Northern Nursing

Well, I think things have finally (thankfully!) settled down up here. Last week was probably the busiest week I've ever experienced in my life. There was a lot going on between giving H1N1 vaccines and treating people with influenza-like illnesses. We had about 60% of the community show up for immunization, which is awesome because that is a large percentage of people that won't be coming in later with the flu! But because of the great turnout, lots of our Nursing resources were going toward immunizations. Unfortunately, like myself, there were a bunch of people who got the shot too late, and ended up (probably) getting the flu. So another big portion of our resources went to assessing/treating people with influenza-like illnesses. Then, on top of all of that there were all the regular clinic issues and emergency issues too keep up with, as well as a Doctor clinic to manage. Busy, busy, busy! But I think we're through the majority of the flu stuff (hopefully!), so things will be back to normal now.

So last week I was the Nurse taking care of the Doctor's clinic, which is very hectic because it seems that everyone wants to see the Doc when they're in town. Because people are so excited when a Doctor comes, I thought there was only supposed to be a Doc here one week each month...but apparently I was mistaken. Apparently there is really supposed to be a Doctor here 4 weeks a month! The Docs have been working short lately, so there have been a decreased number of clinics, but apparently we're supposed to have them here the majority of the time. Although we Nurses have an expanded scope of practice, we still don't have prescribing rights, and there are lots of things that still need to be seen by a Dr. I'm still learning my role as a Nurse up here. We definitely take care of all the on-call emergency stuff...basically our role is to stabilize emergency patients until an airplane/helicopter can get up here to medevac the person to the hospital in Moose Factory. When you think about it, it's a very huge responsibility! Anything can walk through the door, so I really have to be prepared for any kind of situation (basically like any emerge department!). I think the most worrisome thing (in my mind) is when the weather gets bad and airplanes have decreased ability to fly. Well, we'll deal with that when it happens.

The Nurses' scope of practice up here also involved dealing with regular, day-to-day clinic issues. I think I've mentioned this in one of my other posts...things like strep throat, UTI's, prenatal assessments...basically things that a Nurse Practitioner can do. Granted, an NP has prescribing rights that I still don't have up here, and they can also order x-rays, ultrasounds, bloodwork...things that I still need a Doctor's order for. But we still have more abilities here then down South.

As far as things I've seen so far...I know people are interested in hearing crazy stories!
I can't say too too much, because of confidentiality, but I'll give you an idea. There's been a dehydrated 2 month old, a few kids with breathing troubles, a Tylenol OD, a couple of really high blood sugars (Diabetic Ketoacidosis), someone with sepsis (a blood infection), someone who stepped on a nail, a heart attack, a few people with chest pain...those are really the most intense things I've been a part of since I've been here. I'm very, very thankful that I haven't been around for anything worse than that (although the heart attack is about as bad as you can get), but especially that I haven't been alone for most of it. I'm kind of terrified for the night that I'm on call and at home in bed when I get the call at 4:00 a.m. that someone like...I dunno, that something terrible has happened. Well, I keep reminding myself that I'm not alone...I always have another Nurse I can call, and there is a Doctor to consult with 24/7.

We had a really nice weekend here. I heard it was beautiful at home in Owen Sound too...up to 18 degrees?!?! Well, we had sun and 8 degree weather both days this weekend. It was
very uplifting to see the sun!! I consider each nice day a bonus at this point, it's just a matter of time before we are forced into hibernation!

OH, I JUST remembered that Elsie (a reception staff member at the Nursing Station) told me that a barge came in on the river today. I will have to go out tomorrow after work to see if it's still there. I doubt it will still be there, I got the impression that they come and go fairly quickly. DARN, I meant to go out after work today to take a look. Oh well, I guess it will come again sometime in the year that we're here.

Guess what...we're finally getting internet in our apartment!!! HOORAY!!!!!!!! I was told that the equipment for the satellite would get up here to Kash around mid-week this week, and then there is someone here that works at the Band Office who installs the equipment. It's expensive to get everything set up, but it will be so worth it when we have access to the world!! I can't wait to be able to go online whenever I want. I can't wait to write back to all of you that have been so great about writing to me...I really WANT to write back to you all, but in order to be online at this point I have to be over in the Nursing Station...at work...where I don't particularly want to be when I'm not working! Hehe, I promise I will be better about writing back when we have our satellite.

Oh, by the way...I am REALLY missing shopping!!! For those of you that recall, I pretty much went to the grocery store every single day back home. I LOVE grocery shopping. Honestly I just love being out in a store and surrounded by people. I promise I will never take access to fresh fruits and vegetables for granted, ever again! There are several problems with the store here. The produce is very limited, and the things we do have access to are fairly expensive, and not the greatest quality. AND, even if the produce was fresh and varied and inexpensive, the store hours are still very limited. It's open Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. As you will know from my earlier posts, my regular workdays are Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. You will also know that, until now, I have worked several Saturdays. That has made it pretty hard to get to the store. But Wes isn't crazy about grocery shopping, plus I LOVE going to any store that's available to me, so I still find the time to get there at least once a week, usually twice. Even though I complain, we really have everything we need here...we're not suffering, that's for sure.

Hmm...well I think I've run out of topics AND brain power for writing tonight. As usually, I will sign off by saying thank you for caring about me enough to read my blog, and that I love you all. Talk to you soon!