String's Atkin's Journal (Please Comment)

[Strings]

Ahhh....Katie is still sleeping. I need to get her up in a few minutes, but having an hour to myself has been wonderful. Complete silence.

Today is another insanely busy day. Dance lessons followed by a haircut for Katie, and we are then getting her holiday pictures taken. Last night I was looking over my CEUs, and I still need 6 for my license. I need to do those tonight, or I will keep putting it off. I won't make it to the Y again, so I'll do my WATP. I am not sure when /if I will get to journals today. It will be hit or miss. Please know that I am sending to all.

I am feeling much better about work. I needed to vent and get some distance. Of course I am not looking forward to going in tomorrow to meet with the lawyers.

Beth

 

[DoeWDW]

Best wishes for a happy and productive day, Beth! I'll be sending up prayers for you as you try to accomplish lots.

 

[sharoncity]

Beth - So sorry work was awful this weekend. I am glad to see you have recovered your disposition already!!

An hour to yourself first thing in the morning??????!!!!! How divine! Maybe that's what I'll ask for my birthday this year!

I hope you get lots accomplished today and don't forget to push that water!

TTFN-
Sharon

 

[septbride2002]

You've been to hell and back haven't you? I hope everything works out with the lawyers. I just cannot imagine people being so sue happy. Admittedly I didn't read your entire post due to your edit but it sounds to me like there was a lot of overreacting on the part of the patients family.

As far as the snot nose nurse I'm glad that you let him have it. Next time give him a nice swift kick in the shins as well!

~Amanda

 

[LAinSEA]

Beth:

I hope you have had the opportunity to actually rest and relax, if even for a few minutes. I keep looking at the calendar and hoping that the rest of this long year of 2004 carries through without any more stress and 2005 brings peace, prosperity and happiness.

I'm betting Katie's holiday pictures will be adorable! Take some time to breathe. I'm sending good thoughts and prayers your way.

-Laurie

 

[Tera]

Hang in there Beth! Your doing great with so much going on...

I remember those quiet days so well, then my girls started school full time and I'm busier than ever It is nice having some time to yourself... enjoy it will you can

Hope all goes well with the lawyers...

 

[vald1977]

Hi Beth,
I'm sending prayers your way that things go smoothly with the lawyer meeeting today. I didn't read your post before your edit so I'm not sure of the whole story but I do know one thing and that is that you are a great person and a great nurse, Beth .

Take care .

 

[sharoncity]

I am hoping your day is going well today Beth! for you and I hope that you get some rest and stress free time today.

Take good care of YOU Beth!! You are soooooo worth it!

TTFN-
Sharon

 

[DoeWDW]

Beth, I'm sending for your meeting with the legals today.

Hoping you feel better and less stressed when the meeting is over!

 

[Strings]

I din't get to workout yesterday. I was just too tired, so I went to bed when Katie did. Katie's pictures are adorable. I will be able to view them online in 10 days, so I'll post the link. They asked me to sign a waiver, so they might use them in their advertising for next year.

I dragged my sorry butt out of bed at 530, so I could hit the Y. i did 3 weight circuits and 4.5 miles on the treaddie. I then got Katie and I ready. She went to school, and I went to legal hell.

They went over everything that happened on my shift. Their main issue was that I called secuity to have the father and brother removed after the patient died. You are right, I did. They both took a swing at me and were intoxicated. Legal feels if I had been more understanding that they were upset, they might not be suing Oakwood. I brought up that it is my right to have a safe work environment, and that includes an environment free from assault by family members. The fact that I let 12 other family members stay was beside the point. I'm NOT going to be a scapegoat here. This family called Jeffrey Figer (Dr kavorkian's lawyer) BEFORE they bothered to show up to the hospital. They were ready to sue the second they got a phone call. I'm getting a friend of mine to reccommend a good lawyer to consult with me. I don't really think that anything will come of this, but better safe than sorry. My immediate boss absolutely backed me up.

My plan for the rest of the day is to get started on my neverending laundry and rake some leaves. Our yard is a blanket of yellow. I like it actually, but the neighbor across the street has mentioned them twice. At least it is more exercise, and it is a beautiful day.

I WILL do journals tonight. Thanks for all the encouragement. I feel much beeter after venting here and reading your responses. I'm lucky to have you guys.

Beth

 

[lulu201]

It sounds like you stayed strong, Beth, and expressed yourself well in a tough and tense situation. You can never go wrong by getting yourself some legal counsel.

Congrats on getting to the gym and doing the leaves!

Enjoy what's left of your day,
Erin

 

[wilderness01]

Oh Beth stay strong. I'm sorry you have to go through this. Like it wasn't enough to deal with the patient's family! I hope you have a relaxing night. I agree it is a good idea to seek counsel. Do you have your own insurance to practice with? I have heard different views on this. Take care.

 

[Tera]

Beth - I'm sorry your having such a tough time. I know things will work out for you and for the hospital. My good friend is a nurse here in labor/delivery for low-income and she goes through a lot too. I hold nurses at the highest of respect for what they do (My dad had a heartache in May, but that's another story)... Hang in there

 

[Strings]

I was completely OP yesterday. I exercised and raked up 9 bags og leaves. Food was OP. Tons of water, and I took my meds/vitamins. Now I need to repeat it today.

Today's schedule:
Hit the Y for 4 miles on the treaddie.

Finish up laundry.

Hit McDonald's for lunch- Katie is collection the Disney dolls.

Go to the park and library.

Go grocery shopping and make dinner.

Carve jack-o-lanterns after dinner.

Not be totally crabby by the end of it.

Ok, I'm off. I'll try to hit some journals this evening.
Beth

 

[toystoryduo]

Way to go Beth!!!!

I hope that today is a wonderful day for you filled with and ! Treat yourself like a today!!! You deserve it, Beth!

Have a great Thursday!

Tracy

 

[wilderness01]

Not be totally crabby by the end of it.

You crack me up. As I was reading I was thinking the same thing. Thanks for the laugh! You and I certainly have alot in common. It must be that nurse thing and the way our brains work! Once my co-worker came in and gave all the nurses a stats test. We all failed miserably. Then she gave the same test to our 2 secretaries and they aced it! We must think from different areas in our brains. Have a good day.

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Beth,

After reading your journal and wilderness' journal, I have been thinking about nursing and all of the wonderful work that you both do. Today, I want to stop by and say thank you for being a nurse. My MIL is a nurse too and she has been having some difficulties at work. Not with the patients mind you, but with the nurse's aides! She comes home ehxausted and discouraged at times and that really concerns me especially since she had a heart attack this year. Until I read what you and wilderness have gone through as nurses and heard my MIL's stories about nursing, I didn't realize what a demanding career it is. I for one want to thank you for everything that you do and for all of the "extra stuff" that you have to put up with on the job, especially now.

God Bless you, Beth. Thank you.

Tracy

 

[Strings]

Hi, I'm back. I have done pretty well on my goals for the day. Exercise, grocery shopping, and laundry are done. I'm not crabby yet. This is amazing because Katie plugged up the toilet. I was downstaires folding laundry. My first indication that there was a problem was the flood of water coming through the ceiling. I didn't yell. I cleaned and lysoled the entire bathroom. I feel this is a victory because my 1 instinct was to throttle my 4 year old.

Meals:
B: lc waffle with atkins syrup.
L: cheeseburger patty from McDonald's and 2 lc mint patties.
Snack: 2 string cheese.
Dinner: Salad, pork roast with dijon sauce, green beans.

I did not buy anything to tempt me at the store, so I should be OP for the next week.

I'll start working on journals in about an hour.

Wilderness, I think we would definately get alond. It must be the warped sense of humor most nurses have.
Tracy, thank you so much for your post. A lot of the time I really feel unappreciated at work, so your post put a huge on my face.

Beth

 

[wilderness01]

I didn't yell. I cleaned and lysoled the entire bathroom. I feel this is a victory because my 1 instinct was to throttle my 4 year old.

I think we were separated at birth!

 

[Strings]

On to the weekend.

I'm heading to the Y. I'm not going to use the treaddie. I'll do my weights and then the elliptical and bike. I hate the elliptical. I have fallen off a treadmill, so the elliptical takes concentration for me. I need to switch from the treaddie because I've developed some minor shin splints. I also have to have dinner ready for 5PM because Katie is going to a Halloween party. I'll definately get a nap in becase Katie has been told no nap=no party. I'm working 12 hours tonight and 8 tomorrow. I am hoping to be awake by 3, so I can watch UofM/ MSU game.

I weighed in 215.5. I'm down .5 pound. I'm quite frustrated with this. Oh well, I need to get my behind back in gear.

Plan for meals:
B tea and 2 ham/swiss rolls.
L: salad with chicken and string cheese.
On the way to work: Atkins bar and breve cap.
9PM: Ham and cheese rolls(2)
1AM: pork roast, Salad and sf jello.
7AM: Morning start bar and decaf green tea.

I'm not sure that I will get to journals until Sunday. I am definately sending to all.
Beth
GO BLUE!