Back in the Saddle

I went back to work last night...*sigh*, I had to float. The girls on ICU tell me it's been feast or famine around there and they have been floating more. Since I was off for three months, it does make sense that it was my turn, but what a bummer. I was looking forward to being with my own "happy to see me" people! Now, admittedly, the shift was not too bad, but, talk about sink or swim! Used to staffing calling and asking if it's OK if they float me,...no call, find out when you get there. Used to familiar faces,...get over on tele where you only recognise three people! Used to two patients and mostly paper charting?...let's throw you out and give you 5 patient's and charting all on the computer! Used to a little down time in the middle of the night?..."MOVE, MOVE, MOVE", barely enough time for a break! Used to getting up after four hours feeling mostly refreshed?...get out of bed like an Uruk Hai breaking out of it's muddy birthing shell! Man, that was tough. My next shift is a four hour evening...more on that later! Anne

Back to Work

Well, I saw the orthopod today and he has given me the go ahead to go back to work on the 30th. I must admit, this news is met with a certain amount of ambivalence. While I have really enjoyed my time off and never having to worry about not getting to sleep every night, I have also missed the challenge of my job and the satisfaction I get from it. I do not, however, miss the rude people I occasionly have to rub elbows with. I mean coworkers and clients alike. Most people, I think, are basically good, but there are your given number of cranks in any area of life. I hope to approach the next few months with a sense of joy and a helpful attitude, as a three month break should tend to give me, but 20 years of career experience tells me that bad always comes with good. I'm sure this is not limited to only those in health care. A lot depends on my own attitude, so I'm praying for a lightness of feeling. If you have any extra prayers, say one for me. Anne