Sunday, July 22, 2007

Settling in....finally!

I finally have a semi-permanent-assignment!!! Yey! I have been assigned to work on 5 East, which is a Medical/Surgical ward that specializes in oncology/hematology. They also provide hospice care for the cancer patients and those that are very terminal. I will be on a regular schedule, which is great! I'm tired of being handed off from department to department!

My shifts will be like this:

I will work: Monday and Tuesday
I will be off: Wednesday and Thursday
I will work: Friday, Saturday and Sunday
I will be off: Monday and Tuesday
I will work: Wednesday and Thursday
I will be off: Friday, Saturday and Sunday

All of these are 12 hour shifts. For my first 2 months, I will work day shift. For the next two months, I will work night shift. (Unless I find someone who wants to switch with me and I can stay on day shift!) I will work every other weekend, which stinks. When I am on day shift, I cannot go to church on sunday or thursday. But I can make up for it the next week...blah. I wish there was something I could do to rearrange my schedule....Maybe I'll talk to my division officer or something.

Anyways, a week ago, I got to participate in Operation Stand Down, a program for homeless vets. Homeless vets come from all services and from all areas of the country to Operation Stand Down for medical care, alcohol detox services, legal counseling/services, dental care, nourishment, shelter, hair cuts, new clothes (donated from local businesses) and many many other things. I helped in the medical tent and assisted by doing patient assessments and writing clinical notes for the doctors to look at. It was SO NEAT! I actually got to function as a nurse, independently. The doctors trusted my judgement and we COLLABORATED on the future care (i.e. prescriptions/consults/etc). What a great learning, and yet heartbreaking, experience. I just wanted to open up my home to these folks. My heart really broke for them and thier situations! This was the best activity I have ever volunteered for, ever!



HEre are some pictures from the weekend:

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you will have a "regular" schedule now. It was nice that you were able to be a help to our veterans. I'm sure many situations were sad ~ you have a big heart, it was kind of you to volunteer.

Trish said...

Wow! What a great project to get to work on -- that must have been exciting! I am glad that you will have a regular schedule -- that's good. Have you guys been able to find a church yet? Miss ya!

Kim said...

A regular routine!! How nice. It was kind of you to volunteer to help the veterans- I'm sure they were very grateful!!

Debbie said...

That sounds like an awesome project; what a blessing to everyone!

I am glad you have a routine, but it does stink you have to work during church.

Ms. Nancy is doing well. She is moving around with a walker and a knee immobilizer. She will see the doctor again soon and have to start some exercises, but she seems to be ready for it.

Debbie said...

P.S.
I took the Daily Blessing... I wanted one but didn't know where to get it... so thanks. Oh, mine is the promise. :)

Anonymous said...

It's nice to finally have a set schedule~~~even if it rotates. Been there, done that!

R. L. Evans said...

I'm glad your schedule got all set up. I'm glad you had a wonderful experience and proud of you for being such a big help!

Daily Blessings


About ME

California, United States
Here's the short-n-sweet version of me! 23 years old, Married, Mommy, Registered Nurse, God and the Navy own my soul at least for the next four years!, I actually LIKE church, skirts, the color pink, Baking, Running, simming, biking, sports, Sleeping in is a treat!, Not sleeping in means lots of coffee! James and I are now the proud parents of Katelyn Rose. She was born 3-31-08, and has been making us smile everyday!