Monday, August 31, 2015

Working Again

Back in the saddle working again. I decided on Home Health and I have got to admit that the freedom and autonomy of being able to make my own schedule and not have a micromanager looking down my back all the time is even better.

I don't mind the driving and when the actual paycheck comes, well I won't mind that at all.

Where has my career in nursing lead? Well for me, it was always about doing the least amount of work for the most amount of money, in the most rewarding way. It's not for everyone, but it is perfect for me and our ever growing family.

I was told yesterday by a client, " We like the other nurse, but we love you. We trust you." That, is what it's all about.

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Career Update

So I quit the hospital in June after my Dad passed away. The cause of death was related to medical error caused by Physician and nursing staff at the hospital I worked at. To say I am angry is to say it mildly... biggest thing is that I am experiencing trauma related to the circumstances surrounding his death and the overwhelming grief. It's manifesting into anxiety and apathy about being a nurse. "How can I help others when I couldn't help my Dad?" or "What do I care if they get better or not?" So yeah I needed a break to step away and deal with what is going on in my heart.

I've looked into other avenues of nursing... I think at this point my love and passion in nursing are combined with mothering my special kiddos. I think my career path needs to reflect a flexibility to achieve that. Home visits I think, possible double weekends back in LTC or an Urgent Care. I haven't decided. Right now it's just an extra paycheck for spending and mad money that I even really need to return to work for.

At this time, even school is off the table as I have no vision for the future where nursing continuing education would be mandated or even used, except to say that I have such and such advanced degree.

We shall see where this detour shall lead... but in the mean time... I am weaning a 23 weeker off of o2, doing feeding therapy to help him get off of a feeding tube, managing physician orders, medication management, helping with physical therapy for 4 kids, doing trach care, suctioning, changing out gtubes, doing enteral feedings, constant assessments for COCs, not to mention prosthetic, brace, and cast care. I continue to maintain current skills on vents, BLS, and central line management... all from home for 4 patients a day.

What do you do?