She sang

"It ain't over until the fat lady sings." --Ralph Carpenter

Finally, I got the call. I'll never forget the date: the only job offer in my career that happened in January.

Let the adventures begin.

On the cusp

Yes, months have passed since I've been here. It's been busy. The year has been monumental.

Since the solar eclipse, I've been busy getting my program at the Hotel ready for inspection. In October, the inspectors came. They came to see my program, because Washington doesn't have one, and if they didn't see mine, we'd get written up.

Three words: Blew them away. When I started this gig, the regional boss always glossed over what I did. Since said boss left, and we're still awaiting a replacement, the local Manglement decided that maybe, just maybe I might be able to show them how we do what we do in the Hotel. We did.

We came. We saw. We kicked some serious butt. The Hotel crew stepped up to help me get the stages set (because we have issues, but they are in process), clean, prep and know what to expect. I briefed staff so they'd know the basics of what the inspectors might ask them. Then I showed them a good time (and a marketing package unlike any other). I got patients involved (because they are part of the inspection, too) and all my people shined.

We got kudos in the official report, which, to me, validated the work. It validated why we have to work as a team. It validated that we care about patients and always want to do more.

I sent lots of thank you notes. My entire team got one. My nurse compatriots in other departments got their own special kudos. Why? Because they need it. They are new and they need to know they are doing a good job. My patients got thanks, too.  You have to remember who helps you, and acknowledge it regularly.

In October, we finished our official year, and it was the best ever (no kidding). We saw more patients in the SU than ever.

Last month, I finished my gig on my rehab committee. I had fun. I wasn't nervous any more talking to thousands. It does get easier, even with a script.

Today, I'm awaiting my next adventure. I'm going to leave rehab sometime soon, but it will never leave me. I carry a song in my heart, and lots of memories of the Hotel and all the characters along the way.

May your New Year be filled with health and happiness, wherever life's journeys take you.

Until next time, I bid you adieu....

Eclipse eve...

It will be dark, then light will return, just like every day. Except Monday, August 21, when it will happen twice during a solar eclipse.

This past week, has been both dark and light. I have had feedback from people that I never expected. When you think you're doing your job right, remember that some people may find fault.

I found out that the bully in our department has targeted me. So guess what, Bully? It's gonna stop.

How? I am going to go to your boss (and mine.)

I'm going to access the resources available at work.

And I am going to file a formal complaint in HR.

Yes, Bully, you have attached your name to subversive and threatening behavior. S/he who shall not be named is no more. You do have a name. And it's getting formal.

Stay tuned...

Is this the sign of things to come?

I had an interesting conversation with my coworker's boss (who's really my boss's boss) recently.

I got to tell he/she about the latest tribulations trying to make things work. He/she listened, then mentioned how I have no appropriate training.

What I wanted to say:

"Yes, remember that quality training I took last year? That's how I got qualified to lead a quality improvement project? I've taken this training five years ago, too."

"Your quality person? He/she's not been trained."

"Would you like to tell the Hotel boss that I can't finish this project?"

Unfortunately, I didn't. I'm stewing...and plotting my escape. Being unappreciated is annoying.

Stay tuned...

Observations

1. When you follow policy and procedure to ask for a schedule change, expect it to take exactly as long as the policy says, because, "Well, you know, people do go on vacation in the summer."

As if it really matters when you ask...

2.  Gomerblog (one of my favorite spots on Twitter) is so dead on for this one. I used to keep track of how many people actually darkened our door just to get Viagra for free...

3. I'm on a quality committee related to issues the Hotel has regarding discharges of folks from rehab.
Just wondering if I should take this diagram to work. It might help us get people out quicker.

4. Finally, since I've decluttered a lot recently, I'm finding more time to do other stuff, like exercise. I have to admit, it's way better for my sleep than vegetating on the couch immediately after dinner every night.

They may just be right about that Healthy Nurse thing this year!  While I was not at the gym today, I managed to get some great walks in all over the mall and the nearest Target doing my back to school shopping. Thank goodness for activity trackers that show how many calories you burn for an exercise it tracks.

Hope you enjoy what's left of the weekend, wherever you are. Monday will be here before you know it.

On the other side

Did I blink during Nurses' Week and suddenly it's August? Yes, I did. And Bubba reminded me today that in two weeks, he starts high school.

What's happened? My boss was removed, then two months later resigned. When I found out why, I wasn't surprised. Basically, being a bully comes back to get you.

Bubba went to MiddleState U's Science Camp again. He had fun. We picked him up and enjoyed a weekend hotel jaunt in a suite free (that's what happens when you save years of credit card points). We ate, drank and were merry. We wouldn't miss our designated IHOP stop for anything, because it's become a tradition.

The summer of the first year of Trump has been heartening. I last switched jobs fortuitously right before the big 2008 crash.

I'm ready again, but I'm older and more leery. There are some things to be said for basic security, short commutes and decent benefits. All the folks at the Hotel eligible are getting out as soon as they can.

Nevertheless, I'm preparing for whatever fall might bring.

Stay tuned.

Happy Nurses' Week!

In case you missed it, the yearly celebration of nurses has begun. We got the whole week covered at the Hotel with "fun" stuff in between work.

Since the theme for this year's celebration is "healthy nurse, healthy nation", maybe it is time for some nurse-centric play-by-play from yours truly.

Yes, the Hotel has some great facilities, so we are fortunate that a lot of the celebrations occur right by our unit, but the problem: many people don't attend. Why? Because they don't have time.

So consequently, if we could get ANYTHING we asked for this Nurses' Week, here's what would be on the list.

1. Unlicensed staff that actually listen, work, and communicate with the RNs. Too many of them on our unit have a bad habit of dissing the RNs. It needs to stop. Period.

We work together as a team. If you diss the RN you're assigned to on your shift, it's a rubber-glue scenario. You make yourself look bad, too.

2. How about the Captain Obvious question: if you want everyone to document everywhere, why not make it easier at the bedside?

Just saying! If you think logging in after walking 300 feet to the nurses' station, then opening the software, then logging in again, finding the patient, then starting your note is good, you haven't taken care of a bedside patient lately.

No, rehab supposedly has stable patients, but you really need things, like computers that accept the data from the beds, the scales, etc. without double charting.

3. Since I went big on #2, why not on this one. How about a fully stocked cabinet outside each room with the basics, a la TCAB projects of the not so distant past? It would have helped if they had planned this on the last remodel, but here's some food for thought.

Having supply staff actually supply it, would also be nice. If you can't do it outside every room, how about on every wing. Steps do make a difference in a workday (you could be charting, checking labs, etc.)

Finally, no matter where you practice, I wish you a very Happy Nurses' Week. Your work matters and you make a difference.

More to come...

Rain, rain, go away

My day since Friday. Will the sun come out? Stay tuned...

via GIPHY

Just when you think you have it all figured out

In the early 2000s, when I was working a progressive yet conservative financial company, we talked about the business book, Who Moved My Cheese. In a way, in the years before 9/11 it made sense.

Then 9/11 happened, and that brighter, shinier future dulled and disappeared in a cloud of smoke and fire.

As I'm finishing up my work as a volunteer for a nursing organization this week (Happy Volunteers' Week!), I thought, "Wow. I've made it. There's really been nothing extraordinary that's happened while I've been the chairperson, so I can at least say, I did it. Add this prestigious title to the list. Check."

Until recently, when that "all set scenario" changed. It might have seemed like one meeting with some organization folks and some of us nurses, but as I look back, it could be the start of something big. We are changing things in the group that could change how people join the organization and get certified.

We are looking forward to how we can change to make things better, to help a younger generation grow and prosper in rehab. To me, it's as exciting as anything.

I can't wait to say one day, "Yes, I was there when..."

Hope you have your own moments of clarity this week, too. Stay tuned...

It's the truth

Thank you KevinMD for this one. I need it.

I'm at a point in my life that I'm tired of putting up with bullshit. I entrenched myself at the Hotel to succeed at my goals: getting more education and getting a good job. But the view from here right now is annoying.



via GIPHY

In 2011, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation called upon nurses to participate in their publication, Transforming Leadership: Leading Change, Advancing Health:

“Physicians, nurses, and other health professionals must work together to break down the walls of hierarchal silos and hold each other accountable for improving quality and decreasing preventable adverse events and medication errors.”

I need a couple more doctors who listen to nurses in my life right now. There just aren't enough at the Hotel.

Stay tuned...