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A-Z Things I Love

Inspired by Lisa O (Lisa's Blog) who fills things like this all the time I though I would try one.  So here ya go A-Z of all the favorite things I love.

A-Alcohol beverages—I love a good tasting beer or a nice fruity mix drink after a long day at work or a night out with friends.

B- Bunnies—I love seeing baby bunnies grow and helping caring for them.  It is sad to see when they don’t make it.  Didn’t realize how touchy newborn babies are.

C-Concerts—I love seeing a great band/performer live with a nice cold beer in hand. And of course, what Lisa said: Country all the way!

D-Dining out—Probably the reason why I need to loose 30 pounds but I love to eat at different restaurants.  I like to cook too but just need to do it more and someone to cook for.

E-Education—I love school, I know sounds weird.  It has been 2 yrs since I graduated from nursing school and I miss it!  I would love to go to grad school but I don’t to be in debt anymore then I already am.

F-Family/Friends—I couldn’t ask for more then great friends and a supportive family that I can always rely on.

 

G-Garden—I love planting vegetables and watching them grow and then enjoying the finished product I do have say that my garden at this time is pretty over grown with weeds. 

H-Hospital—I know this is a weird but it is the one place that I’m able to feel like a true nurse, challenge my mind and interact with friends and coworkers.

I-I Phone—It’s amazing how important one little handy device is so important with connecting you with your friends/family and the world.

J-Jeep—I love driving my jeep especially with the roof off, windows down, subwoofer blasting listening to great music.

K-Knitting—this goes about with Q but I do love to knit even though it has been awhile since I made anything.

L-License—My Registered Nurse license that is. J

M-Music—I love listening to music mostly country, top 20, alternative and pop/rock. Especially as loud as I can.  I’m going to be deaf by the time I’m 60 but ooh well.

N-Netflix—I watch Netflix all the time especially while lying in bed.

O-Oops—I’m blonde, enough said.

P-Pedicures—The one this that I truly do a lot that is girly and makes my feet feel wonderful.

Q-Quilting—My new found hobby that I did mostly last winter when it was cold and dreary outside.  I know it makes me sound about 70 yrs old but its fun to pick out different fabrics and see what goes together.

R-Rascal—My crazy anorexic geriatric 17 year old cat that I can’t imagine living with out.

 

S-Single—Being single again is bittersweet.  I am happy that I’m not in a relationship anymore that causes he hurt but wish I would meet that special person someday.

T-Television—I love vegging out and lying on the couch watching nothing-important thinking about being productive.  As I type this I’m laying here.

U-Underwood—As in Carrie, love her music!  As well as the other pop country singers like Dierks Bentley, Josh Turner, etc.

 

V-Vegetables—I love eating fresh vegetables and fruit it is delicious and healthy all in one.

W-Wyoming—As much as I would like to move back to Colorado Wyoming is actually a pretty good place.

X-XOXO—Hugs and kisses how everyone needs them.

Y-You—I know this is a long stretch but the few numbers of people that actually read my blog and are involved in my life.

Z-Zzzz—As in sleeping and cuddling all warm and comfy. 

NCLEX Anniversary

Today is my 2 yr anniversary for passing the dreaded NCLEX thank gosh it's over.  It just seems like a bad dream now.  Then I feel sorry for all the new GN's that have to take it.  It's interesting listening to them talk about it. :) 

I plan on taking a med/surg certification class some time.  I really need to start preparing for it and then again I will be faced with taking another test just like NCLEX...eek!

Regis University Magazine

Check out this link!  Im famous... page 41


http://alumni.regis.edu/magazine/spring2012.html

Clinical RN-3

So it has been almost 2 years since I graduated from nursing school…. WOW!  Is all I can say…I have accomplished so much is my short time as a nurse!  At WMC there is a laddering system that has different levels of nurses based on their experience and involvement with the organization.  After some research I realized I was already so involved in the organization and met the ladder requirements, all I had to do was fill out the paperwork.  Back in December I filled out the paperwork and pretty much spent a whole day gathering the information and submitted it before the deadline.  Then a week later I was approved as a RN-3 then another week later it was taken away because I hadn’t worked at the organization for 2 years.  So I was upset that I didn’t get the recognition and pay raise that was associated with the clinical RN-3.  Luckily, to my surprise my manager must have appealed it and they decided to go through a loop-hole and actually regrant me the title.

I can’t believe that I have been a nurse for such a short time and have had so many opportunities to be involved and make a different.  I always wonder if I would have had this same involvement and opportunity if I were to stay in the Denver area at a bigger hospital.  In the long run, I am glad I did move to a smaller, rural facility and was able to contribute to the well-being and help increase good quality care for patients.

March of Dimes Nurse of Year Pics!

This was a fun day!! Thanks Nicole!

March of Dimes Nurse of the Year

The corsage the organization let us wear

Last Friday night I went to an awesome dinner/gala where I was nominated for the March of Dimes Nurse of the Year Award for the Rising Star Category. The Rising Star category is for nurses who have had less than 18 months experience in nursing who have shown great strides. 

I cannot believe I actually won because I never win anything.  It is great! I actually feel like I was award for all my hard work at my new job...

Jay all dressed up I should have taken more pictures

My plaque that I got :)

All dressed up

The pretty real flower Jay got for me to wear in my hair

Nursing Career

I cant believe it has been over a years since I have became a nurse. I think of all the things I have done in that last year is great! I was nominated for New Graduate Nurse of the year for the hospital; I have trained and precepted a number of people and provide my skills; I am the chair of Unit Council and have a lot of say and pull within the hospital with being part of LEAN projects, schedule and other shared governance groups.

No only am I so involved I’m actually a pretty good nurse J. I have only been a nurse a year but I have many people fooled that I have been one soo much longer. I’m also considered a “strong” nurse so I tend to get the harder patients and seem to have a little more responsibility.

It may see like I’m bragging and gloating but so times it just sucks to be a rock star J.... No really, I am glad I have chosen a career that I’m find happy and fulfilling and where I can be so dedicated to.

A mixture of things

My boyfriend has been in Fort Worth, Texas the last 2 weeks and it sucks! I have been pretty lonely lately and pretty much have been lying in my bed on my days off. 1^st the weather has not been helpful it has been crappy and rainy the last week making it hard to do anything outside PLUS my room mate moved out who owned the 42inch plasma and the furniture so I forced to my bed really the only place to sit. But I’m buying a couch from my neighbor so that will be resolved so just now need a TV J . So the only problem with having like no furniture the cost of everything cuts into my JEEP fund that seems like every month is getting used for other things.

I am going to visit him Jun 3-6^th and looking forward to my little trip it will be nice to go some place for a bit, plus I’ll get to see my BF J. I do have a new roommate moving in this week and hopefully that all works out no problem. I did see her place and it looked like a tornado hit the place, but she claimed that I was just because of moving so hopefully that is true.

What else is new in my life….well it has been a year since I graduated from nursing school. And they were right when they said that it would fly by. I’m very much use to my job but still learning something new everyday.

This summer I’m also growing a garden that will keep me busy. I’m looking forward to real tomatoes (Wyoming has the worst fruit/vegetable selection) and the challenge of the growing season up here. I’m going to plant carrots, spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, squash and zucchini.

Maybe with all my spare time I can write here more.

Death and Nursing

The last night I worked I had my first patient pass away on me. He was comfort care and expected so not something serious, but I still was upset and shook up over the death. As a nurse we are taught to help prevent death and do everything we can to stop it from occurring. So it was hard for me to let go and not titrate the oxygen and do measures that are essential for life. But I do understand when enough is enough and with our society today and advancements in medicine it seems that sometimes we do more harm the help. My patient had a comfortable, pain-free, peaceful death that every person deserves. The family was very appreciative of me and helping him get comfort before he passed. And it only took like 30 minutes for him to pass once he fell asleep which was quick! It’s a weird and eerie feeling to see a dead body and my mind plays tricks on me it looked like he was still breathing. I’m glad this was my first death experience and I feel stronger as a nurse to be able to understand a little more about this aspect of nursing. It just makes me love my job that much more, when I can care for a patient in their last hours.

In the last 6 months!

All of you know the reason I moved to Wyoming in the first place was for a job. I can’t believe that it has been 6 months since I have moved. I love my job and so happy I went into nursing. I glad I choose to work on the Medical floor as my first job as well. I see so many different problems and types of patients it’s a good base to start building my nursing habits. Also in my hospital it is the most stable floor and we have the strictest manager, which makes a more structured learning environment.

I’m considered one of the “stronger” nurses on the floor and the other day one of the physicians stated he wasn’t concerned about his patients when I worked and believes me when I think there is something wrong. Which I feel is a huge compliment because just being 6 months out of school and helps me feel more confident in my job.

In like 2 weeks I actually start precepting a nursing student for 6 weeks. I’m a little concerned and scared since I’m actually going to be teaching a person and help shape the beginning of his nursing career. I would like to someday become a nurse educator and a preceptor for new nurses so this is a good way to see if I actually do like teaching and training.

Other achievements that I have accomplished in such a short period of time is: I’m the Co-Chair to my floors Unit Council which is an elected position that get to do other exciting things other nurses on my floor don’t, like create the schedule that has it’s great advantages when it comes to my own schedule and getting what I want J . As well as, creating plans on our floor to help with productivity and job performance. I have been floating to other floors and able to work successfully. Which makes we want to consider Float Pool some day because of the different variety of patients and nursing I get to experience.

All in all, I’m glad I decided to make the move to Casper to Wyoming Medical. It is not nearly as big as the Denver hospitals but it’s a great place to start and to advance my career.

This and That!!!

Sorry for the non blogging lately. This month has been kinda busy. My schedule at work is horrible this month.

The last 2 weeks I have worked Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Not giving me anytime to recover in between. I also had ACLS training in the middle of it that I wasn’t getting paid for because my floor doesn’t require ACLS certification. But the good nurse that I am I wanted to further my education. I passed and now one of the only ones on my unit that is ACLS. Which I’m happy for, I will probably never be the “team leader” and give the instructions but at least I will understand the emergent and Code blue process and the purpose of the drugs that are being used. Plus I have had more exposure to rhythm strips and finally understand heart blocks and junctional rhythms.

One thing that really made me upset the last week in the ACLS class was how other nurses project that they are better then others because they work in a different part of the hospital. So I’m a Medical Nurse, I get a pretty broad group of patients that are pretty stable and dot require heart monitors and close supervision. Which is a great place for a new grad to start. But then you have the nurses in more critical areas that have this bubble/attitude that since they get more critical patients that they are a “Better” nurse then others. It makes me mad because we all essentially have the same training. I have friends that work in all these

areas and it seems like even them are judgmental towards me. I sometimes find my self saying I’m just a Medical Nurse. But you know what I can do my job, assess my patient and give medications to a patient all without a monitor always attached to them. I am proud to be a Med/Surg Nurse and happy where I am! And when I’m able to look at my patient and know when something is wrong in a second I know that I’m an excellent nurse anywhere I work. So its now where you work that makes you a good nurse its yourself and how attentive you are!

Ok enough of that tangent.

I’m soo happy that my friends cam

e up the last week and visited me here in Casper. I had a great time as always and feel like no matter the amount of time in between seeing each other we can pick up and joke around and have a good time. Thanks guys for coming and visiting me it made me feel special J .

Update: I’m continuing to go to the gym. I haven’t gone nearly as much as I did before I was so busy but slowing becoming more toned. It is hard to eat good when you have a boyfriend it just makes it harder for some reason.

The other day Jay and I went to Alcova Lake and just hung out and for those of you so patiently waiting for a picture of my mystery boyfriend here is a picture—it is a really bad one of the two of us though so no first time judgements.

Nurse Code

Today at work I realized that nurses and medical personal say a lot of interesting sayings/phrases that don’t really make since to non-medical folk. We have all our medical jargon and talk that we spend years on learning and understanding which totally confuses most people at times. But there is the little quirks and phrases that are used sometimes that totally throw people off as well.

So I had an older patient today who totally almost gave me a panic attack twice today as well as influencing this post. I was texting a friend and said: “I almost had a patient fall on me today”. Then the response I got back was “that sucks I hope they were skinny and not 400+ pounds.” Which is what I totally didn’t mean. So I ask a co-worker what I meant by my statement and she knew that my patient almost fell on to the floor today. But I can see how it was misconceiving. J Another phrase I noticed nurses also say a lot is: “The patient is on (or back on) the floor.” Which means that the patient is on the medical unit not the actual floor. I can’t help but laugh because it seems like we are talking in code.

One of my favorite sayings is: “That’s my kryptonite” meaning I can pretty much deal with everything but that. In my case mucus, ugh…makes me gag just thinking about it.

Anyway, are there any more phrases that nurses or medical people use that I’m not remembering? It seems like I just say these things as a second nature instead of stopping and thinking about it.

It could be a Staceyism but I think I’m on to something…

OHH and don’t forget about the initials: FLK J

"Great Nurse"

So last Thursday I took the NCLEX to get license after a long and painful time trying to study and feeling prepared for the test. Pretty much the week before the test, I said screw it, worked and watched movies, with the occasional test. From listening to everyone who had taken the test so far, I though the test would be horrible and every question for some reason wouldn’t even be related to what I have studied over the last year. I had also felt really stressed and under pressure to pass this examine since I did move 300 miles to a new state with a job that required me to pass the exam. I had a number of dreams about being homeless and sleeping in my car with my cat and her litter box wondering how I’m going to pay off my very expensive nursing education, plus my previous degree. But it is such a relief to see the “PASS” result. I still have been a little nervous about the result not showing up on the Wyoming State Board website yet while my co-workers found out the next day. Plus my forwarding mail is all screwed up, and my address with the state is still my old address. So that means I will be getting my paper license even later then expected.

The Look on my face before the test!

Over the last couple of months I have been pretty superstitious about calling myself a nurse, I didn’t want to jinx not passing the test. I’d go into a patient room and say, “I will be caring for you today,” and dancing around the word Nurse. My name tag has a tag that says “GN” and a lot of patients ask me what it stands for and the running joke it means: “good nurse” “great nurse.” But now it does feel great to actually call myself a registered “real” nurse.
I actually the day after I found out I passed, I had a patient who was stable all day went Septic and Respiratory Distress with in 20 minutes right in front of my eyes. With the instruction of the Attending doctor and my preceptor I was actually able to help my patient breath better, become more responsive and decrease his heart rate from 170 down to 100. I was very concerned about my patient and myself going in to Respiratory Distress as well, but I was able to keep my cool. And with the help of IV push Metoprolol (which I didn’t think I was able to push—still in the student mentality), but within seconds the heart rate decreased and he was able to breath better. I couldn’t believe my actions actually brought my patient back to the point he asked me if you could eat something because he was feeling 110% better. I’m so happy that I am in such a rewarding career. I know that it wont always be great and there will be stressful days but if I am about to help one person feel better and have a better quality of life for one day then all those stressful days are worth it! And I know I will stick up to the expectations of a GN or great nurse. :)