second week of classes. Actually, I don't care it was only a week and she comes first.
I also realized she is in good shape, anyone who has ever walked the streets of San Francisco knows they are no easy task, but she kept going. We walked and ate outside everyday, and why not she had come from Minnesota and we were having temps in the 60's with sunshine everyday.
The good thing about having different people visiting is that they make you do the things you would not normally do when living in that same area.
Maybe I'm getting more mature, because spending a few hours walking around Alcatraz with my mother and never once did I think of funny thoughts about her being at a federal prison, well almost never.

The side you don't normally see

Big Island

2011-01-15T12:56:00.000-08:00

I love the large metropolitan area where I live now with its diverse cultures and endless things to do. But like most big cities it can be hectic and sometimes I think it would be nice to live somewhere a little slower, so to speak.

A few years ago I spent a couple weeks on the big island of Hawaii and really enjoyed it. Because it was a relatives place instead of a hotel, I got more of a feeling for the community. It also helped that it was a vacation to relax, never becoming more stressful than snorkeling with spinner dolphins and turtles, a helicopter ride or hiking volcano national park.

Even though it is bigger than all the other islands combined and I love being near the water, I imagined it would become too small and claustrophobic of a place to live permanently and too far away from family and friends.
However, there might be something to just leaving it all behind after graduation and working in a less stressful location, for a few years anyway.

Sea Salt

2011-01-13T11:17:00.000-08:00

Sea Salt has been around for a while, well almost since the beginning of this planet anyway, then as a natural preservative of foods for our ancestors, along with smoking and dehydrating. However, once again leave it to companies wanting to make a profit to turn it into something that it is not.
For months now Wendy's has been advertising their french fries with sea salt, and last night I saw Campbell's advertising that their soups were now made with sea salt. The commercials give you the impression that it is better tasting and better for you in general.

This ties into work because a few weeks ago while doing patient teaching about HTN a woman asked about sea salt and she wondered if it was any better for her?
Because of all the advertising lately I had actually thought of this subject before, so I calmly said to her, it might taste a little different, but think about cigarettes. One may taste different than the others, but the effects on the body and the outcomes are the same.
We just looked at each other for a second then continued with the rest of the teaching.

Only difference is they mine it by the sea

Optimism May Protect Teens Against Depression

2011-01-12T13:03:00.000-08:00

That was the WebMD headline.
My first thought was, no shit. Some definitions of optimism are:
1. The tendency to expect the best and see the best in all things
2. Hopefulness; confidence

So you mean to tell me if I feel good about my future and have an optimistic outlook on life and in some cases the hereafter I won't be as depressed. What a revelation.

These kinds of articles make me want to get my PhD and do research. Because some group of people got a lot of money to do research on this subject. Not that there is anything wrong with that, I'm just saying.

Winter quarter 2011

2011-01-11T10:36:00.000-08:00

So glad to be back because it means one quarter closer to the end. Even though it has only been a few weeks it is good to see familiar faces again, and really I do enjoy school. As I mentioned to another blogger it is one of those controllable parts of our otherwise uncontrollable lives, because it is your choice to study, attend and participate, or not.

I don't know how people do online only school? I like the social interaction and being able to see the actual faces of people asking questions and being able to ask questions myself in real time. At least for now in health care you have to deal with actual physical patients, no online avatars or texting your way to a diagnose. Although that would cut down on me coming into contact with unwanted body fluids.

In real world school it only takes a class or two to figure out who is going to be that annoying person who asks questions every time the instructor takes a breath. Some classmates will roll their eyes, but I don't give a rat's ass there is too much to do. I start scanning my textbook or writing down ideas for papers because this part is controllable in my life.

End of the World

2011-01-10T11:13:00.000-08:00

I've been having fun with someone at work about an ongoing subject that really interests him, and although I do find it curious I'm not ready to call it apocalyptic just yet.

Anyone reading the news recently has heard of the massive bird and fish deaths happening around the world. Here in the States it started on New Years day with thousands of birds dropping from the sky in Arkansas, then hundreds of miles away thousands of fish dying in a river.

Since then it has been happening around the world, and the UK's Daily Mail online reported it so it must be serious, because they have a map.

Being in the float pool I run into him on different floors and bring the subject up, because he really thinks it has something to do with 2012 and a magnetic change in our planet. It is also fun because he is one of our doctors and when I bring the subject up he asks others around if they have seen the movie 2012.

I'll wait a little bit longer to declare a connection and ensuing mass panic. Besides I have class in a few hours.

I found a map too where large scale animal deaths have been happening, but it is a few days old so there may be more since google published it.

Broken System

2011-01-08T10:16:00.000-08:00

Reading the news before I head off for an 11am shift, I love that shift because I can sleep in, but I see that Blue Shield of California is seeking a 59% rate increase in health insurance premiums. This has nothing to do with any new health care laws, it is because they are a private company and need to show a profit to the stockholders, and other companies across the country are trying to raise their rates as well.

My opinions are biased on this subject and there is not enough time to express them before work, but I will later. Our system is broken, not necessarily the care available, but our system.
When I tell both patients and people I meet that I am a nurse, but I do not have health care they are shocked.
Then I explain about being in school full time and working per diem at the hospital and that I can't afford it. My best health insurance now is eating right and being careful. If something happens and I need a hospital stay or even a visit to the doctor, I'm screwed.
It's a right to own a gun in this country, but not a right to have basic primary health care, and to those thinking anyone can use the emergency department when needed, they need a reality check because that is not primary health care.

Just a game

2011-01-05T09:47:00.000-08:00

It's not depressing that my football team did not make the playoffs. What's depressing is that some of the kids being drafted and signing multi-million dollar contracts this year on were born in 1989.

Personally I've given up watching a lot of professional sports and think the whole system is skewed. When athletes are paid millions of dollars a year to play a game, and professional teachers, doctors, researchers, nurses and others who better the world and change people's lives seem like an afterthought.

JC

2011-01-04T10:21:00.000-08:00

Jamie don’t overanalyze anything, this seemed like too good of an opportunity not to share, that is if you’re still reading my blog.

My advisor informed me of a Federal bill that was signed whereby specific schools and some primary care programs received grants through HHS. Our school will be using it to pay tuitions for all students enrolled in certain masters and PhD specialties through 2015. Other schools can probably use it as they see fit, but it might be worth looking into because U-Dub was on that list. Knowing your education and background would almost guarantee you a spot.

Not sure if your still there, a nurse or already in school? However, if done right you could defer current loans, have school paid for and under another program have old loans paid off after graduation.

What you choose to do with the information is your decision. A reference letter or ideas get in touch.

1-1-11

2011-01-01T00:26:00.000-08:00

Greed from corporations, banks and individuals caused hardships and pain to a large percentage of the population.

Individuals in the name of hate attacked innocent people around the world.

A global recession widened the gap between the wealthiest and the rest of us

Inadequate and non-existent health care for citizens of the richest country in the world only reinforced the centuries old gradient of health and wealth.

What I truly hope as we enter 2011 is that during the past year and especially the past decade, people have started realizing that we are all in the same boat and nobody stands alone. We need to be helping each other and not be taking advantage of each other.

Meals on Wheels

2010-12-29T19:57:00.000-08:00

Yes, there are some annoying senior citizens, but most of them I enjoy along with their stories. Seniors are also resourceful; the years of life experience means they do not get upset easily about daily problems.

I'm reminded of this while doing some substitute driving for Meal on Wheels. The routes are quick and the seniors know you don't have a lot of time to socialize. I was also warned not to tell the clients that I was a nurse, because it would become impossible not to get inundated with health questions.

With the holidays we had extra meals to deliver and people have asked for help with little things before, but today a client asked if I could open something for her on the kitchen table. As I looked over at the table there stood a row of eight bottles that she needed opened to last for the next four days, things like Ensure and Gatorade.

How do these companies expect people who are weak and many have arthritis to open any of these things? In fact many of the people seem like they could use either a fluid bolus or some Lasix, but you have to love em.

Open your eyes, look within. Are you satisfied with the life your living? - Bob Marley

2010-12-28T09:58:00.000-08:00

Looks like more storms starting over the next few days, which translates into major snow in the mountain passes. It will be better to cut this trip a day short and head south to avoid getting stuck here.

I like family, but there is a balancing act to staying just long enough, versus staying too long and getting frustrated with that same family.

This visit also solidified that my current journey and career choice is very much the correct one, I am satisfied.

Whack a Santa

2010-12-26T09:39:00.000-08:00

Before leaving for Christmas I noticed one of the local supermarkets had a big variety of piñatas hung along the length of the store. Several parents stood there pointing and picking out certain ones and if I understood more Spanish I could tell you what they were debating.

The way in which they were acting piñatas appeared to be a big tradition for some families during Christmas, and it was important to pick out the right one for the kids.

There were dozens of varieties; however something seemed wrong about getting a Santa piñata. Should the kids be beating the man who is bringing their presents, even if it is only a representation of the real thing?

Nurses and Food

2010-12-24T09:10:00.000-08:00

Did I gain weight during the past few weeks? Yes.

It was not only from family and friends sending me gift baskets and home baked cookies (those are the best). No, it is from work and the horrible nurses and nursing assistants.
All year long there is food to be found in hospital break rooms across this country, and I have seen it of from the east coast to west coast. This time of year it is doubly bad with all the sweets and baked goods.

But like I said nurses are horrible, year around they use any excuse to bring in some kind of unhealthy food. A birthday, holiday or special occasion is fine, but sometimes people bring in things just because they cleaned out their fridge or they wanted to bake, but not eat it.
See that homeless man on the freeway ramp, give it to him.

OK, I'm bitching because I'm weak!
Plus, this past year I've eaten more Filipino and Vietnamese food found in the staff break-rooms than I have in the last ten years.
I thought it was good working in the float pool, but now I realize that just means different staff telling me to eat. Every time I walk-in someone is encourage me to try something they made, I don't want to make them feel bad and so I eat.
There is no getting around it that Filipino food is not healthy, and definitely not how my co-workers make it. They basically fry everything and use various meats products in numerous combinations.
Now off to eat more with family and friends over the next few days.

Nurses with Guns

2010-12-22T17:51:00.000-08:00

Some visual images probably come to mind when you read the title, and I'm sure there have been some bad stereotyped dirty movies involving nurses and guns. Does anyone even say dirty movies anymore, now its porn or not.

Anyway its Christmas time and I decided to buy a gun, and no not "A Christmas Story - Red Ryder BB Gun", but something with a little more kick. There is a shooting range about ten minutes from here and for some reason it seemed like a good stress relieving activity. I don't have a problem with guns, just some of the people who own them. A background check should also include a mental health check.

Unless you're a crook this State is a tough place to buy a gun, but I jumped through the hoops and bought one anyway. I don't have a problem with guns just some of the people who own them, a background check should really include a mental health check as well.

In reality I will probably shoot it a couple times then lock it up for years to come. Maybe I should have just gotten a massage?

No idea what this says, but it must have been a masterpiece.

2010-12-19T17:10:00.000-08:00

I made the mistake of telling staffing that school would be finishing December 15, and I would be able to work when they needed me. That was a stupid mistake or early onset dementia, either way they said OK and booked me every day for the rest of the schedule. I quickly told them to take me off for a few days around Christmas, then I will also take a week off to re-energize before classes start again in January.

Need to finish getting my paperwork together for the graduate part of the program and prepare for my Mom's visit in a few weeks, I just want to make sure she has a good time and hopefully it quits raining. If it ever got cold enough to snow here we would have had about 10 feet this past week.

Compassion

2010-12-13T12:02:00.000-08:00

I love and hate getting floated to the oncology floor.

I have worked in the area and at this hospital long enough to know several of the patients who come and go on a regular basis. These are not the Frequent Flyer's all hospital staff roll their eyes at, these are the patients who are dying, yes I suppose we are all dying, but they just have a better idea when.

It's a goal of mine to have fun with my patients and if I can make them or their family laugh a little all the better. Of course the situation dictates how you treat them, because some will being going home for the holidays and some won't. And the ones who don't have any family or visitors really rip at my heart, you want to know why, but it is not important at this point, they are human.

It is better that I float to oncology instead of work there all the time, because I don't want to become jaded. Most nurses are wonderful on that floor, although sometimes you can tell the ones who have been there too long and have lost compassion.

We are all allowed bad days at work, but for some nurses and doctors it has gone beyond that and into an autopilot, robotic, watch the clock, wait for my 401K to recover so I can retire mentality.

Fake sick calls equal fake crisis

2010-12-08T11:34:00.000-08:00

Being in school full-time I work per diem with just one hospital and on a schedule that is mine, and everything works out well. However, every so often I get these calls from the agency begging me to come in because the hospital is extremely busy and they need everybody they can get.

The actual translation is that more staff than normal called in sick. Today it was because it has been raining for the past 12 hours, it is so predictable when this is going to happen. Halloween fell on the weekend this year so all the parties were Friday and Saturday nights, so why was it a surprise to have numerous calls both Saturday and Sunday morning.

Pretty soon more holidays and school will be out for the little kids, so will they prepare knowing sick calls will be going up, probably not. This is not a crisis, this is a staff problem. The weather is bad and people call in sick, staff wants to extend their vacation for a day or two and they call in sick, hangovers from holiday parties equal sick calls. The only ones hard to predict are the real sick calls.

Exhausted

2010-12-04T13:01:00.000-08:00

So ready for the fall quarter to be over and have a few weeks off for the holidays. This has probably been one of the most intense and busy couple of months so far, but things are staying on track to start the graduate part of the program next fall.
Group projects, PowerPoint presentations and of course a shit loads of papers, which has caused me to have trouble sleeping through the night. So I bought some melatonin to see if that would help, if not then I'll move up to something stronger like Benadryl.