It's been a rough few weeks and though I generally prefer to bitch and moan (seriously, it's my nature) - I decided to take a lesson from Life of Brian and look on the bright side.
While it's true that we've had two major Gremlin illnesses since he started daycare and have dealt with what appears to be a neverending fountain of snot, he has been adjusting really well. We have been very pleased with the facility and the caregivers and though he was throwing a nice fit every morning at drop-off, we were reassured that it didn't last long. The first two weeks, we just did half days and picked him up before naptime. We have now progressed to full days and he has been taking his naps and in general having a great time. This week, he even gave up the drop-off drama and happily waved and said "Bye Bye!"
So yes, the germs and sickness which are inevitable in a group care setting have been irritating. Even worse is that I am normally a very healthy person, but I have managed to catch both illnesses which seem to strike during my stretch of time off. Right now I'm practically high on cold meds but I'm going to focus on the positive .... yes, positive Jenn!!! Gremlin is doing well with daycare and because of that, I can now get a full days sleep after I work the night shift. This is the first time since pregnancy that I haven't been sleep deprived - yeah me!!
As for the job, it's been a bit of a stressful transition for me. I was happy in my world of little children, it's all I've ever known since finishing nursing school and I was in my comfort zone. Sure I worked with adults when I was in school, but when you don't do it all the time, you lose that comfort. Most of the assessment stuff is the same, listen to breath sounds, check for murmur, listen to bowel sounds, feel for a pulse. The vital sign numbers are different but that's not hard to relearn. The hardest part for me is the specific stuff you have to deal with after having a baby. (Warning!! anatomical nursing stuff ahead!!!!) You have to press on their belly and find a fundus which is the top of the uterus. You have to make sure it's firm and that it's where it's supposed to be. It is a very important part of the assessment and I have to admit, it can be hard to find it, especially on those women who have a lot of *extra* flesh in the abdominal area. That means you have to push down even harder while trying to find it and shockingly this is a tender spot after giving birth so some moms aren't too keen on you mashing down. I am already preparing myself for the inevitable plea to a fellow nurse to come check my patient because I can't find their damn fundus.
The other thing is you have to look ... down there. Let's be honest, no one goes to school with the hope of looking at vaginas all day, but if a baby comes out of there, it really has to be looked at. I don't really mind and it's not like it grosses me out or anything, it's just the reality that I sometimes don't know exactly what I'm seeing or if I'm even seeing it. Folks, there are lots of different types of bodies out there and I can assure you that no one's nether regions look like a textbook, especially after birth. Did I mention the hemorrhoids? I also have to check for those while I'm looking down there. Again, I don't remotely mind this part of my job, I honestly want to be sure I know what's going on so that I can start helping them heal with the appropriate medicine or therapy. It's just a whole new experience for me to deal with an adult, introduce myself and shortly thereafter look at the part of their body that they find quite private. I've never had to explain myself to a baby, I just do it. I'm still trying to find the script that works well for me to put a woman at ease during examination.
The other issue is that it's been busy at work - REALLY busy. My first week there the unit was full, we were short-staffed on nurses,and everyone was taking a very heavy load. Obviously, if everyone is taking a heavy assignment, it's not the best time to learn. I basically followed my preceptor around and asked occasional questions when I could. I have been in her position with too many patients and needing to train someone, so I was very sympathetic. It was just stressful because I felt like I was in the way and due to my lack of knowledge, I really couldn't help. On my fourth night, they were so short that I volunteered to work in the nursery. Babies are something I know and at least there I can be helpful with taking vital signs, drawing labs etc. It still wasn't a very great learning experience, but at least I was easing the load for the team. My second week was better and I now feel like I'm learning. I really want to be good at this job and I am my own worst critic, I need to remind myself that I have four more weeks to learn what I need to know.
On the bright side, I can already tell that I am really going to love the job. I have enjoyed the patients and the opportunity to work with happy families. I will also appreciate being able to teach on a regular basis as part of the job. For the most part, the staff I have met are very friendly and competent. I just need to get more comfortable in my role and cut myself some slack.
Ooooo, and the best bright side is that I now make more money!!! Wheeee!!! So nice to get a raise!!!!
