30th September (Tuesday) - I thought today is going to be a little bit relaxed compared to yesterday but no. Today is worse. Let's just say if that senior becomes a TL, my life becomes a nightmare. Last time everyone was on her side because of the break issue. She sent me to break early so I went about 9, taking only a small packet of nasi lemak with anchovy and banana leaf as my brunch. Once done, I went back to do my usual work, feeding. Then, helping out in some admissions. Oh the TL, I really think she's dislikes me. God knows. When I first met her she seems okay, if taking her work seriously. But after working with her when she's the TL for a few days, I think she really dislikes me. When I'm busy doing something, she'll just yank me aside and order me to do something. Since last time I didn't want to go to break early, she got the whole big bosses ganging up on me and I got into big trouble. So, to avoid another drama, I just grabbed the thermometer, stethoscope (It's a baby), I was looking for the SPO2 probe but unfortunately, after running around the entire ward, I got nothing. So I just went over to the baby, took the vital signs and the orientation to the ward and ditto. Then I have to take the baby's weight, but the mother insisted on carrying the baby, so I did the dumbest thing and allowed her into our store where the baby weighing scale is located. Then I got a warning from the Sister to ALWAYS carry the baby myself instead of letting the mother carry. God, that was a big mistake.
And I got to handle two teenage boys on my side, both under the same prof, same diagnosis (dengue fever), and they are both good friends, just different room. Sigh. While I was handling one of the other boys, the prof came in and asked me to follow him. After rushing like a mad woman to prepare the branulla line, with a few slight mistakes of the needle, we managed to get it. Oh, and I followed for about 2 hours plus, from 12 to 2. So I have to rush my report and get all the samples ready and labelled right. Thank the Lord he's a nice prof, when he gets mad, he just raise his voice, but he won't lose his temper.
Oh, this month's salary just came in, and I got a day off tomorrow. Good, I'm gonna need it. I really hope that staff won't be the TL in my shift for a while. Otherwise my mood will drop rock bottom. ==
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Monday, September 29, 2014
Doom & Gloom
29th September (Monday) - With only a minute left to spare, I dashed in just in the nick of time to grab my report. I noticed they mentioned one of the patient for discharge. When I took a look, I was like, "Huh? This patient is critical, how can he be discharged?" Turns out it wasn't a discharge as in, grab your things and hightail it out of here. It's because the patient passed away. Yes, he passed away at about 5.45 am. Total shock. I met this patient before when I was at downstairs. I even took him for a wheelchair ride to the billing department to make payment. Although he doesn't remember me, he was pretty much okay. Few days ago, he was joking with me about his suspenders (Or to put it in Minho's term, runnie-undies) since he point blank refused to put on sarong. I kinda get him cause I don't like wearing sarong either. (Pardon the Maze Runner pun, I love the books, especially Minho. Can't wait for the next book in 2015)
Okay, then there's the running back and forth with the linens and shower, then it's time to give my favourite uncle his feeding. Oh yes. Uncle's feeding is often done by me, so he also knows what time I'll be coming in to give him. He then told me he's going to have a PEG insertion to save cost, which is on this Wednesday. Awww, I'll be having an off day so I won't be there to see him off as he goes for the op.
The prof whom I once helped in pleural tapping... He got a patient admitted in the ward. Coincidently, I was the one doing the admission, so he asked me to prepare setting a line. He's one of the nicer profs, so after preparing my tray, I brought it over to him for inspection, he nodded and said, "Good, but you don't need the vacu-containers. I won't be taking blood, just the line will do." So once ready, I assisted the prof, easy enough, it was a success, and although his writing were like squiggles, I double confirm his orders. Simple, and my report is happily done. Although in between I have to do tons of bits and that due to the seniors being occupied.
Oh, and I ran into a really odd patient. You ever heard of these types of patients? The one who demands for singles or VIP rooms? They're the type that wants to admit for operation, but because they couldn't get their room, they went, "If you don't have a room, then I won't do the procedure." Sigh, these people really think they are living in a hotel suite. Well, their problem... We give them a room, but they refuse it because they don't want double or four bedded. Jeesh.
Remember the patient whom I removed sutures? She seems alright because she's fully discharged. It was just bad luck. Anyhow, I attended another one of his patient and he ordered me to off CBD. Well, once I got out from the patient's room, he's gone. I asked the senior nurse who had followed him and she said, "No, he didn't say anything. Check the notes." The only he wrote was DRIP OFF, not CBD OFF. To double confirm, I grabbed the folder and chaed after him after we made a call to downstairs. When I got down, I asked the counter nurse and they were like, "He was just here! Hurry girl! He's at the front!" I run and thank the Lord, he's still there, although the lift's just moving up, and he's on the phone. I quickly run to him and said, "Prof, just to double confirm. CBD to off?" He just waved a hand and nodded. So, lucky me. I juat off the CBD with the senior's guidance and resume back to my happy working day.
Poor patient though. I think room 5 is jinxed. The previous old man who stayed there also passed. Cause of death : Hypovolemic shock, CA pancreas. RIP :(
Okay, then there's the running back and forth with the linens and shower, then it's time to give my favourite uncle his feeding. Oh yes. Uncle's feeding is often done by me, so he also knows what time I'll be coming in to give him. He then told me he's going to have a PEG insertion to save cost, which is on this Wednesday. Awww, I'll be having an off day so I won't be there to see him off as he goes for the op.
The prof whom I once helped in pleural tapping... He got a patient admitted in the ward. Coincidently, I was the one doing the admission, so he asked me to prepare setting a line. He's one of the nicer profs, so after preparing my tray, I brought it over to him for inspection, he nodded and said, "Good, but you don't need the vacu-containers. I won't be taking blood, just the line will do." So once ready, I assisted the prof, easy enough, it was a success, and although his writing were like squiggles, I double confirm his orders. Simple, and my report is happily done. Although in between I have to do tons of bits and that due to the seniors being occupied.
Oh, and I ran into a really odd patient. You ever heard of these types of patients? The one who demands for singles or VIP rooms? They're the type that wants to admit for operation, but because they couldn't get their room, they went, "If you don't have a room, then I won't do the procedure." Sigh, these people really think they are living in a hotel suite. Well, their problem... We give them a room, but they refuse it because they don't want double or four bedded. Jeesh.
Remember the patient whom I removed sutures? She seems alright because she's fully discharged. It was just bad luck. Anyhow, I attended another one of his patient and he ordered me to off CBD. Well, once I got out from the patient's room, he's gone. I asked the senior nurse who had followed him and she said, "No, he didn't say anything. Check the notes." The only he wrote was DRIP OFF, not CBD OFF. To double confirm, I grabbed the folder and chaed after him after we made a call to downstairs. When I got down, I asked the counter nurse and they were like, "He was just here! Hurry girl! He's at the front!" I run and thank the Lord, he's still there, although the lift's just moving up, and he's on the phone. I quickly run to him and said, "Prof, just to double confirm. CBD to off?" He just waved a hand and nodded. So, lucky me. I juat off the CBD with the senior's guidance and resume back to my happy working day.
Poor patient though. I think room 5 is jinxed. The previous old man who stayed there also passed. Cause of death : Hypovolemic shock, CA pancreas. RIP :(
A Peaceful Sunday
28th September (Sunday) - 2 more days to cha-ching cha-ching. Just have to survive. Alright. Here we go. I often work Sunday noon shifts, but someday I'll get a Sunday morning. Someday. So I was taken to another ward but thank goodness, not many patients today. But this ward sure have tons of cases, ranging from infected heel with vacuum dressing, phaco with macular holes, Gidelman syndrome... New stuff right? I had to do a little Google search on the definition of Gidelman syndrome. When I found out, I felt super sorry for the patient who is only in her 20's. Thank goodness she have a very good husband who is willing to support her.
Ever seen phlebectomy? I used to think it was a major surgery but it's a procedure, to put it in simple terms, it's draining out the 'bad blood' (excessive blood) in the body and then throwing it away, or in some cases, if the blood is still alright, to give it to the blood bank to filter it. The patient is a regular so she actually know more than us, even the prof. She instructed the prof how to poke her veins, and thank goodness I had the chance to see the procedure. The prof use a large needle, commonly used to donate blood, and poke it right into her vein. If all goes well, the blood goes draining into the bag like the Vulsava slide at Lagoon. It's just a pity the prof accidently jerked the needle that it went running and we only got a quarter full. Aww. What a shame. I even ran to get autolagus bags just to try getting her blood, unfortunately, no matter how many time the prof pricked her, he just can't get enough blood anymore. Only the first one was the jackpot. He was going to use the butterfly needle to prick her but the patient was like, "Oh nooooooo. Please don't, prof. I got a plan B." And the prof was like, "Plan B?" And she went, "I go back home, let my veins grow nice and bouncy, then you can prick me again, okay prof?" And the prof was like, "Are you okay with coming back again on Friday?" Nevertheless, he allowed her to go, although he did mentioned that there are two places that you can get good blood supply. The neck and groin vein. Both are super good places for blood taking, mainly because pressure there are high. The patient was like, "WHAT?! Noooooo." Severed neck and punctured groin vein can shoot up to about 3 metres, right up to your house ceiling. True fact, but don't try it at home please.
Then we have a fussy patient. Well, okay, she's not really fussy, but she treats nurse with no respect. She treats us like, well, maids, or hotel room service. It really makes you pissed. These are the list of things she'll ask us to do:
- Take out the rubbish for her. (She'll put them all these large bags outside the door and expect us to pick them up.)
- Bring food for her. (What she orders, she expects US to serve, not the caterer staff.)
- Cleaning the toilet and floors. (When she spills or drops something, she expects US to clean it, not the housekeeping.)
- Hospital is a hotel (She stays in a single room, but her whole family is cramped in that little room. Little kids sitting on mats, relatives squeezing themselves onto the recliner and bed and chairs. Everyone carrying bags as large as a one month travelling suitcase. I mean no disrespect but come on, we are NOT a hotel.)
Makes you mad, doesn't it? A nurse being reduced to nothing more than a maid. Sometimes, I really wonder, what's the point of studying so hard for a diploma in a professional job when you are being treated like slaves? I once read a book by a Malaysian professor and he said that nurses, especially here, are often treated with no respect. Well, I guess I'll have to agree with him on that one.
Then I met a really nice gentleman, in his 50's to 60's coming in a day early because of his insurance. It was a little pickle but thankfully we sorted it out, although he'll have to go to admission the next day since they already finished working (Half-day today) for the day. I took a look at his home leave consent and found out that he wrote it in a very polite and humble way, and he even said, "Please give me a double room, there's no need for single or VIPs." Curiosity getting the better of me, I took a peek at his biodata and he's a manager... Wow. Such a humble guy and casually dressed, he doesn't look like a manager type. I guess there are some nice managers out there if you know where to look for them. All in all, it was a very nice day. I'm working a lot of morning this week. Wish me luck.
Ever seen phlebectomy? I used to think it was a major surgery but it's a procedure, to put it in simple terms, it's draining out the 'bad blood' (excessive blood) in the body and then throwing it away, or in some cases, if the blood is still alright, to give it to the blood bank to filter it. The patient is a regular so she actually know more than us, even the prof. She instructed the prof how to poke her veins, and thank goodness I had the chance to see the procedure. The prof use a large needle, commonly used to donate blood, and poke it right into her vein. If all goes well, the blood goes draining into the bag like the Vulsava slide at Lagoon. It's just a pity the prof accidently jerked the needle that it went running and we only got a quarter full. Aww. What a shame. I even ran to get autolagus bags just to try getting her blood, unfortunately, no matter how many time the prof pricked her, he just can't get enough blood anymore. Only the first one was the jackpot. He was going to use the butterfly needle to prick her but the patient was like, "Oh nooooooo. Please don't, prof. I got a plan B." And the prof was like, "Plan B?" And she went, "I go back home, let my veins grow nice and bouncy, then you can prick me again, okay prof?" And the prof was like, "Are you okay with coming back again on Friday?" Nevertheless, he allowed her to go, although he did mentioned that there are two places that you can get good blood supply. The neck and groin vein. Both are super good places for blood taking, mainly because pressure there are high. The patient was like, "WHAT?! Noooooo." Severed neck and punctured groin vein can shoot up to about 3 metres, right up to your house ceiling. True fact, but don't try it at home please.
Then we have a fussy patient. Well, okay, she's not really fussy, but she treats nurse with no respect. She treats us like, well, maids, or hotel room service. It really makes you pissed. These are the list of things she'll ask us to do:
- Take out the rubbish for her. (She'll put them all these large bags outside the door and expect us to pick them up.)
- Bring food for her. (What she orders, she expects US to serve, not the caterer staff.)
- Cleaning the toilet and floors. (When she spills or drops something, she expects US to clean it, not the housekeeping.)
- Hospital is a hotel (She stays in a single room, but her whole family is cramped in that little room. Little kids sitting on mats, relatives squeezing themselves onto the recliner and bed and chairs. Everyone carrying bags as large as a one month travelling suitcase. I mean no disrespect but come on, we are NOT a hotel.)
Makes you mad, doesn't it? A nurse being reduced to nothing more than a maid. Sometimes, I really wonder, what's the point of studying so hard for a diploma in a professional job when you are being treated like slaves? I once read a book by a Malaysian professor and he said that nurses, especially here, are often treated with no respect. Well, I guess I'll have to agree with him on that one.
Then I met a really nice gentleman, in his 50's to 60's coming in a day early because of his insurance. It was a little pickle but thankfully we sorted it out, although he'll have to go to admission the next day since they already finished working (Half-day today) for the day. I took a look at his home leave consent and found out that he wrote it in a very polite and humble way, and he even said, "Please give me a double room, there's no need for single or VIPs." Curiosity getting the better of me, I took a peek at his biodata and he's a manager... Wow. Such a humble guy and casually dressed, he doesn't look like a manager type. I guess there are some nice managers out there if you know where to look for them. All in all, it was a very nice day. I'm working a lot of morning this week. Wish me luck.
Friday, September 26, 2014
Crazy Drama
26th September (Friday) - Hello, I'm back. Sorry for the long absence. Mainly it's because my internet is not up and running. Connection limited and etc etc, but no matter, I shall update you on my latest feats. First, have you ever heard of a syringe larger than 20cc? Don't be surprised. Not many people know much about it. Well, you don't actually see it much. You use it mainly for feeding, if not, for continuous pain relieve for cancer patients. But you don't see it often...again. What if it's used for giving a super large jab? *evil laugh*
Then we got tons of children coming in. Oh, dear Lord, one cries = all cries. And nowadays parents seem to rely on Mr. Google a lot. Well, on that day I actually attended a 2 hour on how to care for PICC lines. Who would've thought PICC lines are so useful? Just imagine. A well taken care of PICC line can last up to 3 months, to a year max. Wow, I know 3 months is a sort of standard since I do know patients who kept their PICC for 3 months, but a year is cost saving. One word : awesome. Although it requires total care from both sides. Okay, back to the kiddies, they are all demanding. And being with them, well, I have to spent 30 minutes in each patient's room just to get vital signs. Usually I ended up waiting for a long time to get the SPO2 probe to detect the baby's teeny weeny fingers or toes, then have to pin them down to get the reading, then have to bear their screaming and crying of "bloody murder" since they all had bad experiences with nurses who had given them tons of 'pricking' to get a branulla line.
Okay, fast forward to today. Alrighty. I had my chance for a STO, drain and SPC removal. 3 in 1 procedure. Seems simple? Guess again. I asked a senior nurse to observe since being here in 1 month does not qualify you to to do things alone, especially when I'm not familiar with skills. Okay, I got the Redivac drain and SPC out safe and sound. When it came to STO, dear God, the moment I opened the first stitch on the abdomen, pus mixed with blood oozed non stop. Seriously. No matter how much I try pressing the wound to stop the oozing, or I don't press it, it still keeps oozing. Good Lord, the senior nurse told me to stay put as she try getting the prof and sorry to say, no matter how many time we called, he did not pick up his dang phone. We called his phone, the Daycare, the clinic, the government side. Sigh. The lady ended up being in constant pain and kept screaming for painkillers. Sigh, why can't things ever go smooth??? :(
Then we got tons of children coming in. Oh, dear Lord, one cries = all cries. And nowadays parents seem to rely on Mr. Google a lot. Well, on that day I actually attended a 2 hour on how to care for PICC lines. Who would've thought PICC lines are so useful? Just imagine. A well taken care of PICC line can last up to 3 months, to a year max. Wow, I know 3 months is a sort of standard since I do know patients who kept their PICC for 3 months, but a year is cost saving. One word : awesome. Although it requires total care from both sides. Okay, back to the kiddies, they are all demanding. And being with them, well, I have to spent 30 minutes in each patient's room just to get vital signs. Usually I ended up waiting for a long time to get the SPO2 probe to detect the baby's teeny weeny fingers or toes, then have to pin them down to get the reading, then have to bear their screaming and crying of "bloody murder" since they all had bad experiences with nurses who had given them tons of 'pricking' to get a branulla line.
Okay, fast forward to today. Alrighty. I had my chance for a STO, drain and SPC removal. 3 in 1 procedure. Seems simple? Guess again. I asked a senior nurse to observe since being here in 1 month does not qualify you to to do things alone, especially when I'm not familiar with skills. Okay, I got the Redivac drain and SPC out safe and sound. When it came to STO, dear God, the moment I opened the first stitch on the abdomen, pus mixed with blood oozed non stop. Seriously. No matter how much I try pressing the wound to stop the oozing, or I don't press it, it still keeps oozing. Good Lord, the senior nurse told me to stay put as she try getting the prof and sorry to say, no matter how many time we called, he did not pick up his dang phone. We called his phone, the Daycare, the clinic, the government side. Sigh. The lady ended up being in constant pain and kept screaming for painkillers. Sigh, why can't things ever go smooth??? :(
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Sinking Down To Disaster
17th September (Wednesday) - Morning shift once more, and then I'll be having a day off. My mood wasn't good because of a certain someone. She always condemn me for being fat, fat, fat, fat. Every single day is always, "You're so fat and ugly. You should be thin like those stick models." Well, sorry for not being stick thin. Sorry for trying to cut back in eating then forcing me to eat a lot. Last time my patients won't even let me carry them cause I was such a scrawny kid who looks like I can drop at any moment, but with the right amount of food I managed to gain some weight that makes me look healthier than before that gives patient faith in me. Sigh, I used to have eating disorders for a while and got tons of gastric problems, so painful til one time I nearly passed out. Whatever, enough of my eating disorder problems.
So today I had the honour to take uncle for a shower, so off I go, dressed out in full apron to protect my clothes from being damp and gloves. So I gave uncle a good shower, form top to bottom, wash his hair, wash his back, make sure he brush his teeth, and made sure he smelled like strawberries. Mmm... Uncle always smells like strawberries thanks to his Body Shop strawberry shower gel and strawberry cream butter. Uncle then showed me a book that he's planning to publish on the 21st (No, he's not an author, he's a publisher) by showing me the rough concept of the book. The cover and the loosely bound book by threads, but the original one will be a hard cover with proper photo jackets and all. I'm sure it'll turn out wonderful.
Then with the usual feeding, I went to break quite late. But even before lunch, my mood was spoiled by s staff nurse, she doesn't work in the ward, but in the clinic. Holy, I swear, if it wasn't for the training I received for three years, I might end up screaming at her. Seriously, I've been doing some procedures for these past few weeks on my own and she actually have the cheek to say that my college sucks, oh yes. Who wouldn't get pissed? And I've only been here for a month, and she has been here for a long time, of course it's natural for her to be good at things. Come on, it's like comparing a rabbit and a tiger.
*mutter, mutter* It's one thing for the ward nurses to push me, but not a clinic staff. Grrrr. I get it that there are senior staff nurses who bully new doctors, senior staff nurses bullying new staff, but a clinic staff bullying a ward staff is OUT of the question. Or maybe it's just my thought. I'm going to avoid her now that I know her.
So today I had the honour to take uncle for a shower, so off I go, dressed out in full apron to protect my clothes from being damp and gloves. So I gave uncle a good shower, form top to bottom, wash his hair, wash his back, make sure he brush his teeth, and made sure he smelled like strawberries. Mmm... Uncle always smells like strawberries thanks to his Body Shop strawberry shower gel and strawberry cream butter. Uncle then showed me a book that he's planning to publish on the 21st (No, he's not an author, he's a publisher) by showing me the rough concept of the book. The cover and the loosely bound book by threads, but the original one will be a hard cover with proper photo jackets and all. I'm sure it'll turn out wonderful.
Then with the usual feeding, I went to break quite late. But even before lunch, my mood was spoiled by s staff nurse, she doesn't work in the ward, but in the clinic. Holy, I swear, if it wasn't for the training I received for three years, I might end up screaming at her. Seriously, I've been doing some procedures for these past few weeks on my own and she actually have the cheek to say that my college sucks, oh yes. Who wouldn't get pissed? And I've only been here for a month, and she has been here for a long time, of course it's natural for her to be good at things. Come on, it's like comparing a rabbit and a tiger.
*mutter, mutter* It's one thing for the ward nurses to push me, but not a clinic staff. Grrrr. I get it that there are senior staff nurses who bully new doctors, senior staff nurses bullying new staff, but a clinic staff bullying a ward staff is OUT of the question. Or maybe it's just my thought. I'm going to avoid her now that I know her.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Slow Paced Day
16th September (Tuesday) - Happy Malaysia Day, and yep, I'm working, in the morning. I rushed into work with 7 minutes to spare, but turns out I was quite early, compared to the others whom came in at 7 sharp. The night shift girls went, "What? You all came in just in time because it's a holiday?" Then we got down to business, report, ditto. Then the night girls wished us a happy working day and we are off to bed-making and showers. Spongings... Most of the patients are already okay compared to the first post op day, so most of them are able to walk and shower. Some were even kind enough not to disturb us as they said they can ask their family to assist while we attend to other matters. And most of them are also being discharged so they are walking around to help themselves. Some were concerned for us that we are working in the holidays but as I mentioned to one patient, "If there's no one, then who's going to take care of you and the other patients?"
So there are Redivac bottles to change and the occasional minor dressing to change, the only thing that's keeping us busy are the discharges. Not much admissions, but tons of discharges. And when I checked the system, tons of discharges just kept coming in. I know everyone is keen to go home, but we only got 2 people working in billing, and discharges kept piling up.
So there's not much, besides the feeding that I often do. Oh, and patients gave us tons of crackers and fruits in case we were starving. Guess that's one thing I don't have to worry about whenever I'm out of food, except I'm a picky eater.
The only good thing that comes out of it is I get to claim a PH for working today. :)
So there are Redivac bottles to change and the occasional minor dressing to change, the only thing that's keeping us busy are the discharges. Not much admissions, but tons of discharges. And when I checked the system, tons of discharges just kept coming in. I know everyone is keen to go home, but we only got 2 people working in billing, and discharges kept piling up.
So there's not much, besides the feeding that I often do. Oh, and patients gave us tons of crackers and fruits in case we were starving. Guess that's one thing I don't have to worry about whenever I'm out of food, except I'm a picky eater.
The only good thing that comes out of it is I get to claim a PH for working today. :)
Monday, September 15, 2014
Full Speed Ahead
15th September (Monday) - Hello and I'm in noon shift again. To start things off, at first things were a little slow, but then it became fast. First, I was assigned to be a runner. And there are only two seniors with four juniors, including me. This is because tomorrow is a public holiday, so there are many who took leave; in the morning there were 2 MCs, so So after sending the uncle to the gym for physio, I rushed to help off a CBD. It was my first time but I know the process. Prepare a pair of gloves, a syringe and a yellow bag and you are all set. Put the CBD into the yellow bag, aspirate the balloon with the syringe and slowly pull the whole thing out. Of course, since the patient is a child, she screamed and screamed, but when thee tube finally came out, she kept quiet. The good news is 15 minutes after I removed the CBD, she's able to void in the toilet. Well, that's a relief. The thing that I'm worried about is that she wasn't able to pass urine once I pulled out the catheter, otherwise she'll have to get another tube inserted and it'll be traumatizing.
Then, I was just about to sit down for my 15 minutes break, and the senior was sorry to disturb me because it was already 5 pm and I needed to fetch uncle back from the gym. Since there's nobody to fetch him, I just put my meal aside and went to get him. Since the usual way I used is locked, I have to make a big run to the gym, lucky I followed the first round earlier on or I wouldn't be able to find my way. When I got there, there's only one person left, the physiotherapist and she was waiting for me. I rushed over and she asked me, "How many people does it take to carry him?" And I answered, "Four." She then asked me why four, and I said one to support the front, the back, and two on either side. She then said she tried making uncle to stand, but he somehow ended up a little bow-legged. Even so, he's now riding the bicycle to train his legs to walk again. So, after a few miss and turns, I found my way back to the ward, and immediately start sponging him with some of the staff, using a new cream that his wife bought for him. A strawberry cream that looks like yoghurt and smells super nice, like strawberry smoothie or strawberry ice cream. Once applied on uncle's skin, he smelled exactly like strawberries. Good thing I fed him early too, cause his wife and children and friends came to visit him.
Then, a patient called because she needed someone to change her Redivac bottle, you know the thing as well as I do now, double clamp, unscrew, new bottle, reverse the process. And another lady called because her dressing was soaked. This one, all you have to do is cut the gauze into halves (not fully), and then slot each one of them up and down on the tubing, and secure the whole thing with an Op-site. Then it's back to feeding the uncle and call it a day. Whew.
Then, I was just about to sit down for my 15 minutes break, and the senior was sorry to disturb me because it was already 5 pm and I needed to fetch uncle back from the gym. Since there's nobody to fetch him, I just put my meal aside and went to get him. Since the usual way I used is locked, I have to make a big run to the gym, lucky I followed the first round earlier on or I wouldn't be able to find my way. When I got there, there's only one person left, the physiotherapist and she was waiting for me. I rushed over and she asked me, "How many people does it take to carry him?" And I answered, "Four." She then asked me why four, and I said one to support the front, the back, and two on either side. She then said she tried making uncle to stand, but he somehow ended up a little bow-legged. Even so, he's now riding the bicycle to train his legs to walk again. So, after a few miss and turns, I found my way back to the ward, and immediately start sponging him with some of the staff, using a new cream that his wife bought for him. A strawberry cream that looks like yoghurt and smells super nice, like strawberry smoothie or strawberry ice cream. Once applied on uncle's skin, he smelled exactly like strawberries. Good thing I fed him early too, cause his wife and children and friends came to visit him.
Then, a patient called because she needed someone to change her Redivac bottle, you know the thing as well as I do now, double clamp, unscrew, new bottle, reverse the process. And another lady called because her dressing was soaked. This one, all you have to do is cut the gauze into halves (not fully), and then slot each one of them up and down on the tubing, and secure the whole thing with an Op-site. Then it's back to feeding the uncle and call it a day. Whew.
Full House Once More
14th September (Sunday) - Okay, first Sunday of a working day, but it won't be my last. As mentioned before, my only day offs are on weekdays, but it's randomized. I prefer working on mornings in the weekends so that I can go out or rest. That'll never happen by a long shot. No OT on Sundays, But even so, there are tons of admissions and discharges. People rushing to discharge before the counter close, people rushing to admit for the exact same reason. Especially children. Because the other wards are all busy, ours become full once more after a few discharges.Children are automatically always admit into single rooms unless it's full, then they go to other rooms. Me? I get to help a prof to assist him in inserting a branulla for a baby.
Since the staff nurse is busy getting ready with the prof to prepare the trolley, I was tasked to carry the baby into the room. After requesting permission from the mother, I carried the baby over and here comes the waaah... Man, that baby really have good lungs. I have to lean in towards the prof just to hear what he's saying. The prof, knowing I was new, instructed me to hold the baby tight and make sure the legs aren't going to kick him. So after we wrapped the baby tightly, I grabbed hold of the baby body, pinning one of his arm, then because his legs are kicking out non-stop, I have to lean in slightly so that my upper body is pressing on the baby's legs. It took the prof 4 times to get a nice vein, and even so, we can't guarantee is a vein because of how much blood is flowing. As prof nicely puts it, "It may be an artery, or we hit the jackpot, a big vein." Then he asked me normal stuff, like "You're new, aren't you?" "Where do you stay?" "Which school did you study at?" Well, since we were waiting for urgent blood results, I answered him that I'm nervous because even though it has been a month, I feel that there's many things to catch up on. He just said, "Everything is a learning process girl. What? You think one month is enough to learn everything? Just relax and do what you think is right." When he saw that I used my dominant hand, "You're a lefty, girl?" I answered, "Um, yes. Is that a bad thing?" Then he said, ""Why do you say that?? I shrugged and said, "People used to think I'm all weird..." And, I'm not sure if you noticed this or not, but leftys have major disadvantages on writings and dressings. The only time when we shine is CBD insertion, where we face the patient with our back. The prof shrugged and said,"Doesn't matter. It's not a bad thing. And leftys are often smart people." Judging from my background, it's not all rainbows and sunshines, but I'll take his word for it.
So after two whole hours of "striking the jackpot", as he put it, I gave the baby back to the mother and I had a chance to change a Redivac drain bottle. Double clamp, unlock the screw, put in a new bottle, reverse the process and voila. ^^
Cryo-cuff is something new for me. I attended to this patient and she's a very sweet lady. She never said anything about the cuff not being cold, I just felt it as I sent her to the bathroom and said,"Madam, the cuff is not cold." And she said, "It's not. Hasn't been cold for a long time." So I volunteered that I'll change it, so I took the whole thing and dumped the whole of water, leaving a minimal amount and start to fill it with ice. Now, here's the part where I'm in a pinch. The ice is nothing but a huge chunk of frozen block and I couldn't find jugs or cup to scoop the loose bits. So, armed only with a steel pick, I just chipped away at the large chunk and scoop all the loose bits with my hands. And within minutes, my hands became frozen and numb as all my veins constricted, but what to do. I kept chipping away and repeat and rinse the process until I got a suitable amount of ice that has been filled and I lug the whole thing back to the patient, and apologized to her for being late. But she just waved my apology away and said I was just doing my job. A staff took pity on me and helped me with the Cryo-cuff, then she asked me, "What took you so long? Did you scoop the ice with your bare hands?" And I told her I asked some girls in the pantry and they told me that you have to use your bare hands to scoop the ice. She frowned and said,"Don't listen to them. Just grab a spare jug and use it to scoop the ice. Your hands won't feel so pain." Geesh, looks like I could've saved myself some trouble.
That's all for today. God, I got to keep myself from being naive.
Since the staff nurse is busy getting ready with the prof to prepare the trolley, I was tasked to carry the baby into the room. After requesting permission from the mother, I carried the baby over and here comes the waaah... Man, that baby really have good lungs. I have to lean in towards the prof just to hear what he's saying. The prof, knowing I was new, instructed me to hold the baby tight and make sure the legs aren't going to kick him. So after we wrapped the baby tightly, I grabbed hold of the baby body, pinning one of his arm, then because his legs are kicking out non-stop, I have to lean in slightly so that my upper body is pressing on the baby's legs. It took the prof 4 times to get a nice vein, and even so, we can't guarantee is a vein because of how much blood is flowing. As prof nicely puts it, "It may be an artery, or we hit the jackpot, a big vein." Then he asked me normal stuff, like "You're new, aren't you?" "Where do you stay?" "Which school did you study at?" Well, since we were waiting for urgent blood results, I answered him that I'm nervous because even though it has been a month, I feel that there's many things to catch up on. He just said, "Everything is a learning process girl. What? You think one month is enough to learn everything? Just relax and do what you think is right." When he saw that I used my dominant hand, "You're a lefty, girl?" I answered, "Um, yes. Is that a bad thing?" Then he said, ""Why do you say that?? I shrugged and said, "People used to think I'm all weird..." And, I'm not sure if you noticed this or not, but leftys have major disadvantages on writings and dressings. The only time when we shine is CBD insertion, where we face the patient with our back. The prof shrugged and said,"Doesn't matter. It's not a bad thing. And leftys are often smart people." Judging from my background, it's not all rainbows and sunshines, but I'll take his word for it.
So after two whole hours of "striking the jackpot", as he put it, I gave the baby back to the mother and I had a chance to change a Redivac drain bottle. Double clamp, unlock the screw, put in a new bottle, reverse the process and voila. ^^
Cryo-cuff is something new for me. I attended to this patient and she's a very sweet lady. She never said anything about the cuff not being cold, I just felt it as I sent her to the bathroom and said,"Madam, the cuff is not cold." And she said, "It's not. Hasn't been cold for a long time." So I volunteered that I'll change it, so I took the whole thing and dumped the whole of water, leaving a minimal amount and start to fill it with ice. Now, here's the part where I'm in a pinch. The ice is nothing but a huge chunk of frozen block and I couldn't find jugs or cup to scoop the loose bits. So, armed only with a steel pick, I just chipped away at the large chunk and scoop all the loose bits with my hands. And within minutes, my hands became frozen and numb as all my veins constricted, but what to do. I kept chipping away and repeat and rinse the process until I got a suitable amount of ice that has been filled and I lug the whole thing back to the patient, and apologized to her for being late. But she just waved my apology away and said I was just doing my job. A staff took pity on me and helped me with the Cryo-cuff, then she asked me, "What took you so long? Did you scoop the ice with your bare hands?" And I told her I asked some girls in the pantry and they told me that you have to use your bare hands to scoop the ice. She frowned and said,"Don't listen to them. Just grab a spare jug and use it to scoop the ice. Your hands won't feel so pain." Geesh, looks like I could've saved myself some trouble.
That's all for today. God, I got to keep myself from being naive.
Saturday, September 13, 2014
Full House
13th September (Saturday) - Yep, there goes my Saturdays. Things started off with 8 op cases. You got it, 8 cases, and they are all heavy. Mostly O + G and Ortho cases. Since it's my chance to learn something new, I grab at the opportunity to learn the pre-op. Never got the chance to prepare patients for op, but today I had the chance to pass over the notes to the OT staff. Most importantly, consents have to be signed, with blood group and cross-matched, valuables removed, total Nil by Mouth, site shaved... Looks simple? When you do it personally, it's tough. You need to be quick on your feet and be 100% sure on your passing over, otherwise people will get annoyed. For my case, I did a run through with some of the senior staff nurses, who went through the whole pre-op checklist with me to make sure I know what to do.
Then because there were so many admissions, we were running up and down to make sure we can get clear rooms to get in admissions. Patients form admission are actually running to the ward counters and demanding for rooms, oh... Don't they understand we want to serve them but we have to get patients to be discharged first? Otherwise where are they going to stay? The treatment room? Uh-uh. Not going to happen. So the moment the profs say "Discharge.", we rush our reports and hurry over to the the billing. And it's a very long queue if you haven't seen the stacks of folders in the billing shelves and the amount of folder stacks in front of each staff. Even though it's a total full house, because of staying in that particular ward for one month plus, it doesn't made me stressed at all. I even got the chance to see how to change a Redivac (drain) bottle. Clamp twice, unlock the tubing clamp, connect the new bottle. Oh yes, I even ran into the prof whom often chats with me when I was fetching a patient from the OT. Our conversation is as short as always :
Prof : Hi girl.
Me : Hi prof. Long time no see.
Prof : That's not true girl. I see you all the time.
Me : O.O You do?
Prof : Of course. But you're always running up and down.
Me : Cause I'm always busy prof.
Prof : *laughs* See you later.
Holy. That's scary. The OT boy who helped me in pushing the patient back said to me, "Everyone notices you, girl." And I merely replied I know. Being the only Chinese girl in the ward, I tend to stand out. How I act, how I care for others makes me stick out like a sore thumb. Patients, profs and the various staffs all have no trouble remembering me. Wonder if I should wrap my head with a scarf? ^^ I'm joking.
Then because there were so many admissions, we were running up and down to make sure we can get clear rooms to get in admissions. Patients form admission are actually running to the ward counters and demanding for rooms, oh... Don't they understand we want to serve them but we have to get patients to be discharged first? Otherwise where are they going to stay? The treatment room? Uh-uh. Not going to happen. So the moment the profs say "Discharge.", we rush our reports and hurry over to the the billing. And it's a very long queue if you haven't seen the stacks of folders in the billing shelves and the amount of folder stacks in front of each staff. Even though it's a total full house, because of staying in that particular ward for one month plus, it doesn't made me stressed at all. I even got the chance to see how to change a Redivac (drain) bottle. Clamp twice, unlock the tubing clamp, connect the new bottle. Oh yes, I even ran into the prof whom often chats with me when I was fetching a patient from the OT. Our conversation is as short as always :
Prof : Hi girl.
Me : Hi prof. Long time no see.
Prof : That's not true girl. I see you all the time.
Me : O.O You do?
Prof : Of course. But you're always running up and down.
Me : Cause I'm always busy prof.
Prof : *laughs* See you later.
Holy. That's scary. The OT boy who helped me in pushing the patient back said to me, "Everyone notices you, girl." And I merely replied I know. Being the only Chinese girl in the ward, I tend to stand out. How I act, how I care for others makes me stick out like a sore thumb. Patients, profs and the various staffs all have no trouble remembering me. Wonder if I should wrap my head with a scarf? ^^ I'm joking.
Friday, September 12, 2014
Double Updates, Never-ending Dramas
11th - 12th September (Thursday & Friday) - Here I go, my first noon shift update. For a start, noon-shift is something that is all about pre-operations. You see, being in office hours I've never had the chance to do all these pre/ post op stuff. So, after I volunteered to take a patient to the gym for physio rehab, I came back just in time to prepare a patient for operation. Because it's his first time, he was so nervous til he kept begging me not to push the bed too fast, oh and he kept clenching his fists hard on the bed railing. I kept reassuring him it's totally normal to feel super nervous. Come on, I was a nurse, and even I was nervous for my operation, and I nearly screamed when the Lignocaine burned into my face. (Refer back to my very first post for further details) I just did what I could and comforted him. But most importantly, to have faith at the prof and the OT team. Good news to say that his op is a success. :)
Then we moved on to sponging our lovely uncle. Oh yes, apparently, uncle has to be sponged twice. Once in the morning, that I had often done as per routine, and once in the noon, to freshen him up. So it was the same, except all you need is clean warm water, powder and lotion. And uncle's lovely blanket came back, brought to him by his lovely wife. Heeheehee. So that's where uncle's blanket went. His wife even brought that toe thingamajingy to make his callus smooth. And the nurse jokingly said that uncle's feet will become super smooth than hers. Joke. ^^ Everyone of us were laughing non-stop. And uncle always protects his head now since God-knows how many times he got his head banged by others on the bed board. Lucky, it's not me, but I always tell uncle to make sure he protects his head.
On a sad note, the patient whom I once talked to, joked with and chatted with, who showed concern to us, passed away just right at the end of my shift. Poor patient. He was walking around and chatted with me on the first day he was admit and he passed away in just a week. What's even more sad is the family had called whether they can take him back so that he can pass at home, but just as the phone call is made, it's too late. I didn't want to go in at first because of fear that I'll start crying hard, but the staff told me, "You shouldn't cry. At least uncle passed in his sleep, and he wasn't suffering in pain. You should go in to pay your last respects to him." So, after finishing my final sentence on my report, I went over with the other staff as we prepared the defibrillator machine to get the final ECG reading. With the ASYSTOLE (flat line) sign flashing, giving us our proof and printing the reading to file it in, we paid our last respects to him.
Second day I'm in the morning shift, and I was sent to downstairs. God darn it. I start work from 7, and what time did I end my sponging? 11. No joke, So many spongings because of many of them just came back from operations. Oh yes, I even chased out by a snob patient. Sigh, all because I was a new staff. Yeah, she literally chased me out before I even started on anything. Well, since you put it that way, yep, I just turned and walked out, told the senior staff that the patient threw me out and I'll attend another patient who needs sponging, she gave me the okay and told me to attend another patient who needs sponging. So, off I go.
Now I was attending a really large man with severe backache, and I single-handedly sponge the patient from top to bottom. But when it came to turning the patient, sigh, I went in and out the patient's room back and forth to get help to move the patient since I couldn't lift him, well, he's massive, and he can't turn much because of his back pain. And no matter how many time I called for help, NO ONE bothered to help. Being stuck in the patient's room for more than an hour, the family took pity on me and helped out. Between us, we managed to turn the patient successfully and changed the bedsheets, drawsheets, incopads and pampers in one shot. Finally. I guess there are some nice patients out there, somewhere...
The moment I just left, someone said there's a lumbar puncture procedure about to start. Needing to brush up on my lumbar punctures, I ran and approach the prof whether I can observe, and he allowed me, by even letting me pour the solution into his gallipot and even teaching me how to locate the exact location so that we can prevent from puncturing the spinal cord nerves to avoid paralysis from the waist down. He and I ended up paying a price, because he insisted on kneeling, he ended up having his legs aching, and as for me, back and shoulder ache for holding the patient in a C-shaped position for nearly an hour to collect the precious CSF. Argh, my back. >~>
Finally finishing the procedure, I hurriedly ate a quick lunch by gobbling at full speed, and just nice, i ran into the Sister who's in charge of the roster. I asked her whether it's possible to leave my Saturdays for morning shifts for Japanese class. Surprise, surprise, I told my parents form the time I started on management, the Sister had already warned me, occasionally it's okay, but don't expect to get everyday cause it's not fair to others. Yep, I told them so but they were too thick-headed to listen; finally get to prove them wrong.
While I was having my lunch, people were asking me whether I heard the big drama. Since Wednesday was my day off, I wasn't there. So they told me um, an incident where the surgeon shouted the F*** word a lot for something regarding about discharge, which caused one of the staff to get furious til she shouted at him back. Oh dear... That's scary. Seriously, maybe I'll explain it in an edited version in face to face but not here. To risky and it's to maintain privacy and confidentiality.
Seeing the lack of staff, I was shoved to the front lines to assist a prof in... blood-taking. Oh yes, those training in ER is finally paying off. Apart from a few edited parts here and there, I succeeded in dividing all the blood in equal vacu-containers for two patients and labeled them quickly. Then I did 3 rounds of ECG to get the practice back into my head. So all in all, I was shoved to front lines with zero experience, but someday, I 'll really thank those staff for giving me the confidence and skill to assist the profs in the various procedures.
Then we moved on to sponging our lovely uncle. Oh yes, apparently, uncle has to be sponged twice. Once in the morning, that I had often done as per routine, and once in the noon, to freshen him up. So it was the same, except all you need is clean warm water, powder and lotion. And uncle's lovely blanket came back, brought to him by his lovely wife. Heeheehee. So that's where uncle's blanket went. His wife even brought that toe thingamajingy to make his callus smooth. And the nurse jokingly said that uncle's feet will become super smooth than hers. Joke. ^^ Everyone of us were laughing non-stop. And uncle always protects his head now since God-knows how many times he got his head banged by others on the bed board. Lucky, it's not me, but I always tell uncle to make sure he protects his head.
On a sad note, the patient whom I once talked to, joked with and chatted with, who showed concern to us, passed away just right at the end of my shift. Poor patient. He was walking around and chatted with me on the first day he was admit and he passed away in just a week. What's even more sad is the family had called whether they can take him back so that he can pass at home, but just as the phone call is made, it's too late. I didn't want to go in at first because of fear that I'll start crying hard, but the staff told me, "You shouldn't cry. At least uncle passed in his sleep, and he wasn't suffering in pain. You should go in to pay your last respects to him." So, after finishing my final sentence on my report, I went over with the other staff as we prepared the defibrillator machine to get the final ECG reading. With the ASYSTOLE (flat line) sign flashing, giving us our proof and printing the reading to file it in, we paid our last respects to him.
Second day I'm in the morning shift, and I was sent to downstairs. God darn it. I start work from 7, and what time did I end my sponging? 11. No joke, So many spongings because of many of them just came back from operations. Oh yes, I even chased out by a snob patient. Sigh, all because I was a new staff. Yeah, she literally chased me out before I even started on anything. Well, since you put it that way, yep, I just turned and walked out, told the senior staff that the patient threw me out and I'll attend another patient who needs sponging, she gave me the okay and told me to attend another patient who needs sponging. So, off I go.
Now I was attending a really large man with severe backache, and I single-handedly sponge the patient from top to bottom. But when it came to turning the patient, sigh, I went in and out the patient's room back and forth to get help to move the patient since I couldn't lift him, well, he's massive, and he can't turn much because of his back pain. And no matter how many time I called for help, NO ONE bothered to help. Being stuck in the patient's room for more than an hour, the family took pity on me and helped out. Between us, we managed to turn the patient successfully and changed the bedsheets, drawsheets, incopads and pampers in one shot. Finally. I guess there are some nice patients out there, somewhere...
The moment I just left, someone said there's a lumbar puncture procedure about to start. Needing to brush up on my lumbar punctures, I ran and approach the prof whether I can observe, and he allowed me, by even letting me pour the solution into his gallipot and even teaching me how to locate the exact location so that we can prevent from puncturing the spinal cord nerves to avoid paralysis from the waist down. He and I ended up paying a price, because he insisted on kneeling, he ended up having his legs aching, and as for me, back and shoulder ache for holding the patient in a C-shaped position for nearly an hour to collect the precious CSF. Argh, my back. >~>
Finally finishing the procedure, I hurriedly ate a quick lunch by gobbling at full speed, and just nice, i ran into the Sister who's in charge of the roster. I asked her whether it's possible to leave my Saturdays for morning shifts for Japanese class. Surprise, surprise, I told my parents form the time I started on management, the Sister had already warned me, occasionally it's okay, but don't expect to get everyday cause it's not fair to others. Yep, I told them so but they were too thick-headed to listen; finally get to prove them wrong.
While I was having my lunch, people were asking me whether I heard the big drama. Since Wednesday was my day off, I wasn't there. So they told me um, an incident where the surgeon shouted the F*** word a lot for something regarding about discharge, which caused one of the staff to get furious til she shouted at him back. Oh dear... That's scary. Seriously, maybe I'll explain it in an edited version in face to face but not here. To risky and it's to maintain privacy and confidentiality.
Seeing the lack of staff, I was shoved to the front lines to assist a prof in... blood-taking. Oh yes, those training in ER is finally paying off. Apart from a few edited parts here and there, I succeeded in dividing all the blood in equal vacu-containers for two patients and labeled them quickly. Then I did 3 rounds of ECG to get the practice back into my head. So all in all, I was shoved to front lines with zero experience, but someday, I 'll really thank those staff for giving me the confidence and skill to assist the profs in the various procedures.
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
The Laundry Musketeers
9th September (Tuesday) - Second day of laundry and today is not as stressful as yesterday, in fact it's quite fun. Three people again, but this tine I'm able to work fast. Count the linens, wrap it in bundles, throw them into the trolley, send it to the laundry service, get the weigh, run back, tidy up the linen room, fold the linen, iron and top up the linen stocks in each wards. The only extra is I get to go on room checkings thanks to the guy who showed up for work today since he was on a day off yesterday. He took me for a round and one of the senior staff took me for a round in the ward. Due to a defected light and soiled curtain, we went back to gather the necessary equipments, a fresh curtain, attaching the hooks together; as for the defected light, I helped the guy to carry the lights and he fixed up the lights. Then we went back to tidying up our linen room. Whew, so dusty. My clothes is covered in nothing but dust.
Hmm, when I was folding the baby wrappers, I noticed both wrappers have these funny odd patterns on them. My first thought that it was a sheep, but it doesn't look like one. There's two circles with little tiny lines beneath the big circle and it had a red triangle thingy in front of the smaller circle, after examining it for a while, I realized it's not a sheep, but a...chicken. Well, not a chicken, a chick to be more precise. So cute... ^^
Just when I was getting to know the laundry staff, the day ended too soon. Oh well, my hands are all red from handling hot irons, bruises from banging my hand, and my fingers are stiff form folding tons of linens, but even so, it was a fun experience and really makes me realized the hardship of the laundry staff. I swear to myself, I will never ever talk bad about the laundry staff ever again after learning all of this.
Tomorrow is my day off, and because I'm starting shift work, I won't be updating as regularly as before due to the time crunch, however I will try to update when time allows. Stay tuned.
PS: What's with Fox movies replaying Frozen on two consecutive days? Although I can't get enough of Olaf. So cute.
Hmm, when I was folding the baby wrappers, I noticed both wrappers have these funny odd patterns on them. My first thought that it was a sheep, but it doesn't look like one. There's two circles with little tiny lines beneath the big circle and it had a red triangle thingy in front of the smaller circle, after examining it for a while, I realized it's not a sheep, but a...chicken. Well, not a chicken, a chick to be more precise. So cute... ^^
Just when I was getting to know the laundry staff, the day ended too soon. Oh well, my hands are all red from handling hot irons, bruises from banging my hand, and my fingers are stiff form folding tons of linens, but even so, it was a fun experience and really makes me realized the hardship of the laundry staff. I swear to myself, I will never ever talk bad about the laundry staff ever again after learning all of this.
Tomorrow is my day off, and because I'm starting shift work, I won't be updating as regularly as before due to the time crunch, however I will try to update when time allows. Stay tuned.
PS: What's with Fox movies replaying Frozen on two consecutive days? Although I can't get enough of Olaf. So cute.
Monday, September 8, 2014
Laundry Labour
8th September (Monday) - Aaand I'm back once again, a new week, a new day. Supposingly I'm supposed to start my shift today but I'm stuck in laundry for two days, Can I just say... Laundry is no picnic. Every single linen has to be counted (that's not so bad yet) to make sure all the linen are in, it's the folding part that drives me insane. Each and every linen have their own way of folding. Linens, there are three types, red, black (thick linen) and black (thin linen), baby wrappers (pink and blue), baby cot sheet, draw sheets, three types of gown in different shades of the same colour, blankets, bed sheet... All have their own way of folding. And the only ones which I'm confident with are sarongs and gowns.
Folding is the most torturous part of the whole process. My whole arms are aching, my mind is nothing but a muddled mess and my legs are shaking from standing so long. Ugh, now I really appreciate the job of taking care of my patients. Who would've thought laundry is a really tiring work. I tell you, after this, I will never ever say anything bad about laundry ever again. Really. Oh yes, never ever.
Tomorrow is the last day of my posting, then day off, and starting off to the shift work. No more Saturdays, no more Sundays off. One random day off on weekdays only. D:
Folding is the most torturous part of the whole process. My whole arms are aching, my mind is nothing but a muddled mess and my legs are shaking from standing so long. Ugh, now I really appreciate the job of taking care of my patients. Who would've thought laundry is a really tiring work. I tell you, after this, I will never ever say anything bad about laundry ever again. Really. Oh yes, never ever.
Tomorrow is the last day of my posting, then day off, and starting off to the shift work. No more Saturdays, no more Sundays off. One random day off on weekdays only. D:
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Bloody Saturday
6th September (Saturday) - Ever seen large amount of blood and smelled them? It smelled like meat, coppery and a little bit of iron, sickly sweet. Today is all about the crimson liquid of life. First of, bed-making and sponging. With CBI in tow. The patient's bladder isn't fully cleaned yet, so I still see crimson clots mixed with the irrigation.Then after helping the usual patients, it's back to call bell.
Let's see... Today I followed one of the prof, who is in a good mood. Because he talks in Cantonese only, I was shoved to the front lines. Squashing the fear inside me, I rushed after him and hoo-boy, he talks really fast. Even though my Cantonese/ Hokkien are poor, I managed to get catch some of the important key points. Discharge. 2-bedded. I wanted to confirm with him but he dashed off, thank goodness he told the TL so I double confirm with the TL and she said those were some of the orders. Alright, so into the report it goes. I followed him to another patient and he asked, "So girl, can you get all I'm saying?" And I replied honestly, "Prof, my Cantonese and Hokkien aren't very good/" Then he shrugged and said, "Well girl, you better learn fast because in KL, majority are Cantonese." Yeah, I know that, but for some dang reason, I can never grasp these two languages properly. But the patient patted me on the hand and said, "Don't worry, you'll learn."
Then we had to move a patient to an air mattress, because we're super shorties, we climbed on top of the bed and transferred the patient safely. He took a look at one of the other staff nurse and went, "You're also Chinese?" And the staff nurse shook her head, "No, sir, I'm Sabahan. She-" She gestured at me. "Is 100% pure Chinese." And the patient was happy, cause he have someone to talk to. (I think he forgotten about me cause there was one time I tidied his bed for him.)
Then I went to helped out with some other nurses cause there were several patients who are Mandarin/ Cantonese speaking, yeah, finally I'm becoming useful in the ward. :) Before I left for the day, I handled a patient who was rather depressed. Poor girl. I won't say much but everything I asked her, she just answered in a flat monotone, and she kept insisting on going home. I'm so worried about her that I even followed her into the washroom just to make sure she don't do anything crazy. Believe me, the way she answered me sounds like she's willing to do something, which is exactly why I followed her in. The Sister even asked me to make sure her room window is locked and close just in case. Poor girl. She also lost so much of blood.
Looks like once shift work, i'll no longer be free. I got tons of alternate mornings and noons, depending on the placement, I might not have enough time to regularly update anymore.
Let's see... Today I followed one of the prof, who is in a good mood. Because he talks in Cantonese only, I was shoved to the front lines. Squashing the fear inside me, I rushed after him and hoo-boy, he talks really fast. Even though my Cantonese/ Hokkien are poor, I managed to get catch some of the important key points. Discharge. 2-bedded. I wanted to confirm with him but he dashed off, thank goodness he told the TL so I double confirm with the TL and she said those were some of the orders. Alright, so into the report it goes. I followed him to another patient and he asked, "So girl, can you get all I'm saying?" And I replied honestly, "Prof, my Cantonese and Hokkien aren't very good/" Then he shrugged and said, "Well girl, you better learn fast because in KL, majority are Cantonese." Yeah, I know that, but for some dang reason, I can never grasp these two languages properly. But the patient patted me on the hand and said, "Don't worry, you'll learn."
Then we had to move a patient to an air mattress, because we're super shorties, we climbed on top of the bed and transferred the patient safely. He took a look at one of the other staff nurse and went, "You're also Chinese?" And the staff nurse shook her head, "No, sir, I'm Sabahan. She-" She gestured at me. "Is 100% pure Chinese." And the patient was happy, cause he have someone to talk to. (I think he forgotten about me cause there was one time I tidied his bed for him.)
Then I went to helped out with some other nurses cause there were several patients who are Mandarin/ Cantonese speaking, yeah, finally I'm becoming useful in the ward. :) Before I left for the day, I handled a patient who was rather depressed. Poor girl. I won't say much but everything I asked her, she just answered in a flat monotone, and she kept insisting on going home. I'm so worried about her that I even followed her into the washroom just to make sure she don't do anything crazy. Believe me, the way she answered me sounds like she's willing to do something, which is exactly why I followed her in. The Sister even asked me to make sure her room window is locked and close just in case. Poor girl. She also lost so much of blood.
Looks like once shift work, i'll no longer be free. I got tons of alternate mornings and noons, depending on the placement, I might not have enough time to regularly update anymore.
Friday, September 5, 2014
Near End of Office Shift
5th September (Friday) - Oh God, oh God, I know Friday is suppose to be a fun day, okay, not fun exactly, but a happy day but argh, it seems that everything bad happens to me on Fridays. Sigh... Here we go, Freaky Friday.
Starting off, bed-making and shower. Since most of the patients had been there for a while. they know me well so things are all just fine. A long term lady didn't want to shower early so I just took her to the washroom and asked her to call if she wants to go for a bath. Then I have to rush for another patient who needs a bath. After that it's off to the call bells and the occasional in-betweens. Since there are two new girls, I'm not much of a senior in the ward yet, but because of the lack of senior staff and the busy schedule of the ward, I have to teach them the basic stuff like bed-making, feeding and the basic writing of a report. Since we're so short on staff, I have to multi-task as a runner nurse and clerk. And because once again senior staff nurse are busy handling the prof and major stuff, I have to send a patient to the Day Care Surgery for a minor surgery. Seeing as how I already had experience sending a patient to the day care, it was simple enough for me. I just hand over the folder only this time, I have to stay with the patient instead of going back. Lucky I kept the ward number for emergencies. Anyway, I was suppose to be there for ten minutes, unfortunately, due to several delayed moments, I ended up being there for an hour plus. Thank goodness the new girls just came in, so things should be alright. I kept asking the sister to get a cup of tea or coffee from the cafeteria but she's too worried and kept assuring that she'll wait together with me. To pass the time, we chatted a little, not about the surgery, but society stuff and a little about of ourselves. When the OT nurse finally called us, I went in to collect the patient and the folders with the post op orders. The funniest part was the prof and I tried calling the ward, but because we both didn't have the code, we couldn't contact the ward. Oh dear, lucky the staff helped us out by entering the code so that we could get the ward.
When we went back to the ward, I told the sister that she can give her something to eat as long as it's cold, not hot. Once an hour has passed, she can try something warm then we'll slowly move on to the hot stuff. She was so grateful and touched that I stayed with her and her sister for a long time that she brought me chocolates and ice cream as thanks, even though I told her it's alright and I couldn't take it, but she insisted, so I had no choice but to accept them, sincerely thanking her for her kindness.
After that, I followed a prof to be a witness for consent for the first time, handle some clerk job as the clerk was occupied with other important stuff, and hurriedly tidy up the counter because the big boss is coming. Then my roster finally came out, starting from next week, I'll be working 6 days a week and in shift. Noooo.
Starting off, bed-making and shower. Since most of the patients had been there for a while. they know me well so things are all just fine. A long term lady didn't want to shower early so I just took her to the washroom and asked her to call if she wants to go for a bath. Then I have to rush for another patient who needs a bath. After that it's off to the call bells and the occasional in-betweens. Since there are two new girls, I'm not much of a senior in the ward yet, but because of the lack of senior staff and the busy schedule of the ward, I have to teach them the basic stuff like bed-making, feeding and the basic writing of a report. Since we're so short on staff, I have to multi-task as a runner nurse and clerk. And because once again senior staff nurse are busy handling the prof and major stuff, I have to send a patient to the Day Care Surgery for a minor surgery. Seeing as how I already had experience sending a patient to the day care, it was simple enough for me. I just hand over the folder only this time, I have to stay with the patient instead of going back. Lucky I kept the ward number for emergencies. Anyway, I was suppose to be there for ten minutes, unfortunately, due to several delayed moments, I ended up being there for an hour plus. Thank goodness the new girls just came in, so things should be alright. I kept asking the sister to get a cup of tea or coffee from the cafeteria but she's too worried and kept assuring that she'll wait together with me. To pass the time, we chatted a little, not about the surgery, but society stuff and a little about of ourselves. When the OT nurse finally called us, I went in to collect the patient and the folders with the post op orders. The funniest part was the prof and I tried calling the ward, but because we both didn't have the code, we couldn't contact the ward. Oh dear, lucky the staff helped us out by entering the code so that we could get the ward.
When we went back to the ward, I told the sister that she can give her something to eat as long as it's cold, not hot. Once an hour has passed, she can try something warm then we'll slowly move on to the hot stuff. She was so grateful and touched that I stayed with her and her sister for a long time that she brought me chocolates and ice cream as thanks, even though I told her it's alright and I couldn't take it, but she insisted, so I had no choice but to accept them, sincerely thanking her for her kindness.
After that, I followed a prof to be a witness for consent for the first time, handle some clerk job as the clerk was occupied with other important stuff, and hurriedly tidy up the counter because the big boss is coming. Then my roster finally came out, starting from next week, I'll be working 6 days a week and in shift. Noooo.
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Mr. P
4th September (Thursday) - Next week, if all goes to plan, I'll be doing shift job soon. While it's true working from 8 to 4.30 as a runner is a little dull in the long run (Unless you're a clerk or those kind of people who love office hours), you get to learn a lot. Although I can't say so for this few days because of my condition. Nothing major to worry about. Just a monthly thing.
So early in the morning, I did my bed-making and shower routine, then as my mentor is busy preparing to prepare cytotoxic drugs for a chemo patient, one of the senior staff asked me whether I want to see lumbar puncture and I said absolutely. I'm sure as you all know by now, procedure is a fun thing to do, only if you know what you are doing. So I helped the nurse prepare some equipments like the syringes. Then when the patient come in,. I tried to calm her as the prof prepare himself. Seeing as how the staff is also a little busy, I get to help the prof by pouring him his Povidone and tearing open the equipment packages if needed. Near the important part, due to being unable to get the important CSF fluids, the prof requested me to go to the patient and bend her shoulders and head a little, which I did. The patient is so frightened til she felt at the brink of tears and I kept saying things like, "Madam, I'm right here with you. There's no need to be so frightened." "If you feel any pain, breathe in and out. Come, madam, breathe in...breathe out... Good, good." "Madam, it's nearly done. Just a little more." I let her hold my hands tight and I hug her close as the prof dug his needle in and what a relief, it's a success and we have CSF fluid flowing. Hooray. The patient was happy that I gave her psychological support that she couldn't stop thanking me. Well, it is my job to give support besides doing procedures.
After that, I went to help out at carrying patients, and I was given the chance to send patients for scans and to the clinics. The first time, it was for a CT scan with an attendant. Then because no one was free, I was assigned to take a patient to the Eye Clinic. After getting the directions, I managed to deliver the patient safely to the clinic and be with her all the way to the end. And due to me being overcome with fatigue, I was given roti canai, which was given by a long term patient who has finally discharged but had the roti canai delivered to everyone. The most surprising thing was the patient had the person packed into sets where everyone gets two pieces of roti canai, and their own curry and dhaal so that there's no need to share. I have to say it was such a kind gesture that he appreciates us, and finally, finally, after several frustrations of unable to get roti canai at the cafeteria (They always sell out fast no matter what time I go), I get to eat them for tea.
After the roti canai, I was supposed to do vital signs, but since I came back a little late, the other nurses took care of it for me. So I attended the call bells. I also finally gotten my first ever pay slip. Yay. Then, because I felt a little bored, I offered to do a feeding for the good ol long term uncle, mainly because I'm scared that I'll be out of practice like ECG and many others. Thank the Lord I could still do it right by remembering all the important points, clamp, aspirate, hold high as you feed, and maintain patient in fowler.
In between, there's a fuss going on. I entered a patient's room and I found him being a little short on breath and he was lying flat on his bed. Ohhhh, I quickly raised his bed to fowler and asked him whether he's alright and he merely said, "I felt a little short on breath. Please give me a Ventolin puff/ inhaler. Anything." I told him politely that I cannot simply give him medicines because the prof did not prescribe them. Then I asked him whether he's on Ventolin and he answered that because he's going to be discharged, his family had accidently packed his Ventolin and took it back home. Oh for the love of-- No, I forced myself to keep my words in and tell him that I will consult with a senior staff nurse while his father demanded me to give him a Ventolin puff. Argh. Can't they understand I can't just simply grab a puff and toss it to them and be on my merry way? I hurried to the TL and told her the situation and she immediately called the prof and I was given the green sign for a nebulizer, which I quickly load it up and give it to the patient. I told him firmly, maintain the bed in FOWLER'S position so that he'll have an easier time breathing. He must've been okay because I never heard from him once I sent another patient down for a scan.
Well, the noon passed by fast and I ended up following a prof because there was a shortage of staff, so he called me over to follow him and we went to see a patient together. He's a nice prof and he was a little funny. Our conversation went like this:
(Hovering near the prof...)
Prof : Um, girl, you can go do your things. I don't need you right now, but if I do need you, I'll call you, don't worry.
Me : Um, I would like to see how you write your report, prof. Cause I'm new and I hope to learn something.
Prof : Oh, you're new? Oh, okay. There's not much in my report, see? Hand me the cardex. Now you see I ordered some new medicines for the patient. Not much, just some cream and the piriton just like I mentioned. Hand me the claim form. Did you signed it? Okay, I'll keep this, you take the carbon copies, I'll put in in the front for you so that you can file it in later. Alright, I'm done.
Me : Um, prof, sorry I just want to confirm with you. Is this piriton?
Prof : Yes, it is.
Me: Then there's this...hydrocort cream...?
Prof : Yes, it's 1%. Can you see how I wrote it?
Me : Then there's the Aquous Cream and um...centrifine? What on earth is it?
Prof : It's Zertac.
Me : Oh....
Prof : Okay, The celebrex...I should try to get the other prof and stop it and see how things goes. Thank you girl.
Me : Thank you, prof.
*The conversation is edited due to privacy and confidentiality.
Then as the day comes to an end, I noticed three large bags full of pointy things. I took a peek and found...
Nice, right? It was a gift from another patient. The nurses said I could take one since it'll be a waste if no one takes them, so I chose the one with the most spikiest leaf. And got stared by everyone, form the profs to the nurses to the patients and to the guards, who all went,
"Pineapple!"
Hence, Mr. P, my prickly pal.
So early in the morning, I did my bed-making and shower routine, then as my mentor is busy preparing to prepare cytotoxic drugs for a chemo patient, one of the senior staff asked me whether I want to see lumbar puncture and I said absolutely. I'm sure as you all know by now, procedure is a fun thing to do, only if you know what you are doing. So I helped the nurse prepare some equipments like the syringes. Then when the patient come in,. I tried to calm her as the prof prepare himself. Seeing as how the staff is also a little busy, I get to help the prof by pouring him his Povidone and tearing open the equipment packages if needed. Near the important part, due to being unable to get the important CSF fluids, the prof requested me to go to the patient and bend her shoulders and head a little, which I did. The patient is so frightened til she felt at the brink of tears and I kept saying things like, "Madam, I'm right here with you. There's no need to be so frightened." "If you feel any pain, breathe in and out. Come, madam, breathe in...breathe out... Good, good." "Madam, it's nearly done. Just a little more." I let her hold my hands tight and I hug her close as the prof dug his needle in and what a relief, it's a success and we have CSF fluid flowing. Hooray. The patient was happy that I gave her psychological support that she couldn't stop thanking me. Well, it is my job to give support besides doing procedures.
After that, I went to help out at carrying patients, and I was given the chance to send patients for scans and to the clinics. The first time, it was for a CT scan with an attendant. Then because no one was free, I was assigned to take a patient to the Eye Clinic. After getting the directions, I managed to deliver the patient safely to the clinic and be with her all the way to the end. And due to me being overcome with fatigue, I was given roti canai, which was given by a long term patient who has finally discharged but had the roti canai delivered to everyone. The most surprising thing was the patient had the person packed into sets where everyone gets two pieces of roti canai, and their own curry and dhaal so that there's no need to share. I have to say it was such a kind gesture that he appreciates us, and finally, finally, after several frustrations of unable to get roti canai at the cafeteria (They always sell out fast no matter what time I go), I get to eat them for tea.
After the roti canai, I was supposed to do vital signs, but since I came back a little late, the other nurses took care of it for me. So I attended the call bells. I also finally gotten my first ever pay slip. Yay. Then, because I felt a little bored, I offered to do a feeding for the good ol long term uncle, mainly because I'm scared that I'll be out of practice like ECG and many others. Thank the Lord I could still do it right by remembering all the important points, clamp, aspirate, hold high as you feed, and maintain patient in fowler.
In between, there's a fuss going on. I entered a patient's room and I found him being a little short on breath and he was lying flat on his bed. Ohhhh, I quickly raised his bed to fowler and asked him whether he's alright and he merely said, "I felt a little short on breath. Please give me a Ventolin puff/ inhaler. Anything." I told him politely that I cannot simply give him medicines because the prof did not prescribe them. Then I asked him whether he's on Ventolin and he answered that because he's going to be discharged, his family had accidently packed his Ventolin and took it back home. Oh for the love of-- No, I forced myself to keep my words in and tell him that I will consult with a senior staff nurse while his father demanded me to give him a Ventolin puff. Argh. Can't they understand I can't just simply grab a puff and toss it to them and be on my merry way? I hurried to the TL and told her the situation and she immediately called the prof and I was given the green sign for a nebulizer, which I quickly load it up and give it to the patient. I told him firmly, maintain the bed in FOWLER'S position so that he'll have an easier time breathing. He must've been okay because I never heard from him once I sent another patient down for a scan.
Well, the noon passed by fast and I ended up following a prof because there was a shortage of staff, so he called me over to follow him and we went to see a patient together. He's a nice prof and he was a little funny. Our conversation went like this:
(Hovering near the prof...)
Prof : Um, girl, you can go do your things. I don't need you right now, but if I do need you, I'll call you, don't worry.
Me : Um, I would like to see how you write your report, prof. Cause I'm new and I hope to learn something.
Prof : Oh, you're new? Oh, okay. There's not much in my report, see? Hand me the cardex. Now you see I ordered some new medicines for the patient. Not much, just some cream and the piriton just like I mentioned. Hand me the claim form. Did you signed it? Okay, I'll keep this, you take the carbon copies, I'll put in in the front for you so that you can file it in later. Alright, I'm done.
Me : Um, prof, sorry I just want to confirm with you. Is this piriton?
Prof : Yes, it is.
Me: Then there's this...hydrocort cream...?
Prof : Yes, it's 1%. Can you see how I wrote it?
Me : Then there's the Aquous Cream and um...centrifine? What on earth is it?
Prof : It's Zertac.
Me : Oh....
Prof : Okay, The celebrex...I should try to get the other prof and stop it and see how things goes. Thank you girl.
Me : Thank you, prof.
*The conversation is edited due to privacy and confidentiality.
Then as the day comes to an end, I noticed three large bags full of pointy things. I took a peek and found...
Nice, right? It was a gift from another patient. The nurses said I could take one since it'll be a waste if no one takes them, so I chose the one with the most spikiest leaf. And got stared by everyone, form the profs to the nurses to the patients and to the guards, who all went,
"Pineapple!"
Hence, Mr. P, my prickly pal.
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
It's A Food, Food World
3rd September (Wednesday) - Sooo tired. I could barely keep my eyes open. Not during work. I was hyped up for work, as for the tied part, I'll get onto that. Okay, everyone knows how my routine goes now. Sponging, bed-making, doctor's rounds, call bells, observations, admissions. Alright. Now off the blog.
Sponging as always, because of shortage of staff, an attendant and I worked together on sponging on... you guessed it, our good ol' uncle. Today is also his birthday, which means... Happy Birthday uncle. Hope you get well soon.
Then after the usual sponging/ bed-making labour, we were all given a small little pack of nasi lemak. I just shrugged, doubting I wouldn't get one, but I was surprised to see that there's one for me as well, and the Sister and everyone else ordered me to eat as soon as I'm free, because once the profs come for their rounds, they come. So off I went to eat and holy, it's super spicy. God knows what's in the sambal, but after the huge curry-phobia incident, I dumped the sambal into the bin and only ate the rice with the egg. There's no need for another round of another embarassing moment of diarrhea and stomach cramps. Then I asked them who gave the nasi lemak and they answered a long term patient. Hmm...
Doctor's rounds, sadly, I am unable to follow any, although I did tons of admissions and call bells, and when the time is right, vital signs. I went to the first room and the long term patient greeted me and asked whether I had my breakfast. Thank the Lord I remembered it was him who gave us our breakfast so I thanked him graciously for the breakfast and he said it was not trouble at all. Then he asked me how was it, and i honestly answered, "Spicy..." And he laughed and said that yesterday he gave to the night duty girls and it wasn't spicy enough, so he asked for more sambal for today. Then I told him my face went all red and he said, "But didn't you feel so much better after eating it?" And I answered yes, cause it kept me warm for an hour or so.
After all of the vital signs checking, I was feeling a little beat so I was about to go and sit down and stretch a little but then I got called to send a patient down. With everyone busy on their doctor's rounds, I took the patient down and his uncle and him are nice people. They chatted non-stop about the nursing service and somehow I ended up involve in the conversation. The patient is already in his mid 40's and he's single, and somehow he asked me whether I was married, and I went, "No..." Then he asked whether I have a boyfriend. And I went, "No..." Then the uncle asked whether I'll get married, and I answered, "Not very soon, but I'm waiting for the right person to come." And then they nodded and said nowadays people seemed to think marriage/ commitment is nothing but a game, with divorce rates rocketing sky high. Even though we onlu just met, they were friendly people and before parting, the uncle asked me whether I want to hook up with his son, "Bachelors in Accounting." As he put it. I just gave a shrug and he said, "Ah... I get it. You nurses are waiting for your doctors to come." And I gave a smile and said politely, "It doesn't matter who he is, as long as he has a stable job and a good heart." Then we finally parted ways.
Admissions, not many are eager to do, so I took them up. Nothing eventful much, but I think I'm getting a hang of it. Just need to figure out some of the system flow and charges and I'll be good to go. Oh, and we received a large order of KFC from a kind doctor who saw all of us working hard to the bone and I was even given some due to there's too many food and if no one eats it, it'll all go to a waste. Now my tummy is all round like a bean and I'm tired. Good night.
Sponging as always, because of shortage of staff, an attendant and I worked together on sponging on... you guessed it, our good ol' uncle. Today is also his birthday, which means... Happy Birthday uncle. Hope you get well soon.
Then after the usual sponging/ bed-making labour, we were all given a small little pack of nasi lemak. I just shrugged, doubting I wouldn't get one, but I was surprised to see that there's one for me as well, and the Sister and everyone else ordered me to eat as soon as I'm free, because once the profs come for their rounds, they come. So off I went to eat and holy, it's super spicy. God knows what's in the sambal, but after the huge curry-phobia incident, I dumped the sambal into the bin and only ate the rice with the egg. There's no need for another round of another embarassing moment of diarrhea and stomach cramps. Then I asked them who gave the nasi lemak and they answered a long term patient. Hmm...
Doctor's rounds, sadly, I am unable to follow any, although I did tons of admissions and call bells, and when the time is right, vital signs. I went to the first room and the long term patient greeted me and asked whether I had my breakfast. Thank the Lord I remembered it was him who gave us our breakfast so I thanked him graciously for the breakfast and he said it was not trouble at all. Then he asked me how was it, and i honestly answered, "Spicy..." And he laughed and said that yesterday he gave to the night duty girls and it wasn't spicy enough, so he asked for more sambal for today. Then I told him my face went all red and he said, "But didn't you feel so much better after eating it?" And I answered yes, cause it kept me warm for an hour or so.
After all of the vital signs checking, I was feeling a little beat so I was about to go and sit down and stretch a little but then I got called to send a patient down. With everyone busy on their doctor's rounds, I took the patient down and his uncle and him are nice people. They chatted non-stop about the nursing service and somehow I ended up involve in the conversation. The patient is already in his mid 40's and he's single, and somehow he asked me whether I was married, and I went, "No..." Then he asked whether I have a boyfriend. And I went, "No..." Then the uncle asked whether I'll get married, and I answered, "Not very soon, but I'm waiting for the right person to come." And then they nodded and said nowadays people seemed to think marriage/ commitment is nothing but a game, with divorce rates rocketing sky high. Even though we onlu just met, they were friendly people and before parting, the uncle asked me whether I want to hook up with his son, "Bachelors in Accounting." As he put it. I just gave a shrug and he said, "Ah... I get it. You nurses are waiting for your doctors to come." And I gave a smile and said politely, "It doesn't matter who he is, as long as he has a stable job and a good heart." Then we finally parted ways.
Admissions, not many are eager to do, so I took them up. Nothing eventful much, but I think I'm getting a hang of it. Just need to figure out some of the system flow and charges and I'll be good to go. Oh, and we received a large order of KFC from a kind doctor who saw all of us working hard to the bone and I was even given some due to there's too many food and if no one eats it, it'll all go to a waste. Now my tummy is all round like a bean and I'm tired. Good night.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Medicines, New Staff Everywhere
2nd September (Tuesday) - Hello, and welcome as we enter the month of September. You can consider it as a month has passed for me, although officially the date will be on 4th September since I entered on 4th August. Ah, well, what difference does a few days make?
So we entered the ward on our usual time, and we started sponging on our good ol' long term patient. He's in a super good mood today. But poor guy, he couldn't get enough sleep. Lord knows what happened last night, but he's very happy to see us. As usual, we gave him all our best care, and I finally got a chance to do mouth care. Yay. So I armed myself with my wooden spatula and cotton gauze, fixed it with hyperflix, and got to work with my thymol mouth wash. He's was kind to let me do it for him and I feel sorry for him to suffer and cough cause thymol mouth wash has a very strong, bitter taste that stings your tongue. I know cause I have one as well.. Not pleasant, and I kept apologizing to him as he coughed. But he just shook his head and let me performed it to the best I can. It was a success and he looked so much better. All freshen up.
After I'm done, I was called to go to the pharmacy to replace back on that day since the supervisor couldn't make it. So I went, but to tell you the truth, it's not much. I just learned about the basics of the pharmacy, the functions of the pharmacy, when do they top up the medicine, how do they pack the medicines, how do they tidy up... Basic stuff. I was given assignments on drug calculations and indications of ALL medicines in the medicine cart. Yep, I'm still doing it even as I type this. Not an easy task since I have to look at my Medical Bible every few minutes or so. Like I said, there's nothing much to talk about.
After I was let off early from the pharmacy due to the supervisor being busy, I returned back to do my assignment while being a runner. Well, not really since my assignment needed to be complete. So I got out the medication file list, three stacks of Medical Bible and got to work til the end of my working hours. There were seven new staff coming in for the ward and sadly to say, no Chinese nurse. I'm guess I'm still holding the record for now. Shame. I was hoping to invent myself a new nickname. Ha-ha.
So we entered the ward on our usual time, and we started sponging on our good ol' long term patient. He's in a super good mood today. But poor guy, he couldn't get enough sleep. Lord knows what happened last night, but he's very happy to see us. As usual, we gave him all our best care, and I finally got a chance to do mouth care. Yay. So I armed myself with my wooden spatula and cotton gauze, fixed it with hyperflix, and got to work with my thymol mouth wash. He's was kind to let me do it for him and I feel sorry for him to suffer and cough cause thymol mouth wash has a very strong, bitter taste that stings your tongue. I know cause I have one as well.. Not pleasant, and I kept apologizing to him as he coughed. But he just shook his head and let me performed it to the best I can. It was a success and he looked so much better. All freshen up.
After I'm done, I was called to go to the pharmacy to replace back on that day since the supervisor couldn't make it. So I went, but to tell you the truth, it's not much. I just learned about the basics of the pharmacy, the functions of the pharmacy, when do they top up the medicine, how do they pack the medicines, how do they tidy up... Basic stuff. I was given assignments on drug calculations and indications of ALL medicines in the medicine cart. Yep, I'm still doing it even as I type this. Not an easy task since I have to look at my Medical Bible every few minutes or so. Like I said, there's nothing much to talk about.
After I was let off early from the pharmacy due to the supervisor being busy, I returned back to do my assignment while being a runner. Well, not really since my assignment needed to be complete. So I got out the medication file list, three stacks of Medical Bible and got to work til the end of my working hours. There were seven new staff coming in for the ward and sadly to say, no Chinese nurse. I'm guess I'm still holding the record for now. Shame. I was hoping to invent myself a new nickname. Ha-ha.
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