Wednesday, April 30

Work, and other things

I have a job! Wait, I already said that. Ok, so I've been working at said job full-time for the past 4 days. Today will be my 5th, tomorrow my 6th. I think I like it, even though I come home crying every day. Let's just say I have pretty mixed emotions about the thing.

The Bad:
- I don't like how oddly difficult they make it for use to be clean. The only handwashing sinks are in the bathrooms; they don't even put one at the nurse's station. WTH? And when I asked specifically about the presence of avagard-type substance or some type of alcohol rub to use between handwashings, I was told that because they like to make a "home" for the residents, they don't like having alcohol rub out all over the place. Because "you wouldn't have something like that out in your home, would you?" Pft. You better believe I would. And when I have a new baby around (or other such immunocompromised family member), you better believe I will. And force people to use it. So the only alcohol rub in existence is a remarkably poor quality, sticky, icky thing on the med cart. I'm tempted to bring my own bottle of avagard (if I can even find one, that is) to use at work. Because this seriously, really bothers me.

- Since I'm new, and still really getting used to how to do things (basically, what meds to pull), I am REALLY slow. This is where the crying every night comes in. Last night was the first night by myself, and what should have been an hour long (tops) med pass took me about 3 hours, and I went straight from dinner meds to nighttime meds. I'm sure I messed up multiple times, I pre-pulled about 10 people and was still super slow, and I went 9 hours (yes, 9, and I'm scheduled for 8) without sitting down once or eating or basically taking a break. It was REALLY frustrating. I'm proud of myself simply for not crying right there in front of the residents.

- One of the things that contributes to my slowness is certain residents (only a few, but they're there) who are just plain difficult. They refuse their meds, or don't know what's going on, and I have to spend 10-15 minutes with each trying to coax them to take it. And when I'm already about an hour behind, I really don't have the patience for that.

- I thought working at a care center would be good for my skill level............ It's not. I was sorely mistaken. We pretty much don't do anything requiring any nursing skills whatsoever. The most complicated it gets (so far) is doing skin checks, and charting on those taking antibiotics (which are the only ones we chart on). So I'm appropriately afraid that, if I stay here long enough, I'll pretty much forget everything useful I learned in school. I'd really rather be in a hospital. Argh.



The Good:
+ Most of the bad (besides the stupid avagard thing, and the last point) is really a temporary situation. Once I get used to it, after I've done it a few (thousand) times, I'll get super speedy like the other nurses and time won't be an issue.

+ Once time is not an issue, it's really an easy, laid-back, fun job. Like my first day orienting with Bobby, he pulled about 90% of the meds, so we were done really fast. We took about an hour or more for dinner, and were done by 8:30 and sat in the back room watching TV and playing with the dog until 10. Someday, I'll be able to go that fast. He's only been there a few months.

+ I seriously love these residents. Maybe not the ones that make my life difficult... but there are some absolutely adorable, fun ones to be around. They are SO sweet. Wonderfully understanding of my newness and slowness, and constantly reassuring me that I'll get better. They always make me smile. This is the part that, once it's not QUITE so stressful, I will really enjoy, and it will make it all worth it.

+ Plus I'm getting paid by the crapload.



So why is it, I've noticed, that no matter what someone gets paid, it's never enough? It seems silly to me. Payday was the other day at this place, and everywhere I looked, nurses were whining about getting tiny paychecks. Do they just forget that they have the easiest job ever, paying at least $5/hour more than they would make at a hospital? Seriously. Have a little perspective.

In other news, we're almost all the way packed to move. It's all just little things, y'know? But we're a bit limited on time to do so. Assuming I'm actually orienting with someone today, which I'm supposed to be, I'll hopefully be out of work on time (for once) and be able to help tonight. I will certainly post pictures of the apartment, pre-moving and post-setting up, when I have them.

I joined a gym last week, and am really trying to be in the habit of going every morning. I thought I'd have a ton of time, since I don't go into work until 2, but my mornings are constantly just slipping by me. If I eat and leave now, though, I should have time.

So,
The End.

4 comments:

Unknown said...

you have me completely emotionally invested in your job. During the bad, i was thinking, man that job sucks, but during the good, i thought, this sounds like a really good job.

Jen said...

And that is specifically why I put the bad first. :)

Kari said...

Hey Jen! Dont give up on the place. Meds always take a long time, it is better that you take your time. I think it is awesome that you have a job, a lot of people dont. Here is my advice, I think you should apply at a hospital, (since you have this job already and it can be on your resume) apply in ANY department, and see what happens, you never know. You might make a little more money, or maybe get some good benefits. But just remember that you have a job and be thankful for that! But always have your options open, it is never fun to come home and cry!

Ryan and Julianne said...

I have no idea what "med pulling" is, but I'm sure you'll get the hang of it soon! Good job on having a good job and being a good sport about it all. And now I'll stop saying "good".