Welp, this day sucks already

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Psych, Peds, Education, Infection Control.

Got to work and found out a good friend at work (and outside of it) died unexpectedly. No one knows anything about the circumstances yet, but it's all just...so sad. We had a round of hugging and crying in the nursing office (where he used to work with us) and the hospital has been super supportive, but...I just need to get through this dang day. My heart is breaking for us and those he left behind, and I'm worried about the people who were even closer to him than I was.

On top of all that, when he transferred to a different position, I went from helping him with his stuff when he needed it to taking his old job. It's his old desk I'm at, with some of his personal stuff still in this office. I just dreamed of him last night, as I'm putting in last month's data, standing over my shoulder, going, "TOLD YA this isn't as easy as I made it look!" (There was also some affectionate profanity in there, but TOS.) Annnnd I have to go do a staff education lecture in...a half hour, so go and smile and be 100% on for our new employees. I'd rather just go home and cry or hole myself up in this office with my friend and office mate who was even closer to him than I was. But we both have mission-critical work to do here even if we're not in direct care and we don't have that luxury.

So, other than copious amounts of tea, any suggestions to help me focus and get through to at the very least get this data all in after my lecture is helpful. I could probably get an extension under the circumstances and I can apologize for not being 100% at the lectures...but I also feel like I owe it to my friend to kick this day's butt because that's what he'd have wanted.

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Specializes in ED, psych.

Audreysmagic, (((soft))) hugs. I'm so sorry for your loss.

You do the best you can do. Not 100% ... That's what he would have wanted.

That and add some of that affectionate profanity. Maybe not at your presentation, but to the winds. He'll hear you.

(((Hugs)))

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

^^ ditto ^^

Kick today's @ss!

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

My heart goes out to you, Audrey Smagic.

Go kick some butt. Then go take some time out for yourself when you can.

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Specializes in Psych, Peds, Education, Infection Control.

Thank you, guys. You're awesome. I got through the lecture portion of the day...now on to data input and copious amounts of tea.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

So sorry for the loss of a friend.

My department recently suffered the extremely unexpected passing of a very well-liked colleague- he just didn't come in one day. They arranged for someone from pastoral care to come and talk to the department as a whole during one of our regularly scheduled staff meetings as well as offered time to meet one on one for those who wanted to. It's amazing how much just taking the time to openly acknowledge the loss and talk about it can help. Lots of tears and tissues at that meeting, but it truly helped a lot of people.

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

No added words of wisdom, just more hugs. You're doing a great job of self-care. Take the time that you need.

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Specializes in Psych, Peds, Education, Infection Control.

I so appreciate the support from you all.

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Specializes in kids.

Big hugs, be gentle with yourself.

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Specializes in Case manager, float pool, and more.

I am sorry to hear of your loss. Be gentle with yourself and sending good vibes and cyber hugs your way.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

*hugs* I'm sorry for your loss.

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