Life Lessons 101

okay, so the previous post took me over a week to post, so i'm playing catch up. I had an interesting experience happen to me today. Most days that I work, I tend to have some eventful story to share, but today was just ONE of THOSE days. You know... the days that you just don't seem to end. I love my job. Well, actually I simply just love nursing, and I happen to have a great job. 95% of the time, my job is busy and hard, but the other 5% I wonder why I wake up to go to work, wipe bums, brush teeth, give meds, etc... I must say, I think most nurses feel this way; the majority of the time our job gets overlooked, but let me tell you it's not easy (but I promise it's worth it). Today i was reminded of why I do my job. It isn't for the glamour and glitz, because trust me, there isn't any... It's for the people who realize what we really do.

Today was a horrible day at work. After 930am, anything that could go wrong, did go wrong. I have not had this bad of a day in a long time, if ever. I really struggled with one of my patients family members, but tried and tried my hardest to keep her happy and to remember that caring for the family is as important as caring for the patient. After a very long, LONG day (i swear the 12 was only 4 hours it went by so fast and I as so far behind), the family member that I had struggled with reminded me, very graciously, in a way that I will never forget, why I do what I do. I love my patients...no my job is not glamorous...but I was meant to be a nurse. As bad as today was, it was worth every moment. Tomorrow, I get to get up, go to work, and get the opportunity to care and love for people who need it in the most difficult times of their lives. I'm grateful after today that I don't get applauded or put on a pedastool for what I do. If I did, it wouldn't make my job as special, or the moments like today as special. I am a nurse because I love it and because people need me to care for them. Do what you do because you love it and want to do it. Don't do it for any other reason.