Here's your update, biatch!

Work is still going well! I'm up to two patients now, which is pretty good for only my third and fourth shifts. I'm learning to get into my own routine with my patients, seeing what works and what needs improvement in terms of time management and priorities. My attention to detail is good. I wish that I had more time to look up my patient's meds before I give them, though, but I suppose that's something I'll have to do at home. I've also been researching the common diseases/conditions that come to our unit in my spare time so that I can become familiar and assess for signs and symptoms that go along with them. My preceptor is this amazing woman from Nigeria. She's a brilliant, kind and gentle person and lets me do things on my own without hovering over my shoulder--she trusts me. She's also very entertaining with her little African catch phrases. She loves calling me "girl," which I believe is an affectionate phrase in Nigeria. :)

One of my favorite aspects about nursing is the connection I'm able to make with most of my patients. One patient I did not really connect that well with is a man who is just plain bitter, but understandably so. He's a bilateral below-the-knee amputee who has end stage renal failure and diabetes. He's only 50 years old. He is a drug seeker and asks for his dilaudid around the clock literally every three hours even though I can tell that his pain level is NOT a 10 out of 10 like he says it is. He's sitting there watching tv when he claims that he's in pain, so I know it's bullshit. However, I can understand why he wants to be doped up all the time. I would be too, if I were in his situation. The other point is, who cares? It's not like the pain meds are going to kill him, because his diabetes and renal failure will eventually do that. I say let him at least have what little satisfaction he can. So, I kept pushing his IV dilaudid and rubbing hydrocortisone cream on his skin, which made him feel at least a bit better.

My other patient yesterday was this sweet little 81 year old lady who is all about Jesus, but not in an annoying way. She is just a woman of very deep faith who believes that God is responsible for every little thing. She is super great about being knowledgeable about her health (she has CHF) and is very responsible and takes great care of herself. I really respect and admire that, because it makes my job so much easier, and her life better. So, I would help her walk to the bathroom and we would talk about the only "clean" tv shows left, which in her mind are Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune and Price is Right. :) We hugged when I discharged her yesterday and she said she would miss having me around.

Other than that, Jason and I have been hanging out (not obsessively, we've just gone on several dates). I REALLY enjoy his company, what a cool person he is. We have a lot in common, he's a gentleman, he's affectionate without being clingy, he's completely chill and totally confident enough to the point where I can talk all I want about Steve or any other past relationships, or flirt with my guy friends, and he doesn't give a rat's ass. I love that. I can't handle jealousy or possessiveness. So, I guess we're "seeing each other," whatever that means, and maybe it'll turn into something more. Who knows? I'm definitely enjoying myself right now.

In other news, I'm trying to stay up with my photography and yoga practice. Admittedly, my yoga has slacked a LOT in the last couple of months, partially due to getting a new job and that whole transition, but also because I've been lazy when I've had the opportunity to go. I need to kick myself in the ass and remember to prioritize.