So much to blog, so little time. I haven’t had as much time to blog recently. I am no longer working my usual weekend shifts. The upside to this is that I have more time with my hubby on the weekends. The downside is that I have started working swing shifts. Ugh! I feel like I’m living in a state of permanent jet lag. It also means that I don’t have as much time to blog. I think I’m going through withdrawal. My hands are shaking and I have beads of sweat rolling down my forehead. Not that I’m addicted or anything. I can quit blogging whenever I want. Just sayin.’

As much as I may gripe about the Greatest Hospital In the World, I know I’m lucky. I have a job. Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America, by Barbara Ehrenreich, is one of my favorite books. It was written several years ago, but is more relevant today than ever. Life on my unit is now in full swing since the collapse of the US economy. Of course I cannot, nor will I ever talk about specific patient cases, but let’s just say that there are a lot of people out there freaking out since the housing market crashed, and business on our unit couldn’t be better. People are losing their financial security, and with it, their peace of mind. I’m hearing a lot of stories from patients that remind me of stories that my grandparents told me about the Great Depression.

I added a new website in my blogroll that addresses America’s new financial reality. Check out this picture from their blog. A couple of out of work journalists with a wicked sense of humor created my favorite new website. Unemploymentality is a website that documents the lifestyle of the unemployed. I think they should set up a PayPal account. They should at least get a little something for their effort. Check out their blog and leave a comment. Tell them Mother Jones, RN sent you.