I think I'm getting too old for this whole night shift thing. Yawn. I have been up all night (minus a few minutes here and there where I have drifted off accidentally) in preparation for the transition to night shift later today. It's been a few months since I did this... and man, it is tough!!
I thought I was all prepared... drank my coffee, had all the lights on, etc. But as soon as I even remotely sit on the couch, there I am, drifting off again! At this point, I am hoping to make it until 6 am before heading to bed. Then it's off to work a 12 hr shift tonight... 7 pm to 7:30 am.
Smokey is no help. She was actually snoring on the couch next to me a few minutes ago! I thought cats were supposed to be nocturnal!! And who knew they could snore? :)
Rob was kind enough to come over earlier in the evening for a little while... I get all stressed out over working nights, and so he came over to watch some TV and eat popcorn and generally keep me company. (Yes, that is what I served for dinner... popcorn!) It was especially nice of him as he is on call this week, so he is kinda stressed, too.
Well, I'm going to go see if I can clear one more show off my Tivo before bedtime. That is, if I can do it without falling asleep halfway through!! :)
[By the way, I've been meaning to write about the flu thing and stuff, but that requires brainpower that I don't have right now. However, I did catch the news tonight, and it seems that there are 3 cases now in Seattle. Not just in Washington, or in King County. But in Seattle proper. Did I mention that I am super excited to go to work?! Sigh.]
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Simpsons Acapella
For those of you that may have missed last night's episode of The Simpsons, check out this video that they aired during the closing credits. It is an acapella version of the theme song, performed by a group called Canvas. AWESOME!! :)
In case you need another fix of the acapella Simpsons music, check out this version of "Spider Pig" (from the movie) by the Dordt College Concert Choir:
Friday, April 24, 2009
Teaching Moments
So yesterday I completely rambled about a random topic that was probably of little interest to anyone. (Although I have to say that I suspect that most of my blog posts fall into that category!) Tonight I feel like I need to write something a little less, well, strange.
I've been precepting a new nurse at work for the last month or so. We have had our good moments and also our share of more frustrating moments (on both sides, I'm sure). I found out tonight that we get to have a few more shifts together next week, which makes me really happy. I like teaching, even though it can be really tough sometimes! We have had our share of hard shifts lately, which only makes the learning process harder.
When I first started orienting folks, I was a little bit in disbelief that I, of all people, would be the one to do training. I mean, what sort of wisdom do I have to impart?! And yet I realized that even though I might still feel inexperienced, I certainly have more experience than someone who just graduated and has maybe only a few shifts under their belt. God has really provided this as opportunity to teach ME some valuable lessons. Sometimes, it might be a boost to my confidence level, when I discover that someone is turning to me for advice or my opinion. Or it might be a humility thing... a reality check that I do not have all the answers (like when a student or new nurse asks a great question or points out my error). Often, it is that working with someone else forces me to step back and analyze or to view a situation with a new perspective. And I love that. Even when it kicks me in the butt. :) That is precisely the reason I work at a teaching hospital!!
One of the my pet peeves, though, is when other staff get this idea that perhaps a nurse preceptor "isn't working" or that they are just sitting around and supervising. True, that occasionally happens when the new nurse is at the end of their orientation. But I have always taken that opportunity to help out other nurses that are swamped or to restock the supplies or answer the phones or whatever might need to be done. That's just me, though. Anyway.
We have had some tough shifts lately, even for me. I can only imagine what it has been like for my preceptee!! This past week was the first time I ever busted open a code cart for one of my patients. Talk about nerve-wracking. There is this little plastic "lock" on the carts when they are stocked (so that once it is open, a whole new one can be put in its place... so you are never without supplies)... and never before have I had to break that seal. It sounds silly. I have been to lots of codes and rapid responses. (OK, maybe not "a lot". But my fair share.) But this week I was in a situation with my orientee and one of our patients, where he just started crashing. The stat nurse was already there, and the docs were quick on the scene. Before I knew it, they were intubating the guy, and soon we were transporting him to the ICU while he was being bagged. Craziness!
Here's the thing, though. This was the first time I have been in one of these situations where my legs weren't shaking. Usually, that adrenaline starts pumping and my legs start to shake (honest to goodness moving) and I can't think straight because I get so overwhelmed. Sure, I felt that level of anxiety to a certain degree this time, but yet I realized later that not only did I stay calm, but I actually did the right things. Piped up when it was appropriate. Took charge with certain things. In short, was an asset rather than a liability (or maybe more accurately, a neutral party). It might sound arrogant. But I was really proud of myself. Honestly. I felt like I had made a difference. And hopefully taught something to that new nurse.
I've been precepting a new nurse at work for the last month or so. We have had our good moments and also our share of more frustrating moments (on both sides, I'm sure). I found out tonight that we get to have a few more shifts together next week, which makes me really happy. I like teaching, even though it can be really tough sometimes! We have had our share of hard shifts lately, which only makes the learning process harder.
When I first started orienting folks, I was a little bit in disbelief that I, of all people, would be the one to do training. I mean, what sort of wisdom do I have to impart?! And yet I realized that even though I might still feel inexperienced, I certainly have more experience than someone who just graduated and has maybe only a few shifts under their belt. God has really provided this as opportunity to teach ME some valuable lessons. Sometimes, it might be a boost to my confidence level, when I discover that someone is turning to me for advice or my opinion. Or it might be a humility thing... a reality check that I do not have all the answers (like when a student or new nurse asks a great question or points out my error). Often, it is that working with someone else forces me to step back and analyze or to view a situation with a new perspective. And I love that. Even when it kicks me in the butt. :) That is precisely the reason I work at a teaching hospital!!
One of the my pet peeves, though, is when other staff get this idea that perhaps a nurse preceptor "isn't working" or that they are just sitting around and supervising. True, that occasionally happens when the new nurse is at the end of their orientation. But I have always taken that opportunity to help out other nurses that are swamped or to restock the supplies or answer the phones or whatever might need to be done. That's just me, though. Anyway.
We have had some tough shifts lately, even for me. I can only imagine what it has been like for my preceptee!! This past week was the first time I ever busted open a code cart for one of my patients. Talk about nerve-wracking. There is this little plastic "lock" on the carts when they are stocked (so that once it is open, a whole new one can be put in its place... so you are never without supplies)... and never before have I had to break that seal. It sounds silly. I have been to lots of codes and rapid responses. (OK, maybe not "a lot". But my fair share.) But this week I was in a situation with my orientee and one of our patients, where he just started crashing. The stat nurse was already there, and the docs were quick on the scene. Before I knew it, they were intubating the guy, and soon we were transporting him to the ICU while he was being bagged. Craziness!
Here's the thing, though. This was the first time I have been in one of these situations where my legs weren't shaking. Usually, that adrenaline starts pumping and my legs start to shake (honest to goodness moving) and I can't think straight because I get so overwhelmed. Sure, I felt that level of anxiety to a certain degree this time, but yet I realized later that not only did I stay calm, but I actually did the right things. Piped up when it was appropriate. Took charge with certain things. In short, was an asset rather than a liability (or maybe more accurately, a neutral party). It might sound arrogant. But I was really proud of myself. Honestly. I felt like I had made a difference. And hopefully taught something to that new nurse.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Nevermore
I was just sitting here, trying to think about what to write about. And I looked out the window at this tree in the backyard (which of course has no leaves, since it is late April in Seattle)... there is the biggest crow sitting on a branch. Huh. Made me wonder what the difference between a raven and a crow is. I mean, is a "raven" what they call a big black bird in Maryland, while a "crow" is what they call the same bird on the west coast? And yet I feel like a raven is bigger than a crow. Except that the bird staring at me through the window is pretty darn big. Hm. Might be time to go to that fount of knowledge (no, not Dad)... Wikipedia.
Here's what I learned.
The true crows are large passerine birds that form the genus Corvus in the family Corvidae. Ranging in size from the relatively small pigeon-sized jackdaws Eurasian and Daurian to the Common Raven of the Holarctic region and Thick-billed Raven of the highlands of Ethiopia, the 40 or so members of this genus occur on all temperate continents except South America and several offshore and oceanic islands (including Hawaii). In the United States, the word "crow" is used to refer to the American Crow. The crow genus makes up a third of the species in the Corvidae family. Other corvids include rooks and jays. Crows appear to have evolved in Asia from the corvid stock, which had evolved in Australasia. A group of crows is called a "murder," though this term usually appears in poetry rather than scientific contexts.
Hm. Interesting. Seems as though the difference is that crows are really Corvus brachyrhynchos while ravens are Corvus corax. And both exist in North America. Also, it appears that every place in the world has some form of large, black, annoying bird!!!
Wait, further research on Wikipedia shows that:
Apart from its greater size, the Common Raven differs from its cousins, the crows, by having a larger and heavier beak, a shaggy throat, and a wedge-shaped tail.
This is SO not what I thought I might blog about today. But nevertheless, there it is.
Here's what I learned.
The true crows are large passerine birds that form the genus Corvus in the family Corvidae. Ranging in size from the relatively small pigeon-sized jackdaws Eurasian and Daurian to the Common Raven of the Holarctic region and Thick-billed Raven of the highlands of Ethiopia, the 40 or so members of this genus occur on all temperate continents except South America and several offshore and oceanic islands (including Hawaii). In the United States, the word "crow" is used to refer to the American Crow. The crow genus makes up a third of the species in the Corvidae family. Other corvids include rooks and jays. Crows appear to have evolved in Asia from the corvid stock, which had evolved in Australasia. A group of crows is called a "murder," though this term usually appears in poetry rather than scientific contexts.
Hm. Interesting. Seems as though the difference is that crows are really Corvus brachyrhynchos while ravens are Corvus corax. And both exist in North America. Also, it appears that every place in the world has some form of large, black, annoying bird!!!
Wait, further research on Wikipedia shows that:
Apart from its greater size, the Common Raven differs from its cousins, the crows, by having a larger and heavier beak, a shaggy throat, and a wedge-shaped tail.
This is SO not what I thought I might blog about today. But nevertheless, there it is.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Alison is Famous, Again
Longtime readers may remember my excitement when I started getting hits from another blog (that one about Costco, found here). Well, it has happened again. I am famous. Sort of. In a mild, Internet-y sort of way. :)
Again, I was purusing my Google Analytics and discovered that there was a new source of traffic to my blog! And not only that, but the website was actually quoting me as a nurse. Haha. That amuses me for some reason. Perhaps because I have never really thought of myself as "inspirational". Still, kinda cool.
If you want to check out my "famous" and supposedly "inspirational" quote, click here.
:)
Again, I was purusing my Google Analytics and discovered that there was a new source of traffic to my blog! And not only that, but the website was actually quoting me as a nurse. Haha. That amuses me for some reason. Perhaps because I have never really thought of myself as "inspirational". Still, kinda cool.
If you want to check out my "famous" and supposedly "inspirational" quote, click here.
:)
#175
This is post #175! :) I have been terrible about keeping this blog up to date! But sometimes I like to maintain a level of privacy... kinda strange to think about whatever I post being put out on the web for all eternity. Haha. :)
Today is a BEAUTIFUL day in Seattle! 70 degrees and sunny. One of those cloudless days that makes people want to move to the Emerald city. :) This afternoon I decided to do a little sunbathing in my new swimsuit (in the privacy of my backyard!!) and it was glorious. Might have gotten a bit sunburned but thats ok.
This morning I had coffee with my friend and former college roommate, Jordan!! She was in town to visit some friends who moved here last year, and we got together to catch up. It was so good to see her, honestly. I didn't realize how much I had missed her! :( Funny how all the dumb stuff fades away over time and the actual friendship can remain. It was also neat to catch up on all the folks from F&M that I haven't kept up with, since she is much more in the "alumni loop" than I am. She is the first F&M person I have gotten together with in years!!! It was good. Made me think about how much life has changed in the last 10 years... and how much I have changed. Wow. Thank goodness for that. :)
Me and Jordan
Hm. What else is going on? This is my last week on day shift... next week is back to night shifts for 2 months. I am sad about the weird schedule but happy about the differential pay since I am saving up for both a new computer and a new phone. Hopefully a Macbook and iPhone!! :) This computer is doing well for being nearly 6 years old (ok so some of the parts are newer...) but I want a new one before this one dies (knock wood)!!I am looking forward to a trip to California in a couple weeks! Rob and I are going to go visit his parents and go to Lake Tahoe with them for a long weekend. Yay! A vacation will be fun. :)
My latest addiction is playing Mafia Wars on Facebook. Sigh. So much fun! But I need more members of my mafia. :( Wanna join me?
Friday, April 17, 2009
Friday!
Rob's on his way over, but stuck in traffic, so... just a quick picture to share with you while I am waiting.
One of my favorites from our trip to Canada. :)
One of my favorites from our trip to Canada. :)
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Canada
Rob and I took a mini-road trip to Vancouver, BC yesterday. So much fun! Here is the link to my Picasa album, as well as the link to Rob's photos.
Alison's Canada Photos
Rob's Canada Photos
It was a beautiful day, so we mostly visited parks (Stanley Park, Jericho Beach Park, and Queen Elizabeth Park), but we also made time for Tim Hortons and of course, Canadian McDonalds. :) It was a long day and we ended up very sore from our walk on the seawall (as well as a little sunburned), but it was definitely worth it!
Alison's Canada Photos
Rob's Canada Photos
It was a beautiful day, so we mostly visited parks (Stanley Park, Jericho Beach Park, and Queen Elizabeth Park), but we also made time for Tim Hortons and of course, Canadian McDonalds. :) It was a long day and we ended up very sore from our walk on the seawall (as well as a little sunburned), but it was definitely worth it!
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