It's just rain people

OK, so it's been raining here. It's like no other place I have ever been in the rain. People actually go outside in the rain. They love it. They can't drive in it, but the love it. We were leaving the hospital the other night, my husband/chauffeur behind the wheel as usual, at it took us forever to get home. It's usually a 20 minute ride...almost 45 minutes! My husband is not the most patient man, especially when it comes to driving. He was like a caged animal between the cars. They were driving like it was ice on the road. Yeah, there were some spots of standing water but not a lot. It was a sight. You can tell a native Arizonan right away , just say it's going to rain and watch them light up. Amazing.
I have been blessed with an extra pair of hands this past week. I have an extern, he is done with school and has to work 96 hours with a preceptor. I feel lucky to be able to help mold new nurse. We had a patient with an amputation and a feeding tube and a central line and oxygen and a catheter. He was so nervous, didn't want to go in the room. I walked into the room and started talking to her, she's had a stroke so she can't talk back very well, but nods her head yes and no. I talk to her like I'm talking to you, like I do with all my patients. We flush her IV and check her feeding tube, reposition her and that's that. It took him the rest of the day to be comfortable enough to go into the room without me but he did it. Later, we sent her home, after we removed her IV and her catheter and flushed her feeding tube. He did finally admit he was afraid to go in the room. It's OK to be apprehensive about something new that you haven't encountered before, but you don't have to let anyone know. Portrayed confidence is just as good as confidence as long as it's believable. I'm not saying to do things you don't know how to without asking questions. I'm talking about walking in that patients room and making them feel confident that you will take care of them and keep them safe. Most of them are scared, even if they don't say it. Make them feel at ease and safe most of all. I have my extern for another 4 shifts so, we'll see what I can get him into.
Remember first do no harm.

Valentines day

What could be more romantic then a gondola ride? I bet the line at the Venetian is way long today. Wish I was there to see it. We thought about going to Sedona for the day but the weather is supposed to be pretty cold and snowy..not my idea of a fun Valentine's day. I think we will stay home by the fire place or maybe take a walk in the sunshine, while it lasts...supposed to rain tonight. It beats working though.
I am actually taking 2 days in a row off. Ok, I have to go to the hospital tomorrow for a mandatory inservice or I will not be allowed to work, I found this out yesterday, so, I was planning on taking 2 days in a row off. I think it's the first time in a month I have had more than one day in a row off. Not that I am complaining, I am here to work and everyday I go in with a smile on my face and a good attitude. I don't always leave that way but, I try. There are still a lot of people leaving and changing positions and new travelers coming in and a lot of new hires being oriented. 2 weeks ago I oriented a nurse who had worked at the hospital a year ago and had gone off to do home health so she could have more time with her kids. It turns out she needs something more stable with a more flexible schedule, so she came back. The 2 days she oriented with me there were actually 7 nurses on the unit..3 orientees in all. It was a little crowded but it worked. Just funny that they pick me the traveler to orient new staff.
Did you ever work with someone who told you their whole life story the first time you met them? What's up with that? I like the people I work with but, we work on a need to know basis. If I don't need to know something about you, don't tell me. I don't care where your piercings are or were. I don't need to see all your tattoos the first time we work together. I don't want to hear about your divorce, your DUI, your bankruptcy, or your love life in our first 12 hour shift together. Is that wrong? Seems like it happens to me alot, is it me?
So, interesting patients....hmmmm...I had a 572lb patient. That's always fun, had to get the special bed. I gave him a bath, with some assistance, he was grateful but it was difficult to say the least. It took only 4 of us to move him up in the bed because he was able to help. Hey I was happy he was able to help. He ended up going to the ICU with a CO2 of over 100 (very bad). Other than that nothing exciting, same old stuff.
As always first do no harm.