Happy Sunday all!

Hope you all were able to rest today. Happy Labor Day as well!

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Lately, if you have been on social media, you have seen the ALS ice bucket challenge. Tons of videos have been posted with everyone dousing themselves with ice cold water for the cause. The whole point of the challenge was to raise awareness about a terrible, chronic, fatal condition and to raise donations for the cause if possible.

There are a ton of ways to raise money and awareness for various causes. In November, I will be participating in a walk for the American Diabetes Association to raise awareness and money for a cause that I see almost everyday when I go to work. I'm also participating in other 5ks that part of the registration fees go to local charities.

The sad part about it is people believe it's better to do things in silence or others may to things for attention. But why not live out loud? Yes! We are trying to get your attention but it's for a cause that is dear to my heart. If you saw my ice bucket challenge, you saw all 3 charities that I mentioned and the reasons why I suppor them.

So what do you support? What is the cause that is near to your heart? I would love to hear for you.

3 things--

1. The chocolate cake my boyfriend and I enjoyed this weekend

2. ECU WON! :)

3. Football is back! Go Panthers!

Be blessed!

Barbara :)

As Monday comes to a close, I decided to write my weekly blog. Hope everyone is having an amazing start to the week!

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This post was inspired by conversations my boyfriend and I have been discussing. On the variety of topics we discuss, one recurring theme that seems to be coming up is effort. We talk about the efforts of others and also ourselves. In fact, our relationship is something that takes effort and when we first became official, it was an effort on my part.

Thinking about the time I said yes to the relationship, there were so many questions that came to my mind. However, the one that stuck out most to me was if I didn't date him, would I regret it? That was one thing I didn't want to happen to me reminiscing about it years later down the line.

Think about it--how many opportunities did you miss out on because you didn't try? To me, I could think of a lot. If I didn't try to call and get answers about my point average, I wouldn't of got into nursing school. If I didn't try to reschedule my interview, I won't be working at an elite hospital. If I didn't give my boyfriend a chance, I wouldn't of know how special out relationship could be---but I did. I tried and it worked out. I'm not saying that everything you attempt will succeed. However, I rather try and fail than to not try at all and regret it.

I would love to hear from you ! Don't let fear drown out your efforts. Step out on faith! What efforts are you making this year?

Feel free to share on social media!

3 things-

1. Ginger ale

2. Saltine crackers

3. Tylenol--I'm not feeling too well right now but these things (and time off of work) are saving my life right now!

Lots and love to you!

Barbara

Happy Sunday everyone!

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I know I have touched on this topic before but I feel like it is something I need to elaborate on a little bit more, especially since it deals so heavily with my work environment--communication.

Statistics frequently show that a communication error between healthcare providers is one of the main reasons for inpatient deaths in the US. I can see why that can occur. No one in the health care field wakes up and decides that to intentionally harm a patient or screw up majorily--especially if it could of been prevented in the first place.

At the hospital I work at, majority of the physicians I work with like to be notified of a change in patient status via a text page. However, whenever an emergent situation comes about or it is a message that could be explained better over the phone, I call page them. Depending on the physician, that could be a good thing or bad thing.

With my experience, it has been that the younger physicians don't mind spending the time on the phone while the attendings and/or residents respond better with text pages. Our hospital is trying to get more nurses and other health care professionals to text page the doctors so that they can spend more time "directly involved in patient care". To me, I see why they would want that but unfortunately, that cannot be the case, especially if a nurse needs to talk to a physician right away. Also, I feel like incorrect orders can be avoided by having that force contact with the provider rather than a text page.

How do you feel about this topic in your daily life? Do you feel like you or someone you know stumbles with communication? How do you get your message across? I would love to hear from you all!

3 things--

1. My boyfriend

2. Spending time with my dad's side of the family

3. snickers bars :)

Feel free to share on social media!

Lots of love,

Barbara <3