Watchme81

"I just work here"...is common in my workplace. A coworker of mine, known clever jokester, would say the ECMO slogan should be, "this may hurt a bit".

We have NAs in our PICU. They run samples to the lab, stock our bedside carts, fold linens, stock blanket warmers, retrieve blood products from blood bank that aren't in our Hemosafe, answer phones when the unit clerk is on break, empty garbages & linen bags, and some of them help with repositioning of larger patients (not all of them are comfortable with, or want to do that). They are also responsible for retrieving the necessary equipment for emergency surgeries that can happen in the unit. While some of them put more effort into their duties than others, we definitely notice if there aren't any on shift! Definitely valuable team members.

My daughters are currently 10 & 8. I was a nurse for 4 years before I had my first child. I thought that being a mother working in peds would make the job more difficult emotionally, but I don't think it did. I'm still able to compartmentalize work from home fairly well. I do, however, appreciate the fact that they are healthy every day. I don't worry too much about what could happen to them, but that didn't stop me one night from calling an ambulance, unnecessarily, after my critical thinking skills were impaired by a few adult beverages, ha ha. That was only one time! When they get sick/injured, I don't think of myself as too much of a "coddler". I may have threatened an NG tube once or twice for my youngest who was refusing oral antibiotics. I am a stickler for helmets and any other sports/play time PPE. My youngest daughter's doll even has a bike helmet. My now 13 year old step son had a *near* near miss, car vs. cyclist in the spring of this year. He got an earful from me (and everyone else), about the benefits of helmets vs. headphones. Side rant: It amazes me these days how many children/adolescents are walking and cycling to school, paying absolutely no attention to their surroundings. Pround moment last week when my eldest actually ASKED if she could get a flu shot this year (WIN). Half the time my girls are at their dad's (divorce), so I feel like there is plenty of me for them...since I miss them so much when they are away! They always get lots of hugs and love from me

I've had many a dream/nightmare. One of them involved admitting more patients than physical beds, and just admitting them into a floor space. Nursing care on the literal floor. Stepping over ventilator tubing.

I think you really just have to go with your gut. If it's not for you, that's okay. I've seen lots of people switch within the first year, they realize once they're in it, it's not for them. Keep looking for someplace you will be happy!

Know anyone that sews? Then you could pick your own pattern.