A Grateful Heart

Some days I love my job. Some days, well, I don't love my job so much.

Don't get me wrong, I do love being a nurse and caring for people. It's definitely not something just anyone can do, and I know I'm doing it for a reason, but that reason tends to slip my mind from time to time.

Unfortunately, so much of being a nurse these days isn't based on actually caring for a person, but more so on patient satisfaction surveys and if insurance will pay for this or that. Some days are full of sucking up to a patient so they'll say you did a good job, instead of putting a foot down and doing what is probably better for them. But that is a soapbox I won't be stepping on today.

Some days are definitely tougher than others. And some patients aren't so easy to handle either. I might have that grumpy old man that can't be pleased no matter what you do for him. Or sometimes even worse, the family that is never satisfied. Those can be long and difficult days where I leave mentally and emotionally exhausted.

And then sometimes, I get that sweet reminder of why I'm a nurse.

I can't go into details (hipaa and all), but last week I was lucky to get that reminder again. I got to take care of a lady that just could not be sweeter if she tried. Even in her circumstances, she stayed optimistic and upbeat. It was extremely refreshing to be in her presence. We chatted and got to know each other over the two days. I told her of my moves from and back to Texas. She told me about her family. She even offered to call her brother and let me follow his snow plow back to Albany since I've never really driven in snow. (Who said New Yorkers weren't nice?! Pshh.)

The moment that really struck me was on Thanksgiving as I was leaving for the evening. She gave me a huge hug, and said "sometimes people only come into your life for a short amount of time, but make such an impact on your life." Wow. It really is moments like this that really sum up what I love about being a nurse. Sometimes all it takes is one sentence. I know I'll never see my sweet lady again, but I'll definitely never forget her and that comment.

Those sweet patients that nurses get to take care of may be medically busy with lots of medications, therapies, tests, and procedures but at the end of the day, we mostly remember being appreciated for the care we've given. A simple thank you goes a long way and really just might be what that nurse is needing. And I'm grateful for the days I get those sweet patients that touch my heart more than they know.

Xoxo- April

I'm linking up with Ember Grey for A Grateful Hart!