Don't Be Angry (Long)

[doesntlookgood]

Oh Boy, I really stepped in it this time.

In my last installment of Don't Be Angry, I related an incident that was rather distressing. The story was true, but I am also guilty of neglecting to mention that the incident occurred 12 years ago. As a result, I inadvertently alarmed a number of members of this fine board, and I was subsequently contacted by a Moderator with their concerns as well.

'Ay Caramba!

- Bart Simpson

I wanted to take this opportunity to express my sincere apologies for any distress I caused. I really wasn't trying to be dramatic, but I felt that the "epiphany" was important to the message. Especially for some of the younger board members.

Nursing is HARD.

Hard physically.

Hard intellectually.

Hard emotionally.

Nursing takes its "pound of flesh" from its practitioners. When one works hard every day, day-in and day-out, the time passes quickly. The days turn into weeks, and the seasons come and go almost in a blur. Children grow in the blink of an eye (even your own children!). One day you turn around and find your kids don't want to go Trick-Or-Treating any more.

Turn Around And They're Two

Turn Around And They're Four

Turn Around...

They're Out The Door

Remember how I mentioned the self-sacrifices most Nurses make?

That's such a double-edged sword. It's what makes you different (and better) than most people, but left unchecked, it can also be your own worst enemy. Relentlessly sucking every last bit of physical / emotional / spiritual energy until there is simply no more to give. And one day you look in the mirror and say "WTF"?

Remember the first of the "Three R's"?

Respect For Yourself

Get some balance. If you're walking down the street and feel you're in danger...you probably are. If you're sitting alone at home with a cocktail in your hand, and you think maybe you should ease up on the booze...you're probably right. If everything you do revolves around Nursing / Healthcare...so with my hat in my hands, and my eyes lowered I would like to offer the following advice.

TAKE YOUR VACATIONS

Even if you can't afford to go anywhere. Go to bed early. Wake up late. If you are desperate for money, get a side job with NO PATIENT CONTACT.

TREAT YOURSELF RIGHT

Do your best to take time to exercise, and eat right whenever you can. However, anecdotal evidence shows that occasional chocolate relapses can be a good thing.

TRY TO HAVE AT LEAST ONE FRIEND WHO IS NOT A NURSE

Try it...it won't kill 'ya.

EVERYONE NEEDS A HOBBY

Just make sure it's legal.

GET ONE OF THOSE PAY-AS-YOU-GO CELL PHONES

And tell your employer to use that as your only contact number. If no one else has the number and the phone rings, you'll know who it is.

EVERY PIECE OF DOCUMENTATION THAT TOUCHES YOUR HANDS / EVERY APP ON YOUR ELECTRONIC DEVICE

Doesn't HAVE to be about healthcare.

In a previous posting I warned of offended sensibilities...here it comes:

IF YOUR EMPLOYER IS TREATING YOU HARSHLY ON A REGULAR BASIS

Look in the mirror and using the critical / logical thought processes you utilize every day at work, check your perspective. If after careful analysis, you're convinced that you're accurate, start looking for another employer. We all understand what is happening with the economy, but it will eventually turn. You need to be ready.

If you're a woman...put your "big girl" panties on and get over it.

If you're a man...Grow a Pair and Man-Up.

When the economy turns, you need to be ready to pull the damned trigger. Your might have to leave your city or even your state. Start thinking about that, but in the meantime always provide the highest quality patient care you are able. If your employer is really crappy, if they are SO disrespectful of your intellect, your skill, your training, your CARE, your Quality Of Life.

Then F-them.

When the time is right, dump their azz like a soiled panty liner and never look back. Would you tolerate that treatment from a spouse or a lover?

Remember the "First R".

I have my own business. My name is on the door. Business is good, and things are going better than I imagined. I DO NOT take my customers for granted, not ever. I am ENTITLED to make a profit from my efforts, and my customers are ENTITLED to my best efforts for their money. Having said that however, I have had two situations where I've decided to terminate a relationship with a customer. Every encounter with them was negative...no matter what I did it was never good enough. I could walk in front of a commuter train and they wouldn't be satisfied. Those two customers are now...

SOMEONE ELSE'S PROBLEM

Heaven love 'ya all. But I would NEVER date a nurse.

HAH!

DLG

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I'm not familiar with your other alarming post, but this one offers excellent advice.

Can you clarify what you mean by "EVERY PIECE OF DOCUMENTATION THAT TOUCHES YOUR HANDS / EVERY APP ON YOUR ELECTRONIC DEVICE"

[Music in My Heart]

Can you clarify what you mean by "EVERY PIECE OF DOCUMENTATION THAT TOUCHES YOUR HANDS / EVERY APP ON YOUR ELECTRONIC DEVICE"

Tweety, I think that line needs to be porificed with the next line:

EVERY PIECE OF DOCUMENTATION THAT TOUCHES YOUR HANDS / EVERY APP ON YOUR ELECTRONIC DEVICE... Doesn't HAVE to be about healthcare.

[doesntlookgood]

Hey Tweety:

Thanks for the kind words!

If you look in the Technology area of this board, you'll see members loading all sorts of Medical apps on their Palm devices / Smart Phones. That is a good thing, but don't forget about some music and maybe a game or three. If Nursing is anything like Aviation or Technology, there is a plethora of magazines / journals just waiting for your attention.

Nurses especially, relish being at the "top of their game". That IS a good thing, but sometimes you 'gotta let up.

Once in a while read something besides a trade publication.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

Thanks for dumping those customers. It's nice to know someone thinks we're not nuts.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Gotcha!

[AlabamaBelle]

I've taken the good advice you've given. My iTouch has some of the silliest games you've ever seen and my Blackberry is getting loaded with much the same. And my music - how I love my music on my devices!!!

Darn, I wish I could make those Disney Fairies fly a whole lot better, I keep clobbering the poor girls!