Clinicals were a bit more interesting this week than they have been in the past. We're actually getting to do something other than make sure old people don't fall on their way to the bathroom. I already do that kind of stuff for work anyway. But this week I actually felt like a nurse. I had a med cart and I was giving shots and stuff. I never realized how many people are diabetic! Over half the people on my hall had to get from one to two shots three times a day! One lady had a huge open wound in her stomach the size and depth of a football. Because she is diabetic we are all hoping the wound heals before any other complications occur. The more I learn about diabetes the more horrible it sounds! I would do anything to keep from getting it. The ironic thing is that there are so many overweight diabetic nurses giving themselves insulin shots between giving them to clients.
Side note
I realize that becoming a nurse greatly increases my likelihood of becoming overweight. I'm not sure why though. Maybe its all the stress and the family members bringing you cookies and treats. Or it could be the curse of the scrubs. You wear big baggy scrubs all day and don't realize how big you are getting under them! I have experienced all of this as a CNA. BUT I have also seen many nurses in great shape so it MUST be possible!
So yes! My partner and I were so excited for our first day of giving shots on people other than each other. We had been practicing in class a bit so naturally we were pros! We got to our hall, got all our stuff ready, filled our needles, got all the air bubbles out. Then, holding the needle correctly and well capped, I started to march into the first room. My partner put her hand on my shoulder and said, "Wait! Maybe we should get the chart that tells us which patients need the shots." I looked at her and froze, needle in hand, "Oh yeah. Good idea." We laughed about walking in to give some poor old man a shot.
Old Man - "But I don't need a shot."
Us - "Shut up ya old bag!"
But seriously! I don't know what they are thinking letting me have needles and narcotics and medications! I didn't kill anyone though so I guess it was a pretty successful first week.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
People are like dogs
You know, people are a lot like dogs. If you ever get a chance to go to a dog park you'll quickly see that each dog has his own self appointed duty. For your first time at the dog park you may want an idea of what you are looking for. Being inspired by Yellowstone National Park I've made a list of some of the most common dog personalities to keep your eyes open for.
Cool doggie - If what you see is a "cool" dog he will walk around with his head high, sniffing here and there. They seem to be saying yeah whatever. Now get out of my way. They are very confident and all the other dogs fall all over themselves to follow cool doggie around. He never really does much more than just pacing around with his posse following behind.
Cowabunga doggie - This is where my dog fits in. This dog usually has a huge goofy grin on its face constantly. His expression seems to say, "Hey guys! What's going on? What a great party!" Their entire mission in coming today is to find another cowabunga dong to romp with. This can be difficult because they often times mistake cool doggie for cowabunga doggie. You can imagine that this could cause some tension. Cool doggie usually looks offended at the insinuation, then annoyed. If your cowabunga doggie is particularly slow or unsocialized he may miss read cool doggies signs of get out of my way peasant! This could cause a short and intense nipping, growling brawl in which cowabunga doggie retreats. This will often activate the LEDs (Law Enforcement Doggie).
Law Enforcement Doggie - These brave, noble and heroic dogs are usually also the smallest at the park. They are constantly on guard for any foul play. They never rest. Their little bug eyes are constantly scanning the horizon for injustice. As soon as a dog barks, yips or runs too fast, LEDs are on the scene. They'll attack a group of dogs 5 times their size. They are ever barking never relaxing, over worked and under appreciated but they get the job done.
Social recluse doggie - This is usually a dog who grew up without ever having interacted with other dogs. The rituals, manners and proper bottom sniffing etiquette are completely foreign to them. They often prefer to hang out with the humans and spend the duration of the outing sitting next to their owner watching the other dogs foolishness in confusion. Every now and then he will look up at his owner with an intense can we go home now look.
Bad doggie - These dogs are b b b bad to the bone. They're big, bulky and serious. The dog park is no laughing matter for them. They are usually brought in by some guy who looks like his human twin or they are dragging a poor weak woman behind them, ignoring her commands to slow down. They come in, pee, and force the nearest dog to lay down while he does the bottom sniff initiation. He breaks doggie protocol by not allowing any dog to sniff him in return. All the other dogs know right away to steer clear of bad doggie or do what he tells you. Well, most dogs except cowabunga doggie. LEDs are usually initiated several times while bad doggie is here.
Fetch doggie - These are sleek runner dogs who have enough socialization to get in, and get the sniff initiation over with. He sees only one thing and that thing is the ball in his owners hand. This dog will fetch that ball over and over and over. I heard a story once of a dog dropping dead from a heart attack because he couldn't resist the urge to chase a ball being thrown. I'm sure that dog was a fetch doggie. Every now and then cowabunga dog will want to get in on the fun and will run off with the ball in his mouth. At which point fetch doggie looks at his owner, his owner looks at him, and he whips out another ball. They resume.
These are only the basics. If you think of any add them to my page.
So as I was saying, people are like dogs. Which kind are you?
Cool doggie - If what you see is a "cool" dog he will walk around with his head high, sniffing here and there. They seem to be saying yeah whatever. Now get out of my way. They are very confident and all the other dogs fall all over themselves to follow cool doggie around. He never really does much more than just pacing around with his posse following behind.
Cowabunga doggie - This is where my dog fits in. This dog usually has a huge goofy grin on its face constantly. His expression seems to say, "Hey guys! What's going on? What a great party!" Their entire mission in coming today is to find another cowabunga dong to romp with. This can be difficult because they often times mistake cool doggie for cowabunga doggie. You can imagine that this could cause some tension. Cool doggie usually looks offended at the insinuation, then annoyed. If your cowabunga doggie is particularly slow or unsocialized he may miss read cool doggies signs of get out of my way peasant! This could cause a short and intense nipping, growling brawl in which cowabunga doggie retreats. This will often activate the LEDs (Law Enforcement Doggie).
Law Enforcement Doggie - These brave, noble and heroic dogs are usually also the smallest at the park. They are constantly on guard for any foul play. They never rest. Their little bug eyes are constantly scanning the horizon for injustice. As soon as a dog barks, yips or runs too fast, LEDs are on the scene. They'll attack a group of dogs 5 times their size. They are ever barking never relaxing, over worked and under appreciated but they get the job done.
Social recluse doggie - This is usually a dog who grew up without ever having interacted with other dogs. The rituals, manners and proper bottom sniffing etiquette are completely foreign to them. They often prefer to hang out with the humans and spend the duration of the outing sitting next to their owner watching the other dogs foolishness in confusion. Every now and then he will look up at his owner with an intense can we go home now look.
Bad doggie - These dogs are b b b bad to the bone. They're big, bulky and serious. The dog park is no laughing matter for them. They are usually brought in by some guy who looks like his human twin or they are dragging a poor weak woman behind them, ignoring her commands to slow down. They come in, pee, and force the nearest dog to lay down while he does the bottom sniff initiation. He breaks doggie protocol by not allowing any dog to sniff him in return. All the other dogs know right away to steer clear of bad doggie or do what he tells you. Well, most dogs except cowabunga doggie. LEDs are usually initiated several times while bad doggie is here.
Fetch doggie - These are sleek runner dogs who have enough socialization to get in, and get the sniff initiation over with. He sees only one thing and that thing is the ball in his owners hand. This dog will fetch that ball over and over and over. I heard a story once of a dog dropping dead from a heart attack because he couldn't resist the urge to chase a ball being thrown. I'm sure that dog was a fetch doggie. Every now and then cowabunga dog will want to get in on the fun and will run off with the ball in his mouth. At which point fetch doggie looks at his owner, his owner looks at him, and he whips out another ball. They resume.
These are only the basics. If you think of any add them to my page.
So as I was saying, people are like dogs. Which kind are you?
Sunday, December 6, 2009
butterflies vs grasshoppers
If you chase a butterfly and try to catch it, you'll either end up injuring its wings or it will just fly as far away from you as possible. But if you just relax, smile and enjoy the it when it comes your way, it will land right on you. My mom once told a guy who was pursuing me without much success that I was like a butterfly. When this friend told me that I felt completely stupid. "Hey mister! My mommy said I'm a butterfly so you better be nice to me!" Its become a joke between us. (the guy, my mom and I) If we are going to be relating ourselves to bugs than I would say I'm more like a grasshopper. I'm just not graceful or delicate enough to be a butterfly. I more often hop all over the place than flutter. Plus they do that whole legs music thing and I play the violin so... that's kind of like making music with my legs.
Anyway, I'm doing this blog because, well, everyone else is doing it. Also, I feel like I am often overcrowded in groups and I miss out on getting to know new people. I also have felt lately that because of this, people may get the wrong impression of me. I'm not sure what kind of image I portray in public but I think all of us like to feel like people know and understand the real us.
I was thinking the other day about some of the classy people I know. They dress just right and say all the right things and only associate with the right people. It's really funny when I compare myself with them. I hear them talk about their clients at work. "I met with my client today. He wants to invest money is such and such." or "My client is so not organized. I wish he would get some better time management skills." And I'm thinking My client pooped on the floor today. Then my mind goes blank because I am trying to decide if I should share this or not. Of course not! I think to myself, Don't you dare! At this point I wonder if it is possible to be a nurse and be classy at the same time. Then I think, maybe classy isn't what I want. I just think about my hero Florence Nightingale and I try to put all of her goodness into one word. I think charity comes pretty close. Can there be classiness to charity, even when you're cleaning poop off the floor? Hmmm...
I heard in my class the other day that there are three time orientations that people identify with. There are past, present and future people. I'm totally a present person. I want SO badly to think and plan ahead and not procrastinate and do all the responsible things future people do. But I am always so caught up in enjoying whatever is happening right then. I'm all about the carpe diem (seize the day!) but what about the carpe cras diem (seize tomorrow today)? This is my goal for this week. Carpe cras diem!
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