LOVE MY JOB!

My 2nd night of the week went great!  I think I actually prefer nights to days.  Nights are still very busy but I just seem to handle it a bit better.  Before I know it, it's midnight and the rest of the time flies by!!!  Sometimes, a bit too fast and I'm left a little anxious to get all my charting completed.  

Never did I think that there would be so much charting in nursing!!!  They always say that there is so much but dang...it's ridiculous!!!  But we are the ears and eyes for the physicians and the other parts of the multidisciplinary team so we need to have all the facts readily available!!!  Our assessments are so important and must be done before anything else can happen!

Last night went smoothly!  I felt really in control and confident in my nursing scrubs!!  I also performed a straight cath on a male patient!!!  I have never inserted a foley catheter or straight cath in all my nursing school years so this was pretty exciting for me!!!  For those who don't know what the heck I'm talking about, I inserted a tube into this guys **ahem** all the way up to his bladder to drain all the urine out.  Fun!  I also attempted another IV but I keep getting crappy veins and it blew!  **Annoying!!

As for sleep!  I guess I really don't need that much of it after all!  After my first night, I only slept for 4 hrs and then I was buzzing around by the time Doug got off of work.  I had dinner ready, we ate, I did dishes then I decided that we should go shopping!!!!!!!!  WTF...I am never this motivated after work!  I slept yesterday until 9am.  TRIED to nap but I wasn't successful so then I worked 12 hrs and am still awake!!!  I know I'll hit my breaking point some day but I think I'm just so excited about my job and how much I love it!  I'm too happy for sleep =)

So, now I'm going to put Mr. Laptop away and attempt to sleep for a few hours!  Doug and I have a date night planned!  He's been hungry for Chipotle so we are celebrating his recent interview (more on that soon!) and taking the pups to the park!!!  I have today and tomorrow off and don't go back until Friday!  Then off for the weekend =)  Oh how I love working only 3 days a week!!!

Nurses made the #1 spot =)

Jobs That Allow Work-Life Balance

Feeling out of whack? Straighten up your life by checking out these careers that make balancing work and personal life a cinch!

By Chris Kyle

Feeling unbalanced? Like you have no time for yourself or your family? It could be your job that's plaguing you...

Jeff Davidson, author of Breathing Space: Living and Working at a Comfortable Pace in a Sped-Up Society, believes that modern-day society has turned many of us into human whirlwinds who need to slow down - before we crash.

"We need to control the workday and not let the workday control us," Davidson says. "Fewer and fewer people today are in control."

Want to take control of your professional - and personal - life? Check out these careers that can help you have it all - great work, great pay, and enough time for yourself, your friends, and your family!

Career #1 – Nursing

Many registered nurses (RNs) enjoy flexible work schedules, which make it easier to put family first. Child care and educational benefits are two additional perks of the profession, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Required Education: Earn a nursing degree or diploma, then get certified in your state.

Average Salary: $62,450 in May 2008, with the highest 10 percent of RNs earning more than $92,240.

Search for Nursing schools near you now.

You can read the rest at http://education.yahoo.net/articles/achieve_work_life_balance.htm?kid=15B36

Under Construction!

Lately, I have been updating and changing a few things around on my blog.  My recent discovery was to have 3 columns!!!  If you want to find out how, head on over to Brown Eyed Belle for instructions!

So, check out my new design and let me know what you think ;)

Strawberry Margarita Squares-Thanks Windy Poplars =)

Hey bloggers!  

I have been thinking of adding another page to display recipes to share or posting some yummy ones that I think are good ones to share.  

For this one, head on over to kristins-kitchen for this yummy summer inspired recipe and others!

Strawberry Margarita Squares

This was a delicious summer recipe that I found in Kraft Food and Family Magazine. Super easy, and it makes a 9x13 pan, so it feeds a crowd! Here's the recipe, plus my notes...

1 1/4 cups crushed pretzels (I used honey wheat)

1/4 cup melted butter (I used Smart Balance Light)

1 can (14oz) sweetened condensed milk (I used low fat)

1 cup pureed strawberries (I used part strawberries, part raspberries)

1/2 cup lime juice

1 carton (8oz) whipped cream (I used a squirt container of real cream/no hfcs)

Combine butter and pretzels in a 13x9 pan. Press firmly into bottom of pan to create a crust. Refrigerate until ready to fill.

Combine milk, strawberries, and lime juice in a large bowl. Mix well. Add whipped cream, and fold until smooth. Pour over crust. Freeze at least 6 hours or overnight.

Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra whipped cream and berries if desired. 12 servings-or more!

Doesn't that look just yummy?!?

I SURVIVED!!!

As most of you know, last night/today (whatever day it is) was my first 12 hr night shift.  I went in at 7pm on Sunday night and was leaving the hospital at 7:45am this morning.  My, how it was weird to see the sunlight getting off and seeing so much traffic coming home.  It feels odd to be ending my day when the rest of the world is starting theirs =)

Surprisingly, it went really well!  I'm still not even tired yet.  Well...a little I guess *lol*  I'm typing this from my cozy bed (sigh).  The night started out really fast.  I took 3 patients at first and trying to assess them plus get their meds passed is such a chore for me. I'm trying to work on my time management but each day, it will get better!    

The rest of the night went quickly.  I didn't sit down to eat dinner until around 1am.  With everything that needs to be done, the first half of my shift was over in no time!  At 11pm I took on my 4th patient so I'm happy to be progressing to our max goal of 6 or 7 after 11pm!

**So that means that there is no lounge time to watch TV, Dad!!!!  Silly man thinks I'm a glorified babysitter and after I get them all tucked in for bed, I can relax myself and put my feet up =)  Not the case at all!!! **

Things were quiet for about an hour.  Just enough time for me to eat, check my email, and get on facebook some (if you tell anyone, I'll lie and say I didn't).  

Then a little craziness began!  I had my one patient out of the blue start complaining of SOB (shortness of breath) but he was really just anxious about his heart catheterization that is scheduled this morning.  So, I dealt with that for a few hours and then he ended up flirting with our aid on the floor =)  Silly old men!  Another patient was up and nervous about her heart cath so I consoled her.  Lastly, another ladies PTT (clotting test) was too high b/c of her being on a Heparin drip (to prevent clots) so I had to call the Intern on call to tell them plus get an order to decrease it.  Then start it back up 1 hr later!  My 4th patient was sound asleep...thank goodness!

All in all, it was a great day!  A little easier transition to nights!  Luckily, we were full on our side so we didn't have to get any admissions!  That was helpful!  I think I'm going to like nights!

Now, I'm home in bed, showered and scaring Wesley with my hiccups.  He's shaking under our bed as I type!  Have you ever heard of a dog being afraid of hiccups?!?  He's so neurotic! 

Hope everyone enjoys their Monday!  I'm going to sleep the morning and afternoon away!  

I don't really like Monday's anyways ;)

Adelyn's 1st Birthday!

Today was my adorable niece's first Birthday!

I was unable to attend b/c I had to work but my husband took the cutest pictures!

Look at that dress!!  Adorable =)

Happy 1st Birthday Addy!!!

We can't believe you are 1 already!

Getting some love from Aunt Sha

Her birthday cake

 She even had her very own "Smash Cake"

The most adorable hat ever!

Digging in

Now time for the fun...presents =)

you can see her excitement!

Happy Birthday Addy!  

We love you =)

Visit with Dad

(Dad with his grandpup, Wesley)

Dad came up to spend the evening with us last night!  

We took him on a tour of the hospital where I worked and then came home and had a yummy dinner!

Then we sat on the deck and ate brownies and drank sweet tea!

**Thanks for coming up and spending the evening with us dad**

P.S. Wesley and Lola wouldn't leave him alone!  

Wesley was on his lap within minutes of his visit (which is so unlike him) and 

Lola wouldn't quit loving on him!  

Silly pups!

Finished with the Internship

Oh the joys of being a cardiac RN

I finished up my internship classes this week and have finally completed my internship!

I still have a few more weeks left of training but the classroom part of it is finished. 

I took my basic arrhythmia test yesterday and passed with flying colors =)  That just means that I am able to read the telemetry monitor and diagnosis the different rhythms to let the Dr know and figure out how to treat them!

Throughout the classes, I was able to learn how to use the defibrillator and am now able to defribrillate someone if they "code."  Scary huh?!?

This is a rhythm when you would shock them =)

Wednesday was my first day back on the floor after 3 long weeks!

I wasn't sure how it would go but I took on 3 patients.  I was non stop the whole entire day!

I didn't think I would ever get caught up *lol*  I had 3 tough patients though and my preceptor was shocked that I kept up so well!  I did successfully insert another IV.  It took me 2 attempts but I got it.  The first attempt, the vein blew so that technically wasn't my fault =)  But I got it on the 2nd try and boy did I make a mess!!!  I need to learn a quicker and cleaner technique so I don't get blood everywhere! (sorry for making some of you gag a little while reading this)

My patient afterwards asked my why I was so broken out so I told him that I get hives when I'm nervous and trying to insert an IV makes me nervous *lol*  We both had a good laugh!

I wish there was a pill to prevent the world from knowing when I'm so nervous or upset *lol* 

The hives on my neck are a dead givaway!

Tomorrow I'm back on the floor for 12 1/2 hrs and then on Sunday night, I begin my night shift!!!

I'm a little nervous but I'm also excited at the same time.  I have been hearing great things about the night shift crew and they seem so nice when I take report from them.  They pay will be fantastic also so I can suck it up for at least a year or two!

Anyone want to bring me Starbucks at 3am?!?

Kindred Connection-Movie Edition

Hey Bloggers!  

This week, you can head on over to Windy-poplars for this week's

Kindred Connection!  

This is my favorite topic! 

Movie Edition =)

1. What was your favorite movie as a child?

My favorite movie as a child was always the Wizard of Oz!!  I remember my mom would let me stay up late so I could watch the whole movie on Sunday nights each year.  I never did end up staying awake the whole time but I love the music and scenery!  The baby munchkins in the nest were always my favorite to look for!

I'm also so super excited because I get to see Wicked in August!!!

I have never seen the play before but I hear it's amazing!

2. If you could live in any movie as your fictional world, which one would it be?

This is a hard one...Based on scenery, I would love to live in Under the Tuscan Sun!  This movies has the best scenes and I would love to have a house and all those sunflowers!

3. Have you ever seen a midnight showing, or hosted a movie release party? Tell us about it!

I had a bunch of my friends from nursing school come over to watch Sex and the City (the first movie) at my house and this year a bunch of the same girls when to see the 2nd one!  Fun times =)

4. What movie release are you most looking forward to this year?

I'm such a Twilight Junkie!!!  

So, Eclipse =)  

In the beginning, I didn't understand the big excitement of Twilight and thought it was dumb.  I don't like vampires.  But after so many people kept talking about it on facebook and a lot of my friends were caught up in it, I decided to read Twilight last summer.  Midway through, I was hooked!!!!  I read them all and I want to read them again and again!

So good!!!
I'm hoping to take my 2 nieces for a girl's day to see it on July 8th!

Can't wait!

5. Are you a theatre goer, renter, or wait-and-buyer?

I love LOVE love to go to the theater to see movies! 

There's just something about the big screen, the loud soundtrack, and the smell of popcorn!

It's one of our favorite date nights!

But it's expensive so we don't do it as often as we like!

In Columbus, we are lucky to have a $2 theater so we do see some movies there 

but our favorite theater is the Lennox!

You can bring your own drinks and snacks here so it's nice!

Lately, we have been a bit addicted to Netflix so we do get movies often in the mail and have a nice movie night cuddled up on the couch!

Weekend Recap =)

This weekend was Doug's dad's birthday and Father's Day!

Kate and Doug invited us out for a pool party and cook-out

We all had a great time!

Hayden, Jade and Tori in the pool!

Grandkids with grandpa

Kisses

Happy Birthday to You!

Make a wish!

The yummy ice cream cake Kate made!

Adam and Adelyn

She's almost walking 

but she would rather crawl

Then we took the kids back on the property to the creek to get rocks

and search for gross things!

the best transportation!

Beautiful!

On Father's Day, Doug and Douglas spent the day

at the Dayton Dragon's game

Kate and I spent the day at the Greene and had a yummy lunch at the Cheesecake Factory!

I think we brought more food home than we ate!

Then we packed the kids up and headed back to the city!

Nothing better than a weekend away in the country!!

Lola was so exhausted when she got home!

Poor thing has been asleep all day!

She must have had a great time too!

Trip to Cleveland to visit Bre for her birthday!

After work on Friday, Doug and I headed up to Cleveland to visit Bre and her parents.  

Bre was in town to spend time with her family and celebrate her birthday!

We hung out for a bit and her parents showed us their beautiful pond.

After that they took us out to dinner at this yummy Italian restaurant!

Then back to their house to have dessert and sit by the pond!

We didn't want to say goodbye!

It's amazing and they built it themselves!

Best buds!

Love this girl!!!

P.S. We missed you Rick!!!!

Hello bloggers!  

This week you can visit Windy Poplars to join this weeks Kindred Connection.  

**Pet Edition**

Questions:

1. What pets currently reside at your house?

(If you don't have any now, tell us what you grew up with)

We now have 1 clown fish (sigh)-Nikki, RIP Wayne

1 ferret-Kline

1 cat-Lynx

1 pomeranian-Wesley

1 airedale terrier-Lola 

2. What is one really strange thing your pet(s) does?

what don't they do...

Wesley has an annoying licking tick like a snake

Lola throws temper tantrums like a 2 year old

Lynx likes to hunt and attack us all!

3. Now fess up here: give us your nicknames for your pets

 (we KNOW you have them- and we KNOW they're good)!

Lola is our "moose" 

Wesley is "doodle, wesley allen woofard (when he's bad), peanut (thanks Sam), poofs"

Lynx "the white devil, bad kitty, lil jerk"

4. Are your pets spoiled or not (grin)?

**spoiled** with a capital "S"

They wouldn't be any other way!

5. Insert pet pics here :-)

Wesley

Lola

Lynx + our 2 clown fish (RIP wayne)

Mme Virgint's Retirement Party

Mme Virgint was our french teacher in high school! 

She was an amazing teacher and friend!

Luckily, we have stayed in touch throughout the years!

This year, the Virgint's decided to retire and they had a party for her.

Little did she know that some of her fellow students were secretly invited to celebrate =)  

Mme =)

Mme and John with her classmates!

Mme and John with my in-laws