Thoughts X 3

Sorry I missed last week. I tried several times to put something down, but it just wasn't happening. I was going to write about my experience of being in the room as one of my residents crossed over, but the truth is that there was nothing to say about it. I was sad, but not unduly so. We were aware that the resident was going to pass, so it wasn't an emergency or a surprise. They went quietly; just a couple gasps as their soul left their body. The family was there and so was their Pastor. We were praying as they left this world. Really, as first experiences go, it was unremarkable. Frankly, watching them pass was much easier than the previous week had been, watching them struggle for breath.

On a separate note, there are some people who just shouldn't be working in a Nursing Center. I think you need to be soft, forgiving and willing to absorb a little abuse. These loud, brassy, hard-edged types really should be working in a mental hospital or a prison. There's no place for that in a Nursing Center. But in an environment where we're desperate for help, I guess we can't be too choosy. I do sometimes get tired of trying to smooth over the ruffled feathers, though.

Final thought. We were asked to do a time-study for our position and shift. Because I like to do these kinds of things, I just did one for all of us. We all signed it, so they would know we all approved it. Still, this smacks of them wanting to reduce staff. While I admit it isn't impossible to work with two med aides, it's significantly more difficult. It also means that I don't get to take a lunch break most days. I'm hoping that this is not the case. The DON said it was so that she could update job descriptions. I guess I'll wait and see.

Boxes

We do like to put things in boxes, don't we? It doesn't much matter what it is, if there's a place for it, we're going to put it there. If there's not a place for it, we'll make a place for it and shove it in there.

One of those lovely surveys came out recently that said Oklahoma nursing centers were among the ten worst in the country. Wow. That makes me feel proud. So, by association, am I among the worst ten percent of the aides in the country? I hope that's not true. When my residents tell me they're glad I'm working, does that mean that I'm merely the best of the worst?

Another question is how will this affect me in the future? If we decide to move out of state, will other nursing centers look down on me based on where I was trained? Would I be unable to get a job in, say Oregon, because of where I come from?

I don't like being put in a box. On the other hand, I do it to other people and things all the time. It's so easy to be judge, jury and executioner, but I don't like being on the receiving end.

This, that and the other.

Ironic item of the week:
I have a resident with dementia who has a tube of perfumed lotion called "Reality" sitting on their bedside table. Honest. I can't make this stuff up.

Two firsts:
I had a resident nearly splash my shoes with vomit. I literally had to jump out of the way.

I was in the room when one of my residents passed away. I haven't had time to sort my feelings out on it, but I'll be blogging about it eventually.

Questions of the week:
Why is it so hard to come to work? Seriously. And where do these people get the money to survive? If I don't work all my shifts, I'm screwed financially. How can you miss two or three shifts a pay period and still get by? How can you miss one shift? (And no, we don't get sick pay.)