Better

Today I found out from my wonderful manager that yesterday was unbelievable. The unit I work on has like 32 beds. Well yesterday I guess we started with 19 patients and too many nurses. So manager asked for a few more patients. We got them but discharged one for every patient we got. By the end of the day a total of 34 patients that had been on the unit. She said that was like a record. So the crazy day was just not me and my inexperience. But it was nice that my charge nurse and manager kept checking on me today to be sure I was okay since I am so quiet. But I am still excited about a few days off before I work two more days again.

Not liken' it today

So I worked again today. Came home not feeling good about the day. I was so busy, the day felt like it was just full of tasks that got completed for the most part. I didn't really put pieces together and was more like going through the motions. I almost gave up when I started working as a LVN because of days like these. Days when you end feeling like you didn't do anything to help someone get better and just want to cry. Days that all you did was pass pills. It took almost a year as a new LVN before I really started being able to use my brain and the knowledge I had learned to better care for others. There is no much more to nursing. I have so much to learn and unfortunately it takes time. I just pray that I am safe in all my actions and that my co-workers continue to be so supportive. I really like it at RCH and look forward to the opportunities to come. Lucky I only work 3 days a week and usually only two days in a row. Now to bed I go and tomorrow will be a better day... I pray.

Hi There...

So. It has been a long time. Life has been so good and I have so much to be thankful for. First of all, I am so thankful for all the love and support (even more the roof over our heads and so much more) from my parents. It was hard at times but it really did help me finish school and help us get back on our feet more then I can express. Our new apartment is amazing! I love it so much. Pictures to come, but the camera is at school with Jack tonight. Anyways. Call and join us for dinner... well more like maybe lunch. Jack seems to work more evenings then not. His work is going good at Game Crazy and school is still coming along. As for me I am liking it at RCH so far. Very challenging and new for me. Hard not knowing the system, doctors, and much about people with heart problems. My manager took me off orientation early because everyone told her I was doing good. That is good but it also made me nervous because I don't feel like I know what I am doing. But I lucked out this past weekend because I had two 17 year old boys. I think that is the closest I will get to pediatrics for a little while. Everyone else though was happy to not have someone so young to care for. I guess I do having a calling to care for kids. Oh, and I got my first paycheck. That made school totally worth it. Oh. Another thing. I love the little gym at our new apartment. Plan is to go the four days a week that I don't work and so far I have done it. It feels so good sweating and getting that heart rate up. A healthier me is on the way. More to come so check back...

All done

So surgery was fast yesterday. After three attempts to start my IV. First one the nurse got in but found out it was in the wrong hand. So out it went. Then she tried the other hand with no luck. So in comes another nurse. She gets me in the wrist but numbed it first. I sat uncomfortable and cold on the gurney waiting for the surgeon and anesthesia to stop by. Finally they all did one by one. Last was the anesthesiologist. After asking a few questions he asked me a open my mouth and say ahhh, so I did. Jack, mom, and I had all been cracking jokes while waiting for my bibopsy and mom asked the anesthesiologist not to drop his keys in the mouth since the light used to look in my throat was attached to his keys. Anyways. I then questioned why he needed to look in my mouth if the procedure was gonna be under local anesthesia. He stated that the surgeon always does the procedure under general (that means I would be completely knocked out and have a machine breathing for me). Very quickly I said "HE LIED!" This took the anesthesiologist by surprise. See the PA who did my pre-op on Monday stated that it would only be under local (a sleepy state that I wouldn't remember). I was fine with that. Hearing that I would be knocked out didn't excite me at all. After the pow-wow that happened with the surgical team, I got the good news. They were going to do the procedure under local. My first dose of Versed was given and I don't remember anything else except waking up comfy and warm in recovery. They let me go about 45 minutes later. So since family had come to show their love and support we went out to dinner at El Torito. Pain didn't hit me until I woke up this morning. Not bad. Time to relax and watch some movies!

Bibopsy

Tomorrow is the day. Maybe I too will find out that the lump in my right boob is my twin like the aunt in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding". You never know. But I will keep you updated. I get the biopsy results next week. The doctors office gave me all kinds of papers full of information. Where I work we don't have any of those resources. So it was kinda neat to see what a real hospital gives their patients to keep them informed.I even was given a bottle of "soap" to wash tomorrow before I go to get cut. A little nervous but only having local anesthesia which is good for me. Give me the Versed!!! For now I am going to enjoy the evening eating since after midnight I can't eat until late tomorrow afternoon after the procedure. Until then....

Mountain Trip

My brother and I went for a drive to see the snow last week. We went all over. Did stop at our Aunt Sandy's property and thought about sledding but there was nothing to stop us from falling into the street. Oh well... It sure was beautiful!

I am loved

The Dentist Visit

We visited the dentist today. Took Jack to see my old dentist this time. Dr. Smith, how simple does he sound. The highlight was no cavities for both of us. What we learned, besides needing to floss regularly, was that Dr. Smith uses flavored gloves. Saw his stock of grape or bubble gum.

Doesn't Jack look hot with his dentist bib on...

Oh, and Jack looks really tall because the seat is really low. Dr. Smith is a cool short dentist that wont do any extra work that isn't needed. He keeps it real!

Job

I had an interview this afternoon at Riverside Community Hospital. It went so good that I left with a new job. I don't start until next month which is perfect. So excited and couldn't believe it was so easy! I will be working unit South 3, Telemetry. Have a few classes and certifications to get and I get payed to take the classes. Another good thing is someone I have worked with at my previous job just started on the same unit this month. Can't wait to start!

I PASSED!!!

So I got a phone call at 0520 this morning from my friend Catina. She was in the RN program with me and a great support. She called just to let me know that she looked online this morning to find that I had my license. I did it. All done. Officially a RN now. Just need a job and I wont give up.