I'm sure everyone has read a job description that ends with the catch all phrase:

"And other duties as required". As a night nurse, I can tell you that part of my job description can sometimes be the sum total of my job description. We are the ones who, when no one else can, or knows how or whatever, always find a way to gather the spit and the baling wire and make it work.

Tonight though, was, to me, hilarious. The oxygen and air tanks on our transport isolette were empty. So who ya gonna call? Respiratory therapy. Or so I thought.

Turns out, no one really has that job, so for the first time in 24 years, I figured out where the tanks were, how to replace them and then the funniest part - I realized the O rings were worn out. Not because I'm super nurse, but because 20 years ago, I was a scuba diver and you always, always, put your own gear together. It's like packing your own parachute - to do otherwise is to play roulette with your life. And O rings can save or end your life.

The reason the tanks were both empty was because of those O rings. Luckily a nurse on another unit knew where to find some replacements. Then, I needed to explain to everyone that even empty tanks must be stored on their side or in a containment structure because empties can still blow their tops and kill someone if they fall over. Again, not super nurse, just an ex - diver.

Other duties as required. Oh, and I wasn't even supposed to be at work last night.