Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Nursing Insanity

Work was INSANE yesterday. We had six patients, which was wayyyyy too many since two of the patients had continuous bladder irrigation, requiring hourly checks. Combine that with a needy family, a VIP patient, tons of stuff that day shift "didn't get to," and no nursing assistant, it was a crazy night. My preceptor said she would have been bogged down if she had this assignment on her own. It's really hard to learn to organize when you're overwhelmed for the entire night. At least the doctors I called didn't yell at me...some of them can be quite snippy.

I got home around one in the morning and went to bed around two, but I managed to drag myself out of bed by nine. It helps that I made coffee last night so it was waiting for me when I woke up! I feel like I waste the day if I sleep later, but I feel bad when I start yawning during change of shift report.

I'm totally making up my running schedule on a semi-day to day basis with general "goals" in mind for the week. I don't operate well without a schedule, but I'm building up to marathon training so I just want to get in miles. And strength training so I can be buff. Hence, four miles today + lifting/crunches.

Wednesday, June 24
4.03 miles in 31:58, avg pace of 7:56

I tried out a new running route, which apparently has a ginormous hill in the middle of it. According to my garmin's elevation chart (I have no clue how accurate it is), it climbs 75 feet over the course of half a mile, and 100 feet over a mile. I'm not sure if most people would consider that a big climb, but I certainly did. I averaged 7:45-7:50 for the three miles not on the hill, and ran 8:24 for the hill...it was hard and I had to take a breather at the top of it. I guess I know where I'll be doing any hill workouts!

Fooood!

I've decided that I'm going to make lunch my "bigger" meal of the day, simply because that's when I have time to cook, and I like to take my time eating. Sandwiches and such are easier to pack and take to work, so my usual lunch (sandwich + carrots/veggies + apple) will be my dinner. It's working out so far. Today I made Shrimp Gazpacho, which I was kind of disappointed with. Maybe I'm not that big of a fan of tomatoes, but I don't think I'll be making this again. I've got leftovers for lunch tomorrow, so I'll give it one more go. I also had Spanish rice (a Wegmans prepared mix) and an orange. Both of those were rather tasty!

Shrimp Gazpacho + Spanish rice + orange

Getting ready for work! I hope it's not like the past two days have been because I'm definitely sitting here thinking that I'm not going to be able to handle this. I was doing so well last week, which just goes to show how different one day is from the next.

16 comments:

  1. Oh man, I just got tired READING your post. Busy girl! I think you can handle it. Just take it one day at a time, especially with the workouts. I am nowhere near as busy as you, but I take each workout as they come, with just a weekly mileage goal in mind. This helps me not go crazy and not run a long run when I'm exhausted! I think your "plan" works just fine.

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  2. I still don't know how nurses do it.

    Bummer your gazpacho didn't turn out great, but it looks pretty yum.

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  3. Oof, busy day! Look at you, still climbing that hill at a speedy pace!

    Sorry about your gazpacho. I'd definitely eat it!

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  4. Hang in there Susan! Don't put too much pressure on yourself with getting miles in.

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  5. wow that sounds like a crazy night at work!! i bet that schedule will take some getting used to but great job waking up! i think i would sleep all day :)

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  6. Wow busy night, no fun:( Great job on the run though! That hill sounds tough! I'm in the same boat with no official training schedule, just getting miles in until training starts. But I agree it's much better with and actual training schedule!

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  7. There's a hill in the middle of my usual route that is .75 mile long. It totally kills my average pace. Grr...

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  8. Hey Susan, great job getting up for your run. I definitely have trouble doing that after an especially long day at work.

    FYI, the elevation data on the garmin can't be trusted. The explanation is rather technical, and I'm not sure I completely understand why, so i'll spare you. If you really want to know the elevation of your hill, you can always mapmyrun it.

    Hope you have an easier day at work today.

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  9. Good heavens! I'm hoping that they loaded THAT assignment on you guys since there were two of you. Even still - that sounds like a bit much.

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  10. Hey, thanks for the blog comment! Cute blog, it looks like we have a lot in common, too.

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  11. Glad you're getting used to things! I would imagine that doctors would be snooty, I dont think I wold like to deal with that! (Especially when everyone knows nurses do all the work :)

    Gazpacho is one of those things that you either love or you hate. Well, I take that back because now that I think about it, I don't love it! But will eat it on occasion :) It's a great summer soup though!

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  12. Sounds like a crazy day at work. Glad you survived ok. You are so dedicated for being able to get up and run the next morning. I like putting the coffee pot on automatic, so I can wake up to coffee, too. :-)

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  13. i got a summit ticket! are you going!? would love to meet you in person :)

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  14. Hello! I take my boards in a couple weeks and then I'll be an LPN! (If I pass of course) I love that I found another blogger interested in nursing!

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  15. Wow you sound super busy with work! Hang in there and don't stress about getting your runs in. You'll find a way I'm sure!

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  16. You were a busy nurse! However, glad things are going well. You'll fgure out your schedule soon. Smart move making lunch a bigger meal.

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