First of three

Let's just say it was a long day. First of three...

Memorial Day Weekend

With all that is going on in the world and within our own country, take some time this weekend to thank those serving our nation.

Historically, it is their sacrifice that

has given us the

freedoms that we have tdoay.

There is no greater gift.

Any One Else?

Just wondering if any of those with whom I graduated with

feel this way when they are the Charge Nurse?

East Coast Thunder

Growing up I used to hide under my covers when storms came through until my dad came to check in on me. He would then get my pillow and blanket and help me get comfortable in the hallway between my room and my sister's room. My sister Jennifer would be snuggled next to me as we would try to fall asleep hoping the storm would pass quickly.

Now it is much different. I welcome the sounds of thunder. And the heat and humidity of the east coast allows for many more storms that I had at home. Here it is a regular occurence, while at home it was a leading story in the news. Tonight's storm is so close that my windows are shaking from the thunder. My bedroom window is half open to allow for the cool air and the sounds to come in. Such a difference from when I was little.

My strange evenings

So, my roommate has a wet to dry dressing on the back of her neck. (For my non-medical friends, a dressing that is a little fancier than a simple bandaid.) Each night when I get back from work or when I am off and she is leaving for work, I do a quick dressing change. I think it is hilarious! She does too. And like a true nurse each dressing has the date, time, and my initials. We are taking pictures each day to track how it is healing. So strange, yet so funny...

Went Camping

At the end of April my dad flew out from CA to North Carolina to take my sister and I camping. It was so much fun to be surrounded by nature again. Living in a city is taking some getting used to, so it was nice to get away. The island we paddled out to was inhabited by wild ponies. We were able to get relatively close to them while walking around and paddling around the island. It was a great weekend!

This time last year...

I just wanted to put up a picture from work. This is taken from the front of the hospital just after our air evacs from Germany were taken off the bus/ambulance and taken inside.

The other is with my roommate 2LT Spencer proudly displaying our APU pride. It was this weekend last year that we both graduated with our BSNs!

A rare day off

Every once in a while Becca and I have the same day off. Usually the first day is spent sleeping and lounging around as we are both exhausted, but the second day is often spent playing in beauty of the East Coast. There are some great trails out here just waiting for us to explore.

Called my first Code

Went off the floor to help a fellow new nurse with his patient. One patient, two new nurses, two interns, two x-ray techs in the radiology department. Had to fight to get fluids, had to fight to get the Code called. The only part that really matters is that the patient is alive to talk about it.

Really don't like having to fight this hard for the safety of my patients. Fighting this hard is worth it, but is really difficult to let go of.

Thought I was done with Charge

I showed up to work yesterday a little early. I had spent the night at my cousin's home in Virginia so I had left a little earlier than normal to be sure I would not be late to work. I showed up on my floor at 0620 to the question of "Are you going to be Charge today?" The nurse who was scheduled to be charge had car trouble and would not be able to make it in. (He was fine, his car would not start.) My biggest concern was then getting an extra nurse floated over to the my floor to cover some of the patients. There were three nurses on the floor, one nurse at the telemetry monitor, and one CNA on the floor. We have rather high acuity (lots of physical needs) patients on the floor and the charge nurse is only supposed to take two patients at the most preferably take none. We all started out the morning with four patients, no big deal. But thankfully the supervisor was able to get me an extra nurse from one of our ICUs to come take a patient from each one of us. By the end of the day, we had transferred one patient upstairs to a surgical ward and did not receive any admissions or transfers in. It ended up being a great day on the floor. Since we all worked so well together as a team we all had some down time to hangout and talk. I really like those rare moments when we are able to get to know each other a little more. We were so on top of things we were all able to leave early. We are supposed to be there until 1915, but the next shift of nurses all came on time and got report done so we could leave. It was wonderful! I hope to have more days like that one giving me time to get to know those I work with a little better. Plus, I feel like I had earned an easier day after the past week I had on the floor.