I'm Kelsy. I'm a nurse. I work the night shift on a crazy surgical unit and you would not believe the stuff that happens when sick people sleep. To hear more about that and other stories read on....

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

5 Day Glimpse

This last week I was a glutton for my own punishment.  I worked 5 days in a row.  That's 60 hours out of 120.  Too much.  But I survived.  We've been short at work, so I picked up an extra shift to help out.  Here's a glimpse into a something I did each night.
Night 1
Prayed.  I took care of a very sick little boy.  I think my blood pressure was 20mmHg higher that it usually is.  I prayed he would keep breathing.  I prayed and prayed.  It is so amazing to me sometimes, how one can be so little and new, but have so many health problems.  Why?
Night 2
Watched the royal wedding.  I was working at 2:30 in the morning or whatever time it was on.  You would not believe how many little old lady patients were staying awake to watch.  I watched with them and in the waiting room.  One of our pediatricians who was on the floor that night was even watching.  Such a beautiful dress.  Sometimes I wish I were British.
Night 3
Staffing issues tonight.  Too many sick babies on the floor and not enough certified baby nurses to take care of them.  Leading to....me taking care of all the babies.  I love taking care of babies, don't get me wrong, but it is stressful, especially when parents are not there to help.  I feed, I burp, I give medicine, I suction out little noses, then comfort afterward.  Hard work.
Night 4
Packed Top Ramen for dinner.  Don't usually do that, but was feeling a bit tired.  The Top Ramen brought up an hour long conversation with my co-workers and provided laughter all night.  We talked about brands, flavors, and the yummy cabbage salad that you put ramen in.  Isn't it weird how you always have a random ramen flavoring packet laying around?
Night 5
Caught the whole footage of Osama Bin Laden's death.  For this I'm grateful.  This country deserves some kind of closure from the mastermind of 9/11, but I can't help but be a bit disturbed by the cheering and coverage of the whole event.  Watching people cheering "U-S-A" or "We're #1" in Times Square made me feel strange.  I don't know how to feel on this particular situation.  I've seen coverage of other countries cheering about the death of leaders or like when they pulled Hussein's statue down, but now that coverage is of us.  The United States.  I guess I've just never seen us like this before.

3 comments:

Julie said...

Sounds like a very busy week! Hope you get some rest, girl! I am sure those babies were glad you were there though.

I agree on the Osama thing...I am glad that there is some closure and justice, for he truly was an evil man. However, singing "We are the Champions" in the streets seems a bit wrong to me.

Kristen said...

Glad you survived, sweet sister, I wish you could be helping to take care of my little baby, although, I would still be there.
love

Kaleena said...

Crazy week my friend! We need another skype date soon :) Sounds like a bunch has happened since we talked last for both of us!