Nurse Adam

A window closes; a door opens. A window closes.

2010-02-05T17:29:00.002-03:30

Here I am sitting alone in the ferry terminal to the mainland. Listening to CBC Radio 2 Drive, a song called "where are you now among the world?" Hardcore life changes in store here for me.

I'm moving to Halifax for upwards of a year, which is fairly huge for me considering I've pretty well always lived in Newfoundland less 10 weeks or so spent in Montreal a few years ago. As exciting as it is, it comes with a lot of anxiety and apprehension as well, which I guess is to be expected but that doesn't mean it makes me feel better.

This move is for school/work, I'll be finishing up my last nursing workterm there for school, and then am hoping to work there. It's a bigger place with nicer facilities and fantastic experiences with respect to nursing. However, with bigger cities come faceless people, unfriendly passerbys and higher crime rates. It also means giving up, or putting on hold, many relationships which I've spent years cultivating into the flourishing, trusting relationships they've become.

It seems every time I make a major life decision, it means giving up people I love. I know I said that rather rashly and made it sound like forever. I realize it's not forever, but it is for a long time, longer than ever before, and there has to be some worry there that things are going to change between us all. It also means that I have to start new again. Granted, the last time I did this would have been four years ago when I entered University and this proved to be an all around positive experience. I learned a lot about myself, and met so many marvelous people along the way. I'm just not quite convinced that I'm ready to put these people on hiatus to meet new ones. Aside from that, I have my oldest friends at home whom I'm also leaving to start a new life in Halifax. Sam is apparently moving up later on, which would be amazing, but we're still going to go months without seeing one another. We haven't done that before, and honestly a life without Steadfast Sam kind of disturbs me. And then, aside from my oldest friends, I'm leaving all my closest family. And my god daughter and her moms. At the cusp of her new world, learning to walk, learning to talk, learning to use a fork, learning to change the channel... all these things are things I'm likely going to miss on account of moving.

On the other hand, a set of whole new beginnings is exciting. I do have some relationships started in my new world, which is great and gives me something to look forward to. As well, no matter where I've gone I've met wonderful people. I moved to Montreal, stayed with some of the nicest people ever, abolished the stereotype that French people are terrible, and made friendships that have impacted my life tremendously. I moved to Goose Bay, met more wonderful and marvelous people. I moved to Corner Brook and met so many people - great friends, and learned more about myself than ever before. I also learned a lot, given it was the place where I completed my degree. I became involved with more than I'd ever dreamed of, volunteered and really accomplished so many goals on the road to becoming the person I want to become. I've also made many, many mistakes along the way. I've shed lakes of tears. However, I believe I've learned from them all.

So, I guess what I'm trying to say is that it appears I've come upon another new beginning. It's terrifying and amazing all at the same time. I'm excited to meet new people, make new mistakes, and turn another page in my book of life. I'm ready to fulfill new life goals, start over but yet continue down this same path which is my twisting and turning life. I'm looking to the future. I'm decidedly not doing away with old relationships, but rather continuing them despite difficulty. I'm ready to make some new friends, invite some more people into my circle and into my family. I expect it won't by any means be an easy road, but nothing good ever comes easy. If life has taught me anything thus far, it's probably that. When things are tough, something good is just around the corner.

I'm accepting these new tears with a new attitude. Looking at them more positively and recognizing that while everything seems horrifyingly new, in a few months I'll be rewriting this blog and talking about another new experience. Life is exciting. Another important lesson I've learned, especially from nursing, is that life is too short and too precious to harp over the small stuff. In 10 years will this matter? Probably. But I'm confident that those relationships which truly matter in my life will still be there. Those people which are most important will still be there for me, and I for them. And that there will be a whole gamut of new and important people, exciting changes and decisions.

I've always been afraid of rollercoasters.

I think I just conquered my fears.

I love you.

Nurse Adam

Day 2

2009-09-23T10:36:00.003-02:30

Hello friends,

Sorry I'm a little late. I was up late doing homework and the blog got put to the wayside. Anyway, I realized yesterday that I was actually doing the P90X+ program and not the regular P90X program, which might be why I was ready to die at the end. So yesterday, Angela and I picked up where we left off, but this time using the correct, regular stream, product.

Tuesday is Plyometrics, so that meant a lot of hopping and jumping and most of all squatting. Needless to say after jogging earlier on in the day, by the end of the video I was ready to collapse.

Interestingly enough, I find that I actually have MORE energy after working out than before. I was worried that starting this regime would mean I wouldn't have time to get important schoolish things done, but I find that knowing I have to do P90X means that I make sure to find time either before or after the workout for school. And thus far it's working fine. Granted, it's only day 2, but I figure if it was going to present a major problem it would have done so yesterday since I had 4 meetings and a bunch of articles to read and a survey to amend and a cover to finish. But it all got done. And I was still able to exercise. And jog, as an added bonus. Angela likes to jog, so to appease her for agreeing to P90x with me, I am jogging with her when she wants to. Today it's raining so I don't need to. Thank god. My legs feel like gelatinous piles of lard.

Anyway folks, I have to get to the library to meet up with some classmates regarding group seminar. So, I will update hopefully again tonight post-workout, but it might end up being tomorrow morning again because I'm awesome.

Take care,
A

Adam vs. P90x - Day 1

2009-09-21T23:16:00.003-02:30

So, I woke up yesterday morning and brushed my teeth. I once had quite a bit of weight on, but with a combo of good eats and an adrenal gland, I managed to succumb to a lanky/nerdy physique. Yesterday, though, while brushing my teeth I noticed that I have a lot of excess flab in places Id rather not. I'm getting a stomach pouch, and I'm not a fan.

Like every problem in my life, I used Google to search for an answer. I noticed a lot of talk about this P90x workout program. It seemed intense, but pretty alright. So I youtubed some videos to see what people were really saying (because seriously, why browse forums when you can youtube people and have them read to you instead?), and the results were astonishing. I decided at this moment that I would enroll in the P90X program. But I had a problem. I was alone. So, my good friend Angela enrolled with me. Together, we plan to stay motivated. So I picked up the program and read through the manual, and that brought me to tonight...

I decided to get right on it, as I feared leaving it too long would just result in me giving up on it. Angela came to my room and we started it up. As soon as we finished the obligatory stretching, it was INTENSE. The most intense 40 or so minutes of my life thus far, from an exercise perspective. I loved it though, and love how I feel after doing it. I miss working out, I've done it scantly throughout my life but have never kept up with it.

So here goes nothing.

To help me stay motivated, I'm using my blog. To feel like I have something that I have to do once I'm done. Forgive me if I miss a couple updates here and there, I'm a University student and my priorities, unfortunately, do not always lie with blogger.com.

Tonight was Upper Body PLUS. We were supposed to do Abs PLUS too, but decided to start with that the next time it rolls around as it's 11:30 already. Tonight was a bit rushed, but now that we've committed, we've also promised to start earlier so that we can finish the assigned workouts for that day. I did do a back load of crunches earlier today though, so hopefully that accounts for something.

Oh, and I figure I should give you some stats about myself. I may post pictures later, but today you get stats. I'm 6'0", about 160lbs, and have the body type of a 12 year old girl. I'm thin, but as I said earlier, am developing a tiny pouch (which I hope in 90 days will be 6 pouches of HARD MUSCLE GRRRRR). I'm a fourth year nursing student.

So, come join me for the ride. Ask questions. Keep me motivated.

Perhaps with my blog, I can convince others to join in. If I can motivate just one other person to make a difference in their lifestyle as well, I will feel great. In saying that, if you've made any dramatic lifestyle changes lately, tell me about them! It doesn't have to be P90X or even exercise related. Just let me know you're here. Help me shake the feeling of being alone on the Internet.

That's all for now, see you again tomorrow evening.
- Adam.

Blog shift

2009-05-31T16:48:00.002-02:30

Dear everyone,
I've moved my blog over to wordpress. I don't know how long I'll stay there, but for now, I'm going to. Only becuase I like the layout more.

Please change your bookmarks (because I just know that sooo many of you have my blog bookmarked haha) to:
http://nurseadam.wordpress.com/

Thanks! Have a good one :)
-Adam

Also, I got facebook once again, so add me there too.

twitter | flikr | deviantart | facebook | myspace

New car!

2009-05-24T00:24:00.002-02:30

Tonight I confirmed the purchase deal with my parents for my new car. Stella's replacement.

We had some good times, Stella and I, but she's met her maker. It was going to cost more to fix her than she was worth. Rather than get a new beater, my parents and I discussed for a while and came to the conclusion that it would be better for me to get a new car as I was going to get one upon graduating anyway. That said, after much deliberation, together we settled on a Honda Civic. Excellent mileage, good(ish) price, sleek, sporty. Everything you need for your midlife crisis. ...which I missed when I went from 8 to 80 on my 9th birthday. So I'm reliving my 30's now I guess.

Anyway, I figured I'd give you some photos so you can chew it over and picture me driving it. I can't find a photo of the exact colour that mine will be... but it will be that dark grey/pewter colour on the outside with black grey and silver details on the interior. Oh, and it has a sunroof. I win.

Here are pictures:

Interior:

Exterior:

I'm so pumped right now. I feel like a real adult. It's scary, but I'll take it.

Love,
Adam

Halifax is a sex knight.

2009-04-29T21:34:00.003-02:30

Halifax is going well thus far. I'm staying with my good friend Christina and her parents in Cole Harbour. It's nice.

Generally I like Halifax. It's very beautiful, very artsy. Just my type. I don't really like how far away everything is, but the bus system is pretty awesome at taking care of that problem so it's all good as long as you aren't in a rush or late for work.

Working in Halifax is lovely. The nurses are quite nice, the workload seems smaller than that in Newfoundland. Thoracic Surgery isn't nearly as scary as it sounds, my eyes don't widen anymore once I hear it... but I can make other people's eyes widen when I say it so it's all good :) I'm learning so much. I can almost feel myself learning it's so hardcore. Everyday I learn like 18 new things at least. Last night was my first nightshift thus far and it was absolutely fantastic.

Aside from that nothing's really new. I haven't decided yet if I want to live in Halifax. Right now I'm leaning toward staying in St. John's for a while, but I'm not discounting Halifax just yet.

Dawn is pregnant and due soon. Very exciting.

Ya'll keep asking me to put up a recent picture of me so here you are:

Aside from all of that, Christina has a dog and cat so Im in love. I have all the Starbucks I can drink, new shoes, Chapters, public transit and epic walks and new adventures. Life is good right now.

Now I need to get to evaluating myself.

I meet my preceptor Friday.

-Adam

2009-04-06T18:04:00.002-02:30

I washed out my old man sweater.

Then I dried it.

It now is so soft and smells SO good.

I am in love with a ragged, old, ugly sweater.

....mmmm....

Also, I blog when I'm home. Notice that?

Fast | Slow

2009-04-06T00:59:00.003-02:30

Love songs fast and slow. Awesome playlists for your favourite lover.

Slow:

I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
Take me Anywhere - Tegan and Sara
Feeling Good - Muse
Such Great Heights - The Postal Service
Danger, Danger - Colleen Power
Banana Pancakes - Jack Johnson
Sometimes (I Wish) - City and Colour/Dallas Green (whichever you like best)
Run - Snow Patrol
I'll be on the Water - Akron/Family
All my Loving - Jim Sturgess (Beatles cover)
Thirteen - Garbage (Elliott Smith cover)
Sea of Love - Cat Power
Soco Amaretto Lime - Brand New
Soda Shop - Jay Brannan
Be Back Soon - Justin Nozuka
Refugee - Melissa Etheridge (Tom Petty cover)
Hide and Seek - Imogen Heap
Samson - Regina Spektor
Transatlantacism - Detah Cab for Cutie

Fast:

Here (In Your Arms) - Hellogoodbye
Toxic - Britney Spears
Infatuation - Prozzak
Forever - Chris Brown (Irony~*~*~*~)
Lucky - Jason Mraz feat. Colbie Caillat
Take a Chance on Me - ABBA / Mamma Mia OST
Feel Good Inc. - Gorillaz
Cupid's Chokehold - Gym Class Heroes
The Mixed Tape - Jack's Mannequin
My Baby - Jesse McCartney
My Love - Justin Timberlake
Float On - Modest Mouse
You're So Damn Hot - OK Go
Dangerous - Kardinal Offishall feat. Akon
Baby, It's Fact - Hellogoodbye
This Ain't Sex - Usher
She Wants it (Ayo Technology) - 50 Cent feat. Justin Timberlake and Timberland
Lovegame - Lady Gaga

Can't lose.

Love,
-Adam

11:39

2009-04-05T11:39:00.006-02:30

I am home for a little while and am going to study today. My parents are feeding me very well. I am spending time with Sammi. Life is good.

And by the way:

Equality by =novenarik on deviant ART

I really liked this picture and fav'd it on DA and thought I'd share it with all of you.

Last night, my father made a really, really rude and ignorant (in that it was not full of knowledge) comment about "the gays." I obviously stood up and argued his point but then I was deemed "too uppity" but I don't remember exactly how he called me uppity, but he didn't use that word. But that's what he meant. Anyway, it kind of shocked me because, well, I guess I just hadn't heard much like that since highschool. It's funny, when I moved out I kind of created a little bubble for myself and I guess forgot that the world still functions on ignorance. I think Eminem said it best when he said "Snap back to reality | Whoop there goes gravity."

Anyway, I just needed to put that out there somewhere because it really bothered me, made me rant and roar, and is still bothering me. Groos, mang.

In other news I'm fairly convinced I'm going to buy a Nissan Cube when I graduate. Y/N? They're pretty hilarious and lovely. And the environment doesn't hate them, of course it doesn't love them either, but it doesn't hate them as much as say... my current car... or a Hummer.

If, when I take it out for a test drive, I end up not liking it, I'm thinking I'm going to get a Sentra or Venza. Both Nissan, btw. Other options include a corolla (idk why I like them but I do), a Civic or a Fit. I also really like the VWs but am not going to buy one as Dawn and Judi talked me out of it. The Cube is nicer. I think with the Cube, my biggest deal would be that it's not a car. I really, really enjoy driving cars. I think I will have issues with driving a box. But we'll see.

Now, I'm going to go study some Medsurg (exam on Saturday) and write some notes on Breast Cancer. WOO. Cancer is really depressing. I read some news the other day, however, on cancer-fighting nano technology that's apparently coming. Very exciting. Very very exciting.

Bye for now,
-Adam

Spring

2009-03-30T15:34:00.004-02:30

The last time I opened my curtains there was snow up over my window.

Today, and probably weeks later (I usually keep my curtains closed... apparently I function better in unnatural light), I can see grass.

:)

Sleep-wake cycle

2009-03-12T08:16:00.001-02:30

My body doesn't remember how to sleep during the night. I've become nocturnal.

This is awesome when you have classes at 0830hrs.

Gah!

You are what you eat.

2009-03-12T01:02:00.000-02:30

eeSo today I've had 8 cups of coffee, a cup of mint hot chocolate a poutine and a slice of pizza.

My body and I are in love.

Leadership Paper - Feel free to give me feedback. Due Friday :)

2009-03-11T02:48:00.001-02:30

Running head: IMPLICATIONS OF SHIFTWORK

Shiftwork: Implications for Nurses and Management

Adam Elliott 200643104

Western Regional School of Nursing

Sir Wilfred Grenfell College

Memorial University of Newfoundland

Introduction

Shiftwork within the nursing profession is commonplace with both day and night shifts occurring regularly. Shiftwork affects about 25% of all healthcare professionals and is not an issue that should be looked upon lightly (Berger & Hobbs, 2005). Shiftwork is work that is performed outside the typical daytime hours of 0700hrs to 1800hrs. Within the healthcare system, nurses are often scheduled to work days, nights, a rotation of both or even on an on-call basis (Blachowicz & Letizia, 2006). Though this type of work is beneficial in that it allows for 24-hour functioning of the hospital, better scheduling opportunities and even salary benefits, there are many consequences and challenges the nurse must face both at a senior management level and a floor nurse level (Blachowicz & Letizia). Shiftwork affects the individual extensively in every aspect of life from the food one consumes to his or her familial situation at home. This paper will identify these challenges and offer implications and resolutions for nurses and management.

Literature Review

A literature review was conducted related to the subject of shiftwork. There is strong evidence revealed in the studies which were reviewed for this paper indicating that shiftwork has many negative consequences not only for those who are working these rotations, but also for their families, the organization as a whole and in some cases even the patient (Berger & Hobbs, 2005; Newey & Hood, 2004). Shiftwork, or work that falls outside of daylight hours, is shown to disrupt the normal circadian rhythm of the body which causes fluctuations in the body's internal clock. Problems sleeping, diet alterations, increased injury, immune system dysfunction and even social isolation are just a few of the physiological and psychological problems that this disruption can cause (Berger & Hobbs; Zhao & Turner, 2008). With regard to the effects on family life, several challenges were identified in the literature. Those individuals doing shiftwork are more likely to have work-family conflict which, in turn, puts them at risk for developing mood and anxiety disorders (Willis, O'Connor, & Smith, 2008). Additionally, nurses find difficulty balancing work and home life linking conflict with increased absenteeism and decreased psychological and physical well-being (Willis, O'Connor, & Smith).

Definition and Models of Shiftwork

The literature is lacking with regards to a common definition of "shiftwork" but it is generally accepted as work that falls outside daytime hours, and can include eight, ten or twelve hour shifts (Admi, Tzischinsky, Epstien, Herer, & Lavie, 2008; Berger & Hobbs, 2005). There are several different types of shiftwork, however, that can be utilized within an organization. One can work morning (0800hrs – 2000hrs), evening (1600hrs – 2400hrs), night shifts (2000hrs – 0800hrs), or any rotation therein dependent upon the organization the individual is employed with. These shifts can be permanent, I.E. working only nights or only days or they can be rotating, I.E. working two days and two nights or some other combination of shifts (Berger & Hobbs). Additionally, there can be forward or backward rotations. Forward rotations switch from days to evenings to nights while backward rotations go from nights to days to evenings. These forward and backward rotations usually last a two week pay period. Studies show that nightshifts tend to be more harmful physiologically and psychologically, but that rotating shifts are even worse as one's body does not have time to adjust or get used to a new sleep-wake cycle (Berger & Hobbs; Kilpatrick & Lavoie-Tremblay, 2006; Peate, 2007; Willis, O'Connor, & Smith, 2008).

One last option for healthcare professionals is that of a casual or call-in basis wherein the individual is called to work when needed without having a general schedule or knowledge of when he or she will be working (Berger & Hobbs, 2005). Call-in shifts could include mandatory overtime or emergency coverage. Therein, employees do not gain the opportunity to adjust to new sleep cycles and, again, this presents negative impacts on the health and well-being of the worker, the organization, the family and the client (Hospital Employee Health, 2008).

Physiological Impact of Shiftwork on Healthcare Professionals

While shiftwork does have its advantages such as increased communication between staff, extra pay and increased days off, it is not without consequences (Kilpatrick & Lavoie-Tremblay, 2006). Shiftwork is shown throughout the literature to present the employee with many health challenges. Shiftworkers tend to eat less healthily, be more overweight, sleep less, and are more likely to smoke tobacco. Nightshift workers in particular experience increased fatigue, more headaches, and are more tired throughout the day while dayshift workers complain of more broken sleep and snoring (Admi et al., 2008). Additionally, shiftwork has negative implications for one's cardiovascular health, increased incidence of type two diabetes mellitus, female reproductive health challenges such as altered ovarian functioning and menstrual cycle irregularities, as well as circadian rhythm changes such as changes in core temperature, blood pressure and alterations in alertness (Blachowicz & Letizia, 2006; Kilpatrick & Lavoie-Tremblay).

Sleep disturbances. A reoccurring issue within the literature related to shiftwork was that of sleep disturbances. Nightshift workers as well as those on rotating shifts experience higher incidences of insomnia, fatigue and are forced to alter their sleep patterns thus changing their internal circadian rhythm (Kilpatrick & Lavoie-Tremblay, 2006). In fact, workers on rotating shifts report less sleep overall reporting up to 1.5 hours less sleep per day (Kilpatrick & Lavoie-Tremblay). In theory, permanent nightshifts would be successful for nurses in that one could adjust his or her circadian rhythm or sleep-wake cycle to accommodate sleeping during the day and being awake during the night. However, due to social or familial responsibilities, nightshift workers often sleep during the night on their days off thus resulting in maladjustment which can actually lead to more fatigue and constant feelings of jet lag (Hospital Employee Health, 2008). Call-in shifts are illustrated by the literature to be cause for concern as well. This would be in the case of mandatory overtime or emergency call-in for example. The literature states that being awake for more than 17 hours has similar consequences to that of being under the influence of alcohol (Hospital Employee Health, 2008).

Nutritional imbalances. Shiftwork is shown to have many effects on the nutritional intake of workers and may even enact disturbances within the gastrointestinal system. Often, during shiftwork nurses will eat and drink very little or nothing at all (Zhao & Turner, 2008). This change in dietary habits can cause abnormalities in one's digestive tract function (Muecke, 2005). Similar to the body's inherent circadian rhythm, digestive enzymes are produced in a cyclical fashion. Thus, eating at different times during the day, or fasting during nightshifts can cause disruptions and irregularities in this rhythm. These irregularities include increased rates of obesity, increased rates of constipation, diarrhea, indigestion and even peptic ulcers (Muecke).

Psychological Impact of Shiftwork on Nurses

In addition to physiological challenges, nurses are faced with psychological problems related to shiftwork. The literature reveals that nurses doing shiftwork report higher levels of stress, increased incidence of mood and anxiety disorders and that females have higher complaints of health problems than males (Admi et al., 2008; Oddie & Ousley, 2007). One major factor identified was that of increased incidence of depression among shiftworkers (Kilpatrick & Lavoie-Tremblay, 2006). These factors combined all impact client safety and can affect a nurse's familial and social environments outside of work.

Impact of Shiftwork on Client Safety

As mentioned previously, shiftwork leads to increased incidence of fatigue among workers. This, in turn, can mean increased risk and negative implications for the client who is the centre of a nurse's care and could be considered the most important factor. Nurses who have rotating shifts are shown to have higher incidence of accidents at work (Peate, 2007). These could include things like med errors, failure to respond, delayed reaction times, or impaired memory as well as psychomotor insufficiencies such as administration of injections or intravenous insertion (Peate).

One challenge of utmost concern related to client safety as outlined in the literature is that of medication errors (Hughes & Stone, 2004; Peate, 2007). This is due largely to levels of alertness, fatigue and overall sleepiness. In fact, after working a twelve hour shift the incidence of making a mistake at work is twice as likely as that after working an eight hour shift (Hughes & Stone). Lastly, medication errors are reported to take place largely during the night shift specifically between 0400hrs and 0800hrs (Hughes & Stone).

One last challenge related to patient safety is that of depersonalization related to fatigue. This largely affects mental health patients as much of their treatment relies on discussion with healthcare professionals (Oddie & Ousley, 2007). If nurses become depersonalized, patients are less likely to share with them their feelings and thus are more at risk for worsening conditions or even antisocial behaviours (Oddie & Ousley).

Impact of Shiftwork on the Social and Familial Environment

In addition to impacting the client, shiftwork adds stress to the relationship between the nurse and his or her partner as well as the family environment as w hole. Individuals who have conflict between family and work are three times more likely to develop mood and anxiety disorders, are more likely to feel job insecurity and to have decreased work satisfaction (Willis, O'Connor, & Smith, 2008). Additionally, partners are reported to experience stress related to feelings of incompatibility and neglect due to their partner's shiftwork responsibilities (Willis, O'Connor, & Smith).

Finally, shiftwork impacts one's social environment. Studies state that in order to be experience less adverse effects the worker should alter his or her sleep schedule to accommodate the nightshift responsibilities (Berger & Hobbs, 2005). This, however, is nearly impossible to achieve when social and familial responsibilities are considered as most needs take place during the day, therefore, workers often shift their sleep patterns to night sleeping on their days off (Hospital Employee Health, 2008).

Impact of Shiftwork on the Organization

In addition to the challenges presented by shiftwork to the client and family there are also significant challenges presented to the organization and employers as well. The literature reveals that decreased worker satisfaction and absenteeism are two major factors affecting the organization (Willis, O'Connor, & Smith, 2008). The literature shows that the impact for the organization as well as for the family are closely linked. Increased work-family conflict is linked to a decreased drive to go to work and therefore is linked to absenteeism which can lead to significant staffing challenges for employers. In turn, increased absenteeism can lead to more mandatory overtime or emergency call-ins for nurses. This, again, will add to the stress and challenges of shiftwork thus further encouraging the physiological and psychological problems and therefore engaging an entire host of challenges for all parties involved. This could mean implications from sick leave to increased funding needed to pay for greater occurrences of overtime, call-in shifts and the potential for hiring more staff (Willis, O'Connor, & Smith).

Resolutions to Shiftwork Issues

Though shiftwork presents many challenges to nurses, there are ways to overcome them. The literature reveals several aids to help both employers and employees with the impacts of shiftwork. Two of the major concepts that arose were that of self-scheduling and power napping (Berger & Hobbs, 2005; Kilpatrick & Lavoie-Tremblay, 2006; Malliarou, Moustaka, & Konstantinidis, 2008). Other strategies outlined were the elimination of mandatory overtime and call-in shifts as well as doing all labour-intensive procedures on a night shift before 0400hrs after which most accidents are shown to occur (Berger & Hobbs; Blachowicz & Letizia, 2006). Finally, one last strategy that was mentioned in the literature was that of keeping the cafeteria open during nightshifts and stocking it with nutritious foods (Blachowicz & Letizia; Peate, 2007). This would encourage nightshift nurses to eat nutritiously and decrease many of the gastrointestinal and nutritional imbalances related to shiftwork.

Self-scheduling is a concept that arose in many of the reviewed studies. One of the classifications for higher worker satisfaction is a greater sense of self, and having flexibility within one's work schedule significantly enhances this feeling and thus would increase worker satisfaction (Kilpatrick & Lavoie-Tremblay, 2006; Malliarou et al., 2008). This strategy may also result in a more enjoyable work environment as well as a significant recruitment and retention factor to keep in mind for managers and employers (Kilpatrick & Lavoie-Tremblay).

Another major strategy outlined in the literature to help eliminate the negative impacts of shiftwork is that of power napping (Berger & Hobbs, 2005; Kilpatrick & Lavoie-Tremblay, 2006; Peate, 2007). Scheduled or planned napping at work can prevent accidents at work due to sleep deprivation and can help with physiological problems like headaches and fatigue (Kilpatrick & Lavoie-Tremblay, 2006). Napping, however, should not replace one's regular sleep pattern as broken sleep also has negative effects on the body. It is important that the worker get steady sleep to keep from disrupting the circadian rhythm and to benefit from the effects of each of the four stages of sleep and REM sleep (Blachowicz & Letizia, 2006).

Implications for Nurse Managers

The Nurse Manager can do much to combat the effects of shiftwork on the nurse, the family, and the organization as whole. One of the major implications for management would be the concept of scheduling. Nurse Managers need to recognize the challenges of shiftwork and the impact it can have on all levels of healthcare and thus realize that a well-designed, accommodating schedule may increase the quality of patient care as well as worker satisfaction and improve the organization as a whole (Kilpatrick & Lavoie-Tremblay, 2006)

Additionally, when scheduling, Nurse Managers should recognize the differences in forward and backward rotations and the effects that these rotations can have on a worker's sleep pattern (Berger & Hobbs, 2005). Forward rotations encourage sleep on the nurse's first day off or the morning following the last night shift, however, this day is then spent to rest and therefore may have social implications for the nurse (Berger & Hobbs). As well, providing a schedule well in advance can give the nurse opportunity to schedule social and familial events thus decreasing conflict between work and family (Blachowicz & Letizia, 2006). Backward rotations reduce the amount of sleep time overall between shift changes which consequently increases the chance of sleep disturbances and maladjustment (Berger & Hobbs). In the end, it is important for managers to consider the needs of the staff when scheduling and ask for their input. All of the reviewed literature points to the adjustment to shiftwork being far more effective if the nurse has a say in his or her own schedule (Berger & Hobbs; Blachowicz & Letizia; Choobineh, Rajaeefard, & Neghab, 2007; Hughes & Stone, 2004).

Conclusion

Though there is no definitive solution to the challenges of shiftwork, there are many steps that can be taken at both a nursing and a management level to help decrease the negative impacts caused by this type of work. One important outcome that is seen throughout the literature is the workers' opportunity to choose what types of shifts they want to work (Choobineh et al., 2007). These workers show higher incidence of work satisfaction, fewer health problems, and less interference between the employee's social and work environments (Admi, et al., 2008). This is one implication in particular that management could look at in Newfoundland and Labrador as nurses here fall far below the national standard in being able to choose their work schedules. In NL, 25% of nurses report having flexibility in their schedules compared to 38% within the rest of Canada (Shields & Wilkins, 2006). Other strategies include getting adequate rest on days off, power napping and healthier eating (Berger & Hobbs, 2005; Blachowicz & Letizia, 2006). Perhaps the most significant barrier to improving shiftwork is that of impaired communication between management and nurses. If employers improve these lines of communication, analyze the literature associated with shiftwork, and implement measures to improve the overall health of the organization, shiftwork will be much better tolerated by all parties involved. As society shifts to a more twenty-four hour culture, the demands for shiftworkers will only increase. Therefore implementing these strategies will not only enhance tolerance to shiftwork bu will also increase client safety, the workers family environment and the overall stability of the organization as a whole.

References

Admi, H., Tzischinsky, O., Epstien, R., Herer, P., & Lavie, P. (2008). Shift Work in Nursing: Is it Really a Risk Factor for Nurses' Health and Patients' Safety? Nursing Economics
, 26 (4), 250-257.

Berger, A., & Hobbs, B. (2005). Impact of Shift Work on the Health and Safety of Nurses and Patients. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing
, 10 (4), 465-471.

Blachowicz, E., & Letizia, M. (2006). The Challenges of Shift Work. Medsurg Nursing
, 15 (5), 274-279.

Choobineh, A., Rajaeefard, A., & Neghab, M. (2007). Problems Related to Shiftwork for Health Care Workers at Shiraz University of Medical Science. Health Journal
, 12 (3&4), 1-5.

Hospital Employee Health. (2008). Shift Work: Sleepless in more than Seattle. Hospital Employee Health
, 27 (9), 105-107.

Hughes, R., & Stone, P. (2004). The Perils of Shift Work. American Journal of Nursing
, 104 (9), 60-63.

Kilpatrick, K., & Lavoie-Tremblay, M. (2006). Shiftwork What Health Care Managers Need to Know. The Health Care Manager
, 25 (2), 160-166.

Malliarou, M., Moustaka, E., & Konstantinidis, T. (2008). Burnout of Nursing Personnel in a Regional University Hospital. Health Science Journal
, 2 (3), 140-152.

Muecke, S. (2005). Effects of Rotating Night Shifts: Literature Review. Journal of Advanced Nursing
, 50 (4), 433-439.

Newey, C., & Hood, B. (2004). Determinants of Shift-Work Adjustment for Nursing Staff: The Critical Experience of Partners. Journal of Professional Nursing
, 20 (3), 187-195.

Oddie, S., & Ousley, L. (2007). Assessing Burn-Out and Occupational Stressors in a Medium Secure Service. British Journal of Forensic Practice, The
, 9 (2), 32-48.

Peate, I. (2007). Strategies for Coping with Shift Work . Nursing Standard , 22 (4), 42-45.

Shields, M., & Wilkins, K. (2006). National Survey of the Work and Health of Nurses 2005: Provincial Profiles. Health Statistics Division. Ottawa, ON: Statistics Canada.

Willis, T., O'Connor, D., & Smith, L. (2008). Investigating Effort-Reward Imbalance and Work-Family Conflict in Relation to Morningness-Eveningness and Shift Work. Work & Stress, 22 (2), 125-137.

Zhao, I., & Turner, C. (2008). The Impact of Shift Work on People's Daily Health Habits and Adverse Health Outcomes. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing
, 25 (3), 8-22.

Who needs Cora's when you have a kitchen?

2009-03-08T13:55:00.001-02:30

Banana pancakes. Wake up slow.

Oh, and all of you need to download the song Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson in case you don't have it already. Best weekend song ever. It also inspired me to make banana pancakes which are fawkin hawesome.

You need them. In your belly. Now. So does Quinn.

Love!
-Adam

Jian!

2009-03-06T12:19:00.001-03:30

JIAN AND I.

Look how surly he looks! Look how stoked I am! I promise you I got compliments on that outfit. I did not look like a cardboard box.

Best. Night. Ever.

ECMAs Recap

2009-03-02T00:52:00.003-03:30

The ECMAs are officially done. What a weekend! Corner Brook is so exciting when it's alive with talent and funk!

I'm far too exhausted (from volunteering nonstop the last three days and partying harder than I ever have) to make a real blog entry about it but I can tell you that:

There are many up and coming bands that I think are going to be huge. Keep an eye on MTQ from Nova Scotia. I don't think they'll hit it big, but they're definitely worth listening to.
Ska is on the rise on the East Coast and we couldn't be more in love.
Grand Theft Bus are as amazing live as they are recorded.
I can indeed party down. I have the capability.
Buses from NS are nicer than those of NL. The drivers are nicer too, or at least this one particular one was.
Volunteering is incredibly rewarding.
Jian Ghomeshi is as amazing in person as is on the radio. I have to elaborate a little. I have loved Jian since high school, and tonight he hosted the ECMAs. I met him at the afterparty, gushed my love, and we actually spoke for about 5 minutes. He even pretended to be genuinely interested in me. I was so impressed. Fantastic fellow. I have a photo, but it isn't uploaded yet. Will post later.
I could never work for a taxi company and enjoy it.
Bars are kind of fun when they're not full of techno and gross, but I still don't like going to them. The Bar room makes fries that taste like bologna. Do not want.
I will stoop low to get into bars with great bands playing - Last night in order to get into Whelan's Gate we pretended we were official delegates from Australia brought by the ECMAs to check out music. It worked, we got in annnnddd we have an excellent story to tell.
When I am intoxicated, I will tell you how great you are - I ran up to a girl last night to tell her that she was a fantastic singer. I told her I was first aid at her show, and she was great. Anyway, she really liked us and decided to chat for about an hour at the bar. We told her our Australian story and she died laughing. We're pretty much BFFs now. Her name is Kim Wempe. We ran into her again tonight at the afterparty, but this time SHE APPROACHED US (I know, we're famous)! She asked us if we were Australian tonight and just chatted with us for a while. What a magnificent girl.

Okay that's pretty much all I have to say for now. I will maybe say more later, but chances are I wont.

Goodnight!

-Adam

Krysta...Snodden? Ryan...Rudofsky?

2009-02-20T05:28:00.002-03:30

Also, it appears as though Ryan is staying with CBC... but they're also bringing back Krysta? Best of both worlds! I'm pumped. I love them both, I'm so glad CBC didn't make me choose or force me to send an email.

Here's a link to his blog where I read he's staying. http://www.cbc.ca/nl/features/nlweather/2009/02/sticking_around.html#comments

Woot!

Sweet Dreams.

I'm also pumped, by the way, that Krysta is coming back. I heard that she was going to give it all up, but sincerely hoped she'd be back after she delivered her child. She's coming back to CBC in June both on Here and Now and Living. I like Erin Sully too, though so maybe they can have a hosting duo like the weather? Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiidunno. We'll see. Exciting news, anyway.

Death by Penguin.

2009-02-20T04:43:00.003-03:30

I just dreamt I got shot in the heart (queue Bon Jovi) by a woman in a penguin suit while I was in the arctic searching for my parents who were at a party on ski-doo. I was really cold being in the arctic, so when I got shot in the heart by the penguin, all I could think was "mmm it feels so warm." Then I slowly died (my dream actually faded out as I fell to my icy demise), but it felt really nice... being shot in the heart by a tiny woman in a penguin suit.

What kind of screwed up brain do I have? srsly.

I am too tired to write anything of substance, but I totally could becuase a lot has happened lately.

But it's almost 5am. I just needed to tell someone about my dream because it was weird.

Night,

-Adam

HVD!

2009-02-14T20:22:00.002-03:30

Happy ~~Venereal Disease~~ Valentines Day!

I just thought I'd make a quick post to wish all of you all the best.

Now, back to Medsurg.

My second pair free

2009-02-10T18:15:00.002-03:30

These are my other glasses.

These are the freaky ones I told you about earlier.

I don't really like them anymore.

Penny for your thoughts.

I also can't stop listening to The Littlest Birds. I think this is a sign I need to go to town. Just one more week. Just one. More. Week.

WOO.

Also, I passed my IV practical today. I can now give IV's to real people if need be. That's moderately exciting.

New Glasses

2009-02-04T14:04:00.001-03:30

I got pair one of two of my new glasses today. They're kind of exciting. They feel a bit weird on my face though. Anyway here's a photo. I look like crap. Im sick. You'll live.

Rock on,

-Adam

HML FMR

2009-02-01T13:04:00.005-03:30

So this weekend was interesting to say the least.

I went home on Friday, because it was too stormy to do so on Thursday. It was Nan's 80th birthday celebration as you may have known (I don't remember if I wrote that earlier or not). Anyway, I ended up having to cut my weekend short to come back to the beautiful city of Corner Brook yesterday because there's supposed to be a storm today and I needed to get back for Monday for school that I couldn't miss... so here I am. I hope it's effing stormy in Botwood. I swear if I missed that for no reason Ima drop some bodies hahaha.

Anyway back on planet Earth (which is closest to Venus and not Mars, by the way), last night was alright I guess despite my not being able to spend it with my family. Chris made supper for Justin and I, so that was lovely. Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken mmmmm and salad. Then we came back to our place and Angela and Tim came all of us with the intention to go Bowling. However, bowling was full so we couldn't go. We ended up staying here and playing Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader (CANADIAN EDITION!). Later, Justin and I found a Ouija board in the basement haha. I've never ever used one, so we tried it out, but it wasn't anything spectacular. Im not sure that there was anything on the go more than Justin and I moving our hands around but anyway it was pretty funny. Apparently we were talking to HML who was a male, not ready to answer our questions and he was from FKR or something hahaha. We deduced that HML was an illiterate spirit. In other news, Im not sure that you've ever seen my absolutely terrible curtains that came with my room, but I broke them the other day so I took them down last night. That was kind of great. Today I'm going to go to Wal Mart and pick up some new ones that don't look like they came from the Victorian Age or something.

Aside from that nothing new is happening, Justin and I cleaned the apartment up a bit and I drank some tea. I've seen all the How I Met Your Mother episodes to date again now, so I'm over that. I've downloaded Hell's Kitchen. It's fun having TV on my computer because I can turn it on while I do things. It's like having a real TV except it's not instead. Anyway, Hell's Kitchen. I love this show hahaha.

OH RIGHT

I think Im going to Halifax for my preceptorship this summer. I can't get to St. John's and I have no desire to go home. Additionally, I think the impending strike here in NL will just be unneeded stress haha. So long story short I'm going to work on either the medical or surgical floor in the QEII and I'm staying with Christina :D

To all those, well, Dawn and Judi... I hope that you had a fantastic weekend with the family, and I really apologize for not being around. I will see you soon.

Rock on,
-Adam

www.BOASAS.com

They play Sleepy Jackson on the radio...

2009-01-29T22:49:00.003-03:30

I just wrote a 9 page paper in 4 hours that's due tomorrow that I totally forgot about.

It's just a health assessment though so it's alright, you can actually do that. Additionally, it's a clinical course so it's pass or fail in the end. I have to say, though, I think it's one of my better health assessments (we have to do one or two every rotation).

Anyway, I just wanted to say hello.

Also the comic? That's BOASAS. www.boasas.com. Hilarity ensues I assure you.

Love you,

-Adam

Meet me in the red room

2009-01-27T22:06:00.002-03:30

I had my IV written exam yesterday. I failed by 1%. I got a 79 and I needed an 80. The saddest part is, I was stumped on one question. One of those "I know I know this" questions, and then I just gave up and guessed at it. Immediately when I walked out the door I said "God damn, 72 hours." If I had remembered that, I would have passed. Anyway, all water under the bridge. I have to rewrite next week. I'm not concerned, the mark isn't worth anything (it's a lab course so in the end it's pass or fail, and the rewrite isn't held against us).

In other news, today was pretty busy, I had clinical. I also had my clinical evaluation and my instructor told me she was really happy with how I was progressing on clinical and thought I'd make a good nurse and that I was able to handle an increased workload really well. She told me that I work well independently as well as with a team and that it seems as though I'd been working there before. I haven't! I was stoked. Totally made my day. I left her a really good evaluation too. Of course, this is only my midterm evaluation and I have another one in 3 weeks, but for now, I'm happy.

Tomorrow I have clinical again, two patients again, two sets of patient research... again. Anyway, it was alright, they both had diagnoses that I've had before so I got it done pretty efficiently.

Tomorrow's going to be a really busy day, clinical 8-4, quick supper, and then another meeting at 7 until whenever.

Thursday will be really exciting though, I get my new glasses. Or, I have my optomitrist appointment, I probably won't actually get my glasses for a few days/weeks after that, but at least the ball will be rolling after months of deciding. I'm opting for one pair of glasses and one pair of contacts, so that's nice. Contacts will be interesting, I think. I'm pretty pumped about it though, because it means they won't fog up and I can wear sunglasses again! Yay! I thought about getting coloured ones, but decided against it after I really thought about it for a while.

Other than that, I don't really have any news. I'm going home this weekend weather-permitting. It's my nan's 80th birthday celebration and a bunch of my family is going to be there so I'm going to do my very best to be there to celebrate as well. Also on the agenda is skiing with my aunt and a visit from Dawn and Judi (maybe). Very exciting indeed. I think I'm also going to do some baking / cooking to take back to CB with me so that I have a few pre-prepared meals for days when I don't want to / don't have time to cook somthing to keep me from eating Subway or some other fast-food restaurant's food.

Life is good. Another three weeks until I'm done my clinical for the semester. Woot!

Catch you on the flipside,

Seacrest Out.

Wait. No. I'm not Ryan Seacrest. God damn, I'm always getting us confused.

Catch you on the flipside,

-Adam

So here's my day hahaha

2009-01-24T21:19:00.003-03:30

So, there's been a lot of snow falling today.

Since the water dealy broke, it's been pretty dry around here haha.

Washing my hands in cold water destroys my soul a little, but there have been numerous cups of tea from my boiling kettle. I got a spongebath today hahaha. I boiled the kettle and used it in the sink mixed with some cold water. It felt like I was working in long term care, except I was both the patient and the nurse hahaha.

Aside from that, I studied a little bit for my IV exam on Monday and then decided to make some wings with some homemade sweet potato fries (oh lord god I love sweet potato fries). Following that, I watched a crapload of How I Met Your Mother and then went to Canadian Tire for Melvina to get her some fitness stepper. They didn't have any left, but I did get some wax for my skis. It's great, can't wait to try it out.

Then I shovelled my driveway and Chris' driveway with Chris and Jussy, and now Im going to go bowling.

ROCK ON.

I love you all (even you, random stranger who leaves me love notes), catch you on the flipside. Here's to a bunch of strikes tonight at bowling,

-Adam

EXPLOSION

2009-01-24T13:32:00.002-03:30

So our hot water tank exploded today.

No more hot water... at least not in the tank.

The floor of our laundry room? Tons of hot water there hahahaha.

I spongebathed today in kettle water. I feel like a pioneer. hahaha

Anyway, I have to get to homework, but I just wanted to fill you all in on those happenings. Also I went skiing last night and it was epic, but very very cold. So cold that the snow was iced over on top so it made it kind of hard to ski. Still hella fun, though. I love skiing.

That's all.

-Adam

This weekend rates 6.37 on the 0-10 weekend scale.

2009-01-18T20:38:00.002-03:30

I want to blog, but I have nothing to say. So here goes nothing, literally.

So this weekend I went home to Botwood. It wasn't the most exciting weekend, but I did see my aunt Maureen and Nan, spend a good amount of time with dad, get a great gift from Dawn and Judi, and see Sam and Kyla.

I was supposed to go on Thursday but it was too stormy so I ended up going on Friday. When I arrived I had some tea with my parents and family and then I decided to go skiing in crazy crazy cold weather. That was fun.

Saturday I sent my dad my medsurg notes to print at Ontrac since he can do that haha. I actually put 2 copies in one file so that I could print them for a friend too but that he wouldn't notice. When I went to pick them up from him, he was like "I hole-punched them and put them in a binder for you..." "...And then I thought 'maybe he can't have them hole-punched' so I printed an extra copy for you and put them in this envelope." So then I actually had 4 copies which was awesome. 4 copies, 1 for me and 3 for friends, and an awesome dad. Wicked cool.

And then today I came home to Corner Brook.

That's pretty much it.

I started my new clinical on Ortho. I don't really like it, though. I don't hate it, but I don't like it much either haha.

I've also become completely addicted to How I Met Your Mother. I mean, I was always kind of addicted, but now I'm completely addicted.

Now, I'm going to go have some supper. Justin's parents made us Delicious. Or turkey dinner. Whatever you call it.

Tomorrow, I learn how to put in IVs. Exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time.

Anyway, I don't have anything substantial to say so, I'm going to close.

Night!

-Adam

Glasses trouble!

2009-01-07T17:07:00.003-03:30

Okay ladies and laddies,

I need help.

I went glasses frame exploring today and was met with a dilemma (shocker). And so I am faced with a decision. Optical one has two pairs of very nice glasses, one similar to what I always wear now and another with no frame on the bottom, metal semi-thick on top of the frame and the sides are black. Kind of funky, very nice.

Vogue on the other hand has a pair of VERY cool funky glasses. So funky, that I might not wear them around my parents etc. They're black plastic on the front, white on the inside and the sides or earpieces are made with metal rods. I don't even really know how to explain it better than that. They just kind of look like you have glasses floating on your face and then you see that they're being held by two wires on either side. Very funky very fresh. And then with that I would get the second pair and try and get a regular pair similar to the ones I always wear.

But Im not sure what to do. What do you think? Do I get two pairs that I like and could wear all the time and would go with anything or do I get the funky ones?

HMMM BLOGGERS HELP!

HNY

2009-01-01T19:42:00.002-03:30

HNY, readers!

I really have nothing much to say.

Last night was fun, I started out at my friend Kyla's and played a lot of Rock Band. It was exciting and new. I reaffirmed the fact I shouldn't ever sing.

At 12, it was fun. We were at Kyla's and she lives on a hill so it was like we were surrounded by fireworks. A great night to be with people you love.

So then, to ring in the new year, I chose my song of 2009's ringing in - We Will Still Need a Song by Hawksley Workman. An oldie, but a goodie.

Then I went to Justin's and partied it up with he, Pam and Ashley. We played Wii and I drank a gummie bear (that was awfully sweet but did kinda sort of taste like the candy).

Uhuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh so that's about it.

We also had a NY supper here at home inviting 30 of our family members and friends. That was kind of ... exciting.

How about you all? How did you spend your New Years Eve?

What?

2008-12-23T23:46:00.003-03:30

So straight up I apologize for swearing.

The federal gov't just announced a 603 million dollar deficit for October. What a fabulous time to appoint 18 new members of senate.

Fuck off you have to be kidding me. Not just me, all of us.

This is a joke right?

Jesus. Seriously. We need a Messiah. Please, Ignatieff, save us. Please.

Holiday Wrap-Up

2008-12-21T14:00:00.003-03:30

I don't have anything to say. Do you know what that means? A long-ass journal entry about shit all.

Okay so:

I went to the city on Thursday. That was exciting. Dawn and Judi are excellent and I still love them very much (as if that's ever going to change). Dawn is pregnant. I would say very pregnant except I don't say very pregnant because it bothers me when people do. You either are or you aren't. So she is. Pregnancy is one of those black/white issues. There's no likart scale for pregnancy. Anyway, she's beautiful as always and carries little Quinn very well. Judi is very excited as well and doing her best to resist the urge to buy an entire Babies 'R' Us store. Other than hang out with the girls, I didn't do a whole lot. I went shopping, bought some fabulous clothes, some gifts for family and drank some Starbucks. I saw some old friends and laughed a lot. I also think I contracted a....

Throat infection. I have little while papules on the back of my throat and it's sore and my ear is hurting. Thus, I think I'm infected. Could be the strep, could be anything really. If I were a doctor maybe I would know. It's okay, though, because I'm a nurse and I can treat instead of diagnose. Who needs diagnoses to treat diseases anyway? hahahahaha. Collaboration my ass. Anyway, if it gets worse Im going to go to the hospital and get some antibiotics I guess. I'm hoping it won't get worse.

What else is new....

I went to Grand Falls today with my dad to get some last minute shopping done for my mom. This has become a yearly tradition from as long back as I can remember. We always go out days before Christmas and he buys all sorts of random shit. He's also very suggestive in this time and so if you ask for anything or suggest anything he's all for it. I didn't take advantage this year, though. Mostly because it was morning and I was tired and cold. By the way it's freezing.

I tried to go skiing yesterday, but there's not enough snow down yet. We're supposed to get more in the coming days, however, so hopefully there'll be enough to drift around. I need Aunt Eileen to come home so I have someone to go with me. Im hoping Justin will come snowshoeing with me when he gets home. I miss Justin a lot. I miss all my friends, actually, but most of all I think I miss Justin. Poor guy staying at home all by himself.

We get our marks back tomorrow. I'm really nervous about pediatrics as you may have guessed. I needed a 60% on my final to get a 65% (which is a pass for us BNs) and so I'm hoping I pulled it off, but we'll see. I'm really, really nervous about it anyway.

I just wrapped the last of my gifts for people. It was a good experience. I had some tea and listened to the Pogues, Hey Rosetta! and many many more. I turned it up really loud and dad asked me 'what the hell I was doing.' Moments like these make life worth living.

My nipple is acting up lately. I think it's because my throat is infected causing it to give me gross drainage. My eyebrow used to do that as well.

SINGALONG
DVNO four capital letters printed gold 'cause the details make the girls sweat even more while they're shaking their belt! No need to ask my name to figure out how cool I am!
END SINGALONG

So that was fun. The song is called DVNO by Justice. Great song.

Oh my iPod decided to break yesterday for a couple of hours. It's working fine again now though, so that's good. I'm not ready to buy a new iPod yet. I mean, I'm ready, but I am lacking the funds required.

Well, my friend Katie just asked me to hang out, so I think I will do that now. Go get some Tim's or something and catch up.

Goodbye my lovelies. I hope you have a fantastic holiday. More news to come post-Christmas and perhaps even pre.

Might as well go for a soda.
-Adam

I love you.

Polidram

2008-12-08T15:48:00.002-03:30

I think it's kind of sad that we're getting rid of a potentially great leader simply based on a language barrier.

Buck up, Canada.

2008-12-07T11:14:00.001-03:30

By this time tomorrow, I will never have to look at anything pertaining to pediatrics again.

:)

What a satisfying feeling.

2008-12-05T16:14:00.001-03:30

OHHHHHHHHHH

WHATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT?

ITS THE HIGHEST MARK

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTT

THAT NEVER HAPPENS TO ME IN UNIVERSITY!

WHATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT OOOOOOH SNAP

I WIN AGAIN.

2008-12-05T16:04:00.001-03:30

I GOT AN 84% ON MY PEADS PAPER.

KICKING ASS AND TAKING NAMES.

WOOOOOOOOOOHHH OOOOH OOHHHHH YES.

Black, like my heart.

2008-12-04T16:19:00.002-03:30

Wow :)

My clinical evaluation was today. My clinical instructor said so many nice things about me. I wish I could have kept a copy of her good comments to read when I'm feeling down. We had about a half an hour or so conversation about mental health nursing. It was great.

The best part, though, was at the end when she asked about my exams. She said good luck and asked how I was doing. I told her fine in Mental Health and Research. Then she asked me if I was doing any others and I said "yes, pediatrics. with her," and I pointed toward my prof's office and she just looked at me, knodded, and said "ah. I completely understand." There's no better academic feeling than knowing you aren't the only person in the world who would sooner punch themselves in the face than to enter the same room as one of your profs. Satisfaction.

Anyway, I did get a good chunk of studying done thus far today. I think 2 more days spent studyign peads will get me a good mark on the exam, so that's lovely.

So possums, that's just a little update from me. I'm alive and feelin' fine. You should all watch the news this evening. The papermill is closing in GFW and the GG prorogued parliament. It should be an exciting six o'clock.

Love you,
-Adam

My Philosophy 2803 paper... Read and comment if you wish.

2008-11-22T17:18:00.002-03:30

Running head: Ethics of Oestrogen Treatment for Tall Girls

The Ethical Implications of Oestrogen Treatment for Tall Girls

Adam Elliott 200643104

Sir Wilfred Grenfell College

Memorial University of Newfoundland

The Ethical Implications of Oestrogen Treatment for Tall Girls

How Tall is too Tall? On the Ethics of Oestrogen Treatment for Tall Girls written by Pekka Louhiala is an article that outlines the ethical considerations of pharmacologically treating young girls who are expected to grow 'abnormally' tall once they reach adulthood. It provides the reader with several justifications for the process, and this paper will attempt to outline these and also provide criticism related to the effectiveness of the overall article. As well, any additions that could be made to this controversial treatment process to make it more ethical to the patients and families being treated will be outlined in the paper.

The article begins by offering the reader some background on the process and treatment of tall girls with hormones to reduce their adult height. It explains that in order to be eligible for treatment, the girls have to be 66 inches tall, or at least 4 inches above average height and that being tall presents significant psychosocial and economic problems for them. In addition to this, the authors outlined that in order to partake in hormone treatment, the predicted height of the girl had to be 177cm – 185cm but this varied from country to country. Predicting future height in tall girls was noted to be inaccurate on occasion, however it was noted that many of the errors were on a more individual basis and not so for every case. The authors also note that predicting height becomes increasingly easy as the age of the girl increases, however treatment is less successful after 10 years of age and is 100% unsuccessful after 14 years.

Following the background information about the topic, the author goes on to discuss the ethical implications of the treatment of tall girls with hormone therapy. First, the significance of the research is identified by stating that there is little medical research done on the ethics of the treatment, and that the study will set out to assess the justification of the treatment. The author then outlines three headings for the article: "general justification", "when is treatment successful?", and "research ethics."

In keeping with these categories, general justification illustrates why a predicted-tall girl would pursue treatment. It outlines how the decisions are often vastly influenced by the mother who was tall (and bore the burden of being picked on - being classified as 'different' her whole life), and that the father usually has no role in the decision making while the girl herself has very little say. In fact, it goes on to state that consent to this treatment is controversial in that the treatment is no longer effective once the girl reaches the age of consent so, often, the girl's treatment decisions are made by the parents (though it is noted that the girl's choices are taken into consideration in practice). Lastly, the general justification section talks about the lack of evidence-based practice surrounding this subject due to research of minor patients, and the ethical implications of using placebos and controls in studies based upon hormone treatment.

Next, the author focuses on the reported success of treatment. First, the measurement is evaluated and it is stated that psychological well-being is intangible and, therefore, is difficult to measure. However, one could measure actual height versus predicted height but that even this is difficult as it is hard to state what a "good" result is. Additionally, the study outlines the satisfaction rate among girls who opted for treatment, and those who did not. In most cases, those who opted for the treatment were happy that they did, but it is also noted that those who opted against treatment were also happy that they did so. Both groups were vastly satisfied with their final height with or without treatment.

Lastly, the article summarizes the research ethics of treating tall girls with oestrogen. In this section, Louhiala speaks to the research that has been completed surrounding treatment for tall girls. Again, it is stated that there needs to be more research done with regards to the girls' psychological well-being post-treatment. He does, however, note that there is much research done regarding the physical effects, and that it has been proven that oestrogen treatment does reduce height in girls. The study goes on to say that bromocriptine and somatostatin analogues also offer some evidence to being useful in the treatment of height abnormalities, but that, again, more research needs to be done. The bulk of this section talks about the ethical considerations of researching these patients. Since they are minors, their age (being under the age of consent) plays a role in clinical decision-making. It is also stated that in order to really research the effects of treatment, control groups and placebos may need to be used which would be unethical unless reported to the patients. Furthermore, the author outlines the fact that using other medications (for example somatostatin analogues) for research would be difficult because the researcher would have to tell the participant that this medication may not work as well as oestrogen treatment, and its effects are relatively unknown thus, the participant might be less likely to agree to treatment. Additionally, side effects are mentioned in this section of the article stating that short term side effects have been explored, but more research is needed, and long-term side effects like breast cancer have not really been studied. Lastly, the author illustrates the biases of some of the research that has been done, talking about how some researchers may present the treatment more positively than others using an example from Norway. In this study, 539 girls were offered treatment and all 539 girls accepted whereas in Finland, only 59 out of 87 girls accepted treatment. This indicates that the Finnish researchers offered a more neutral position and the girls (and their families) were more informed about the complications and implications of the treatment.

Finally, the author adds some conclusions regarding the subject of oestrogen treatment for tall girls. He first outlines that although this treatment is not a new procedure, there is much that remains unknown. Here, the need for more research into the long-term effects and to expose the uncertainties related to the treatment is outlined. Moreover, the author includes a statement which speaks about studying the psychological effects of being tall. The author concludes by saying that although tallness is being accepted on a greater level in society, pharmacological intervention is still needed at times.

Thus, the overall argument made by Louhiala is that though this treatment may be beneficial to some of the girls who decide to have it, more research needs to be done surrounding the topic and its effects both psychologically and medically (long-term side effects, for example). The author does offer several ways in which to carry out more research, but states that there are certain ethical points and limitations which would make these evaluations impossible. Those that are possible take a very long time and, while they may work well in theory, follow-through with these evaluations would be very difficult (giving girls questionnaires over the course of their adulthood, for example). Louhiala's perspective is clear in that he agrees with the treatment as is and agrees that it is sometimes physically needed. However, he does feel that there are severe ethical issues which need to be taken into consideration before carrying out the treatment and often these issues cannot be researched so the responsibility is on the researcher, the healthcare team and the family to do their best to make an understanding and informed decision regarding management of this abnormality.

The ethical implications surrounding oestrogen treatment for abnormally tall girls are numerous. First, and undoubtedly most important, the long-term side effects of the treatment have not been explored. Next, the treatment is largely due to psychological harm that the girls may experience from being tall. That being said, the treatment can cause early feminine development and interest in the opposite sex and this alone could cause increased psychological distress for the young girl. Lastly, and in addition to these problems, the girls are unable to give their full consent as they are underage and thus may be pressured into a treatment they do not want or do not fully understand and thus, could also be used for research which is highly unethical when minors are the participants. These reasons alone are indication that this treatment process needs to be reviewed, and health ethics is a major issue that needs to be taken into consideration.

The viewpoint argued in the article is effective, however it needs some work and more research needs to be done to add to the treatment's validity and credibility. For example, the author mentioned giving the girls who accepted treatment an evaluation which they would fill out over time that questioned things like overall happiness with the treatment, their psychosocial interaction since treatment, and whether or not they experienced any side effects. This could be also given to girls who denied treatment as well as their parents, and would offer a greater insight into the actual psychological well-being of tall girls as the research is currently lacking. Though this evaluative process may take a long period of time, it would be very beneficial to the research base and would also give the medical community a window into the effects of the treatment both physically and mentally. It is research like this that truly adds to the ethics of treatment in that it would expose whether or not girls who denied treatment were socially ridiculed and this could be compared with those who accepted treatment and their psychological woes. Additionally, the author does not give any background into the effects of hormone treatment in humans. There is a large research base that can be tapped into in this regard, and could offer some insight as to what the clinical manifestations of this treatment is and could perhaps be applied to oestrogen treatment of tall girls as well. This was simply left out of Louhiala's argument and is a valid point that is imperative to treatment.

One major flaw that all of these research implications do not consider is conducting research on minors. This is an enormous ethical consideration which must be looked into. Can ten year old girls really decide whether or not their psychological well-being will be affected? Should these girls' mothers really have the authority to decide what sort of treatment their daughters pursue? The author makes an excellent point in the study stating that tallness is more accepted by society now than in the past, and using that point alone, mothers would no longer be able to justify their daughter's treatment based upon their own psychological upbringing. Some laws state that using minors for research is justified if they have parental consent (Shiels, n.d.). However, in a situation where the girl's entire adult life would be affected as it would be in this treatment, the research should be deemed unethical and immoral.

In conclusion, Louhiala presents a justified argument for oestrogen treatment for tall girls. However, there are many other issues which must be taken into consideration. For example, the health implications of the treatment – Long-term side effects have not been studied and early development may cause more psychological problems than the height abnormality. In addition, the ethical issues have not really been taken into consideration in this treatment process, and need to be further researched before offering a "quick fix" to psychosocial problems posed by tallness. Lastly, age of consent to research is a massive issue here. It is not ethical to allow a mother of a 10 year old girl to make these decisions based upon past experiences. With modeling and mass media, tallness is more and more acceptable in society, and this is an issue that should be made by the girl herself, not the mother. A valid point made in the article is that 79% of all those who went untreated were satisfied with their height in the end. Inaccurate future-height predictions and increased social acceptance may as well play a factor here. It is imperative that more research be carried out on correcting height at an age beyond 10 years, when a girl is old enough to make decisions for herself and not have them made for her by a team of individuals who may not really have the patient's best interest at heart.

References

Shiels, B. L. (n.d.). Minnesota Laws and their Relationship to IRB Review. Retrieved November 15, 2008,

from Consent by Minors I. General Rule: http://www.research.umn.edu/irb/members/MN%20LAWS%20AND%20IRB%20REVIEW.ppt

I win!

2008-11-19T11:34:00.002-03:30

I got an 80 on my peads lab exam. The mark is irrelevant because it's a lab, so that means in the end it's just pass or fail, but it matters to me because it's peads and that's the course I was struggling with. Thus, an 80 in the course must mean I'm kicking it into gear or something, which is a great confidence boost that I really needed.

Just thought I'd let all you concerned parents out there know.

Have a lovely day, I'm going to go be lovely in my sweater vest and enjoy/HATE WITH THE FIRE OF A THOUSAND SUNS the snow that has fallen today in Corner Brook.

-Adam

Winter's here.

2008-11-02T09:18:00.004-03:30

How much are tickets to Florida lately?

I went to sleep and it was snowing just a little bit, not really settling, just snowing. You know, like it does before winter comes every now and again.

Then I woke up.

Now there's snow. Scary, I know. But that's Corner Brook for you. At least I can ski soon.

So today is November 2nd. 52 Days until Christmas, and only 1 month 9 days left to this semester. Woo hoo soon it will all be over! *Dances*

Today I'm going to write/finish my paper on the effects on families raising a child with a chronic illness. It's for peads, so I need to make it great. I think that fact alone is what's keeping me from "just writing it." Pressure to do well. I've taken lots of notes though, and I think it should come out to be alright in the end.

How's everyone else doing?

Happy Winter.

-Adam

2008-10-22T17:50:00.003-02:30

Okay,

So yesterday was the worst day of the semester.

TODAY IS THE BEST EVER. I could elaborate, but I'm too excited to sit here and type. So I'll bullet:

Had my Mental Health exam - went AWESOMELY.
Presented my 2hour seminar. WENT AWESOME
Had a VERY productive Nursing Society Meeting
Do not have to do pt. research for tomorrow
My patient is improving from last week! :D
Attended the NLNU convention today - very informative. I love nurses. We're so committed.
I HAVE THE NEW P!NK ALBUM. WHAT? AWESOME. YEAH. YEEAAAAH.HAHAHAHAA.
:D

2008-10-21T12:30:00.001-02:30

:(

I failed my pediatrics exam. This is very upsetting.

I need to do very well in my paper and my final, now. I'm not good at peads, either. I dunno, it's just not something I'm passionate about. I find it really hard to study for and stuff... sooooo this should be fun.

I really wish I didn't fail. Life is so much easier when you can just float on through. But what would we learn from that, then?

New(s)

2008-10-14T19:23:00.001-02:30

So guys,

Hi.

I bought a new laptop today. Mine stopped being cool, and started malfunctioning. I had no warranty and it was over 700 dollars to fix it. So, I bought a new one. Im not sure what to do with my old one, though.

Anyway, the new one is beautiful.

Everything else in the world is also copacetic.

I love you.

October

2008-10-02T18:24:00.002-02:30

update!

I went to St. John's for a research conference last week. Saw Dawn and Judi. It was a great trip. I think I'm going to go again October 31st weekend. Want to come with?

I'm eating cranberries right now.

I started my GCSU meetings yesterday. Holy busy.

I dont have time to turn around. Thus, I dont really have time to update my blog either. So if I'm scattered, that's why. I apologize.

I'm thinking November will be slower. Or at least hoping. If not, next semester will be anyway.
I think I'm going to have six weeks of 5 day weekends. Yes that's right.

I know.

Okay I have all kinds of stuff to say but not much time to say it. So I'm just giving you that and telling you I'm still alive.

I love you,
- Adam

You must follow your heart.

2008-09-23T16:37:00.002-02:30

Hello lovelies,

I am having such a fantastic day. And I have a headache. This is such a rare occurrence that I thought I needed to blog about it. Honestly, have you ever had a fantastic day and a headache? The two aren't exactly positively correlated. With the onset of headaches, the greatness of days usually goes down. However today, I've found a statistical anomaly. Today is great. And I have a headache.

I hope you all are feeling great too.

- Nurse Adam

2008-09-16T11:32:00.002-02:30

Do I have anything else to say today? Since I'm updating my journal instead of completing one of the four papers I have due this week (I have 2.5 of them done already)?

I'm going to write a blog entry about my life this week I think.

It's been good. It's been great. I'm so happy. I am so happy. I don't think I've ever been this happy for this long. I mean, yeah, things piss me off. Things with school, things with friends, things with family. But nothing long term. Nothing long term has pissed me off. I attribute this to my new zen way of looking at life. Another Dawn-inspired moment. I also attribute it to my new apartment. It is so beautiful to be able to come home from school and leave school at school. To come home from a shit day with whomever and to live in the apartment. To have a crappy conversation with someone on the phone and to be able to hang up and be in a space that you're in love with.

Having this apartment, I think, might be among the top decisions I've made throughout my University career. And living with Justin is another really great decision. It's nice to be listened to or to be able to joke around or to be able to be talked to. I don't know what else to say about it or how else to express it to you. Im sure all of you have had the perfect living situation, though. So go back, think about how that situation was perfect and how it made you feel. And then mirror it onto me. Those feelings are my feelings. haha

In other news school is ++busy. ++ is an understatement, actually. It might be three plus signs. I think I'm going to give up the nursing society in January, when I'm able to run for president again. I think Im going to give it up and just be on the GCSU. This is pretty big for me, because I really do enjoy it. But I enjoy it less and less everyday. Its becoming less of a labour of love and more of a labour. So I think that's indicative of me needing a change. So Im giving it up. I think.

Im not sure what else I have to tell you. Thursday is my last day EVER on a pediatrics ward. I couldn't be more stoked about that. Oh how I hate pediatrics. I am so not a peds nurse. Me and children don't really go so well together.

So that's all I have to say. I seem to be writing in short sentences today, and I find that annoying to read so I'm sure all of you do too. So I'll stop.

Have a lovely day!

Tattooed part two.

2008-09-16T11:31:00.004-02:30

I decided Im going to get my tattoo.

I don't know when.

But I'm going to do it.

Even though the fact of living with one thing for the rest of my life scares me a little. I think this is one thing I could live with. This tattoo.

So I'm going to do it. Eventually, I'll do it.

Nevereding White Lights

2008-09-16T11:23:00.003-02:30

Ever hear music so good that with every listen you could break down to tears? Music so packed full of raw emotion that it just makes your heart stop beating. Makes you do absolutely nothing but sit there in your housecoat (that makes you look like the playboy guy) and listen to the CD knowing full well you have far too much to do today than to sit at your desk listening to music.

Neverending White Lights does this to me. Seriously. Every. Single. Track.

And they have a new CD, Act II.

You expect the second album to be crappy in comparison to their first album. I mean, how can you top the greatest music ever created? They did. The second album is... I was blown away. Absolutely blown away. Every song, at some point or another, gives me goosebumps.

Every. Single. Track.

Go get this. Go get this today. Don't wait.

I have playlists. Many, many playlists. In one of my many Dawn-inspired moments I made a dinner party playlist. I made it a long time ago, and it has gone through many changes and has many songs now. I could host the perfect dinner party with said playlist. But you know what? Instead of spending time on that playlist, I could simply scroll to artists and play Neverending White Lights. The perfect dinner party music. The perfect "Im having a bad day and need to be cheered up" music. The perfect music for any occassion haha.

I'll say it one more time because I feel like I haven't yet convinced you to go get it.
Go and get this music. Today.

tattooed on my skin (don't know where you end and I begin)

2008-09-14T10:40:00.002-02:30

Should I go get my tattoo this week?

The equals sign in my upper middle back?

Y/N?

I didn't tell my parents im getting it. And I wont.

Is it worth the risk?

Y/N?

Fashion backward.

2008-09-13T18:57:00.002-02:30

Hi gals,

I just made french onion soup. I love french onion soup. I used too many onions, though. So its more like boiled onions. I love boiled onions, though.

Is beef broth cheating?

I discovered some new music today, and rekindled some oldies. I love music.

I have a paper due monday. What is this business anyway? Making me write papers so quickly. I am not a machine. I am not a machine. 001101011 011010100011 010101 11100101 010010.

I bought groceries today. Crazyness. I bought gouda and french bread and oh the things that I love.

Yogurt. Tomatoes. Soy ground. Oh the things that I love.

But out of it all
you know what I love
the most?

Armani.

I bought more cologne. It was expensive.

From now on, I will smell like a french whore whenever you smell me. My dad calls me a french whore when I smell like cologne. I decided I'd adopt the phrase. Thus, the next time you smell me I will smell like a french whore. A damn good smelling french whore, but a french whore nonetheless.

Did I congratulate you yet? Congratulations.

I love you,
-Adam

Short and sweet.

2008-09-13T15:15:00.001-02:30

Hi guys,

nothing's really new. I'm watching Grey's Anatomy with justin. I figure if he's going to live with a nurse he needs to watch Grey's Anatomy. He likes it so it's win.

I just wanted to tell you that I think when I graduate and become epic nurse extraordinaire Im going to teach.

Also, congratulations. Also, I love being a vegetarian.

What goings on

2008-09-04T11:46:00.002-02:30

Okay so I'm all settled into my new apartment and it's absolutely lovely. How good!

We started "classes" today, but as today is Thursday and I have clinical Thursdays and Fridays, I started with clinical orientation. Hello vomit. So anyway our clinical rotation is screwed up this year. You can stop reading now, as I'm going to try and explain to you what's happening and my head exploded when they tried to explain it to me so me trying to explain it to someone else might be painful. Here it goes:

There are three groups. One is doing only mental health. One is doing only peads. One is doing both. These three groups all start at different times. Some do peads the first 6 weeks, some mental health, and some nothing. The second six weeks is the same. Those doing both will do the opposite of what they did the first six weeks while those doing a single rotation will have the second 6 weeks off.

These clinical groups also come with lab groups. There are 6 groups altogether all having labs at different times Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. There is also a philosophy course which we need to take before we graduate. This course is offered Monday and Wednesday or via distance edu. The Monday Wednesday slot of philosophy means that you have to shift your labs such that you don't clash with philosophy... or do it distance. People didn't do this. They just accepted the clash and expected someone to do something about it for them. Obviously since you're doing a nursing degree, philosophy comes first. So they chose to screw up their nursing lab schedule to take philosophy in class rather than distance. Then they emailed the associate director of nursing with: My philosophy clashes, I need labs changed so I can take the course. So the AD emails the rest of us and says: If your labs do not clash with philosophy please let us know so you can move. Please cooperate or we will move you. So anyway, trying to get 60 or so nursing students to move to accomodate an elective course which is not nursing related and could be taken through distance instead of in the classroom thus solving all the world's problems including famine and war is ludicrous but that's what they tried to do. So we sat in the classroom and switched and swoshed until everyone was so confused their heads were ready to pop off altogether. By the way, out of the 60 students there are only about 5 who are experiencing this clash. So its like making 55 students suffer for the sake of 5 stubborn people who refuse to take a distance course (meanwhile there's a mil other people in the class taking it via distance so you could get tons of help if that's the issue. I realize distance edu isn't ideal, but pragmatically nursing comes first so suck it up). So anyway, none of my labs got switched so that's awesome because I love my schedule and would have dropped bodies if they tried to coerce me into a different lab spot. Especially since course registering is competitive. What's the point in getting good grades to compete for registration times if they're just going to screw around your schedule and put you in lab until 4:30+ every day anyway?

Alright so after all that was overwith we had our clinical course orientation where she told us we need to keep a reflective journal this semester outlining what we've learned from our floor experiences. We also have to orientate kindergarteners to the hospital setting and we have a bunch of other stuff. It's a bit intimidating but seems like it'll be an alright orientation overall. I have to go back to the school at 12:45 for my floor orientation. Im on the pediatric (children's) floor for the first 6 weeks (then mental health for the second block) of clinical and I have the best clinical instructor EVAR. So that's pretty great.

Overall I'm pleased, but a little nervous for back to school.

So in other news, I bought an external harddrive yesterday and have all my music and movies on it. Oh lord it's lovely. My computer likes it too. It's like "ahhhh I'm free."

That's all. I have to get back to my floor orientation now. Have a good day.
Love,
-Nurse Adam

Photos of the apartment

2008-08-31T12:14:00.003-02:30

These photos really don't do the place justice. I took them with my cellphone camera and unless you have ideal lighting conditions, the camera isn't ideal. I didn't get any photos of Justin's room because he's not home and I wanted to get his permission first. Anyway, here they are:

My room from shelf

My room from desk
My room from door
Bathroom
Makeshift Living Room
AWESOME CUPBOARDS / Kitchen
Kitchen / Dining Room / Living Room
Kitchen from Justin's doorway

New(s)!

2008-08-29T15:03:00.002-02:30

Hello World!

I'm back in CB with big news.

I have an apartment.

I have a new cellphone.

I went vegetarian (sort of).

Okay, so my apartment is the epitome of all apartments and has love written all over it. You all simply must see it. It's fantastic and huge. The only con is that it doesn't have a formal living room but we made the kitchen into one so yay! Also our landlord ROCKS. She is letting us live for free until the first of the month, is super nice about giving us stuff (like space in her deep freeze, laundry services, heat, light, installing towel racks, taking out our trash, and doing things she doesn't need to do but does anyway and we're stoked on her), and is magnifique (tres tres court et tres tres chic).

Next, cellphone.
I got a new cellphone with a new carrier and a new plan. LG Keybo / LG I LOVE YOU. It's the greatest thing I've ever put into my hands (next to better phones that I can't afford like a Blackberry). I love every minute of it. I have a fav10 package and I put some great people on it so I can text and talk (nationwide!) for free all day long if I so desire. I also have voicemail AND callerID. I win ^__^

Next, Vegetarian.
I went vegetarian with Justin (my awesome roommate in my awesome apartment). His parents don't know though so they bought us some "getting started groceries" and inside was some hamburgers and chicken and stuff but once that's all gone, we're going completely veg. We bought some meatless meat and burgers and nuggets. It's all very exciting. I know at least one of you has amazing recipes out there for me to try so send those along please.

I think I'll take some photos of the place for you later and post them. For now, I think Im going to curl up on my bed and read some before school blasts in my face with 1034348348 different things I have to do.

Have a great day! :)

-Adam

LOVE FROM HVGB

2008-08-16T18:10:00.003-02:30

Countdown to home:
1 DAY. I AM COMING HOME TOMORROW (Well, coming to St. John's but that's STILL IN NEWFOUNDLAND AND NOT LABRADOR EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE UNIFIED SO REALLY I CAN'T BE IN ONE PLACE WITHOUT BEING IN THE OTHER).

ONE. DAY.

Im SO BUSY. I have to pack everything and see about 80,000 people before the night is over. Its 6 oclock. Let's get on the ball.

Fantastic summer in retrospect. Think Im gonna do it all over again next year.

Love you my sweets,
-Adam

Oh btw, Dawn Happy Birthday. I hope you're alright I haven't heard from you in forever. I'm sure you're fine though as news travels through our family like wildfire and I've heard nothing grave. I'll see you tomorrow. Love from HVGB (for the last time)

name vs. numbers

2008-08-10T12:55:00.002-02:30

I was just thinking, why are people so opposed to being assigned numbers instead of names? Sure, it does sound rather impersonal to be called "795284," but it does have its perks. First of all, I think it would only be as impersonal as you make it. For example, if my best friend called me "7...." it wouldn't be any different than if she called me "Adam." If a professor whom I didn't know at MUN called me "7..." it wouldn't feel any different than if he called me "Adam." My deal is if you are assigned a numerical name from birth, it wouldn't feel any different than if you had an actual name.

Also. There are some really great numerically-named people out there. Agent 007, for example. He's the coolest guy ever and only his close friends (and whores) know him as Bond. James Bond. So you could keep your real name a secret and it would be another "getting to know you factor" since the internet has sort of taken away all of our privacy anyway. Well, it hasn't really taken it. We willingly give it up (see any given Facebook profile).

Lastly, they can be conversation starters and people already like them. They just don't realize it. How many times do you see: John Smith #44, Jane Doe #07 scribbled on washroom doors or vandalized on school desks, etc.? How about University numbers? 200573310. People looking at that know that you started university in '05 and it can be the base of a fruitful conversation. Thus, numbers are/can be conversation starters. Adam, BN3. Tells a lot about me. That Im a nursing student, my name is Adam and that I'm in year three. Take any one of those points and have a conversation with me. Then you could take my student number, 200643*** and realize that I started in 2006 and talk to me about that. Now we've been talking for a good 20 minutes about different things and have probably become friends.

See? Numbers aren't so bad. Don't fear them, embrace them.
- Adam, BN3, 200643***, a42ace

<3

three out of four signs of infection.

2008-08-06T23:06:00.003-02:30

I took out my eyebrow ring because it was giving me too much grief.

I am devastated. I want it back, but I know it's for the better.

I'll probably get it repierced at some point.

Maybe I'll do my lip instead or something.

Maybe I'll get jiggy wit it and pierce my penis or something.

Okay that last one was a joke. Everyone knows I already have it pierced.

-Adam

Labrador Supper.

2008-08-03T22:52:00.003-02:30

Hay guise,

I just got back from a Labrador City / Out for supper combo. What a weekend.

Want me to tell you about it? No? Screw you. I'm telling you anyway.

We left on Friday at 7:30 in the morning. Thursday night I stayed at the house of the people I traveled with and that was fun. So the drive out is about 535km of gravel road. That's right. Sans pavement. Drive takes about 7.5-8 hours. I know right. Anyway, it wasn't too bad. We saw a little bear and some other things and had lots of big ol' chats. Good times.

Then we got to Lab City.

There was a McDonald's and a Wal Mart and a mall and a hotel and all sorts of things that we could avail of that we cannot in HVGB. Very nice. I bought some things at Wal Mart (a couple of shirts and a jacket a couple of groceries and stuff) and I got some sneakers at the Athlete's world in the mall. I got a new eyebrow ring made of surgical steel and my eyebrow likes it as much as I do so that's pretty awesome. I think the best part was the time I had with the people I went with though. We had such a great laugh and the daughter (37) has a little daughter who's 8 and she's a total hipster. She's awesome. So we had lots of laughs and talks about nursing. Both mothers are nurses (I went with a mom and her daughter and her daughter), so we had lots of chats about my future. One thing that they said that I listened to though regarding my preceptorship: They suggested I go someplace crazy for my preceptorship. They agreed that it would be nice to do it in St. John's since that's where I want to settle but reminded me that I'll be 21 and that I really do not need to settle. They said that it might be better for me to do my preceptorship someplace where I would be a crazy nurse like in Goose Bay or Iqaluit where you could go to the floor one day and work ICU and work the next day on Paeds and the next day on OBS etc. because there's such a crazy shortage and you're being pulled in every direction. Thus, you have to have good skills in every department and know how to handle crises and things like that. If I go to St. John's (or any larger centre) for my preceptorship I will be on one ward (say the surgical floor or something) and will learn how to be a nurse for that setting, but wouldn't be as comfortable in any other setting. Since I'm thinking I may want to do some travel nursing when I graduate, it would be nice to have epic skills since because of the huge nursing shortage, you often don't get good training or orientation. It's kind of like "hey! You're here! Great. Go." So anyway that's something for me to think about.

I bought a new hat and I bought a candle. Both are green.

I need groceries man. So then Saturday we did more shopping, visited some friends they had in Wabus, and we went out for a Chinese Buffet. It was pretty awesome. Worked out a bit in the hotel gym and basically chilled for the rest of the night. Then today we got up early and drove back. On the way, my friends Sharon and Paula invited me over for a barbeque and it was pretty much a meal from heaven. Awesome. I'm so full.

Tomorrow is a civic holiday for Goose Bay, so that's kind of shit as I really need to buy food and I need to go get a jacket taken in and I can't do either because everything's closed. Looks like I'm eating at Tim's tomorrow hahaha. Loves having food.

I have 2 weeks left today until it's time to come home. I'm so incredibly stoked. I cannot wait. CANNOT WAIT.

Do you want to see a picture of my new eyebrow ring? Because you can:
Okay that's all I have to say. Have a lovely evening. I love you.
-Adam

Cliff notes.

2008-07-27T10:37:00.002-02:30

I just woke up from the strangest dream.

I was at a hockey game with my parents in a big stadium with a balcony. The balcony had those plexiglass window things. The stadium was packed. Anyway, there was drunken good times in the balcony while we all watched the game down below. There was an overweight man in the balcony and he got pushed up against the "glass" which in turn bent a little and fell out of the window space not harming anyone. Then, the man began to fall, but instead of helping, the drunk people saw that he was falling and threw him out of the window and went right back to partying. The man fell onto those little plastic walls that they have everywhere in our stadium in botwood. The ones that open up into the rink and that host the advertisments of local business and stuff. He fell onto that, back first. So a bunch of people watched in horror and ran towards him to help him. I did too knowing first aid and CPR and so did my parents. Except when I got to him my dad pulled me away and told me not to get involved. I told him I had to as a nurse and he said I didn't and I might hurt him or something. Two random people got the guy up and tried walking him out all the while Im being restrained in my dad's arms and am shouting things at them like "don't move his spine!" or "keep his head in place!" or "leave him and call 911!" but no one could hear me. Then, this man who shows up in my dreams quite often lately, Cliff, came by and I was shocked to see him because I thought he was dead (in real life, I have no idea who Cliff is... but he's around a lot and he always seems to die like Kenny from South Park. It's quite sad because he seems like a nice guy). Anyway, I was calm and the guy was gone (don't know if he died or what... he was just gone) so we decided to leave the stadium. Then as we were walking to our cars, Cliff went to get into his (Cliff is rich and has a driver) and noticed that the man who's trying to kill him is in the backseat of the car waiting for him. Cliff sees that he's there but doesn't freak out, he gets into the car, and I get on the otherside of the backseat and the man is all gloved and has this powder stuff. He throws it into Cliff's face and lunges toward me. With my feet facing him I have no choice but to furiously kick him. That's how I woke up, furiously kicking the air in my bed.

Suddenly I realize how I kicked over my tea the other day. And if my computer was 2 inches closer to me last night, I would have kicked the crap out of it. I'm going to move everything to the other side of the room. I'm terrified of the gloved man with powder. He sort of looked like the lead man in that show the Tudors on CBC. The king.

Anyway, isn't that dream screwed up? Isn't it even more strange that I can remember like every detail of it? And I really can, like it's playing in my mind and has been since I woke up. I keep wondering what, if anything, everything means.

It's so hot in Labrador today. And everyday. I can't deal. I can't sleep anymore, I can't do anything. Thank God the home I work at is air conditioned. Im so sweaty. It's like Im covered in a thin film of sweat.

We were all supposed to go to brunch this morning, but Amy cancelled because she was too tired, and I haven't heard from Mike yet so I assume we aren't going.

Other than that, nothing is really new. I got some overtime yesterday. That was pretty kickass. I'm working today from 3-11. And tomorrow. And Tuesday. And Wednesday. Then I'm done I think. Yeah. Then I'm done. Then I'm going to Churchill Falls and Labrador City I think assuming I can get the time off work. How exciting!

I love you,
- Nurse Adam

Stampity.

2008-07-23T16:51:00.000-02:30

Okay so I have to go but here's a quick update:

- I was growing facial hair. It is gone. I couldn't deal.

- Im cooking supper. Three suppers. Pork Chops and rice (with mushroom sauce), Spaghetti, and stir fry. I'm working for the next 7 days and I don't want to cook so I'm freezing. Basically, I'm pulling a Dawn.

- Im going out for wing night tonight.

- Im addicted to Lipstick Jungle. Why do I let these things happen?

That's all. I have to go spit (brushing my teeth), and get started on supper. I have like 2 hours to cook three dishes while sharing a kitchen with 6 other people. AWESOME =D

I love you
- Nurse Adam

Well I feel like an old hobo, I'm sad lonesome and blue.

2008-07-20T19:57:00.006-02:30

I'm just sitting here.

I'm on my five days off stretch from work now, so I've been just chillin for like the last 2 days.

It's been pretty alright I guess. Kind of boring though.

I had a bit of an adventure on Friday. I got off work and decided I'd go watch a movie with Amy. We watched The Skeleton Key, I had seen it before, but it was good enough to watch again. After that was finished at around 1:30, with some convincing from our friend Mike we decided to go to the bar. Had a lot of fun, ended up walking home with Mike and Amy in the pouring rain from the bar because we couldn't get a cab. Stopped at Tim's during the wee hours of the morning and had some tea. Brought a tea home for the next day and put it next to my computer. In my intoxicated slumber, I kicked the tea and it went all over my computer and my desk. I think I saved everything though. My SD slot isn't working on my computer, but it could be worse. Everything else is working, and all my documents are drying out.

So then yesterday was my cleanup/recovery day, and I just kind of chilled and cleaned and watched TV and stuff. Pretty chill.

Today I watched a couple of movies, discovered an awesome CBC radio show called Alien Nation (which I'm currently listening to)Alien nation. Find the play button in the right column. It's a really interesting story.

Tonight the three of us are going to have a campfire. I'm glad I've found some friends finally. I have I think 27 days left here. I can't wait to go home.

--

There seems to be a lot less somber information about nan and a lot more positivity lately which is awesome. I really want to send her flowers or something, but I can't yet as long as she's in the unit she's in. Im feeling a lot better about her now, though and I can't wait to see her.

I actually prayed for nan. I don't pray. Hell, I'm not even sure I believe in a God, but I prayed. It seems really interesting to me, in retrospect. Like when you don't have any other options, you turn to spirituality. Or at least I do. It's strange. I feel like I'm going to become a christian eventually. It's a strange feeling.

---

So I've made my mind up about Goose Bay. I'm not going to come back when I graduate, I dont think (unless it means turning down something EPIC in which case I'll probably come for a year). I mean, I've had an alright time here, but it's just too isolated for me. I'm a city boy, at least for now, and while I'm young, I don't really believe there's any reason I should live in a town I dont thoroughly enjoy if there's no reason for it. Before I get tied down with some sort of family or something, why not live the life I want to?

----

Dawn, I downloaded the Be Good Tanyas and I'm addicted. The littlest birds really do sing the prettiest songs.

How funny.

-----

That's all I think.

Here are some pictures of me in case you've forgotten what I look like:

I love you,
-Adam

sneakers are for sneaking

2008-07-16T20:07:00.002-02:30

Hey guys...

Guess what snuck up on me today? A surprising and delightful little piece of information.

I HAVE ONE MONTH LEFT IN HVGB FROM TODAY.
ONE. MONTH.

2008-07-14T23:48:00.002-02:30

Boy, what a shit day.

And that's all I got.

- Adam

Post 101

2008-07-12T01:07:00.002-02:30

Woah!!!

It seems like I just started this blog! I can't believe I have 101 posts already!

Crazy.

Anyway, things are looking up. Here are some quick things before I go to bed:

Nan is doing better.
I only have 5 weeks left here.
I don't hate it as much here now that Amy is here.
I'm going to buy my tablet when I get back rather then wait for Christmas.
Why? Because someone wants me to make CD art for them! I'm so excited to actually be wanted to do something art-wise. I'm honoured.
That means I'm postponing my new iPod until Christmas (or later if my parents won't get it for me for a present)
I made really good spaghetti tonight for supper
I think I've finally skinned my computer to a point I'm happy with.
I believe I found a preceptor in St. John's. She doubles as my aunt so that's pretty rockin'. I was talking to her about it tonight. I was kind of nervous because, well to put it bluntly, just aren't that close. But she was really awesome about it and I think was a little bit happy that I asked her. When I was finished talking to her she even told me she loved me. I felt um... loved, haha. Exciting stuff.
I'm going to move back to Corner Brook soon in my very own apartment
I think that's all I have right now, but I'm in a good mood anyway. I'm mostly just really happy nan's alright. I was really worried for a while, but I think she's finally crossed the hump and isn't going to go back now. Hopefully she'll be herself again in a few weeks. Well, hopefully better than herself. It'd be nice to see some benefits of the surgery.

That's all for me I think.

- Adam

I think everybody should like everybody.

2008-07-08T16:48:00.003-02:30

Okay so things are looking up for my nan. They just woke her up and she's responsive to command. AWESOME. Im sooo happy. I dont think I could have dealt with any other option while I was so far away .

In celebration, I bought a new wallet from Etsy. I'm pretty stoked about it:

I love Etsy, man.

I went for a walk with Amy yesterday, it was fun. We visited some random shops and ended up going to this random store owner's 5 story house (it was more like a hotel except he lives alone) for a coke haha. I found a sign on the ground that said Chicken on one side and Dinner on the other side and another one that said Med. and Large so I picked them both up and now they're decorating my room.

I also got another package from my mom. It had my hat in it and some cookies. Had some Ontrac hats for the people I've made friends with here too so that's nice.

Im soooooo stoked about nan. Seriously. Stoked.

I have about 5 weeks left until hometime. Its actually like 5 weeks and 5 days or something I think. 38 days, I think? I don't know. It's soon, anyway.

I GET MY SURGERY CONSULT ON THE 18th OF AUGUSTTTTTTTTTWOOOOOOOO.

I loves ya!
-Adam

My mind is milling.

2008-07-06T23:32:00.002-02:30

I feel like I'm going crazy. Like I'm getting dementia or something. I think it's all the time I've spent with the dementia patients. I have mild early-onset dementia. It's weird. I'm like puttering around everywhere doing things that don't matter, thinking about things that don't matter. It's really strange.

Today was the slowest day I've ever had at work (funny because yesterday was the most busy day). I got two patients up in the morning (instead of the usual 5 or so), helped them with breakfast, went to break. From there on in I pretty much read The Kite Runner. Everyone else was reading too, I wasn't the only idle nurse hahaha. There was nothing to be doing. I kept getting up (because I felt bad for sitting and being paid to read) and going to talk to the patients that I like and stuff like that. Or restocking shelves and trays and stuff... things like that. So anyway, today is how I pictured long term care (LTC) would always be like. Boy was I wrong. Im glad LTC isn't like that though, because I think it would be really bad. I think I like long term care a lot. I love the elderly, and I would totally work there when I graduate if I didn't think I would lose my skills. Maybe in a few years after I graduate I'll move to it (assuming something weird happens and I'm not getting my masters or in med school).

What else is new... hmm. My nan goes for her surgery tomorrow at noon. I'm really nervous, but I feel like she's going to be alright. She has to be alright. Everyone's downplaying it for me though, and I don't really like that. I don't know what I was expecting, though. I mean, my parents/family have done their best to shield me from everything my entire life... so I can't really expect them to change now haha. I feel like I've done a pretty good job of carving a tiny hole in thier shield with my wooden spoon, though.

I really miss my people.

I'm going to go vegetarian next year (at least while I'm in Corner Brook - I'll still eat meat when I go home) with Justin. I'm also going to be the one cooking a lot next year while Justin is going to clean. We'll help eachother though. Anyway, my point is, I need some recipies. Some good ones. So post them, please. :)

I'm ready to go home now. I have 5 weeks and 6 days left. 41 days.

Not too bad, I guess. I've noticed time is passing a little faster now that Amy's around. I like that.

I don't really have anything else to say, and I'm feeling too much like I have sundown syndrome tonight to sit here and keep typing. I think tonight is a good night for Stumbleupon.

I love you,
- Adam

2008-07-02T18:05:00.002-02:30

Hey bloggers/readers

I created a new look for my blog. The problem is it's a .jpeg and not a website hahaha.

I can't impose it on to Blogger (that I'm aware), so I'm just giving you a link to the picture. If anyone know how to do HTML things, then let me know.

http://ego-suicide.deviantart.com/art/how-I-wish-my-journal-looked-90458012

This is why I'm hot.

Aptera

2008-07-02T15:23:00.003-02:30

I want to move to California. Here's why:

This is the Aptera. It will be released in California at the end of this year, and based on that, it will be released everywhere else. It costs around 30K. It's legally classified as a motorcycle. No, you don't need a helmet to drive it. It seats three. If you choose to seat two, you can fit over 15 bags of groceries in the back seat. It has a 180 view of the back while driving. It is incredibly safe. Now for the fun part: Gas mileage. Take a guess. Yaris? 36MPG. Naw... a little better than that. After all, it is a motorcycle. Okay, and it's a hybrid so, well, a little higher I guess is acceptable. Let's look at the Smart Car. A quick google search tells me that it's around 38MPG. Okay so no you all fail. The Aptera gets on average around 230MPG depending on your use of the battery. They put up this number based upon the average driving of the average american. They say if you drive more than that, the gas mileage drops based upon your battery to gas ratio. It might drop to somewhere around... Oh I don't know 120MPG. 120. Yeah. And the US wants all cars to average at 35MPG by 2020. Seriously. 120MPG by 2008? I think so.

So getting that much gas mileage, it must be faster to walk, right? No. You fail again. It goes in excess of 85 miles per hour. How often do you drive faster than 136 KM/hour? I don't. And if Im getting 230MPG, I think I'd be willing to slow down a little. I'd want to turn heads anyway.

So yes. I'm moving to California. See you when the car is available in Canada.

- Nurse Adam.

Hug a nurse today.

2008-06-29T13:28:00.003-02:30

I am getting kind of sick of people thinking that as a nurse I do nothing, or that I'm unintelligent.

I go to university for four years to take on this career. I do courses in biochemistry, pharmacology, pathophysiology, and I know the human anatomy inside out. I share courses with med students, pharmacology students and social workers. I am a valued member of the healthcare team which includes all of these professions and many more (physiotherapy, nutritionists, lactation consultants, just to name a few). I am trained to insert an IV, to change a tracheostomy, I can create and change the most complex of dressings. I am not a nurse who just "cleans shit and pushes pills." Granted, I do clean people and I do give pills, but it's much more than that. I create nurse-client relationships that may save the life of a suicidal patient. I am the one who sits with a dying patient long after my shift has ended because she is afraid and has no family to comfort her. I deliver children. As the soccer mom, and the hockey dad, I am often first on the scene at an accident. I am the direct care giver who starts CPR and keeps it going for hours until help arrives in a rural community. Beyond hands-on healthcare, I am in the community teaching children about the dangers of unsafe sex. I am giving immunizations to your children for all those nasty diseases. I am on the city street distributing clean needle packages to drug abusers. I am the smiling face on the frontline of crime in the biggest cities in the world. I am in the classroom day in and day out teaching students about the proper way to conduct a health assessment, the proper way to treat an elderly client, how to approach a mentally unstable client, or how to correctly insert a needle filled with a drug that I must know as much about as you would read in a CPS. I am a nurse, and I am proud of that fact. The next time you see me do not tell me that anyone could do my job. Don't refer to me as the blonde bimbo who looks like the pinup nurse you saw on a cartoon once. Do not assume that my job is fit for only women, either. Male nurses are just as significant, just as overworked, just as tired of hearing about their job cleaning up dirty patients. As nurses, we take enough flak from everyone else, we don't need it from you too.

Regards,
- Nurse Adam

Here's another rant I read today:

"First, to those who say we only push pills, you are woefully uniformed, and I am mad as I am tired of misinformed people slamming us nurses all the time.
First off, when you are born, nurses are there. When you have an emergency, nurses are there. When you need surgery, nurses are there. When you need care in your old age, nurses are there. When you are dying and need palliative care, nurses are there. When you are mentally ill, nurses are there. Getting chemotherapy and other cancer treatment, nurses are there. When you just need a pill, nurses are there, and they have to know all the aforementioned things about the drugs before you get them, it isn't just handed to you, a lot of steps happen before you are allowed to have the pill. But it is just a simple thing (sarcasm).
When you come out of surgery and are waking up, nurses are there. When you are critically sick, nurses are there. When you need care for your broken bones, after your surgery, in your home after you leave the hospital, nurses are there.
Getting an angioplasty? Why look, it's a nurse in there with the foctor and taking care of you after. Turns out you need a bypass? Look again, nurses are in the operating room and in the CVICU after you get out. It such SIMPLE work!
Nurses are in every aspect of health care, just because you've seen one aspect doesn't mean you know it all, as you plainly don't.
Yes, some LPN's can give meds, the simple meds. More complicated meds ( and yes, those little pills are quite complicated and can be dangerous) are left to RN's. I'm sure correctional officers don't give out meds in the pen ( someone please correct me if I am wrong), but I do know nurses do it, I've known a couple who've worked there.
Some numbers; Alberta has had a new nurses contract for about a year. Their old contract had them making $7/hr than a top of the scale nurse in NL. Now it's $13/hr more. Not likely an Alberta nurse will come by NL to work for less money. BC nurses are looking for a raise. Any idea how we attract nurses when we make so much less than those from away? An LPN in the NWT makes more than a top paid NL nurse.
So, do some research, give an informed opinion, and realize nursing is a highly skilled multi faceted profession that is in every area of the hospital. Doctors have specialties, so do nurses, and each requires special training and ongoing education.
Don and commentator, please tell the next nurse you see when you are in the hospital how you feel about them. You'll still get the best care, but they'll think you're an idiot. I do."

- futonsrg (cbc.ca)

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2008/06/27/forward-nurses.html

words to live by.

2008-06-27T17:58:00.000-02:30

"I'm a modern man, a man for the millennium, digital and smoke free. A diversified, multi-cultural, post modern deconstructionist; politically, anatomically and ecologically incorrect. I've been uplinked and downloaded, I've been inputted and outsourced. I know the upside of downsizing, I know the downside of upgrading. I'm a high tech low life. A cutting edge, state-of-the-art, bi-coastal multi-tasker, and I can give you a gigabyte in a nanosecond.
I'm new wave, but I'm old school and my inner child is outward bound. I'm a hot wired, heat seeking, warm hearted cool customer, voice activated and bio-degradable.
I interface with my database, my database is in cyberspace; so I'm interactive, I'm hyperactive, and from time to time I'm radioactive.
Behind the eight ball, ahead of the curve, ridin' the wave, dodgin' the bullet, pushin' the envelope. I'm on point, on task, on message, and off drugs. I've got no need for coke and speed, I've got no urge to binge and purge. I'm in the moment, on the edge, over the top, but under the radar. A high concept, low profile, medium range ballistic missionary. A street wise smart bomb. A top gun bottom feeder. I wear power ties, I tell power lies, I take power naps, I run victory laps. I'm a totally ongoing, big foot, slam dunk rainmaker with a pro-active outreach. A raging workaholic, a working rageaholic; out of rehab and in denial.
I've got a personal trainer, a personal shopper, a personal assistant, and a personal agenda. You can't shut me up; you can't dumb me down 'cause I'm tireless, and I'm wireless. I'm an alpha male on beta blockers. I'm a non-believer, I'm an over achiever, laid-back and fashion forward, up-front, down-home, low-rent, high-maintenance.
I'm super-sized, long-lasting, high-definition, fast-acting, oven-ready and built to last. A hands-on, footloose, knee-jerk head case; prematurely post-traumatic, and I have a love child who sends me hate-mail.
But I'm feeling, I'm caring, I'm healing, I'm sharing. A supportive, bonding, nurturing primary care giver. My output is down, but my income is up. I take a short position on the long bond, and my revenue stream has its own cash flow. I read junk mail, I eat junk food, I buy junk bonds, I watch trash sports. I'm gender specific, capital intensive, user friendly and lactose-intolerant.
I like rough sex; I like tough love. I use the F-word in my e-mail. And the software on my hard drive is hardcore—no soft porn. I bought a microwave at a mini-mall. I bought a mini van at a mega store. I eat fast food in the slow lane. I'm toll free, bite size, ready to wear, and I come in all sizes. A fully equipped, factory authorized, hospital tested, clinically proven, scientifically formulated medical miracle. I've been pre-washed, pre-cooked, pre-heated, pre-screened, pre-approved, pre-packaged, post-dated, freeze-dried, double-wrapped and vacuum-packed.
And . . . I have unlimited broadband capacity.
I'm a rude dude, but I'm the real deal. Lean and mean. Cocked, locked and ready to rock; rough, tough and hard to bluff. I take it slow, I go with the flow; I ride with the tide, I've got glide in my stride. Drivin' and movin', sailin' and spinnin'; jivin' and groovin', wailin' and winnin'.
I don't snooze, so I don't lose. I keep the pedal to the metal and the rubber on the road. I party hearty, and lunchtime is crunch time.
I'm hangin' in, there ain't no doubt; and I'm hangin' tough. Over and out." ~

- George Carlin, 1937-2008

2008-06-25T20:52:00.001-02:30

I just made my first egg sandwich. It's pretty alright. I like the accompanying chai beverage more, though.

Begs for an action shot.

2008-06-25T20:04:00.003-02:30

Or four action shots.
Dawn and Judi are the best. They are better than the rest.

I love my package from CBS. I love it so much. I can't stop loving it. I want to love it all night long. I think I will.

Homemade cookies (with god knows what in them... probably squash or cauliflower or something weird. Delicious nonetheless), a new starbucks mug =D, CHAI. YES. CHAI. A finger puppet ^__^ and a card that says I'm awesome. I think I'll send it back so they know how awesome they are, too.

I think Natasha Bedingfield says it best when she says:
"I love you I love you I love you I love you."

I can't thank you enough.
Adam + mom² = True love 4ever.

Also considering a new ipod option: Ghettofabulous. Thoughts? I looked up the meaning to ghettofabulous to make sure I knew what I was getting into and I think it's kind of fitting. Right now I'm going with jazzy fizzle though. Unless you peole feel differently. You decide, remember :)

I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you
xo xo
- ~~Gossip Girl~~ Nurse Adam

I assume only those of you who have seen that show will get that haha

My ipod. your choice.

2008-06-24T15:06:00.001-02:30

Okay. This is important to me so LISTEN UP.

I need your opinion. It wont take long, just a second. PLEASE do it.

Okay, I'm getting a new iPod Classic 160GB in August. I'm getting it engraved. The problem is, I don't know what to put on it. I am open to suggestions, but these are the four I'm thinking about right now:

1. It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing.
2. Jazzy Fizzle
3. With a sunroof top and a gangsta lean
4. Gangsta Lean.

There. Pick one. Comment back with what you like or make up something entirely different and tell me what to get on my ipod.

My iPod. You decide. Go.

Also. Black or silver? I'm voting on black right now, but what do you think?

Jazzy Fizzle

2008-06-24T14:36:00.002-02:30

OH MY GOSH I JUST REMEMBERED IT.

I've been seriously thinking about this for like a week or more.

I JUST SHOUTED IT AT MY COMPUTER SCREEN.

IT DON'T MEAN A THING
IF IT AIN'T GOT THAT SWING.

Okay so now I need your opinion. Am I getting this engraved on my new iPod or not?

Quickie

2008-06-22T00:54:00.002-02:30

Hello world,

Just a quick update of some things that are going on right now/in the future that I'm pretty excited about:

As of 25 minutes (or so) ago, I officially have 8 weeks left in HVGB.
I was researching my surgery some more, and saw some results pictures, and every single results photo I saw was BEAUTIFUL. I can't wait to look like a real boy. It's like the surgery I've been waiting for my entire life. For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, you can ask me or check my blog archive, I updated about it a while ago. Whichever makes you more happy.
I'm moving into my very own (well, half mine) apartment with Justin soon. I'm very excited and nervous and excited and excited to finally have my own place. All of you know how badly I've wanted this.
I'm finally able to get out of Aliant's death grip cellphone plan. I got my official letter of contract-ending yesterday. Stoked. I'm moving to Telus come September and I'm trying to pick out a new phone. I had one in mind for quite some time, but they got a couple of new phones and so now I want to give those a good look before I get this one. It's going to be nice though.
I get new glasses in November. I want thick black frames again, but I think Im going to go more square. Not sure. Thinking these: Radiofun! That's my DA friend Shaq, by the way. Shaquille is his actual name. How cool is that? Anyway, he's willing to send me his frames (he just got new glasses), so I'm thinking those... even if they become my second pair free.
I am making money!
I have a car.
I have a Freemasons ring.
I think I've concretely decided for myself that a career in the medical field is right for me. I'm so glad I don't regret my degree.
I think I have a pretty solid life plan worked out in my head. Yes, this makes me excited.
I'm going to get a tablet for Christmas. Officially confirmed by parents. Hells yess. If you're interested in looking it up, its a medium sliver bamboo fun tablet from wacom.
I'm getting an ipod classic 160GB when I leave Goose Bay.

Okay I think that's enough exciting things happening in my life lately. There are more, but I need to go to bed.

One last thing though (and this is driving me crazy so please help me if you can), can anyone remember what I was going to engrave on my iPod in the beginning talks of getting one years ago? I know one option was "video killed the radio star." but there was another one too. I know it was something jazzy, and I know it rhymed. It kills me that I cant remember because I think it's what I want. Please help me. Please.

I love you,
- Nurse Adam

2008-06-19T15:58:00.002-02:30

So I got a package from my mom today.

Inside were some more scrubs, a letter, some things for cleaning my glasses, some jelly belly jellybeans and guess what else?

MY FREEMASONS RING. YES. YES. YES.

YES.

That is all.
-Adam

They say deaths always come in threes.

2008-06-16T23:42:00.003-02:30

Tonight I fed a dying woman. I suppose, really, we're all dying. But you know what I mean. She's barely hanging in there, and she's so sad. She knows she's dying. So I was rubbing her hand as I fed her and she kind of fumbled my hand to try and hold it. Naturally, I took her hand and held it while I was feeding her. Then, when her supper was over she started to cry because she knew I would leave her. I sat with her a while longer, still holding her hand. She was just staring straight at me, not saying anything. I wasn't saying anything either, I was just holding her hand. Anyway, I told her I had to go and help the other people and she screamed "don't leave me," so I told her I'd stay a bit longer. Then I asked her if she wanted her rosary beads and she told me she did so I convinced her to let go of my hand so that I could get them for her. So she was holding them, for a while still staring straight at me and I asked her if she wanted to say a prayer. I said a quick prayer with her and she gave me back the beads, tears streaming down her face. I took her hand one last time, gave her a kiss on the forehead and told her that I loved her and God loved her and she can rest.

I think it was one of the more sad moments of my nursing career.

Because I have nothing better to do at 2:30am

2008-06-16T02:52:00.003-02:30

Hello world,

just a quick update since I haven't done that in a few days.

First off, happy [belated now] Father's Day to my dad (who doesn't know what a blog is I'm sure) and to any other dad's out there who might happen to come across my blog... hell, happy father's day to any of you who read this with a penis. Enjoy yourself. Have breakfast in bed. ...fill your boots.

Secondly, today is the official 4 week mark of my being in Goose Bay. I officially have 6 weeks left. Woo.

I don't have much else to report really. I'm in love with K.D. Lang. If I were a lesbian, I would want to have K.D. as a partner. I laughed with Samantha the other day that all my senses were sensing KD. I was looking at, listening to, tasting, smelling, and touching KD [I was google imaging her, was listening to her CD, was eating Kraft Dinner, was smelling Kraft Dinner, and was feeling it in my mouth). She has released a new CD. I'm a fan. I really only love 2 songs by her. I mean, I like them all, but I really only listen to them for 2 songs. Hallelujah (which is a cover so I'm not even sure it counts) and Helpless.

What else can I tell you... Oh, I started my string of 7 3-11 shifts in a row. They aren't too bad. They just kind of screw up your day because you get up late, go to work, come back late, go to sleep late... and so I'm going to be screwed once I get back on a regular schedule. I've also been drawing more lately. But that's just because I'm kind of bored. I'm on the road to failure for Political Science just because I've done nothing with it. I'm not actually on the road to failure, I'm sure I'll do fine. I still have like 12 days to read all of 50 pages. If I can't do that then there's something wrong.

Bananas go bad really quickly in goose bay. So does bread. I don't know why. I assume it's because it's not fresh when you buy it.

Work is going okay I suppose. I'm still very much enjoying it. the 3-11's give me a whole new perspective that I don't see during the day. Tonight I put a woman to bed. Which means helping to change her and wash her face, brush her teeth, tuck her in and everything (in some cases even a kiss goodnight :P), and so anyway I went and did everything and it came time to change into her night dress. So I got her to take her shirt off to put on her nightdress and she did. She put on her nightdress fine and stuff and then I realized I forgot to get her to take off her bra (or brazier for the oldens). So I asked her to take it off like 9 times and she had absolutely no idea what a brazier was. She didn't know what a bra was. She didn't know what I was talking about when I told her "the thing that holds your boobs in" or "the thing you're wearing under your nightdress." She kept telling me that her nightdress was under her nightdress, etc. So rather than keep pushing, she is now sleeping soundly with her brazier. I didn't know what else to do. She also insisted on giving me a hug and kiss before she went to bed. So I did (of course! I love hugs and kisses :D ). And then before I turned out her light and bid her a goodnight, she asked me for the 19842942058735375385723925th time what my name was. I told her that it was Adam and she said "Oh sure that's right. Like the first man ever made." I agreed, and then of course she had to call me back in to have a look at me to tell me again that I was a nice young man and I wasn't bad on the eyes. She's hilarious. It took quite a while to finally get her in bed though. But that's cool, because it's nightshift and you can take as long as you want to do anything. Or do whatever you want. I love nightshift. I'm totally going to be a night nurse. Everything is so much more relaxed.

I wrote my dad a letter for fathers day. I emailed it to him last night after 12 so he'd get it today. Then I remembered it was Sunday and he doesn't check his email on weekends. Everything is in vain. I hope he'll enjoy it as much tomorrow as he would have tonight.

My elbows have decided to be weird and break out. It's sort of like a carpet burn on the both of them. I don't know how I would manage to carpet burn my elbows, so I'm going to attribute it to walking in sand and sun, new allergy meds, dry air at the home, or dry air at the residence. Anyway, I'm applying Gylsomed to it like there's no tomorrow in hopes that it'll heal. If any of you have ever had a carpet burn, you know they aren't the most comfortable things to have.

I need to buy groceries again. I don't need a lot of things, but I do need some bread, some more tea bags (god knows I cant live without those) and I think that's pretty much it. I could use some quick canned things for when I sleep in or am too lazy to cook...

And I think that's all I have to say. Goodnight my love(s)
-Nurse Adam

Poor Hil.

2008-06-10T14:05:00.003-02:30

So Hilary is supporting Obama now. I really hope he wins. Despite the fears of assassination, I think he'll do a great job as president and maybe clean up America. Who knows, maybe with Obama as president I'll go have a visit. Perhaps get my trip to New York in. Who's coming?

-Nurse Adam

In memory of Hilary, I put together a little photo collage. Enjoy!

(images are all from clips, or google images)

2008-06-09T10:48:00.002-02:30

oh my god.

I just got a call from WRSON. I got accepted into the fast track program.

BUT

I dropped philosophy a while ago, because I found the workload too much for the summer and I didn't see the point if I wasn't going to be in fast track... and so I couldn't do it.

However,

It was in Corner Brook anyway and I would have started June 30th, so I told myself I was going to accept it unless it was in St. John's anyway. So I guess that's okay.

I can't believe I got accepted though.

I can't believe I got accepted and didn't do it.

What have I done haha

Long and winding road

2008-06-08T22:31:00.004-02:30

Holy cow.

I just went to a website that was celebrating 20 years. It had posted "20th anniversary: 1988-2008." Then it hit me. I'm going to be 20 this year. This is huge. I mean, my life officially begins when I'm 21. That's like one more year (1.3 to be more official) of living as a student. With my parents. With rent. Without a steady job. Studying. Doing student things. One more year of being that kid with the sense of responsibility. I have to change into that average adult working 12 hours shifts at a hospital who is responsible, but no more or less responsible than he should be. He actually seems kind of bland if you ask me. I don't think I'm ready for growing up just yet. I don't know how to be a grown up. I mean, I do know how. I've been virtually on my own for the last 2.5 years, and even much of my highschool career was independent but still for all, I feel like there's a huge jump between my life now, and what it's going to be. I'm going to need to own my own house. Plan it the way I want, have the things I want in it, depend on no one to make the big decisions in my life like where I'm going to live or who my partner should be. I feel like in one year, everyone who seems to have all the "say" in my life will drop from having ultimate status to "just another opinion" status. That's pretty epic.

Anyway, I'm rambling so I'll stop. I'm sure you've gotten my drift by now. I just got this really uneasy feeling about the whole thing in the pit of my stomach. I mean, yeah, I'm excited about being on my own and fending for myself. And no, I'm not so naive to think that once my diploma is handed to be that everyone magically drops out of my life, but it's just a big change.

In addition to this change is this decision: What the heck am I going to do when I graduate? Obviously, I'm going to nurse but I mean, what am I going to do? Where am I going to live? Am I going to go to med school? Do I really feel like I want the responsibilities of a doctor? Do I want all of this? Do I like Goose Bay? Do I want to live in Montreal? Halifax? St. John's? I don't know. I think I've crossed Goose Bay off that list at least. But back to the doctor debate for a while. I mean, my plan was always to apply to med school and getting in would be my deciding factor. I've learned from applying to fast track that you cannot let someone else's decision making skills make your decisions. My plan was to come to Goose Bay if I didn't get accepted to Fast Track. If I was to wait for those people to decide that, I'd still be waiting at home hoping for the phone to ring. So what I really need to do is decide. Do I want to go to med school? What are the pros and cons here? Well, under pros I have things like the prestige that comes with being a doctor. The ability to help people. To be one of very few rheumatologists in Newfoundland and Labrador. Increased responsibility. Increased knowledge. Increased respect. Increased money. And I think deep down that there's some thinking that being in med school will ultimately make my family happier with me, which is something I always strive for. Under cons, we have lack of time, increased responsibility, 5-7 more years of schooling (at least), the chance that I wont like it and would rather nurse (which is at least something I know I like), more stress. So then, if I decide against medschool, option two is to get my masters of nursing/nurse practitioners licence and become a nurse practitioner or teach nursing. I sort of feel this could be the better option for me (and I know that alarm bells just went off for at least 4 of you). But A, I think I would get more hands on patient care with this option (just because if I went to med school, I would want to be a rheumatologist and that is arthritis. As an NP, I would be more generalized seeing everything from burns to amputations. I would have a nice pay cheque, still get a healthy amount of respect, work respectable hours, have less onus and responsibility than that of a doctor, only have to go to school for an extra 2 years (full time or 3.5 if I choose to work at the same time) and I seem to have more options this way. For example, I could nurse in a hospital, I could teach, I could be more politically involved. However, I realize that I could do many of these things as a doctor too. So really, I'm not any further ahead by writing this massive paragraph. I'm still really confused and have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life. I just don't feel like I am doctor material, but then, I feel like I would be so close to being self-actualized if I did get into medschool and go that route. I almost feel like it would be taking the easy route instead of the long and winding road, you know? I don't know what else to say. I'm just kind of freaked out about how fast all of these decisions are approaching. I really need to hunker down and do some research.

I can't wait to read some of the comments that are coming from this haha.

I love you,
-Nurse (for now, at least) Adam.

Stranger Danger!

2008-06-08T15:04:00.001-02:30

I knew something strange was going to happen today.

I was just sitting here finishing up my lunch getting ready to go golfing this afternoon with the people from work when a heavy knock came to my door.

I got up to answer it and who should it be but none other than Johnny Osmond from Botwood. I don't know if any of you remember him, but anyway me and his daughter were quite close (she was actually my first kiss!) back in the day before they moved here. I had intended to give him a call but just hadn't gotten around to it yet. He gave me some really nice cookies and muffins, we chatted for a while, exchanged phone numbers, and off he went again. He's going to have me over for dinner some time. I'm so impressed! So happy!

So now Im going to go play golf for the first time ever. Hahahaha this should be fun.

Distance is real.

2008-06-08T13:36:00.004-02:30

Today
nothing seems real.
Even the most common objects
seem out of touch.

I feel
like I'm looking into a photograph
or as if I'm in a photograph.
Even when I look at photographs.

I feel
like writing my blog entry
in the form of some sort of
free-form poem.

Today
nothing feels right.
Nothing seems familiar.
I don't feel like I'm actually here.

I feel
completely distanced
from everything and
everyone.

Today
I don't know what's happening
or why I feel this way.
I simply do.

Today. I feel.

Because you may not notice it if I post it under a comment.

2008-06-06T02:47:00.000-02:30

Dawn,

Thank you so much for the post. It actually brought tears to my eyes. I don't think I've ever read anything about me from someone else that was so... fabulous.

I really love you, and Judi, and I hope you never ever forget that. I miss you guys. So much.

Thank you again. I don't even know what else other than that to say. You are amazing. The best in family anyone could ever ask for.

And I assure you, any impact that you've had on my life that has ignited change has been more than welcomed :)

23 things about me

2008-06-05T04:52:00.002-02:30

I'm bored, and awake and so I'm posting 23 random things about me in order of which they appear in my head.

I deleted my facebook account to end up sharing one with Samantha.
I believe I belong in the city.
I am bad at relationships of all kinds. Friendships, courtships, familyships... just bad at them.
My chest is sunken-in in the middle.
I rarely go without my watch. If I do, I feel sort of naked.
I believe I have anxiety disorder.
I am a Virgo. The "icon" for Virgo is a woman. I think it's funny because I'm a male nurse. The "icon" for nurse is also a woman.
Despite the support for a multinational super corporation, I love Starbucks. Love love love.
I really miss my friends and family at home right now and want to go back.
I am the proud owner of a 1997 Dodge Stratus
I often shut people out to avoid confrontation. I think I hate confrontation until it happens and then I'm usually okay with it.
I sometimes get emotional with media. Anger, sadness, happiness. I say media because it could be a photo, story, article, television show or movie. It doesn't always happen though.
I think I'm boring, but I feel like I have my quirks.
I think I'm pretty lame and corny, but I don't dislike that about myself.
I prefer white wine over any other alcohol.
I am absolutely terrified of moose. Absolutely terrified. Not just when I'm driving. All the time. Whenever I'm near a wooded area, it's in the back of my mind. Always. Terrified.
I was "hagged" once, it was not pleasant and I often think about it when I settle to sleep.
I'm really into music.
I thought my favourite colour was green, and then brown, and sometimes orange. Lately, I'm on a red kick.
I never liked my eyes. I never liked my face. I don't hate either now that I have glasses.
I really like politics.
I can usually hold my own in a debate. This is probably because if I feel like I can't, I won't debate. Which brings me to my final point...
I don't usually mind admitting I'm wrong if I am.

I'm going to nurse you so hard.

2008-06-03T23:56:00.005-02:30

I am going to

Nurse you so hard

Until my coffee break.
Then someone else can clean your bum :)

- Nurse Adam ♥

Foolish ol' woman

2008-06-02T22:12:00.003-02:30

I'm tired so I'm going to try and keep this one short so I can go to bed early :)

Today was a stressful day at work, but not for any particular reason I can think of. It was a good day, but just stressful. There's this one poor woman who is constantly crying and screaming out that she needs help. Apparently, when she was younger she was raped or abused (I've heard both), and now she keeps reverting back to that and is in constant turmoil. I keep thinking (like every nurse working) to myself that I wish she'd be quiet for a few minutes (honestly, you can hear her screaming no matter where you are in the building nearly all the time), but then I think about what she must be going through. I mean, this is probably (hopefully) the most traumatic experience she's had, and she has to relive that every single day, day in, day out. That must be absolutely terrible. So on some level, it makes me feel better.

Anyway, the lady is only contented when you sit with her. Assuming you are not me, and you don't have a penis. She's fine enough with me if she wants something (tea, washroom, change, food, cookie, juice, water...etc.) but not if I'm trying to comfort her. Today I found myself alone with her several times trying to calm her down. I would tell her that I was there to help her, and that she didn't need to be frightened and stuff. She would take my hand and calm down for a few minutes until she asked who I was. When I replied that I was "Adam, the nurse on today" she would instantly say "You're not a woman! I wants the woman! HELP! HEELPP!!!! I'M FRIGHTENED!!!HELP!!!!etc.etc." And so at one point, I went in to comfort her and she was fine again until she asked who was with her, so then I told her I was Mable. She said "Mable...Mable. I don't know a Mable. Is you a woman?" I told her "Yes, I'm a woman. I'm a nurse. I'm here to help you." She cuddled into my hand and settled a bit and said "Foolish ol' woman." Anyway, she often calls us "funny lookin' nurses" and "foolish people." Sometimes when she is okay with me she calls me the foolish man nurse. It's funny. She's a sweet lady, I just wish that she would get past the rape and remember something happy. Remember how happy you were in the womb? How quiet, peaceful, nourished and lovely that was? That's a happy memory. Let's go back. Actually, that would be sort of sad too because I like talking to her when she's not over the decibal limit for the human ear. She has fantastic stories (like most elderly people). I think it's the stories and experiences that makes me like long term care so much.

I know my life is already very grey, and I'm a very grey person, but... I think I like long term care enough to work here when I graduate. I think I'd handle this much better than the stresses of emerg or ICU. I don't know, I just really like talking to people. I think I'd do well in palliative care too. Somewhere where I can establish good patient-nurse relationships. Those are important to me.

Anyway, I'm going to finish this cup of tea and go to bed.

Goodnight!
-Mable, foolish ol' woman.

You are beautiful.

I'm a maniac. MANIAC.

2008-06-01T16:09:00.003-02:30

Hi,

If you're ever having a day where you're feeling particularly feminine and you don't want to feel that way anymore, I have a solution for you. RIP UP CLOTHING.

I ripped the neck off of my shirt today, there was a hole and I was feeling destructive. The nice thing is, now I can participate in Flashdance. Shirt from the 80's, anyone?

Anyway, I'm here dying laughing so I figured you should be too. Thus, enjoy this photo:

Almost started.

2008-06-01T15:06:00.002-02:30

71 days left.

10 weeks and one day left.

2 months, 2 weeks, one day left.

1713 hours left.

Soon, child. Soon.

French Cross will be the drunk of me.

2008-05-30T20:44:00.002-02:30

Glamorous indie rock and roll right here haha.

I am sitting on my bed, which has no real bedsheets. I am sitting in between on my left side, a pile of dirty clothes. On my right, a pile of clean clothes. I am in my dirty scrubs from the day, I have not yet showered. I have dirty dishes to do.

I am off work for the weekend. I think I'm going to a party tonight. I am drinking a glass of wine. In a regular glass, not a wine glass.

I think Im going to get one of those "you know you're a redneck when..." calendars.

No. That last part was a joke.

---

Good day at work today, my first 3 12 hour shifts in a row. It was okay, Im beat now though. I have tomorrow and Sunday off and then Im working M, T, off Wednesday, working R and F, off Sa and Su.

I met a man from Botwood today. We're going to barbeque. I think tomorrow I'm going to the bar. Throw a little glitter on it, Honey. Go dancing!

I love you,
-Adam

2008-05-29T22:42:00.002-02:30

Hello everyone,

just to clarify my surgery, I'm getting breast implants. I want double d's on these b cups.

No, but they are fixing my chest. You know that hole in the middle? They're popping that out and Pinocchio is finally going to look like a real boy. He's excited, too.

I misses me missus.

2008-05-28T22:35:00.005-02:30

Two things.

Thing one: I am coming home on August 15th to stay.

Thing two: My surgery consult in St. John's is scheduled for the 18th (also of August). Should I be nervous or excited? Im going to go with a little of both. YAYYYYYYYYYYY *bites nails*

---

I think I'm ready to come home now. Even though I love work.

Oh, sad story:

A lady today was calling out for someone at the home, I went to her and she didn't want to be alone. I told her that there were 8 people in the room and she told me she couldn't see them and I told her they were there. She said something along the lines of "Well I can't see them, and Im not blind you know... I just can't see through all of this steam (fans away the 'steam' from the air)!"

The woman is blind.

It made me smile, but also made me really sad. Frail elderly people are so nice and great, but they make me really sad.

---

Last thing before I go to bed,

I got the okay to wear my real eyebrow ring to work today. Yayyyyy no more evil spacer from Crazyland!

Go green. Hulk out.

2008-05-27T14:34:00.002-02:30

Thought I'd post a picture of my new do... and my green smoothie juice.
Nutritious and delicious!

A moderately funny story to brighten your day.

2008-05-27T12:24:00.002-02:30

First of all, I want to tell you all that I woke up this morning to a knock at my door. It was the people to fix my heater! Thus, my room is no longer unbearably hot. Thank you, Jesus.

Next, I got up and put on some clothes (I opted out of the shower because of what's next) and rode my bike down to the hairdressers to get my hair cut (again). She did a lovely job and it wasn't any more than what I'd pay at home. Exciting news. So on my way back I was thinking about how well Goose Bay was going now that I'm kind of used to it... and how the fact that I have zero social life doesn't really bother me because I'm managing to keep busy. I stopped into the liquor store and bought a bottle of wine to celebrate my happiness here in Goose Bay. I don't know what I was thinking. So I buy the wine, get ID'd that's all fine, come out and realize that here I am with a large bag of wine... and a bike. So I'm like shit. What am I going to do? I really want this wine, there ain't no way I'm bringing it back in. So I sucked it up and rode my bike home, bottle of wine in hand. I got a couple of strange eyes, but I guess things could have been worse I guess. It was kind of funny.

In other news, I think I'm getting a UTI (again). I think (or at least hope that's what it is) that my inguinal lymph nodes are swollen and hurting (that or I have bilateral painful lumps in my groin), and yesterday I felt like I needed to pee all day and I didn't. Anyway, I meant to buy some cranberry juice yesterday and sort of forgot and I just realized that I was all the way down there again and forgot to buy it again. So I'm going to run over to the corner store across the road and see if I can get some there, or maybe Ultramar because I can't see going all the way back down to North Mart again this afternoon. That's just annoying.

Now, I'm going to go get my shower, drink some juice and eat some leftover spaghetti I think. All of you who are reading this need to either phone me, mail me, or MSN me more often because it is pretty close to the only social interaction I get on my days off. But I'm getting sort of used to it, I have to say. Goose Bay is getting better for me (not that I wouldn't take the first flight home if offered :) ).

Have a good day everyone,
- Nurse Adam

Carpe Dium.

2008-05-24T22:27:00.001-02:30

I had such a fantastic day at work today. If I never had time off in Goose Bay, the world would be so copacetic.

get up fil ap beep love is a strong word. get up fil ap beep love is a strong word. get up fil ap beep love is a strong word.

2008-05-23T16:35:00.003-02:30

I accidentally ripped the "scab" off of my cold sore today. Anyway, it looks like it's healing really well underneath so maybe it was for the better. Give it the kick it needed to disappear. It might, scar though. That would be pretty crap.

Anyway, I slept in later today than I think I ever have. I actually woke up at around 11, but went back to sleep because I didn't see the point in getting up (No, I'm not emo, I'm just bored haha). Anyway, I ended up finally waking again at around 2:15 :|. My parents would be so pissed lol.

My dad called me around 2:45 and I was chatting with him a bit. He told me he misses me and loves me. It kills me when they do that, because it makes me want to go home so hard (not that I already don't want to go home, but you know). So anyway, he told me to see if I could get my schedule to have like 3-4 days off in a row, and fly home for that time off. That seems really crazy to me but I'd be coming on points anyway, so I guess it doesn't really matter. We don't really use them for anything else other than iPods hahahahaha. I'm not sure, maybe. First I guess I have to work on getting 3 days in a row off haha. If I was on the old schedule it would be kickass, I could come home whenever.

I went out and bought a pot today. I really needed to but it killed me because it was so expensive. But whatever, I will take it home with me. It's an alright pot. Not as nice as the one nan Butler gave me for Christmas though, God bless her. I bought a real plate too, and two glasses and a can opener. I need a bowl, but I couldn't find one so my zip loc containers will have to suffice if ever I need a bowl.

Today I feel good. Lonely, though. But good.

I love you,
-Adam

Oh, by the way, the title of the journal is from the beginning of a Matt Good song. It's like a tape recorder that says "love is a strong word" and then it rewinds and says "get up fil ap beep" or something. It's weird. I like it.

Because you listen to Coldplay.

2008-05-22T21:17:00.002-02:30

Okay my friends, I think it is time for a blogpost.

I don't really have much to say, however, given that I haven't really done anything here but work and buy groceries. What else is there to do, really? I'm not sure of that, either.

Today, in my idleness, I decided to think about what's going to happen when I graduate. I decided that I'm going to go on a trip, like most people do, except mine is going to be nicely budgeted (with at least 3 lists, I'm sure), to Europe, and without people from my class. It will be amazing. I think I'm going to do it through Contiki tours. I think I'm going to do the 11 day trip to London and Paris, and optionally Rome (or 2 more days in Paris). I'll see Stonehenge, the Eiffel tower, the Moulin Rouge (:D), and everything else. You all know how much I want to go to Paris. In addition to trips, I thought about taking the year post-grad here in Goose. I think I've pretty well decided against taking the bursary. I'm not 100% yet, but I mean, it's not like I need the money (I could use it, yeah, but I could live without it), and I think I could go somewhere far more glamorous than Goose Bay after I graduate. My whole deal with careers is that you should enjoy them, and I'm really not sure I would if I stayed here. Also, my whole deal with nursing is that you can get a job everywhere and anywhere you want to. Why, then, would I settle for a place I'm not absolutely in love with (even if it is just for a year)? So I'm thinking I might go to St. John's, Halifax, Montreal, or maybe even Paris (can you say pipe dream?) once I graduate. I'd like to go to Montreal, I think, as I need to learn french fluently and I need to take two years before I can do my masters anyway. I already know I love Montreal, and I think I could totally nurse there for two years. My only concern is that I would get into a rut and end up not doing my masters. This is one advantage of Goose Bay, I think. I don't feel I'd have a problem with leaving it in two years.

I took a walk to Tim Horton's tonight even though it was raining (going a little stir crazy). I ran into Holly, Erin, and the girl who doesn't speak from Katimivik at work. They were with a bunch of their Katimabuddies. I sat and chatted with them for a while, and exchanged phone numbers. I think we're going to hang out :). These are very nice people.

I'm also thinking that maybe I'll tell Della that I need to go home closer to mid August rather than the end, I know it would be giving up two weeks work, but I would have a summer, be able to enjoy my car, and maybe go camping. I'd get to see Samantha, my parents, my nan, maybe make a trip to St. John's again. I'd be able to scout out the apartment scene with Jussy. Just a thought though, I'm not sure. I might stay until the end of August. It's just that, if I do that I won't finish up until August 29th, and I have to go back to school, allegedly, September 3rd. I'm told it's early this year. That's like 2 days of summer. Awesometown, guys. So I'm thinking hard about leaving 2 weeks early. We'll see how that goes.

I think that's all I have to say. I'm missing home a lot, not to the point of crying or anything (boys don't cry... pftt), but I am missing it. I knew I would though. I just need to meet some friends. Doing that is easier said than done though, I think.

So now I'm going to go hit some polisci I think, and see if I can't get to sleep at a sensible hour this evening.

Love,
-Adam

Happy Valley Goose Bay vs. Mars

2008-05-19T16:04:00.002-02:30

No one has witnessed life on Mars. I have not witnessed many living things in Goose Bay.

Mars is sandy. Goose Bay is Sandy.

Mars is hot. The heater in my room is stuck on so I am hot. Goose Bay is moderate.

Mars has no water. I see no water in Goose Bay.

Man goes to Mars via spaceship. I go to Goose Bay via airplane.

Okay, so Goose Bay and Mars are similar places. Now that we've established this, let's get into my feelings about the place :)

Everyone here seems to be really nice, so that's really good. I've only met 3 or 4 people though, so I don't know how great a judge I am yet. We'll see. The place I work is about a 20 minute walk away, I walked there today. I start tomorrow morning at 7am sharp. This means I have to LEAVE MY ROOM tomorrow morning at around 6:30. This kills me. Kills me. My mother and my next door neighbor are hellbent on my next door neighbor's son and me hanging out (He's only 28, married and has a kid. We're a perfect match I think). So anyway, my mom gave me his number, and then today when I was talking to her, she said that she phoned him or something. Anyway, long story short he's supposed to call me today and bring me around Goose Bay. I went for a walk around Goose Bay today, so I think I've seen most things anyway but I guess it'll be different in a car... or a police car (since he's a cop). We'll see. Anyway, he's probably just as "why would I call this random guy?" as I am, so I'm thinking he won't call. We'll see. I like this writing in one large paragraph thing I'm doing. It makes it look like I'm writing a book or something. I'd really like to have some roller blades here in Goose Bay. It is perfect roller blade terrain, and I could get to work way faster. So I think I'm going to get mom to send them up to me. Along with my webcam and a coffee mug. I don't really have anything else to say about Goose Bay. It's really boring, but I'm hoping that will change once I meet some people at work... and I guess it will inevitably change once I start work anyway. Oh, one more thing. My internet is CRAZY slow. 6.7KB/sec. Yes. Kilobytes a second. It's like dial up without the cord or noise.

Um, about my car since I can't call you and tell you (Dawn and Jude) because I don't have long distance (though feel free to call me 896 1873 - I don't mind giving my number out online, I'm going to change it again in a few months anyway). It is a 1997 Dodge Stratus. It is burgundy, in great condition, it goes and has wipers. The back seat comes down so I can store my skis, it does not have a lighter but it has a jack and my ipod deal fits in there pretty nicely. It's pretty good on gas, and it is my baby hunny bunches of oats and strawberries with cherries and some other great things. Oh, and Samantha and I named her Stella.

Okay ladies, I'm going to sign off again and I think I'm going to start reading kiterunner.
-Adam

2008-05-16T00:15:00.001-02:30

OH MY GOD MY PARENTS BOUGHT ME A CAR.

THEY.

BOUGHT.

ME.

A.

CAR.

A CAR.

ACARACARACARACAR

2008-05-13T15:41:00.003-02:30

Just got official word. I start work on Tuesday May 20th. I'm leaving this weekend.

Naiiiceee.

2008-05-12T12:37:00.001-02:30

Oh my god. I was just talking to the Goose Bay coordinator. I think Im leaving tonight. She's going to call me back. Im freaking out. Im so not ready to leave tonight.

Oh my god.