01.20.07
Posted in The ins and outs.... at 6:24 pm by smarriott
Well today marked the end of the second week of my new identity, nurse-in-training. Contrary to popular belief, I was not basking in the southern sun for the last two weeks, but crouched with my nose stuck in one of many books and/or computer for hours. As opposed to happy, glorious margaritas, I was learning all about the nursing process and when a latex glove is or is not sterile. The moment to see would have been today as I prepared to enter and treat a poor soul with pertussis (the nasty microorganism responsible for Whooping Cough). Mask, sterile suit, gloves and eyewear were all donned. I’ll pause while you imagine and laugh.
Moving on. This week has certainly been a little smoother than last week. Not only did I have all of the correct books (and no class on Monday) but sweet, sweet vindication was mine for the taking. Some of you may be familiar with this story, but for those of you unaware, please pull up a chair - this is quite a story! You may need a beverage, it is a long one. Ready? Okay.
The Back Story. In October I received a list of all of the books that I will need for this semester. It was, in fact, incomplete, but that is besides the point. At that time the total for all of these nine books was close to $500-$600 depending on the new/used condition. As I was not willing to pay this much for books, I chose an alternate route, good ‘ole Amazon.
The Whole Story. So all my books came and promptly. At one of my classes, however, I realized I had the wrong edition. Probably my mistake or the school’s I think. I politely emailed the seller, noted the error and waited for him to tell me he does not take returns and that all sales must be read before completing the transaction. Nuts, but did the seller list the book correctly? Hmmm
Since I hate to waste money, especially on textbooks, I reviewed my order and found to my surprise it was not my fault or the schools, but a scheming man advertising the 5th edition of a book on the the 6th edition page! That scoundrel you might say, but don’t judge just yet, it gets better. I email the seller for the second time, noting of course that his selling tactics were misleading and I should be entitled to a refund (did I mention after I ordered this book three other customers complained of the same exact situation - coincidence?) The reply I received cannot be described. I’ll just have to exhibit it here:
“Yes, that right, I take full accountability and responsiblity for that. I also stated in the item description that you were and I quote, “CAUTION YOU ARE BUYING THE 5TH EDITION”. You didn’t read that note that was bold and capitalized. It’s the buyers responsibility to read everything. Use this analogy,
I go through the trouble of listing books on amazon adding notes to the item description that clearly stated you were buying the 5th edition. What don’t you understand about that? I feel as student nurse you didn’t take responsibility or accountability for a mistake you made. What will you do on floor as a nurse administering meds? Claim to the doctor, i thought it said something else? I didn’t read that in the order. You must read everything! I have been a Respiratory Therapist for 6 years. I read orders and reread orders to ensure that I am not missing anything. I don’t feel I should take the book back. You MUST READ EVERYTHING. You are going to be a healthcare provider and you didn’t read the item description. It’s your responsibility to read everything.
Put your mindset in the hospital that you glanced at a doctor’s order without reading it because you were in a rush. You had 12 patients which is reality in the hospital. You gave the wrong dose and the wrong med and killed the patient. You didn’t read the order. Just like my item description. You think nothing of that with amazon and how is it any different than the scenario I gave you. You CAN’T assume that just because you type numbers you get what you want. It doesn’t work that way in the hospital. You can type in the right drug and the right dose and still get the wrong info from the Pyxis system. You must read everything and not depend on computers to ensure that you are buying what you want. You may be in the same situation, type in the med dose and get the wrong one because that’s what the computer gave you. You must read everything! Think about your negligence in buying this book and wait for your invoice before doing anything. Think about this. That book was $60 plus shipping patient care errors from negligent glancing or assuming what an order states costs a hospital thousands upon thousands, maybe millions, malpractice on your part and possibly the loss of your license. Think and read before you act. You are welcome to sell the book on your own. Thank you.”
Did this letter from satan immediately combust? Did my eyes fall out of my head? All good questions. My reaction, well, lets see if you can guess. Did I:
A) Reply curtly that he could expect negative feedback
B) Contact Amazon and demand action (demand being meekly requesting help)
C) Bawl like a baby
D) All of the above
The correct answer is C, followed by A, and ended with B. So, in fact, D is the correct answer. You know me so well…..
After contacting Amazon and placing a little “A to Z Guarantee” claim, I am happy to report that I did receive a refund. Good ‘ole Amazon! This is not the end to this saga, however, as the seller contacted me once more to drop a few “F-bombs” and claim that “God would remember this.” Sorry to say, if I am declined from the pearly-gates of heaven because of this whole thing, I’ll be content to smile in Hell.
Now with a little aseptic technique to my files, I am happy to report that the book in question is no longer in my possession and I am purging all of “Mr. Virus’s” hateful emails.
In other news, John and I are still keeping our running pact and are nearing the close of the first month. Just 11 more to go! I have thankfully lost all of my holiday weight +3. I may need smaller scrubs.
Permalink
01.06.07
Posted in The ins and outs...., Knitting.... at 12:51 pm by smarriott
On Wednesday, I started my first day of the Post-Baccalaureate Accelerated Nursing program at SIUE. Orientation was scheduled from noon until 4 p.m. that day, followed by class time, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. the rest of the week. What I imagined as a getting to know you session, including introduction, punch and cookies, “this is what we expect and this is what you will be doing for the next 15 months” speeches, topped off with an inevitable tour, was not what this entailed. Instead I was fit for scrubs, posed for a picture and immediately rushed into class. I came home that day with my mind swimming with anxiety and confusion. I already had two paper assignments handed out that day! It makes me worried I will be Nurse Ratchett for the year, grumpy and pissed-off looking all the time.
While I certainly didn’t expect the university to hold my hand, I did think more time would be allotted to ease the transition, or at least given more of an idea of what to expect. I guess, however, we can’t always get what we want (I apologize for quoting Mick Jagger).
Needless to say, I fear this is just the beginning of things to come. For the next few months, I will live a meager existence of studying, eating, sleeping, and, of course, running (this is where you pity me….). Don’t feel sorry for me, however, (no, please do) I will survive the confusing assignments and horrible, horrible group work and the loathsome skits (oh, it is such a dirty word isn’t it). But really, I think it will be stressful, but it certainly couldn’t be any worse, as far as not having a personal life, than the two years I spent in AmeriCorps.
The bonus, of course, is I have already been fit for scrubs and just purchased my first stethoscope. Isn’t it a beauty. I could have gone for the Master Cardiologist, but I’ve been told less is more and having a stellar stethoscope would make me the envy of all the thieves in the medical industry. Had I gone for the latter, I’m afraid I would constantly talk about it; incessantly is probably a better word for it. The Master Classic II is also a good name, but it just don’t ring as much to me. Regardless, I am on my way to looking as much the part as all those gorgeous TV characters on Gray’s Anatomy, M*A*S*H* (although they aren’t as glamorous) and even ER (even though I don’t like it). Now I just need to work on my skills, or at least the pronunciation of diseases. But seriously, this is happening and fast. As neither of the above items are in my possession yet, I cannot provide a picture of me preparing for my new profession, but I will….in due time….
Updates: First, Sigma and Wiley are still under house arrest, much to their discontent. Wiley still looks mangled and his scabs are falling off. Correction, one-half of a scab has fallen off and the other half is half off and sticking straight up in the air. I pray his hair will grow back. If it doesn’t I will sue the pants off Shiloh for emotional distress, mine of course. Although, I probably shouldn’t say that, she might bite my nose.
Second, the 365 quest is still running (no pun intended). John and I have both stuck to the pact of running at least a mile every day. Wiley has even accompanied me a few times. He is eager to shed Levi’s stigma of “fat dog”. So week one (almost) down and 51 more to go, that is 359 more days. Realistically speaking, I don’t think we’ll do it, but I’m certainly not going to be the first to fail. I’d never hear the end of it. I might even get the stigma of “lazy wife”.
Finally, I haven’t made any more progress on the “Green Sweater”, as I’ve been going to sleep very early. But for those of you who haven’t seen what I accomplished over the break here is the back and part of the front. Yes, yes, it looks small, but I have checked the measurements to that of my sister’s and I believe they are on par.
Now off to write a paper…..or at least to pretend.
Permalink
01.01.07
Posted in The ins and outs.... at 10:49 pm by smarriott
Dorothy certainly had the right idea…..there really is no place like home, even if it is a bottomless pit of dirty clothes and extra stuff when you return and you have to spend most of the evening cleaning and unpacking.
Spending a week with family is great and all, but I don’t think I slept as good as I did last night in my own bed. Nothing could have been better than ringing in the new year at home, watching the ole’ boob-tube and cuddling with all the men in my life. It appeared to be the appropriate end to one year and a perfect way to start another. As sentimental as I am sometimes (especially around a new year), I usually don’t pay any attention to or give credence to “signs” as a form of event prophecy. Yesterday, I would have screamed from the mountains that one day simply cannot predict the course of an entire year. But as much as I would like to believe there are no such thing as “signs,” I could not help but notice the two that slapped me in the face today. The slappers, of course, being the dear, “once sweet, but not today” men in my life.
That’s right, slappers One and Two are Mr “Scarface” Wiley and “Big Ears” Sigma, who have become outlaws, eager to bust out at any moment, desperate to get away from big-bad me. To be fair, these two notorious “jumpers” started their gang before the new year. These antics, however, were never in their own yard! I thought maybe it was just an internal cry for attention because they felt neglected over the holidays, but no, they are indeed, bad, bad dogs. Wiley especially looks the part after his run in with “Got-your-nose” Shiloh a few days ago. You’d think he’d learned his lesson and had decided to choose a more sheltered existence after that run in, but no, I see now it was only the beginning of his thirst for the wild, the world beyond “Three-Seventeen.” Sadly, for these two hooligans, I will have no trouble playing the part of the warden.
Perpetrator No. Three of the signs that this may indeed not be a good year is Mr. Sneeze, also known as my husband. This so innocently sweet husband in 2006 must have soured in the early morning hours of 2007. Armed with only an acute Rhino virus, also known as a “cold,” he must have thrown caution to the wind and let loose what can only be described as a series of disastrous sneezes while I, his one-and-only, meekly slept. Now I, too, am contaminated. This “whirl-wind of sneezes” theory might be a bit too much to believe, but it is the only thing I can conjecture for the most horrendous sore-throat I suddenly had this fine first day of 2007. That, or “someone” must have sneezed in my coffee a few days ago, perhaps as I was walking past him one morning…..hmmm.
On the other hand, today wasn’t all that bad. I did manage to clean the house and put back most of the furniture that was in basement storage or served as perfect spots for dustballs half of the year. I did also take great steps in two of my 2007 projects, the first being the picture of the day, entitled No. 1 or “Outlaws Extraordinaire” (see above) and the first of 365 runs for this year. Its been a busy day.
Permalink
Well today marked the end of the second week of my new identity, nurse-in-training. Contrary to popular belief, I was not basking in the southern sun for the last two weeks, but crouched with my nose stuck in one of many books and/or computer for hours. As opposed to happy, glorious margaritas, I was learning all about the nursing process and when a latex glove is or is not sterile. The moment to see would have been today as I prepared to enter and treat a poor soul with pertussis (the nasty microorganism responsible for Whooping Cough). Mask, sterile suit, gloves and eyewear were all donned. I’ll pause while you imagine and laugh. 
