Spun in jam

REVAMPED. Musings out loud. To the attempting to focus on food and drink blog, http://www.spuninmorejam.blogspot.com

Saturday, January 27, 2007

Working week 1 (15 weeks to go)

It wasn't too bad, Praise God! Thank you for your prayers people, it's been much appreciated. And thank You God for getting me through this first week, pray I'll get through the next week, day by day, shift by shift, hour by hour, minute by minute etc.

I'm learning very quickly. I'm also learning about the responsibility I have as an RN. That when there's no other RNs on the floor, technically I'm the Nurse in charge. That is positively frightening for me.
And of course, there's the ethical issues which come up with caring for patients. It's so unfair, if you were gonna die, you would want to know, yes? To sort out your will, to say goodbye (or seeya), to start the grieving process (although there isn't really is one).
I'm getting a patient load of 6 right now. Although I will be getting the full 10 very soon. They're changing the staff numbers starting Monday. Crazy idiots. 2 RNs to 20 patients with 3 ENs/AINs. Insane!!! Bloody hell, when there's Specials, and TNCs, and assist x 2, and minimal assist x 1. It has such a damn heavy patient load.
Give me a month to adjust, I'm running behind on meds, especially IV Abx which I really try not to. Helps if the IVCs are in and are patent. Sorry, all my posts must be 10 paragraphs of jargon.

To do: (lots, bloody lots)
- Study cardiac, renal, gastro (oh my goodness, the gastro)
- get security key - I figured out why every time I go to the Security window it's closed. They close the window at 1530. Riiiiight, just when am shift ends.
- Do laundry and IRON!!!

So after working today (26/1/07), went home, almost fell asleep after my shower. Headed to Karen's, almost slept in her bed, then Trees came to give us lifts into the Plaza, and Leach too. Then to Saigon Bowl for dinner. Kat and Lena joined us a bit after 1900. Taro milk and pearls, Pearl milk tea and Mixed 3 cocktail was the beverages.
We had:
- Marinated pork self-rolling rolls
- Deep fried squid with salt and pepper
- Braised chicken in oyster sauce and tomato rice
- Hainan chicken
- Beef and vermicelli salad?
Not too bad, I attacked the squid, craved it for weeks. Good amount of spring onions but I wouldn't mind some more green chillies.

I think I'll give myself some wine now. Remember the Hunter Uncorked wine tasting we had a couple of years ago. That wine glass we got, my brother broke mine while washing the dishes. Sooo not impressed. Now I have to find a decent wine glass.

Friday, January 19, 2007

Wine or banana milkshake... no brainer, the wine of course

Technically one day of orientation and 4 days of supernumerary this week. I had a slightly miserable week. Thursday was worst. Wednesday was just little things, that was bad. But Thursday wins on suckiness for this week. I had my own patient load of 4 today. A good load too, only one Total Nursing Care and she was nil by mouth for OT, so that made it easy for me. Next week will be the deep end or 10 patients. You know, even though RNs have a huge responsibility, I really didn't expect this amount of paperwork. I'm surprised by it. And even though I'm on supernumerary, I'm already overwhelmed with the amount of knowledge I need to know. I hate it. Hate it. Hate it. This ward has such a large patient load, and each is so heavy. All of my patients today was at least assist x 1. Gaah, I hate it. I had 1/2 a second of tears welling up in my eyes when the RN I was with pulled me aside and said I have to step it up. I just told myself to "Breathe, keep it down, keep it down, just breathe." God help me, I'm gonna be miserable.
So my next Saturday will be free, as well as the Sunday morning and afternoon. Let's go a drinking. Or at least take my mind off this. Currently sitting in my chair in my birth... (think about it Leach, just think about, think about *pokepoke*, drinking some Hazard Hill Plantaganet SSB, clinging onto my hope, for hope is what I cling to.
I have to put in requests for my roster til the 18/3 so Cat, please do something on the 10th coz I've put in my request already. No guarantees I can get it though.

Fi's farewell lunch tomorrow at South Cronulla, damn I gotta pack a lunch. I think I might bring a little of this wine... would that be bad?
Vero's baptism as well at 1600.
?I think Trevor's lunch is on Sunday

To do: (lots, bloody lots)
- Look up most common meds
- Study cardiac, renal, gastro (oh my goodness, the gastro)
- check Fernwood dates to match for roster
- get security key - everytime I go there, nobody's in the bloody office
- do computer training session
- join parking crap
- join Salary Packaging Scheme - in March probably
- PUNCH MYSELF
- study up on drug calculations for syringe drivers - oh man, Wednesday was depressing, I don't wanna think about it, don't wanna think about it *gulps wine*
- PUNCH MYSELF AGAIN
- Do laundry and IRON!!!

Friday, January 12, 2007

Orientation Week 1

Well Monday and Tuesday was Corporate Orientation. Wednesday was Facility Orientation. Yesterday was Nursing Orientation, and today was New Grad Nursing Orientation. Monday will be the last New Grad Orientation.

Of course, to me, the last 2 days was most interesting. Directly nursing related education always seems a bit more relevant to me.

As people have seen on the post below, I'm in Geriatrics (Aged Care) so that's a medical ward *sighs*. I'm getting used to the idea, truly I am. I spoke to the NUM and CNE today, and a few other nurses as well. They do not deny that it's a hard and heavy ward, and that you'll get used to it *sighs*. Not angry anymore. I'm settling. I'm gonna live it out for 4 months, and it's only 4 months, so it'll be gone by the time I get used to the ward.

I spoke to my NUM yesterday and he originally had me down for one supernumerary day. Coz I've never worked as an undergrad or EN before, he's giving me 4 supernumerary days (which is fantastic!! And I'm so grateful) before I get given a team on the 22nd. Yays!! Stars from me for that. And it's good that they're doing that, coz it's their responsibility to provide education and support, and make sure I'm safe, as well as the patients are safe. Can't go killing patients on the 2nd day in.

Things done:
- uniform ordered - up to $300. $20 deducted from my payroll every week for 15 weeks
- NSWNA joined

Things to be done:
- GO TO CHEST CLINIC MONDAY
- Medication calculation test - must achieve 100%
- Call Concord Hospital about Salary Packaging Scheme
- Superannuation?
- Join Parking waiting list or sort out 5 day parking costs
- Hand in to NUM: BLS test, med test
- Get security cards and keys
- Go to computer training session
STUDY THE CARDIAC, RENAL, GASTRO DRUGS.
STUDY HEPARIN, Fe, INSULIN INFUSIONS
STUDY WOUND CARE
STUDY CARDIAC, PSYCH, RENAL PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

Must go grocery shopping:
- no vegetables at home - well there is, but you know, no greens.
- fruit as well - for breakfast, morning tea, lunch
- something for dinner would be helpful

Interestingly, the New Grad Coordinator has noticed (researched over these few years) a stresss phenomenon that happens to all New Grad nurses. The first 2 weeks of starting the program, since you're bombarded with all this information and have so much responsibility suddenly placed on you, this occurs:
In week 3 or 4 (mainly 3), the nurse has a breakdown of some kind. Whether she/he starts crying, shouting or just not coping and it physically comes out. This is due to the stress they're under, catalysed by copping abuse, an uncooperative pt or staff member, being given criticism, system failures, med errors etc. Something happens in the 3rd or 4th week. It can last for an hour or up to taking the day off.

Sunday, January 07, 2007

God help us all (edit)

I start work in 9 hours. I'd like 7 of them to be sleep, but who am I kidding. Orientation week first then they chuck you in the deep end.
Pray for me please, pray I don't increase the morbidity and mortality statistics of NSW, of Australia, of the world. Pray that I'm not so nervous and that I remember my skills.
I'm so nervous about this, I'm sleeping though, at completely wrong and wacko hours completely unsuited to a shift worker (lol what a joke, normal hours for a shift worker...). I know I'm gonna make mistakes and I've forgotten half the stuff I've learnt. I'm just freaking myself out and stressing over it so I won't be so nervous... I think. I don't know... I hope I get a good ward and supportive staff, I haven't even put in a catheter yet! Dammit. Gaaaaaaah!!! You know, I really hate how people think nurses are stupid. Truly, I do. I don't even laugh at the jokes. I'm running out of patience and control for the people who make those remarks.
Went to see Night at the Museum last night. Do NOT waste your money. Just oh-so-don't bother.
Recent purchases:
- white robey thing

(EDIT)
FAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I GOT BLOODY GERIATRICS!!!!!!!!!!!! KIIIIIIIIIILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BUGGER BUGGER BUGGER I KNEW IT I KNEW IT I KNEW IT, THIS WAS GONNA BITE ME BACK IN THE BLOODY ARSE!!!!!!! STUPID BLOODY PIECE OF SHITE I AM.

FAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRK NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, January 01, 2007

Recipes to try over Annual Leave

Mango pudding - Yum Cha style
Mango Pudding yum cha style
Looks good, maybe I have to invite you ladies over again, maybe not for a LOTR marathon.

Mushrooms stuffed with gruyere, breadcrumbs & thyme
Mushrooms stuffed wth gryere
Looks good and easy, I think I'll get the mushrooms at the Farmers' Market

Chocolate Caramel slice
Choc Caramel slice, with not that much caramel nor chocolate
Easier to make than I thought it was, moreso time consuming if anything else.

Baileys Mocha Frappe
Baileys mocha frappe
Something cool, sweet and alcoholic for summer, mmm...

Chicken Involtini (for 2)
Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Flatten out a little 2 chicken thighs, put one layer of lean bacon strip, place another layer of semidried tomatoes, roll up and tie with kitchen string (2 horizontally and 1 across the length). Season with salt, freshly cracked black pepper and oregano.
Spray an oven tray with olive oil, place chicken in oven, cover with foil, bake for 40minutes.
Serve with 3 veg, or polenta.
Variations include replacing bacon/prosciutto & sundried tomatoes for:
- bacon/proscuitto and cheese (gruyere or fontina)
- hot salami and semidried tomato
- zucchini, eggplant and semidried tomato

Pizzas
- supreme style: capsicum, tomatoes, ham, salami, onions, pineapple, olives, mozzarella
- boscaiola: tomato base, mushrooms, prosciutto, leftover roast chicken, onions, parsley, mozzarella, parmesan
- satay chicken: satay chicken with crushed peanuts, coriander and sour cream
- antipasti: semidried tomatoes, roasted eggplant, olives, roasted capsicums, artichokes, caramelised onions, prosciutto, mushrooms
- pumpkin, chorizo, pine nuts, fontina/chevre

Date, hazelnut, currant Christmas cake

Okra, lamb, tomato, chevre, middle eastern stye

My wishlist

CD - JB Hifi Seven Lives Many Faces by Enigma
- their newest album, came out in... October?? 2008

DVD set - JB Hifi Life Begins - complete series
- I really do like this series

DVD - JB Hifi Juno

Book - K/A/Dym/anywhere Rick Stein's French Odyssey
- oh yes please, mmm... steak tartare, prune and armagnac tart...


Have an extra of Extras series 2 on dvd. Anyone want a copy?

My photos...