Kassia - I wish you could hear the contentment and balance in your voice now.......It is so nice to know that you are in a good place!
Karen - what a pretty shot of your lovely snowy yard! I miss the "first snow" in New England. It is always such a pretty sight! I'm looking out my living room window as I type this and seeing a Frosty the Snowman beside a palm tree across the street in our neighbors' yard. I don't know......somehow it just isn't the same! The cool weather does help though!!
Checking in...
Yeah, I would miss the first snow, too, if I were in FL. It is very pretty. But I would be enjoying the FL sunshine, too, so it wouldn't be all that bad. I miss the winters in AZ. Now those were some nice winters, though you don't have the beach there, and you can't call the days "balmy".
Karen
I'm definitely not complaining.......just realizing that there are good things in both locations! I do love the sunny days and cool nights and the ability to get out and garden every day. As a child in this neighborhood, I knew no other kind of Christmas, so it was great! But once you've lived in New England for 26 years, a northern Christmas is like nothing else when it comes to beauty and holiday atmosphere. Counting lots of blessings here...........
Love the snow picture, the Japanese lanturn is pretty. We have a concrete turtle & I bought a 'winged lion' (seated) on sale this fall. I have to figure what to plant around it--placed on a small hill with low light & honeycombed with chipmunk holes. Still in mailing mode here which is a distraction from garden thoughts.
I've been a nurse for 30 years now, and have had a couple of surgeries recently, and really appreciated all the nurses and docs, but especially the nurse post op that you could tell really cared.
I have had only good experiences with the nurses for the complications I had after my second child was born and again when that little girl almost died of pneumonia and a C-Diff infection in 2nd grade. They have always been patient and helpful and always always kind. We went back to the childrens' ward at Newton Wellesley where Caroline spent a week and saw one of her nurses (who was there for most of her stay) and she was so happy to see us! I wish there was a way to give back more to the people who make such a difference....
Deb
Getting better IS giving back - that really does make us feel great!
I still go back to the unit at BWH that saved my life in 2001 every time I'm in the patient tower! There's not necessarily anyone there still who remembers me but I tell my near-death story and thank the nurses. Nurses can make all the difference!
Oh Louise... it's such a great time... today I had an all day class and a lot of what I did was practicing what I already have done... so great... so much to learn... ah, I hope it never gets boring...
Debilu, the only thing I don't like it is that I started at 46... so I hope to enjoy every minute I have... 2 of my co-workers are 23 years old... oh I am so happy for them... they both could be my daughters! and I told one of them today to really enjoy it and take advantage... and go places!!!!! so much to do in this career... love it...
I kept thinking on how amazing is that Nurses are the top most trusted professionals ... "For the seventh straight year, nurses enjoy top public accolades in Gallup's annual Honesty and Ethics of professions survey. Eighty-four percent of Americans call their honesty and ethical standards either "high" or "very high."
http://www.gallup.com/poll/112264/Nurses-Shine-While-Bankers-Slump-Ethics-Ratings.aspx#1
how can you not love to be among these amazing people!??? so really cool!!!!
and I think being a gardener is the perfect combination!!!! can't beat that!!!!!
Karen, I am not sure you have to do meds with Hospice... I don't think so... hey, have you tried agency? this way you could have new patients and that could be a good thing also...
Kassia, I started LPN school when I was 15, graduated and was an LPN at 17. Then went on for my RN. I've done many things in my career, from nursing home to hospital to teaching to home care to computer support. It has been a good career. I'm thinking about changing again now. I've been in a supervisor/management position for the last 8 years, thinking about going back to staff nurse. Big decision. I want less stress.
Stress does catch up with you. It's worth a good chunk of money not to have it!
I have an interview Thursday for a part time job with a licensed home care agency. I know what I am doing right now, and that is comfortable even if stressful. Change is tough.
Good luck with the interview. Change is never easy, but often beneficial.
good luck with the interview!
Good luck Deb.
You will feel better about the change when you are one year past it .
You'll look back and wonder why you didn't do it sooner.
It's all good because you are moving in a positive direction and your motives are selfless.
Not so sure it's selfless, had a health scare this summer, and it makes me more appreciative for every day. So I want to spend my days without stress. I'm not sure if I should change company's or ask my boss for a demotion. I've actually been telling her for the last 3-4 years I don't want to be a supervisor, she just likes me in that position. I may tell her now that if I can't work at staff level, I may leave. What I'm afraid of is starting a brand new job, then finding it was a mistake.
I have never been in your shoes so I have no business councelling you on the subject.
JoAnn, I have never been so indecisive about a job before. I only work 3 days a week, so 3 days of stress isn't too bad? I just don't like thinking about work when I am not there. It's nice talking about it, helps me see things better. And the interview may make me realize I'm fine right where I am...
Making a change no matter what the field or circumstance ,always creates anxiety. That leads to the great abyss of the unknown. This is true for all humanbeings .
That unknown is what we shrink from since we were children.
As adults we loose touch with the inner emotional experiences that make our decissions for us.
Remember the old addage "nothing ventured,nothing gained"
You sound as though you would rather choose to be mizerable than take a chance on something different.
Your first instincts are always right, you had the idea 2or3 years ago and expected your boss to take the responsability for making your decission for you. Since nothing has changed in that time, you have been content to just suffer where you are.
It is very empowering to make a change (and take the responsability for your own decissions), even if it has the same amount of stress. At least you made a decission for your self, you chose power for yourself.
Good luck, you sound as though you are on the brink of something good.
Big hugs will be coming your way on Thursday, Deb. Best wishes on the interview.
See, this is helping me. I'm not really miserable and like parts of my job. I like the people I work with, and they have let me be flexible with my schedule when I want a certain day off to take a class, etc. That's why it's a hard decision, if I was miserable, it would be easy!!
I was asking around today about the interview company and they don't have the best reputation...
Maybe I need to sit down with my boss and just ask to change my title to non-supervisory, make a few bucks less, and have fewer meetings, responsibility, decision making etc.
I did get her to create a new position for a manager to work above me as there was too much for me to do. And we are meeting tomorrow to look at some of our practices to streamline and improve efficiency.
A nice thing about being a nurse is there are a lot of different jobs out there, so if I don't change now, there will always be an opportunity.
Thanks everyone, and sorry Kassia!!
Deb - I will be thinking about you on Thursday. Changes like the one you are contemplating are always difficult, as one never knows whether it will be a positive or a negative. I think you'd be wise to talk to your boss and let her know you are serious about being demoted to a position that will help you reduce the stress for health purposes. If she knows that you are actually considering looking elsewhere, she might realize you are really serious. Stress is so unhealthy, so I applaud your proactive thinking about doing something to reduce it. That's not easy, so I wish you well and I will beam you good wishes for clear thinking and a good decision!
Yes, it's not too often a supervisor listens to a request for a demotion! I'm sure she would try to keep you.
Thanks Louise and Victor!
Good luck tomorrow Deb.
Good luck Deb, i'm sure it will all work out in your favor!
Good luck to you, Deb! I will keep my fingers and toes crossed for you (that'll make it difficult to sleep tonight).
Karen
Hi Deb, oh I am glad I got to read this ... so I also wish you the best today... talk about stress... Monday was just a class - nice, and very informative... but Tue and Wed were horrible... oh so much stress... the floor was really crazy... I had 4 pt being discharged and 2 new ones coming in within the last hour of my shift... oh those are hard because you have to admitt people fresh post op and you can never predict what is going to happen... but they were such nice people that it makes it ok!
But yesterday was another story... I am really new and of course my skills are not the best... I am learning to do things fast not by choice... I would rather take time to do things, but its just impossible... so I made 2 decisions that did not affect my pts directly but I felt sooooo frustrated that I cryed... oh it was just so bad for me... its really very hard not to fell adequate... I hate the feeling... no matter what everyone said that it was normal, "you are just starting", "it will take at least a year" bla bla bla bla... the preceptor I have for the next 3 days is really a great nurse - she is very intense, high stress, doesn't discriminate - she is what she is - but in a way she intimidates me a bit... which is ok... no, I am not mad at her... is more to myself because specially in front of her I don't want to feel stupid... so I had a really rough day yesterday... the manager told me that it was ok, no I was not in trouble etc... so I told her that I can't promisse not to cry because "not all tears are bad" ... after I left the meeting, I went to check in one of my patients that was getting a blood transfusion and this sweet woman tells me "my daughter and son just left and they told me on how lucky I am to have such a wonderful nurse!" on then, I really cryed!!!!! so I went to the kitchen to get her some water and the manager was there and she just asked me "what is it now?" and when I told her, she started laughing... "see... you click with your pts!" oh brother that was a tough day... and one thing I tell you is that I love the pts... and yes, that's why I am there... if I can only do what is right by them that's all that's matters... no, to me this is not just a job... I really love being there... love the people I work with... but the pts are the best part of this job...
So, Deb, my 5cents for you: if you can afford not to have so much stress great... if the people you work with is fun.... great... but if you are missing the patient care side of nursing and that's where your heart is, them go for the change... I would not trade that aspect of nursing for any other part... at least not for now...
It's amazing how much I have learned different things from different nurses... my first preceptor (Kim) is the most amazing person - what a loving, sweet, respectful and a true advocate nurse she is... if I am ever sick I would pick her to care for me... she takes the extra 2 min and listen to you... oh she makes the pt really feel special and loved... and she is great at her skills as a nurse also... totally a people person... wonderful...
Now the second preceptor (Andrea) she is young (26??) - I am old enough to be her mother! oh she is such a delight to work with... I love her... she makes me laugh and keeps me in line... I told her she can boss me around... so she does... and with a great smile... love her... such a bright, inteligent woman... oh she is cute and wonderful...
Now, the third one... she has great nursing skills... can't say that I am not impressed but something in her is not just right with me... I was under the impression that my skin was thick... maybe not so thick... I have a lot to learn from her but I really feel stupid next to her... so I am going to have to get used to it... in a way, she is what I need at this point to get the entire thing together...
And I love the manager... what a fun and fair person to work with!!!! what a great reputation she has... and the nursing educator - I love Jeannie... oh she is such a blessing to me... so young, and so wise... I really admire her... such a bright woman... I am in love with all of them!!!! some more than others!!!! and I go to work happy... even if I think the day will be busy... so strange!!!! but so I am glad to be there...
for now, all is well... stressfull but well enough to keep me going~~~
Kassia - don't be so hard on yourself.......there is so much to learn and it sounds like the environment gives you little time to practice perfection. I always feel so sorry for the nurses in hospitals......they have such a workload and so little time, and yet they always really care for their patients. It is such a hard job and an important one, so give yourself some time before you evaluate your skills. It is terrific that you have so many great mentors to learn from, and I am certain your patients feel so cared for. Heck - that's how I feel when I'm around you, and I'm not on a gurney!!! LOL
Kassia, don't feel so bad about crying. Like you said, it's ok, and it's also a great stress reliever. I had a private meeting last Friday with one of my managers, our program director, and one of our clients with whom I was having a problem with. I unintentionally hurt her feelings about something, and I broke down crying while I was apologizing to her. I didn't mean too, but I'd been under a lot of stress, I was nervous, and it hadn't been my intention to hurt her, and I felt just awful about the whole thing. She said I didn't have to cry, but I said I couldn't help it, that's just the way I am, I'm very sensitive, and under stress.
Anyhow, I thought things had been resolved between us, but I guess I was wrong. She is someone I will never get along with, I guess, though I tried very hard to. She went and blabbed to other clients and such about me crying like a baby in the meeting. I was very upset to hear this, as it was a private meeting, and she went too far telling other people about it. She is like that, though. She has alienated herself from other staff and clients because of this. I had felt sorry for her at one time, but not anymore. I have a "too bad, so sad" attitude about her now, a phrase she loves to use all the time.
Karen
Kassia, I remember those days well. I'm sure you do a fantastic job. I miss the hospital sometimes.
My interview went well, except that there were 2 jobs on careerbuilders.com, and only one when I interviewed, which is for on call 5pm - 8 am. It's actually not a bad deal, 1 week a month at $20/hr plus full pay for any time actually worked. It is tempting, but I don't think I want to add more hours.
I have decided to talk to my boss, she has told me in the past that there will always be a job there for me.
Thanks to all for your encouragement, it means a lot!
$20/hr to be on standby is not bad! I'm sure your boss will help.
I know, I keep wondering if I heard her right!!
Reminds me of one of the Marx Bros movies. Chico tells Groucho that his band charges $20 to play and $30 not to play.
Karen, sorry to hear about that... I keep wondering if people that act that way should be on meds! maybe it would actually help them...
Louise, I look at the nurses I work with and they are my heros... so many good people... and even the ones that just look at this as a job still do what they need to make sure pts are safe and cared for... of course some people should not be nurses... and some love to boss people around... but the truth is the paperwork is necessary, and pt care is also necessary... with the current crisis, I don't see any change on the workload...
Yesterday was a good night... I was with the same preceptor... she was really nice and I had only 4 pts... she has really high standards... which is really great... but anyway, I only forgot to do one thing on time... but since for medications we have an hour before and after it was not a problem... but I did forget... but I left on time and did all my documentation on time... and got to speak with one pt a bit... so I feel ok... ah, life is definitely exciting...
Deb, that is an interesting job... wish you the best as you speak with your boss... no question that is a tempting offer!!!! wow...
Deb - tempting as that potential job sounds, I'll bet your boss will bend a lot in order to keep you! I would! LOL There's a lot to be said for knowing the scene and the people you work with!
Kassia - Good for you.....and I love how much integrity you have when you say, "I did forget"....etc. It says a lot about a person who owns up to something you forgot to do, and then puts it in its proper perspective. There's a learning curve in any new job. We've all been there, but I've known people who would never admit they were anything less than perfect. Those are the people I'm uncomfortable with. You are well on your way to being a top notch nurse!! So happy for you!
Thanks Louise... it means a lot to me that I can share all this with you guys... I am so fortunate to have you guys...
oh the blessed learning curve... the nurse educator told me it will take at least a year for me to feel comfortable... wow... so much to go... but it's ok... this week is my last week with a preceptor... and the 23 is my first day on my own... wow... I am excited and trully scared at the same time... can't believe it... but I hope I will have a chance to sit with the unit secretary at least for 4 hrs before I go on by myself... transcribing orders are still a bit fuzzy... so much to do... and to learn... I really hope to be good one day!
Kassia, you are good already!!
Sorry Kassia I guess I am late in posting to you. All the news you had to share was so amazingly great! I am so happy for you!!!!