You would think that being able to test for a disease or a condition is always a good thing, and we should do whatever tests we can to be certain we are making the right decisions or giving the best care. You would be right, sort of. It is pretty much always better to beContinue reading “To test or not to test …”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Plans vs life
The past 13 days have been interesting. I read somewhere about an ancient curse that goes like this, “May you live in interesting times”. The past two weeks have been cursed if you accept that definition. After nearly two years of remaining free of the COVID-19 virus, our remote town has seen an outbreak, andContinue reading “Plans vs life”
Transferring knowledge and skills
I have almost completed my updated Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40116) and it’s been an interesting experience. In my professional life I teach adults all the time, in clinical education and in the SES (emergency services). What fascinated me was the common ground between a) workplace education and training, b) higher education viaContinue reading “Transferring knowledge and skills”
The “Sunk Cost” Fallacy
Some time ago, in a land far away (Victoria to be exact), I purchased a really sweet vehicle. It was a wheelchair capable people mover, and it was at that time the most well-appointed vehicle I had ever owned. It seemed to be a good price, and being a little short on time and money,Continue reading “The “Sunk Cost” Fallacy”
Holiday planning 2022 style
Ten years after I wrote about the difficulties in planning a holiday with a disabled spouse, I find myself still doing it. Now that’s a surprise! Over the past 10 years, Anita has gradually become more restricted in her movements, and now cannot move her hands, right arm, or legs at all, and only weakContinue reading “Holiday planning 2022 style”
Inspiration and Encouragement – ACN National Nursing Forum 2018
I attended the Australian College of Nursing’s (ACN) National Nursing Forum (NNF2018) at the end of August 2018. My reason for attending was that I needed a boost of inspiration and enthusiasm for my chosen profession. Getting to the Gold Coast from Tennant Creek was expensive and time-consuming, the hire car and accommodation added toContinue reading “Inspiration and Encouragement – ACN National Nursing Forum 2018”
Making Mistakes
It has been said that “to err is human” yet there are endeavours in which error cannot be accepted. The airline industry is an obvious example, and the nuclear industry is another. Dose this mean that to be safe we need to remove humans from the equation? The short answer is ‘Yes’ and that isContinue reading “Making Mistakes”
Motivating staff to own up to mistakes
Ever wondered how to motivate staff to report mistakes such as medication errors or minor injuries at work? I’ve spent time in many workplaces over the years, in agriculture, volunteering, healthcare, and education. Each workplace has had its differences, and issues, but in every one of them I saw people hiding their errors. Mostly thisContinue reading “Motivating staff to own up to mistakes”
2015 Family Update letter
Here we are again, after a three-year gap. This year I am actually writing a letter! It’s not that there was nothing to say about 2012-2014, just that by the time I got around to writing each year it was halfway into the next year. So I thought I’d just wait a bit longer andContinue reading “2015 Family Update letter”
Cars vs Cows
A couple of weeks ago we had a trip to Adelaide suddenly terminated. We hit a large cow on the Stuart Highway in the Transit van. The end of the story – the van was written off, we’re all OK, the cow is dead.I’ve seen plenty of people who have experienced a collision with aContinue reading “Cars vs Cows”
John's Blog - Rants and Rambles from the NT 