Update

It has been a hectic week. I was put on acute the night before for the first time. FOr some reason the shift was filled with heaps of agency or casual staff who were not familiar with the ward. So basically only 4 regular staff were there including me. That night all the patients were manic, and they were feeding off each other's energy and getting aggressive. So there I was, standing behind a glass window with 3 angry patients on the other side threatning to smash me and throwing all sorts of profanities at me. My help was another nurse who decided he wanted to help do the paperwork for admissions and another casual EN who was scared out of her wits. Somehow, I managed to handle the situation well, dividing and conquering each of them and they eventually settled, despite me having to dispense alot of PRN to help with the settling. I even managed to use de-escalation skills on this patient who was so riled over not being woken up for his dinner. He was literally screaming and punching the glass window, pacing around and ready to assault anyone that gets near him. I managed to talk him down and the conversation ended up in him offering handshake. The EN who was there congratulated me and praised how well I handled it afterwards. To be fair, I was equally scared as he was very unpredictable and perhaps me talking to him on a equal level may have been a safety risk for myself.

Anyhow, my side settled and I saw the subacute side suffering, as they only had 2 staff to dispense medications and care for the whole ward. One of those 2 nurses was in charge that night, and she practically had her hands full from phone calls from external departments. So I offered to help dispense medications and I helepd with the bed transfers. At the end of shift, they also openly praised me, sayng that it was me alone who guaranteed the smooth running of the shift, and that I had survived the worst of the worst spectacularly, and now I am able to face anyhting that comes my way. Of course, I felt really really great about this huge influx of praise, but I beleive perhaps I over exerted myself that night. I had used every single resource my body had to offer to make it through that stressful night.

Today at work, there was even more praise suprisingly. I was told by the other staff that one of the consultants had given me praise; saying that I've been doing a great job at Pecc being in charge as I was able to hold off patients. This has become a grapevine message and it really made me feel honored that the doctor himself took notice of my efforts. IN addition, the nurses this shift were asking me whether I would stay with them after my newgrad program was over. They said they really liked me and wanted me to stay there with them! I have made my presence felt in the ward it appears, and I feel really great about it... however I have gotten sick this week.

I believe it is because I have been putting so much effort into my work that I have fallen sick lately. I feel drowsy alot lately and I have intermittent headaches. I think perhaps a flu is coming my way. Luckily I signed up for the free flu vaccine thats coming up.

In addition, I have just requested to take 1 week of annual leave for my girlfriends short return back here. I already have got the head manager's thumbs up. I just need to get approvalfrom the staffing officer now.........