Such a slacker

O My Gosh.............I just realized I seriously haven't posted in TWO MONTHS. What the hell have I been doing? Who knows but I will try to recap and fill you in on all the things I can remember. Actually Ive been working a lot but y'all already knew that!

This may disturb some, but just laugh a little with me please. Lets see, there is such a thing as a fecal (rectal) bag - yes it attaches to your butt hole and drains well you know.....and honestly I.m sure the person who invented that made bank sadly enough. Why wasn't it me? The night I learned of such a thing I was kinda in shock I had heard there was such a thing, but seriously didn't believe it! I had made a copy of the directions just so I could post them for your enjoyment but right now its in my car, so here is a link to a picture of one http://www.nextag.com/rectal-bag/search-html . The best part were the instructions on the one we had in the ED which had 'Be sure to cut hair prior to attaching' listed as one of steps. I seriously could only laugh...........

Last week I got to shock a patient, he was in cardiac arrest it was only my second time doing that and I happened to be the closest one to the machine that shocks. So it was my duty but I was freaking out for fear that I wasn't going to remember how to do it - but I did. Unfortunately we didn't get him back but, I got the experience.

In that same night I put a HUGE (well for me) 18 gauge needle in an old guys arm, but that's cause he needed a transfusion. I have only put in like 3 of these in my life.....and sadly enough they make them bigger than this! Here is a link so u can see the size......and laugh with me this is off a veterinarian supplies site and it lists the 18g as for a HORSE!! That should give u an idea how damn big it is......... http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=11043&cm_mmc=Shopping%20Portal-_-NexTag-_-Dogs-_-Monoject%20Needle,%2018%20gauge,%201&ref=3665&subref=AA&GCID=C12188x007 LOL!! The 20g next to the 18 is what I typically put in people. Just look at the difference in SIZE of the barrel.

O and to end the night, I got to stop a mans heart again - he was in SVT where his heart beat was in the 180's. I pushed a medicine and he converted into a nice Sinus Rhythm just like that!! :) It was sweet! Pts just become very symptomatic and complain of bad chest pain or that the are going to pass out, and some do.

I have oriented two different new nurses over the last two months - on an as needed basis. One was just about to come off orientation and the other had been in the ED a while so they both were fairly competent, however its awesome to know I am trusted and respected by the 'higher ups' enough to allow me to do this!

I should also be orienting to triage soon.......but that really isn't anything terribly exciting, just something that will be a change of pace. (well last night I was put in triage WITHOUT any orientation!! How scary is that......but I did just fine! I still want to be oriented for the simple sake of doing it cause there are things I would have questions about. )

Yesterday I completed my ACLS - Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support Class, so now I am certified in that. I have to attain my PALS certification within the next few months - that's Pediatric Advanced Life Support. And finally, I will probably be going after a S.A.F.E. - Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner certification later this fall. It means if someone comes in after a rape and the police are brought in to prosecute and/or find the suspect, I will be the one who does the exam, takes the photos, documents the pts description of what happens and the one who is responsible for making sure the 'evidence' has a chain of command so that it can be used in the trial. I think it will be very rewarding to help people who have been assaulted. I know it wont be an easy certification as there is lots of training, orienting and METICULOUS documentation involved. But I am certainly interested.

I'm house, well condo, searching. Had originally looked in Westminster but decided what I was looking at and the size just wasn't where and what I wanted. Currently the hunt is on in Frederick and I have several I am interested in - all basically in one area. I'd like to be able to buy and move within the next few months (2-4). Basically I have most everything paid off except my car and student loans, so those few months I'm going to be really checking out whats available I should be able to finish paying off the credit card debt I still have - but its a LOT less than it was!
Tricia and Desi are engaged! I have a wedding to be in this November and I love our dresses. Looking forward to the events for that.

That's all for now, but that's cause I'm tired of thinking and need to get this post out.