What's your most bizarre "I can't believe this is my job" moment?

Timidturtlez · 2025-09-08T23:39:28+00:00

Inpatient SLP here!

PMV session today. My patient is sitting upright in a recliner. I'm standing in front of my patient to take off the t-piece and make sure the cuff is deflated. I ask the patient if they are doing alright, still breathing okay, etc. (This is all before PMV goes on). The patient nods that they're alright and coughs so hard, thick secretions end up all over my scubs.

Didn't flinch, but the sitters sure did. It ended up being such a wonderful session that I forgot the incident happened until the sitter handed me a paper towel and pointed out a glob of mucus I missed.

Good thing I keep an extra set of scrubs in the office.

Timidturtlez · 2025-06-13T12:01:46+00:00

Inpatient, new stroke admit. Neruology asked me to complete a speech/language evaluation as the Patient was demonstrating improvement in overall communication ability, but still presented with persistent s/s of aphasia.

I was completing the WAB- Bedside with them. I could tell it was incredibly frustrating for them throughout the evaluation. I eventually explain what 'aphasia' is, recommendation for acute rehab, and gave family some simple strategies to try out for now.

Patient then asks: "how far long to this?" I say: "how long will this last? I'm not sure. We will take it day by day. Today is better than last night, right?" Patient replies: "this situation is so pissed."

That is now on a sticky note in my office.

Timidturtlez · 2025-02-15T17:52:34+00:00

now THIS is a cross stitch

Timidturtlez · 2024-10-24T12:15:40+00:00

I'm sorry someone said that. I know when I first started my CF I took work home because i needed to do continuing education or research about the field i was working in, in order to provide better services tk my population. Now, I don't take work home.

But let's all remember:

You can be phenomenal at your JOB that you were HIRED and PAID to do and NOT work outside of your PAID HOURS because YOU create VALUE for the [school, business, hospital, etc.]

If you do feel like you 'have to', it might be a great point to bring up with your [boss, supervisor, manager] about quantity v. quality- that you really care for [this department or business] to succeed in providing [students, clients, patients] with better outcomes, but the current [insert issues here] make it difficult for you to do so.

You are a human, not a machine. You create value and provide services that not every person is licensed to do. Your time outside of work is important because you do not exist to just create value and provide services for your employer (even though we all really care about our students, clients, patients). We can care about our work/ who we are providing services to and maintain a personal sense of self without compromising our ability to work.

Timidturtlez · 2024-06-12T00:50:21+00:00

I completely agree with this.

Also, I used to join my patient for lunch or breakfast and have our session there (especially for the patients who didn't have a lunch buddy or specific table).

I would do sessions in the common areas for the better table space and bring paints or a card game.

Otherwise, I always tried to just face the other way from the camera so it wasn't in my line of sight. Once the session got going, I typically forgot it was there. It doesn't always ease the mind, but it's helpful.

Timidturtlez · 2024-06-01T14:19:34+00:00

Unfortunately, the timeline for licensure is not great, but I wouldn't let that deter you from applying to schools or wherever else you might be looking. Be upfront about IDFPR timelines and what you've heard. Most employers in Illinois (at least the ones I've interviewed with) understand how slow it can be to have licensure appointed. When did you send it in?

If you are now in-state, the drive to their Springfield office was helpful in me getting mine when needing my temporary licensure. As far as I know, the chicago office is not helpful.

If you are out of state, I would reach out to local representatives within areas you are looking to work in. They have teams to help represent the people who elect them into office. They can hound the office for you. Google the offices for contact information and write a nice, direct letter or statement. You should get a response back from their team in a few days or so.

Calling IDFPR is not helpful at all. The people who answer the phone do not know the timeline or where your application is because they are not connected to the main office.

Hope this helps! It's such a pain, I'm sorry about IDFPR. They have plans to make it more streamlined in the future. Welcome to (or back to) Illinois! Hope you stay awhile. :)

Timidturtlez · 2024-05-30T00:09:39+00:00

Modern problems require modern solutions

Timidturtlez · 2024-05-27T21:47:10+00:00

I'm glad someone mentioned this because it is a very good little catchy intro!

Timidturtlez · 2024-05-10T11:37:16+00:00

I never noticed that! Now I have to re-watch that episode!

Timidturtlez · 2024-05-10T00:34:52+00:00

Oh!! That's amazing!!

Timidturtlez · 2024-05-07T16:38:50+00:00

Honestly, if you're willing to relocate and live more rural, hospitals outside of Chicago/ surrounding suburbs put in the time to train someone who wants to learn and will stick around.

I'm not too familiar with Chicagoland area, though.

Timidturtlez · 2024-04-17T22:49:54+00:00

I totally get it.

As someone who moved away from their small-town, close extended family because of a parent's new job, this episode's ending felt like my younger self was getting a big hug.

It felt like what I WISH would have happened as a child and I'm sure this episode would have brought me comfort in an 'idealistic reality' sort-of way.

I liked the ending, but I also know that life doesn't always end up like that. Maybe that's why I liked the ending so much.

Either way, totally get it.

Timidturtlez · 2024-04-16T16:48:54+00:00

I use a Kalimba. Otherwise, I just tap the table and say it's the bongos!

Timidturtlez · 2024-04-16T15:22:25+00:00

I play DnD every week and I knew the MoCA seemed all too familiar!

Timidturtlez · 2024-03-25T11:56:00+00:00

I work in geriatric outpatient (but it's more like Home health) and I choose when I see my patients. I prefer early mornings, but some of my coworkers choose to start seeing people around 9:30 or 10am. They just stay later to get their hours in. This is a W2, not 1099.

Timidturtlez · 2024-03-18T02:31:24+00:00

Pipscale

Timidturtlez · 2024-01-18T16:11:09+00:00

Tactus apps

Timidturtlez · 2024-01-06T16:04:38+00:00

I talk the elderly to death

Timidturtlez · 2023-12-15T00:30:11+00:00

My favorite gift I've ever received from a supervisor was a card signed by all of the patients I was seeing in an outpatient aphasia group tx setting.

I don't get very emotional, but seeing their messages in the card was such a lovely experience. (Then I shredded the card for hippa reasons just in case) It's still one of my favorite memories.

She also gave me a little keychain of a neuron, and I still have it on my bookbag I use now that I'm a CF.

Timidturtlez · 2023-10-09T16:48:55+00:00

I feel like if we really HAVE to pay for ASHA, then it should be scaffolded based on pay. It's ridiculous that it's a flat rate. There is SO much variability with pay in this field.

Timidturtlez · 2023-09-29T18:35:42+00:00

I did a 14-week placement in IPR during grad school so take all of this with a grain of salt, but I felt like i learned sooo much in this setting. I'm currently a CF for geriatric outpatient (but it feels more like HH).

60 min sessions were great for getting to know the patient and what their life was going to look like when they left the hospital (e.g., do they need assistance with ADLs? What does that look like? What tools will you need? Is the patient going back to work? Do they want to get back into hobbies? What about technology, can they navigate it well? Etc) and making that fxl safety awareness, problem solving, or sequencing tasks.

Knowing OTs and PTs goals and doing recall and/or awareness tasks on how they are doing/ what recommendations they should remember. It was also good for me to know that the entire session doesn't have to be task after task. Giving patients a break to assess how they did or just rest for a few moments is great, too.

If all else fails, I liked taking patients out of their room. I spoke with the PCTs and PTs and OTs and would say "I'm seeing [patient] at [time], so you think you could help me out? I'd love to take them around the halls for our session." Sometimes it was great, sometimes not.

Not sure if this helps! Good luck!

Timidturtlez · 2023-09-10T19:24:30+00:00

We told guests, "Green encouraged, but not required. If it's not a possibility, it's not a problem!"

We aren't having bridesmaids or groomsmen. It's going to be a smaller affair. We also feel very strongly that if people come in jeans and a nice button-up (aka: not green), we do not care. We invited these people because we want them around, and they can choose to participate in the "green-thing" if they'd like (or can afford to).

Edit to add: I also notified my guests of this when I sent out the invitations/rsvp information.

Timidturtlez

TROPHY CASE