Well, so what do we do between jobs?-Activism

[Crumbwannabe]

Hello, I'd like to start a new thread as a recently registered user. I have been cruising some of the activism boards, and heard a lot of sad stories. If you have read my posts at all, you may know that I am blackballed (Clean as a whistle except for a back injury during patient care and subsequent fight for rights), and besides the daily pain, which can be pretty racking, personal morale has suffered. I use a pain control specialist who is a really good person, until I can afford a surgical consult and possible intervention.

If any of you find yourselves in this situation, you are at risk for guilt, shame, anger, all the stages of Ross's model of death and dying. They also apply to body image and financial damage. You may even find yourself dependent on the spouse as the breadwinner, if you are as blessed to have someone like I do in your life.

Don't sit if you can help it. If you are unable to find gainful employment, you are still a nurse, and you are still needed by someone. Work at a volunteer clinic for free, a food shelter, anyplace you are needed. Give to others and prove to yourself who you still are. I spent too long on a pity party.

Funny, how little it really takes to get by. My needs have always been simple. You could probably fit my worldly goods into a pickup truck. Books are my passion, and used ones are cheap. And I'm on a computer that isn't mine.

Now the best part--White Trash Cooking. I can say that because my roots are in economically disadvantaged white common simple folk with courtesy and pride. i.e., White Trash. Then there's the other sort with mean attitudes, no pride, no faith. Spelled white trash uncapitalized.

Spices are everything.You can turn cheap food into a meal fit for royalty if you use them right. Shop around to find them cheap. High quality spices at low prices at some health food stores. Staples like corn meal, flour, rice, beans, salt, et.c aren't that much. A box of firm tofu or ground turkey in beef broth (bullion) costs half what you'd pay for an equivalent amount of meat.

My point is, Live deliberately. Enjoy simplicity. Stay healthy in your soul. Your employer may have given you a raw deal, but there's only so much they can touch. Think of it as a vacation from posessions, rat race, you get the idea?

Part 1 of a series....

[HarryPotter]

Hello, I'd like to start a new thread as a recently registered user. I have been cruising some of the activism boards, and heard a lot of sad stories. If you have read my posts at all, you may know that I am blackballed (Clean as a whistle except for a back injury during patient care and subsequent fight for rights), and besides the daily pain, which can be pretty racking, personal morale has suffered. I use a pain control specialist who is a really good person, until I can afford a surgical consult and possible intervention.

If any of you find yourselves in this situation, you are at risk for guilt, shame, anger, all the stages of Ross's model of death and dying. They also apply to body image and financial damage. You may even find yourself dependent on the spouse as the breadwinner, if you are as blessed to have someone like I do in your life.

Don't sit if you can help it. If you are unable to find gainful employment, you are still a nurse, and you are still needed by someone. Work at a volunteer clinic for free, a food shelter, anyplace you are needed. Give to others and prove to yourself who you still are. I spent too long on a pity party.

Funny, how little it really takes to get by. My needs have always been simple. You could probably fit my worldly goods into a pickup truck. Books are my passion, and used ones are cheap. And I'm on a computer that isn't mine.

Now the best part--White Trash Cooking. I can say that because my roots are in economically disadvantaged white common simple folk with courtesy and pride. i.e., White Trash. Then there's the other sort with mean attitudes, no pride, no faith. Spelled white trash uncapitalized.

Spices are everything.You can turn cheap food into a meal fit for royalty if you use them right. Shop around to find them cheap. High quality spices at low prices at some health food stores. Staples like corn meal, flour, rice, beans, salt, et.c aren't that much. A box of firm tofu or ground turkey in beef broth (bullion) costs half what you'd pay for an equivalent amount of meat.

My point is, Live deliberately. Enjoy simplicity. Stay healthy in your soul. Your employer may have given you a raw deal, but there's only so much they can touch. Think of it as a vacation from posessions, rat race, you get the idea?

Part 1 of a series....

In 1999 I was severly atacked by a very psychotic patient as I was making a house call (another staff was with me, but he ran). This patient picked up his electric guitar and started swinging it and chasing me, an impack connecting to my neck and my back. I flew through the air (actually lost a few seconds of time), hit a wall with the top of my head and fell to the ground, landing on my right knee.

I was off work for about a year. Had knee surgery and more recently shoulder surgery. Until the shoulder surgery, I was in constant, horrible pain.

I also suffered from PTSD and depression after the attack and lucky for me saw a relly wonderful therapist who helped me regain my confidence so I could go back working as a Psych. Nurse.

I had a lot of physical therapy, which also helped tremendously.

And, I now have much more empathy for those suffering from depression and PTSD and can honestly tell them they can overcome it.

(a blessing in disguise).

While I was having those emotional symptoms, I felt shame, guilt and anger. I don't feel those things anymore. I think in part because I am pretty much pain free and have resumed most of my activities and also because I hae forgiven myself, the staff that ran, and the patient that hurt me.

"Forgiving is a roadmap to recovery."

[Crumbwannabe]

...Anyhow, the place I work everyday it's open (except gyn day) has a great philosophy. You have to be working at least 20 hr.s a week, and no insurance. We will either see and intervene or refer.

Not being a materialist, and getting by, so far, it is so refreshing to me to have a mission without politics, backstabbing, & people open to ideas and pet projects. People are actually pleasant even in a rush. I suppose you may say, our CEO is God, or what other name you wish to use.

Now THIS is Nursing. No one has any position beyond what they already hold to grab at, so there are no reasons for horizontal violence or mobbing. No reason to brown-nose MDs, (oh I'm sure a few will show up looking for ego stroking, or some end gain, they'll either conform or quit) et.c. And you can actually listen and spend time with the patients.

Even if you work for profit, I highly recommend putting in some free time at a place like this just to remind yourself of why you got into the field, and what life is outside the 'bone machine'. You could possibly change yourself for the better.