Why I dislike ward nursing not pediatrics...

In previous emails I have vented about my dislike for pediatrics but I have discovered that it's not pediatrics that I dislike but ward nursing in general. Last week I was suckered into working another pediatric shift, I figured that I would give it another try and see if I just had a bad shift last time. Apparently they were desperate and successfully guilted me into working. I was told that it was the hospitals "infant" ward so despite my initial hesitation agreed to work the shift.

When I got to the ward it was chaotic and all of the nurses were very apologetic....I later found out why! I began the shift asking multiple questions asking about the night shift routines, patient load, and breaks (one of the most important things). I was given my patient load (5 infants) which was an abnormally high number for the ward because someone called in sick. The shift started and I was lucky that 4/5 of the patients had a family member sleeping over. The shift flew by with multiple issues....one of the babies was having continuous seizures and bradycardias which required vital signs every 5 minutes. The ward coordinator was finally able to find another nurse to provide constant monitoring to the infant at 4AM so I could go on a quick break....thank goodness for that!

Some things that I dislike about ward nursing is that there is no time to pay attention to details like in the intensive care. I didn't have the luxury of completing a full head to toe assessment every 3-4 hours and had to settle for a pulse rate, respiratory rate, and temperature when the patient woke up. I also had many medications to give and needed to find another nurse to check the medication, sometimes reconstitute it, and check armbands. I was really missing the lovely pharmacy team back home, I felt like I was either drawing up medications or checking them the entire shift. There was one patient who was alone, a 14 month old battling gastroenteritis who slept well overnight and bottle fed every two hours to maintain hydration. Her room was disasterous when I came on shift, empty bottles everyone, sticky floor, dirty linens, no supplies, and in dirty clothes. I could have spent my whole shift or at least a very big portion of it organizing/cleaning. Unfortunately, that couldn't have been my priority but when 7AM rolled around I was tempted to stay later to do the "little things" that I had been wanting to do all night.  I had my big realization that it wasn't the pediatric aspect of nursing that I dislike but it was the fact that I couldn't do all of the "little things" that I have always done for my patients and their families.

I feel very fortunate that I have had some diversity in my career, every shift either reinforces my love for neonates or teaches me something new. I think that my change of heart had a lot to do with the 14 month old patient, when she woke up in the morning she was so happy to see that someone was there and her big brown eyes lit up with excitement.... Her smile made all of my previous negative feelings towards pediatrics disappear.

Australian Music Festivals...an experience like no other!

This past weekend I attended the last and one of the best festivals of the summer...Future Music (40,000 tickets were sold). I have been lucky enough to attend 4 festivals this summer and every experience has been different and interesting, to say the least. The day started with pre drinks and visiting around noon, and we headed to the venue around 1330. For this festival the venue was in Joondalup, which is a 40 minute train ride from the city. I was with my friends, Jake & Dan and many 18 year olds....we felt old.

Jake & I venturing into the foam party :)

The day continued and we had a great time, and some of you were fortunate enough to get text messages and voice mails before I ran out of phone credit :) My favourite performance was Mark Ronson & the Business International. Here is my favourite song at the moment:

Hope that you enjoyed the post and felt like you have an understanding of what Australian music festivals are like and why I enjoy them so much! 

I've been replaced...

The Kikister loves Skype dates, she always has to be a part of the conversation...

It's 2130 and past her bedtime, being cuddled like a human baby....

Just too hilarious not to share....Mom and baby Kiki!

Dedication to my family & friends (old & new)....

First of all, I need to apologize for the lack of posts recently. I have been preoccupied the last couple of weeks; physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Recently, I have moved into a new house with my good friend Charmaine and my new friend Sarah. It has been an absolute treat living here with the girls and I feel very welcomed in their home. I have been invited to participate in their workouts, offered rides to and from work, included in their group meals, and comforted when I have been feeling down. Another reason why I am so appreciative of Charmaine's friendship is that she has introduced me to her fabulous circle of friends (Ellie, Christie, Jess, Nikki, Emma, and Andrea). They never make me feel like an outsider, unless their making fun of my accent. I have to specifically thank Ellie for being my partner in crime and for always being there for me. It's amazing how your presence can drastically alter my mood (for the better). You all need to know that I appreciate the support that you have given me the last couple months.

I need to reinforce that this doesn't mean that I don't miss my friends and family back home. I think about you every single day that I am here. There are certain songs, smells, and sayings that make me miss you more. I take comfort in the fact that I will be seeing you again and I look forward to hearing about life back home (via email, text messages, and phone calls). There is one thing for certain is that I would be a basket case without Skype. I love seeing your smiling faces and feel uneasy when I haven't had a recent "Skype date".

Tonight I was lucky enough to Skype with Meghan, Dave, Cathy, Kaleigh, Myla, and Payton. They were waiting for Sarah & Tyler to come home with Carter Leon Smith, their new baby boy. I can't believe how much all of the girls have changed since October and I was happy that they still remembered me. I couldn't help but cry after I hung up with them, I wished that I was there awaiting Carter's arrival with them.

I've found myself feeling more emotional these days and whenever I have needed to talk to one of my besties you have been there for me! I would like to specifically thank my Mom, Nanny, Amanda, Sammi, Jocelyn, and Erin who have always dropped everything and anything to be there for me. I have woken you up at horrible hours, interrupted you at work (sometimes even between patients), kept you awake after a night shift, interrupted parties, caused you to be late for nights out and delayed many meals. I appreciate all of you so much....

I am lucky to have all of you in my life! I definitely feel like I have love....