{The Difference}

Yesterday I was reminded of why I have chosen the profession that I have.  Nursing is not a career that one just wakes up and decides to take on.  It is more than just provided a person with physical care.

There are definite areas of nursing that I have fallen in love with.  Which area I will choose to specialize in remains to be seen.  One area that is not my favorite is geriatrics.  I know that is not my calling.  Throw me in with the ankle biters please! 

My clinical rotation for the last 2 weeks has had me on a medical/surgical floor.  These are patients that are in for various medical reasons.  And most of the time, these patients are much older.  And present you with many challenges!

I got my assignment on Tuesday and had a feeling that one patient would not be a cake walk.  This patient was not all that happy about being there…but really, who is?  So I proceed through my day.  Said patient is not overly talkative and answers to questions are brief.  Day ends and I expect to move on to different patients for Wednesday. 

Surprise!  We are keeping the same patients from the previous day.  My immediate thought was to just make it through the day.  So I get started with my morning routine.  And even though I am far from being a morning person, put on my happy face and smile.

Little did I know that the happy face and smile had made a difference.  The patient was a little more talkative, but not by much.  So at the end of the day I go in to take care of a few things and tell the patient bye.  That is when he commented to me that it is nice to see a smiling face and an overall happy person.

I have always known that our actions speak louder than words.  And our expressions are included in that as well.  But to actually hear how our actions affect someone will really make you stop in your tracks!

This is why I have chosen nursing.  It is much more than giving medications…it is care that involves all aspects of physical and emotional well being.  I know that the words of this patient will stick with me for many years.  And little did I realize that while I was taking care of him, he was changing my outlook as well!

{The Way It’s Meant To Be}

There are very few that can say they have been married for a significant number of years.  Marriage is not held in the same regard that previous generations held to. 

Thankfully there are still those that have stood beside each other through it all.  And I am honored that my grandparents are included in this group.  They are celebrating their 66th Anniversary today! Yep…they were married on this day back in 1945.  When they got married, my grandfather was 19 and my grandmother 16. 

Happy Anniversary Grandma & Grandpa…we love you both so very much!!!

{365-33}

WooHoo!  The ground hog didn’t see his shadow this morning.  Although I would love to believe that he is 100% accurate…I know that I am dreaming big!  Regardless, I am really ready to see Spring arrive and winter booted out the door.

{Summing It Up}

So this pretty much sums it up.  I am so over 4am mornings, care plans and nursing diagnoses!  June 9th 2011 cannot get here soon enough!!!  That is 129 days to be exact. 

{365-32}