1 whole year....

so all through school and at the beginning of my new grad program everyone kept saying "it takes a year". I've been meaning to post this sooner, but time just flies....

anyways, my new grad program was an entire year, and we just finished a few weeks ago...and it got me thinking....wow, it's been that year everyone talked about. I still don't feel like I know everything, but I don't feel nauseated to walk into work....or to walk out. I think leaving was just as bad as going there for a while. I was always worried I'd forgotten something major and left a mess for the next shift.

Well those days are over and I feel like I know what I'm doing most days and I really love my job now.

How about you guys? How has the time we've been working changed things for you? Any big things you've learned this year that you'll take with you into the next?

I definitely learned not to sweat the small stuff. Sounds so silly, but the little things that used to stress me out are no longer a big deal and I have learned to prioritize things much better this year.

Little Miss Avery Jean

hey team...just wanted to let you all know little avery jean was born on july 10, 2009 at 1852! the birth was rough, but she's perfect! 10 fingers, 10 toes, apgars of 8 and 9. she was 7lbs. 5oz, 21 inches long. she's gorgeous! if you want to check our blog for more updates it's: thekoning5.blogspot.com

Reunion

Hey everyone....I sent out a facebook invite for the reunion...but not everyone has facebook...so I just wanted to let you all know... 

Aug 8-9. 

Location TBD. 

Significant others...esp husbands and kids...are welcome!

Another fun report!

So I had this patient the past few days who has osteomyelitis of his T-spine. He's had extensive back surgery & now they wanna do more. My hospital (Scripps Encinitas) is kinda little, and we don't have a thoracic surgeon on staff i guess, so we had to transfer him to Scripps La Jolla so that they could do this crazy surgery they plan to do on this man. So I called La Jolla for report, and who else do I give report to, Melissa! haha! we had so much fun, not to mention I felt like it was probably one of the better reports I have given b/c I wasn't nervous...haha! Anyways, it was fun & it made my day. It's still so crazy to me that we are all really real live nurses doing this all for real...

Hope you're all doing well! Miss ya!

get together?

Hey everyone!  I was talking with a certain someone (Katie Potter!) and we would like to have a get together with whoever can sometime early-ish August!  What do you all think?  We were thinking something near the beach :)

Calling Report

Hello fellow Nurses!!

I don't think I have actually made a post yet, but I love reading everybody's and hearing what's going on with you all...so I thought I should probably contribute at some point. Well, life as an ER nurse at St. Joe's is hectic but good for the most part. Most days I question why in the world I thought I wanted to start out in such a fast paced department! I am not exaggerating, every shift I have worked for the last 2 1/2 weeks, I have had critical patients every night, for just about the entire shift, and each time I rush one to the CV-ICU or to the OR, I turn around and have a new one coming in right behind them.

Last night was one of those nights as well. I got to assist our ER doc with the placement of a chest tube for our pt. with a spontaneous pneumo and I was resp. for the conscious sedation...AGH! something we learned when I was hired and I haven't had to do yet, so that was fun trying to fumble through the fat packet and make sure I was doing everything right. But it went well, the chest tube was placed, the pt's lung immediately re-expanded (as verified by a repeat CXR) and then the best part came! I got to call report up to the receiving RN...

I was on hold for a couple minutes and then I heard someone answer but couldn't quite hear and I said, "I'm sorry, what's your name?" and the voice on the other end said, "Kyle." And I said, "Kyle Compann?!?" and then I heard a little laugh and "no way!" So I got to hand of my pt to a former classmate and then transport the pt. upstairs and see Kyle!

So, there's a glimpse into my work world...Other than nursing, I am a proud new Auntie and I have an adorable puppy named Roxy...photos on Facebook for any of you who are interested! Well, hope you are all doing well! Signing off for now...

Hello friends,

Just wanted to write and give a small update on me. I'm up in the Santa Clarita valley (Chris took a job as a teacher up here, so I found a job to fit). I'm working tele and have been on my own since the middle of February and still feel like I don't know what I'm doing a lot of times. I really like the atmosphere of where I work. The people I work with are very supportive and since it's a catholic hospital it is very values based.

On a different note, I am pregnant again! :) I'm due August 5th which means I'm in my 5th month now. So far both mommy and baby are healthy, praise God.

Hoping all is well with you,
Sheri