Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Time marches on....

A couple of weeks ago we had a very long night.  There were 18 or so patients on the unit and 3 RN's plus me.  It was very busy all around.  My assignment was doing meds on nine patients.  If I had stayed after eleven I would have assessed all nine as well.  But for those first 4 hours I just had to pass their meds, that was the goal.  It was soo busy.  I couldn't get ahead for falling behind.  Every person was a 15 to 20 minute pass it seemed like.  We were all chasing our tails.  And the admissions were coming in to.  It made me think back to when I first started at the ranch and we had 28 pts, 2 RN's, me and one CNA.  I would routinely take nine patients and do everything for them.  Primary care, vitals, assessments, meds, and anything else that came up.  I have no idea now how I did it all.  There is no way I could manage all that now.  No possible way.  Our staffing is certainly better now.  We have 22 beds and most nights have at least 3 if not 4 RN's.  And always 2 if not 3 CNA's.  Still, it feels like it barely all gets done some nights.  Sometimes at the end of the night, the only thing we take comfort in is that all the patients made it through the night.  Some things may not have gotten done, but everyone is breathing and safely tucked into bed in no acute distress when we walk outta there. 

Sorry for the kind of rambling post but it was on my mind and needed to get it out.  Hope everyone has a great week.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Maybe a compliment?......

The other night at family dinner I over heard a discussion among my niece and nephew.  First let me explain that we were having some guests that night so the seating changed from normal.  With not enough room at the kitchen table, it was decreed that the kids would eat at the table and the adults would sit wherever in the living room.  As the children were filling plates I heard the 8 yr old boy and 10 yr old girl discussing where I would sit.  This because of a running joke that I am my mothers kid, so when we are all together I get lumped in that group often.  But these kids were serious.  After I assured them that I was an adult and would be sitting with the same, they were kinda upset that it would just be the two of them in the kitchen.  Till we explained that the 15 yr old would be with them.  (I should admit here that even though he more than 10 yrs younger he is several inches taller.) 

Of course, being the cool aunt that I am I split my time between the adults and the kids.  (which prolly had just as much to do with having a hard time with my overstuffed taco in the living room than embracing my "kid" label)


On a different note, that big change I spoke of last post is still in the works.  I won't know anything till at least Mon though at the very earliest.