2015-04-21T20:28:03+01:00

https://s3.amazonaws.com/lowres.cartoonstock.com/health-beauty-safety-slip-slipping-trips-fall-rhan27_low.jpg

Episode 298: Leading By Example!

April 21, 2015/Judy E Martin/15 Comments

A bit of good weather and the prospect of a day off tomorrow with a bit of peace and quiet us just what I need at the moment. The last couple of days have been pretty busy getting back into the swing of work and school etc.

As we have been pretty short-staffed for ages, we have finally got a couple of new staff that started this week. To ease them into the madness, they have been doing slightly different hours to the rest of us, but it is nice to see them when they turn up and of course it is wonderful to have their help.

As most of you know, I am not the most graceful of people, and one of the nurses I was working with today, calls me ‘Calamity Jane’ at times (very unkind of her, I know and not in the least justified)! Anyway we had a lovely new lady start with us yesterday who I worked briefly with, and she was in again today.

I went into the Bay where she was working to do some observations, which she was going to watch, and record for me on the handheld system. As I went over to take the patient’s blood pressure, I tripped over the power cable of the big floor buffer thing one of the domestics was using. I saw my new colleague giggle. as the domestic tried to kind of flick it out of my way which only resulted in me tripping again, as I stepped the wrong way to avoid it.

A bit later, I needed a Bair Hugger (a kind of electric heated blanket) for one of my patients who had a low temperature. There was one not needed in the bay next door where our new colleague was working. In her haste to help me, she hurried to unplug it, but caught her foot on the edge of the bed and went flying! She did a few kind of slow-motion leaps to keep her balance, which of course set me off laughing as well.

I think she and I are going to get along just fine, although I don’t know if we will be safe to work together!

Episode 269: Mixing Business With Pleasure!

April 4, 2015/Judy E Martin/26 Comments

Looking for love can be quite a daunting task. Some people prefer the more traditional methods such as going out to pubs, clubs and other places hoping to get lucky and meet that special person. Some rely on friends to fix them up with someone who they know, and arrange a kind of ‘blind date’ scenario.

Other people go for the more modern approach, internet dating being the most popular. There are many websites now that are dedicated for the sole purpose of finding your soul mate. Some might be a bit pricey though and put people off.

Now, you might want to use your initiative and find your own way of attracting your perfect partner. It all depends what you are looking for in your life-long lover, as to how you go about it,

So you have to admire a builder who decided that he would take matters into his own hands to find romance. Actually, he needed an apprentice as well to teach them his trade so that they could help him at work. He had a sudden brain wave to combine the two! Why waste time on writing out separate ads when you can get both for the price of one!

Now this man (called John) did not have a list of qualities, traits or preferences for his potential paramour, no indeed! As long as they were female and between the ages of 30-40 that would do for him! What would he offer in return?

A ‘craft that would change your life!’ Now there’s an offer you can’t refuse! Whether your life would be changed for the better or not was not stipulated, as John is a man of very few words, and even fewer emotions it seems. although no-one could doubt the fact that he is obviously extremely practical and economical.

It would be wonderful if John found himself the apprentice/partner/lover that he wanted, but I am not holding out much hope!

Episode 268: Hot Cross Edwina!

April 3, 2015/Judy E Martin/14 Comments

What a busy week it has been, I normally only work 4 days per week, and what with one thing and another, I have not done my usual hours for a while. However, this week I have ended up doing 5 days and shattered! I know many of you probably work a lot longer hours and more days, but I am just finding it tiring getting back into the swing of things.

Anyway, today was my last day at work before the Easter holidays. Miss Hap broke up from school yesterday, and as me and Mr Grump were working, got to spend a lovely day with her Nanny.

Work was of course busy as always, but we had a great team on shift. The patients were all treated to a hot cross bun this morning with their mid morning hot drink, which went down rather well. (It would have gone down even better if they had been given a bit of butter with their buns as they were rather large and quite dry-looking)!

I did go to the kitchen and grab a load of spreads and butters, but by the time I went around with them, anyone that was going to eat them had already done so! Still, they cheered up a bit when the Easter eggs were being dished out. A local charity had donated loads of Easter eggs so that every patient got one.

Two of my ladies in particular, had started tucking into theirs straight away. I jokingly told them that lunch would be served any minute and I would not be happy if they ate the chocolate and not their meal. It was so nice to see them laughing and happy, enjoying their unexpected Easter treats.

When I got home Mr Grump was here having finished early, and Miss Hap came home soon after. Now i could relax and enjoy my two weeks holiday from work. Only problem is…my throat is prickly.. and my nose is blocked up….I’m all hot and cold! Typical! I always feel rough when I am on annual leave!

Episode 261: In The Summertime……

March 29, 2015/Judy E Martin/12 Comments

British summertime….long hot, balmy evenings, beautiful blue skies, shorts, and little dresses….no chance of that yet! Yes, although British summertime officially began today, it has been a grey old day around here with a good dollop of rain chucked in for good measure as well as a howling wind!

Last night we were to put our clocks forward an hour, to welcome in summertime with an extra hour of daylight in the evening. Now I had to work today, and was worried that my phone (I use that for my alarm) would not automatically update and that I would get up an hour late. I needn’t have worried.

It blasted into life at what was effectively 4:15 this morning! I was groggy eyed and quickly groped for my wristwatch to make sure of the time before cursing and muttering, and dragging myself out of bed.

The night staff were understandably thrilled to be leaving an hour early, but the tired and drawn faces of the rest of the day shift belied the fact that they too had struggled with the loss of that important hour’s sleep!

Anyway, the shift itself was the same as usual, short-staffed and extremely busy, but in my case, peppered with yawns, as I just couldn’t seem to shake of the tiredness, which is silly really being as I went to sleep early to compensate for the ‘lost hour.’

Isn’t it great that due to it being ‘summer time’ now, I get to see another hour of dull grey skies and pouring rain before it gets dark. Things don’t get any better than this!!!!

Episode 218: Organised Chaos Disorder!

March 13, 2015/Judy E Martin/12 Comments

I might have mentioned before that I am a bit of a creature of habit, and that I kind of like routines. Now, I don’t know whether I have just pressed something by accident or not but something bis different when I go to write a post!

It is putting me right out as everything is topsy turvy as well as being the wrong way around. The tags, categories etc have changed sides from right to left, and the space where I type my post has moved from top to bottom! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

In fact, the more I think about it, the weirder I realise it is really, being such a stickler for routine. I get up for work every day at the same time, have the same breakfast, leave for work at a set time, park in roughly the same place! Hmmm that seems a bit odd really! I know my work colleagues think I am mad, as I always get to work at least half an hour early so I can have a coffee and a chill out before the madness of the day sets in.

I suppose I don’t even realise I am doing it really (unless I stop to think about it) as it has become a habit. Mind you, any break in the link puts me right out! It might even take me ages to get back into the swing of things (Mr Grump keeps me in pitta bread for my breakfast so he doesn’t incur my wrath)!

Mr Grump is also a fan of the routine-oriented day though! He gets up (lovingly woken by me yanking the covers off him once I have opened the blinds, and takes the dog out before he goes to work. (We have a decided lack of spontaneity in our house you might have noticed)!

Thank God though for Miss Hap!! She gets up eventually after being called repeatedly, has no routine, is totally disorganised and just floats along in her own sweet way. She has no concept of time or urgency and drives me and Mr Grump round the bloody bend!!

I don’t know which is worse, being too regimented or being too lackadaisical!

Episode 210: Sitting On The Sidelines.

March 10, 2015/Judy E Martin/15 Comments

Isn’t it funny how you present yourself to others, or actually how they perceive you. A change of clothes or even a hair colour can give off totally different impressions. Our ward at work has been chosen for some research work to be carried out. A few of us staff are part of the project, and on occasion, we have been asked to carry out some observations. Today I was going to going to be interviewed by the researcher before we did ours.

In order to disassociate myself from being ‘at work’ I changed out of my uniform and left my hair down. Now I was ‘in civvies ‘ I would be able to sit quietly observing, without anyone distracting me. Not much chance of that…

As soon as I trotted onto the ward in my kitten heels, it felt weird. A few of the staff didn’t recognise me either! Anyway, I got myself settled into a chair ready to write my findings. I found it strange ignoring the buzzers, and not getting involved in anything, I did have a relative come over to ask me some questions about his mother and instead of going to find out myself, I directed him to someone else.

When we had finished, myself and the researcher went to a ‘quiet’ area of the ward to talk over our findings. She also commented on the dress that I was wearing. (It was actually one I had made myself that only has a few mistakes)! She complimented me on my ‘interesting choice of fabric’. Oh yes, it was black with white skull and crossbones all over it. Just the sort of appropriate garment to wear on a ward full of frail, elderly people!

Episode 204: Patience With Patients!

March 7, 2015/Judy E Martin/20 Comments

One of the things us nursing staff get told a lot by some of the relatives is that,

‘you have the patience of a Saint, I could never do your job’. It is strange how much our patience varies depending on who we are dealing with and what the situation is…..

On Thursday and Friday I was working in my normal Bay, and one lady in particular was pretty ‘vocal’ . Now she is 97 years old and extremely deaf (the hearing aid she wears has a flat battery I think) so she talks at FULL BLAST. Now she had been a moved to my bay from a side room as she did not like to be on her own.

I was checking that each patient was eating their breakfast when I noticed she hadn’t even got any. So I asked her why not. After repeating the question several times increasing the volume until she could hear me she replied

” I DON’T LIKE ANY OF THAT MUCK YOU SERVE HERE, IT’S ALL A LOAD OF RUBBISH!”

Fair enough , but she had to eat something so I asked if she liked bacon which she did, Great, good start. “Sausage?”

“NO I DON’T BLOODY LIKE SAUSAGES!” Fine. “Eggs?”

“I ONLY LIKE FRIED EGGS, NOT ANY OTHER KIND”. I assured her that I would get her some bacon and fried eggs and trotted off to phone the kitchen.

Now there were two of us in the Bay and only five patients at this point as one of the beds was closed and we were not able to take any new ones in. Luckily most of the other ladies were either feeding themselves or being helped by the other nurse.

I placed my order with the kitchen and in due course one of the staff appeared carrying a tray. I was disappointed to see that there was scrambled egg with the bacon that I had ordered even though I had specifically asked for a fried egg. I tried my luck with my patient anyway!

“WHAT DO YOU CALL THAT? I TOLD YOU I DON’T LIKE THAT SORT OF EGG. WHY DON’T YOU LISTEN?”

I tried to explain about the kitchen sending up the wrong egg and I would change it but no, she was not having it. I tried offering a bacon sandwich, Nope. She was not having it and I was severely berated for my incompetence for good measure as well.

Annoyed with the kitchen I phoned the help desk again (yes we can’t phone direct, everything is through the helpdesk). I explained what had happened and they told me that as the meals were pre-prepared it may not have been possible to have a fried egg due to their not being enough staff to make one.

Fuming, I was muttering to myself about how I could go down there myself and cook the bloody egg. How hard is it to cook a fried egg for Christ’s sake?! It’s not as if it takes long.

Anyway, my patient was mad now, and refused to eat anything. I knew this was not going to bode well at wash time – and it didn’t! She had come in with no toiletries so I had put some of our soap in her washbowl and brought some disposable wipes over to wash her with.

“YOU ARE NOT COMING NEAR ME WITH THOSE! WHERE IS MY SOAP AND FLANNEL?”

I explained that they were at home and that I would have to use our stuff for now. She was not happy but did finally agree to let me help her, and also get her dressed in her own clothes that someone had just brought in for her.

“WHERE IS MY VEST”?

“It is just here”

“GET OUT OF MY BLOODY WAY , I WILL DO IT”

“Ok. here it is”

“TIGHTEN MY SHOE”. NO NOT LIKE THAT, WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH YOU?. THAT STRAP IS NOT LEVEL.”

“Sorry, let me try again”

“NOOOOOO, I SAID TIGHTER!”

This went on for a bit until I got it right. She did have a sandwich an hour after the failed breakfast attempt, but when a visitor came, she told them she had ‘nothing to eat, and her hair wasn’t brushed’ (actually it was because I did that wrong and suffered her wrath for it). She also told the visitor how much worse she felt since coming into hospital because of the appalling way we looked after her!

Now I know that by the end of a very long two days (I have amalgamated them into one so you get the gist) my patience was wearing a bit thin, but it is my job to look after my patients, and actually as gruff and crabby as she was, we did actually get her to laugh, and I got a lovely hug from her!

Now if Miss Hap had tried any of that kind of talk with me, things would have been very different!

Episode 178: Dressed To Express

February 24, 2015/Judy E Martin/10 Comments

Well today was the ‘Team Building’ day that I had mentioned in my previous post here. I had put on my ‘Minnie Mouse’ dress, grabbed my object that I was going to talk about (my knitted monkey), and managed to cadge a lift (due to broken down car) with two of my colleagues.

It is a beautiful, sunny day again today so the dress was not as inappropriate as I thought. We managed to get a parking space as well, but because of the time it was quite a long way off so we had a bit of a trek to get to the room on time. Of course, being as I am, I needed to get a coffee so the others went up and I joined the massive queue at the cafe.

This led to me bursting in a little late, but it wasn’t a problem luckily. Anyway we set some ground rules before we started one of which was ‘no eating’. Great, I had brought a couple of sandwiches and a satsuma to keep the hunger pangs at bay, but never mind! The session was really good as it happens. It was great to see some of the people in their own clothes outside of work! We all get on pretty well anyway, so it was quite good fun.

I was pleased that I was not the only dozy one amongst us, as one of our group barged in about an hour into the session having gone to the wrong hospital, in the wrong town (city actually). Bless her she got caught in the rush hour traffic but did eventually turn up.

At one part of the session we all had to talk individually about something, Just as thee boss was going to start, ‘Hey Jude’ blasted out from my handbag! Shit, I had forgotten to turn my phone on silent, which was very unusual as people normally moan that i never hear my phone!

Anyway, we eventually trotted back to the car (by now I was carrying my coat as it was so hot). I came home and decided that I would get changed as I felt a bit ‘trussed up’ (no, I have not been watching ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’) , I took my cardigan off and realised that one of the straps was missing off my dress, nowhere to be found. Gutted.

Pic of the whole dress (strap included)!

Episode 171: Ode To Nurses

February 19, 2015/Judy E Martin/18 Comments

This poem is for all the nurses, nursing assistants and carers. A typical day for us!

Your day starts very early

Before you are awake

There are patients who need washing

And lots of beds to make

The buzzers are all going

There really is no rest

Someone wants the toilet

“Sorry to be a pest!”

Some bloods need to be taken

Dressings to be changed

That patient’s going home soon

And no transport has been arranged!

“Someone’s had an accident

Go and change the bed”

Another one has had a fall

And now he’s banged his head

“Where’s the bloody doctor?”

The relatives want a word

Your smile becomes a grimace

As you’ve just skidded on a turd!

You quickly get it cleaned up

But it won’t come off your shoe

The time is going quickly

But there’s still so much to do!

You finally write your notes up

And hope you did ok

Then home to get some shut –eye

To face another day!

Episode 168: Stressing To Impress!

February 17, 2015/Judy E Martin/18 Comments

Next week, I have been invited (it is compulsory) to attend a ‘Team Building’ session at work for a whole day of activities. As you may know I work for the NHS, looking after elderly patients. All of the staff have been divided up into three teams headed by a Sister, with Staff Nurses, Associate Nurse (or Practitioner) and Healthcare Assistants.

My dilemma is this: we have been asked to wear clothes that reflect who were are. Hmmmm, this is a bit tricky as I don’t even know who I am yet despite my advancing years! I know that many people are defined by their jobs, but I suspect that is what we are trying to get away from!

I could turn up in my pyjamas. after all, I do seem to spend rather a lot of time in them! When I get home, I like nothing better than to have a nice bath, and get comfy in my PJs. However, I don’t think I have a pair that are suitable for public viewing; even my Betty Boop ones (of which I have many pairs) are a little scruffy now, and a bit short in the leg.

I am well-known for being clumsy, so what about a protective suit of armour? I could make a lovely grand entrance, clanking my way up the stairs and into the lecture theatre! I should imagine it would be a bit heavy, and perhaps movement may be a little restricted. The visor may even be considered a barrier to communicating to my team-mates. Not sure about this one; I may be shielded from accidents but would probably need to be treated for exhaustion, or rust!

My usual clothes are ones that do not set me apart from anyone else in any way really. I do tend to dress in black a lot, and I wear long tops and leggings mostly. It fits quite well with my personality in that I blend into the crowd, I don’t like drawing attention to myself much, and I am still just a little on the shy side.

However, I am trying to come out of myself more. I know all of my colleagues very well, and at work I am more confident, and assertive (I have to be). I was discussing with Mr Grump what he thought summed me up as a person, and he said it just as I was thinking it.

I love the 1950s and the fashions that were around at that time, during the summer months, especially on special occasions I wear one of my ‘Hell Bunny’ dresses as I love their designs. I actually own one similar to the photograph which I call my ‘Minnie Mouse’ dress.

I know it is the middle of winter. Yes, it is freezing cold. ‘ll probably have to wear tights and proper shoes as opposed to bare legs and my matching red and white spotty wedges, and of course I’ll need a cardigan or something. Never mind.

It definitely reflects who I am, a bit dotty, utterly inappropriate (I still always burst out laughing at the most inopportune times), and it has hidden depths!

I think it pretty much sums me up!

Rhyme and No Reason!

Blogger, author and rhymester who likes to find the humour in life.

Tag: work

Episode 298: Leading By Example!

Episode 268: Hot Cross Edwina!

Episode 261: In The Summertime……

Episode 218: Organised Chaos Disorder!

Episode 210: Sitting On The Sidelines.

Episode 204: Patience With Patients!

Episode 178: Dressed To Express

Episode 171: Ode To Nurses

Episode 168: Stressing To Impress!

Follow Blog via Email

Translate

This is me!

Judy E Martin

Top Posts & Pages

Blogs I Follow

Thanks for visiting

Lates Blog Posts

RSS

Blogger, author and rhymester who likes to find the humour in life.

Please share if you enjoyed this post :-)

Please share if you enjoyed this post :-)

Please share if you enjoyed this post :-)

Please share if you enjoyed this post :-)

Please share if you enjoyed this post :-)

Please share if you enjoyed this post :-)

Please share if you enjoyed this post :-)

Please share if you enjoyed this post :-)

Please share if you enjoyed this post :-)

Please share if you enjoyed this post :-)

Follow Blog via Email

Translate

This is me!

Top Posts & Pages

Blogs I Follow

Thanks for visiting

Lates Blog Posts

RSS