Another Day...

Wow, I can't believe it has been almost two weeks since my last post. I have been so busy at work, which is a good thing, but it has kept me from what I really love to do, which is to write. As far as work goes, this nursing thing is hard work. Having on average 25 patients each day that I work (I am currently part time) has been difficult some days, and almost impossible on others. I am getting quicker, and finding my own routine as regards the med pass (administering patient medications), but there are constant interruptions, which just goes with the territory.

Case in point. Last night, I kept responding to the constant calls of "nurse, nurse..." as patients asked for pain medication, or had questions regarding their medications, or complaints of this ache or that pain. In most hospital jobs, nurses are assigned approximately six patients. But this is not the case in long term care. Nurses are stretched very thin, and perform a constant juggling act, trying to determine which patients are a priority, and which ones can wait. Often there are several that fall under the category of "priority". They all want me at once. But as of now, I haven't acquired the ability to bi-locate, and so I just do the best that I can.

But enough whining. It has been a real learning experience so far, as well as a real eye-opener. I haven't even really delved into the real nitty-gritty of the mountains of paperwork and charting that are also part of the job. One step at a time.

On another entirely different subject, my family opened our summer cottage this weekend, and found a not so lovely surprise awaiting us. Upon entering our little cottage, we discovered tons of pellet-sized poop all over the floor. It was disgusting. It was everywhere. We assumed we had mice.

We were wrong.

Hubby moved some boxes away from the wall and found the remains of a black squirrel, who had somehow managed to make his way into the cottage. Poor thing must have died from the cold and starvation. I didn't know whether I wanted to wring his neck or feel sorry for him. In the end, since there really wasn't much left of him, I opted to just feel bad that he slipped down the smoke stack of our gas furnace.  Wringing his neck would have been really gross. No one could have paid me to touch him. I am so glad hubby found him and not me. My shrieks would have pierced the air and traveled across the lake and into the neighboring states. I spent over two hours cleaning up the mess. Not exactly a pleasant way to begin summer, but we learned our lesson. My husband will be climbing up onto the roof to nail down some wire mesh. Hopefully that will keep out any more curious critters.

Well, thus ends another scintillating blog. Must get on with my day. So much to do, so little time. Another afternoon shift awaits in a few hours.

I can already hear them calling...."nurse, nurse!"