Sunday, July 31, 2011
This makes me cry.
Yes, humans are suffering.
But animals don't have a voice or a choice.
SPCA of BC is one of the charities I support.
So does our local gal, Sarah.
Nursing: Performance Evaluation / Peer Review
Had a performance evaluation last week.
It was all positive.
The week before that, I had a peer review of my work where myself and another nurse sits down and discuss several cases that I have handled. It took about an hour and a half out of my working day, which in of itself is an amazing thing.
Can you believe that management even provided staffing to cover this time?
It was with trepidation I anticipated the evaluation because the person assigned to do it was not someone with a normally positive outlook. It was my experience - in the past - that she was quite judgmental of other nurses' performances.
I was expecting, as is usually the case in nursing, that all the bad points would be found - with glaring examples of everything I had done wrong. Not that I could really think of anything critically wrong....but you know how these evaluations go......
Pleasant surprise.
I was told at the interview start that there was enough negativity in nursing - that we didn't need more of the same.
The management wanted the positives highlighted....that each nurse does a good enough job of self-flagellation when reviewing her own work....and that encouragement and praise goes further to improve morale and thus perhaps improve nursing care.
The questions at the review end were:
1. What did you feel you did well in this instance?
2. What was your "takeaway" from this patient interaction?
It was a refreshing and positive experience and so unlike other performance reviews in the past whilst working in hospitals.
Apparently they are arranging monthly reviews.
I am actually looking forward to the next one - and at that time, I won't have so much of a knot in the pit of my stomach.
It was all positive.
Can you believe that management even provided staffing to cover this time?
It was with trepidation I anticipated the evaluation because the person assigned to do it was not someone with a normally positive outlook. It was my experience - in the past - that she was quite judgmental of other nurses' performances.
I was expecting, as is usually the case in nursing, that all the bad points would be found - with glaring examples of everything I had done wrong. Not that I could really think of anything critically wrong....but you know how these evaluations go......
Pleasant surprise.
I was told at the interview start that there was enough negativity in nursing - that we didn't need more of the same.
The management wanted the positives highlighted....that each nurse does a good enough job of self-flagellation when reviewing her own work....and that encouragement and praise goes further to improve morale and thus perhaps improve nursing care.
The questions at the review end were:
1. What did you feel you did well in this instance?
2. What was your "takeaway" from this patient interaction?
It was a refreshing and positive experience and so unlike other performance reviews in the past whilst working in hospitals.
Apparently they are arranging monthly reviews.
I am actually looking forward to the next one - and at that time, I won't have so much of a knot in the pit of my stomach.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
An "Awww Cute!" Saturday AM
(not that I like the idea of animals confined in zoos too much... )
Meanwhile, bear with me as I tweak colors and design with my blog!
Friday, July 29, 2011
Blankety-blank-blank
Now, if you are like me, you might have some difficulty in picking out the correct invitations, or finding the right words for an apology or airing of grievance ....or just give feedback on a situation at work.
Well, ok. Strike that.
I usually am quite capable of putting my point across.
But - here's the thing.
Sometimes you just can't be bothered to go to all that trouble and you just want a quick and easy fill-in-the-blanks type form.
Well - here's the site for you.
Check it out.
Fill out a form or two.
If nothing else, it will make you feel good to get what you want to really say off your chest.
Go on.
You want to.
It's good for your blood pressure!
Well, ok. Strike that.
I usually am quite capable of putting my point across.
But - here's the thing.
Sometimes you just can't be bothered to go to all that trouble and you just want a quick and easy fill-in-the-blanks type form.
Well - here's the site for you.
Check it out.
Fill out a form or two.
If nothing else, it will make you feel good to get what you want to really say off your chest.
Go on.
You want to.
It's good for your blood pressure!
 |
| The form I should have sent to that Facebook ex-friend that I deleted yesterday. |
The Insidious Tylenol
Ok, so now the USA is on board with reducing the recommended daily dosing of Tylenol.....
why isn't Canada following suit?
It should have been done long ago.
It certainly isn't because Canadians are smarter about their use of Tylenol!
Believe me. They aren't.
I can't tell you the number of patients of mine that tell me they have just exceeded the recommended dosage by the handfuls because the normal dosage " didn't work".
Not that I have mentioned a caution about Tylenol in a blogpost previously - and the damage it can cause!
If the normal dose didn't work to reduce your extremely high fever: get checked out by your MD (preferably before the office closes to avoid an ED visit!) - the danger is with what's behind the fever - not the fever itself!
If the normal dose didn't work to make tolerable your extreme pain: get checked out by your MD (ditto the above in parenthesis!) - pain is there for a reason. ( please note that I didn't say TAKE AWAY YOUR PAIN ENTIRELY)
And please, when you are dosing your children - read the labels. There are so many products with multiple medications in them. Try to use only those products that have single medications in them - and only if you have to.
Take the time to read the fine print.
It may save your - or your child's - liver.
56,000+ dying livers countrywide due to Tylenol use must mean something, after all.
why isn't Canada following suit?
 |
| thank you once again, wikipedia |
It certainly isn't because Canadians are smarter about their use of Tylenol!
Believe me. They aren't.
I can't tell you the number of patients of mine that tell me they have just exceeded the recommended dosage by the handfuls because the normal dosage " didn't work".
Not that I have mentioned a caution about Tylenol in a blogpost previously - and the damage it can cause!
If the normal dose didn't work to reduce your extremely high fever: get checked out by your MD (preferably before the office closes to avoid an ED visit!) - the danger is with what's behind the fever - not the fever itself!
If the normal dose didn't work to make tolerable your extreme pain: get checked out by your MD (ditto the above in parenthesis!) - pain is there for a reason. ( please note that I didn't say TAKE AWAY YOUR PAIN ENTIRELY)
And please, when you are dosing your children - read the labels. There are so many products with multiple medications in them. Try to use only those products that have single medications in them - and only if you have to.
Take the time to read the fine print.
It may save your - or your child's - liver.
56,000+ dying livers countrywide due to Tylenol use must mean something, after all.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
So......tell me again...
.....why we have iphones???
 |
| Hammacher Schlemmer |
You, too, once again may be tied down to your desk and home with this handy-dandy gadget.
Those of you who remember these days will not wish to revisit it.
And even though, to some, it may be "nostalgic".......it's not my cup of tea!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Google Chrome
Not only can I now comment on the blogs I follow...... but now with Google Chrome, I can download this :
AdBlock Plus
and I don't have to watch any of those annoying pop-up ads that interfere with my online viewing pleasure.
Good stuff!
oh.
And for those of you who want to transfer all your Facebook data info to Google+ seamlessly?
Try this!
AdBlock Plus
and I don't have to watch any of those annoying pop-up ads that interfere with my online viewing pleasure.
Good stuff!
oh.
And for those of you who want to transfer all your Facebook data info to Google+ seamlessly?
Try this!
Inside Job
WARNING: Political rant
Just finished watching this on Netflix. (Yes I know I am behind the times!)
Honestly, if the story has any bit of truth to it - I fear for America....and I fear for us in Canada too....because what affects the USA will eventually affect us.
So far Canada has been only affected in a small way by the events in the last few years .
Because our banking system is different - we didn't run into the same problems as south of the border.
Why were the same people that caused the problem allowed to step into a position of responsibility again? Why wasn't anyone prosecuted for the criminal activity that rose from their greed?
Make no mistake, there are corrupt activities by officials going on in Canada - we are not exempt.
As an average citizen, we vote and do due diligence to the best of our ability to make the right choices and put those people in power that we perceive to be honest and that we believe will make the best decisions for our country.....but what do we do when the actual truth is covered up and we are lied to?
The tax payers of the USA paid dearly for the criminal acts of Wall street and no one is going after them or even keeping them in check.
Sadly, history is bound to repeat itself because it seems that a lesson wasn't learned.
Just finished watching this on Netflix. (Yes I know I am behind the times!)
Honestly, if the story has any bit of truth to it - I fear for America....and I fear for us in Canada too....because what affects the USA will eventually affect us.
So far Canada has been only affected in a small way by the events in the last few years .
Because our banking system is different - we didn't run into the same problems as south of the border.
Why were the same people that caused the problem allowed to step into a position of responsibility again? Why wasn't anyone prosecuted for the criminal activity that rose from their greed?
Make no mistake, there are corrupt activities by officials going on in Canada - we are not exempt.
As an average citizen, we vote and do due diligence to the best of our ability to make the right choices and put those people in power that we perceive to be honest and that we believe will make the best decisions for our country.....but what do we do when the actual truth is covered up and we are lied to?
The tax payers of the USA paid dearly for the criminal acts of Wall street and no one is going after them or even keeping them in check.
Sadly, history is bound to repeat itself because it seems that a lesson wasn't learned.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Given a Choice: Fight for Life
What with all the talk of death and dying in the news....and working with those with limited lifespans...one gets to thinking about what we are handed.
Why is it that some only live out their life in 8 years....or 13 years .... or 27??
And, why is it that some of us who end up living a life right to the end somehow don't appreciate the fact we are still alive?
Having lived through depression, it's easy to get wrapped up in all that is about "me". I have experienced the darkness that comes with it....and how easy it is to forget that in the throes of the pain of living with depression - that some aren't even given the chance.
If we can't live any longer for ourselves....why can't we change our purpose and live for someone else who won't be living a long life? Re-focus from "me" to "we"?
I think that's what nursing became for me at different times through the years.
At the times I didn't have the will to live ... and didn't want to live... nursing and working to help others and live for their sakes was what I did...and it kept me alive long enough to get to the place where I could appreciate life and the value of living.
I took away so much more from patients than patients' did from me.
It's still that way but from a different angle.
Although I am in a very good and stable place right now, I still appreciate the good that nursing did for me.
I was watching the news this morning and they were talking about a motorcycle fundraiser drive from Vancouver to Whistler this September...."Music Therapy Ride".
Today is the day that the "Bandwagon" - funded by this Music Therapy Ride - is delivered to Children's hospital in Vancouver, which will provide Music Therapists with a mobile recording studio to allow each child to "create a permanent record of the music composed during their Therapy sessions" at their bedside.
Megan McNeil, singer, songwriter and someone who fought hard to live succumbed to adrenal cancer January 2011. Visit her blog. It gives you an appreciation for Life....and why it's worth fighting for.
This year's ride, celebrating it's 10th year, is in honor of Megan.
Why is it that some only live out their life in 8 years....or 13 years .... or 27??
And, why is it that some of us who end up living a life right to the end somehow don't appreciate the fact we are still alive?
Having lived through depression, it's easy to get wrapped up in all that is about "me". I have experienced the darkness that comes with it....and how easy it is to forget that in the throes of the pain of living with depression - that some aren't even given the chance.I think that's what nursing became for me at different times through the years.
At the times I didn't have the will to live ... and didn't want to live... nursing and working to help others and live for their sakes was what I did...and it kept me alive long enough to get to the place where I could appreciate life and the value of living.
I took away so much more from patients than patients' did from me.
It's still that way but from a different angle.
Although I am in a very good and stable place right now, I still appreciate the good that nursing did for me.
I was watching the news this morning and they were talking about a motorcycle fundraiser drive from Vancouver to Whistler this September...."Music Therapy Ride".
The Music Therapy Ride is an annual motorcycle charity ride designed to raise funds for community-based music therapy services in British Columbia. Established by members of the music industry, with representatives from record labels, radio stations, booking agencies, talent managers, concert promoters and recording artists, the Music Therapy Ride has broadened its reach over the years to all motorcycle enthusiasts.
 |
| the "Bandwagon" photo credit: MTR website |
Today is the day that the "Bandwagon" - funded by this Music Therapy Ride - is delivered to Children's hospital in Vancouver, which will provide Music Therapists with a mobile recording studio to allow each child to "create a permanent record of the music composed during their Therapy sessions" at their bedside.
Megan McNeil, singer, songwriter and someone who fought hard to live succumbed to adrenal cancer January 2011. Visit her blog. It gives you an appreciation for Life....and why it's worth fighting for.
This year's ride, celebrating it's 10th year, is in honor of Megan.
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