Triage From Home » work

Night shifts are for the young

Helen — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:20:00 +0000

I mean it. Being over 40 should get you a ‘get out of night shifts free’ card. I remember how easy it was to do night shifts when I was a new grad. I was 23 and could sleep right through the day, waking up around 5pm in time to get ready to go back for another night. Piece of cake!

These days I struggle to stay asleep past noon between night shifts. At least working from home has made things much easier. No commute time and the freedom to work in my PJ’s if I want to. (and I do)
If there’s one thing I didn’t know would be so difficult about being a nurse, it’s working nights. Why can’t people just get sick during the day time?
I just LOVE sleeping too much to work nights. I get cranky when I haven’t slept enough. My kids will tell you they can tell when I haven’t slept enough after work. One wrong word and you get your head bitten off.
Well…hopefully this night shift thing will be ending in March. I’m supposed to be starting a full time line with only days and evenings. Oh- to be in bed every night like a normal person…
Bring it on!

Two night shifts and a mini backpack

Helen — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 07:50:00 +0000

Just finished my two night shifts at work. I had to go into the office last night which always makes it a bit more of a challenge for me. I didn’t sleep well after my first night, so I’m really mixed up now. It’s nearly 1 AM and I’m still going strong here.
I bought some instructions online for the cutest little backpack today. I made it this evening and didn’t make too many mistakes, although it was definitely a learning experience! I think this one is a big hit. Alison said even SHE wants one!
It has a little cell phone pocket in the front, a drawstring closure around the top, and the straps are really cute, made by using cut up pouches backed with lining fabric, and trimmed with finishing tape.
It took me several hours to finish this one, but it was my first try. Next one should be quicker and easier. I have some cute bright pink fabric with blue flowers here, an extra piece I found at Walmart for under $2. I think I’ll make a blue backpack with the pink lining next.

Off to bed now. Lots of busy days and nights just past and I need to recover!

Working from home (or WFH as we like to call it!)

Helen — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 15:56:00 +0000

I’ve been part of a pilot project for the past 5 months, working as a telenurse from home. It’s the best job I’ve ever had for so many reasons. I started telenursing for the BC Nurseline about 5 years ago. I thought I would miss working at the hospital (I worked for 10 years at BC Childrens’ Hospital in the ER and as an IV nurse) but after a period of adjustment, I’ve settled into this new role which I really enjoy. I still get to help people and use my nursing knowledge and I’m still learning something new everyday. In fact, one of the best things about telenursing is the ability to work with one patient at a time until I’ve met their needs, before moving on to the next one. Another great thing is taking regular, scheduled breaks during my shifts! No more working 8-10 hours straight because things are too busy to get away.
Now that I’m working most of the time from my home, I have even more advantages. I work in my PJs most of the time, and spend my breaks doing what I want to do, checking the mail, tidying up, taking a shower, playing with the dogs, talking to the kids or Jon. I get more sleep and even doing night shifts isn’t as painful as before. I know I can fall into my own bed 5 minutes after my shift ends, which is wonderful. I used to be so nervous driving all the way home after being up all night.
Any BC nurses out there who want to come and see what the Nurseline is like– let me know, I’d be happy to fill you in, take you on a tour, whatever! We need more nurses, as the Ministry of Health is planning to implement 811 soon, so our call volume is about to increase dramatically.