Some Icky Sounds, and Silence

Here's a sound for you: gurgling. It's the frequently misnamed, so-called "death rattle". Does that involuntarily raise your hair follicles = make your skin crawl? Do you feel queasy on hearing or remembering the sound? If your scrotum involuntarily contracts (what's the female equivalent?), then you'd agree with me when I call it the creepiest … Continue reading Some Icky Sounds, and Silence →

“Additional Duties as Assigned”

Nothing calls out a job opening like "Wanted: bright boy". Or it used to. But this other want ad is so modern, it's confusing. I'm being solicited again but can't for the life of me find any living activity among the job description phrasings. Is it a real case manager who is wanted, and a … Continue reading “Additional Duties as Assigned” →

Emails, TVs and Cell Phones, Oh My!

Everyone likes a responsive nurse. After every visit, managers argue, field clinicians should read their emails and respond to those meant for us. I tend not to take this advice. I too like prompt service -- for take-away coffee, for pharmacy orders. But when standing in front of the coffee queue, they see me; or … Continue reading Emails, TVs and Cell Phones, Oh My! →

Let’s get started

This past June in a fit of creative restlessness I started this blog. Since then, many people have died, but some of those I nurse -- I'm a hospice nurse case manager -- are yet living. One of my favorite slights from Shakespeare is when Benedict first speaks to Beatrice in the Shakespeare play, Much … Continue reading Let’s get started →