I'm not sure how this'll pan out as I'm currently working night shift in a local hospital and given it's nearly 3 am., I have been known to slur my words at times, so, reader beware.
I haven't written for a while, not since before Christmas in fact. Life on the land has become very busy of late, what with working and bike riding and gym and occasional visitors.
I suppose something has to give when sometimes you feel you're in the centre of a tornado and until now, blogging has been it.
As I said before, I am currently working those horrible hours in an environment where (touch wood), it is extremely "Q" (I won't say the word), and I am at a bit of a loss as to what to do next.
I suppose I should tackle some competencies and or read some more, or even make myself yet another cup of tea, but I thought, why not blog a bit for a change and see what comes out of my brain with a bit of free writing instead.
I have been working at this rural hospital now on and off since July of last year and really am finding I am enjoying the change not to mention the change of pace.
Please don't get me wrong reader. The days and evenings are usually very busy, and this place has the potential at any time of the day and night to suddenly pick up speed, depending on who presses the emergency door bell at all hours too so we are forever on tender-hooks here and have to be prepared for anything and anyone who might emerge requiring emergency care.
When I first started here, I was absolutely terrified of the door-bell going off.
My thoughts would run to my previous workplace and I would think, "I am a midwife, not an emergency nurse...what on earth am I doing here?"
Every time someone would present to the emergency department, I would be imagining any number of scenarios and had not iota of confidence in how to assess and or deal with what ailed the presenter.
There is still very much I do not know and I still have a lot to experience. People do present here with chest pain and cardiac irregularities and crush injuries after falling from tractors and snake bites but I have found my new colleagues here to be extremely supporting and willing to reteach me those skills I learned many years ago when I was a student nurse as well as teach me new skills for a lot has changed in the years I have worked elsewhere, in the realm of general nursing.
For forty + years now I have been a midwife. I have encouraged women to birth babies over a few generations now. I have encouraged some of those babies to birth their own and so it has continued.
I have worked with families providing the best care I could give. I have held their hands during the best times of their lives and during the saddest times of their lives also.
I have seen much laughter and love and heartache in my craft which I will never forget and there are women especially that will remain in my heart always.
This recent work has seen me step away somewhat from that which I am used to.
No longer am I supporting labouring women. Now I am working mainly with older folk who have experienced most of their lives and for the majority, are in their twilight years.
I have found a joy working with these people I did not ever think I would.
One environment I now work in is an aged care facility with residents who all have various stages of dementia. Most do not remember me when I return day by day to assist in providing their daily care, but I remember them and their personalities and their likes and dislikes so I am able to nurture and support as they travel this journey alone but in my company.
I cannot help but marvel at those colleagues who work with these people day in and day out, doing the same things each day with them but have no qualms about returning each time. It's a joy to watch the bond between the staff and the residents who for the most have known each other for long periods of time, given this workplace is in a small rural community about an hour's drive from my home.
Some of the staff are related to the residents either through family and or through marriage and extended family, or may have lived around the corner or down the street from them for most of their lives, so there is an element of closeness and connectivity that is missing in other places I have been for other reasons.
As I mentioned earlier, I really am surprised at how much I am enjoying the change in my workplace.
Who was it that said you can't teach an old dog new tricks?
I am 61 now and continuing to learn as I go. There is a joy in knowing that new colleagues respect and appreciate your work ethic. I will be working for at least a few more years yet, so, enjoyment is imperative at this stage of the game.
Enough for now. I think it's high time for a cuppa and I might just tackle that competency that's awaiting my superior knowledge!
Bye for now.
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Sunday, March 13, 2016
Monday, August 30, 2010
The Life and Times of a Tired Midwife...
"Well, that's another day over", I said to myself as I walked out of the ward today. Throughout the course of the day I tried to remain happy and smiling even when I got my head bitten off by an irate husband...Can be a bit difficult as you can guess.
What a day...full when we started at 7, overflowing by 10. We even had to admit a woman who had presented bright and early for a caesarian section, into a consulting room for the time being until we had discharged a postnatal mother and baby and had a spare bed to put her in.
The weekends have always been traditionally quieter at work than the week days as we usually do not have any elective admissions to deal with. This weekend however was the exception to the rule. Last evening there were 7 women in labour during our shift and each of the 3 midwives who were working with me had to care for two labouring women each which is well against midwife/patient ratios. We survived though yet again, with 6 or 7 births by the time we left to go home...I lost count after a while.
The one positive about such busyness is that the time goes quickly...sometimes much too quickly, but home time arrives and you're off out the door before you know it. To be honest, there are times at the end of the day I feel like I have been cheated of my days work due to the speed of time.
In a few weeks our unit manager goes on leave for three weeks and she has asked me to cover while she is away. It is a job I do not relish as the job comprises of meeting upon meetings, lots and lots of computer work (emails, not facebook or blogs!!!) and counselling staff through these hard busy times we are experiencing. In the past when I have temporarily taken the job on I have felt very frustrated as I'm constantly aware of the pace in which my colleagues are working and am unable to contribute because of those alternate responsibilities. I suppose I will do my usual thing and be darting in and out of the office trying to create a compromise for stressed staff who are becoming very tired of their workloads.
The major reason though for my smiles today though is my Mum. It was a real joy to walk into her little cottage this afternoon to find her busily sorting out her beloved collection of tapes she has amassed over the years. This is a sign she is on the mend after a few horrible weeks of pain and major discomfort. I have even promised I will take her out for lunch tomorrow if the weather remains bright and sunny so she can absorb some vitamin D for a change. She even had a cup of tea and a chocolate biscuit while I was there which was a contrast to her recent loss of appetite and resultant nausea.
Another reasons for my smiles is to read wonderful comments I received both on here and on my facebook site from loved friends and family.
In case you cannot tell, I do love to write and find this blogging very therapeutic for my soul.
When times are hard I have found writing about it most cathartic and it helps me understand the way I think and helps me to rationalise why 'things' happen at different times in our lives.
Reading has always been one of my most favourite past times. To me there is nothing better than curling up with my version of a good book. I love how a story can transport you into another realm and will take you away from reality for the term of the novel you have become involved in.
I would love to write stories but I am a perennial procrastinator and am very good at deflecting and putting off necessities in my life.
For example, a few blogs back I spoke about the collection of bits and pieces I acquired in order to create my hand for the quilt we at work are to create. I shamefacedly have to admit that the poor bits and pieces that are readily awaiting my tapestry are still shut away, yet to see the light of day.
I keep on thinking that I will do it tomorrow and perhaps tomorrow I will...It's like joining a gym and becoming that regular organised person that gets her moneys worth out of the subscription....that's not me I'm afraid...there are a number of local gyms I have joined with such good intentions only to lose interest half way through.
Perhaps that's why everyone is so very different...I am a deflector of the major kind...others get their 'stuff' and do it...perhaps its to do with mojo...who knows...the funny thing is that I smile and get on with it all...and nothing phases me too much in life. Even those horrible gob smacking occurrences that make you question why we experience what we do, I digest and take on board.
Once again, I say ..."Such is life"...to quote a now deceased bushranger, and wish you all a methodical organised life...unlike mine!
What a day...full when we started at 7, overflowing by 10. We even had to admit a woman who had presented bright and early for a caesarian section, into a consulting room for the time being until we had discharged a postnatal mother and baby and had a spare bed to put her in.
The weekends have always been traditionally quieter at work than the week days as we usually do not have any elective admissions to deal with. This weekend however was the exception to the rule. Last evening there were 7 women in labour during our shift and each of the 3 midwives who were working with me had to care for two labouring women each which is well against midwife/patient ratios. We survived though yet again, with 6 or 7 births by the time we left to go home...I lost count after a while.
The one positive about such busyness is that the time goes quickly...sometimes much too quickly, but home time arrives and you're off out the door before you know it. To be honest, there are times at the end of the day I feel like I have been cheated of my days work due to the speed of time.
In a few weeks our unit manager goes on leave for three weeks and she has asked me to cover while she is away. It is a job I do not relish as the job comprises of meeting upon meetings, lots and lots of computer work (emails, not facebook or blogs!!!) and counselling staff through these hard busy times we are experiencing. In the past when I have temporarily taken the job on I have felt very frustrated as I'm constantly aware of the pace in which my colleagues are working and am unable to contribute because of those alternate responsibilities. I suppose I will do my usual thing and be darting in and out of the office trying to create a compromise for stressed staff who are becoming very tired of their workloads.
The major reason though for my smiles today though is my Mum. It was a real joy to walk into her little cottage this afternoon to find her busily sorting out her beloved collection of tapes she has amassed over the years. This is a sign she is on the mend after a few horrible weeks of pain and major discomfort. I have even promised I will take her out for lunch tomorrow if the weather remains bright and sunny so she can absorb some vitamin D for a change. She even had a cup of tea and a chocolate biscuit while I was there which was a contrast to her recent loss of appetite and resultant nausea.
Another reasons for my smiles is to read wonderful comments I received both on here and on my facebook site from loved friends and family.
In case you cannot tell, I do love to write and find this blogging very therapeutic for my soul.
When times are hard I have found writing about it most cathartic and it helps me understand the way I think and helps me to rationalise why 'things' happen at different times in our lives.
Reading has always been one of my most favourite past times. To me there is nothing better than curling up with my version of a good book. I love how a story can transport you into another realm and will take you away from reality for the term of the novel you have become involved in.
I would love to write stories but I am a perennial procrastinator and am very good at deflecting and putting off necessities in my life.
For example, a few blogs back I spoke about the collection of bits and pieces I acquired in order to create my hand for the quilt we at work are to create. I shamefacedly have to admit that the poor bits and pieces that are readily awaiting my tapestry are still shut away, yet to see the light of day.
I keep on thinking that I will do it tomorrow and perhaps tomorrow I will...It's like joining a gym and becoming that regular organised person that gets her moneys worth out of the subscription....that's not me I'm afraid...there are a number of local gyms I have joined with such good intentions only to lose interest half way through.
Perhaps that's why everyone is so very different...I am a deflector of the major kind...others get their 'stuff' and do it...perhaps its to do with mojo...who knows...the funny thing is that I smile and get on with it all...and nothing phases me too much in life. Even those horrible gob smacking occurrences that make you question why we experience what we do, I digest and take on board.
Once again, I say ..."Such is life"...to quote a now deceased bushranger, and wish you all a methodical organised life...unlike mine!
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Another Day
Just finished work and I am knackered today. Work has been pretty busy of late with more and more women coming through our portal doors with complex issues for us to deal with. The place seems to be shrinking and this is a result of all the building works going on outside our doors.
Just last week we lost two of our two-bed rooms, a passageway, our staff toilet and a common-sense access to where most of our computers lie, not to mention our fax machine. We have gained the beds elsewhere, but at times they seem to be miles away, especially when you have to walk the full distance between the main area of our unit and where these beds are now located.
We will gain access once again at the main desk to our fax machine when it is relocated, but, one would think this could have been done before the area was boarded up wouldn't one!
Some of the staff are displaying symptoms of fed-uppiness and are bickering a bit which historically was not something we have had to deal with in the past.
Seems a shame that all of a sudden tempers are beginning to flare up as our resources are becoming more stretched and staff are becoming more and more stressed with the workloads.
I have always loved working in this unit and have felt a cohesiveness between everyone, but even I have felt like throwing the towel in in recent times.
I am only 56 and should be above all the issues and squabbles, but funnily enough I feel like this place is in a sense, home, so when the place is restless, like the natives, I too am restless and discontent.
One more shift to work then I am on two days off so I will get some rest and distraction away from the place which'll do me good.
Monday will see me start at a gym again for the umpteenth time.
I am sick of feeling fat and unco-ordinated and desperately need to do something about my increasing girth so gym it is and I'll be in the company of good friends so what have I to lose.
The irony though is that Tuesday I am having lunch with friends, then dinner with friends...so what I burn on Monday will be replaced on Tuesday...unless I have soup and salad twice in the one day!
Just last week we lost two of our two-bed rooms, a passageway, our staff toilet and a common-sense access to where most of our computers lie, not to mention our fax machine. We have gained the beds elsewhere, but at times they seem to be miles away, especially when you have to walk the full distance between the main area of our unit and where these beds are now located.
We will gain access once again at the main desk to our fax machine when it is relocated, but, one would think this could have been done before the area was boarded up wouldn't one!
Some of the staff are displaying symptoms of fed-uppiness and are bickering a bit which historically was not something we have had to deal with in the past.
Seems a shame that all of a sudden tempers are beginning to flare up as our resources are becoming more stretched and staff are becoming more and more stressed with the workloads.
I have always loved working in this unit and have felt a cohesiveness between everyone, but even I have felt like throwing the towel in in recent times.
I am only 56 and should be above all the issues and squabbles, but funnily enough I feel like this place is in a sense, home, so when the place is restless, like the natives, I too am restless and discontent.
One more shift to work then I am on two days off so I will get some rest and distraction away from the place which'll do me good.
Monday will see me start at a gym again for the umpteenth time.
I am sick of feeling fat and unco-ordinated and desperately need to do something about my increasing girth so gym it is and I'll be in the company of good friends so what have I to lose.
The irony though is that Tuesday I am having lunch with friends, then dinner with friends...so what I burn on Monday will be replaced on Tuesday...unless I have soup and salad twice in the one day!
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