Yesterday

I was just sitting here in front of the fire remembering this time three years ago. What happened in January three years ago? Well, that's when I became a nurse. I remember almost every detail of my first day on the floor with my preceptor. I remember crying and thinking that I wasn't set out to be a nurse after all. With a lot of support from family and co-workers, I stuck with it. I'm still at the same hospital on the same unit with many of the same people. So what made me stay? Well, I'll tell you for sure it wasn't my preceptor. While she is an excellent nurse, her communication skills left something to desire. I stuck out the three months of orientation with her because I knew she was a good nurse and I knew I had a lot of support on the floor.

Well, the time has come. I get my first new graduate at the end of the month. In fact, I just sent her an email welcoming her and letting her know that I would be there to support her through the ups and downs of the next few months and beyond. I hope that helps set her mind at ease. I don't want her to go home crying after her first day of meeting me.

As I sit here typing this, I wonder where I should start. Our unit is a fast paced one and it's easy to get frustrated. I know I'm going to need a patient spirit to teach her everything she needs to know. I have been given a job and I know I can do it. All I have to remember is "yesterday".

Life goes on. . .

So this year has been a blur. Work has been crazy. We have had a great Magnet site visit and are going to be starting our new computer system this weekend. I will be working quite a bit this week and next week.

Kevin is feeling good. His shoulder isn't giving him too many problems and he is doing great with therapy. With any luck, he'll be back to work full time later this month or early February. We aren't sure if he will stay with the company he is with or if he will find another job. He is putting in applications and he'll go where he feels like he needs to.

Beasley is just as happy as ever. He still likes to go to the bathroom right next to the potty pad, but we are working on that. He loves visitors and going for rides! :)

That's our update for now. I hope to post again soon! Thanks for reading!! :)

Happy New Year!

Wow, time has flown, hasn't it? I can't believe we are in 2011 already and that I've been a nurse for 3 years now. I have been through so many personal changes in the past three years and I am so much better because of them. I'm looking forward to the opportunities that are going to present this year. I must close out, but just wanted to post something in 2011! :) This will be a better year for posting, I promise!

Hello, it's been awhile....

So much has happened since I last blogged over a year ago, that I'm not really sure where to start. It was definitely a busy year, but overall good. Let me see if I can recap (very quickly) for you.

Dec '09, we had a big family Christmas at my grandparents in Kansas. My now husband and his daughter were able to join us. We all had a blast! :)

Jan '10 Kevin decided he needed to break his ankle and have surgery to place plates and screws. My grandfather also passed away. Kevin was unable to go to the funeral with me because of his ankle. It was hard to say goodbye, but his 90+ years were great ones! I love you, Granddaddy and miss you everyday.

Feb - Mar '10 Kevin decided he needed to get really sick and spend over a week in the hospital. We celebrated his recovery by getting married on March 12! It was a simple wedding at the JP's, but we are married and very happy.

Jun - Aug '10 Kevin's daughter got to spend the summer with us. We bought Six Flags season passes and made it out there several times. I don't remember it being that hot when I was a kid! Thanks, Mom and Dad for putting up with the heat and the asphalt so we could have fun!!

Aug - Sep '10 We moved into a beautiful 3 bedroom house that we are currently renting. We love having the space. In September, I went to spend some time with my sister in OKC to help take care of her kids while she had her hip replaced. I was so glad to be able to help and am grateful that she is doing wonderful with her new hip! :)

Oct '10 Kevin's shoulder started hurting. We started the process through his primary care doctor and finally got it squared away.

Nov '10 We spent Thanksgiving in Waco with my parents, my aunt, and my grandmother. We had a good meal at Cracker Barrell and even better conversation and catching up. His daughter came down Friday after Thanksgiving and we spent the rest of the weekend with my parents decorating for Christmas.

Dec '10 Let's see, what all has happened this month? Well, Kevin had MRI's on his neck and shoulder. The docs sent him to therapy and he wasn't improving. They decided to do steroid injections on his neck and then he had shoulder surgery a few days later. He had some bone spurs and arthritis they cleared up and is healing well. We don't have any big plans for Christmas, but it will be a good one.

Work for me is crazy busy. We are in a constant state of change, but I'm at three years as a nurse now. It's hard to believe that I started this blog before nursing school! Yikes!! I may be changing my blog a little. I've been getting lots of spam. I promise to let you know where I go! :) I hope that the holiday season is a blessed one for all of you. And Happy Holidays from our house to yours!

New Pictures

Ok, so I told you (I think) that Kevin and I took pictures with my friend Jen last week. Well, they are in. I'm sooooo excited. And I get to share them with you!!! Just head over to www.mountainponyphotography.com. Find the online viewing tab and click on it. Then enter your email address and the password "Crystal". Let me know what you think about the pics and feel free to order what ever you like!!

news

So, it's no news to many of you that I've been busy working and going to school. What some of you don't know is that I've been dating someone and we recently got engaged. My dear friend, Jen, was kind enough to take our pictures the other day and she has a preview up at her blog. If you want to see the preview, please click here. I'm very excited about the journey we are embarking on and I will keep you appraised of the upcoming excitement!!

Time flies

Wow, who knew it had been August since my last post. I guess time flies when you work full-time, go to school, and have a dog!! Beasley and I are doing well. We just try to keep out of trouble (him way more than me). I am progressing nicely with school and should be finished in mid-March if all goes as planned.

Work continues to keep me busy. If I'm not working OT, I'm involved with a committee or something else on the unit. I continue to face my daily challenges head on. I still love taking care of my patients. They are the whole reason I'm doing this. I've learned way more about myself over the past two years than I ever thought possible.

Not much else is going on...I can't think of any good stories right now. Just thought I'd pop in to say hi! :) Until next time, cjb

My new baby! :)

So I've been really busy since last weekend. Of course, the normal things are happening - school, work, life...but I got a dog this past weekend. I had a friend that was no longer able to take care of this dog and I thought about it for weeks before I decided to take him. His name is Beasley. He is a Jack Russell Terrier/mini schnauzer mix. He is amazing. He has a ton of energy, but is so loving. He sits right beside me all the time while I'm home. He's finally comfortable with me and has started eating more since arriving to my home! :)


This is Beasley prior to any clipping. He was extremely matted and needed a lot of TLC! :)

This is Beasley after a lot of clipping and prior to the groomer. He was still matted and wouldn't let me touch his paws or under his belly!


Here's the new look!! I think I'll probably let his hair grow out a little bit. We went to petco and bought a hairbrush and lots of other things!! Isn't he the cutest?

Beasley will sit like this for 10-20 minutes. Sometimes he's begging, but most of the time he just wants attention!!

I think that's all the news I have for you. I just wanted to put another plug in for my Heart Walk for the American Heart Association. The link is on the side and if you have anything extra to spare, I would love the help. If you don't, please don't feel bad. Just be my side line cheerleader!! Thank you all for all you do every day!! Until next time, cjb

Overwhelmed with thankfulness!

So I just posted about raising money for the American Heart Association and already I have had two generous donors. My total is up to $50.00 in two short days!! I can hardly believe it. Thank you all for your wonderful kindness!!

It's a three mile walk, so I need to start getting used to walking! LOL! My job requires me to walk all the time, but I think I should start using the treadmill again. I'll manage to get into shape to walk this thing...this just may be the motivation I need!

Again, thank you for your kindness. If you aren't able to donate money, your love and support are needed!! Hugs, cjb

I need your help!

Some of you may have noticed that I have some new items in the sidebar. I am walking for The American Heart Association on September 12, 2009. Please be a cheer leader for me and if you have a little bit of extra cash, I would love your donation. Thanks a ton in advance for any help you are able to give!
Hugs and love, cjb

I was fired....

by a patient today...This was a first for me. Apparently this patient has been rude and crude and socially unacceptable to almost everyone who entered the room. I attempted the "kill them with kindness" routine, but apparently that wasn't enough. Some days you really just can't make anyone happy...and especially if they are unhappy people to begin with.

I'm glad I only have one more day this week...I don't know if I'd make it anymore. I feel like I've been used and abused to the max.

I'm also in the last week of this class. It's been a killer. We had a group project which I just contributed my portion to...ugh...what else? Ummm....I'm tired, and hot and ready for another vacation!! Until next time, cjb

whatever....

So my lab results came back today and apparently everything is "normal", for what it's worth. That's good news and bad news because I'm still having horrible hot flashes. My doctor thinks it's stress related, ummmm....okay. Yes I'm stressed, but this has been going on for awhile....So what do we do about that? Apparently I'm going to start Lexapro and see if that helps at all. I go back to see him in two weeks and we will be talking about where to go from here because something is not right.

That's what I know....gotta work again tomorrow....Night all, cjb

Another week ahead

So my class this time is nursing research. It's a killer. I keep thinking that the one I just finished was the hardest and then they throw another class my way! I know I'll get through it, I really don't have a chance.

I also made it to the doctor again today. I've been having really bad hot flashes and also waking up drenched in sweat even though my air is on and I have a ceiling fan and floor fan blowing on me. He had some blood worked ordered. Hopefully we'll know something on Thursday. I just know I'm tired of being a furnace ALL.THE.TIME.

Not much else is going on...I'll post again later, cjb

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