A bit of perspective

First post of the new year. So far it's been off to a pretty great start. There have been a few bumps, yes, but the bumps are turning into bruises which are starting to heal. Finally. The other day I found this blog post that really REALLY spoke to me. I've heard the "just a nurse" phrase, but it's so much more than that. This post very much reflects my experience in the ICU as a last semester student, but also some of the thoughts I have experienced while working as well. It's very powerful, thoughtful and touching. Please enjoy.

A letter to the family of my ICU patient

For those of you who wonder why I act the way I do, this is why. Because in the past I have cried for patients. I dance at work sometimes while I'm charting or whatnot. I joke and cut up with my patients; it's a good day if I can make a patient laugh or smile. Yes. I am a psych nurse. It's a different kind of nursing in my opinion. It's not like working on a floor where I would have anywhere from 4-8 patients on any given day. I've had 4 patients, and I've had 18 patients. It really just depends. I've been asked what I do, and I tell people I do a lot. I give meds, I do a lot of education and teaching, but most importantly I try and heal. Sometimes it doesn't go well; sometimes I freak out. On the inside. That's why I dance, joke around and "act spunky." I'm not just doing it for them; I'm doing it for me too. I don't do it for those reasons all the time; it's usually just cause I'm in the mood.

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