It's the first full week in October and here are some things I've got on my mind.
1. They put executions on hold in Indiana because they couldn't find a vein on a guy. Are you kidding? The news people say, "It wasn't even a doctor performing it?" Doctors NEVER put in IVs. It is almost always nurses or technicians. Plus, I'd like to know how many death row inmates have a history of sticking themselves with nasty little needles to inject extravasating drugs into their arms. I'm not convinced they should get a stay of execution because they have ruined their own veins. Find one! Put a PICC line in 'em! Take 'em to a really fancy radiology suite and find a nice plump jugular. So now because it took two hours to try to kill one guy, they next few guys in line get a break. Seems reasonable to me.
2. Swine flu vaccine is out today. I'm thinking I'll get it when it's available. I'm not a fan of attenuated virus vaccines, but this damn bug is infecting everyone and I don't want to be the one to bring it to work unknowingly. I'm glad I'm not pregnant so I don't have to make a decision on that front, but it has made a lot of people miserable. My nephew, coworkers, facebook friends and many others and I'd rather keep functioning this fall.
3. I think it's funny when nurses and doctors who go to meet with the President wear scrubs and/or white coats. Just in case he and others don't know your role? Just in case you need to do a little work while you're at the White House? Dress up people.
4. The big Twins games were this weekend and tomorrow night. I'm sure glad for the escape that these things give me. Day-to-day life is made so much more exciting to share in the joy of a Twins win like was had at the Metrodome Saturday afternoon and evening. If all the world have the same team to cheer for, the same goals, the same sense of community it would be a place of so much potential. Almost 50,000 people with the same hopes and dreams in that stadium was something to behold. You walk out of there thinking the world could be a better place if we all tried harder.
5. Fall always feels like the beginning of something. School is some shape or form has been a part of my life for almost all of my 30 years, so fall brings with it a sense of optimism. A new beginning, new things to learn, time to try new things. I'm excited about it.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
3 things
I've been gone a long time, but you know, I turned 30 this morning and I think it's time to get back to writing a bit. I've never been short on things to say, so here goes.
I was sure I was going to be one of those people whose 30th birthday was just another day. Another Monday, another week, another year... but I'm considering turning that proverbial leaf that supposedly comes with a milestone like this. I'm a list-maker, a schedule-keeper, an organizer and manager (like Nathan would say), but why are some pieces of the pie so out-of-sorts?
1. I don't know whether I want to move or not. Or when, I should say. I have the best job ever. And it will only ever be in Rochester, Minnesota. I know I don't want to be a floor nurse forever, but there is not a better place to work than Mayo, I'm convinced. Based on pay, tuition reimbursement, benefits, the opportunities to engage professionally with people of so many disciplines. It has really opened my eyes to a diverse world in a way that I've never had the means or reason to, and I'm not sure I'm ready to give it up.
2. What do I want to do in Grad school. I like the idea of being a CNS. A clinical nurse specialist, that is. A Masters-prepared nurse who specializes in the clinical aspects of care - taking care of patients, being an expert in practices on a unit and a go-to person for floor nurses who have questions about what to do for a patient, how to fix something, how to advocate for a patient. I had never heard of it before coming to Mayo, and such is the problem with becoming one. What if I can't find a job doing it anywhere else? Then I guess I'm stuck with a degree and certification I can't use anywhere but here and how valuable does that make me? I've thought for the past year that I'd like to do Administration, and probably will, but the business side of running a hospital unit interests me about as much as cleaning up the beds on people taking lactulose for the next 30 years. I do, however, like the idea of lobbying for my nurses and healthcare, making decisions that have a lot of impact on a unit, and getting to know influential people. That's fun.
3. What do I do with my money? I have a love-hate relationship with money. When my children turn 16 or start earning money, they will take some sort-of class about money management. I didn't have and still don't have much direction by way of financial planning, which is to my own detriment. I have all these ideas about house projects, trips, college funds, least of all savings, that never go anywhere because I'm not a good planner. How annoying.
This year and the next couple will be dedicated to getting these things figured out, whichever way they are supposed to be worked out. I'm looking forward to 35 to see what the hell I'm doing by then, and where I'm doing it.
I was sure I was going to be one of those people whose 30th birthday was just another day. Another Monday, another week, another year... but I'm considering turning that proverbial leaf that supposedly comes with a milestone like this. I'm a list-maker, a schedule-keeper, an organizer and manager (like Nathan would say), but why are some pieces of the pie so out-of-sorts?
1. I don't know whether I want to move or not. Or when, I should say. I have the best job ever. And it will only ever be in Rochester, Minnesota. I know I don't want to be a floor nurse forever, but there is not a better place to work than Mayo, I'm convinced. Based on pay, tuition reimbursement, benefits, the opportunities to engage professionally with people of so many disciplines. It has really opened my eyes to a diverse world in a way that I've never had the means or reason to, and I'm not sure I'm ready to give it up.
2. What do I want to do in Grad school. I like the idea of being a CNS. A clinical nurse specialist, that is. A Masters-prepared nurse who specializes in the clinical aspects of care - taking care of patients, being an expert in practices on a unit and a go-to person for floor nurses who have questions about what to do for a patient, how to fix something, how to advocate for a patient. I had never heard of it before coming to Mayo, and such is the problem with becoming one. What if I can't find a job doing it anywhere else? Then I guess I'm stuck with a degree and certification I can't use anywhere but here and how valuable does that make me? I've thought for the past year that I'd like to do Administration, and probably will, but the business side of running a hospital unit interests me about as much as cleaning up the beds on people taking lactulose for the next 30 years. I do, however, like the idea of lobbying for my nurses and healthcare, making decisions that have a lot of impact on a unit, and getting to know influential people. That's fun.
3. What do I do with my money? I have a love-hate relationship with money. When my children turn 16 or start earning money, they will take some sort-of class about money management. I didn't have and still don't have much direction by way of financial planning, which is to my own detriment. I have all these ideas about house projects, trips, college funds, least of all savings, that never go anywhere because I'm not a good planner. How annoying.
This year and the next couple will be dedicated to getting these things figured out, whichever way they are supposed to be worked out. I'm looking forward to 35 to see what the hell I'm doing by then, and where I'm doing it.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Current Events
I haven't vented in awhile about recent happenings in the world. It's time.
I've always been a news junkie, but I'm sick of 'em. No one with a brain and a little judgment would assume that Barack Obama had anything to do with the idiocracy called politics in his home state, i.e. paying someone to take over his Senate seat. Come now. How would that go unfounded? It wouldn't, which is exactly why he didn't get involved in the mess. Well, that and his morals! If the news crazies would shut up about it, it would not be a story. Likewise the stories about Caroline Kennedy, where Obama goes golfing in Hawaii, or the girls' first day of school at Sidwell Friends. The media should indeed take a break from Christmas until Inauguration and things would be a lot more interesting when we all started watching again.
I'm excited about the possibility of Minnesota being represented by two senators from the DFL. (Is senator capitalized when not mentioning a specific one? Hmmm.) Anyway, a state panel is expected to give the seat to Al Franken today, which no one ever thought would happen. Seems like these drawn-out messes always end up going to the Republicans. Well, at least one comes to mind. I don't know much about Al Franken yet, not even why this is his "home state", but I'm willing to learn. He must believe in the main philosophies we care about right? Global warming, ending the war, expanding stem-cell research... OK, I'm in.
Heather and I are in the process of planning something fun for the big 3-0 this year. We are thinking about a trip to DC, now that it is Barack territory. Not sure if that will make the trip a whole lot more fun or what, but it seems like a good idea. Nathan's never been there, and he would love the museums and artsy stuff. Amy Klobuchar's office is willing to set up WH and Capitol tours, which is sweet. Why not go? Sign me up! As it turns out, this is expected to be a busy year for all of us. Heath will be graduating in May, moving, studying for the Bar all summer until late July and starting a new job in August. Nathan will be graduating in May, finding a job, maybe moving us back to SD this summer. I'm along for the ride. Whatever, man. The timing isn't figured out yet, but I hope we get there.
What else...
Olivia has perfect eyes and teeth, say the respective doctors she went to last week. She will be an orthodontic patient at some point in her childhood, says Dr. Stenzel. Go figure.
Audrey is being weaned from her pacifier. I listen to a lot of whining all day because of it. Only at naptime and bedtime this week, only at bedtime next week. Done by the time she turns 2. I'm determined. She is not.
Nathan starts school next week again. Five classes to finish up, all during the day. He'll be successful. I hope our budget is.
I'm back to work after what feels like a month off. We were home to SD for a week from December 20-26. I worked one night, got an EA the next night, got tested for Strep throat the next. Who knows where we were all exposed to it, but lucky me and Heath. Ouch. I was oriented to daytime Charge nurse last week. I had the best preceptor I could have. We had a busy few days, but those are the best times to learn.
Signing off for now.
I've always been a news junkie, but I'm sick of 'em. No one with a brain and a little judgment would assume that Barack Obama had anything to do with the idiocracy called politics in his home state, i.e. paying someone to take over his Senate seat. Come now. How would that go unfounded? It wouldn't, which is exactly why he didn't get involved in the mess. Well, that and his morals! If the news crazies would shut up about it, it would not be a story. Likewise the stories about Caroline Kennedy, where Obama goes golfing in Hawaii, or the girls' first day of school at Sidwell Friends. The media should indeed take a break from Christmas until Inauguration and things would be a lot more interesting when we all started watching again.
I'm excited about the possibility of Minnesota being represented by two senators from the DFL. (Is senator capitalized when not mentioning a specific one? Hmmm.) Anyway, a state panel is expected to give the seat to Al Franken today, which no one ever thought would happen. Seems like these drawn-out messes always end up going to the Republicans. Well, at least one comes to mind. I don't know much about Al Franken yet, not even why this is his "home state", but I'm willing to learn. He must believe in the main philosophies we care about right? Global warming, ending the war, expanding stem-cell research... OK, I'm in.
Heather and I are in the process of planning something fun for the big 3-0 this year. We are thinking about a trip to DC, now that it is Barack territory. Not sure if that will make the trip a whole lot more fun or what, but it seems like a good idea. Nathan's never been there, and he would love the museums and artsy stuff. Amy Klobuchar's office is willing to set up WH and Capitol tours, which is sweet. Why not go? Sign me up! As it turns out, this is expected to be a busy year for all of us. Heath will be graduating in May, moving, studying for the Bar all summer until late July and starting a new job in August. Nathan will be graduating in May, finding a job, maybe moving us back to SD this summer. I'm along for the ride. Whatever, man. The timing isn't figured out yet, but I hope we get there.
What else...
Olivia has perfect eyes and teeth, say the respective doctors she went to last week. She will be an orthodontic patient at some point in her childhood, says Dr. Stenzel. Go figure.
Audrey is being weaned from her pacifier. I listen to a lot of whining all day because of it. Only at naptime and bedtime this week, only at bedtime next week. Done by the time she turns 2. I'm determined. She is not.
Nathan starts school next week again. Five classes to finish up, all during the day. He'll be successful. I hope our budget is.
I'm back to work after what feels like a month off. We were home to SD for a week from December 20-26. I worked one night, got an EA the next night, got tested for Strep throat the next. Who knows where we were all exposed to it, but lucky me and Heath. Ouch. I was oriented to daytime Charge nurse last week. I had the best preceptor I could have. We had a busy few days, but those are the best times to learn.
Signing off for now.
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