As I mentioned a bit back, I’ve been made redundant from the day job. This means that I’m signing on with our Control more than I used to. (NB I get so few calls in a day that I still have plenty of job-search time. Unlike some, I DO want a job.) As a result, I’m seeing some of the professional staff more often than before.
One thing I’ve noticed is that some of them, just one or two, have been treating me as more of a colleague than as a helpful Amateur. You can guess how good that makes me feel!
I’ve been asked to do minor things like take a BM, or attach the leads for a four-lead ECG. (“Ride Your Green Bike”; learned that one a bit back.) I’m being included even more than I used to be.
You can only imagine how good this makes me feel. Having been chucked out of my (albeit crap) job, I’ve now got real professionals actually encouraging me to help more. In none of these situations was the professional involved swamped with things to do. They watched what I did, just to make sure their confidence wasn’t misplaced. They needn’t worry; if I don’t know, I’m not ashamed to ask. It’s how you learn.
I’m also getting more confidence in dealing with patients and their families. I have no problems asking a patient, or a spouse, what I think the crew may need to know when they arrive. Don’t get me wrong, I still don’t know all that many of the questions I need to ask.
I’ve now even got the confidence to talk to rellies to try to reassure them, once the crew has arrived. This has never been my strong point. Whilst I’ve never been too bad at ressuring the patient, they were my sole focus and their rellies didn’t really get a look-in. Now, when the professionals arrive, I have the confidence to talk to the spouse/partner/kids etc.
All this is down to the obvious trust the regularly-seen professionals show in me, and the incredibly supportive comments they make.
Thanks Guys! You sometimes make my day with a single request.
