Nursing, Life, Cooking, Twins, Politics, Curiosities

L & D ... Makes me Happy!

2007-07-12T16:30:00.000-05:00

Here's a happy picture of my 3 year old soccer beauties :)

Ok ... so it's been awhile. I am exhausted, but happy as a pig in manure! This is my third week in the birth center and it is wonderful! Now, don't get me wrong ... I have seen some scary things, and been a part of many happy and one very sad events. But my nursing life is fulfilled! Guess what? I can do this! I now start IVs - who me? :) unhuh ... I also really like most of the people I am working with .... I feel so lucky!

Today I got to be a part of two births. One BEAUTIFUL natural, unmedicated water birth of a 9 lb baby ... WOW! The second I was baby nurse for a repeat section of a 9#6oz baby. Two gorgeous happy events ... one at each spectrum of the labor and delivery experience.

I'll be back more now ... that I can breathe :) The reading from the first two weeks was intense - but I got through it and NRP :)

Hope everyone else out there is well ...

Drumroll Please

2007-06-03T23:27:00.000-05:00

Ok ... so the big question is ... "Now that you've graduated and passed the NCLEX - what are you going to do?"

Well ... I have been deliberately NOT blogging because I had news, but couldn't share it until now. I have accepted my dream job. I wrote earlier in the year about going for an interview at a birth center (LDR) in a large medical center. I was told politely that they didn't hire GNs and there were no open positions... and then I got a call! I was offered and accepted a job and start there in two weeks.

I couldn't say anything until I had worked today - this 3-11 shift I just came home from because my husband is self-employed and I have to bring home the insurance. I could not chance it ...

I am so excited, but also a little sad. I love the little hospital I work at and the people I work with... I think we make a great team. Like all good places to work, sometimes management is crazy - but that is easy to come by ...

Anyhow ... I will be back blogging :) Now that I don't have to shut my trap!

Thanks for hanging in there if you are actually reading this :)

PS - Also my BSN classes start tomorrow :) Wuhoooo - am I nuts or what?

Thanks for the fun link John!

2007-03-12T20:17:00.000-05:00

You have to try this ... I agree with john at disappearingjohn This is a cool thing and pretty nearly right on!
:) What are you waiting for ... click get your own now!

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

What's the real cost?

2007-03-04T16:04:00.000-05:00

Money is Money ... and everyone knows the federal budget is a mirage anyhow ... it is like the biggest shell game in the world. We loan people money who have nothing to every repay us and rape them of their natural resources in repayment. Ever play monopoly with a bully who owns all the hotels?

What's the human cost? Those who have given their life are heros - even if the cause is unjust. They gave their life in the line of duty - there's is not to wonder why, but to respond and it is wrong that we've sent them into harms way based on lies.

How about the news out of Walter Reed? Sub-standard care for veterans? This is new? Why hasn't it been news before? How about the elderly WWII veteran that had to wait more then 3 months for an appointment at a VA facility to confirm a diagnosis that if treated 3 months earlier could have been at the least palliative?

Money buys healthcare in this country. Kim at emergiblog
reviewed a high end concierge medical service. Is this ethical? I don't know the answer, but I do know that there is a whole population of people in this country that cannot get medical services, is it right that you can pay extra to get private phone numbers and unlimited access to medical care? Kim did a great review of the site - check it out and let me know what you think...

What?

2007-03-04T16:00:00.000-05:00

Impaction Fracture ... what's your function?

2007-02-28T18:09:00.000-05:00

Ok!

Anyone else remember School House Rock?

I got to visit the lovely nurses of our emergency department last night. According to one of my 3-year-olds, I "feel down and went boom!" It is a story I am reluctant to tell as it was stupid :) I tripped at the gas station on the gas pump line - whoops! I landed on my elbow so as not to hit my head on the concrete. OUCH! My elbow and hip are black and blue and hurt like hell! I took some ibuprofen liquidgels and grabbed some frozen peas. (I fell about 4pm) We ate dinner at about 6:30 - I promptly got sick - I hurt too much. I talked to my Mom (also a nurse) at 8:3o who asked me if I could pronate? I told her "of course I can pronate - I have twins, remember!" She laughed and explained the rotation of the lower arm she was talking about - I put my arm out palm up and half-way over I thought I was gonna pass out from the pain. Oh goodness! Mom says go to the hospital.

Now, a side note about having a Mom who is a nurse. I NEVER stayed home from school. She could smell feigned sickness and insisted on "muttering" through quite a few illnesses. Having this same mother sound worried and ask when you are going to the ER is quite unnerving. Especially when you are 7 weeks from finishing an ADN program that will not let you on the clinical floor with any sort of cast or splint on ... talk about anxiety attack.

So I drove to the ER and left my hubby with the twins. My vitals in triage were alarming. BP of 128/104 - wow ... pain can do that, right? I was seen pretty promptly and taken to xray after I was given a shot of toradol in the rear. Xray was torture - "can you give me a thumps up sign while bending your elbow?" Well, actually, NO if I could do that I wouldn't be here! Anyhow ... she was nice and it was quick if not painless.

The good doctor comes in with my xrays and says, "I need you to look at this" - uh oh. I have a "funky elbow" he tells me. No radiologist here tonight (remember small rural hospital - 25 bed) and I think this half-moon thingy is a impaction fracture of your ulnar head but I am not sure - your elbow films aren't like any I've seen before. Huh? Okay ... so what's the plan?

The plan is I am going to ice it, elevate it, rest it, take ibuprofen and wear a sling - until we find out if it is really broken at which time I'll see another doctor to find out the plan. I know the plan includes a splint and time to heal ... this makes me nauseous.

So I am here ... RICEing my arm and typing slowly. Hope and pray it is not broken ... I don't know what I'll do about school - probably just take of the splint for 10 hours a week during clinical and not use it ... but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. This was a lucky week for this to happen. I don't do patient care this week on clinical. I am team leader (student charge nurse) on Thursday and we have evaluations on Friday as we are switching rotations next week.

Think good healing thoughts for me ...

Less than 3 months to go ...

2007-02-20T15:58:00.000-05:00

I am tired. There. I said it. Admitted it. I work every other weekend at the hospital, work Monday afternoons and Tuesdays at a doctor's office, I teach childbirth education (just one more series before I graduate) and I am well into my last semester of school (I graduate May 19th). I consider myself a good wife and mother. My twins just turned 3. Even the dog and cat look at me like they haven't seen me recently.

Sunday night studying for my hematology test, the tiredness kicked it. I started doubting why on earth I do what I do ... am I nuts? Today is Tuesday, I feel like perhaps I have it under control for a minute but I am still tired.

Tomorrow, I am playing hookie :) I never do that ... I already feel guilty. My husband calls it "pre-guilt" A day just for me ... and then with my girls ... and I am actively planning a date night for next week.

John talked about how ER nurses "turn it off" ( You can read about it at http://www.disappearingjohn.blogspot.com/) ... but I think people in general and especially nurses don't turn it off at all. We are the great absorbers ... we only break down for the most part when it is convenient :) Others (patients, spouses, kids, even the dog) come first. I don't know if it is good or bad. I suspect it can be a little or a lot of both. I do know that it is just nature. It is the kind of person I am ... and part of what makes me tired.

Ready for a Break

2007-02-07T21:09:00.000-05:00

Okay ... so two more clinical days and then a break from 3 of my 4 classes. I still have statistics next week, but the nursing gets a rest. I am so ready I can't even believe it. It's amazing how stressful nursing school is ... a classmate wondered if we could initiate a class action lawsuit. No big damages ... just want enough to pay for the zantac, tylenol, maloxx and Starbucks! No one ever factors these things into the cost of going to school!

I had my ER experience last Friday night at clinical. I know why you love the ER John! It was a great experience and I was actually surprised at how much I liked it. I really do enjoy "procedure based" nursing as well as "floor nursing" but I was surprised I liked the acuity.

I also got another job. Shhhhhhh - it's a secret (especially if you are a particular reader/blogger/nurse who works with me!) I am going to be working part time at a doctor's office down the street from my house. It will give me just a few hours a week and good experience in things like blood draws which I have never done. Wu hooooo!

I also went on an interview for my dream job (again with the Shhhhh :) There are no positions available, but it was nice to hear that I am doing exactly what I need to do to get there eventually. The nurse manager told me to stay put in my job and get as much experience as I could ... this is great news as it is exactly what I want to do. I really like my little rural hospital with it's variety of patients. I just wish we had a few more nurses to spread around ... we've been a little short lately as census has been up for a long time. I am looking forward to transitioning into the RN role here - I think it's a good fit.

Happy late groundhogs day! (Did you hear he didn't see his shadow and winter is almost over - Al Gore was so excited - turns out he's right!)

Fiesta is spanish for party!

2007-01-30T11:25:00.000-05:00

I can't believe my babies are going to be 3 years old on Thursday! I also cannot believe I have clinical on their birthday! No birthday dinner until the weekend as I have evening clinicals. We have a house full of company over the weekend for the big party on Sunday ... I am really looking forward to it! We are having a DORA party with chocolate cake as requested by the girls ... it is perhaps the only thing they have agreed on this week :)

Tagged? Hmmmmm

2007-01-22T15:52:00.000-05:00

I used to love "Freeze tag" when I was little ... this adult version is a little scarier. 6 word stories ....
:) Thanks John!

Here's my shot:

Two Heartbeats; scared parents; wonderful life.

Chaos; Emigration; Trepidation; Resignation; Assimilation.

Many books, tests; brand new life.

What do you think?

I guess I should tag a few others ... Greenmountaincountrymama and Too Fat for Ponies - are you up for the challange?

Thanks John for getting me back to this page ... when I get stressed, I should write, but I find that I feel blocked.

Thanks for the fun!

2007-01-15T22:13:00.001-05:00

My pirate name is:

Iron Anne Kidd

A pirate's life isn't easy; it takes a tough person. That's okay with you, though, since you a tough person. Even though you're not always the traditional swaggering gallant, your steadiness and planning make you a fine, reliable pirate. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network

Where the heck does time go?

2007-01-15T22:02:00.000-05:00

Okay ... so I fell down on the blog job. I have been out of sorts and extremely busy. School was on break and I was reluctant to even touch my computer. I am tired; very tired. Work has been extremely busy with all of our staff being out sick at one point or another with a nasty flu bug of the GI or URI variety. Too many sick people ... not enough nurses.

School is winding up ... getting really busy. I graduate May 19th. Anyone out there know of a good ADN-MSN bridge that is mostly online or distance? I am going to apply to UVM ... but not much of it is online ... and that sucks with kids. Too much to do and not enough Mommy to go around.

On that note, my twins are going to be 3 on Feb 1st. I cannot believe it has been three years already! Hubby and I are in negotiations for another pregnancy ... school has to be done first ... but I think we are going to do it ... yikes! We are working on potty training right now - Katie pooped in the potty yesterday for the very fist time! She did a great QB victory dance - it was hilarious! Steph is taking her own time - which is right on schedule for little miss "next".

I actually have a couple of things running around in my head ... but they will have to wait for later in the week ... big Med-Surg test on Wed and I need to finish the reading.

Hope everyone is well ...

Linda

Whew! Whirlwind tour of NYC

2006-12-03T22:48:00.000-05:00

Ok ... so I am finally feeling human again. I went to the Rachael Ray show in NYC on Thursday with my mother-in-law. We stayed overnight at a great hotel and walked our rear ends off. We were at the show for over 5 hours - they taped 2 shows. We had a great time and got great gifts! We saw the beautiful Macy's Christmas windows ... it was 60 degrees and great weather to walk around.

We stopped at the Palisades Center Mall in Nyack on the way back. It is 4 stories of HUGE stores - every one you could think of - we had lunch at Chevy's - a great Mexican restaurant.

I got cut from work yesterday - got to take a nap and relax. I have 5 tests and 3 assignments left in the next too weeks of the semester. I am so ready for the 3 weeks off!

How cool is that?

2006-11-29T23:43:00.000-05:00

Okay ... so tomorrow morning I will be on my way to NYC to see the Rachael Ray show! I will post details when I get home ...

Today was okay ... got paper back and did well, presentation went as well as can be expected - only 3 tests between me and the holiday break! Wuhooo!

Okay ... better I guess

2006-11-28T21:35:00.000-05:00

Okay ... so my presentation is finished; my CBE class is over and went well; my car appointment is set for 8am; the car is acting fine now (figures!).

I am heading to watch the TIVO'd news and go get some serious sleep!

Katie has a runny nose and cough ... so I think she'll join us in bed at some point. Gotta sleep fast!

Day from Heck

2006-11-28T13:33:00.000-05:00

Ok ... so something was off in my universe yesterday! It was our instructor's birthday over the weekend and my carpooling friend and I decided it would be wise to remember and bake. I got to her house with the cupcakes and when I got in her car she asked where my "clinical bag" was ... un ... huh? ... oh ... whoops! I had managed to get into the correct uniform (except I was wearing my work shoes not my school shoes - but no biggie) but forgot any other thing. Think drug book, stethoscope, scissors, kellys, pen, pocket pal with door codes, etc, hmmmmm ... guess I am still tired from the trip!

We got to clinical and I went to the bathroom and began laughing - I had just pulled a pair of undies out that were white that morning not noticing that they were MATERNITY underwear. This is additionally funny because I am doing my maternity rotation right now. It was not funny because I now had underpants up to my armpits - think how big twin maternity underpants get ;o)

Ok ... uneventful night on the floor. Nice patient, good co-assigned, no biggie. Get back to her house and start to go home and my engine light goes on ... argh!

Presentation tomorrow - not done :(
Teaching tonight CBE - not ready :(
Sociology or Micro posting for online classes - not done :(
Taking car in for repair before school starts tomorrow - :( What's this gonna do to my overstretched budget!

Anyone else having a heck of a week?

There's no place like home ...

2006-11-27T09:44:00.000-05:00

Okay ... so I am back from traveling. As a side note ... 7 hours with 33 month old twins = 10 hours :) Why don't they make a car seat with a potty insert. Can't they just sit on the potty all the way there? (For you literalists; I am just kidding!) Good visit, good drive ... so tired :)

Have clinical today (maternity). Gotta go go go!

Have a great week!

Happy Trails ...

2006-11-22T19:42:00.000-05:00

Ok ... so maybe posting every day through the end of the year was a lofty goal :-)
I guess I didn't remember that I would be traveling over Thanksgiving weekend. We are driving to Delaware to visit with family - there should be about 25 people around the table for a meal on Saturday. I love to go, but I get really bitchy getting ready to go. I hate to pack and decide what to take :) I wish everyone would come here one year - except that I would be bitchy while I was getting the house ready ... so it's a no win situation for my poor husband :)

I didn't even have time to watch my TV today :) I am seeing a hypnotherapist and had a session today that lasted almost 2 hours. She is amazingly down to earth and easy to talk to ... and I am enjoying the journey.

I am going to try and log in while away, but that might be ambitious :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

World's gone crazy!

2006-11-21T15:00:00.000-05:00

Okay ... so Mel Gibson is anti-semetic - after that movie some people thought that wasn't even a big stretch. He was drunk and off to rehab he goes ... is there any fallout?

Michael Richards (Kramer from Seinfeld) lost his mind recently! He started yelling at some black hecklers ugly racial remarks and then kept repeating a racial epithet (N-word) over and over ... He "apoligized" on Dave Letterman ... but no drinking, no rehab ... the "hate" lives in me somewhere. Huh? They were talking about this on The View today (okay ... I am outed - I shamelessly TIVO daytime talk shows!). Joy Behar had a great point! She says that Mel Gibson's power makes his views more dangerous than Richard's. In my sociology class I have been learning about the -isms (racism, sexism, classism, etc.) and how that power and privilege piece is actually VERY important in changing the society's constructs and moving the country forward. Interesting that we are having a "rash" of these incidents lately ... what stereotypes do you hold?

As that relates to nursing ... I just submited a paper on Anti-Fat bias in healthcare. I was AMAZED at the research available in how nurses and other health professionals treat large patients differently that other patients - the thing that kept coming through in all the research is the personal beliefs behind the behaviors. Equal access to healthcare is hard to achieve. Open-mindedness is even harder.

Monday, Monday ...

2006-11-20T20:45:00.000-05:00

Well, I had the evaluation at the hospital which was kind of anti-climactic and took about 10 minutes. It was good though - so that's something. And we talked about transition to the RN role ... which I like to think about happening. It makes the tired from work/school/home/parenting seem worthwhile!

I digitally dropped my paper so that is done - whew! And the only responsibility I have until next Monday is to teach CBE tomorrow night and work on a 5 minute presentation for transitions/trends class. (anyone who knows me KNOWS I can talk for 5 minutes about anything!)

We are traveling for Thanksgiving, so tomorrow I start the laundry, packing and cleaning phase of my week :) I don't work again until 12/2. In the meantime I am getting VERY excited about my trip to NYC to see the new Rachael Ray talk show! I finally got tickets and made the hotel reservations. I am psyched! I don't know when the taped show will air ... but I am excited to see her cook in person! I have shared the nursing, life, and twins part of me already ... the cooking part of the blog is my addiction to Food Network and Foodie Blogs of all kinds :) I cook to relax and as you can see by my schedule I need to relax A LOT! I also found after gastric bypass that I love the flavor of food more than the quantity - this makes cooking as a hobby good for me :)

I will write more about my NYC adventure and our travels to Delaware.

:) Linda

Ahhhhhhhh

2006-11-20T00:23:00.000-05:00

Okay ... so I am home from work at the hospital. An early night tonight ;)

I am really excited as this is a whole week off from school! My online Micro class is also on a week hiatus so I am psyched! Our family is traveling out of town to Delaware over the long holiday weekend to see my family. Ever spent 8 hours in a car with 2 three-year-olds? :) It is very fun! Thank goodness for portable DVD players.

I have my first evaluation after my orientation period tomorrow afternoon at the hospital. I feel like I am doing pretty good - learning something new every shift but keeping up with what I know. I am curious to see if management agrees :)

I also am certified to teach childbirth education and I am currently teaching a 6+1 series on Tuesday nights at the hospital. I love doing this ... it is such a wonderful time for the people in the class. I love being in on such a good thing vicariously :)

I am tired for tonight :) Thanks John for the shout out :) I have been lurking for a long time and it feels good to just be writing it down. We have something else in common. I had gastric bypass on 4/3/01 at a top weight of 453#. I am struggling with my weight right now - trying to up my exercise. I would not recommend having twins after a gastric bypass :) All kinds of things get stretched out of shape. My husband and I are trying to decide on any more kids ... if that answer is no I am going to look into a tummy tuck ...

Paper due tomorrow ... not done :( Have to digitally drop it by midnight tomorrow. Ugh!
Goodnight!

Pooped

2006-11-19T01:10:00.000-05:00

I worked at the hospital tonight ... didn't leave until midnight. Work was good though ... not too hectic, but definitely not boring either.

Buckeyes won ... husband is happy.

Will update tomorrow.

What am I doing?

2006-11-17T22:56:00.000-05:00

I have been attempting to do this since April 2005. I have deleted all my old posts and I am starting over :) A clean slate ... I like the idea of writing it down. It helps me sort things out and keep moving forward. I have been reading several nursing blogs and thanks to DisappearingJohn RN - here I go again!

I am a LPN at a local hospital working on a med-surg floor. I am in the process of finishing my ADN - I'll graduate and sit for my RN NCLEX in May. I am not sure what I will be doing once I have the freedom to do many more things. I do know that I am continuing on to a ADN-MSN bridge program next fall - mostly because I am a glutten for punishment :) AND want even more options in the long run.

I am a loving wife and mom of twin girls who will be three in Feb 2007. We run a tight ship ... but we have a lot of fun. It is a big adventure :)

More tomorrow ... I am going to try and post something every day until the end of the year.

Thanks John for the motivation; I've enjoyed your journey.