Nickiabbott's Blog

How to Pat Yourself on the Back

nickiabbott — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 03:17:01 +0000

Have you ever worked with someone who made you feel so good about yourself that work did not feel like work? What about the person who always has a gripe, or complaint about anything or anyone? After those days you just want to shoot yourself! It brings you down, work is tedious, you feel like it is “us ” and “Them”, and you feel unappreciated.

One real challenge to working with others is to keep the communication positive, and to cheer yourself on when something good happens, for example:’ I did my first I.V. without hurting the patient!” That lady in bed 26 finally let me help her with her shower, yaa!’ instead of ‘I hope they do not ask me to do the I. V. I am so lousy at it.’ or ‘ I never get these med calculations right I am terrible at math’.

I know that at times I suffer from self doubt or just plain fear of an impending confrontation with a co-worker. I found some positive feedback on-line with a person called the communicationsdoctor.wordpress.com A.K.A. Dr. Susanne Gaddis. I encourage anyone to read her articles there is a really good one called Ego-Boosters Vs. Ego-Busters, tell me what you think.

To Pay $ the Price to be a Nurse

nickiabbott — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:56:45 +0000

I have been trying to apply for a few Nursing scholarships this past week and I have spent a total of three days just running around to get the papers and put them in order.In the process I discovered a few things and thought I would share them with you- just in case you try for one of these awards.
First of all I needed a transcript of my school work to date and grades, so I went to the registrars office and put in a request, it costs $10.00 so be prepared. While I was there the little lady who sits behind the counter said ‘do you want it expedited?’ “Why?” I asked,’ it takes three business days to get the transcript, and if you want to put a rush on it will cost more’..like 70 dollars more! OK I think some of us students apply near the deadline and it has turned into a money making scheme!
The next requirement was letters of recommendation. these letters come from various sources like: from Instructors, volunteer organizations, past or present employers, read carefully to get the required letters from the required people! The application part you would think would be straight forward but sometimes you have to fill it out for the instructors- if it is a nomination award! What do you say about yourself can you cheat at this? (how do you do that?’Yes I weigh 105lbs’) I guess in the end if I can get one award it will really help and be worth it, I was thinking today how much do I want to be a nurse? Enough to go through the hoops of applications! Have any of you received scholarships? What did you have to do to get them?

Dealing With Addictions As a Nurse

nickiabbott — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 03:34:50 +0000

I have been doing some research on substance abuse in Canada.For reference the substances abused are tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs. As a future health care worker, I consider these some of my personal challenges in dealing with substance abuse: 1) talking about addiction to total strangers, that seems a little bit intimidating to me 2)I know how hard it is to change myself, how am I going to be able to help someone change himself/herself 3) Not take the easy way out and think that someone is a hopeless case (a someone who has an addiction)
In the research that I have found, substance abuse is one of the most costly illnesses the healthcare system deals with according to the document, The Cost of Substance Abuse in Canada ,

” Measured in terms of the burden on services such as health care and law enforcement, and the loss of productivity in the workplace or at home resulting from premature death and disability, the overall social cost of substance abuse in Canada in 2002 was estimated to be $39.8 billion. …This overall estimate represents a cost of $1,267 to every man, woman and child in Canada”.D., ,Brochu, S.,Fischer B., Gnam, W., Patra, J., Popova, A., Rehm, J., Samocinska-Hart, A., Taylor, B. (2002). That’s right 1,267 dollars for every man woman and child, so for my family of 5 that means 6335 dollars a year to help pay our share of this cost to society or about 17 dollars a day.

It is definitely a problem and while these numbers help us to get a picture of the costs (we always can feel it in the pocket book) these numbers represent people’s lives, and families. I feel we defiantly need to do or say something as a health care worker but, how will our efforts come across? How do you plan on handling this situation? Please share your thoughts.

The document is found at this address:

http://www.ccsa.ca/2006 CCSA Documents/ccsa-011332-2006.pdf

Student burnout hope that does not lead to nurses burnout!

nickiabbott — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:09:53 +0000

When I started my nursing school courses I was so excited. That faded to reading fatigue, then to stress then to gaining weight! I find these days time to nurture myself scarce. Has anyone else experienced this? I am sure we have.

One of our greatest strengths is being caring; we are there for our friends, family and lovers. Somewhere we need to make time to care for ourselves; I am giving myself permission to do something for myself every day. I need to put myself first so it has to be something I enjoy and it has to be beneficial. My goal for today is to go for a walk with my dog by the river and not bring my cell phone! I am giving you permission to do something for yourself today-before you do your homework!

Hello world!

nickiabbott — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:21:06 +0000

Welcome, lets start sharing! Idea’s that is!