Sometimes, you have to feel grateful

[JerseyTomatoMDCrab, BSN]

I am by no means one of those zen, totally at peace, "I was meant for this job, this is why I was put on this earth" kind of nurses. I was put on this Earth to nap and eat and I still have those days when I wonder out loud why I HAVE to go to work. Yesterday was a nightmare and made me grouchy for the rest of the evening. Even the thought of the upcoming 3 day weekend couldn't cheer me up.

But there are some moments on some days where I feel truly grateful and so happy at my school. One of my 4th grade friends makes it a point to come in once a week to give me a hug and wish me a good day. A kindergartener who I cleaned up after a massive poop event gave me a Valentine. A student with autism running in to say how much she missed me during our snow days. Snow days in general! These tiny things are the times I try my best to focus on when things get tough.

I just feel very lucky and hope you, my coworkers and internet pals, have some similar moments today and every day. Happy Friday!

[Farawyn]

I did.

2 senior girls came in just to say Hi. Between classes. Not trying to get out of anything. We had a nice chat. They are very poised and warm young ladies.

Thankful that most of my kids are not actually "sick patients."

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

Love checking in with the seniors on their college plans, seems like yesterday they were scared freshmen!

[Farawyn]

Love checking in with the seniors on their college plans, seems like yesterday they were scared freshmen!

It's bittersweet for sure. Most of these kids are my kids' friends. I've known most of them since they were about 4.

[GdBSN, RN]

A lot of times we post on this board because we need to vent to someone else "who gets it." Most of the kids I take care of are great kids, and I hope I make a impact on their lives. I have kids come by my clinic just to say hi and give me hugs. I can walk down the hallway and classes of kids wave to me and say hi, and show me their loose teeth. That's the love that keeps me going.

[NanaPoo]

Oh, yes. I spend a lot of my time griping about the fakers and the whiners and the kids that try to cut out of school but I just love the littles who the Nurse is their hero.

The Kindergarteners and 1st graders are still young enough to think I'm the greatest ever...then they get smart, I guess. One sweet 1st grader hugs me every time she sees me, even if it's only been 5 minutes since she saw me last. She always tells me how her mom is a nurse, too and how her mom wears scrubs. And if her class is walking down the hall at the same time as me, I have to hold hands with her as we go. :) I'll be so sad when she grows up.

[Farawyn]

Oh, yes. I spend a lot of my time griping about the fakers and the whiners and the kids that try to cut out of school but I just love the littles who the Nurse is their hero.

The Kindergarteners and 1st graders are still young enough to think I'm the greatest ever...then they get smart, I guess. One sweet 1st grader hugs me every time she sees me, even if it's only been 5 minutes since she saw me last. She always tells me how her mom is a nurse, too and how her mom wears scrubs. And if her class is walking down the hall at the same time as me, I have to hold hands with her as we go. :) I'll be so sad when she grows up.

No, it will be awesome. The little kids are cute, but when you see the adult personality and integrity emerging it's pretty darn great as well.

We talk about books, music, politics, fads, Zika... love my big kids.

[abc123RN]

I love this job most days and so far today is one of those days! I had to check on something in the PK room and the entire class surrounded me (about knocked me down). It's like a kid magnet in my pocket. Then I ran down to the gym to see a couple kids and the 4th grade pulled me into a fast game of dodge ball! Our recent snow days have been bad for me, ate junk food and drank soda, so a few minutes of dodge ball is good for this girl!

[Cattz, ADN]

I have an electric pink jacket, with lavender accents. It is crazy bright. I usually wear it on Wednesdays (with you all in mind, my friends). The way the younger girls look at me when I wear it...priceless. The last time I wore it, one little 1st grader said "Nurse, you're beautiful :saint:" and of course followed it with a bigggg huggggg!

[NanaPoo]

Funny! I have a fluffy white coat. The kids say, "Nurse, you look like a polar bear! I just wanna hug you!"

I get tons of hugs when I'm in my white coat. Even more than usual. Best Christmas present ever.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

I had a student who lost a classmate (who was also like a brother to my son). We all struggled with his death from cancer. This young lady came in several times in the following weeks to have lunch with me. At the time I thought she needed to just chill. Turns out later (4-5 years) we met up for coffee and we talked about that time.

She informed me she was there for me because everyone ELSE in the building was depending on me to guide them through a tough time, and that I needed some love too.

Love that girl!!!

[Cattz, ADN]

I had a student who lost a classmate (who was also like a brother to my son). We all struggled with his death from cancer. This young lady came in several times in the following weeks to have lunch with me. At the time I thought she needed to just chill. Turns out later (4-5 years) we met up for coffee and we talked about that time.

She informed me she was there for me because everyone ELSE in the building was depending on me to guide them through a tough time, and that I needed some love too.

Love that girl!!!

Wow! Quadruple like!