U2 - Discoteque

I couldn't think of a title for this latest post, so I just named it after the song that I am currently listening to while writing this entry!

Lack of sleep has put me in a strtange mood! Had a really good week this week. I moved into my flat last weekend and have spent the week fine tuning the position of my furniture, etc. I have to say I'm quite pleased with it, which is good considering how much rent I pay for the thing!! I thought I would be quite lonely being there on my own but it's actually quite cool. It makes all the difference when you know it's your own space and you can do in it what you will. I'd still like people to talk to, but this week I have enjoyed my peace. It means I can pump up the music as loud as I want! :D And many thanks to the people who have contributed their time, cars, trailers, and appliances for the move and for my use. Your generousity is greatly appreciated!

Work-wise the week has been good too. I had all morning shifts but I reason that, even though I hate getting up in the dark (not fun), I can get off at a reasonable time in the afternoon. And morning shifts always have heaps more staff members to help you out if you get stuck with things. My evening shifts that I did last week were horrible. There was only 3 staff members - and RN, an EN and me. And because I'm still feeling my way around, I was running around in a flap not really knowing what I was doing. As a consequence, I didn't finish work till 12:15 one night (even shift is sposed to finish at 11). By the time I got to bed, it was 1:15. And then my brain didn't shut off coz it was such a busy night, so I got about 3 hours sleep that night. To make matters worse, I had a morning shift the next day (that is something that they affectionally call a 'quick shift' - quick sleep!). Needless to say I was pretty useless that day. Luckily I was saved by the fact that I had an inservice on, so all I had to do was sit there and try and keep my eyes open (not easy!).

Anyway, as I said, this week has been good. All the staff there are so nice. Some nicer than others but I haven't had a problem with any of them. They have now put me on a rotating roster so next week I have 6 days - 3 evenings and 3 mornings. Pray for strength for me to get though that one!!! After that, I'm back to 5 days a week, with sunday and monday off. Not too bad really. At least I get penalty rates for working saturdays!

Had an all-day seminar today on 'advanced care directives', which is a document which allows you to put in what you want to happen to you if you have a life threatening situation and you can't communicate what you want, EG if you don't want to be ventilated etc. I know this might seem a slightly morbid topic (and possibly boring!), But I found it surprisingly interesting. Came away from it with more questions than answers. They had a panel of allied health professionals discussing what they would do it they were faced with a patient who had a directive and in what sort of circumstances, etc. It was interesting to see the ethics involved and people's differences of opinion. As a health professional, it is your job to help treat the patient, but what if the best treatment for that patient was not to give them any treatment at all? It's all very big and braod but it just helped to put into perspective the patient's rights to refuse ACTIVE treatment, even if we think they may benefit for a little while from it.

I know that may be completely non-interesting to you viewers out there but I thought I'd include it anyway!

Well, as nobody wants to talk to me online, I guess I'll be going! See you in the blogging world next time I get the chance.

Take care of yourself and each other... (thabks Jerry Springer!) :op