My heart is full..........

This week I was nominated for and won the 2009 Values in Action Award at Mercy Medical Center. This is among the highest of honors bestowed upon CHW employees and leaders for their contributions to CHW's health care ministry. Tears filled my eyes as I listened to all of the nomination stories about the 32 employees considered for this award. I am proud to work in a place where I am surrounded by such caring, giving people and I am touched to be recognized in this way.

appreciation

The following is an excerpt from a patient satisfaction survey elicited by the hospital where I work in my hometown.......What do you feel needs to be improved at our hospital? "Nothing! My nurse Wendy was the best! I have had 5 children & she is the nurse I will always remember. She is wonderful."
Thank you,
J.G

This is why I do what I do! Having that kind of impact on someone's life fills my heart with joy:)

Travel Nurse's Bible

I just finished reading this invaluable travel nurse guide written by David Morrison RN who has been a traveler himself for over a decade. It's like having a best friend who is a traveling nurse and shares all of his secrets with you! I wish I had read it BEFORE taking my first assignment, as it may have saved me a lot of anguish dealing with the agency I was contracted with. He covers every topic you can imagine from choosing an agency to housing issues to tax tips to how to get out of a bad situation. If you are currently a traveler, or think you might travel someday, get yourself a copy NOW. TravelNursesBible.com

AWHONN conference

I had planned on booking my plane tickets today to San Diego and registering to attend the AWHONN conference to be held there in June, but after listening to the Vice-President's warning about public transportation and the swine flu on the TODAY SHOW, I just don't know. I don't like to live my life in fear of the "what if's", but it seems sort of irresponsible to "fly in the face of danger".......pun intended;) Considering San Diego's proximity to Mexico and breathing shared air with all those people on the plane, I think I might have to sit this one out.

Ahhhhhh.......rejuvenation

I have decided that after ten weeks of a 60 hour per week schedule, a little pampering will help me survive these last three weeks. Therefore, I have scheduled weekly indulgences at Urban Retreat Spa http://www.urbanretreatspa.com/ at home in Redding, CA. I started today with the Metropolitan package..... a one hour massage and foot wrap followed by a one hour facial. You experience instant relaxation upon entering this inviting oasis. After being greeted at the reception desk, you are led to a lounge area where you can sip your cocktail (I chose a delicious appletini) and admire the beautiful decor. I recieved a fantastic massage from Shelly, followed by a facial from Taryn that was so relaxing that I actually fell asleep! I can hardly wait until next week:)

Enabling

I have worked with two different nurses in the past two weeks who have YEARS of experience, but can't seem to function on their own. They manage to get other people to do things for them either by manipulation, or because they are so sweet and nice that people just want to make things easier for them. This is ENABLING people!!!! This doesn't help them in the long run and it certainly doesn't help the co-workers that they are supposed to be backing up! Sure you can help them, but do it in a way that teaches them skills and critical thinking. Everyone benefits from this....the nurse grows....you feel good about teaching....patients are safer.....co-workers are happier! .........I will step down off my soapbox now, thanks for listening.

Kelseyville

I set off on my own today to Kelseyville for a little wine tasting and a lot of shopping! Shelly's Quilt Shop was adorable and had a nice slection of fabrics. I picked up three more bottles of wine at the Wildhurst Vineyards tasting room along with some unique finds from their gift shop. Yummy tacos from the stand across the street filled my tummy as I headed of to the Ployez Winery on my quest for Lady of the Lake pear champagne. Alas, the Lady still eludes me as she is bottled, but not sold there. Now, I really need to get to work and make some more money!