See One, Do One, Teach One

When I joined Metro Life Flight I had a degree in nursing (Associate) and about ten years of experience in emergency nursing. Two months later I was expected to operate in the same capacity as my physician counterpart. Essentially, I had to be able to do everything he or she could do. Meaning I had to be able to do several surgical procedures as well as handle complex medical cases that should come down the pike. Moreover, when push came to shove the flight nurses had the final say in everything. Additionally, we were backed up on all our decisions by the chief of surgery the second most powerful physician in the hospital. Consequently, when we had an idea and or a problem we had an ear who listened and most times unless it would kill someone we knew that we were going to be taken seriously.

The point I am trying to make here is that even though we did not have the education that the doctors we flew with, we still had something to contribute and we were not dismissed with "what do you know". I find many of my friends telling me that when they move to new position they have to prove themselves and or their ideas are not worth S@#& because of just plain ignorance by their supervisor. Many supervisors out there could take a lesson from the medical world and quit trying to make their subordinates prove themselves over and over and over again. Medicine and nurses operate under the old adage "See one, do one, teach one" and move one. You only have to prove yourself once.

Let Them Die

I really was taken aback by the outright callous behavior of some in the audience at the Republican debates earlier this week. During the debate on emergency rooms and the fact that many without insurance use them for basic healthcare one of the participants was being asked whether he should turn these folks without insurance away? Replying with somewhat of a surprise in his voice he stated and I paraphrase "you mean let them die"? Someone from the audience shouted "yes". I was shocked to say the least I had no idea that the conservative side had completely gone over to the dark side and now is in favor of letting those who can't afford insurance die. Does this mean that say if you are a conservative and your child works in a place where he or she is not afforded health insurance then if something untoward happens and they become ill we should let them die!

Well, as most of you who read my blog I am a registered nurse and I took an oath much like the physicians do to uphold the sanctity of life and I take that oath seriously. Consequently, we do see a lot of folks in the emergency department who do not really need to be there but we see them none the less. Sometimes, what seems to be a minor problem on the surface turns out to be much more and catches us by surprise. Consequently, we treat everyone and they receive care regardless. Until someone comes up with a better system we will continue to march and treat those who have and those who have not.

Please tear up my lawn

Well it has finally happened to me and I thought I was going to get through this life without having to be the old mean guy on the block. Currently, as I write this several people from a party two doors down have decided to start playing football in my front lawn. Yes, it angers me to see this happening on my property and I am not sure why but, I know I want to get out the shotgun and start waving it around with a lot of swearing to add the icing on the cake.

I guess it's just the lack of respect for other people's property and I would expect were road rage and just people going postal. I believe if you have too many of these episodes to close together and then somebody gets hurt.

Holding America Hostage

Take a moment and think if you were a business owner and decided that you could get all government regulations removed by holding back on the creation of jobs. Seriously, if you and the rest of business decided that if you hold back on jobs to get rid of a president you do not like in favor of getting an administration that would roll back regulation and basically let you have free reign to pollute at will. Moreover, once the new administration is in you can put on jobs and claim victory and forever roll back regulation as a job killer. Think that's too far out to be true? Think that American business would never do that to Americans? Please American business does that kind of "business" every day with no remorse. Jobs have been leaving these shores for years and now business is doing it again.