Nurse Writing Nook BSN, RN

Self-care has become a band-aid to fix a gaping stab wound. And by gaping stab wound, I mean the work environments we are forced to endure every shift as nurses. The system is broken. We are not broken So why is self-care thrown out as the a...

Great article! So many great tips here. I never saw myself as a writer. I have fallen in love with it though. I'm finding it very therapeutic as well.

I’ve loved Christmastime for as long as I can remember. The twinkling and colorful lights. Time spent with family. Hot apple cider and sugar cookies. Christmas trees and sleigh bells. Hot chocolate and sitting by the fire. The music, food, and movies...

Great article! I do agree with the above comment. Why does it fall on our shoulders to fix a broken system that is burning us out? We give give give and yet no one gives to us. So, it's up to us to take care of ourselves and we have nothing left to g...

I loved reading this! What a great story. It really is tough working on the holidays, but it's truly an honor to be a part of these intense and personal times in the lives of these patients and their families. Truly heartwarming. I know that family w...

Fortunately I don't get migraines and I rarely have headaches. But, I remember one night working in the NICU, I was in a pod with 3 babies, all under photo tx. By the end of the night I had a terrible headache. It was horrible!

Great article, Brenda!

Thank you! Spot on! We all have our more challenging shifts, and it's understandable to vent or complain here and there, especially over the last year and a half. But, there are a few nurses (and fortunately it's a fairly small number) that c...

At the start of the Covid-19 Pandemic, employers wanted to help us. Right? That’s what they claimed, anyway. They were providing therapy and someone to talk to. While I’m not dismissing therapy, as it can be helpful and it’s strongly recommended, I’m...

Thanks so much! Yes, it really is good for us. And it seems like we hear it all the time, but we just dismiss it and don't realize how crucial it is!

Let’s go back to the beginning All of that crying started right out of nursing school. That first year of nursing was hard, but those first few months were incredibly tough. Three months of orientation and I would cry and/or throw up before each ...

Yes, we absolutely do!

Terrifying

That's a great way of putting it. I agree about the group support. Even though I've never been a fan of the debriefs or generic "we care about your mental health" crap that the hospital puts out there. I've been finding writing to be an outlet and ju...

All of this. Everything you wrote is what I've noticed lately. I used to cry and now I don't. This is so profound. How do we heal from this? Do we?

That's a great way of putting it. It's not as raw anymore. I guess we all grow and change throughout all these experiences.

This is exactly me. When I was writing this and reflecting back, I honestly couldn't remember the last time I cried with a parent while their baby died. I obviously feel bad, but empty is pretty much how I feel too. Glad I'm not alone in this. ...

Thank you so much for all your kind words, means a lot. I hope you're able to get some rest. Please take care of yourself.

That's just terrible! I've been fortunate that I haven't had that experience with the rotating schedules. It's just 12 hour days or nights at my hospital. The rotating shifts would be an absolute nightmare! And so unhealthy.

“We hope you’ll be able to make it to the birthday party Saturday. I know you work Saturday nights, but it’s at 2 pm, so you’ll have plenty of time before your shift starts. Hope to see you then!” “Sorry, but I also work Friday nights, so 2 pm w...

Making better use of days off is so important! That's good you're looking at getting involved with all those things. Really have to enjoy all those precious hours away from work.

Great points! I went out to breakfast with my parents a lot after my shift (last shift of the week, didn't have to go back that night). I got lunch and they got breakfast, it was perfect.

Great tips! I love how you incorporated the song titles, great article! Getting that flashback is a bit of a rush, literally LOL. You go from being terrified to overjoyed, and hope it flushes.

That doesn't sound bad! But did you have to do 5 days a week?

Interesting! Even after 10 years. Have you tried switching it around and it just doesn't work?