So I have two random funnies for you, direct from my new hospital!
The patients are the exact same type as my old hospital, I'm just in a newer nicer setting. The patients have the same diagnoses, same problems, same families, and same funny things to say- which makes for good stories for you!
Funny #1!
So I get in report that my patient is confused at times, but it's questionable. Sometimes patients just don't feel like answering the question or don't understand. So I go in to see this patient, and it turns out she answers all her questions correctly. She knows who she is, where she is, and what day it is. So I'm just about ready to leave the room after I finish my assessment, and im taking off my gloves- literally stepping out of the room when I hear- from my patient- "what's that giraffe doing outside?"
And I froze. What? Giraffe?
So I wasn't sure what to say, really. I kindly looked out the window from where I was standing, and due to the fact that my hospital is not in Africa and its not next to a zoo, I did not see a giraffe.
So I'm all like, "I don't see a giraffe."
And I'm thinking, should I recheck her orientation? Is she hallucinating?
And she's all like, "it's right there! It's a giraffe! Its right outside my window and I'm scared at how close it is."
So I'm like, shit. Shes hallucinating...giraffes. Like, why giraffes? Why not turtles? Or koala bears?
So then I'm like, "I still don't see a giraffe....but you let me know if it comes in the room."
So then she's like, "come to the window and see it!"
So to amuse her and I guess myself too, I go over to the window....
....And low and behold.....
...there wasn't a giraffe. There was a crane. My hospital is under construction, just so happens a construction crane was right outside her window.
I couldn't contain my giggles as I explained to her the differences in our construction vehicle naming misunderstanding.
It was a nursing giggle funny, my patient was not hallucinating after all, and we both giggled about it all day.
Nursing funny #2!!
Okay so I'm admitting this elderly male last night with heart failure. I figured out pretty quickly into the admission that he was *extremely* hard of hearing, and oh- he left his hearing aids at home, of course.
So I couldn't get much out of him from his admission, because he couldn't hear me. But I'm all like, I can't not try. I have to at least try and communicate, that's my job. So I struggle through all the questions, one by one.
Well I get to this one, what religion is the patient? And at first I'm all like- is this really an important question to ask when I'm struggling with all the rest? No. But then I remembered that I'm a bit biased one the religion side of things, and what if this guy is like an ex- priest or something and he's actually super religious and it means a lot to him that someone come to see him when he's here (even if he couldn't hear them- that's beside the point).
So I ask my patient, "do you have a religious preference?"
"what?"
"do you have a religion?"
"a what?"
"a religion? Like catholic, or presbyterian or something?"
"oh..a religion...a religion.....hmmm..."
So he literally took a moment to think, and I was just about to give up, when he shouts out, "yes! I'm American!"
I had to try so hard to not laugh. I smiled and I thanked him and clicked "no preference/other" on the religion choice.
Well that's It for the funnies this week! It's been an adventure so far, that's for sure. But I'm slowly starting to fit in and learn the ropes. :)
Thanks for reading everyone!
With love,
WNB
Hope I made ya giggle :)
10 + Years in Nursing In Medical Surgical, Women's Health, Telemetry and Informatics.
Showing posts with label funnies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label funnies. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Monday, August 6, 2012
Well Alrighty Then
So I had this very elderly lady last night. She was having some difficulty urinating, but yet wasn't showing much on the bladder scanner and didn't give out much when we straight cath'd her (put in a very temporary catheter just to extract urine). She then felt it necessary to also remember she hasn't had a bowel movement in a week. Problem solved. Sometimes if you're anatomy is slightly strange and you're constipated and you're laying in bed a lot, your bowels can sort of impinge on your bladder, to make it easy. So new goal was to get her to poop. I knew I wasn't going to accomplish much medication wise with a closed pharmacy at 400 AM and an attending doctor that most definitely wouldn't want to be woken up at 400 AM with a request for a laxative.
So I decided to go with the good ol' fashioned.......prune juice! YAY!
I've heard the old age tale that it works best when you heat it up first. But It was 4 am and my brain wasn't working at full capacity, and when I was staring at the microwave and staring at my choice of cups, my brain couldn't remember which ones were OK to put in the microwave so I just decided to give it to her cold and call it a day.
So down goes the prune juice.
About an hour later, she presses the call bell. This is our conversation:
Patient: "That prune juice you gave me...."
Me: ".....Yeah?"
Patient: " It was cold."
Me: "Oh. Yeah. I'm sorry." *makes weird face*
Patient: "My husband heats it up at home and always gives it to me that way."
Me: "Oh...well next time we can heat it up for you."
Patient: "Actually, I've always hated it warmed but never had the heart to tell him because he was sweet enough to make it."
Me: "Oh.......so you liked the cold prune juice?"
Patient: "Yeah."
Me: "Okay........"
*Awkward moment*
Me: "Um, is that all you had to tell me?"
Patient: Yep.
As I was charting a little bit later into day shift outside her room, I overheard her telling the day nurse how glorious the prune juice was and I had to work really hard at stifling my laughter in the hallway. Thank you to the confusing microwave! o_O Win!
~ Another special nursing moment from WNB
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So I decided to go with the good ol' fashioned.......prune juice! YAY!
I've heard the old age tale that it works best when you heat it up first. But It was 4 am and my brain wasn't working at full capacity, and when I was staring at the microwave and staring at my choice of cups, my brain couldn't remember which ones were OK to put in the microwave so I just decided to give it to her cold and call it a day.
So down goes the prune juice.
About an hour later, she presses the call bell. This is our conversation:
Patient: "That prune juice you gave me...."
Me: ".....Yeah?"
Patient: " It was cold."
Me: "Oh. Yeah. I'm sorry." *makes weird face*
Patient: "My husband heats it up at home and always gives it to me that way."
Me: "Oh...well next time we can heat it up for you."
Patient: "Actually, I've always hated it warmed but never had the heart to tell him because he was sweet enough to make it."
Me: "Oh.......so you liked the cold prune juice?"
Patient: "Yeah."
Me: "Okay........"
*Awkward moment*
Me: "Um, is that all you had to tell me?"
Patient: Yep.
As I was charting a little bit later into day shift outside her room, I overheard her telling the day nurse how glorious the prune juice was and I had to work really hard at stifling my laughter in the hallway. Thank you to the confusing microwave! o_O Win!
~ Another special nursing moment from WNB
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Sunday, May 27, 2012
Observation Skills WIN
So last night at work we emptied out for the holiday weekend, but-as always- emptying out can only mean one thing....Admissions. And lots of them.
Well, every nurse has their "thing" that they really prefer not to do if they can avoid it. My "thing" is admitting people. It makes me anxious, the unpredictability. From the first moment we get their information called up to the floor, nurses try to predict what their patient will be like. Based off their diagnosis, what problems will we encounter with them when they get to the floor? What will we be doing for them? Based off their age, what do we need in the room to accommodate their needs? Based off the Doctor, is it an attending and we won't have any orders all night? Or is it a hospitalist and getting orders won't be a problem?
However, admitting/ER sometimes ***forgets*** to tell us certain things about the patients because they don't want us as floor nurses to freak out and try and "divert" the admissions. So, usually the common result is we get patients admitted for one thing and turn out to be a complete psycho. Or they come up screaming, when the diagnosis is something not scream-worthy like cellulitis. Or, sometimes, they totally come up handcuffed to the bed with a police officer with them, because they live in....the jail. And they are violent and loud and not cooperative in any way. And the admitting department just *forgot* to give you a heads up.
Well, last night I get an admission called up. Pneumonia, older gentleman. I figured it would be pretty routine. Patient feels like total crap after multiple days of failed attempts working cold medicines at homes. We get them situated, start some antibiotics, nebulizers, get them to sleep, etc.
Well my "pneumonia" guy comes up on the stretcher, with nothing less but a city cop- hand gun, their little walkie talkie scanner thing, badge, uniform, the whole get up. Legit.
So I'm like, oh- fabulous. I mean a nurse cares for her patients regardless of their status. Regardless of race, age, gender or poor life choices. But still, I wasn't thrilled about the idea of listening to a prisoners bowel sounds that might spit in my face.
Before entering the room, I so badly wanted to pull the cop over in the hallway (ha-ha, no pun intended) and ask what the patient *did*. But I didn't. I decided it didn't matter and I didn't want to know anyway. I was going to care for him the same no matter what.
So I start my admission assessment, composed of a whole bunch of questions about the patients history. The patient is elderly, a little scruffy, tall, lanky. Not your typical prisoner type, but then again who am I to know what a typical prisoner looks like besides whats on TV? So as we discussed his medical background, the cop kept chiming in, "Oh, you had that ulcer right? And that lung cancer, you had the chemotherapy for 30 weeks, right?"
So I'm like, Wow- This cop really knows a lot about his inmates. He must have been in this jail for...a long time. Wouldn't that be the state jail? I don't know much about our criminal justice system. Clearly.
So I go about my clinical hands on assessment, trying to keep my guard up for any *sudden* movements from my patient, noting that for some reason he wasn't handcuffed to the bed as all prisoners usually are. And why is he in penguin sweatpants?
So then comes a question that we have to ask. Who do you live with? Do you have a support system? If so, who? I always think it's an awkward question, prying into personal lives as such.
So this is how this short lived conversation went down that made me look like a total idiot, which- I am.
Me: "So...........You live with.....I mean, In.............the....jail?" I make awkward eye shifting contact between my patient and this cop. The patients facial expression was pure confusion and therefore I felt the need to verify my statement with looking at the cop. Awkwardly. Long pause.
Cop: "Oh! OH! NO! noooooo. Oh! I'm his son! I'm on shift, they just called and said he was over here."
Me: "Oh....I was wondering why he wasn't handcuffed to the bed."
Patient: "Do I really look that bad?!"
Me: "No! No of course not!"
Thank goodness we all had a good laugh over it but I was seriously kicking myself. I should have known when I saw the penguin sweatpants.
I went and told my coworker the story, thinking it would be totally suspenseful and she wouldn't guess that the cop that came up with my patient was actually the son in the end. Instead she's all like, "Didn't you see the cops badge? It was totally the same as the patients last name."
I win the super award for naivety because she was with this patient for like 2 minutes and I was with him for 45 minutes and I didn't notice the nametag. Super observations skills WIN.
-A Writer in an (unobservant) Nurse's Body
.
Well, every nurse has their "thing" that they really prefer not to do if they can avoid it. My "thing" is admitting people. It makes me anxious, the unpredictability. From the first moment we get their information called up to the floor, nurses try to predict what their patient will be like. Based off their diagnosis, what problems will we encounter with them when they get to the floor? What will we be doing for them? Based off their age, what do we need in the room to accommodate their needs? Based off the Doctor, is it an attending and we won't have any orders all night? Or is it a hospitalist and getting orders won't be a problem?
However, admitting/ER sometimes ***forgets*** to tell us certain things about the patients because they don't want us as floor nurses to freak out and try and "divert" the admissions. So, usually the common result is we get patients admitted for one thing and turn out to be a complete psycho. Or they come up screaming, when the diagnosis is something not scream-worthy like cellulitis. Or, sometimes, they totally come up handcuffed to the bed with a police officer with them, because they live in....the jail. And they are violent and loud and not cooperative in any way. And the admitting department just *forgot* to give you a heads up.
Well, last night I get an admission called up. Pneumonia, older gentleman. I figured it would be pretty routine. Patient feels like total crap after multiple days of failed attempts working cold medicines at homes. We get them situated, start some antibiotics, nebulizers, get them to sleep, etc.
Well my "pneumonia" guy comes up on the stretcher, with nothing less but a city cop- hand gun, their little walkie talkie scanner thing, badge, uniform, the whole get up. Legit.
So I'm like, oh- fabulous. I mean a nurse cares for her patients regardless of their status. Regardless of race, age, gender or poor life choices. But still, I wasn't thrilled about the idea of listening to a prisoners bowel sounds that might spit in my face.
Before entering the room, I so badly wanted to pull the cop over in the hallway (ha-ha, no pun intended) and ask what the patient *did*. But I didn't. I decided it didn't matter and I didn't want to know anyway. I was going to care for him the same no matter what.
So I start my admission assessment, composed of a whole bunch of questions about the patients history. The patient is elderly, a little scruffy, tall, lanky. Not your typical prisoner type, but then again who am I to know what a typical prisoner looks like besides whats on TV? So as we discussed his medical background, the cop kept chiming in, "Oh, you had that ulcer right? And that lung cancer, you had the chemotherapy for 30 weeks, right?"
So I'm like, Wow- This cop really knows a lot about his inmates. He must have been in this jail for...a long time. Wouldn't that be the state jail? I don't know much about our criminal justice system. Clearly.
So I go about my clinical hands on assessment, trying to keep my guard up for any *sudden* movements from my patient, noting that for some reason he wasn't handcuffed to the bed as all prisoners usually are. And why is he in penguin sweatpants?
So then comes a question that we have to ask. Who do you live with? Do you have a support system? If so, who? I always think it's an awkward question, prying into personal lives as such.
So this is how this short lived conversation went down that made me look like a total idiot, which- I am.
Me: "So...........You live with.....I mean, In.............the....jail?" I make awkward eye shifting contact between my patient and this cop. The patients facial expression was pure confusion and therefore I felt the need to verify my statement with looking at the cop. Awkwardly. Long pause.
Cop: "Oh! OH! NO! noooooo. Oh! I'm his son! I'm on shift, they just called and said he was over here."
Me: "Oh....I was wondering why he wasn't handcuffed to the bed."
Patient: "Do I really look that bad?!"
Me: "No! No of course not!"
Thank goodness we all had a good laugh over it but I was seriously kicking myself. I should have known when I saw the penguin sweatpants.
I went and told my coworker the story, thinking it would be totally suspenseful and she wouldn't guess that the cop that came up with my patient was actually the son in the end. Instead she's all like, "Didn't you see the cops badge? It was totally the same as the patients last name."
I win the super award for naivety because she was with this patient for like 2 minutes and I was with him for 45 minutes and I didn't notice the nametag. Super observations skills WIN.
-A Writer in an (unobservant) Nurse's Body
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Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Thank You Dr. Improv....
So the other day I go into see my patient. I'm assessing him, being that it's the beginning of my shift. I noticed the surgeon had just left the room but I was tied up with another patient and didn't get to talk to him.
So I notice on my patients bed sheet above his leg area, it's bright red.
Obviously, being that we're in a hospital, I'm a nurse- this is my patient ...my first thought is somehow my patient is bleeding profusely...from his....thigh area...
Noticing my sudden concern regarding the bright red marks on the sheet, the patient laughs.
I have a raised, expectant eyebrow expression- like this- ^_^ (sort of).
Patient: "oh don't worry. Dr. Improv did that."
Me: (again) ^_^....... "um....can I...see what happened...?"
Patient: "what do you mean?"
Me: "the blood? On your sheet."
Patient: "oh! No. That's marker. Dr. Improv was drawing pictures for me about the surgery hes doing on me tomorrow. See, this is my stomach, those are...the intestines...I think...that's the duodenum there..."
Me: "well, this is a first."
Reason # 37291 why I don't advise using red markers to draw pictures on your patients bed sheets.
*sigh*
-WNB
.
So I notice on my patients bed sheet above his leg area, it's bright red.
Obviously, being that we're in a hospital, I'm a nurse- this is my patient ...my first thought is somehow my patient is bleeding profusely...from his....thigh area...
Noticing my sudden concern regarding the bright red marks on the sheet, the patient laughs.
I have a raised, expectant eyebrow expression- like this- ^_^ (sort of).
Patient: "oh don't worry. Dr. Improv did that."
Me: (again) ^_^....... "um....can I...see what happened...?"
Patient: "what do you mean?"
Me: "the blood? On your sheet."
Patient: "oh! No. That's marker. Dr. Improv was drawing pictures for me about the surgery hes doing on me tomorrow. See, this is my stomach, those are...the intestines...I think...that's the duodenum there..."
Me: "well, this is a first."
Reason # 37291 why I don't advise using red markers to draw pictures on your patients bed sheets.
*sigh*
-WNB
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Monday, May 7, 2012
Happy Nurse's Week!
Ah my profession has a week! This is cool!
I've always known about nurses week....well, for the past six years that I've worked in a hospital I've known- that is. But this is my first year that I actually get to celebrate it, as an official nurse. Way cool.
And this is the first year that I'm noticing society celebrating it, too! Which shocks me. I mean, Its one thing for hospitals to celebrate it.....but society? Non-medical people? For example, in the mall today I did a total double glance- I was walking past "Cinnabon" (food) and I noticed a sign that said "Nurses week! Bring in your hospital ID badge, all nurses get a free cinnabon roll!"
I was shocked! Fo realz?
And then my local radio station is having this huge luncheon for just nurses. Cordial invite and everything..... They have been advertising it for about a month now. Thats super nice! Unfortunately, I can't go. Because I work. Nurses don't get off work for nurses week, lol.
Anyway, being that a lot of my friends on facebook are also nurses, I have been seeing quite the medley of hilarious "memes" as they call them nowadays. So I want to share the funniest ones I've seen. Please keep in mind, I did not make these, I do not know where they originated from nor who the maker is.
As for good news on my end, my hospital is starting this new thing to prompt......eh...competition? Hard work? Good customer service? About a month or so ago they announced they would be giving out awards based off nominations from peers to nurses and supporting staff that excelled in that particular award denomination. So, somehow- I'm not sure how- (other than the fact that my nominating peer wrote a killer essay to nominate me)- how I won. But I won! I got an award for being a "rising star nurse", qualifications being a nurse under two years, and shows exceeding potential for future excellence. So, that kinda made myday week month year?! " :-) I'm super stoked and honored.
On other happier notes, I seem to have a super duper outlook on my future job prospects...I've been interested in getting my MSN in nursing informatics, and today the head of the informatics team at my hospital told me herself she is retiring and her along with our Vice President of Nursing said that they are looking into me to come into the department and maybe eventually fulfill her duties. Which is totally terrific!! Lots of door openings today!!!!!
So I have to super speed up my MSN. Must start applying now, ahh!
Lots of good news today. I am super blessed to be living this wonderful life. I have my own place, I have a full time job in my college major study, I have a lot of doors opening for my future, I am healthy, I have phenomenal friends, I have exceedingly phenomenal coworkers (those two overlap), I have the best most supporting family...what more could I really ask for?!
I hope all nurses weeks to come are this wonderful! :D
Happy Nurses Week Everyone! Try not to get peed or pooped on this week, you owe that to yourself ;) Duck the punches!
With love,
A Writer in a Nurse's Body
PS- Please remember the memes are not mine! I do not own a copyright to them. Google them. Re-post them, I dont care!
.
I've always known about nurses week....well, for the past six years that I've worked in a hospital I've known- that is. But this is my first year that I actually get to celebrate it, as an official nurse. Way cool.
And this is the first year that I'm noticing society celebrating it, too! Which shocks me. I mean, Its one thing for hospitals to celebrate it.....but society? Non-medical people? For example, in the mall today I did a total double glance- I was walking past "Cinnabon" (food) and I noticed a sign that said "Nurses week! Bring in your hospital ID badge, all nurses get a free cinnabon roll!"
I was shocked! Fo realz?
And then my local radio station is having this huge luncheon for just nurses. Cordial invite and everything..... They have been advertising it for about a month now. Thats super nice! Unfortunately, I can't go. Because I work. Nurses don't get off work for nurses week, lol.
Anyway, being that a lot of my friends on facebook are also nurses, I have been seeing quite the medley of hilarious "memes" as they call them nowadays. So I want to share the funniest ones I've seen. Please keep in mind, I did not make these, I do not know where they originated from nor who the maker is.
 |
| This is definitely my favorite. I see it in a hugely sarcastic tone and I love it. |
 |
| I want to tell this to the cops that pull me over (ever so rarely, of course). |
 |
| Sad, but exceedingly true. |
 |
| If only our patients were actually this considerate..... |
As for good news on my end, my hospital is starting this new thing to prompt......eh...competition? Hard work? Good customer service? About a month or so ago they announced they would be giving out awards based off nominations from peers to nurses and supporting staff that excelled in that particular award denomination. So, somehow- I'm not sure how- (other than the fact that my nominating peer wrote a killer essay to nominate me)- how I won. But I won! I got an award for being a "rising star nurse", qualifications being a nurse under two years, and shows exceeding potential for future excellence. So, that kinda made my
On other happier notes, I seem to have a super duper outlook on my future job prospects...I've been interested in getting my MSN in nursing informatics, and today the head of the informatics team at my hospital told me herself she is retiring and her along with our Vice President of Nursing said that they are looking into me to come into the department and maybe eventually fulfill her duties. Which is totally terrific!! Lots of door openings today!!!!!
So I have to super speed up my MSN. Must start applying now, ahh!
Lots of good news today. I am super blessed to be living this wonderful life. I have my own place, I have a full time job in my college major study, I have a lot of doors opening for my future, I am healthy, I have phenomenal friends, I have exceedingly phenomenal coworkers (those two overlap), I have the best most supporting family...what more could I really ask for?!
I hope all nurses weeks to come are this wonderful! :D
Happy Nurses Week Everyone! Try not to get peed or pooped on this week, you owe that to yourself ;) Duck the punches!
With love,
A Writer in a Nurse's Body
PS- Please remember the memes are not mine! I do not own a copyright to them. Google them. Re-post them, I dont care!
.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Most Epic Blood Donation Fail Ever
So I like to donate platelets. It takes about 90 minutes, and the collection center by me gives you a DVD player to sit with during and watch any movie (that they provide) that you want. Snacks galore, free. All you have to do is give them your arm and squeeze a squeegee every 10 seconds.
So here I am, trying to donate. The nurse I had that stuck me was new (i think) and didn't get a great vein. The machine kept beeping and they couldn't get it to flow (I also have weird veins). They called over their more expert nurses to try and get it to work and no one could. So, they said the words I thought they would never say- "We can't use you today." I thought.....aren't they desperate for blood? Didn't they- CALL ME- Asking if I can *please* donate my blood type? And now they're giving up?
I asked them, well- "Can't we try the other arm?"
Nurse: "No."
Me: "Why not?"
Nurse: "because we can't."
Me: "Okay. Well can I still try and donate whole blood, then?"
Nurse: "No."
Me: "Why not?"
Nurse: "because its our policy. We tried you once already today we can't keep trying."
Me: "Okay. Fine...."
So I closed my nifty DVD player, and off I went.
Nurse: "Oh, but m'am- we still ask that you sit in our little snack area- being that we did take some blood out of you."
Me: "-_-" (facial expression)
So if you ever have donated blood, you know that the snack area is usually composed of elderly volunteers that like to talk your ear off and get you snacks. You are given a slip after you donate that marks the time you finish, and the time you can leave- So they can make sure nothing happens to you. They still gave me the full time to sit and wait, even though I donated an 1/8 of the regular donation. But the little elderlies don't know this, nor did I feel like explaining it so I could ditch early.
Volunteer: "What can I get you to drink?"
Me: "Oh, nothing- I brought ProPel to drink from home."
Volunteer: "Oh. Well I'm supposed to offer you something.....Soda? Chocolate Milk? Coffee?"
Now, I can't drink any of those, being that I'm allergic to everything. So I take a look at their fridge, their contents open for everyone to see because it had a clear door, like a vending machine.
Me: "Um.....Okay.....Can I have some orange juice then?"
Volunteer: "Oh, no. We're not allowed to give out the orange juice."
Now, here I thought she was kidding- being that she was already giving me a hard time about picking a beverage out. But she wasn't.
Me: "Um...?"
Volunteer: "Its a new policy they made the other day. See, it says so right up there (in fine print), that they did a study out in TimBuckToo that says orange juice after blood donations causes upset stomach.
THis is where Volunteer #2 steps in: "Well, if we can't offer it then why is it visible? I think if it should be visible then I can't possibly say no. Thats a tease. We should give it away. We can't throw it away."
Volunteer #1 (says to me): "Do you want to take home the orange juice?"
Me: "Um..."
Volunteer #2: "You can't ask her if she wants the orange juice after you just said she couldn't have it!"
Here pipes in another prisoner waiting at the table, "Um....I had the orange juice From Volunteer #2, and my stomach is fine."
Me: "Yeah, actually I barely got to donate- So I think I'll be fine."
Volunteer: "Okay fine, but I'm giving you a little. And if you get a stomach ache, I warned you."
Me: "Got it, thanks."
So here is where I pull out my allergen free cookies from home to munch on. I bring these because I can never usually eat the junk food they offer to replenish sugar levels after donating.
Volunteer: "Oh, you brought your own cookies?"
Me: ".....yes."
Volunteer: "Oh. Are they sugar free?"
Me: "No. Dairy free."
Volunteer #2: "oH, are you a diabetic?! I am too."
Me: "um....No. The cookies have plenty of sugar I'm sure. I am not a diabetic. They have no milk...because I am lactose intolerant.
Volunteer: "Oh.....my cousin's aunt's brother's friend is lactose intolerant. He has a terrible time with it."
Me: "Yeah......."
Volunteer #2: "Oh!!!! We have these cookies over here that are GLUTEN-FREE! Do you want THEM?!"
Me: "Um, no thank you. I can eat gluten."
And that is how you make friends.
~WNB
.
So here I am, trying to donate. The nurse I had that stuck me was new (i think) and didn't get a great vein. The machine kept beeping and they couldn't get it to flow (I also have weird veins). They called over their more expert nurses to try and get it to work and no one could. So, they said the words I thought they would never say- "We can't use you today." I thought.....aren't they desperate for blood? Didn't they- CALL ME- Asking if I can *please* donate my blood type? And now they're giving up?
I asked them, well- "Can't we try the other arm?"
Nurse: "No."
Me: "Why not?"
Nurse: "because we can't."
Me: "Okay. Well can I still try and donate whole blood, then?"
Nurse: "No."
Me: "Why not?"
Nurse: "because its our policy. We tried you once already today we can't keep trying."
Me: "Okay. Fine...."
So I closed my nifty DVD player, and off I went.
Nurse: "Oh, but m'am- we still ask that you sit in our little snack area- being that we did take some blood out of you."
Me: "-_-" (facial expression)
So if you ever have donated blood, you know that the snack area is usually composed of elderly volunteers that like to talk your ear off and get you snacks. You are given a slip after you donate that marks the time you finish, and the time you can leave- So they can make sure nothing happens to you. They still gave me the full time to sit and wait, even though I donated an 1/8 of the regular donation. But the little elderlies don't know this, nor did I feel like explaining it so I could ditch early.
Volunteer: "What can I get you to drink?"
Me: "Oh, nothing- I brought ProPel to drink from home."
Volunteer: "Oh. Well I'm supposed to offer you something.....Soda? Chocolate Milk? Coffee?"
Now, I can't drink any of those, being that I'm allergic to everything. So I take a look at their fridge, their contents open for everyone to see because it had a clear door, like a vending machine.
Me: "Um.....Okay.....Can I have some orange juice then?"
Volunteer: "Oh, no. We're not allowed to give out the orange juice."
Now, here I thought she was kidding- being that she was already giving me a hard time about picking a beverage out. But she wasn't.
Me: "Um...?"
Volunteer: "Its a new policy they made the other day. See, it says so right up there (in fine print), that they did a study out in TimBuckToo that says orange juice after blood donations causes upset stomach.
THis is where Volunteer #2 steps in: "Well, if we can't offer it then why is it visible? I think if it should be visible then I can't possibly say no. Thats a tease. We should give it away. We can't throw it away."
Volunteer #1 (says to me): "Do you want to take home the orange juice?"
Me: "Um..."
Volunteer #2: "You can't ask her if she wants the orange juice after you just said she couldn't have it!"
Here pipes in another prisoner waiting at the table, "Um....I had the orange juice From Volunteer #2, and my stomach is fine."
Me: "Yeah, actually I barely got to donate- So I think I'll be fine."
Volunteer: "Okay fine, but I'm giving you a little. And if you get a stomach ache, I warned you."
Me: "Got it, thanks."
So here is where I pull out my allergen free cookies from home to munch on. I bring these because I can never usually eat the junk food they offer to replenish sugar levels after donating.
Volunteer: "Oh, you brought your own cookies?"
Me: ".....yes."
Volunteer: "Oh. Are they sugar free?"
Me: "No. Dairy free."
Volunteer #2: "oH, are you a diabetic?! I am too."
Me: "um....No. The cookies have plenty of sugar I'm sure. I am not a diabetic. They have no milk...because I am lactose intolerant.
Volunteer: "Oh.....my cousin's aunt's brother's friend is lactose intolerant. He has a terrible time with it."
Me: "Yeah......."
Volunteer #2: "Oh!!!! We have these cookies over here that are GLUTEN-FREE! Do you want THEM?!"
Me: "Um, no thank you. I can eat gluten."
And that is how you make friends.
~WNB
.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Most Awkward Moment of my LIFE
I just happen to have been born and raised about 20 minutes from the hospital I work in. That being said, I think I can count on ONE hand the amount of times I bumped into a patient that I had, outside of the hospital. We aren't a very big county, but somehow we are big enough that I didn't think this happens. Then again, I don't live in- nor have I ever- the actual town the hospital is in.
Apparently, seeing patients outside of work is a daily occurrence for employees that also live in this small town. I was not aware of this.
So the other day, my superawesomeincredible nurse aide needed a ride home. This nurse aide happens to live in the same very town as the hospital, not far. So we happen to be at a stoplight.....chit-chat, observing the surroundings in front of us. I see two men sitting on a front stoop, one is wearing long-johns and flannel coat, the other in a suit and boots. Otherwise there wasn't much going on. But the following went down:
Coworker: "Well that guy sure looks spiffy."
Me: "yeah. Must have an interview or going to work or something."
Coworker: "Yeah......hey....wait a minute...Isn't that SoandSo?!"
Me: "Who?"
Coworker: "We had him as a patient, a month or two ago."
I take a closer look, visualize him in a patient gown....
Me: "Oh my god isn't that the guy from the jail?!"
Coworker laughs, "Yeah- he's always in and out for traffic violations. I wonder why he's looking so spiffy today he's got nice boots and everything..."
Me: "OH! MY! GOD!"
Coworker: "....what?"
Me: "I.....sucked POOP.....out of THAT GUYS stomach! And now he's standing in a suit, across from me on the street!"
Coworker: "You did what...?"
Me: "You know.....an NG tube and all..."
it was seriously the funniest, most awkward, most enlightening and most awful moment of my entire....week. It will NEVER not be weird seeing patients outside the hospital....knowing what I know about patients, remembering what I've seen them do, spit up, poop out, etc. Weirrddddddd.
~WNB
.
Apparently, seeing patients outside of work is a daily occurrence for employees that also live in this small town. I was not aware of this.
So the other day, my superawesomeincredible nurse aide needed a ride home. This nurse aide happens to live in the same very town as the hospital, not far. So we happen to be at a stoplight.....chit-chat, observing the surroundings in front of us. I see two men sitting on a front stoop, one is wearing long-johns and flannel coat, the other in a suit and boots. Otherwise there wasn't much going on. But the following went down:
Coworker: "Well that guy sure looks spiffy."
Me: "yeah. Must have an interview or going to work or something."
Coworker: "Yeah......hey....wait a minute...Isn't that SoandSo?!"
Me: "Who?"
Coworker: "We had him as a patient, a month or two ago."
I take a closer look, visualize him in a patient gown....
Me: "Oh my god isn't that the guy from the jail?!"
Coworker laughs, "Yeah- he's always in and out for traffic violations. I wonder why he's looking so spiffy today he's got nice boots and everything..."
Me: "OH! MY! GOD!"
Coworker: "....what?"
Me: "I.....sucked POOP.....out of THAT GUYS stomach! And now he's standing in a suit, across from me on the street!"
Coworker: "You did what...?"
Me: "You know.....an NG tube and all..."
it was seriously the funniest, most awkward, most enlightening and most awful moment of my entire....week. It will NEVER not be weird seeing patients outside the hospital....knowing what I know about patients, remembering what I've seen them do, spit up, poop out, etc. Weirrddddddd.
~WNB
.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Doctors Throw Tantrums Too
So weekends at the hospital have small potential to be a little less insane than the weekdays. There is usually a lot less patients, but also less staff. Regular services aren't offered on the weekends (in small hospitals such as mine)- services such as physical therapy, non-emergency surgeries, short procedures, etc.
Last night I come on to the floor, and its already a slow night. I'm already finished with my charting at 8pm, which means that I can sit at the nurses station at 8pm- And this is almost unheard of. This means that *sometimes* doctors are still lingering at the station, finishing up the days work for them. This was such the case last night.
Said doctor was already frustrated that he was still doing work at 8pm on a Saturday. He is a specialist and was seeing a patient for that specific specialty, obviously. However the patients family was very upset about a lot of other issues going on with the patient, and Mr.NiceDoctor was attempting to consult other specialties for this patient and even get some therapy started that night to speed up the healing process.
In order to do that, he had to page other doctors to speak with them for advice on what to order. So he pages Doctor #1. Waits 15 minutes. No answer. Pages him again. No answer. Pages another doctor. Doctor #2 answers, He's not on call this weekend- Click! Hang up. Mr.NiceDoctor dials operator in a rage to find out WHO is officially on call for the specialty he needs. Operator says....Oh...Its Doctor #3. Mr. NiceDoctor pages Doctor #3- That doctor says, "No- you must mean the OTHER DoctorWithTheSameLastNameAsMe. I'm not with that specialty."
This is precisely when Mr.NiceDoctor hangs up the phone and says (rather loudly) to anyone thats within earshot- "IS IT ALWAYS THIS DIFFICULT!?" ( I think he even stomped his foot, too.)
My answer, very softly- "Every day." And then I smiled.
He then proceeded to ramble on, "Is it always this hard to get in touch with people around here?!"
And I held back....because I love my job, so so so...so, much-And I said nothing except a little shrug. But me and my telepathic coworker said in our minds, "Just doctors!"
In case you like happy endings, Mr.NiceDoctor DID eventually get in contact with the specialty he needed and the patient was started on 3 antibiotics. Happy Ending.
:-) WNB
.
Last night I come on to the floor, and its already a slow night. I'm already finished with my charting at 8pm, which means that I can sit at the nurses station at 8pm- And this is almost unheard of. This means that *sometimes* doctors are still lingering at the station, finishing up the days work for them. This was such the case last night.
Said doctor was already frustrated that he was still doing work at 8pm on a Saturday. He is a specialist and was seeing a patient for that specific specialty, obviously. However the patients family was very upset about a lot of other issues going on with the patient, and Mr.NiceDoctor was attempting to consult other specialties for this patient and even get some therapy started that night to speed up the healing process.
In order to do that, he had to page other doctors to speak with them for advice on what to order. So he pages Doctor #1. Waits 15 minutes. No answer. Pages him again. No answer. Pages another doctor. Doctor #2 answers, He's not on call this weekend- Click! Hang up. Mr.NiceDoctor dials operator in a rage to find out WHO is officially on call for the specialty he needs. Operator says....Oh...Its Doctor #3. Mr. NiceDoctor pages Doctor #3- That doctor says, "No- you must mean the OTHER DoctorWithTheSameLastNameAsMe. I'm not with that specialty."
This is precisely when Mr.NiceDoctor hangs up the phone and says (rather loudly) to anyone thats within earshot- "IS IT ALWAYS THIS DIFFICULT!?" ( I think he even stomped his foot, too.)
My answer, very softly- "Every day." And then I smiled.
He then proceeded to ramble on, "Is it always this hard to get in touch with people around here?!"
And I held back....because I love my job, so so so...so, much-And I said nothing except a little shrug. But me and my telepathic coworker said in our minds, "Just doctors!"
In case you like happy endings, Mr.NiceDoctor DID eventually get in contact with the specialty he needed and the patient was started on 3 antibiotics. Happy Ending.
:-) WNB
.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Doctors Don't Know Everything
So me and fellow co-nurse are discussing one of our patients foot wounds. She asks me the correct anatomical term to describe the area beneath the big toe.
My educated answer? "google it"
So we googled it and unfortunately google didn't offer any insight.
At that time one of the nice(r) doctors strolled up to the unit. I whispered to my co-nurse that we should ask doctor, right?
Nurse: "Dr.YouShouldKnowThis, what would be the correct anatomical term to describe this area of the foot?" * you can't get it wrong, as said nurse even took off her shoe and really made sure to point at the right spot*
Dr.YouShouldKnowThis: ummm.....the ball of the foot?
Nurse: I know, but what's the fancy name?
Dr. YouShouldKnowThis: I don't know. I'd google it.
Now keep in mind, Dr.YouShouldKnowThis does have a Medical Degree, however she is a hospitalist. They treat patients that come into the hospital, they have no primary practice. They are usually younger doctors. They get paid pretty crappy for doing a lot of work. So I didn't even blame her for not being up to par on her anatomy.
So alas, being that this is important and we have to chart it in legal documentation, we had not finished our quest for enduring everlasting foot wound knowledge. So Dr.YouShouldKnowThis leaves, and a couple minutes later another doctor arrives.
Now this doctor is a lot older and more experienced. He's a family primary practice and he's seen a lot in his day.
Nurse: "Dr.YouShouldDefiniteKnowThis, what is this area known as on the foot?" is it...metatarsal? Plantar? *she takes off shoe again*
Dr.YouShouldDefinitelyKnowThis: ummm...I would definitely just google that.
Lol.
_wnb
Google solves all problems.
PS_ We ended up charting it as the ball of the foot.
My educated answer? "google it"
So we googled it and unfortunately google didn't offer any insight.
At that time one of the nice(r) doctors strolled up to the unit. I whispered to my co-nurse that we should ask doctor, right?
Nurse: "Dr.YouShouldKnowThis, what would be the correct anatomical term to describe this area of the foot?" * you can't get it wrong, as said nurse even took off her shoe and really made sure to point at the right spot*
Dr.YouShouldKnowThis: ummm.....the ball of the foot?
Nurse: I know, but what's the fancy name?
Dr. YouShouldKnowThis: I don't know. I'd google it.
Now keep in mind, Dr.YouShouldKnowThis does have a Medical Degree, however she is a hospitalist. They treat patients that come into the hospital, they have no primary practice. They are usually younger doctors. They get paid pretty crappy for doing a lot of work. So I didn't even blame her for not being up to par on her anatomy.
So alas, being that this is important and we have to chart it in legal documentation, we had not finished our quest for enduring everlasting foot wound knowledge. So Dr.YouShouldKnowThis leaves, and a couple minutes later another doctor arrives.
Now this doctor is a lot older and more experienced. He's a family primary practice and he's seen a lot in his day.
Nurse: "Dr.YouShouldDefiniteKnowThis, what is this area known as on the foot?" is it...metatarsal? Plantar? *she takes off shoe again*
Dr.YouShouldDefinitelyKnowThis: ummm...I would definitely just google that.
Lol.
_wnb
Google solves all problems.
PS_ We ended up charting it as the ball of the foot.
Not Exactly What I Mean
So I had a patient last night, a little elderly lady. Upon assessing her I found out she hadn't had a bowel movement in a couple days. She told me this was normal for her. I asked if sometimes she had to take a laxative at home. She says yes.
Me: Do you know the name of it?
Patient: Oh, Its "Over the counter".
Me: Yes.....RIght- but do you know the name of it?
Patient: Oh....Rite Aid. . . or sometimes walgreens if Rite Aid is closed.
Me: -_-
Me: Do you know the name of it?
Patient: Oh, Its "Over the counter".
Me: Yes.....RIght- but do you know the name of it?
Patient: Oh....Rite Aid. . . or sometimes walgreens if Rite Aid is closed.
Me: -_-
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Our Sister Profession....
So myth or not, its been said in the past that nurses and police officers...well, we are sort of a sister profession. Although, yes- Our jobs differ immensely in certain aspects, we are similar in that:
It's been said that a sort of unwritten rule exists between nurses and cops that when we cross paths in an unfortunate situation (a nurse gets pulled over in her scrubs, or a cop ends up as a patient) we always "look out for each other", or help each other out more so than the average joe. Even so, that doesn't give nurses the free pass to do 100mph down the highway!
Anyway, the other night at work I received an admission- the patient was from the county jail, and whenever we get a patient from a jail- they are accompanied at all times by a police officer. This means the police officer has to stay in the room at all times with the patient. In the bathroom. At the bedside.
That being said, this patient happened to come up with two police officers, both young and muscular. So even though we have known to be "Sister professions", we can be ever so brotherly. Me and the ER aide have to transfer the patient from the stretcher to the bed, and we're both rather tiny. And who's watching, but the two cops, leaning against the heating unit? I totally called them out on it and threw gloves at them and they got my drift.
So I go through with my entire patient system assessment. The patient was admitted with a small bowel obstruction, and had an NGT tube (this means bile/food/poop is being drained out of his stomach through a tube and going to a little container). So I explained to the police officer what that was and how important it was that the patient didn't touch it. Then I noticed he started getting a little pale (the cop, not the patient). I smiled and continued on.
Then, when rolling the patient on his side- he (unexpectedly) let out the biggest, longest, wettest, loudest set of multiple bouts of "flatulence" ( to say it nicely). It was at this point that the police officer lost it and left the room.
He came back with "smell begone" spray, lol.
The whole situation oddly tickled my funny bone. :-)
~WNB
.
- We help people. We both take an oath to always serve and protect, to do no harm.
- we both work really long, grueling, weird, crazy timed shifts
- We both know what each others job is like- We are both in the position to be professionals- to be calm and stern and not punch someone in the face when they really deserve it.
- We both know how to lay down the law and stand up for whats moral.
- We both deal exceedingly high amounts of bullshit on a daily basis. And still come back to work the next day.
It's been said that a sort of unwritten rule exists between nurses and cops that when we cross paths in an unfortunate situation (a nurse gets pulled over in her scrubs, or a cop ends up as a patient) we always "look out for each other", or help each other out more so than the average joe. Even so, that doesn't give nurses the free pass to do 100mph down the highway!
Anyway, the other night at work I received an admission- the patient was from the county jail, and whenever we get a patient from a jail- they are accompanied at all times by a police officer. This means the police officer has to stay in the room at all times with the patient. In the bathroom. At the bedside.
That being said, this patient happened to come up with two police officers, both young and muscular. So even though we have known to be "Sister professions", we can be ever so brotherly. Me and the ER aide have to transfer the patient from the stretcher to the bed, and we're both rather tiny. And who's watching, but the two cops, leaning against the heating unit? I totally called them out on it and threw gloves at them and they got my drift.
So I go through with my entire patient system assessment. The patient was admitted with a small bowel obstruction, and had an NGT tube (this means bile/food/poop is being drained out of his stomach through a tube and going to a little container). So I explained to the police officer what that was and how important it was that the patient didn't touch it. Then I noticed he started getting a little pale (the cop, not the patient). I smiled and continued on.
Then, when rolling the patient on his side- he (unexpectedly) let out the biggest, longest, wettest, loudest set of multiple bouts of "flatulence" ( to say it nicely). It was at this point that the police officer lost it and left the room.
He came back with "smell begone" spray, lol.
The whole situation oddly tickled my funny bone. :-)
~WNB
.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Nursing doctor funny of the day
Doctor: is this patient having diarrhea?
Patient: no, not really. She had a small episode where she farted and it came out as poop.
Doctor: oh. I was going to get a stool culture for reports of diarrhea but I guess I can't culture a fart.
Lololol. A lot of things make me giggle relentlessly at 4:30 am. This was one of them.
Patient: no, not really. She had a small episode where she farted and it came out as poop.
Doctor: oh. I was going to get a stool culture for reports of diarrhea but I guess I can't culture a fart.
Lololol. A lot of things make me giggle relentlessly at 4:30 am. This was one of them.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Life is Funny That Way
So in December, I joined a gym a couple of minutes from my house. My primary goal was not just weight loss- I was specifically looking for a way to play tennis indoors all winter. When I joined the gym, I also noticed I was now eligible for a free racquetball lesson.
Racquetball? Honestly, I had heard of the game maybe once or twice, and only knew it was "the game you play in the box". But, obviously, its with a racquet, its free, and I thought I would give it a try.
So I went for the lesson, and I sucked. Well, I thought I did. Apparantly, I did well for never having played, but thats probably thank you to tennis experience. However, it just so happens that the director of the racquetball programs walked by as I was finishing my lesson, and asked if I would be *interested* in joining a beginners racquetball league. I thought about it....I thought, OK- It can't hurt to just put my name down to be emailed about it, right?
So sure enough, I never went back to play. I got back into working, christmas came, went on vacation, etc. Then, one day I get an email about the league. It was scheduled to be every tuesday. I emailed back with concern that I wouldn't be available on tuesdays being that my work schedule changes weekly. No problem, they said- just rearrange your match. To me- that interaction wasn't a *go ahead and put me in the tournament* interaction.
However, sure enough, a couple weeks later I get an email of the tournament schedule- and sure enough- I was on it, after only having had one lesson.
My first reaction- after my pulse racing- was NO! Absolutely not! I will nottttttttttt do this, how can I best get out of this?? But then I thought- man the whole tournament is matched- If i back out it will extraordinarishly hard to reschedule....I have to play. But I can't play. I can't. I won't. But I have to. What do I do??
So I talked to friends about it, and of course- the general concensus was- DO IT! I realized, with their help that I have to try new things and if it really sucks that bad, then it will be over soon and its not the end of the world. Great.
So next thing I did was schedule myself for another lesson, and went and bought all my supplies! Yikes!
Well, I won my first match so far! (yay!) but lost my second match (nay)- but thats not the point.
The point is, is that I'm absolutely falling in love with the sport! I can't stop thinking about it! I love it! Yes, it is a very intense workout like no other. You have to think extremely quickly and move even faster than that. But I love racquet sports. And there's just something so stress relieving about making that impact between the ball and your racquet.......ahh. The other day after work I went to play- by myself, just to hit the ball around. Its so nice being in an enclosed area where you can hit the ball as hard as you want and it comes right back to you. On a tennis court you have to go running after it all the time, bring 50 balls, etc.
So, thats my funny story of the week. I shall keep you updated on how it all pans out, but I'm pretty sure I'm a new lifelong player :)
~WNB
Racquetball? Honestly, I had heard of the game maybe once or twice, and only knew it was "the game you play in the box". But, obviously, its with a racquet, its free, and I thought I would give it a try.
So I went for the lesson, and I sucked. Well, I thought I did. Apparantly, I did well for never having played, but thats probably thank you to tennis experience. However, it just so happens that the director of the racquetball programs walked by as I was finishing my lesson, and asked if I would be *interested* in joining a beginners racquetball league. I thought about it....I thought, OK- It can't hurt to just put my name down to be emailed about it, right?
So sure enough, I never went back to play. I got back into working, christmas came, went on vacation, etc. Then, one day I get an email about the league. It was scheduled to be every tuesday. I emailed back with concern that I wouldn't be available on tuesdays being that my work schedule changes weekly. No problem, they said- just rearrange your match. To me- that interaction wasn't a *go ahead and put me in the tournament* interaction.
However, sure enough, a couple weeks later I get an email of the tournament schedule- and sure enough- I was on it, after only having had one lesson.
My first reaction- after my pulse racing- was NO! Absolutely not! I will nottttttttttt do this, how can I best get out of this?? But then I thought- man the whole tournament is matched- If i back out it will extraordinarishly hard to reschedule....I have to play. But I can't play. I can't. I won't. But I have to. What do I do??
So I talked to friends about it, and of course- the general concensus was- DO IT! I realized, with their help that I have to try new things and if it really sucks that bad, then it will be over soon and its not the end of the world. Great.
So next thing I did was schedule myself for another lesson, and went and bought all my supplies! Yikes!
Well, I won my first match so far! (yay!) but lost my second match (nay)- but thats not the point.
The point is, is that I'm absolutely falling in love with the sport! I can't stop thinking about it! I love it! Yes, it is a very intense workout like no other. You have to think extremely quickly and move even faster than that. But I love racquet sports. And there's just something so stress relieving about making that impact between the ball and your racquet.......ahh. The other day after work I went to play- by myself, just to hit the ball around. Its so nice being in an enclosed area where you can hit the ball as hard as you want and it comes right back to you. On a tennis court you have to go running after it all the time, bring 50 balls, etc.
So, thats my funny story of the week. I shall keep you updated on how it all pans out, but I'm pretty sure I'm a new lifelong player :)
~WNB
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Sheer Brilliance
So I have this 86 year old patient. When I first got her a couple days ago, I thought she was a little..."slow", because she never talked, didn't listen to us, did whatever she wanted to do, was confused, and kind of had a constant "dazed and confused" look to her. But after spending a couple of nights with her, I realize she's actually remarkably sharp.
We put her as a fall risk because my hospital flips out if anyone falls and we do everything we can to prevent falls. So basically even if you're 20 and in for the night, we'll find a way to peg you as a "fall risk". But regardless- This little lady was the epitome of what a fall risk should be. Confused, elderly, likes to pull her IVs out, unsteady on her feet, gets up on her own without calling, etc. Complete, high fall risk. So our hospital standard protocol is to put these little alarms on these patients that ring pretty loudly if it releases from the patient (i.e. the patient got up from the bed). The alarm is done by a string (old school) and is connected from patient to bed.
The alarm definitely worked for a couple days. It went off so many times that I was beginning to hear that tune in my sleep off-shift. But she was so active that there were times when we found her flying free around the room without the alarm having gone off because it wasn't put on. So even though we could see she was definitely getting her strength back and she was walking OK around the room by herself, we still wanted her to be a high risk because well......see above. We like everyone on fall precautions.
Well, last night I had to hand it to her. When I first got on shift, (literally- first five minutes), she was found sitting naked on the side of her bed, pulled IV out, took her heart monitor off. And she's smiling. Cool.
We asked her if she had to go to the bathroom. She shook her head no, said she just went. Also, cool. So we got her alllll situated back in bed, tucked in, comfortable and Definitely put that bed alarm back on. Securely. For sure.
Despite the fact that she was forgetful and I was pretty much talking to Dori, I felt like it was worth trying. I sat down with her and slowly explained to her the importance of calling for help before she goes to the bathroom and we will come help her get up, etc. We shook on it and made a deal.
Well, go flippin figure, next time I come to check in on her, where do I find her?
In the bathroom.
Why didn't the *trusty* bed alarm go off?
Because she unvelcroed it from the bed, and was holding the entire thing in her hand, so that the alarm wouldn't go off. Sitting on the toilet.
As mad as I was that she figured all of that out, I had to hand it to her. Never in all my six years of being in the healthcare field have I *ever* seen someone dismantle a bed alarm, nonetheless a confused elderly 86 year old. I have seen many many people take the clip off of themselves and keep the bed alarm at the bed so it wouldn't go off,which is smart, yes, but easy to figure out. But to take the whole thing off the bed is really thinking outside of the box. I was truly impressed. I didn't even know she knew where the bed alarm even came from. But I still tried to act semi-responsible and mad. Kind of like a parent that is shocked his kid did something totally kick-ass awesome even though its totally not a good idea.
Thats all today. That was definitely the highlight of the night. In case you're curious, she actually behaved after that incident and actually sang multiple songs for us from her bed, all night. Not sure if she sleeps, ever. At all.
With love,
~WNB
.
We put her as a fall risk because my hospital flips out if anyone falls and we do everything we can to prevent falls. So basically even if you're 20 and in for the night, we'll find a way to peg you as a "fall risk". But regardless- This little lady was the epitome of what a fall risk should be. Confused, elderly, likes to pull her IVs out, unsteady on her feet, gets up on her own without calling, etc. Complete, high fall risk. So our hospital standard protocol is to put these little alarms on these patients that ring pretty loudly if it releases from the patient (i.e. the patient got up from the bed). The alarm is done by a string (old school) and is connected from patient to bed.
The alarm definitely worked for a couple days. It went off so many times that I was beginning to hear that tune in my sleep off-shift. But she was so active that there were times when we found her flying free around the room without the alarm having gone off because it wasn't put on. So even though we could see she was definitely getting her strength back and she was walking OK around the room by herself, we still wanted her to be a high risk because well......see above. We like everyone on fall precautions.
Well, last night I had to hand it to her. When I first got on shift, (literally- first five minutes), she was found sitting naked on the side of her bed, pulled IV out, took her heart monitor off. And she's smiling. Cool.
We asked her if she had to go to the bathroom. She shook her head no, said she just went. Also, cool. So we got her alllll situated back in bed, tucked in, comfortable and Definitely put that bed alarm back on. Securely. For sure.
Despite the fact that she was forgetful and I was pretty much talking to Dori, I felt like it was worth trying. I sat down with her and slowly explained to her the importance of calling for help before she goes to the bathroom and we will come help her get up, etc. We shook on it and made a deal.
Well, go flippin figure, next time I come to check in on her, where do I find her?
In the bathroom.
Why didn't the *trusty* bed alarm go off?
Because she unvelcroed it from the bed, and was holding the entire thing in her hand, so that the alarm wouldn't go off. Sitting on the toilet.
As mad as I was that she figured all of that out, I had to hand it to her. Never in all my six years of being in the healthcare field have I *ever* seen someone dismantle a bed alarm, nonetheless a confused elderly 86 year old. I have seen many many people take the clip off of themselves and keep the bed alarm at the bed so it wouldn't go off,which is smart, yes, but easy to figure out. But to take the whole thing off the bed is really thinking outside of the box. I was truly impressed. I didn't even know she knew where the bed alarm even came from. But I still tried to act semi-responsible and mad. Kind of like a parent that is shocked his kid did something totally kick-ass awesome even though its totally not a good idea.
Thats all today. That was definitely the highlight of the night. In case you're curious, she actually behaved after that incident and actually sang multiple songs for us from her bed, all night. Not sure if she sleeps, ever. At all.
With love,
~WNB
.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
No, I wouldn't Want to do that...
So! Life has been really good lately. I am happy. :-) Yay!
Work has been good so far, no catastrophes (yet) and my patients seem to like me. There have been many (WTF!!!!!) moments and many moments where I know I am in the right profession. And then, there are moments that are really, really funny. Like these:
#1- Patient is mid-age. Female. I am giving her night time medications. I notice a cheerio stuck on her gown at the top, under her chin.
Me: Oh, Looks like you have a cheerio stuck here, let me get that for--
Patient: NO!! I am SAVING THAT! They didn't feed me enough breakfast so I saved a couple for the rest of the day.
I legit cannot make these things up, guys.
#2 Same patient as above actually. She was the last stop on my med pass, and it was about 1030 at night. She had a sleeping pill ordered and she had told me earlier that she was going to want it. Well, she called the call bell just as I was about to go in anyway with her meds.
Me: Hello, I'm here with your medication before bed.
Patient: Do you have my sleeping pill?
Me: Yep.
Patient: Oh, good. I was worried I was going to fall asleep before you gave it to me.
No, we wouldn't want you to get any restful sleep before the sleeping pill. That would be silly.
#3- Patient is a new admission. It is 5-friggen-AM.
Me: Do you have any allergies?
Patient: Nope.
Loooong pause.
Patient: Rabbits!!!!
Me: Excuse me?
Patient: I'm allergic to rabbits.
Me: Okay.
At five AM, just the thought of writing "Rabbits" on an official medication drug allergy sheet, almost sent me into an inappropriate fit of extreme giggles. But I refrained. So I could keep my job.
Oh, good times, folks, good times.
~WNB
.
Work has been good so far, no catastrophes (yet) and my patients seem to like me. There have been many (WTF!!!!!) moments and many moments where I know I am in the right profession. And then, there are moments that are really, really funny. Like these:
#1- Patient is mid-age. Female. I am giving her night time medications. I notice a cheerio stuck on her gown at the top, under her chin.
Me: Oh, Looks like you have a cheerio stuck here, let me get that for--
Patient: NO!! I am SAVING THAT! They didn't feed me enough breakfast so I saved a couple for the rest of the day.
I legit cannot make these things up, guys.
#2 Same patient as above actually. She was the last stop on my med pass, and it was about 1030 at night. She had a sleeping pill ordered and she had told me earlier that she was going to want it. Well, she called the call bell just as I was about to go in anyway with her meds.
Me: Hello, I'm here with your medication before bed.
Patient: Do you have my sleeping pill?
Me: Yep.
Patient: Oh, good. I was worried I was going to fall asleep before you gave it to me.
No, we wouldn't want you to get any restful sleep before the sleeping pill. That would be silly.
#3- Patient is a new admission. It is 5-friggen-AM.
Me: Do you have any allergies?
Patient: Nope.
Loooong pause.
Patient: Rabbits!!!!
Me: Excuse me?
Patient: I'm allergic to rabbits.
Me: Okay.
At five AM, just the thought of writing "Rabbits" on an official medication drug allergy sheet, almost sent me into an inappropriate fit of extreme giggles. But I refrained. So I could keep my job.
Oh, good times, folks, good times.
~WNB
.
Friday, November 4, 2011
I'm Sorry Sir, Repeat That Please?
I'd like to start off this post with mentioning that my day started out today, before report, with:
"You're going to have an ICU transfer as a patient today. Patient is not here yet. You can practice accepting an ICU transfer. Also, a patient that will probably be a CAT call (rapid response team)."
my response: "Wait...those are two separate patients?"
I was frightened.
However, despite the day that you can only imagine that might have entailed, one funny/interesting moment did arise from it:
my patient (the ICU transfer, actually) was originally sent down to the ICU due to extreme lethargy and not being arousable. However, his status improved greatly and was able to be sent back up to us a couple days later. Meanwhile, the ICU nurse told me he didn't get much sleep last night (big surprise for the ICU) and that he would probably be tired. So I had to play the fine line game of: Do I let my patient sleep today, or do I continuously awaken him to see if he's lethargic? And if he IS lethargic, is it because he's just really, really tired, or is it because something is wrong?
It turned out that he had so much going on with his medical care today (IVs, lots of meds, assessments, etc. in addition to normal stuff -mealtimes, bathroom times, etc.-) that I ended up waking him up every hour practically anyway.
Well, waking him up for dinner was after a period where he was able to have slept the longest for me (about 90 minutes). So this is what went down:
Me: Mr. Patient? Mr. Patient?
pt: *wakes up*
Me: HI mr. Patient. Sorry to have woken you. Your dinner is here for you.
Pt: Oh okay. Good. * pt sits up in bed to get ready to eat tray*
*I start getting tray prepared and he starts mumbling nonsensical words strung together. I am instantly concerned.
Me: Mr.Patient? Can you repeat that? I can't hear you.
Pt: *pt continues to mumble*
* I am legit concerned now and instantly start going through a very simple mental assessment*....
Me: Mr. Patient- Can you tell me your name?
Pt: yes. Its Ima Patient
Me: Okay, good. Can you tell me where you are?
Pt: In Suchagood Hospital
Me: Okay good. Can you tell me what day it is?
Pt: Friday.
Me: How about the month?
Pt: November.
Me: Good. (However, I'm still not convinced, because he just *looks* confused)
Me: Mr. Patient, can you tell me who the president is?
*patient nods*: Yes. Oswald.
Me: Excuse me?
Pt: Oswald.
Me: Mr. Patient, can you tell me what year it is?
Pt: 2011.
Me: Okay good. And who is the president right now, in 2011?
Pt: Oswald.
Me: Not quite....Can you describe him for me?
Pt: Um...He's african american...young fellow.
(at this point I at least knew we were on the same page. Sort of. So I quit.)
Eventually, after being awake for 5+ minutes, he started to go back to normal and was able to recall being confused but didnt know why. But, all turned out well. And Oswald is not the president.
For those of you that don't watch Nick Jr. while you babysit, let me demonstrate the first thing that shows up if you type in Oswald to Google images:
Its a blue octopus.
Need I say more?
~ WNB :)
.
"You're going to have an ICU transfer as a patient today. Patient is not here yet. You can practice accepting an ICU transfer. Also, a patient that will probably be a CAT call (rapid response team)."
my response: "Wait...those are two separate patients?"
I was frightened.
However, despite the day that you can only imagine that might have entailed, one funny/interesting moment did arise from it:
my patient (the ICU transfer, actually) was originally sent down to the ICU due to extreme lethargy and not being arousable. However, his status improved greatly and was able to be sent back up to us a couple days later. Meanwhile, the ICU nurse told me he didn't get much sleep last night (big surprise for the ICU) and that he would probably be tired. So I had to play the fine line game of: Do I let my patient sleep today, or do I continuously awaken him to see if he's lethargic? And if he IS lethargic, is it because he's just really, really tired, or is it because something is wrong?
It turned out that he had so much going on with his medical care today (IVs, lots of meds, assessments, etc. in addition to normal stuff -mealtimes, bathroom times, etc.-) that I ended up waking him up every hour practically anyway.
Well, waking him up for dinner was after a period where he was able to have slept the longest for me (about 90 minutes). So this is what went down:
Me: Mr. Patient? Mr. Patient?
pt: *wakes up*
Me: HI mr. Patient. Sorry to have woken you. Your dinner is here for you.
Pt: Oh okay. Good. * pt sits up in bed to get ready to eat tray*
*I start getting tray prepared and he starts mumbling nonsensical words strung together. I am instantly concerned.
Me: Mr.Patient? Can you repeat that? I can't hear you.
Pt: *pt continues to mumble*
* I am legit concerned now and instantly start going through a very simple mental assessment*....
Me: Mr. Patient- Can you tell me your name?
Pt: yes. Its Ima Patient
Me: Okay, good. Can you tell me where you are?
Pt: In Suchagood Hospital
Me: Okay good. Can you tell me what day it is?
Pt: Friday.
Me: How about the month?
Pt: November.
Me: Good. (However, I'm still not convinced, because he just *looks* confused)
Me: Mr. Patient, can you tell me who the president is?
*patient nods*: Yes. Oswald.
Me: Excuse me?
Pt: Oswald.
Me: Mr. Patient, can you tell me what year it is?
Pt: 2011.
Me: Okay good. And who is the president right now, in 2011?
Pt: Oswald.
Me: Not quite....Can you describe him for me?
Pt: Um...He's african american...young fellow.
(at this point I at least knew we were on the same page. Sort of. So I quit.)
Eventually, after being awake for 5+ minutes, he started to go back to normal and was able to recall being confused but didnt know why. But, all turned out well. And Oswald is not the president.
For those of you that don't watch Nick Jr. while you babysit, let me demonstrate the first thing that shows up if you type in Oswald to Google images:
Its a blue octopus.
Need I say more?
~ WNB :)
.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Walking Away
It takes a lot to push my buttons.
OK thats a lie. I get annoyed easily. Really easily.
However, It takes a lot to notice I'm annoyed, because I'm pretty good at not letting it show. Nurses need that skill. So if it does show that i'm annoyed, then you really pissed me off.
For example, this patient hit just the right button.....
Scene Set up:
I am helping out on the floor. I have no patients of my own, because i am working an odd-hour shift, so I am floating around the floor helping out everyone and answering call bells. So I answer this particular one...
Patient: Hello.
Me: Hi. How can I help you?
Patient: I don't know.
Me: Did you ring your call bell?
P: Oh Yeah. I want water.
Me: OK, no problem. I'll go get you some.
I pick up water pitcher, realize its been recently filled, with ice water.
Me: Actually, you have some. Its right here. Let me pour you a cup.
P: Then whats this in this cup over here?
Me: Well, it says "Pink Lemonade" on the top, so I guess its Pink Lemonade. Would you like some?
P: No. I want water. I hate pink lemonade.
Me: OK, let me pour you a glass. Pours glass. Here you go.
P:Thank you. Whats in that cup over there?
Me: More pink lemonade.
P: Oh, can I have some?
Me: Um. Sure. I hand it over, she drinks.
P: This is gross. What is this? I want water. Get me water.
Me: you have water.
P: Where?
Me: Right here, in front of you. Remember?
P: Oh yeah, OK. Thank you. Dump the rest of that pink lemonade out I dont want it.
Me: OK. Can I get you anything else before I go?
P: Nope.
I leave room. 30 seconds later, her bell goes off again. I go back in.
Me: Hello again. Did you need something?
P: I think I have to use the bedpan. I'm so sorry, I'm taking all your time, you were just in here.
Me: It's not a problem at all, thats what we're here for. I'll be glad to help you.
I pull covers down so she can roll over and use bedpan.
Me: Um, It actually looks like you already went in the bed.....do you still have to go some more?
P: Yes.
Me: OK..Well lets roll over and you can finish in the bedpan. Lets turn on that side over there.
P: I can't turn by myself. It hurts me too much.
Me: Okay, no problem. I will help you roll.
P: Okay. Pt starts to roll, I help, but she's not budging.
P: Don't push me. I can do it by myself.
Still not moving.
Me: Mrs. Soandso, I am going to have to help you turn if we are going to get this bedpan under you.
P: Okay. Just don't listen to me if I say it hurts.
Me: Um, Okay....
I get it under, after finally getting her to roll.
Me: Okay, you can go in the bedpan now.
P: I don't have to go anymore. Can you take it out?
Me: Stares at her. Just try and go for a couple minutes, just in case.
P: Okay.
Me: Okay. I will give you some privacy and come back and check on you.
P: Okay. Before you go, can you fix your hair?
Me: Stares at her, again.
P: Your hair is so pretty but you have that one flyaway strand and its really making me angry. Come here and I will fix it.
Me: Um, no thank you, I will fix it.
P: Then why haven't you already?
Me: I am very busy. I just haven't had time today to readjust my ponytail.
P: Thats why I'll help you.
Me: Thats Okay. I'll go fix it.
Walks away.
>
Seriously though, wtf?! The water/pink lemonade episode is comical, thats like talking to Dori. The bedpan issue is annoying but it happens sometmes, its part of the job. But after I went through everything, including your poop, to help you, and then you throw an insult at me? Thats pushing my button. And I will walk away.
Seriously, some people. *Sigh*
~WNB
.
OK thats a lie. I get annoyed easily. Really easily.
However, It takes a lot to notice I'm annoyed, because I'm pretty good at not letting it show. Nurses need that skill. So if it does show that i'm annoyed, then you really pissed me off.
For example, this patient hit just the right button.....
Scene Set up:
I am helping out on the floor. I have no patients of my own, because i am working an odd-hour shift, so I am floating around the floor helping out everyone and answering call bells. So I answer this particular one...
Patient: Hello.
Me: Hi. How can I help you?
Patient: I don't know.
Me: Did you ring your call bell?
P: Oh Yeah. I want water.
Me: OK, no problem. I'll go get you some.
I pick up water pitcher, realize its been recently filled, with ice water.
Me: Actually, you have some. Its right here. Let me pour you a cup.
P: Then whats this in this cup over here?
Me: Well, it says "Pink Lemonade" on the top, so I guess its Pink Lemonade. Would you like some?
P: No. I want water. I hate pink lemonade.
Me: OK, let me pour you a glass. Pours glass. Here you go.
P:Thank you. Whats in that cup over there?
Me: More pink lemonade.
P: Oh, can I have some?
Me: Um. Sure. I hand it over, she drinks.
P: This is gross. What is this? I want water. Get me water.
Me: you have water.
P: Where?
Me: Right here, in front of you. Remember?
P: Oh yeah, OK. Thank you. Dump the rest of that pink lemonade out I dont want it.
Me: OK. Can I get you anything else before I go?
P: Nope.
I leave room. 30 seconds later, her bell goes off again. I go back in.
Me: Hello again. Did you need something?
P: I think I have to use the bedpan. I'm so sorry, I'm taking all your time, you were just in here.
Me: It's not a problem at all, thats what we're here for. I'll be glad to help you.
I pull covers down so she can roll over and use bedpan.
Me: Um, It actually looks like you already went in the bed.....do you still have to go some more?
P: Yes.
Me: OK..Well lets roll over and you can finish in the bedpan. Lets turn on that side over there.
P: I can't turn by myself. It hurts me too much.
Me: Okay, no problem. I will help you roll.
P: Okay. Pt starts to roll, I help, but she's not budging.
P: Don't push me. I can do it by myself.
Still not moving.
Me: Mrs. Soandso, I am going to have to help you turn if we are going to get this bedpan under you.
P: Okay. Just don't listen to me if I say it hurts.
Me: Um, Okay....
I get it under, after finally getting her to roll.
Me: Okay, you can go in the bedpan now.
P: I don't have to go anymore. Can you take it out?
Me: Stares at her. Just try and go for a couple minutes, just in case.
P: Okay.
Me: Okay. I will give you some privacy and come back and check on you.
P: Okay. Before you go, can you fix your hair?
Me: Stares at her, again.
P: Your hair is so pretty but you have that one flyaway strand and its really making me angry. Come here and I will fix it.
Me: Um, no thank you, I will fix it.
P: Then why haven't you already?
Me: I am very busy. I just haven't had time today to readjust my ponytail.
P: Thats why I'll help you.
Me: Thats Okay. I'll go fix it.
Walks away.
Seriously though, wtf?! The water/pink lemonade episode is comical, thats like talking to Dori. The bedpan issue is annoying but it happens sometmes, its part of the job. But after I went through everything, including your poop, to help you, and then you throw an insult at me? Thats pushing my button. And I will walk away.
Seriously, some people. *Sigh*
~WNB
.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Clarifying the Pain Scale
Lmao! I just found this while browsing one of my favorite all time blogs, Weird Nursing Tales , and I literally cracked up laughing. Scrubs is a fantastic show and I miss it. They highlight the true humor found in the hospital that were all afraid to actually say half the time. Love it!! Oh, and this is so true about pain and how people react to it/perceive it!
Day bajillion and a half of rain here....New Jersey is apparantly the new Forks, Washington! Nothing but RAIN! It has literally been pouring all day. But I like to sleep to it, so I'm certainly not complaining.
Goodnight Folks!
<3 WNB
Day bajillion and a half of rain here....New Jersey is apparantly the new Forks, Washington! Nothing but RAIN! It has literally been pouring all day. But I like to sleep to it, so I'm certainly not complaining.
Goodnight Folks!
<3 WNB
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
What I Learned from Disney
Hello everyone! So sorry I have been completely MIA! Things have been just absolutely a whirlwind of fun and insanity, mixed with no blogging time and also nothing to write about, all at the same time!
I have been *so blessed* enough to have had the opportunity to go to Disney World (the land of Magical magical magical memories) in Florida this past weekend, starting Friday and to just yesterday.
Disney is one of those places. When you travel far to get to Disney, you have that moment when you step into the parks and say, "Oh my goodness. I'm in Disney World. I'm in DISNEY WORLD!" and your happiness meter goes up a LOT. Its a similar feeling of disbelief that when you travel far to finally get to Europe, and you get off the airport in Europe for the first time and can't believe its actually happening. I guess for people that have to get on a plane to get to Disney world, its something totally out of this world. Disney is usually a very planned vacation, with hotels, and reservations, and planning, so much planning, and so much money, and planning. I mean some families reserve a year in advance and buy the disney books and start planning. Because you need to plan. Without an official experienced tour guide, you can't just walk into Disney and "do it right" the first time.
So knowing all that.....to have just jumped on a plane, with the plane ticket bought 3 weeks in advance, to go to Disney for the weekend, was something so funly (new word) and magical and 20's and so impromptu, it was just so much fun!
But, as you all know, I must have a reflecting session. I always reflect on my life's many experiences, small or large and think about what they mean to me, my past and future. Or just what it all means in general to the rest of the world.
One thing I noticed that happened to be very funny and peculiar is that so many people have this amusing love for Tinker Bell! Its adorable. Like disney is magical, yes- And the shows they put on, incredible- but mid-show, when Tink shows up, the percentage of the audience that squeals, "It's Tink!!" Is very high. Don't get me wrong, Tink is adorable and loveable and so small but standing alongside all of the other characters, I think its interesting everyone squeals when she pops in for some fairy dust.
Disney has showed me, or rather reminded me that the human race still believes in magic. And it makes me smile every time. Even though I have seen the shows and ridden all the rides multiple times prior, I like to go do it all again simply to see kids faces for the first time when they see it. I love hearing the "MOM! ITS MICKEY! MICKEY IS HERE!" and the "Daddy, did you see Captain Hook!?" I love their faces when they know they just met *the* real Princess Belle, or the real Peter Pan. They waited their whole life for that and to them, they just met a friggen celebrity. Their faces are priceless.
Even the adults, too. I love nothing more than to hear the whole entire crowd, full of adults with kids on their shoulders, all synonymously sigh, "OOhh!" or "Ahhh!" When a magical moment happens in the epic famous "Wishes" or "Fantasmic" fireworks show is put on.
It also makes me happy when one of the better ride stops and everybody, adults and all, all clap for such a great ride. They Clap! They had such a good time that everybody claps! How cool is that!? It gives you that human connection, that special bonding, knowing that what you just experienced for the last 90 seconds and loved, everyone else loved it just as much as you and you shared that experience with strangers and you smile together, and continue on with your life. It's kind of magical.
There is something I have to say about video recording. I can't say much, because I am guilty of it myself and am not even sure why. I'm not even sure if its actually a problem or not, I have to think into the psychology of it all a bit first. When watching the parades and shows, I see millions of parents around me, all with their point and shoots and videorecorders, all videotaping the parades and shows. They aren't videotaping their kids faces when they see Mickey come out. They are taping Mickey come out. They are taping just the shows.
Which makes me think....Why do we, as humans, do this? My only thought is that we are so swept away in that magical moment that we think- I have to record this to watch again, and again, to relive it another time. But do we ever watch it again? Will your kids ever actually watch it again, or...is it better and more magical to keep stored in your memory only? Our memory morphs experiences to make them seem even better than they actually were. Wouldn't it make sense then, to leave it to our natural memory to record the experience, rather than let our videorecorders do it, that we may never even watch again? Also, if you are videorecording, you are either having a pretty hard time watching the realhardcopy, ten years later. But what I say is, if you feel you or your kids has lost that magical memory, go back again! Save up for another trip!
To conclude, I must share a funny moment with you. My friends and I went and did two of the drawing classes that are offered in Hollywood Studio's in the Disney Animation attraction. What the attraction is, is this studio classroom that holds about 30 people and an instructor with a projector of what he/she is drawing. They then guide you, based on what you can see on their screen, line by line (literally) on what to draw, step by step, to make a pretty good end product.
So the second drawing class we did, it was a surprise on what we were going to draw. As we started drawing each line, the instructor prompted us to keep guessing. Well all we had was a circle on the paper and kids were already shouting out random disney characters, without actually trying to guess. Then, we drew a little more lines on that circle (to start making the face) and it looked like this:
And when we had this, a little bitty voice from the audience shouts, "ITS A TENNIS BALL!" And let me tell you, the cast member instructor couldn't help from stopping her drawing, and bending over to laugh hysterically, along with the entire class. Her only response was, "Yes, Yes it is a tennis ball." That went down into my top 50 funniest moments of my life. I couldn't tell you what any of the other funny moments are but If there were such a list, this would be in it.
If you are curious, this was our end product:
Well, that is all, folks. These next couple weeks....expect to not hear a whole bunch from me. I have three weeks (not even) to study for my *must not fail* test for my license...and time is running out rapidly. My days here on out will either be spent working, or studying. One more test to study for, All or Nothing. 4 years of college into this. fjljwlejfslfj.
Tootalooooo, with love,
~WNB
.
I have been *so blessed* enough to have had the opportunity to go to Disney World (the land of Magical magical magical memories) in Florida this past weekend, starting Friday and to just yesterday.
Disney is one of those places. When you travel far to get to Disney, you have that moment when you step into the parks and say, "Oh my goodness. I'm in Disney World. I'm in DISNEY WORLD!" and your happiness meter goes up a LOT. Its a similar feeling of disbelief that when you travel far to finally get to Europe, and you get off the airport in Europe for the first time and can't believe its actually happening. I guess for people that have to get on a plane to get to Disney world, its something totally out of this world. Disney is usually a very planned vacation, with hotels, and reservations, and planning, so much planning, and so much money, and planning. I mean some families reserve a year in advance and buy the disney books and start planning. Because you need to plan. Without an official experienced tour guide, you can't just walk into Disney and "do it right" the first time.
So knowing all that.....to have just jumped on a plane, with the plane ticket bought 3 weeks in advance, to go to Disney for the weekend, was something so funly (new word) and magical and 20's and so impromptu, it was just so much fun!
But, as you all know, I must have a reflecting session. I always reflect on my life's many experiences, small or large and think about what they mean to me, my past and future. Or just what it all means in general to the rest of the world.
One thing I noticed that happened to be very funny and peculiar is that so many people have this amusing love for Tinker Bell! Its adorable. Like disney is magical, yes- And the shows they put on, incredible- but mid-show, when Tink shows up, the percentage of the audience that squeals, "It's Tink!!" Is very high. Don't get me wrong, Tink is adorable and loveable and so small but standing alongside all of the other characters, I think its interesting everyone squeals when she pops in for some fairy dust.
Disney has showed me, or rather reminded me that the human race still believes in magic. And it makes me smile every time. Even though I have seen the shows and ridden all the rides multiple times prior, I like to go do it all again simply to see kids faces for the first time when they see it. I love hearing the "MOM! ITS MICKEY! MICKEY IS HERE!" and the "Daddy, did you see Captain Hook!?" I love their faces when they know they just met *the* real Princess Belle, or the real Peter Pan. They waited their whole life for that and to them, they just met a friggen celebrity. Their faces are priceless.
Even the adults, too. I love nothing more than to hear the whole entire crowd, full of adults with kids on their shoulders, all synonymously sigh, "OOhh!" or "Ahhh!" When a magical moment happens in the epic famous "Wishes" or "Fantasmic" fireworks show is put on.
It also makes me happy when one of the better ride stops and everybody, adults and all, all clap for such a great ride. They Clap! They had such a good time that everybody claps! How cool is that!? It gives you that human connection, that special bonding, knowing that what you just experienced for the last 90 seconds and loved, everyone else loved it just as much as you and you shared that experience with strangers and you smile together, and continue on with your life. It's kind of magical.
There is something I have to say about video recording. I can't say much, because I am guilty of it myself and am not even sure why. I'm not even sure if its actually a problem or not, I have to think into the psychology of it all a bit first. When watching the parades and shows, I see millions of parents around me, all with their point and shoots and videorecorders, all videotaping the parades and shows. They aren't videotaping their kids faces when they see Mickey come out. They are taping Mickey come out. They are taping just the shows.
Which makes me think....Why do we, as humans, do this? My only thought is that we are so swept away in that magical moment that we think- I have to record this to watch again, and again, to relive it another time. But do we ever watch it again? Will your kids ever actually watch it again, or...is it better and more magical to keep stored in your memory only? Our memory morphs experiences to make them seem even better than they actually were. Wouldn't it make sense then, to leave it to our natural memory to record the experience, rather than let our videorecorders do it, that we may never even watch again? Also, if you are videorecording, you are either having a pretty hard time watching the realhardcopy, ten years later. But what I say is, if you feel you or your kids has lost that magical memory, go back again! Save up for another trip!
To conclude, I must share a funny moment with you. My friends and I went and did two of the drawing classes that are offered in Hollywood Studio's in the Disney Animation attraction. What the attraction is, is this studio classroom that holds about 30 people and an instructor with a projector of what he/she is drawing. They then guide you, based on what you can see on their screen, line by line (literally) on what to draw, step by step, to make a pretty good end product.
So the second drawing class we did, it was a surprise on what we were going to draw. As we started drawing each line, the instructor prompted us to keep guessing. Well all we had was a circle on the paper and kids were already shouting out random disney characters, without actually trying to guess. Then, we drew a little more lines on that circle (to start making the face) and it looked like this:
And when we had this, a little bitty voice from the audience shouts, "ITS A TENNIS BALL!" And let me tell you, the cast member instructor couldn't help from stopping her drawing, and bending over to laugh hysterically, along with the entire class. Her only response was, "Yes, Yes it is a tennis ball." That went down into my top 50 funniest moments of my life. I couldn't tell you what any of the other funny moments are but If there were such a list, this would be in it.
If you are curious, this was our end product:
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| Eeyore :) |
Well, that is all, folks. These next couple weeks....expect to not hear a whole bunch from me. I have three weeks (not even) to study for my *must not fail* test for my license...and time is running out rapidly. My days here on out will either be spent working, or studying. One more test to study for, All or Nothing. 4 years of college into this. fjljwlejfslfj.
Tootalooooo, with love,
~WNB
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Sunday, June 26, 2011
Nursing Rule 101
If you want a surefire way to awaken a sleeping giant, in case you ever felt the desire to do this-
--just stick a thermometer in their ear.
Sometimes, no matter how hard I try to jostle someone awake- shout their name, touch their arm, hand, whatever- they don't wake up. But I have to get their temperature, you know? So then I shrug and I'm all like, whatever. So then I even WARN THEM even though they are totally unconscious and not listening, that I am going to put a thermometer in their ear. And then when they still don't respond despite my valiant efforts- I go ahead and do it and then without fail, every time, I nearly get attacked, swatted at, yelled at, etc.
Hey, I warned you. I need that temperature at any cost.
But really, keep that in mind if you ever have a patient that totally isn't responding to anything you do. If they don't respond to that, they might be dead.
Disclaimer: they probably aren't dead. Continue with normal dead-checking measures.
~WNB humor
--just stick a thermometer in their ear.
Sometimes, no matter how hard I try to jostle someone awake- shout their name, touch their arm, hand, whatever- they don't wake up. But I have to get their temperature, you know? So then I shrug and I'm all like, whatever. So then I even WARN THEM even though they are totally unconscious and not listening, that I am going to put a thermometer in their ear. And then when they still don't respond despite my valiant efforts- I go ahead and do it and then without fail, every time, I nearly get attacked, swatted at, yelled at, etc.
Hey, I warned you. I need that temperature at any cost.
But really, keep that in mind if you ever have a patient that totally isn't responding to anything you do. If they don't respond to that, they might be dead.
Disclaimer: they probably aren't dead. Continue with normal dead-checking measures.
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| It's coming for youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu in your sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeep. |
~WNB humor
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