Thursday, April 19, 2012
Phlebotomy license on its way
My state phlebotomy license should be here any day now. I got a call from the state public health office yesterday. They said my application was complete and everything was done correctly EXCEPT that my teacher didn't sign her title (CPT1) after her name on my clinical hours documentation. Jeez.
They're coming to take you away, hee hee, ha ha, ho ho
A resident who has been on hospice for a while now passed away last night. His wife, who has dementia, but gets around alright physically, was moved to the "memory care" facility across town this afternoon. This morning, she told her caregiver, "Did you know that a man in that bed there died last night?" referring to her husband's hospital bed.
It was explained to her what happened. They have been preparing to move her to the other facility for a while now, and were just waiting for her husband to pass before making the change. Our director said that in these situations, they don't tell the resident that they are leaving and going to another place for good. They just say "let's go for a drive." And they drive around a while, and just sort of end up at that place, and walk around a little bit. They say, "Look at this nice restaurant!" and point out the dining room. Then they eventually leave their loved one there to adjust for a few days.
My director said that they find in these situations it is kinder, when the surviving spouse asks where their loved one is, to say that he's on a trip and he'll be back soon. They don't remember from one day to the next. So if you explain that their spouse died, they will begin the grieving process anew. And the next time they ask (5 hours or a day later), it will be the same thing once more.
Part of me sees the wisdom in this. Maybe it is easier for the resident, easier for the family. The resident doesn't get all stressed and anxious about the move, it just sort of happens. And who would want their loved one to find out day after day for the "first time" that their spouse has died. I get it. But part of me also rails against it.
Somewhere within them, under the layers of confusion, they have to feel deceived. Maybe not all the time, but dementia comes in waves. And in those moments of clarity, if it were me, I would be pissed.
It was explained to her what happened. They have been preparing to move her to the other facility for a while now, and were just waiting for her husband to pass before making the change. Our director said that in these situations, they don't tell the resident that they are leaving and going to another place for good. They just say "let's go for a drive." And they drive around a while, and just sort of end up at that place, and walk around a little bit. They say, "Look at this nice restaurant!" and point out the dining room. Then they eventually leave their loved one there to adjust for a few days.
My director said that they find in these situations it is kinder, when the surviving spouse asks where their loved one is, to say that he's on a trip and he'll be back soon. They don't remember from one day to the next. So if you explain that their spouse died, they will begin the grieving process anew. And the next time they ask (5 hours or a day later), it will be the same thing once more.
Part of me sees the wisdom in this. Maybe it is easier for the resident, easier for the family. The resident doesn't get all stressed and anxious about the move, it just sort of happens. And who would want their loved one to find out day after day for the "first time" that their spouse has died. I get it. But part of me also rails against it.
Somewhere within them, under the layers of confusion, they have to feel deceived. Maybe not all the time, but dementia comes in waves. And in those moments of clarity, if it were me, I would be pissed.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
No more cell phones at work!
I am pleased as punch by this. I usually leave my phone in my car or in my locker while at work anyway, in fact, it came up just a few days ago when my boss sent me a text about 45 minutes into my shift asking how training a new employee was going. I didn't get the text until much later that night.
Yesterday, the girl I don't like much, K, ignored a call for help from one of the caregivers and kept playing on her phone. L, a coworker I like, was in the med room with her and couldn't step away herself (she was busy pouring meds), but saw that K just sat there at the desk and kept playing on her phone. She does that a lot.
One of the LVN's I've seen reach her phone just behind the resident's peripheral vision while in their room to text someone. She's almost 50! She should know better.
It's just not professional. We get 50 minutes of break during the day. That's the time to take care of personal communications. Or discretely, in the restroom or laundry room or something, away from residents' view.
Most of my coworkers didn't share my opinion, however. Sucks for them!
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Good news, scholarship!
I got a $1000 scholarship from the hospital I've been volunteering at. I applied for it about a month ago; I had to write a few essays, get two letters of recommendation, and fill out some forms. And they only took applications from current student volunteers.
To receive the scholarship, I had to give a short speech at an awards luncheon attended by all of the other volunteers as well as many of the hospital administration, including the CEO.
This was roughly the speech I gave:
******
I have been considering transitioning to a career in the health professions for a while now. Nursing, specifically, has been a profession that I repeatedly revisited in my dreams about the future. About two years ago, I began pursuing this idea more seriously.
Although a stable source of income, and projected future demand in the job market were on my mind, my interest in nursing goes beyond these things. I really think that my background in biology, fascination with the workings of the human body, and natural ability to help people feel at ease telling me anything will go far in this field and I can make a positive difference.
Almost two years ago now, I moved back to my home town of XX, where I know that there is a very strong RN program at XX. I took the remaining prerequisites for nursing school and earned a 4.0 GPA while tutoring other students in English and Sciences to support myself, and volunteering my Saturdays here, to gain more experience in the healthcare setting. Last summer I submitted my application to the RN program, and just a few weeks ago found out that I got in, with the first cut.
To make a start in the medical field and to support myself up to and during nursing school, I recently began a position in the wellness center of an assisted living facility. I work as a med tech, pouring and passing medications, giving treatments, and responding to any emergencies. Between my experiences there and here at the hospital I can tell that nursing is going to be a good fit for me.
When I begin nursing school this August, I will have to reduce my work hours to accommodate my class schedule. There will be $2000 dollars worth of books to buy during my first semester, and as a second career student, I am not eligible for many sources of financial aid. I very much appreciate this organization’s contribution to my education. In a couple of short years, hopefully I will be an RN, working here at XX Hospital, and will see you all again.
*****
The CEO stopped me on my way back to my table and said it was a really nice speech. Yay!
To receive the scholarship, I had to give a short speech at an awards luncheon attended by all of the other volunteers as well as many of the hospital administration, including the CEO.
This was roughly the speech I gave:
******
I have been considering transitioning to a career in the health professions for a while now. Nursing, specifically, has been a profession that I repeatedly revisited in my dreams about the future. About two years ago, I began pursuing this idea more seriously.
Although a stable source of income, and projected future demand in the job market were on my mind, my interest in nursing goes beyond these things. I really think that my background in biology, fascination with the workings of the human body, and natural ability to help people feel at ease telling me anything will go far in this field and I can make a positive difference.
Almost two years ago now, I moved back to my home town of XX, where I know that there is a very strong RN program at XX. I took the remaining prerequisites for nursing school and earned a 4.0 GPA while tutoring other students in English and Sciences to support myself, and volunteering my Saturdays here, to gain more experience in the healthcare setting. Last summer I submitted my application to the RN program, and just a few weeks ago found out that I got in, with the first cut.
To make a start in the medical field and to support myself up to and during nursing school, I recently began a position in the wellness center of an assisted living facility. I work as a med tech, pouring and passing medications, giving treatments, and responding to any emergencies. Between my experiences there and here at the hospital I can tell that nursing is going to be a good fit for me.
When I begin nursing school this August, I will have to reduce my work hours to accommodate my class schedule. There will be $2000 dollars worth of books to buy during my first semester, and as a second career student, I am not eligible for many sources of financial aid. I very much appreciate this organization’s contribution to my education. In a couple of short years, hopefully I will be an RN, working here at XX Hospital, and will see you all again.
*****
The CEO stopped me on my way back to my table and said it was a really nice speech. Yay!
Phlebotomy licensing
I finally sent off portion 2 of my phlebotomy licensing paperwork today. Been procrastinating a long time on that, partly because now that I got into nursing school, I doubt I will need the license, partly because of starting the new job as a med tech and just feeling really busy.
I took the licensing exam in December (4 1/2 months ago now)... was a little confused about what the next step was, and whether or not I had to pay more to NCCT (national center for competency testing) to get my national certification. Turns out I didn't. I paid I think $100 to take the initial test, and that served as my national licensing fee. Then for the state application, which I just sent off, it cost another 100. Plus I had to make copies of various certificates, order some official transcripts, and include two more passport photos (the national cert took 1). Hoops and more hoops to jump through but I think I dotted all my i's and crossed all my t's.
So, the plan is to keep that license up as a "just in case" fall back. Just in case my current job doesn't work out (I just had a positive 3 month work review), just in case nursing school has problems, just in case at some point I need to work as a phlebotomist for whatever reason. And it will probably be a good resume boost when I'm applying for nursing jobs in a couple of years.
I took the licensing exam in December (4 1/2 months ago now)... was a little confused about what the next step was, and whether or not I had to pay more to NCCT (national center for competency testing) to get my national certification. Turns out I didn't. I paid I think $100 to take the initial test, and that served as my national licensing fee. Then for the state application, which I just sent off, it cost another 100. Plus I had to make copies of various certificates, order some official transcripts, and include two more passport photos (the national cert took 1). Hoops and more hoops to jump through but I think I dotted all my i's and crossed all my t's.
So, the plan is to keep that license up as a "just in case" fall back. Just in case my current job doesn't work out (I just had a positive 3 month work review), just in case nursing school has problems, just in case at some point I need to work as a phlebotomist for whatever reason. And it will probably be a good resume boost when I'm applying for nursing jobs in a couple of years.
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