Name game, vol. 2

Ok,  some additional head shakers:

Shaen.

Broedy

Shyanne

Jasiyah  (Josiah??)

Malissa

Crystol

Dunovan

Milissa

Tiler

Jaesun

Jeramia

Hydie

Zakkary

Falasha

Ileenee (the 2nd e on the end is silent)

That's all for now.

Just because

Because no employer is going to own me, ever again,  I work a couple of jobs per diem.

Because I choose what days and shifts I work, I have ALL the control.

Because one of the jobs is a busy ER with lots of millenials and plenty of call-outs, I could work 16 hours per day if I wanted to.  Because I have I life, I don't

Because last summer I was feeling sassy and clever,  I decided to just work a couple of 12 hour shifts a week in order to have more time off.  Because my boss put me on a lot of weeks with 2 shifts at the beginning of one week, and 2 shifts at the end of the next, I had me some  6, 8, 10 day-off stretches at a time.

Because 12 hour shifts are Satan, and because it just reinforced that I really am too old for 12 hour shifts, I went back to 8 hour shifts.

Because my boss appreciates my flexibility, she is fine with my working 8's.  Because there aren't many per diem's who work straight evenings, it gives her more flexibility in covering short shifts.

Because I am planning to retire in the next couple of years, and I have downsized my living situation, I am also going to downsize the number of hours I work.

I think this summer I will do 2 shifts per week.  8 hours.  No weekends.  No commitments

Because it's time.  Because I can.

Thank you

Hannah is a superstar nurse also with big brass balls.  Once, during a code the patient had no IV access.  She said "I'll just put in an IO", picked up that IO drill and in less than a minute the patient had access.  It was her first time.  Ever.  And she got it true with no coaching.  Every time I saw her for the next month I raised my hands in a "big ones" gesture.  She's also a nice person.  I mean, really super nice.  Everyone loves her.

One of my favorite docs will get right in there and pitch in, often doing stuff she doesn't have to do.  She will do IV starts, get meds and fluids, transport patients to CT if the nurses are busy.  She has been known to put patients on the commode or bedpan.  She is a doer.  Some nurses take it as a sign that they are not doing their job fast enough to suit her, but it's really not that…she just doesn't see the benefit of sitting around waiting for shit to get done if others are busy and she has the time to do it.

I ran into her in the med room, pulling stuff out of the Pyxis.

"Oh there you are, doing everybody else's job again"

She turned and smiled, leaned against the counter and said, "You know, there are times when I would have been very happy to be a nurse.  But it would not have worked. I'm just not a nice person"

I laughed.  "You are so!"  She is a straight shooter, is not all fuzzy and warm, but I like and respect her a lot.  

"Not really, I want to be like Hannah.  She talks to every patient like they are cupcakes and fairy dust, no matter what evil thing they say to her.  Same as you, you're nice".

"What I am is a good actress".

"Well, then you are a GREAT actress".

Happy Hallmark Holiday Nurses Day to me, and to all the nice nurses out there.  Also to those with big, brass balls.  And a huge thank you to all those individuals, in every corner of the health care universe, who support us so we can get the job done.  

Brilliant

Go read this.  Right now.

Well said, my friend. Well said.

The USS Constipation

Meanwhile, back at the Bait Shoppe:

Most of the ER docs will just tell patients to take mag citrate and get on a regimen of Miralax, but Gil ordered an enema.

"There is a special place in Hell for ER docs who order enemas", I said darkly.  Worse, it's not even an ER anymore.

I really didn't put much effort into it to be honest.

But after her special treat, Enema Woman gushed about how wonderful Gil was, what great care he gave, how much she appreciated such a warm and feeling humanitarian, and how she would pray for his long and healthy continued existence.

Later I told Gil in detail just how much Enema Woman enjoyed her visit and and expounded on the wonderfulness that was Gil as he beamed in happy warm fuzziness.

Until I told him that I had given Enema Woman his home phone number so that she could personally contact him, as well as his address so that he could enjoy annual Christmas cards and gifts for years to come.

I get even.