Nursing Voices

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Things I Can't Live Without

Inspiration strikes! (finally.)


Well, ok. Shane tagged me, so I'm more or less compelled to seek out the inspiration to write... but this was fun, and I look forward to reading others' responses as well. Keep tabs on everyone who's been tagged for this meme at the Nursing Jobs blog.


I had to laugh while browsing through a few of the past "Things I Can't Live Without" articles on Inc.com, looking for that ever-elusive inspiration. The successful business owners who have been interviewed elaborate on the objects of value in their daily professional lives. They *can't live* without a whole lotta really expensive gadgets and gizmos. This is not what I had first planned to blog about when I imagined the most important aspects of my working world. I was thinking more along the lines of: I can't live without sleep, I can't live without the constant intellectual and emotional support of my co-workers, I can't live without hugs from my kids when I walk in the door...




In the interest of sticking to the topic, I'll conform to the heart of the idea. I'm not sure I can narrow it down to just four, but then again, my "things" aren't quite as extravagant as those Inc 500 folks, either. Keeping it simple and honest, here are the "things" that I can't live without:



Dansko Clogs $104.95

I heart my clogs. In all seriousness, I could not live without them, as my feet would likely go on strike. And with the miles I put on every night I work, this is not an option. I flirted with a few months of plantar fasciitis a couple of years ago, and don't care to be debilitated like that ever again. These clogs are awesome, durable, supportive, and best of all... blood and amniotic fluid-proof! They are worth the chunk of change.







At the same time, clogs and sterile blue scrubs are terribly bo-ring! Comfortable, but come ON. It's like wearing unflattering pajamas to work every night. So, I have about a gazillion pairs of fun socks, just to spice it up a bit, even if I'm the only one that can see them. I know they're there.



Johnson's softcream extra care healing hand cream $4.79

The effect of washing your hands approximately 501 times every night? Hands that are raw, chapped, cracking at the knuckles, and peeling between the fingers. Argh! I love this lotion, and it works.


bandage scissors $3.99

I keep a pair of my own bandage scissors in the back pocket of my scrubs, and I use them constantly throughout the night. Who knew that something so rudimentary could be absolutely essential?

clicky pens



Gotta love drug reps. Well, ok, not really. But I do love the pens that they leave lying around, usually transported to L&D in the pockets of the various docs that constitute a steady stream through the unit all day and night. I always like to have at least one "clicky" pen in my pocket... they're more user-friendly and they don't go launching out of my pocket every time I bend over like the regular Bic ones do.



However, I was flabbergasted to find these pens for sale on e-Bay. Hellooooo, people... they're FREE!


Confessions on the Dance Floor by Madonna $12.99



Ok, I admit it. I'm a Madonna fan. I just can't help it. This CD gets me psyched up for working, working out, doing laundry, whatever. When I'm not listening to NPR on the way to work, I'm listening to this for a guaranteed burst of energy.


What I Covet ...

A real vacation. $$$ way-more-than-I-can-afford.99


It's been years. Ideally, I'd love to take a trip to Europe. Doesn't even really matter where... England, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain. I'd take any or all of them, preferably with ample time for mindless wandering, lots of picture-taking, exploring castles and cemeteries, visiting museums and lounging at charming cafes. Ohhhhhh...



Who's Next...


I can't resist tagging Kim at Emergiblog. She's one of my favorite bloggers, plus I'm interested to see what "things" she can't live without!

JustCallMeJo over at Sinus Arrhythmia has an insightful and quirky take on the world of ICU nursing. What can't you live without, /jo?




Tag, you're it!
Plus, go check out Beth's "things" at PixelRN. Enjoy!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

LOL!

This is so cool!

I'll put some thought into that question and ping you when I post one. I'm goin up in the hills for a few days, but I will most definitely return to this.

Anonymous said...

You have ensured that I will forever be staring at nurses feet, wondering what sort of socks they're wearing. ^^

TwinMamaLinda said...

Great List!
I haven't been able to wear my Danskos because of my plantar fascitis! I have to know ... what finally worked? I have the custom orthotics and the exercises worked on the left foot - but the right is stubborn and it is nearly killing me.

I had two babies in one day with no medication - this HURTS! Can I get a walking epidural for my foot pain?

Thanks!
Linda

Cindy said...

A major thing I can't live without is online nursing employment websites. I'm always change hospital and I hope that one day I'll find the perfect atmosphere to be a nurse.

Lynx217 said...

I work in retail, and part of the job is food related, requiring a lot of handwashing. I had to go to the grocery store to find something that wouldn't wash right off but heal up my hands and found the same lotion you talked about, and you're right. It's God's gift to us working women. I think my hands are even softer than they were at birth! I wish I came across your blog before I had to go hunting for lotions, I would've had my answer much sooner - and with much less pain!

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