The End (and the beginning) are here. The end of summer is upon us, the beginning of my last semester of nursing school is about to begin. It is also the beginning of our daughter's 7th grade year. It's going to be a chaotic 16 weeks. Hmmmm, what have we been up to lately ....
I worked pretty much straight out in the beginning of August. Between EMS and the ER, I've been on duty more than I've been anything else. We did get a chance to go camping one more time before our daughter returned from Grandma's house out of state. I spent a day on the road with a friend of mine to meet her return flight at the airport. We went out to lunch, to a farmer's market, and the mall prior to meeting the flight. It was a great day ... with a lot of driving.
A few days later, we went on a family camping trip to a private beach on a lake. Private in the aspect it's a public camping spot, but first dibs gets the use of it and you have to get there by boat. There are a lot of other beaches on the lake that are not private and a few other private ones. We lucked out with weather and it was amazing. No cell phone service either. Did some fishing, some reading, and lots of swimming. It was the first time my husband and daughter had been there, I had gone in high school. We will definitely be making a return trip next year.
Last night, I took our daughter to the county fair since my husband was working. She had a bracelet for the rides and met up with some school friends. They were IN-SANE. They went on everything that I never went on even when I was younger. Small county fair = small lines, even on a Friday night. They got off the ride, and got right back in line. She felt great and was having a blast ... till the adrenaline wore off on the way home and she started feeling SICK. A warm shower and sips on some fluids made her feel better. "I have no regrets, I just don't feel well right now." She probably will jump at the chance to do it all over again ... next year.
School starts for her the last Wednesday of the month, 1 week ahead of me. My first Partnership shift will be September 10th. Some of the class materials have been posted, but not all of them. So far, I have couple short papers to write and 3 exams ahead of me. "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can."
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
98 Years Young
On August 6th, my Great Grandmother passed away peacefully at a nursing home. I have mixed emotions about this WHOLE situation.
First, the last time I saw my Great Grandmother, dementia had set in and she did not recognize me. I look a lot like my mother, so she tried ... but it was heartbreaking. I had never been in the shoes of a person who has a relative with dementia/early Alzheimer's. That day, I understood.
Second, she's been declining for a while. She had been living in another state in an assisted apartment close to one of her grand daughters. Unbeknownst to me, she went to the hospital months ago and was discharged to a long term care facility due to her lack of ability to care for herself. Hmm, I would have liked to been told that.
Third, a text message that said, "The nursing home gave [Grammie] morphine tonight," while I was at work (and not having known the rest) was a shock to the system. I immediately dialed my mother, hung up, called back when I got voicemail, and she called me at the same time to explain. That's when I was filled in on recent events.
Fourth, apparently the long term care doctor initiated palliative care orders without discussing anything with the local family (any family, actually). I'm grateful for the palliative care orders ... but I honestly didn't think initiating them that way was standard practice.
Fifth, again I'm grateful the nursing staff followed the orders and made Grammie comfortable. Some nurses are afraid to give narcotic medications in end of life care. Narcotics cause respiratory depression (slowed breathing) which some nurses feel is what essentially "kills" the patient instead of letting them go naturally. In this situation, though, the nursing staff dosed her THEN called family saying she won't make it through the night. Hmm, calling prior to would have given at least a little more time for family to wrap their minds around the concept and get there.
Sixth, not even an hour later, my text message said, "She passed away." Just like that. Granted, text messages are convenient for when I'm working ... but I just sat there and stared at my phone. I had felt it vibrate in my pocket and I walked away from my desk to look at it.
I deal with death and dying practically every day. Heck, just on Sunday 20 minutes prior to the end of my shift, we were coding (CPR, IV drugs, etc) a person. Fifteen minutes after it had begun, his family was wracked with sobs in the hallway when time of death was declared. On the evening Grammie passed away, a couple hours after that last text message, we were emergently treating and transferring a patient with a STEMI (heart attack) to a heart center hospital in our same town. The transfer and treatment they received at that facility could stop the damage to the person's heart and possibly "save" them from dying. I have completed post mortem care on numerable patients throughout my career as a CNA, all with dignity and respect. There is a level of detachment that makes it possible to complete such tasks. Yet, on August 6th, I sat there and stared at my phone. I hadn't seen her prior to dementia for at least 3 years. Yet, I sat there and stared at my phone.
I was kind of glad for work after that. It gave me a distraction. One of my best friends was working, though, and he automatically asked me what was wrong. I was "not being myself." I made him choke when I said, "I was fine until my great grandmother just died." His face just contorted and he stared at me for a moment. He ended up staying an extra hour and a half, off the clock, kind of lingering - finding reasons to continue to chat with myself or others near me. I suspected his delay in leaving was because of me, but I wasn't sure until he confirmed it later on. He said simply, "I was worried about you." He was supposed to work tonight, but his schedule was changed last minute. It would have been nice to have him to talk with.
After it all, I know that Grammie is in a better place. She is now comfortable and no longer in pain. It's just the overwhelming feeling of loss that no previously ingrained ability to detach myself will help heal. I can only look back on the memories of many lunches spent at The Chicken Coop restaurant, her love of Reuben sandwiches, and her "best" china on display in my china cabinet. Someday, I'll actually have to host a dinner with that china. She always wanted it to be used, but she never had the occasion (always used her "everyday" china) and I haven't yet. Maybe it's time to remedy that.
First, the last time I saw my Great Grandmother, dementia had set in and she did not recognize me. I look a lot like my mother, so she tried ... but it was heartbreaking. I had never been in the shoes of a person who has a relative with dementia/early Alzheimer's. That day, I understood.
Second, she's been declining for a while. She had been living in another state in an assisted apartment close to one of her grand daughters. Unbeknownst to me, she went to the hospital months ago and was discharged to a long term care facility due to her lack of ability to care for herself. Hmm, I would have liked to been told that.
Third, a text message that said, "The nursing home gave [Grammie] morphine tonight," while I was at work (and not having known the rest) was a shock to the system. I immediately dialed my mother, hung up, called back when I got voicemail, and she called me at the same time to explain. That's when I was filled in on recent events.
Fourth, apparently the long term care doctor initiated palliative care orders without discussing anything with the local family (any family, actually). I'm grateful for the palliative care orders ... but I honestly didn't think initiating them that way was standard practice.
Fifth, again I'm grateful the nursing staff followed the orders and made Grammie comfortable. Some nurses are afraid to give narcotic medications in end of life care. Narcotics cause respiratory depression (slowed breathing) which some nurses feel is what essentially "kills" the patient instead of letting them go naturally. In this situation, though, the nursing staff dosed her THEN called family saying she won't make it through the night. Hmm, calling prior to would have given at least a little more time for family to wrap their minds around the concept and get there.
Sixth, not even an hour later, my text message said, "She passed away." Just like that. Granted, text messages are convenient for when I'm working ... but I just sat there and stared at my phone. I had felt it vibrate in my pocket and I walked away from my desk to look at it.
I deal with death and dying practically every day. Heck, just on Sunday 20 minutes prior to the end of my shift, we were coding (CPR, IV drugs, etc) a person. Fifteen minutes after it had begun, his family was wracked with sobs in the hallway when time of death was declared. On the evening Grammie passed away, a couple hours after that last text message, we were emergently treating and transferring a patient with a STEMI (heart attack) to a heart center hospital in our same town. The transfer and treatment they received at that facility could stop the damage to the person's heart and possibly "save" them from dying. I have completed post mortem care on numerable patients throughout my career as a CNA, all with dignity and respect. There is a level of detachment that makes it possible to complete such tasks. Yet, on August 6th, I sat there and stared at my phone. I hadn't seen her prior to dementia for at least 3 years. Yet, I sat there and stared at my phone.
I was kind of glad for work after that. It gave me a distraction. One of my best friends was working, though, and he automatically asked me what was wrong. I was "not being myself." I made him choke when I said, "I was fine until my great grandmother just died." His face just contorted and he stared at me for a moment. He ended up staying an extra hour and a half, off the clock, kind of lingering - finding reasons to continue to chat with myself or others near me. I suspected his delay in leaving was because of me, but I wasn't sure until he confirmed it later on. He said simply, "I was worried about you." He was supposed to work tonight, but his schedule was changed last minute. It would have been nice to have him to talk with.
After it all, I know that Grammie is in a better place. She is now comfortable and no longer in pain. It's just the overwhelming feeling of loss that no previously ingrained ability to detach myself will help heal. I can only look back on the memories of many lunches spent at The Chicken Coop restaurant, her love of Reuben sandwiches, and her "best" china on display in my china cabinet. Someday, I'll actually have to host a dinner with that china. She always wanted it to be used, but she never had the occasion (always used her "everyday" china) and I haven't yet. Maybe it's time to remedy that.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Ten Things I'm Looking Forward To After Graduation
Everyone seems to be making lists lately. I have a list going in my head ... so now I'm going to try and organize it. I have been in college since the summer of 2007 and I'm looking forward to the freaking END of it. So official Graduation is in December and I've been asked, "What are you going to do when you actually have free time and no classes to complain about?" Plus, the statement has been made, "You're not going to know what to do with yourself when you don't HAVE to run ragged anymore." Hmmm ... here are my thoughts - in list form - about life beyond graduation.
1. Graduating from Nursing School traditionally involves a Pinning Ceremony. I'm looking forward to that and I'll probably cry when I see my parents in the audience. I screwed up my teenage years [long story, hence why I didn't start college until I was 25] and it will be more than emotional that I will have actually earned my Bachelor's Degree in Science - Nursing.
2. A whole NEW role. Currently, I am a highly trained CNA/Paper Pusher. We joke in my department that I am "trained to every except diagnose and give meds." I have been a CNA since 2006, before that I worked in home health as a PCA. I have been doing the dirty work of nursing for 9 years now. I now do a lot of desk work as a Unit Coordinator and fill roles as necessary due to call outs. I have learned a lot and I value my time as a CNA/UC ... but I am B-O-R-E-D and ready to move on. I spend most of my work days working on NCLEX-RN questions to prep for my boards in December/January (whenever I can land a date).
3. Giving an answer to a nursing question and not hearing, "You're a CNA, I better look that up." Recently, a nurse openly asked a question about a drug. She'd never heard of it. We had used it A LOT in my Maternity rotation. I said, "Oh, it's a pain drug. Safe for pregnancy [patient was pregnant]. Dilute it in a 10 [ml syringe of saline], and push it over at least 2 minutes, but less than 5." The answer I got [above] and her look was incredible. If I'd been an RN, she wouldn't have given it any thought whatsoever and would have just done what I gave her for an answer. Back to my desk.
4. A job. Granted, I love where I work now, but as a New Grad I really won't be able to be picky. I'd love an ER job while I'm young and can physically handle it, but I'll have to take what I can get. Everyone asks me where I want to work. My preferable criteria: ER or ICU; benefits; reasonable drive from home; and, loan reimbursement. Some hospitals that are Critical Access [small, rural] offer student loan repayment for each year a New Grad contracts with them. That would be substantial since I'll have an estimated $400/monthly payment come June 2013.
5. Making double the hourly wage I am making now. I value my CNA experience ... heck, that's how I made it through the cardiac section in both Pharmacology AND Med/Surg ... but CNAs aren't paid what they should be. Granted, CNAs don't push medications ... but the grunt work we do is amazing. I don't plan on being the grouchy nurse who's attitude is, "That's CNA work, have them do it," but it will be nice to get paid more. Nursing scope of practice is everything a CNA can do, and more. Just because there's an RN after someone's name does not make them better than a CNA, it just gives them more legal responsibility.
6. Vacation. My graduation present from my husband ... to all of us ... is a well-earned vacation. Since the 3 of us have been through (and still have 1 more semester of) a hellish schedule, all 3 of us are going on a Disney Cruise. One week in the Caribbean in January ... yeah, I'll take that! When I'm interviewing for jobs, I'll just have to mention it. It will be without pay since I won't have worked anywhere long enough ... but that's ok with me. The relaxation, partying, and excursions will all be worth it.
7. Days off. Granted, I will need to work at least 3 days a week ... maybe pick up a per diem slot for another day in the week ... but it won't be a 7-day/week schedule like it is now. It would be nice to be able to say to my daughter, "Yeah, we can do that," instead of, "I'm sorry, but I have class." Sure, I'll have my shifts, but I'll have a bigger pool of people to possibly trade with, too, if something comes up last minute.
8. Ambulance Shifts. My volunteer job that is just down the street [that I am keeping] is rewarding. More experience is great. Prehospital care is a realm that I love and want to learn more about. Plus, I can be home while I'm on call. Amazing how clean the house is getting/staying with me being home on duty this summer!
9. "Leveling-up." I cannot believe I'm writing this, but I will have to go back to college to get my Intermediate EMT license. I'm going to wait for a bit, though ... give myself a break from studying. EMT-I will be easier with my RN experience and my last 2 years [thus far] as a Basic. I plan on staying at EMT-I for a while. I like my Basic instructor's idea, "Stay at a level for a while and get comfortable with your skills before you pursue the next step. Good BLS [Basic Life Support] saves lives prior to ALS [Advanced Life Support] even showing up." She always preached that ALS providers needed to remember their BLS skills if they were going to be effective at all.
10. Traveling ... I love to travel. I used to do a lot of trips with my mom as a kid and the recent trip I just took reignited the fire. It was the first time that I'd gotten on an airplane since 2002. I'm ready to go again. I'd like to take my daughter to meet her family on the West Coast. I'd like to do the tourist stuff in NYC [again, for me]. My husband isn't quite the traveler, but I'm sure he'd go on a few trips with us. I want to go to the Grand Canyon. Hmmm, maybe I should make a list of travel destinations.
I'm sure with more thought, I could add plenty to this list ... but 10 seems to be a good amount right now. I hate to wish away time [and this summer weather], but September brings the start of my last semester ... and I could definitely get going right now.
1. Graduating from Nursing School traditionally involves a Pinning Ceremony. I'm looking forward to that and I'll probably cry when I see my parents in the audience. I screwed up my teenage years [long story, hence why I didn't start college until I was 25] and it will be more than emotional that I will have actually earned my Bachelor's Degree in Science - Nursing.
| Mine will have my school on it ... but you get the gist. |
2. A whole NEW role. Currently, I am a highly trained CNA/Paper Pusher. We joke in my department that I am "trained to every except diagnose and give meds." I have been a CNA since 2006, before that I worked in home health as a PCA. I have been doing the dirty work of nursing for 9 years now. I now do a lot of desk work as a Unit Coordinator and fill roles as necessary due to call outs. I have learned a lot and I value my time as a CNA/UC ... but I am B-O-R-E-D and ready to move on. I spend most of my work days working on NCLEX-RN questions to prep for my boards in December/January (whenever I can land a date).
| I already have one of these |
3. Giving an answer to a nursing question and not hearing, "You're a CNA, I better look that up." Recently, a nurse openly asked a question about a drug. She'd never heard of it. We had used it A LOT in my Maternity rotation. I said, "Oh, it's a pain drug. Safe for pregnancy [patient was pregnant]. Dilute it in a 10 [ml syringe of saline], and push it over at least 2 minutes, but less than 5." The answer I got [above] and her look was incredible. If I'd been an RN, she wouldn't have given it any thought whatsoever and would have just done what I gave her for an answer. Back to my desk.
4. A job. Granted, I love where I work now, but as a New Grad I really won't be able to be picky. I'd love an ER job while I'm young and can physically handle it, but I'll have to take what I can get. Everyone asks me where I want to work. My preferable criteria: ER or ICU; benefits; reasonable drive from home; and, loan reimbursement. Some hospitals that are Critical Access [small, rural] offer student loan repayment for each year a New Grad contracts with them. That would be substantial since I'll have an estimated $400/monthly payment come June 2013.
5. Making double the hourly wage I am making now. I value my CNA experience ... heck, that's how I made it through the cardiac section in both Pharmacology AND Med/Surg ... but CNAs aren't paid what they should be. Granted, CNAs don't push medications ... but the grunt work we do is amazing. I don't plan on being the grouchy nurse who's attitude is, "That's CNA work, have them do it," but it will be nice to get paid more. Nursing scope of practice is everything a CNA can do, and more. Just because there's an RN after someone's name does not make them better than a CNA, it just gives them more legal responsibility.
6. Vacation. My graduation present from my husband ... to all of us ... is a well-earned vacation. Since the 3 of us have been through (and still have 1 more semester of) a hellish schedule, all 3 of us are going on a Disney Cruise. One week in the Caribbean in January ... yeah, I'll take that! When I'm interviewing for jobs, I'll just have to mention it. It will be without pay since I won't have worked anywhere long enough ... but that's ok with me. The relaxation, partying, and excursions will all be worth it.
7. Days off. Granted, I will need to work at least 3 days a week ... maybe pick up a per diem slot for another day in the week ... but it won't be a 7-day/week schedule like it is now. It would be nice to be able to say to my daughter, "Yeah, we can do that," instead of, "I'm sorry, but I have class." Sure, I'll have my shifts, but I'll have a bigger pool of people to possibly trade with, too, if something comes up last minute.
8. Ambulance Shifts. My volunteer job that is just down the street [that I am keeping] is rewarding. More experience is great. Prehospital care is a realm that I love and want to learn more about. Plus, I can be home while I'm on call. Amazing how clean the house is getting/staying with me being home on duty this summer!
9. "Leveling-up." I cannot believe I'm writing this, but I will have to go back to college to get my Intermediate EMT license. I'm going to wait for a bit, though ... give myself a break from studying. EMT-I will be easier with my RN experience and my last 2 years [thus far] as a Basic. I plan on staying at EMT-I for a while. I like my Basic instructor's idea, "Stay at a level for a while and get comfortable with your skills before you pursue the next step. Good BLS [Basic Life Support] saves lives prior to ALS [Advanced Life Support] even showing up." She always preached that ALS providers needed to remember their BLS skills if they were going to be effective at all.
10. Traveling ... I love to travel. I used to do a lot of trips with my mom as a kid and the recent trip I just took reignited the fire. It was the first time that I'd gotten on an airplane since 2002. I'm ready to go again. I'd like to take my daughter to meet her family on the West Coast. I'd like to do the tourist stuff in NYC [again, for me]. My husband isn't quite the traveler, but I'm sure he'd go on a few trips with us. I want to go to the Grand Canyon. Hmmm, maybe I should make a list of travel destinations.
I'm sure with more thought, I could add plenty to this list ... but 10 seems to be a good amount right now. I hate to wish away time [and this summer weather], but September brings the start of my last semester ... and I could definitely get going right now.
Monday, July 30, 2012
I'm Baaaaaaack ...
Well, I've been back since the 17th ... I've just had to work my behind off since I took so much time off unpaid. Bills suck.
The trip was amazing. Daylight 20.5 hours of the day, dusk for the other 3.5 hours ... guess where I went. :) I will definitely be going back, just FYI.
The wonderment after it all was ... I came back to the same crappy attitudes that I left. I have a few different employers, but one at this point in time takes the cake. Wow. I mean, I've encountered pettiness and backstabbing [really, who hasn't?], but this is quite the debacle. At this employer, we submit our availability within the last week of the prior month and the schedule is made. I didn't have any availability in July due to my trip and my two other jobs, so I didn't work [this was communicated ahead of time]. I submitted my availability for August, knowing full-well when *extra* people were going to be needed ... and "none of the shifts [I] requested are open." Really? I know the size of the roster. I know how many people are needed/when ... yet, I couldn't get even one of those slots? On top of that, double the original minimal availability is now required. I begin back to school on the Wednesday after Labor Day. With nighttime Partnership schedule, daytime class schedule, family, and my 2 other jobs ... do they really think that I'm going to have time?
REALLY??
This isn't the first time that I've had scheduling issues. My availability is limited, but they put others in slots that I could have filled - those others have much greater availability [and a ton of shifts]. As much as it pains me, I'm going to turn in my stuff and official resignation this week. I've worked there for almost 2 years, but it's not worth the hassle and heartburn of wondering if I can make the minimum.
I don't know who I unknowingly crossed, but it would have been better [and much more professional] if they would have approached me about it - rather than squeezing me out of the schedule. At least, that's my theory as to why I'm unable to get shifts. I just wish I knew who to confront about it ... we are adults, after all ... or at least I am.
Onto happier things, I had a good day at my other job [that I'm keeping]. It was busier than it ever has been with me on duty... and I've definitely had enough to sirens for today [and maybe tomorrow] ... but it was a good day with a good partner. My Chief is really cool, too. I'm working again tomorrow ... so maybe I ought to get some sleep tonight ... and take some Advil. My partner tomorrow has been quite the magnet lately.
The trip was amazing. Daylight 20.5 hours of the day, dusk for the other 3.5 hours ... guess where I went. :) I will definitely be going back, just FYI.
| A lovely time-lapsed shot |
REALLY??
This isn't the first time that I've had scheduling issues. My availability is limited, but they put others in slots that I could have filled - those others have much greater availability [and a ton of shifts]. As much as it pains me, I'm going to turn in my stuff and official resignation this week. I've worked there for almost 2 years, but it's not worth the hassle and heartburn of wondering if I can make the minimum.
I don't know who I unknowingly crossed, but it would have been better [and much more professional] if they would have approached me about it - rather than squeezing me out of the schedule. At least, that's my theory as to why I'm unable to get shifts. I just wish I knew who to confront about it ... we are adults, after all ... or at least I am.
Onto happier things, I had a good day at my other job [that I'm keeping]. It was busier than it ever has been with me on duty... and I've definitely had enough to sirens for today [and maybe tomorrow] ... but it was a good day with a good partner. My Chief is really cool, too. I'm working again tomorrow ... so maybe I ought to get some sleep tonight ... and take some Advil. My partner tomorrow has been quite the magnet lately.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N
Wow! It's finally here!
This chica is finally on vacation. Do you know how long it's been since I've been on a true vacation? I don't ... I know it was before I started school in 2007, but I'm unable to pin down a time frame.
I began partying at 0545 at work this morning. Just the thought of being able to LEAVE at 1800 and NOT WORK AGAIN until July 21st made me do jigs allllllll day. Well, that's when I was not answering the phone and getting yelled at (more about that in a bit). I'm thinking a good chunk of physician office staff in our area know I'm going to vacation (they wouldn't know me if I saw them on the street, but still). Every time I placed a call or received a return page, I used my trademark phrase of "Happy [day of the week]!" Then we'd get into a banter and it would turn into, "It's actually MY FRIDAY [that's when you know someone works in healthcare] and I'm on vacation in T-minus [however long]!" I do really enjoy making people laugh and I definitely made these other office staff chuckle.
About getting yelled at ... it's NOT appreciated. I do not particularly enjoy when people call me [well, my workplace] and expect me to fix their issues. Especially when it had nothing to do with my department or even my facility in the first place. Some people need to vent, I understand, but my phone has pretty much unlimited lines (digital network phone) and I've seen up to about 8 "lines" ringing the department all at once ... with no one around to help me answer since they're doing their primary jobs. I ride home in silence most days, which says a lot since I spent over an hour loading music onto the hard drive in my car since I refuse to go anywhere without access to tunes. After days like today ... Silence is golden, brought to you by silver.
Duct tape would also come in handy for psych patients whom are a danger to themselves or others, but think they can outrun security. Too bad that would be illegal. Oh, did I mention it's full moon? That would be why we have been overrun with psych patients lately. If you think I'm FOS [full of shit], work in healthcare ... I dare you.
Today ended on a chaotic note, but a successful one. I finally got transfer transport for two psych patients. It's the day before a holiday, the rigs are all skeleton crews [pretty much 911 only] ... it took almost 3 hours to get one transport, and I happen to stumble upon another available one in the process. THANK GOODNESS!! They handed me the 2nd acceptance paper after it took hours for the first one and I looked at the Counselor and asked her if she was nuts. I've never come so close to coming up empty with transport. That bummed me out for a while during the scavenger hunt. I love a challenge, but not on my Friday.
Any time I would start to get bummed out related to the transports ... I would remember what my most favorite geek told me this morning: a person that I cannot stand, who continues to be a major PITA, insult me no matter my professionalism, and be THE laziest co-worker I've ever had .... their contract is up for renewal and is being ..... [drumroll] DENIED!!!!!!! They'll be gone soon!! I'm not the only person who has had issues, which is apparent, and it's unfortunate for someone to lose their job ... but this person brings down the morale of the whole team. Their track record with a lot of other things sucks, too. They'll find another job with their field, that's a guarantee ... I just hope their sense of duty improves so they can keep the new one and not torture other people like they have done to us.
I am so excited for the next few weeks of fun ... and today may have been chaotic and taxing, but it was my Friday ...
| Pretty sure I looked like this multiple times throughout the day ... |
I began partying at 0545 at work this morning. Just the thought of being able to LEAVE at 1800 and NOT WORK AGAIN until July 21st made me do jigs allllllll day. Well, that's when I was not answering the phone and getting yelled at (more about that in a bit). I'm thinking a good chunk of physician office staff in our area know I'm going to vacation (they wouldn't know me if I saw them on the street, but still). Every time I placed a call or received a return page, I used my trademark phrase of "Happy [day of the week]!" Then we'd get into a banter and it would turn into, "It's actually MY FRIDAY [that's when you know someone works in healthcare] and I'm on vacation in T-minus [however long]!" I do really enjoy making people laugh and I definitely made these other office staff chuckle.
About getting yelled at ... it's NOT appreciated. I do not particularly enjoy when people call me [well, my workplace] and expect me to fix their issues. Especially when it had nothing to do with my department or even my facility in the first place. Some people need to vent, I understand, but my phone has pretty much unlimited lines (digital network phone) and I've seen up to about 8 "lines" ringing the department all at once ... with no one around to help me answer since they're doing their primary jobs. I ride home in silence most days, which says a lot since I spent over an hour loading music onto the hard drive in my car since I refuse to go anywhere without access to tunes. After days like today ... Silence is golden, brought to you by silver.
| Some days, I wish I kept a roll of this in my desk. |
Today ended on a chaotic note, but a successful one. I finally got transfer transport for two psych patients. It's the day before a holiday, the rigs are all skeleton crews [pretty much 911 only] ... it took almost 3 hours to get one transport, and I happen to stumble upon another available one in the process. THANK GOODNESS!! They handed me the 2nd acceptance paper after it took hours for the first one and I looked at the Counselor and asked her if she was nuts. I've never come so close to coming up empty with transport. That bummed me out for a while during the scavenger hunt. I love a challenge, but not on my Friday.
Any time I would start to get bummed out related to the transports ... I would remember what my most favorite geek told me this morning: a person that I cannot stand, who continues to be a major PITA, insult me no matter my professionalism, and be THE laziest co-worker I've ever had .... their contract is up for renewal and is being ..... [drumroll] DENIED!!!!!!! They'll be gone soon!! I'm not the only person who has had issues, which is apparent, and it's unfortunate for someone to lose their job ... but this person brings down the morale of the whole team. Their track record with a lot of other things sucks, too. They'll find another job with their field, that's a guarantee ... I just hope their sense of duty improves so they can keep the new one and not torture other people like they have done to us.
| And do your work for you, too? |
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| And I don't think that I've ever been so grateful for a Tuesday ... |
V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N!!
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Bring on the Sunshine!!
Even if it is only for a little while, the sun feels great. The Hubs and I are running errands today and it feels wonderful to not have to carry an umbrella or wear a rain jacket.
Preparation for my upcoming trip continues. I've always prided myself in packing light, but being confined to only a carry on and backpack is quite the challenge. I have to keep reminding myself we can always do laundry somewhere. I'm pretty sure this will be an amazing trip ... spontaneity at its' finest.
Off to enjoy the day!!
Preparation for my upcoming trip continues. I've always prided myself in packing light, but being confined to only a carry on and backpack is quite the challenge. I have to keep reminding myself we can always do laundry somewhere. I'm pretty sure this will be an amazing trip ... spontaneity at its' finest.
Off to enjoy the day!!
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