The Energizer Bunny

Lately, I've gotten a little bit of a taste of reality as the newbie once again. Asking questions, trying to seek information, all the while not wanting to be too pushy or just flat out annoying. I'm so grateful that so far my other nurses have been so very helpful and willing to help me out! That was one of the things I was most worried about when I started travel nursing, and it still holds true today. When I change assignments, I'm going to have to do this over and over and over again. Not to mention I've been a little under the weather lately, so I've felt bad for my co workers having to deal with my germs (not too worry; I've been taking extra precautions. It's just a cold, no big deal). But yesterday, I was faced with some challenging attitudes that I foresee may become an obstacle later on down the road. I'm trying not to let that become the case, but after only one day it's already posed a set of frustrations; not just from me but from other staff as well. I'm still in that window in which I'm trying to make a good impression, and so far I think I'm doing ok. I'm still trying to read some of my co workers, and one of the challenges I ran into yesterday was my high energy level. Ask anyone I've ever worked with, and they will tell you the same thing: I have a LOT of energy when I'm working. So of course I was off doing my thing yesterday and it caught the attention of one of my co workers. "How do you do it?" They asked me, "you're like the Energizer bunny." I answer that question all the time and I don't care to, but the tone in which it was asked....almost carried a negative connotation and a "I don't like this. I don't understand it." My answer was simple; it's a choice. It's always a choice. We are responsible for our attitudes wherever we are on any given day, and it's a responsibility and a privilege. The way you carry yourself can completely drive the ship for everyone else you're around, in a good way or a bad way.

It takes little effort to complain, whine, be negative and just drag everyone down. But it takes an extreme amount of effort to be happy, start the day on a good foot and just keep going with a smile on your face when you're extremely tired and just want to crash, especially when your day starts at 6am. Because let's face, who really wants to be happy and upbeat at 6 in the morning??!!! That's what I do; I make a conscious effort to just keep going and be positive. I walk into work, say good morning to the security guard when I sign in, put my stuff away, say good morning to my co workers, get my patients then start my day. I sincerely believe what I do is a ministry, and I'm simply just trying to be more like Jesus. Period. I'm only at this place for a short time, and I'm going to do my darndest to leave a good impression when I walk out the door come the beginning of December. I've learned in my life that we question things we don't understand. When we see someone going against the grain of the norm or against what they do, it's a natural inclination to question it. When someone stands out, you want to know why. I'm not planning on changing who I am anytime soon, so I when someone calls me the Energizer Bunny, I'm just going to take it as a compliment!

A little food for thought