I Cry Watching Rudolph....

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B

And other holiday specials were people are mean to the underdog. Been this way since I was a child. What that did for me was help me to decide to help people less fortunate. To stand up for those who can't or won't for themselves.

And a nurse was born. But not without a price. To seperate one's own self from one's nursing self is a difficult thing. Old habits are hard to break, and so for nurses who are sensitive as people, need to learn how to be not so sensitive as nurses. If we let patients, coworkers, managment sling mud on our nose, it hides a guiding light.

We see people who are in a bad inner place. Who are vulnerable. Who feel as if they have lost all control. So it would be logical that there are a number of patients that are not at the top of their game. They can be cranky--down right rude, demanding, illogical. It is hard when a nurse needs to put her boots on and help the patient to focus. To see the light at the end of the tunnel--either literally or figuartively. Nurses are guides. We need to light the way, so that the patient can benefit from good health, better health, or highest possible function.

So we need to get our own thought process in order. To realize, believe and know that this is not about us at work, but it is all about us when not at work. In order to do our best for patients, we need to do the best for ourselves.

Or we are burnt out. Like Rudolphs nose could be. Through the thick fog that is sometimes a nurse's brain, we need to keep the light. And keep things light--humor helps.

Very few people go into nursing because the accounting class was full. There is a theme that one wants to be in the people business. Some believe nursing to be their calling, their mission--and I applaud those nurses. But remember to keep it light, even in the face of incredible odds. Someone needs to be the grown-up, and most of the time it is the nurse.

Remember, you are facing patients that are in a place where their life (and sometimes in a split second) where everything is about to change. Sometimes from now on. And with that burden comes heavy cost to a nurse's psyche at the end of the day. So be good to you. Remember to first be a nurse to yourself.

There is not much we can truly control in life, but our actions and response to those who are in an alternate place than we are. Additionally, what we do when the day is done.

Perhaps a corny analogy, however, nurses may not be flying over rooftops with a red nose a-glow, but to let your light shine, rest when you need to...these are all good things.

I Cry Watching Rudolph....

About jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B

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