need to breathe..

today was something else at work. i mean, yeah, it's always busy and stressful especially on my shift. but today... man, i barely saw my patients!! i never thought nursing would be this stressful so much hard work. i guess that's why there's such a shortage and demand in this field.

i was both in charge of the whole floor and a team leader for the side that i was on. this is typical for our floor now, since our charge nurse quit her job almost a month ago. i had to coordinate staffing and relief for those who are doing a 2:1 (two patients is to one nurse --> usually for patients who requires a really close observation i.e. unpredictable behavior). on top of that i had to make sure that the staff for each side is "equal" hence having other staff grumble and make sure that my own team is ok.

today didn't really start out very well... the morning shift staff left us with a lot of clean ups to do. which is so freakingly annoying since they are well staffed in the morning. i don't care how busy it is, how can a person leave a patient dirty?? i don't like getting report from that nurse, since whenever i ask her something her reply would be "do you think i know?" well, uh, duh!! you are the RN, right? you're the team leader, right?? why don't you know?? it's just argh!!! that has always been the case with her, and it's freaking annoying!!! if i gave that kind of report to the night shift, i would have been written up long ago!! this is all happening only before 3:30 pm, mind you and we start our shift at 3. anyways, by 3:45 i got a report for an admission (direct admission from the clinic) and by 4:10 that patient came up already!! thank God that patient was so nice enough, since the bed wasn't made yet when she came up so she had to wait a couple minutes. by 5:30 i have finished my admission, placed a condom catheter to another patient of mine and discharged the other patient. then the nurse that was working with me gave me the narc key for it was already 6 and it was time for her break so that she could relieve one of the nurse who was doing a 2:1. 6:15, i told another nurse on my team for his break so. by 6:30 his admission came, i had to take the vital signs for that patient and call kitchen so that they could send up a tray for him. in between all these i was running back and forth to another patient's room, for his bed alarm kept going off. he was so confuse that he keeps getting out of bed inspite that fact that he has unsteady gait -- thank God no incident happened!! then i quickly did my charting, by 7:15 i had to go grab something to eat and for a much needed break from the floor. but then i had to make sure that everyone was covered. after inhaling my food and giving report to the other nurse who was gonna be taking over for the admission that i made, i went back to the floor at 8pm. as soon as i asked my colleagues a quick update on the patients, i had to call blood bank for two patients who had an order for type and cross. only to find out that morning shift didn't send them the sufficient blood for the other one... so i had to do blood draw for two patients. one of them was such a hard stick, by the time i finished drawing blood it was already 8:45. just when i thought i could i finally be able to help out in giving out meds, ER calls for report for another admission. after taking report, i had to make the bed for that admission. then a family summons me to witness a patient signing some papers then checked for a consent for that blood transfusion. then 9:30 came and my second admission entered the floor. it was an easy admission though, for the patient was able to speak english and is alert and oriented. i finished my admission interview, picking up orders, give report to the nurse on that team by 10:45. then i had to go back to my team and clean up patients. we finished cleaning them up by 11:10. then i had to pick up an order for a medication and ask someone to hang it up for me. by 11:20 i gave report to a very unhappy night nurse.

yes... it was a crazy day and tomorrow is another day. i just hope and pray that i wouldn't be charge nurse tomorrow.

Please watch these.... and pass it on!

A Weekend In Boston

We left for Boston around 6 o'clock Saturday morning (after much delays) and arrived at around 10. Headed straight to the local diner and had some much needed caffeine and sugar to wake us up. After the pancakes and rounds of coffee, we navigated our way to Marriot Hotel, where we would be staying for the night. As soon as we got to the hotel we were so happy (and relieved) to be able to check-in earlier than the expected time. In the hotel room, we were wlecomed by the softest comforter one have ever felt. It was just like heaven after at least 20 hours of being out of bed and taking that sacral pressure ulcer-inducing ride. After resting for like two hours, we all dragged ourselves out of the comforts of the hotel and trekked our way to Boston Common.

After crossing a bridge and bumping into other tourists, we found ourselves at the beginning of the Freedom Trail, then our adventure began. We passed by old churches, graves of famous people (such as Ben Franklin's parents, Otis the elevator guy, burial ground of the Boston Massaccre), old buildings which were witness to the revolution and the declaration of Independence. Then we found ourselves by Quincy Market, and decided to have a feast at McCormick and Schmick's. It's at McCormick and Schmick's where our famine vanquished. We had the most delectable Lump Crab, Shrimp and Artichoke Dip with Pita and Calamari with three different sauces. Horacio enjoyed his Clam Chowder and Lobster Linguine, my brother had the Salmon with Brie (it sounds kinda weird but it was actually really yum-o!), I enjoyed my Red Tilapia with Cashew Crust and Jamaican Rub, Shao had Lump Crab Penne and Cary (was boring) with his Ceasar Salad and Crab Veggie Soup. After inhaling our food, we headed back to the hotel for some much needed rest. By 10 o'clock i started to crave for some Buffalo Wings and pizza. Horacio and my brother, graciously offered to go out to the corner and get some Domino's pizza and wings. As soon as they came back, I had fun with my wings and pouring hot sauce over my ham and pineapple pizza! It was just simply delicioso!! The wings and the pizza just ended our night and we all turned in.

By Sunday morning, we started our day with (quite disappointing) breakfast at Cosi and headed to MIT Museum for some (free!!) fun. I love museums that has hands on things. Things that you can actually manipulate and have fun with. MIT museum offered that to everyone! I felt I was back in elementary school once more and oh-so ready to explore the world. We saw these awesome holograms, things that were made not particularly to be used but just because. After a couple of hours in the museum we had to head back to the hotel to check ourselves out. After doing so, we headed to Harvard University but first, we had to find a local bar for Horacio so that he wouldn't miss his open season football game. We found ourselves in Uno's (which I can't complain, since I love Uno's!). We ordered wings, pizza and chocolate wow!!! As Horacio watched the game, we once again headed to Harvard University, tried to act as students in Harvard (tourism and film students!! haha). Did you know that the statue of that was there was not really John Harvard?? Nobody actually knew how he looked like!! Yeah, I sneaked into one of the tour groups and overheard this. Anyways, after visiting and roaming the vicinity of Harvard, we all headed back to the hotel and claimed our baggages and left for the bus terminal.

Before leaving Boston we had a pit stop for some pretzels and lemonade from Auntie Anne. We got back to New York around 10 o'clock at night adn ended our night with some soup, sushi, chicken fried rice and general tso's chicken.

Full Force Crew

hey everyone! this is a little plug-in.. please check out the site www.rawvegas.tv and look for Full Force Crew Reality Blog. they only have one right now but they would be adding new once on a weekly basis (i think..). my cousin is in it and i have seen these guys (and girls) before. they just made me wanna throw myself on the floor! hehe but knowing me, i would just imagine myself doing it rather than break any bones! you could also check out their website at www.fullforcecrew.com. Enjoy!! :)

i should...

... actually be be in bed right now getting my winks, but here i am contemplating whether to forego my hunger or eat something at this hour. it has been a habit for me (and horacio) to eat right after work, but i just lost the weight that i wanted and it is slowly creeping back once more!! also, i should be sleeping now for a (hopefully) fun day tomorrow. we are "hosting" our first barbecue party here at home. it won't be too much, just a couple of friends hanging around. horacio will be (as usual) the man of the grill. i would probably make something nice and yummy (pasta... dessert...). anyways, more details after tomorrow!