ixchel is working like the Rockstar that she is, and asked me to fill in for her. I know, I know, it's already well into the new week, so this will be short and sweet. Or will it?
A couple of nights have passed since I've talked to ixchel. We usually go 24/7. Before I realized she was working like she was, I couldn't get in touch with her. I was actually worried. Like, more than a little.
I've learned that my online friends are most definitely my real friends. Lines are blurred. I text my RL friends and I talk to my Online friends. (I actually knew this- but this week's worry popped it up for me.)
I've learned I need my AN School Nurse Co-Workers, but that my RL Co-Worker, in the form of the Social Worker that shares my office, is gold. Like Ponyboy Level Gold.
I've learned that my friends know I worry, and humor me thusly, by checking in with me PRN.
Except ixchel. For days on end...
When ixchel needed help this week, of course I obliged. The problem is, I really haven't learned much. I called on some of my friends to help me out:
From Dogen: "Ummm... I learned that people with schizophrenia were targeted by the tobacco industry, and that they funded research saying the people with psychosis were somehow resistant to cancer and also that it was critical to their recovery to let them smoke. Both of these lack evidence, but are still widely held beliefs, such that psychiatric hospitals were exempted from a federal ban on smoking in hospitals.
But really, people with schizophrenia are 4.5 times more likely to get lung cancer, and have 30% higher mortality rates than smokers without a mental illness."
Hmmm...
From WellThatsOod: "I just learned that vomited strawberries looks like jam!"
From OldDude: "I've learned my fellow nurses don't mind stepping in to defend the perpetuation of reason and support of their peers from those whose statements are unreasonable and inciteful."
(We gotchu.)
Thank you guys for helping out. Love ya.
Sports start this week in my HS. So many kids, coming down in pairs and groups, making sure their friends are appropriately cleared. I've learned that these kids know what teamwork means without setting foot on the field.
Some of our posters have been through a lot lately. DLHWB with her patient that killed himself. Poopycat with her new grandbaby (grandkitten?) Students starting school. Illness. Deaths. Weddings.
We have been helping each other here. We get flack for the snark, but I'm feeling the love.
(Just call me Farawimp.)
The theme is friendship, mental illness and the lack of good treatment those patients receive, vomit and strawberry jam, and sticking up for one another...or anything else you have learned.
Specializes in Pediatrics/Developmental Pediatrics/Research/psych.
I learned that although my previous manager was ineffective because of lack of management know-how, the new manager with minimal clinical experience may be horrid as well.
I learned that the symphony is so much more enjoyable when there is a responsive audience.
I learned that I can actually work with geriatric psych patients, although I still prefer child, adolescent and young adults.
I learned that the medical director of my unit is less than 2 years out of residency. Argh...
I learned the street value of Bacardi mixed with Ativan and codeine.
Today I learned what it feels like to be gobsmacked.
After almost a year of working my ta-tas off to develop good professional working relationships with the facility staff, I was told today by my director that there have been complaints about me.
Vague, unsubstantiated, nit- picky complaints. So, I'm being removed from the building. Ostensibly it's to protect me, since my director feels I'm being thrown under the bus by someone at the facility for whatever reason.
I am furious. Part of me wants to find an agency with only home patients. Part of me cringes at the thought of looking for a job at almost 60.
I told myself a few years ago that the day I turn 65 and am old enough for Medicare will be my last day in nursing. I have always been the primary wage earner, and since my husband is retired, I have to carry health insurance as well.
The kicker? The floor that I thought I had the best relationship with is where the trouble is coming from. The floor that has been a tear my hair out struggle from day one? They love me. Go figure.
Today I learned what it feels like to be gobsmacked.
After almost a year of working my ta-tas off to develop good professional working relationships with the facility staff, I was told today by my director that there have been complaints about me.
Vague, unsubstantiated, nit- picky complaints. So, I'm being removed from the building. Ostensibly it's to protect me, since my director feels I'm being thrown under the bus by someone at the facility for whatever reason.
I am furious. Part of me wants to find an agency with only home patients. Part of me cringes at the thought of looking for a job at almost 60.
I told myself a few years ago that the day I turn 65 and am old enough for Medicare will be my last day in nursing. I have always been the primary wage earner, and since my husband is retired, I have to carry health insurance as well.
The kicker? The floor that I thought I had the best relationship with is where the trouble is coming from. The floor that has been a tear my hair out struggle from day one? They love me. Go figure.
I thought I didn't get a job once, but it was because the manager forgot to tell HR that she wanted to hire me. Definitely call and follow up, OC.
I learned this week that antihistamines make delirium worse.
I had a throw-down, I-am-gonna-DIE, what-in-the-Sam-Hill-is-my-heart-DOING panic attack last week. I couldn't even get out of the house.
I learned that panic attacks are awful.
I also learned that that no one is impressed unless it's an actual heart attack; they still want you to go to work.
(Don't you have medicine for that? Well, no, it's never happened before. Do you think you could come in anyway? We're short. Well, no, I can't even make it to the car without the wrath of Jesus coming down upon me. See ya when I see ya.)
I learned that getting into a PCP when you need to is impossible unless you're scheduled a month in advance, on my current hospital-brand insurance.
I learned that anxiety doesn't actually kill you if you don't have a heart condition. Well, it didn't kill ME.
I also learned that if you bump your stress level down a notch and stop procrastinating, most of that swirling cloud of agony and despair magically disappears. It also helps if you get a good cuddle with the pups and bust out some emo music. I have been so darn creative in the last week that I may just go back to the arts.
OrganizedChaos, LVN
1 Article; 6,883 Posts
Yay! [emoji7]