This weekend, my oldest son tested for and received his Yellow Belt in Karate. We are all so proud of him. I was listening to his sensei tell the class "put your old belt behind you because we never go back. We only go forward."
This weekend was also the Army:Navy Football Game. Being part of a family with 2 West Point Football player graduates means that the Army Navy Football game is a mandatory watch even if you could care less about Football. I was looking at my cousin Tom's Facebook page and noticed that he has Major posted as his rank in the Army. Yep, Navy won again, but we never give up hope.
These ranking systems got me thinking. Ranking systems are really cool things.
1) It lets everyone know what your skills are
2) It lets everyone how much training you've had
3) It gives you humility (there's always someone above you)
4) It gives you something to work towards
5) It reminds you where you came from
So as I read Facebook and see several of my work-mates complain about caregivers who have called in sick, I wonder if a Caregiver Ranking would help caregivers understand the professional nature of our job. I wonder if it would help me to hire higher quality caregivers. So, what ranking system do we use?
Lord of the Rings Ranking
Start with ranking of Hobbit and move up towards Wizard? I would so be working to being known as Mack the Wizard.
Harry Potter Ranking
Start at Muggle. Then each new ranking is a different Spell. Once you learn a little bit, you can become Wingardium Leviosa. The higher ranks would be spells that are 3 sentences long and take longer to pronounce than your name.
Twilight Ranking
This would be a short ranking series. Human - HTKAC (Humans That Know About Creatures) - Werewolves - Vampires - VV (Vegetarian Vampires) - Dhampir - Volturi. There can only be 3 Volturi at a time, so to become a Volturi, you have to wait for 1 to retire?
What rankings would you use for caregivers? Would a ranking system work?
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
If You're Happy and You Know It
I have observed caregivers for 8 years now. Before then I was a caregiver and I have decided that caregivers are just a little bit psychotic. Not is a 'climb-a-tower-and-take-people-out' way, but in a rather moody way. We are psychotically happy in front of our clients and then we separate to the lunch room or staff room and turn into such crazily unhappy people where nothing goes right.
In the words of the great Seinfield -- What is up with that?
And it's not at work either. We take it home and act the same way at home. We walk around at church or in front of our in-laws with what I call that all teeth smile (I often think "I really need to go to the denist" when I have that smile on) and as soon as we are home, we instantly start complaining (sometimes cry).
You know, I think there may be a bit of inbetween, but our brains get in the way. Nursing as a profession is so racked with negativity that I think we put on an act in front of the clients and then think that "normal" is being grumpy and rude to those we are comfortable with.
I did this just today. My 3 year old is a bit of a handful. He's cute and kind, but has no focus or listening skills. I picked him up from daycare today and was told that he won't take a nap and he' won't listen. I'm still realing from him being kicked out of Sunday School and I am remembering the 2 babysitters that told me he is too hard to handle. I show up to his karate class very near tears. At the end of the class, the Sensei (he's very kind outside of class, but he's kinda scary in class, so I never know how to react to him) comes and sits on a chair right in front of me. I brace myself for the "your child is terrible and we just can't handle him" talk when he smiles and tells me "he did great." I went on to tell him something to the effect of 'I'm glad you can deal with him because noone else can'.
I got out to the car and realized "what a terrible place I went to." I don't understand why we as a Nursing Profession have to be all or nothing. Why do we have to be psychotically happy or bitterly angry?
I think it comes down to CONFIDENCE. I have incredible insecurities about the kind of Nurse I am and that bleeds over to my overall jobs as a caregiver (wife, mother, daughter, etc).
In the words of the great Seinfield -- What is up with that?
And it's not at work either. We take it home and act the same way at home. We walk around at church or in front of our in-laws with what I call that all teeth smile (I often think "I really need to go to the denist" when I have that smile on) and as soon as we are home, we instantly start complaining (sometimes cry).
You know, I think there may be a bit of inbetween, but our brains get in the way. Nursing as a profession is so racked with negativity that I think we put on an act in front of the clients and then think that "normal" is being grumpy and rude to those we are comfortable with.
I did this just today. My 3 year old is a bit of a handful. He's cute and kind, but has no focus or listening skills. I picked him up from daycare today and was told that he won't take a nap and he' won't listen. I'm still realing from him being kicked out of Sunday School and I am remembering the 2 babysitters that told me he is too hard to handle. I show up to his karate class very near tears. At the end of the class, the Sensei (he's very kind outside of class, but he's kinda scary in class, so I never know how to react to him) comes and sits on a chair right in front of me. I brace myself for the "your child is terrible and we just can't handle him" talk when he smiles and tells me "he did great." I went on to tell him something to the effect of 'I'm glad you can deal with him because noone else can'.
I got out to the car and realized "what a terrible place I went to." I don't understand why we as a Nursing Profession have to be all or nothing. Why do we have to be psychotically happy or bitterly angry?
I think it comes down to CONFIDENCE. I have incredible insecurities about the kind of Nurse I am and that bleeds over to my overall jobs as a caregiver (wife, mother, daughter, etc).
So this week, I am going to read Tim Sanders' book, Today We Are Rich. It's a book about gaining self-confidence through gratitude and self-confidence and see if that helps. Feel free to read it too and come back and comment on what your thoughts are.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Want to know what's GREAT?
Books are ordered for the Book Club: The Traveler's Gift. And want to know what's GREAT!! They are AUTOGRAPHED by Mr. Andy Andrews himself. No additional charge, but definately an added bonus. I love Autographed Books.
Sign up NOW! https://sites.google.com/site/essentialtrain/tests
Cost: $20 – For an AUTOGRAPHED Book and a certificate for up to 10 hours of continuing Education
How it works: Read The Traveler's Gift by Andy Andrews. Follow the chat on my blog once a week for questions to discuss every week for 5 weeks.
This is an amazing book and you definately won't want to miss it!
Sign up NOW! https://sites.google.com/site/essentialtrain/tests
How it works: Read The Traveler's Gift by Andy Andrews. Follow the chat on my blog once a week for questions to discuss every week for 5 weeks.
This is an amazing book and you definately won't want to miss it!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Book Club
I read this book about 6 months ago and it has completely rocked my world. It's an amazing fun story about David Ponder and how he goes from complete despair to complete success. I read it in 1 night and have read it twice since.
"Forty-six-year-old David Ponder feels like a total failure. Once a high-flying executive in a Fortune 500 company, he now works a part-time, minimum wage job and struggles to support his family. Then, an even greater crisis hits: his daughter becomes ill, and he can’t afford to get her the medical help she needs. When his car skids on an icy road, he wonders if he even cares to survive the crash.
But an extraordinary experience awaits David Ponder. He finds himself traveling back in time, meeting leaders and heroes at crucial moments in their lives—from Abraham Lincoln to Anne Frank. By the time his journey is over, he has received seven secrets for success—and a second chance. The Traveler's Gift offers a modern day parable of one man's choices—and the attitudes that make the difference between failure and success."
Cost: $20 - For the Book and a certificate for up to 10 hours of continuing Education
How it works: Read The Traveler's Gift by Andy Andrews. Follow the chat on my blog once a week for questions to discuss every week for 5 weeks.
This is an amazing book and you definitely won't want to miss it!
REGISTER here to join the club.
Be sure to email me with any questions or concerns!!
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Initiative 1163
So Initiative 1163 has passed. I1163 is the initiative put forth by the SEIU for more Caregiver Training. It was aggressively advertised to the public as an initiative that would give more training to caregivers working in private homes. I avoided giving my opinion about it before it passed because my opinion is very complicated, but now I would like to try and share it with you.
I am in agreement that caregivers need more training. Everyone in healthcare needs more training. Healthcare is constantly changing as we get new information about illness and quality of life through research, so all of us need to be constantly learning an be open to change. I have a book that my grandmother gave me that was printed 1905. It's the medical textbook used at that time. Half of it is on veternary medicine. I have read it cover to cover (over 1000 pages). The 1st time I read it, I was astonished and thought it was hillarious how much they did not know. Now I think it is sad. Basic hygiene and handwashing was just starting to be understood. Vaccines had not been discovered. Antibiotics were just starting to be researched. So in 105 years, what ill those medical professionals think of what we are doing? Leaches for limb reattachment? Electrocomvulsant Therapy for Deperession? Poison for Cancer? These are real treatments we use now that are very effective. But in 100 years, will we be thought stupid and naive? We need to be constantly learning because healthcare is constantly changing.
I am not at all in agreement with forcing caregivers to do 75 hours of training. SEIU advertised this as a measure for Home Health caregivers, but in the very end of the initiative on page 27 (out of 29), it includes Boarding Home Caregivers and Adult Family Home caregivers.
Adult learners do not lear by being forced into a class that is going to cost them more money and take time off of work where they earn their money. They are not going to be better caregivers this way.
3 or 4 years ago, SEIU wanted an almost identical measure passed called I1029. It passed with one of the largest voter margains. As a teacher when I was trying to write curriculum for the new extended hours, I was told over & over again "Caregivers don't need all this information. Just extend what is already there."
So if we are not going to teach 75 hours worth of material, but only extend the 28 hours of material we already have, what is the point? I absolutely hate this attitude that feels like 'caregivers aren't smart enough for all that.'
I am of the opinion that caregivers are desperate for information and more training. They just want it in different ways and they want it to be their decision. I would much rather see something that rewards ongoing education rather than force it. I would much rather see a focus on Continuing Education with a lot of different options for different subjects rather than 1 big boring basic class. I would rather see a focus on innovative ways to teach and learn rather than constantly forcing a bunch of adults into a classroom to learn information they don't care about.
I want more education, but not at all the way that the SEIU wants education in this law.
Of note: on November, 10, 2010, the Govenor of Washington issued an executive order that there will be no Non-Critical Rule Development and Adoption due to our state's budget crisis. The order does read that there is an exception to public health and quality of life. I think under this executive order may make this whole thing go away altogether. This initiative is expected to cost $80 million over the next 2 years and the state is expecting a $2 billion dollar shortage over the next 2 years.
My suggestion: If you are a caregiver, get all your credentials done before the end of the year. If this goes onto law, all caregivers with all their credentials done will be grandfathered in. If even 1 credential is off, you will have to go through the entire 75 hours of new training.
You can find what trainings are required at my website. Trainings are different for Adult Family Homes and Boarding Homes, so just click on the one that is right for you.
I am in agreement that caregivers need more training. Everyone in healthcare needs more training. Healthcare is constantly changing as we get new information about illness and quality of life through research, so all of us need to be constantly learning an be open to change. I have a book that my grandmother gave me that was printed 1905. It's the medical textbook used at that time. Half of it is on veternary medicine. I have read it cover to cover (over 1000 pages). The 1st time I read it, I was astonished and thought it was hillarious how much they did not know. Now I think it is sad. Basic hygiene and handwashing was just starting to be understood. Vaccines had not been discovered. Antibiotics were just starting to be researched. So in 105 years, what ill those medical professionals think of what we are doing? Leaches for limb reattachment? Electrocomvulsant Therapy for Deperession? Poison for Cancer? These are real treatments we use now that are very effective. But in 100 years, will we be thought stupid and naive? We need to be constantly learning because healthcare is constantly changing.
I am not at all in agreement with forcing caregivers to do 75 hours of training. SEIU advertised this as a measure for Home Health caregivers, but in the very end of the initiative on page 27 (out of 29), it includes Boarding Home Caregivers and Adult Family Home caregivers.
Adult learners do not lear by being forced into a class that is going to cost them more money and take time off of work where they earn their money. They are not going to be better caregivers this way.
3 or 4 years ago, SEIU wanted an almost identical measure passed called I1029. It passed with one of the largest voter margains. As a teacher when I was trying to write curriculum for the new extended hours, I was told over & over again "Caregivers don't need all this information. Just extend what is already there."
So if we are not going to teach 75 hours worth of material, but only extend the 28 hours of material we already have, what is the point? I absolutely hate this attitude that feels like 'caregivers aren't smart enough for all that.'
I am of the opinion that caregivers are desperate for information and more training. They just want it in different ways and they want it to be their decision. I would much rather see something that rewards ongoing education rather than force it. I would much rather see a focus on Continuing Education with a lot of different options for different subjects rather than 1 big boring basic class. I would rather see a focus on innovative ways to teach and learn rather than constantly forcing a bunch of adults into a classroom to learn information they don't care about.
I want more education, but not at all the way that the SEIU wants education in this law.
Of note: on November, 10, 2010, the Govenor of Washington issued an executive order that there will be no Non-Critical Rule Development and Adoption due to our state's budget crisis. The order does read that there is an exception to public health and quality of life. I think under this executive order may make this whole thing go away altogether. This initiative is expected to cost $80 million over the next 2 years and the state is expecting a $2 billion dollar shortage over the next 2 years.
My suggestion: If you are a caregiver, get all your credentials done before the end of the year. If this goes onto law, all caregivers with all their credentials done will be grandfathered in. If even 1 credential is off, you will have to go through the entire 75 hours of new training.
You can find what trainings are required at my website. Trainings are different for Adult Family Homes and Boarding Homes, so just click on the one that is right for you.
Friday, August 5, 2011
I'm going to be a Quitter
My husband and I went to The Quitter Conference last weekend. I've been playing with my business of caregiver training for awhile. I never really considered it a dream to run a training business full time. I just know that I come alive, shed my shy label and truly feel invigorated when I teach a class of students. Day to day, I have near panic attacks if it is time to meet new people and have a terrible time in crowds (Christmas shopping in our house is always done before Thanksgiving because I can't handle Christmas crowds). But when I get up in front of a class of 10-15 students or sometimes more, I shed all that anxiety and become the person I love being. I can't explain it, but teaching invigorates me in a way I just can't describe.
I never really thought I could make a full time job of this business. In fact I opened it as a fundraiser when I was running for Team in Training and kept it going because so many students said they preferred to come to my classes than go to the big cooperation alternative.
We went to Nashville because I really wanted to meet my favorite author, Jon Acuff. I flew across the country and then refused to go up and meet him until my hubby threatened to go get him and bring him to me. I didn't want to look like I was back in Jr. High and asking my girlfriend to go talk to the other person, so I went up and introduced myself. He's awesome, hilarious and so easy to talk with. BUT that was not what ended up being the highlight of the trip like I thought it would be.
The Quitter Conference was really an amazing experience. I've read Quitter the book, but this was different! This was a practical guide to following my dream. And I do have a dream. Actually I have 2.
1) To grow my small training business from Essential Training giving state required classes to Essential Wellness with a focus on overall wellness for the health care worker.
I started to realize that owning and growing this business was indeed a passion of mine, but was held back by tremendous fear. Fear of failure (poor Pastor Chuck, my counselor, must be rolling his eyes, because we've been through this one so many times). Fear of Starting. Fear of Accounting (I have a learning disorder similar to dyslexia, but with numbers called dyscalculia). Fear of success (I have actually told other small business owners "I need to slow down, because I don't want to grow"). This was the greatest lesson. I don't have to be perfect. I don't have to worry about my shortcomings. I'm not going to do anything unless I do something! So in this last 5 days since we've been home, I've been getting up earlier, doing marketing and I put together my 1st Profit & Loss worksheet since I opened the business in six years!
2) To place in a distance race for my age.
I used to be a phenomenal runner. I often placed in distance races like marathons & half marathons. It was easy and almost boring. Then I had kids and what followed were so many life changes and a pretty brutal depression. I stopped running, gained weight and lost muscle tone. I've tried to run a few marathons in the last two years, but I am so slow. Fear caught up to me again. I quit because I wanted to be the runner I used to be. But I'm not that runner any longer. I didn't really want to try because I knew I couldn't be 1st or 2nd or 3rd. It was easier to quit than to fail.
But The Quitter Conference pointed out the epic failure in this plan as well. How could I ever be good again unless I start again? I am now able to "recover" this dream (as Mr. Acuff would say) and start working on it anew. I'm not going to be 1st at the Seattle Marathon this November. That's ridiculous. I have 80 pounds to lose. I have muscle tone to regain. I need to rebuild my endurance and lung capacity. BUT... I've been for a run with this new attitude and I think the muscle memory from my younger running days is still there. I think this is a talent I can get back. If I put in the hard work, I think it is completely possible to place in a race for my age. It may be a 3-5 year plan, but I have a goal in mind now and I think it's possible.
If you haven't heard of Jon Acuff, you really should check out his blog www.jonacuff.com and read his newest book QUITTER.
What's your dream? GO be a QUITTER!
I never really thought I could make a full time job of this business. In fact I opened it as a fundraiser when I was running for Team in Training and kept it going because so many students said they preferred to come to my classes than go to the big cooperation alternative.
We went to Nashville because I really wanted to meet my favorite author, Jon Acuff. I flew across the country and then refused to go up and meet him until my hubby threatened to go get him and bring him to me. I didn't want to look like I was back in Jr. High and asking my girlfriend to go talk to the other person, so I went up and introduced myself. He's awesome, hilarious and so easy to talk with. BUT that was not what ended up being the highlight of the trip like I thought it would be.
The Quitter Conference was really an amazing experience. I've read Quitter the book, but this was different! This was a practical guide to following my dream. And I do have a dream. Actually I have 2.
1) To grow my small training business from Essential Training giving state required classes to Essential Wellness with a focus on overall wellness for the health care worker.
I started to realize that owning and growing this business was indeed a passion of mine, but was held back by tremendous fear. Fear of failure (poor Pastor Chuck, my counselor, must be rolling his eyes, because we've been through this one so many times). Fear of Starting. Fear of Accounting (I have a learning disorder similar to dyslexia, but with numbers called dyscalculia). Fear of success (I have actually told other small business owners "I need to slow down, because I don't want to grow"). This was the greatest lesson. I don't have to be perfect. I don't have to worry about my shortcomings. I'm not going to do anything unless I do something! So in this last 5 days since we've been home, I've been getting up earlier, doing marketing and I put together my 1st Profit & Loss worksheet since I opened the business in six years!
2) To place in a distance race for my age.
I used to be a phenomenal runner. I often placed in distance races like marathons & half marathons. It was easy and almost boring. Then I had kids and what followed were so many life changes and a pretty brutal depression. I stopped running, gained weight and lost muscle tone. I've tried to run a few marathons in the last two years, but I am so slow. Fear caught up to me again. I quit because I wanted to be the runner I used to be. But I'm not that runner any longer. I didn't really want to try because I knew I couldn't be 1st or 2nd or 3rd. It was easier to quit than to fail.
But The Quitter Conference pointed out the epic failure in this plan as well. How could I ever be good again unless I start again? I am now able to "recover" this dream (as Mr. Acuff would say) and start working on it anew. I'm not going to be 1st at the Seattle Marathon this November. That's ridiculous. I have 80 pounds to lose. I have muscle tone to regain. I need to rebuild my endurance and lung capacity. BUT... I've been for a run with this new attitude and I think the muscle memory from my younger running days is still there. I think this is a talent I can get back. If I put in the hard work, I think it is completely possible to place in a race for my age. It may be a 3-5 year plan, but I have a goal in mind now and I think it's possible.
If you haven't heard of Jon Acuff, you really should check out his blog www.jonacuff.com and read his newest book QUITTER.
What's your dream? GO be a QUITTER!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
It's time to Learn
I did something last October that completely changed my life. I stepped out and decided it was time to learn something new. I was living in a world of "normal." In the words of Dave Ramsey, "normal sucks."
I was doing the typical nursing thing and complaining about being short staffed and underpaid. I was doing the typical wife thing and yelling at my husband about our finances. I was doing the typical things in life that were just about going with the flow and not living your passion.
My husband & I took Financial Peace University and it changed my life. Of course, we learned to manage our finances and that was great, but what was better was getting invigorated by going to a class again. I remember how much I loved to learn. I started listening to his radio show and reading the books he recommends. I started reading blogs and getting excited about changing how I think.
Once this started to happen again, an amazing thing started happening. I was becoming happier. I was working harder and thinking more and relaxing less and I was passionate again.
My small busines run by 3 people (me, myself & I) is a business of teaching. I teach caregiver new skills to help them do their jobs. My biggest boundary... I have a hard time convincing people how much fun it is to LEARN. Let me PLEAD to you 1 thing. Turn off the TV and pick up a book for just 30 minutes every other day. I guarantee that slowly, you will start to love to learn again. Start reading blogs of those with positive things to say. Your day will go so much better with some good positive thoughts dispersed in your day.
Need a book to get started? Read The Traveler's Gift by Andy Andrews. It's a fun fictional story with great life-changing lessons throughout.
Need a good blog to get you started? Go to www.jonacuff.com and learn about going from your day job to your dream job.
Try this for just 2 weeks and I promise you will fall in love with learning again.
I was doing the typical nursing thing and complaining about being short staffed and underpaid. I was doing the typical wife thing and yelling at my husband about our finances. I was doing the typical things in life that were just about going with the flow and not living your passion.
My husband & I took Financial Peace University and it changed my life. Of course, we learned to manage our finances and that was great, but what was better was getting invigorated by going to a class again. I remember how much I loved to learn. I started listening to his radio show and reading the books he recommends. I started reading blogs and getting excited about changing how I think.
Once this started to happen again, an amazing thing started happening. I was becoming happier. I was working harder and thinking more and relaxing less and I was passionate again.
My small busines run by 3 people (me, myself & I) is a business of teaching. I teach caregiver new skills to help them do their jobs. My biggest boundary... I have a hard time convincing people how much fun it is to LEARN. Let me PLEAD to you 1 thing. Turn off the TV and pick up a book for just 30 minutes every other day. I guarantee that slowly, you will start to love to learn again. Start reading blogs of those with positive things to say. Your day will go so much better with some good positive thoughts dispersed in your day.
Need a book to get started? Read The Traveler's Gift by Andy Andrews. It's a fun fictional story with great life-changing lessons throughout.
Need a good blog to get you started? Go to www.jonacuff.com and learn about going from your day job to your dream job.
Try this for just 2 weeks and I promise you will fall in love with learning again.
Friday, March 18, 2011
New Food Handler Permit ways
My husband & I are fighting our way through debt and working our way through Dave Ramsey's Baby Steps. We're on Baby step #2 which is to pay off all our debt except the house. I was skimming through Craigslist Part Time jobs looking for something I can do easily on Saturdays & Sundays & ran across a Dominoe's Pizza add.
I was flabbergasted to see that you can get your Food Handle permit online! You register, study, take your test & then print your card. All done from the comfort of your home.
This just made me ESTATIC!!! Getting our staff to get their Food Handler permit is the hardest of all the requirements because you have to get it within 15 days & everyone hates sitting through the class.
Now I am looking forward to just sitting my new staff down at one of the computers at work and making sure they do it right in front of me. I'm also looking forward to expanding my business to include a computer with internet access in my classroom and being able to give caregivers a full portfolio with all their requirements. This was the 1 requirement that was in the way of a plan to be able to offer caregivers a class in which they would be able to leave with everything the need for a new job. Now with this being online, they can complete this & leave my classroom with everything they need.
I'm looking forward to adding services to meet the needs of staff of the long term care community.
Happy Happy days.
Please consider donating $10 to the victims of the disasters in Japan by texting 90999
I was flabbergasted to see that you can get your Food Handle permit online! You register, study, take your test & then print your card. All done from the comfort of your home.
This just made me ESTATIC!!! Getting our staff to get their Food Handler permit is the hardest of all the requirements because you have to get it within 15 days & everyone hates sitting through the class.
Now I am looking forward to just sitting my new staff down at one of the computers at work and making sure they do it right in front of me. I'm also looking forward to expanding my business to include a computer with internet access in my classroom and being able to give caregivers a full portfolio with all their requirements. This was the 1 requirement that was in the way of a plan to be able to offer caregivers a class in which they would be able to leave with everything the need for a new job. Now with this being online, they can complete this & leave my classroom with everything they need.
I'm looking forward to adding services to meet the needs of staff of the long term care community.
Happy Happy days.
Please consider donating $10 to the victims of the disasters in Japan by texting 90999
Monday, February 28, 2011
How Hard is The Golden Rule?
2 weeks ago, I had 1 of the worst days in a long time. I had an altercation with a student, was really disappointed in how I handled it and cried most of the day. I got in my car & turned on a talk-radio show that is a favorite and that I listen to everyday.
I turned on The Dave Ramsey Show. It was the middle of the show and I turned it at the end of 1 of his rants (which anyone who has listened to Dave Ramsey knows that he has a lot of them). When I turned on his show, this is what I heard:
"...just follow The Golden Rule. Treat others how you want to be treated. How hard is that? Sheesh."
I broke down in tears again and couldn't even drive. I started thinking; 'Ya know, the golden rule can be really hard to follow; INCREDIBLY hard to follow.'
Every Tuesday I offer a free class to new staff. This class is required by the state I offer it for free in order to make it easier for new staff to meet state requirements. The day started out as horrible as it could have. My 3 year old needed to behave for an interview at the private school we wanted him to go to. He was as awful as he could have possibly been. While at the school, a close friend of mine passed out at the copy machine & I stayed with her until the paramedics & her husband arrived (at the same time). While my husband was driving out of the school parking lot, he blew a tire & went to the nearest Les Schwab only to find we needed to replace all 4 tires. All this drama made it so that I got to my classroom 5 minutes before the class was due to start. I need at least 15 minutes to set up equipment.
I was met at the door pulling my awful-acting (who I love) 3 year old through the door and carrying 6 bags. This caregiver with a very snotty attitude met me right at the door. I didn't explain my whole morning to her because it wasn't her problem or he business. I apologized and asked her for 10 minutes and offered her coffee. She accepted. I pointed her to where the coffee was. She stared at me like I was a goat & asked where the class was. I told her & she asked if she could go up. I explained that I had just walked through the door and the class was locked & went up to my classroom.
I went up & set up, but was giving into the rushed feeling. Another staff member showed up & this 1 caregiver came up. This class requires the staff to bring a self-study workbook to the class. I asked the 1st staff member if she had brought it with her. She did, but it was incomplete. She asked if she could just sit & complete it in the room. I agreed. I asked this caregiver for her book. I again got the goat look. She said that she did not have it. I told her she couldn't complete the class. We started baiting back & forth. As her attitude escalated, so did mine. I told her that I was going to have to let her administrator know. She was mad that she wasn't given the instructions she needed. It ended with her asking me why I had such an attitude and me telling her it was because she was acting like a b****. She left & I was so grateful.
I have completely changed how I do this class to try & avoid this kind of confrontation again. All the way from avoiding appointments on class days to changing the books to reading 5 books so far on marketing and customer service.
This still leads me to question "How easy is The Golden Rule?" I went on vacation & felt so much better when I came back and rejuvinated when I got back. I did need to change a time of a class. I showed up at the facility with flowers and a good attitude and was met by a receptionist that didn't say hello, refused to take my message (she kept interupting me and thought I was trying to sell something--- I had to write my own message). She refused to take my flowers, I kinda just left them.
This was a situation where I have absolutely no regrets. I'm actually a bit flabergasted by the treatment I received by a receptionist who is supposed to have the greatest customer service. It was really really difficult to keep my smile plastered and restart my sentences every time I was interrupted and then try to apologize when she told me that I was really confusing her. I probably would have been very clear to her if she would have given me 10 seconds to explain why I was there. It took physical restraint and deep breaths to treat her how I would have wanted to be treated because I was not getting the treatment I wanted at all.
What do you think? Is the Golden Rule really so easy to follow?
I turned on The Dave Ramsey Show. It was the middle of the show and I turned it at the end of 1 of his rants (which anyone who has listened to Dave Ramsey knows that he has a lot of them). When I turned on his show, this is what I heard:
"...just follow The Golden Rule. Treat others how you want to be treated. How hard is that? Sheesh."
I broke down in tears again and couldn't even drive. I started thinking; 'Ya know, the golden rule can be really hard to follow; INCREDIBLY hard to follow.'
Every Tuesday I offer a free class to new staff. This class is required by the state I offer it for free in order to make it easier for new staff to meet state requirements. The day started out as horrible as it could have. My 3 year old needed to behave for an interview at the private school we wanted him to go to. He was as awful as he could have possibly been. While at the school, a close friend of mine passed out at the copy machine & I stayed with her until the paramedics & her husband arrived (at the same time). While my husband was driving out of the school parking lot, he blew a tire & went to the nearest Les Schwab only to find we needed to replace all 4 tires. All this drama made it so that I got to my classroom 5 minutes before the class was due to start. I need at least 15 minutes to set up equipment.
I was met at the door pulling my awful-acting (who I love) 3 year old through the door and carrying 6 bags. This caregiver with a very snotty attitude met me right at the door. I didn't explain my whole morning to her because it wasn't her problem or he business. I apologized and asked her for 10 minutes and offered her coffee. She accepted. I pointed her to where the coffee was. She stared at me like I was a goat & asked where the class was. I told her & she asked if she could go up. I explained that I had just walked through the door and the class was locked & went up to my classroom.
I went up & set up, but was giving into the rushed feeling. Another staff member showed up & this 1 caregiver came up. This class requires the staff to bring a self-study workbook to the class. I asked the 1st staff member if she had brought it with her. She did, but it was incomplete. She asked if she could just sit & complete it in the room. I agreed. I asked this caregiver for her book. I again got the goat look. She said that she did not have it. I told her she couldn't complete the class. We started baiting back & forth. As her attitude escalated, so did mine. I told her that I was going to have to let her administrator know. She was mad that she wasn't given the instructions she needed. It ended with her asking me why I had such an attitude and me telling her it was because she was acting like a b****. She left & I was so grateful.
I have completely changed how I do this class to try & avoid this kind of confrontation again. All the way from avoiding appointments on class days to changing the books to reading 5 books so far on marketing and customer service.
This still leads me to question "How easy is The Golden Rule?" I went on vacation & felt so much better when I came back and rejuvinated when I got back. I did need to change a time of a class. I showed up at the facility with flowers and a good attitude and was met by a receptionist that didn't say hello, refused to take my message (she kept interupting me and thought I was trying to sell something--- I had to write my own message). She refused to take my flowers, I kinda just left them.
This was a situation where I have absolutely no regrets. I'm actually a bit flabergasted by the treatment I received by a receptionist who is supposed to have the greatest customer service. It was really really difficult to keep my smile plastered and restart my sentences every time I was interrupted and then try to apologize when she told me that I was really confusing her. I probably would have been very clear to her if she would have given me 10 seconds to explain why I was there. It took physical restraint and deep breaths to treat her how I would have wanted to be treated because I was not getting the treatment I wanted at all.
What do you think? Is the Golden Rule really so easy to follow?
Sunday, February 27, 2011
I1029 Myth - It's not really Law
The newest myth on I1029 I heard this week was that I1029 was not really a law yet.
This is a MYTH!
On December 17, 2010, Emergency Rule Making Order CR-103 was put into effect making all the WACs & RCWs related to trainings of Long Term Care Workers.
Check out http://www.aasa.dshs.wa.gov/Professional/training/1029/documents/Emergency%20Rule-Making%20Order%20CR103.pdf to see the order making I1029 law.
Check out http://www.aasa.dshs.wa.gov/professional/training/1029/ to see up to date information on all information regarding I1029.
Don't let fear & gossip keep you from being in compliance of new regulations. Contact me with any questions or concerns.
This is a MYTH!
On December 17, 2010, Emergency Rule Making Order CR-103 was put into effect making all the WACs & RCWs related to trainings of Long Term Care Workers.
Check out http://www.aasa.dshs.wa.gov/Professional/training/1029/documents/Emergency%20Rule-Making%20Order%20CR103.pdf to see the order making I1029 law.
Check out http://www.aasa.dshs.wa.gov/professional/training/1029/ to see up to date information on all information regarding I1029.
Don't let fear & gossip keep you from being in compliance of new regulations. Contact me with any questions or concerns.
I1029 Myth - There is no Money
I hear from several sources including surveyors in the Department of Social & Health Services (DSHS) that I1029 cannot possibly be enforced because there is no money in the budget.
This is a MYTH!
1) I get 5-10 emails a week from the Training Department at DSHS that has recently approved my trainings and discuss changes that have to do with I1029. I don't think they work for a non-for-profit ministry
2) Whether I1029 goes through or not, a Training Department within DSHS will remain. Whether they enforce the old regulations or the new ones really makes no difference. Trainings will have to continue and a Training Department will remain
3) Washington State has to cut $6 Billion from its budget in order to balance it. These new training regulations will cost $25 million. That's 0.004% of what they need to cut. Not a very big chunk.
Don't let fear of change keep you from being in compliance of new regulations. Contact me with any questions or concerns.
This is a MYTH!
1) I get 5-10 emails a week from the Training Department at DSHS that has recently approved my trainings and discuss changes that have to do with I1029. I don't think they work for a non-for-profit ministry
2) Whether I1029 goes through or not, a Training Department within DSHS will remain. Whether they enforce the old regulations or the new ones really makes no difference. Trainings will have to continue and a Training Department will remain
3) Washington State has to cut $6 Billion from its budget in order to balance it. These new training regulations will cost $25 million. That's 0.004% of what they need to cut. Not a very big chunk.
Don't let fear of change keep you from being in compliance of new regulations. Contact me with any questions or concerns.
I1029
2 years ago, a healthcare Union called the SEIU started an intiative called I1029 that aimed at giving Home Health aides more training. This initiative passed with the greatest margin in Washington state history. The intent was to give Home Health aides more training, but Adult Family Homes and Boarding Homes got thrown in the mix as well.
For the last 2 years, the Department of Social & Health Services (DSHS) and Department of Health (DOH) have struggled with how to institute these new training requirements under a strict budget.
The new training requirements went into law on 1/1/2011 under and emergency WAC. At the end of March, the govener proposes to delay this training another 2 years due to budget contraints.
I struggle with whether or not to delay these trainings. There are pros & cons to these delays.
1) The voters of Washington want these trainings. It passed with the highest margin in State history. It's hard for me to delay these trainings when it is what the voters want.
2) Everyone will agree that nursing assistants need more education, but nursing assistants are the lowest paid health care workers and they don't have the time or the money to get the additional hours of education that is required
3) This program is estimated to cost about $25 million. The govener needs to cut over $6 billion from the budget to balance it. That is 0.004% of the budget. It's not really high on the priority list. Why not just continue with the higher trainings and improve care. Maybe the higher trainings will improve care & end up decreasing healthcare costs overall by decreasing errors and other problems.
4) As a Director of Nursing, it is going to be really difficult to get the staff through 75 hours of training. But Nursing Homes have been getting their nursing assistants through a 4 week certification course for years. If they can do it, shouldn't we make the extra effort too?
What do you all think about I1029?
For the last 2 years, the Department of Social & Health Services (DSHS) and Department of Health (DOH) have struggled with how to institute these new training requirements under a strict budget.
The new training requirements went into law on 1/1/2011 under and emergency WAC. At the end of March, the govener proposes to delay this training another 2 years due to budget contraints.
I struggle with whether or not to delay these trainings. There are pros & cons to these delays.
1) The voters of Washington want these trainings. It passed with the highest margin in State history. It's hard for me to delay these trainings when it is what the voters want.
2) Everyone will agree that nursing assistants need more education, but nursing assistants are the lowest paid health care workers and they don't have the time or the money to get the additional hours of education that is required
3) This program is estimated to cost about $25 million. The govener needs to cut over $6 billion from the budget to balance it. That is 0.004% of the budget. It's not really high on the priority list. Why not just continue with the higher trainings and improve care. Maybe the higher trainings will improve care & end up decreasing healthcare costs overall by decreasing errors and other problems.
4) As a Director of Nursing, it is going to be really difficult to get the staff through 75 hours of training. But Nursing Homes have been getting their nursing assistants through a 4 week certification course for years. If they can do it, shouldn't we make the extra effort too?
What do you all think about I1029?
Welcome!
I decided to start writing about training issues that come across my desk, email and phone messages. Issues in Washington State legislature, Issues in adult learning, Issues in running my own business of teaching. Stay tuned and subscribe to keep up with new blog posts.
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