competency 2008

Here we go

 Now after working all year they want to know if you are competent. 

They also can't decide what that means so they change the playing field every year. It keeps you off guard and you don't know what to expect. 

For the last two years it has been no stress. You would go from station to station and go over this and that. The years before this it was station to station  and written test that you had to pass or be in danger of losing your job.

This year the RN's will perform competency demonstrations. There will be no teaching or prompting at the stations, so come prepared.  

I feel pressure I feel like I come prepared every night I work. Why do I feel this pressure 

I would be interest to know how other hospital do competency      

 I have had a couple days off. Back to work tonight 

Question is where will I be 

Postpartum: with three to four couplets 

Admission: to worry about what ever comes thru the doors and of course the change of shift delivery that happens every AM

ICN: with 3-4 sick infants. 

Seems like at our hospital there is an issue of how often you are in the ICN Too little and you don't keep up your skills,too much and someone else is worried about their skills.

We do about 150 deliveries  a month. We always have from 1-4 in the ICN and sometimes more.

We have a level 2 ICN anything higher we stabilize  and send to a level 3.

I think my best place is:

 Postpartum: Helping Moms with their new family. Getting breast feeding off to a good start 

Maybe admission: When things go well I love being part of the fun of welcoming a new born to loving  family. Everyone is high on  the miracle of child birth, You almost feel part of the family.

Maybe ICN : Helping parents cope with a little one thats off to a rough start. Supporting  family as we get an infant ready for transport. 

Guess I will work where  they put me and enjoy it. I am thankful to have the job I have           

The Joys of Night Shift

Ok Here I am 

Husband gone on some tripe. He works at home so it is rare to be here without him. He always wants to know what I am going to do with my time. He knows I work tonight. After 21 years of my work schedule  [12 hours nights] you would think he knows.

Night Shift 

 0900        You try to drag yourself up at some reasonable time since you didn't work last night.

 0930         Coffee 

1000           If your are very motivated you take a tripe to the gym where you find all those perky people who are awake in the AM on a routine bases.

1105          Coffee with your sisters who also work day shift.

1300         Should I eat lunch or not? Should, you even call it lunch.

1400        Must take a nap or read or watch TV Oh why can't I sleep I know at 0400 I will give anything just to close my eyes for a second or two But now is when I need to sleep. Oh! Is that the phone? 

1600   Just fell asleep 30 minutes ago but must get up now. I have a staff meeting at 1700. Those people who work day shift think a staff meeting at 1700 will be nice time for night shift. Never mind they have to sleep and have 12 hours ahead of them. Of course I could go at 0715 but then I have to hold my head up with one hand and at least one eye open with the other. Your brain is telling you I need sleep and has shut down, so you never know what is being said.

1838 Clock in time! Not to early and not to late or you will lose points 

1845 Take report and get done by 0715. 

0645 Give report to day shift who wonder why you didn't get this done or that done 

0715 Drive home safely. 

0800 Fall back into bed because you have to get up and be back at work by 1838

  

I have  been doing this for 21 years. He still asks what are you going to do today.      

  

      

Never done this before

Well !!!!

Here I am blogging. I'll make this short.

 I am off today from the world of nursing. I began looking around the internet. I am not sure how one with so much to do ends up with her first blog entry.  Maybe someone can explain that to me. I have enjoyed reading other blogs,so here I am. 

Now, what do I have to say. I think I will have to think about that