I had a really good day at work yesterday, and I wanted to share my experience with you.

At first, I was a bit bummed because I had baked cupcakes to share with my coworkers.  (Yummy chocolate ones at that!)  Well, I’m always early to work, and was waiting in the conference room for everyone else to show up.  Slowly, my coworkers started to arrive, and each were happy that I had made cupcakes.  This in itself had made me happy because I enjoy knowing that something I did brought some sort of happiness or enjoyment to another person.  Right as the clock struck 7am, my charge nurse came in and said, “Sonia, I’m floating you up to tele.”

Ugh.  Tele.  Have I ever mentioned how much I hate tele?  But, because I’m the new RN on the block, I knew there was no use in trying to debate why someone else should be the one to go.  I told everyone to enjoy the cupcakes I made and to try to save one for me so I could have one later, and I proceeded to go upstairs to find the tele unit to begin my 8 hour shift.

I get to tele and am told I will have three, yes THREE patients.  Is this a joke?  I’m afraid I won’t know what to do with my time with only have three patients.  You see, pretty much ever since I can remember for the past 2 years or so, I’ve had 5 or more patients.  And my most recent assignment, I had on average 6-8 patients on a daily basis…. so you can see how three patients was going to be a (much welcomed) relief.

OK, no biggie… I get report.  Not bad patients from the sound of my report.  Well, two out of three didn’t sound bad.  One patient I just thought was going to give me a majorly difficult time, but since she was stable, I was going to save her for last to do my assessment.

So, after checking in and doing my assessments on my other two patients, I had no choice but to head in to my other patient’s room.  To make a long story short, she didn’t want to do anything for herself.  She is diabetic and morbidly obese, and from what I was told, she was bed ridden.  (And her many other health issues were because of her noncompliance to medical instructions.)  Anyway… back to my day.

I talked with her and I got her to sit up and dangle her legs at the side of the bed.  Her friend that was there told me he was surprised that she did that.  Well, after about 10 minutes of sitting on the bed, I managed to convince her to stand using her walker, turn, then sit in a regular chair.  Granted, it did take much convincing, and saying, “Don’t say you can’t do it.  I want to hear you say you CAN do it,” and, “Look at what you’re doing all by yourself! You’re doing it,” and things along those lines.

Well, she actually sat in the chair for about 2 hours.  From 7:30 until about 9:30.  She told me she was feeling weak and wanted to lay down, so I got her to stand and turn and sit on the bed while another nurse assisted me on helping to lay her down.  Then, by just placing my hands at her feet, providing her stability, she was able to grab the siderails of the bed and pull herself up in bed by herself.  Even she was telling me that she couldn’t believe she did it all on her own.  It must have been quite a feat for her to do all this.

Well, the charge nurse told me that the patient was being transferred to the medical floor, and it’s good that I got her back in bed.  Well, I called to the medical floor to give report.  The nurse I was speaking with told me, “I know her, just give me any updates I need to know.”  (Which just means, “Don’t give me her medical history and such, I know all about her.”)  So, I told her that I had her out of bed for 2 hours sitting up in a chair, and off oxygen with her oxygen sats remaining in the upper 90′s, the nurse replied to me, “Oh my god!  You’re kidding?!  She actually sat up in a chair?”  When I told her that she had, even though it took a lot of encouragement, the nurse said, “You deserve a gold star or something for that!  That is quite an accomplishment knowing how this patient is.  She wouldn’t even turn in bed by herself when we had her!”

So, that made me feel good that I did do something for this patient… something that I do hope will stick with her for the remainder of her life.  I hope that she continues to improve and realizes that she is capable of doing things for herself and by herself.  Knowing that even if for only 2 hours in one day, I empowered her to do something that she thought she couldn’t do, I have done my job as a nurse.

I loved only having 3 patients.  After she was transferred, I did wind up getting another patient immediately.  I was excited as the patient was diabetic, and I thought I could do a lot of teaching, but when I got report, I was told the patient was not English speaking and I got a bit bummed.  But, then the patient wound up having dialysis for the remainder of my shift, so I wouldn’t have been able to do much teaching anyway.

What a good day at work!  Thanks for listening to me.

10 Sexiest Jobs

I never thought about my career as a nurse as being sexy by any means.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had something icky get on my scrubs at work.  Oh, and scrubs?  Probably the least sexiest type of clothing a person could possibly wear.  But, according to this article that I found on AOL, I have one of the sexiest jobs around.  Thanks for helping me feel sexy!

Is your job on the list? http://jobs.aol.com/article/_a/10-sexiest-jobs/20071218180609990005

By ANTHONY BALDERRAMA, CAREERBUILDER.COM WRITER

You’re at a party. You spot someone across the room and you make your way toward each other. Things are going well, so after some small talk you ask, “What do you do for a living?” The answer you receive determines if you exchange phone numbers or say goodnight.

Whether or not we admit it, what people do for a living affects their sex appeal. A recent CareerBuilder.com survey asked participants what occupations they consider the sexiest. You might be surprised that the top picks weren’t necessarily based on salary or looks.

Here are the 10 sexiest jobs, according to the survey.

1. Entertainer / Model Why they’re sexy: Entertainers and models make a living by looking good, so you can bet they’re easy on the eyes. Their dedication to their dream in such a competitive industry is also attractive. Where you’ll find them: Supermodels are on the runways in Paris, Milan and New York or at photo shoots in major cities around the world. Entertainers can find work in any city, but New York and Los Angeles certainly have the best opportunities. Pros: They travel the world, are famous and have huge paychecks. Cons: Competition is fierce and there’s a lot of pressure to maintain their looks.

2. Cocktail Waitress Why they’re sexy: Although it might not seem like an obvious top pick, consider the fact that the waitress is probably dressed in a short skirt and bringing you drinks, which never hurt anybody’s sex appeal. Where you’ll find them: At any establishment that serves alcohol ‘ casinos, bars, clubs, restaurants and concert halls. Pros: A good cocktail waitress can make a killing on tips alone, especially in an upscale establishment. Cons: They have to deal with drunken customers and they often work in smoke-filled bars and clubs.

3. Athlete Why they’re sexy: Professional athletes are likely in good ‘ no, great ‘ shape. Not to mention they’ve probably been practicing their sport since childhood, so you know they’re disciplined and goal-oriented.Where you’ll find them: When they’re not training, they’re on the field (or rink or court whatever venue they perform at). Pros: The chance to be famous and internationally adored is pretty nice. Cons: The odds of making it big are slim.

4. Firefighter Why they’re sexy: Firefighters are brave and selfless. Who wouldn’t find that attractive? Where you’ll find them: Everywhere. Every city needs firefighters, though some smaller towns have volunteer squads. Pros: They save lives and serve the community. Cons: They risk their lives every day.

5. Cowboy Why they’re sexy: Few archetypes are as engrained in our culture as the cowboy. He’s masculine, chivalrous and everything else we admired in Western movies.Where you’ll find them: On ranches in rural areas. Texas, Oklahoma, Wyoming and California are the most traditional examples of cowboy country. Pros: It’s a quiet life away from the city. Cons: The have to work with their hands and outdoors, regardless of the season.

6. Nurse Why they’re sexy: Nurses keep you comfortable, make sure you’re healthy and bring you morphine when you’re hurting. That they devote their lives to caring for others and understand all that medical jargon only makes them sexier. Where you’ll find them: In hospitals, your doctor’s office and other health care facilities. Pros: They care for patients, watch them get better and put a baby in its parents’ arms for the first time. Cons: The hours are long; patients and their families can be demanding and there are plenty of sad events they have to witness, too.

7. Artist Why they’re sexy: The average artist is doing what makes them happy, not what will bring them fame or money … and that’s pretty sexy. How many occupations can you say that about? Where you’ll find them: Everywhere. Painters, photographers, sculptors and other types of artists work in their own studios, in offices for ad agencies or on location for photo shoots. Pros:  They spend their days being creative and get paid for it. Cons: The paying work that’s easiest to find is often boring and doesn’t allow artists to express themselves.

8. Military Professional Why they’re sexy: Well, they’ve got the ultimate uniform, if you’re into that sort of thing. The military also instills a sense of discipline, so you can count on them to be responsible and dependable. Where you’ll find them: On military bases throughout the country. Pros: Job security and good pay. Cons: Long-term commitment and willingness to relocate frequently, which means sticking with a job no matter where it takes you.

9. Construction Worker Why they’re sexy: Didn’t you see that soft drink commercial where all the women stare out their window to watch the construction worker take off his shirt? Where you’ll find them: Wherever a new building is going up, a house is being renovated or a road is being repaved. Pros: Their job keeps them in shape and their hard work is often rewarded with a nice salary. Cons: Performing manual labor every day is tiring and sometimes dangerous.

10. TV Anchor/Personality Why they’re sexy: Maybe it’s the way they talk with authority, seem to know everything and make you feel like you’re best friends. Or maybe it’s the fact that you don’t know if they’re really wearing pants under that desk. Where you’ll find them: On your TV in the morning, at noon and at night. Pros: They get to be on television and get the news before anybody else. Cons: They can spend years working in small cities before they get a job in a major market.

Kids are just absolutely precious! And it is very true that they say the darndest things! This morning, my husband and I were at McD’s enjoying breakfast. Well, because we were packing today for our move, I didn’t bother getting all dressed up; I was just wearing an old scrub top of mine that my mom had made for me a few years back, along with a pair of jeans. Most people don’t pay any mind to the print on my shirt, but today was an exception to that.

We were sitting there, chatting, when a young boy, who was probably around 5 years old or so, came up and said, “Look at her shirt, Grandma, it’s Dale Jr!” Well, this little boy is a die-hard (can you be a die-hard fan at such a young age?) anyway… of Dale Jr. And yes, my scrub top has a bunch of #8 cars with his signature on it. Well, the little boy started talking to me about Dale Jr, and how much he likes him. I told him that Dale Jr. wouldn’t be driving the #8 car this year, but I believed he was going to be in the #88 car because he had a new boss and wasn’t driving for his daddy’s company any more. He looked completely shocked. He then asked, “How will his team know what car he’s driving?”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at his innocence. He was truly concerned that Dale Jr.’s team would not know what car he was driving! Even more amazing, this child understood that the driver doesn’t win a race on his own and that without his team, he wouldn’t stand a chance. He was so adorable!

I just wanted to share this little story. I hope that one day he gets a chance to go to a race and see his favorite driver in action. I know I’m looking forward to going again one day!

*** I had originally written this about a week ago, but for some reason, it only saved and didn’t publish.  This happened on Saturday, Jan. 5.***

I had some friends show me an interesting article and if you would like to see it, please check out this link:
http://wicca.com/celtic/wicca/christian.htm

I have found that in my experiences with churches (and trust me, I’ve been to quite a few different denominations) that for the most part, each church thinks that if you don’t believe the way they say you should believe then you are wrong and are going to hell. I’ve struggled with this because I know some things that are said in the Bible go against what many Christians today practice. One of which is judging others. If you don’t conform to what they say, then I enjoyed reading this article because it is written by someone who (claims to be) a Christian, but he is not judging anyone for their beliefs.

I have heard people say that they feel most comfortable and humble when they are out in a field or in the woods and can feel the presence of God around them, more so than being in a church building. Why do you think that Wiccans or Witches celebrate outside? I have always felt more wonderful outside, sitting under a tree, or laying on the beach than I ever have sitting on a hard pew in a church listening to someone tell me how I should be interpreting the Bible.

Tonight at work, I talked a bit with a patient about God and the Bible and good people vs. bad people. I didn’t go into detail about my beliefs, but I did mention that I find a lot of churches saying that they are the one right religion, and I mentioned that back in Jesus’ time, there were no Catholics, or Baptists, or Presbyterians, or Lutherans, or any organized religion. She agreed with me. She was telling me that Jesus never turned away anyone. She mentioned that good people are everywhere, and are of every religion. Then she looked at me and said, “I can see that you are a wonderful person. It just radiates from you.”

That has got to be the biggest compliment I have ever had from someone. She does not know my beliefs, and I did not lead on that I attended any church, but she said she could see I was a good person. And I don’t think it was just because I’m a nurse. (Trust me, I’ve worked with plenty of nurses who I don’t think are good people.)

Anyway, I just wanted to share. Enjoy the article. I guess pretty much my point is that we shouldn’t judge people at all. None of us understand any religion 100%, and if we are happy in our beliefs, then that is what is important. We can all share our thoughts with other people, but not be hateful or scorning toward others who do not believe the same way we are. God has made each and every one of us (whether you believe in one God, or many) and we should all be accepting of one another.

Thanks for reading.

…in my nursing journal that I have been writing in over the years is as follows:

I was working as a travel nurse in Burlington, VT on the night shift (which I truly hated). I got my assignment and started to work. One of my patients was Geno. He had recently had surgery. I always answered my patients’ calls with a smile- they don’t need to know if I have had a bad day. Geno was a doll. Despite what he as going through, he still kept his sense of humor. It was about 2 or 3 in the morning and I was tending to him. Out of the blue asked, “Do you sing?” I was puzzled. So I replied, “Only when no one is around to listen.” He proceeded to tell me about the karaoke club he owns and he hoped I would come visit. I told him I would think about it.

About a month passed and I decided to go to the club. Ray and I went on a pretty busy night. It was great to see Geno as a “person” rather than a recovering patient. I have often told Ray about patients who have praised me and my nursing skills. Well, that night, Geno praised me to Ray. He told him about how I always smiled and never made him feel like he was bothering me. A short while later, Geno was on the microphone telling everyone that I was his angel.

I visited the karaoke club a couple other times before I left VT. Each time, Geno would praise me. I don’t get much time during a patient’s stay in the hospital to do all that a patient deserves. Many times I feel that I don’t make much difference in their lives. Thanks to Geno, I know that things like a simple smile in the middle of the night can truly make a difference in someone’s life. I’m looking forward to all my future “Genos” every day I go to work.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I forgot to write about how I had gone to the club on my birthday that year and Geno had pulled me up on stage and sang to me! I’m glad that I met Geno. He did teach me that a kind smile can go a long way. I really need to head back up to Burlington, VT. Anyone care to join me? I know a great little karaoke club!

Thanks to my friend, Heather, I have decided to give this blogging thing a shot. Yeah, yeah, I know that I have blogged on Myspace for a couple years now, but I felt compelled to come here.

What do I want to blog about? Well, as many of you know from my past blogs on MS, I blog about all sorts of things. Mostly they have been rantings of some sort about things that are going wrong at the moment. However, I believe that I will begin to blog about the better things that happen in life. I’m resorting back to the information that I learned from the book, “The Secret,” and hope that things will continue to move in a positive direction in my life.

Allow me to start today, with my first positive blog. Yesterday at work was a really good day. I have have had some amazing patients over the years, and recently, I have been providing care for one such patient. She is really wonderful. As most of you know, things have been going wrong with some of my coworkers (honestly, I think it’s out of jealousy, because I am such an organized person, I’m not running around all shift like a chicken with its head cut off)… well, this particular patient, earlier in the week, had given me a small gift of a beaded and leather key chain that she had made. She had told me that she does beadwork when she is feeling better. I thought that was a lovely gesture. And I have that key chain on my key ring right now. (I’ll show it to my friends when I see you all next!)

Well, yesterday, I went in to work at 6am (what a different atmosphere at that time of day in comparison to coming in at 2pm!) Anyway… back to my subject. LOL I went in to do my assessment on my patient and she told me she had another gift for me. She gave me a small jar of some hot tea mix that she likes. (It’s tang and tea.) She told me how to prepare it, and I went and made a cup of it… wow! It was delicious!! Rather reminded me of mulled cider, but with a twist.

As a nurse, I’m not allowed to take gifts of any significant monetary value, and through the years I have gotten many small gifts from my patients. It’s on days like yesterday when my hard work and dedication as a nurse is rewarded by such small gestures by my patients, that I am reminded why I became a nurse in the first place.

So what if my coworkers complain about me…. I’m at the hospital to make sure that my patients are well taken care of, and I don’t hear any of THEM complaining about me!

I think for my next post, I may talk about some of my past patients that have touched me and those that I don’t want to forget for whatever reason. I love being a nurse!!