And the beat goes on....

Since I last posted, things have been pretty much status quo. I managed to make it to the neurologist and we have changed the time I take my medication to night so that maybe I can get some more energy. I think it's working a little.

However, I am still having a bad time with hot flashes. I'm perpetually hot and sweaty. I have started waking up drenched. I tried to get in to the doctor this week, but they are closed on Friday and that's the only other day I have off this week. I settled for Tuesday, hopefully we'll draw some blood and figure out if my hormones are out of whack.

I woke up with a horrendous migraine this morning. Of course I woke up too late to call in, so I managed to make it to work. I got assessments completed and meds passed and decided that being tough wasn't worth it. Every time I moved I seriously thought I was going to throw up...and all this was WITH my meds. Thankfully we had an extra nurse today, so she took over my patients and I managed to make it home by 11:30. I went right to bed and slept until 4:45...how I managed to sleep that long and still manage to get up functioning, I don't know. I got up and attempted to do school work for a little while.

This class is going to be a little more challenging. We have some group work that has to be done and only have the discussion board to figure it out on. It's hard for me to do group projects when I don't know the people. Keep in mind the only place I've "met" these people is online. Without communciation, there is a challenge. I think we will manage to get everything done, but I may be venting about it some.

I don't think I have anything else of significance to say, so until next time, cjb

Tired

I feel like all I'm saying these days is "I'm tired"...Well, at my neurologist appointment on Tuesday, I talked to him about it. He thinks it is the new medication I'm on. I thought when I stopped taking Topamax this extreme tiredness would go away. But it seems like that is no the case. We switched the time I'm taking my new med to night time. If it doesn't get better we may have to change my medication again...I really just want my headaches to be under control and to have my energy back...I know it will all work out.

Today was an insanely busy day at work. I didn't get any of my patients charted on while they were under my care. If I discharged them, I was opening and closing the chart at the same time...but it was still a good day. The main reason is because I was able to influence a new nursing student in a positive way. I was able to share some of my knowledge about school and resources and that made me feel good. When I left for the night, she told me that she really appreciated the care I gave her, and that is priceless. So even though I'm exhausted and didn't get home until after 8 pm, I made a difference today...What did you do today? cjb

So much on my mind...

As I went to work today, I had no idea I would be orienting a new nurse to the floor. She has actually been on the floor some, so it wasn't completely out of the blue, but I expected to have to work a normal shift. All was well, she did a great job and we were able to complete several tasks to check off her competency form. We had a slight run-in with a physician that got to the director of nursing. I really think it was blown WAY out of proportion, but all the steps were followed and that's all I can really say about it. I was able to attempt to start researching a few things for the floor. I never got very far, but I've got a little bit better idea on where to head. I was able to clean out some emails and follow up with some things. I checked my grades online a couple times hoping I could get my tuition reimbursement submitted, with no such luck. So as soon as I got home, I checked my normal accounts and then checked my grades again...just for kicks and grins. I was very surprised when I saw my grade was posted! :) I managed to pull out another A, which for a tiny bit I was a little worried. My GPA is slowly increasing and I should graduate with honors! :) Of course, it'll be a little bit longer before I'm finished, but I worry about things like that! LOL...Not much else is going on...just tired and have to work again tomorrow! until next time, cjb

What a day! :)

So today I had the privilege of attending a Nursing Quality Summit for the healthcare system I work for. This was supposed to happen on Nurse's Day, but due to the H1N1 flu, it was postponed until today. Let me tell you, I am revived and rejuvenated. I am anxious to get back to my floor council to start implementing some research projects. This all came just before my Nursing Research class...what awesome timing! There were so many nurses there, it was inspiring.

I am tired, but happy. I'm hoping that I can take this energy and apply it for good on my unit. I wish everyone would have been able to attend. I know I have a better understsanding for so many things that are happening...hurray!! Can you tell I'm excited?

more later, cjb

Wow

Everytime I go so long without posting, I always think I'm going to do better. The truth of the matter is, I'm busy. Not just work busy, but school busy, and life busy.

As I think I've mentioned before, I'm working on my bachelor's right now. I just finished my second class. The first one was a 6 hr class, this one was a 4 hr class. My classes are 5 weeks each. By the time I start, it's almost over. But this process is working for me. Everything is completely online and I don't have to worry too much about taking tests. I am good at writing, which is a plus. However, trying to complete all my assignments can turn into a chore. I now have a week off from school, but that doesn't mean I don't have anything to do.

Work continues. We are continuing to expand. There are construction crews everywhere. I can't even walk into the hospital without feeling like it is going to cave in on me. I think we are going to see the construction crews for quite awhile, as the building has only just begun. Since we moved up a floor and they expanded the ICU, we have had a ton of changes. Almost instantly, the patient population on my floor changed. We went from having patients for days on end, to sending at least half the floor home a day and getting that many patients back. It has caused a lot of stress and irritability on the floor. We are still adjusting. Some days are better than others. However, I work with an amazing group of people. It does make it a little more enjoyable to go to work knowing you have people to back you up. I'm taking a class this to allow me to start orienting new nurses to our floor. I'm looking forward to that challenge. I have also become much more involved in some of the committees the hospital has. I am a co-chair for our shared governance committee, which is the nurses' voice for changes. With that comes meetings, and more meetings. My hospital is also on the road to Magnet status. I have yet to go to one of those meetings, but I will start going to those next month.

Life in general keeps going as well. I've had some changes in my medications for my migraines and for the most part, feel that my migraines are better. I am struggling with the constant feeling of being tired. I'm hoping that it is transient. I know I am doing a lot and am sure that is a contributing factor. I am looking forward to spending a weekend with my extended family in July. I'm actually taking just over a week off so I can stop and see some friends and just enjoy myself! :) Nothing else is really going on...I'm just truckin' along, as I imagine you are too! :)

Happy Nurses Day! :)

I know I have a lot of fellow nurses out there and I just wanted to be sure to wish you all a Happy Nurses Day! :)

I've run across a few promotions and thought I would share them with you!!

• Cinnabon is offering a free classic cinnabon to all nurses this week with your ID. Stop by and pick one up! :)
  
• AJN is offering free access from May 6-12 for their entire site. Their website is www.ajnonline.com. You may find some interesting articles! I know I have.
• RNPathways is giving away a MacBook. This is actually open to nurses and non-nurses alike. You can find details on their website www.rnpathways.com.
• Scrubs and Beyond is offering free shipping on orders over $50.00.

If you run across any post them to your blog! :) Share the information!! Hope you all had a wonderful day! More later, cjb

Oops...I really didn't forget

Life has kept me super busy. I can't believe I haven't posted since March!!

I'm just about finished with my 2nd class for my BSN. Time is flying! I'm really enjoying my classes overall. I'm learning a lot and really appreciating the online process.

Work continues to keep me busy. We continue to go through this expansion. The first part will be complete next Monday, but the construction has just begun. Hopefully this first part will ease some of the stress we have all been feeling over the past few months. I'm also getting more involved at work. I just signed up to be a co-chair for the council for the floor I work on. We have our first meeting after the move. School has really encouraged me to get more involved.

Home life continues to go along....we'll leave it at that! :)

I hope all is well with you. More later, cjb