On one of my last nights on the night shift at work a few weeks ago, a coworker (who has the somewhat deserved reputation of being crazy) and I said a prayer for E, my stepdaughter. She had been in the ICU days before.
Perhaps it was the prayer, perhaps it was the natural progression of a life teetering on the edge, but she is back in the hospital, and this time because she voluntarily requested a feeding tube. She wants to be well enough to go to an eating disorder treatment facility that she hasn't been to yet, which sounds promising. She needs to be "medically stable" to attend, which means gaining at least 8 lbs... No easy feat, tube or not, when her mind is torturing her. I wish her well.
We spoke on the phone earlier, and at one point she said, "I hope that if you have a child, that my dad is more emotionally invested in that child, because from a kids' perspective I can tell you that it really hurts that he isn't emotionally involved in my life". Ouch. Have I ever mentioned how glad I am that I'm not a man? Very glad, very very glad. Hy husband tries to be involved, but as I type this, my stepchild is in a room on the telemetry unit that I work on, at the hospital where my husband has worked for the last 15 years, with both a sitter and a security officer posted outside her door. I might also add that my husband oversees the security department, and his ex wife has been complaining to the administration department and his coworkers about the treatment of E... Any sense of privacy was out the window a long time ago.
E doesn't realize that it's hard to go to work in a place where there is no protection of privacy. Friend and foe alike are "up in our business", and it's a heavy burden, even for me. Fielding questions from those who feign concern only to broadcast family matters in their gossip circles is no fun at all. Nor does she understand that her dad, while his heart is absolutely breaking on a daily basis because of her disorder, can't be so emotionally involved that he loses all sense of joy and function in life, which is what her mom has done. It's a difficult, no-win situation...
I meanwhile, need to be successful in school... But it's hard to focus when the drama of her situation takes front and center stage. Some detachment is necessary for survival, as sad as that is.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
State of Mind
Somehow I finished the first semester of the nursing program, working full time. The sad thing is, that although I made it, I am so exhausted from my battles at work that I don't have peace. My employer made things so very difficult for me that it has really left a bad taste in my mouth. Couple that with the way that I observe nurses being treated, and I'm just not sure why I'm doing this.
So I passed the first semester, and am now a few weeks into the second... I aced my first test, but it's hardly comforting. As I sit here typing, I should be on my way to the hospital to select my two patients for tomorrow. I'm just not motivated.
I suppose it would have helped if I had enjoyed my 6 weeks off over winter break, but too many trips to HR at work, and too many uncertainties until the eleventh hour made it tough. Christmas was a bummer, I was so stressed out about everything. My husband and I bought a tree but never got around to decorating it. We didn't even see my stepdaughter until sometime in late January. Her health has been so bad that it's a wonder she is still alive. Her gifts sat in a pile on the floor for weeks, and our phone calls to her went unanswered.
I'm now 35 1/2, less than a month from my first wedding anniversary, and there are no plans for a baby. My husband tells me, "Get through school first". I try to explain to him that time is a luxury that we don't have, but he doesn't get it (doesn't want to get it, I guess). At 50, you would think he'd be a little bit more concerned.
I know that this is all doom and gloom... Fortunately, there have been bright spots over the last few months. My first semester instructor set up a learning experience for me during our last few weeks of class- I got to go into the OR and observe three surgeries. Wow, I think that was the highlight of my year. It was truly amazing. And the anesthesiologist was amazing... He really took me under his wing and made it an incredible learning experience. Funny, I never told my instructor that I've been considering becoming a Nurse Anesthetist, but the experience seemed hand picked for it.
On another positive note, I was accepted into the union-sponsored loan stipend program at work for the duration of the ADN program that I'm enrolled in. This program enables employees to reduce their hours and get paid a stipend equivalent to 8 hours per week. I've reduced from 40 to 20, but will be paid an additional 8 per week... Not bad. There is no limit on the number of times one can take advantage of this benefit, so it's possible that I could utilize it for a BSN and MSN as well. We'll see...
So I passed the first semester, and am now a few weeks into the second... I aced my first test, but it's hardly comforting. As I sit here typing, I should be on my way to the hospital to select my two patients for tomorrow. I'm just not motivated.
I suppose it would have helped if I had enjoyed my 6 weeks off over winter break, but too many trips to HR at work, and too many uncertainties until the eleventh hour made it tough. Christmas was a bummer, I was so stressed out about everything. My husband and I bought a tree but never got around to decorating it. We didn't even see my stepdaughter until sometime in late January. Her health has been so bad that it's a wonder she is still alive. Her gifts sat in a pile on the floor for weeks, and our phone calls to her went unanswered.
I'm now 35 1/2, less than a month from my first wedding anniversary, and there are no plans for a baby. My husband tells me, "Get through school first". I try to explain to him that time is a luxury that we don't have, but he doesn't get it (doesn't want to get it, I guess). At 50, you would think he'd be a little bit more concerned.
I know that this is all doom and gloom... Fortunately, there have been bright spots over the last few months. My first semester instructor set up a learning experience for me during our last few weeks of class- I got to go into the OR and observe three surgeries. Wow, I think that was the highlight of my year. It was truly amazing. And the anesthesiologist was amazing... He really took me under his wing and made it an incredible learning experience. Funny, I never told my instructor that I've been considering becoming a Nurse Anesthetist, but the experience seemed hand picked for it.
On another positive note, I was accepted into the union-sponsored loan stipend program at work for the duration of the ADN program that I'm enrolled in. This program enables employees to reduce their hours and get paid a stipend equivalent to 8 hours per week. I've reduced from 40 to 20, but will be paid an additional 8 per week... Not bad. There is no limit on the number of times one can take advantage of this benefit, so it's possible that I could utilize it for a BSN and MSN as well. We'll see...
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Revisiting Old Sorrows
Every week in the nursing program we do a new "clinical prep"- this involves going to the hospital the day before we will provide care in order to pick a patient and do preparatory work (looking over the orders in the chart as well as researching prescribed medications and reviewing disease pathologies). It's a time consuming process and perhaps the hardest part of my week.
Last week, I picked a patient who had not yet been brought to the unit from the emergency department, so I couldn't peruse the chart noncommittally as I usually do. The assigned nurse was taking report over the phone. I was drawn to this particular patient because the one piece of information that I had- that he had a tracheostomy and was on a vent- sounded like it would make for a good learning experience. So I went into the nurse's lounge to wait out the 20 minutes or so that it would take the RN and ward clerk to gather enough information to put together a rudimentary chart.
After 20 minutes had elapsed, I went back out to the nurse's station, and I could see that it was slow going. The nurse was on the phone with the physician regarding the patient's medications. I toyed with the idea of picking a different patient, but I felt committed, so I retreated to the lounge to wait a while longer.
Finally I was able to get my hands on the chart and began the process of sifting through it for the information that I needed. As I skimmed through a rather lengthy medication list, hastily scrawling as I went, it became ever more clear that it was going to be a long night. Prepping meds can be tedious work, but I was comforted somewhat by the fact that most of the meds would be given by G tube, a skill I enjoy practicing. So I plodded along, until I came across something that stopped me dead in my tracks: Rilutek. This unusual medication has one purpose: delaying the progress of the degenerative motor neuron disease ALS. I know this because ALS took the life of my dad 8 years ago- it is an unkind disease that shows little mercy to its victims. "What are the chances?", I asked myself, as well as, "Can I handle this? Should I pick someone else to care for?"
I can happily report that I did not pick a new patient. The next two days were hard, but I kept myself together and provided the best care that I was able to provide to this man. I did not shed a single tear or feel overwhelmed while in the hospital. I was not preoccupied with memories of my father, nor was I overly detached emotionally. I feel that I handled myself well. Of course, once I was in my car and on the way home at the end of my second and final clinical day with him, I did shed some tears as I remembered my dad. I thought about the cruel course of his illness and the deep, life altering pain that engulfed my entire family for many years.
I am now two weeks from finishing the first semester of the nursing program. It has been difficult. I'm still attempting to work full time, averaging 28 hours per week. I'm still getting little support from my employer regarding my schedule (an ongoing source of frustration and something I don't wish to recount here). The important thing, though, is that I'm surviving. It is tough and it is certainly taking a toll on my health and well being, but I have done it. I guess I shouldn't count my chickens yet, but I'm feeling very proud of myself. Although it's bittersweet in light of the emotional ups and downs that I am put through, it's a victory.
Last week, I picked a patient who had not yet been brought to the unit from the emergency department, so I couldn't peruse the chart noncommittally as I usually do. The assigned nurse was taking report over the phone. I was drawn to this particular patient because the one piece of information that I had- that he had a tracheostomy and was on a vent- sounded like it would make for a good learning experience. So I went into the nurse's lounge to wait out the 20 minutes or so that it would take the RN and ward clerk to gather enough information to put together a rudimentary chart.
After 20 minutes had elapsed, I went back out to the nurse's station, and I could see that it was slow going. The nurse was on the phone with the physician regarding the patient's medications. I toyed with the idea of picking a different patient, but I felt committed, so I retreated to the lounge to wait a while longer.
Finally I was able to get my hands on the chart and began the process of sifting through it for the information that I needed. As I skimmed through a rather lengthy medication list, hastily scrawling as I went, it became ever more clear that it was going to be a long night. Prepping meds can be tedious work, but I was comforted somewhat by the fact that most of the meds would be given by G tube, a skill I enjoy practicing. So I plodded along, until I came across something that stopped me dead in my tracks: Rilutek. This unusual medication has one purpose: delaying the progress of the degenerative motor neuron disease ALS. I know this because ALS took the life of my dad 8 years ago- it is an unkind disease that shows little mercy to its victims. "What are the chances?", I asked myself, as well as, "Can I handle this? Should I pick someone else to care for?"
I can happily report that I did not pick a new patient. The next two days were hard, but I kept myself together and provided the best care that I was able to provide to this man. I did not shed a single tear or feel overwhelmed while in the hospital. I was not preoccupied with memories of my father, nor was I overly detached emotionally. I feel that I handled myself well. Of course, once I was in my car and on the way home at the end of my second and final clinical day with him, I did shed some tears as I remembered my dad. I thought about the cruel course of his illness and the deep, life altering pain that engulfed my entire family for many years.
I am now two weeks from finishing the first semester of the nursing program. It has been difficult. I'm still attempting to work full time, averaging 28 hours per week. I'm still getting little support from my employer regarding my schedule (an ongoing source of frustration and something I don't wish to recount here). The important thing, though, is that I'm surviving. It is tough and it is certainly taking a toll on my health and well being, but I have done it. I guess I shouldn't count my chickens yet, but I'm feeling very proud of myself. Although it's bittersweet in light of the emotional ups and downs that I am put through, it's a victory.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Introducing... The Nursing Student
Blogging has taken a back seat to school lately. In fact, the only reason why I have *time* to blog right now is because I'm waiting for my dinner to cook! Usually, I'd be eating with my hubby, but he's out of town for a conference. I hope he's having a good time!
I'm tentatively planning to go in to work tonight, so I've got to get some sleep, but first I need to eat some real food. Tomorrow is my crazy day- I'll leave work early, then spend 12 straight hours on campus (the first 8 in skills lab, followed by a 4 hour class). Can I do it?? Yes, at this point I can!
My employer has been absolutely terrible these past few weeks. To call it a nightmare is to be too kind. But I have a plan, so I'm not going to worry about it. I will get through this program, and I will continue to pay my share of the mortgage. It's going to work out.
I had an exam today, and pulled off my second solid 'B' in the class. Not my best work, but good enough, especially as many of my fellow students struggle to pass. It's ok!
My Oregon trip before beginning the semester was fantastic. Between seeing Garrison Keillor perform live, river rafting, walking the quaint towns of Jacksonville and Ashland, working on my Airstream, eating amazing meals, and spending time with my girls (my mom and sis), it could not have been better!
I feel great about my life right now. It isn't perfect, but things are working, and I'm advancing! I am filled with peace and contentment, despite irritations such as the situation at work. I feel unshakable. I sure hope this feeling lasts!
I'm tentatively planning to go in to work tonight, so I've got to get some sleep, but first I need to eat some real food. Tomorrow is my crazy day- I'll leave work early, then spend 12 straight hours on campus (the first 8 in skills lab, followed by a 4 hour class). Can I do it?? Yes, at this point I can!
My employer has been absolutely terrible these past few weeks. To call it a nightmare is to be too kind. But I have a plan, so I'm not going to worry about it. I will get through this program, and I will continue to pay my share of the mortgage. It's going to work out.
I had an exam today, and pulled off my second solid 'B' in the class. Not my best work, but good enough, especially as many of my fellow students struggle to pass. It's ok!
My Oregon trip before beginning the semester was fantastic. Between seeing Garrison Keillor perform live, river rafting, walking the quaint towns of Jacksonville and Ashland, working on my Airstream, eating amazing meals, and spending time with my girls (my mom and sis), it could not have been better!
I feel great about my life right now. It isn't perfect, but things are working, and I'm advancing! I am filled with peace and contentment, despite irritations such as the situation at work. I feel unshakable. I sure hope this feeling lasts!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Miscellaneous Stuff
Miscellaneous Item #1: The Micro Exam. Somehow, I earned another 'A'. Yay for that, because I didn't feel like I had mastered the material ahead of time. Once again, I felt really good about the basics but not the details. My studying was apparently successful, however, so I'm moving on to focusing entirely on my nursing texts these last few weeks before the semester starts.
Item #2: Diet. I have a lot of product left over from when I attempted Optifast before my wedding, and it's expensive... Not one to like to see things go to waste, I've decided to use it up and see if I can lose some weight in the process. Since I had a "last hurrah" with the pastries from King's Hawaiian last week, I feel ready. It's now day 5 on approximately 800 calories per day, and so far so good. I suppose I shouldn't be doing it on my own (it's supposed to be medically supervised), but there weren't any issues last time around. Also, I'm modifying the diet by adding/substituting vegetables... and I know that I need to be aware of and heed any warning signs that my electrolytes are out of balance. Hey, I work on a tele floor... I know exactly how different electrolyte imbalances affect the heart. It's my area of expertise! So I'm not too worried about that.
Item #3: California City. Yesterday, the LA Times featured a story on a planned development in Kern County that never materialized. It's way out beyond Palmdale/Lancaster, in the brutally hot and unforgiving desert. The developer was sure it would be the next big thing, so there are acres of roads and utilities but no homes. An architect quoted in the article called it a great folly, and I suppose it is... But as I read the article, I immediately thought of my Airstream. Isn't this exactly what I've been talking about?! Inexpensive land (with utilities, no less) where I can park the Airstream? Lots can be had for as little as $2500. Perhaps it's crazy, but I'm intrigued. It's about a 2 1/2 hour drive from my home, but that sure beats the 13 hour drive to Oregon. And while I don't exactly love the heat and barrenness of the desert, there is something compelling about it. If nothing else, it's a great place for stargazing. I can imagine placing one of those easily fabricated metal garages on a lot with city utilities. The Airstream would be secure from theft and vandalism, and my husband and I could camp there and work on restoration on occasion. It's not something I can realistically do right now, but I like the idea. The longer the Airstream sits in rainy Oregon, the more abuse it will suffer. A sad fate for an American icon. I wonder how much property taxes are in California City? It can't be much.
Item #2: Diet. I have a lot of product left over from when I attempted Optifast before my wedding, and it's expensive... Not one to like to see things go to waste, I've decided to use it up and see if I can lose some weight in the process. Since I had a "last hurrah" with the pastries from King's Hawaiian last week, I feel ready. It's now day 5 on approximately 800 calories per day, and so far so good. I suppose I shouldn't be doing it on my own (it's supposed to be medically supervised), but there weren't any issues last time around. Also, I'm modifying the diet by adding/substituting vegetables... and I know that I need to be aware of and heed any warning signs that my electrolytes are out of balance. Hey, I work on a tele floor... I know exactly how different electrolyte imbalances affect the heart. It's my area of expertise! So I'm not too worried about that.
Item #3: California City. Yesterday, the LA Times featured a story on a planned development in Kern County that never materialized. It's way out beyond Palmdale/Lancaster, in the brutally hot and unforgiving desert. The developer was sure it would be the next big thing, so there are acres of roads and utilities but no homes. An architect quoted in the article called it a great folly, and I suppose it is... But as I read the article, I immediately thought of my Airstream. Isn't this exactly what I've been talking about?! Inexpensive land (with utilities, no less) where I can park the Airstream? Lots can be had for as little as $2500. Perhaps it's crazy, but I'm intrigued. It's about a 2 1/2 hour drive from my home, but that sure beats the 13 hour drive to Oregon. And while I don't exactly love the heat and barrenness of the desert, there is something compelling about it. If nothing else, it's a great place for stargazing. I can imagine placing one of those easily fabricated metal garages on a lot with city utilities. The Airstream would be secure from theft and vandalism, and my husband and I could camp there and work on restoration on occasion. It's not something I can realistically do right now, but I like the idea. The longer the Airstream sits in rainy Oregon, the more abuse it will suffer. A sad fate for an American icon. I wonder how much property taxes are in California City? It can't be much.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Still Waiting
I haven't heard if I've been approved for the union-sponsored loan stipend program yet. This program reduces an employees' hours from 40 to 32, while maintaining their full-time status and pay. What a gift that would be!
As of right now, I am planning to continue as a full-time night shift Monitor Technician. Financially, it isn't feasible to do otherwise. I can't imagine that I won't be able to do both, simply because my job is so uninvolved. There is a lot of down-time during which I can (and do) study.
Today I submitted a request for schedule change to the staffing office. I'm requesting to waive my alternating weekends off and instead have Wednesday and Thursday nights off each week. This is imperative for me to make it to clinicals on time Thursday and Friday mornings (I'll need to be there around 6:00 am- normally I don't get off from work until 8:00 am). If I'm approved for the loan stipend program, I will also take Sunday nights off.
Either way, it's going to be tough, but it's doable. I need to maintain my full time status because it enables me to make the second mortgage on our house (in addition to all my other miscellaneous bills). If I went to part-time, not only would I lose hours but I would lose my benefits... Benefits that, because I'm insured through my husband, I'm able to waive for a 20% increase in pay. That 20%, along with the shift differential that I get by working nights, really makes a difference.
Going to part-time would place a huge financial burden on my husband, who already pays the bulk of our expenses. So it's a no-go.
My fingers are crossed about the loan stipend program and the requested schedule change. So far in this process, everything has been falling into place, so I'm cautiously optimistic that it will work out.. But I know there's no guarantee.
I've definitely been feeling the stress of the uncertainty these last few weeks. I've even taken the step of restarting one of the antidepressant medications that I gave up last year in order to prepare for the possibility of becoming pregnant. Since that's on the back burner for now, it seemed like a good idea to restart. I've been so conflicted about delaying conception of a child even longer, not to mention conflicted about the idea of being a nursing student again, some 14 years after not completing a similar program. I found my emotional stability was starting to slip, and I can't let that happen. Perhaps it's the placebo effect, but one week into the new medication regimen, I feel much better. I'm thankful for that.
This is a trying time, but also an exciting one. Knowing that this journey will be tough and will require stamina and sacrifice adds to the thrill of it. I don't like an unending daily grind... I need to be stimulated with challenges, I need to be working towards goals. Ultimately this is going to be very, very good for me!
As of right now, I am planning to continue as a full-time night shift Monitor Technician. Financially, it isn't feasible to do otherwise. I can't imagine that I won't be able to do both, simply because my job is so uninvolved. There is a lot of down-time during which I can (and do) study.
Today I submitted a request for schedule change to the staffing office. I'm requesting to waive my alternating weekends off and instead have Wednesday and Thursday nights off each week. This is imperative for me to make it to clinicals on time Thursday and Friday mornings (I'll need to be there around 6:00 am- normally I don't get off from work until 8:00 am). If I'm approved for the loan stipend program, I will also take Sunday nights off.
Either way, it's going to be tough, but it's doable. I need to maintain my full time status because it enables me to make the second mortgage on our house (in addition to all my other miscellaneous bills). If I went to part-time, not only would I lose hours but I would lose my benefits... Benefits that, because I'm insured through my husband, I'm able to waive for a 20% increase in pay. That 20%, along with the shift differential that I get by working nights, really makes a difference.
Going to part-time would place a huge financial burden on my husband, who already pays the bulk of our expenses. So it's a no-go.
My fingers are crossed about the loan stipend program and the requested schedule change. So far in this process, everything has been falling into place, so I'm cautiously optimistic that it will work out.. But I know there's no guarantee.
I've definitely been feeling the stress of the uncertainty these last few weeks. I've even taken the step of restarting one of the antidepressant medications that I gave up last year in order to prepare for the possibility of becoming pregnant. Since that's on the back burner for now, it seemed like a good idea to restart. I've been so conflicted about delaying conception of a child even longer, not to mention conflicted about the idea of being a nursing student again, some 14 years after not completing a similar program. I found my emotional stability was starting to slip, and I can't let that happen. Perhaps it's the placebo effect, but one week into the new medication regimen, I feel much better. I'm thankful for that.
This is a trying time, but also an exciting one. Knowing that this journey will be tough and will require stamina and sacrifice adds to the thrill of it. I don't like an unending daily grind... I need to be stimulated with challenges, I need to be working towards goals. Ultimately this is going to be very, very good for me!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Serendipity
This morning after work I had to stop off at my doctor's office to pick up the form she completed after conducting my Physical Exam for the Nursing Program. I had the PE last week, but she needed some lead time to fill it out properly. I'm never in the mood to run errands after work, but the thought of having the form in my possession and being that much closer to ticking another item off of my pre-school checklist got the best of me. And maybe I was in a pretty good mood to start with this morning... I found out my request for two vacation days (for the trip to Oregon) was approved. That in and of itself is a very good thing, since I already have a plane ticket!
So off to the doctor's office I went, and lucky for me it was uneventful. I didn't have to wait long in the waiting area, and once I had the form in my possession, I carefully looked it over and it seems to be filled out properly. Oh happy day (the Nursing instructors were very particular about this at the orientation for the program- they must have devoted a full hour to the topic!).
I hopped in my car and was cruising along uneventfully when suddenly it occurred to me that I would be driving right past King's Hawaiian Bakery & Restaurant. I contemplated stopping, but wasn't sure... Then the light turned red at the street you turn in on, and my decision was made (and this was my serendipitous moment- for my heart if not for my waistline!). I pulled into the parking lot, scampered into the bakery, and got lost in the heaven in front of me for several minutes. Finally, I made my selection, paid at the register, scampered back out to my car, and headed for home.
I couldn't resist pulling out my treats along the way, and I must say I chose well! The grand prize: A walnut roll. Think flaky crust, gooey honey, and a generous pile of chopped nuts bedded into the layers. Mmmmmm! The perfect sticky, sweet concoction. I also had an impossibly moist muffin... Yum! The best part, perhaps, was the goofy smile I couldn't erase from my face, the smile that tugged at the corners of my mouth and wouldn't go away. I'm not sure if the smile had more to do with the joy of an unexpected treat or the mischievous feeling that swept over me, knowing that my husband would not approve. I suspect it was a combination of the two... Shame on me!
So off to the doctor's office I went, and lucky for me it was uneventful. I didn't have to wait long in the waiting area, and once I had the form in my possession, I carefully looked it over and it seems to be filled out properly. Oh happy day (the Nursing instructors were very particular about this at the orientation for the program- they must have devoted a full hour to the topic!).
I hopped in my car and was cruising along uneventfully when suddenly it occurred to me that I would be driving right past King's Hawaiian Bakery & Restaurant. I contemplated stopping, but wasn't sure... Then the light turned red at the street you turn in on, and my decision was made (and this was my serendipitous moment- for my heart if not for my waistline!). I pulled into the parking lot, scampered into the bakery, and got lost in the heaven in front of me for several minutes. Finally, I made my selection, paid at the register, scampered back out to my car, and headed for home.
I couldn't resist pulling out my treats along the way, and I must say I chose well! The grand prize: A walnut roll. Think flaky crust, gooey honey, and a generous pile of chopped nuts bedded into the layers. Mmmmmm! The perfect sticky, sweet concoction. I also had an impossibly moist muffin... Yum! The best part, perhaps, was the goofy smile I couldn't erase from my face, the smile that tugged at the corners of my mouth and wouldn't go away. I'm not sure if the smile had more to do with the joy of an unexpected treat or the mischievous feeling that swept over me, knowing that my husband would not approve. I suspect it was a combination of the two... Shame on me!
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