Thats Just Funny!

I have had a very busy workweek. I work a 4 days on 2 days off schedule normally, but recently I have had to put in extra hours due to a shortage of aides. Yesterday was Sunday. I went in for my scheduled 6am to 2pm shift and worked the following 2pm to 10pm shift as well. Then I came home, slept for about 6 hours and got up to go to work the 6 to 2 shift again. Needless to say, I am exhausted.
Mealtime at the nursing home is an interesting occasion to say the least. There are about 16 people that need to be fed or watched to make sure they eat. These people are seated around two large tables with aides on hand to assist. There is a woman who sits at these tables that is very outspoken. She comments on just about everything very loudly. If its cold she shouts, "Its colder than a witches titty in here!" If she wants more food she calls out, "Stab me a bite!" What has made me laugh the hardest at these times is what she shouted today. The was a gentleman sitting next to her today who is known for stealing food and drinks off of neighboring trays. We try to catch him every time but with so many residents and so few aides we aren't always successful. Today we almost missed him grab this ladies drink. When we stopped him she shouted, "He's a silly old fart!" The four feeding aides could not contain our laughter. You really need a sense of humor to do this job.

Ooops

Since this is my first real post after my introduction I should explain something...I don't have a clue what I am doing. I have never been one for journal writing, my storytelling skills are, shall we say, lacking, and my use of the English language occasionally leave some wondering from what foreign country I originated. Nevertheless, here we go.
Today was a generally ordinary day at work. That is until right about the time I was getting ready to leave.  One of the residents whom I have grown to love is a rather heavyset but very sweet lady.  Her knees trouble her a great deal and as such she requires the use of a standing lift when transferring to her wheelchair. In the use of this mechanical lift, there is a strap that goes around the patients back and under her arms. It is then hooked to pegs on the lift located on either side of the patient. The patient then holds on to to hand grabs for support. I have used this lift numerous times with this lady with great success. Today, however, she lost her grip on the hand grabs and began to slide out of the harness. I attempted to put her wheelchair under her to prevent her total collapse but was not successful. All I could do was to slow her downward progress with the edge of the chair and very gently set her down on the floor.
I was petrified. I was devastated. I called immediately for the charge nurse to assist but the lift was in front of the door, being held in place by the resident now lying prone on the floor.  After a moment to collect my thoughts I was able to maneuver the lift so that we could open the door. Another male aide assisted me as we lifted the resident to her feet and set her down in her chair. To my astonishment, she was LAUGHING. I felt like the world was about to end and she was having a nice chuckle. The nurse asked her if she was okay and she answered, " I think he is more shook up than I am."  I laugh about it now but it was definitely an experience I do not wish to repeat.

An Introduction...to Get Things Started

First of all let me clear something up. Although I have named my blog "Memoirs of a Male Nurse", I am not currently a nurse. I am, however, a nurses aide who is trying to become a nurse.  It is my wish to share with you, the reader, a look into the nursing profession from a STRAIGHT man's point of view.
Nursing is, as you probably know, a predominately female line of work.  My perspective, is not unlike that of a woman in construction. Trying to deal with different issues from an "outsiders" view. The stories that I share will, I hope, educate, inspire, and often times amuse you. Any names used in these stories will be changed in order to keep the residents, patients, and coworkers that I work with anonymous.
I hope that you will enjoy this crazy roller coaster ride I call Nursing.