Welcome to my blog. This is a new adventure for me. I look forward to this as a way to express my thoughts, observations, and frustrations related to nursing. If I can share knowledge or experience, I am excited to do so.
Becoming a nurse was the best decision I ever made. I have been a nurse for over 10 years and I’ve never looked back with regret. Every day is new and every situation is different. Most days, I love helping people. Of course there are some days I come home and need that glass of wine… or bottle.
Variety is the spice of life. To me, the best part about being a nurse is that it is never boring. You have the opportunity to constantly learn new things. Or not. I enjoy mastering new skills. However, there is also something to be said for being the expert in your field. I have worked with many nurses who’ve worked in the same role for most of their careers. I’ve worked in many hospitals and love floating to other units. I’ve worked in Med-Surg, Critical Care – MICU, RICU and Neuro, and inpatient Psych.
As a new nurse, I assisted a Psychiatrist (who looked like Doc Brown and who began practicing in the 1950s) with ECT treatments, in the basement of that hospital. That (and he) was spooky, and yet the procedure was extremely effective. I’ve worked in a short-term orthopedic rehab, passed meds in a skilled nursing facility (easily my least favorite role), and given educational presentations in an adult-day health care.
I’ve worked in every role an RN can in home health, schooled adolescents with drug addictions and psychiatric issues, helped deliver newborn babies in a maternity ward, and assisted in surgical procedures – some as interesting as a grown man who chose to have a circumcision performed in his 40s and a young woman who opted for breast augmentation. I have injected Botox, inflated lips with Fillers, plumped cheeks and erased frown lines.
I have worked as a manager, for a staffing agency, in sales, as a boss, and as the employee. I have taught CNAs, supervised private duty staff, and have also worked as a school nurse. Looking back, I have always had one full-time long-term job, and I always keep a few per diem jobs because I like to change things up. I also work for a staffing agency. My next stop is travel nursing. I still haven’t tried that. Once you develop your skill set, you can take it with you anywhere.
No matter the role, the company or the circumstance, the days are challenging, interesting and rewarding. At times, they can also be frustrating. So, in the spirit of sharing, welcome to the site where I will house my personal thoughts and opinions. I hope we can discuss experiences, observations, and advice here and learn from each other.
Becoming a nurse was the best decision I have ever made! It was a second career for me too.