Nursing (A to Z Challenge)

“Put your oxygen mask on first, caring for others requires taking care of yourself first”  ~ Jennifer Juneau, RN

It’s hard to believe it but I’ve been a nurse for 100 years!  Or at least it feels like it some days.

One of the reasons I wanted to become a nurse was because I care about people and I highly value compassion.  In the real world of nursing, time is a big factor in being able to give the proper amount to patients and I had to adjust to minimal time.  I also had to adjust to minimal bathroom breaks and skipping or scarfing down my lunch in 10 minutes flat.  Then it was my pager going off at all hours for emergencies and to this day that beep scares me 😛  Years later, I discovered the maximum benefits of having a massage and pedicure for my tired body and feet.

Florence Nightingale would be proud of me and my cold hands, warm heart 😉

Speaking from experience, nurses are not very good at taking care of themselves because they are too busy taking care of everyone else.  This is a true fault ask any nurse but I’ve learned my lesson and now I practice self-care.  Nurses are also the worst patients, ask any nurse or doctor for that matter.  I’ve been on the other side of that intravenous needle and let me tell you, it’s no party but I can empathize with my patients more because of it.

I’ve worked in three different specialties which have been very rewarding; the Operating room, Fertility In vitro fertilization and Women’s health.  Each area has its ups and downs just like life and I think being a nurse has made me who I am today.  I care deeply about people and nursing has allowed me to connect with them on so many different levels because nurses spend the most time with patients one on one.  I’ve sat with patients who cried then I went home and cried; after all, we’re human too.  Nursing is a great profession because we can promote and teach about health, prevent and treat disease and help people cope with illness and surgery.  It is an exciting high tech world with the equipment we use and sometimes we even show the doctors how to use it.  Those are fun but rare moments.  Patients are the best because they often give nurses hugs and even chocolate.  I love both so they always put a smile on my face 😀

I’m grateful for my nursing profession it’s been quite a journey so far.  I’m also grateful for all the patients, fellow nurses, doctors, managers, secretaries, cleaning staff and co-workers I’ve met along the way.  You are all amazing people!

Do you have any stories about nurses?  Be nice….

 

Much Love ❤

Jen
xo