Three days, I guess.

Today, I don’t have any visitiors, that I know of. Jason is safely back at the office. Little Sister is taking a self-care day. Mom is concentrating on other things.

Good. Good. Good.

I hate it when everyone has to drive an hour, chat about stuff for an hour, and then go back. I’m happy for the company and happy to see other people. They volunteer to sacrifice their day, time, and gas for the trip. It’s A LOT BETTER than stupid Zoom calls or whatever.

Still, I can’t help but feel guilty for the attention.

I guess I slept through the shift change introduction. There’s “Shiniquitta” written on my whiteboard. No idea who that is.

But it’s a trend…. maybe?
I know that there are 12h shifts. 730 to 730. But RNs and techs can choose their schedule. They have to meet a certain number of hours per month or per weekly paycheck. After the schedule is… volunteer? A couple of people told me that a text or email blast is sent to everyone and, if they want, they can pick up whatever hours are available – but the department and floor are unknown.

LIke yesterday, Vinson was here until 3. Pam was here from 3 to 730. Abi came in from 730 to midnight. Grace was here from midnight till 730.

Usually, there’s a nurse and a tech. The tech does bathroom requests, get drinks, and helps in small tasks. The nurses distribute drugs and complete vitals as well as help with the minor stuff. Given that there are 27 active rooms out of 30, it takes a lot for two people to continually cover and provide that important bedside manner.

Yesterday — there weren’t any techs at all.
The poor nurses had to do everything.

When I was admitted, it was in the middle of the month – the 15th. The day and night shifts were consistent — outside of the outlier of Alyssa, who, from the attitude of others, isn’t a team player.

Since it was earlier in the month, everyone was punching in the minimual required hours. Everything was more consistent. Since those hours are met – the end of the month is a circus.

I think the scheduling is to help retain staff. They can advertise that they’re ‘flexible,’ and allows staff to work as much as they want – after minimual hours are achieved. I’m not 100% sure how overtime works.

Are they salary and additional hours would be OT or are they hourly and have a maximum number of overtime the can earn…..? Are they salaried, and additional hours would be OT, or are they hourly and have a maximum number of overtime they can earn…..?

I guess that’s one of the finer points. It doesn’t matter from this perspective.

While flexible scheduling may be a good advertising point to attract and keep dwindling medical professionals in a competitive environment, it’s not great for the patients.

There is SO MUCH miscommunication. Clear writing, which is quickly disappearing, is needed. Goodwill between staff is requires – which is == kinda — but there’s some conflicts. We’re people, not robots. People don’t have to like each other. Not completing full shifts and being jerked to multiple wards during a shift doesn’t help. Of course, there’s also the language, age, demographics, etc. A good portion of the nurses I met are from places like Zimbabwe, Niger, Venezuela, and South Korea. They’re either first or generation in America. Their accents are difficult to navigate sometimes. Some received degrees in America; others are considered international nurses — they were certified in other countries and can work here.

The international workers, from what I can tell, are happy to fill in as much as possible. Vinson said that he has two sons in Zimbabwe – ages 3 and 5. He’s been in America for 4 years and is trying to work enough to pay to bring his sons and wife over — properly.

There tend to be two types of how nurses react.

— One, like the night shift, I wasn’t allowed to move without assistance. Bisdo (sp?) double-downed. She was kind of like Annie in Misery. I couldn’t get out of bed – it was armed. I couldn’t open a door. I couldn’t turn on the TV. She NEEDED control, despite my ability. It caused a lot of friction and took time she could use on other things.

— Two, I say I can and have one X. They rummage the notes. Say sure. And off I go. I just bother them for cold Ensure a couple of times and maybe a fresh gown. These nurses rely on the patients’ input- which isn’t always correct. Nurses have different opinions and thoughts on how to treat patients. What might be good for one might not work for the next. The patient thinks that it’s okay – but it’s not. The nurse has to cause friction to correct the patient or the patient just continues until countered by someone else.

Soo… yeah,
Not great. I get it. But not great.

Corn Flakes came in – Yay!

I’m still doing okay – kinda. Blood work came back well outisde of a couple of issues with platelets. The past three or four times, my blood pressure has come in sub 100. I think that’s a normal number for me. But I was on a saline bag for three or four days because of my blood pressure. I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m placed back on a day or two before the next surgery — which means I can’t just wander the halls anymore.

I think they’re all in awe of my mom.
She brought in some buckeyes and peanut brittle – which disappeared *=– with a little encouragement. Several nurses are on GLP1s — of course.

I think I’ve stretched something on my right shoulder. When I pick up the wound vac or lean back, pain spikes. Several people assure me it’s fine – sealed – so I must have just done something.

I’ll be careful and stop complaining least the heavy pain meds are pushed — as they have been more times than I can count.

No no no.
This pain is apart of me.

Okay! Corn Flake time!