Day Two.

   WOW. such. a. long. day.

   sitting here finally getting a chance to write is SO refreshing. (especially since I just watched 2 episodes of Grey's Anatomy). Now what young nursing student doesn't like that show?? come one now.

    I just wanted to write today to reflect on such a large avenue of nursing. Home Health. Having gone through one clinical day with my designated Home Health nurse, the biggest thing I would say to her is KUDOS TO YOU!!! When one hears you say "I'm going to be a nurse" they typically think the ones that you see in the hospital. But we BEST not forgot about the ladies and gents in the outfield. Getting our patients directly post-discharge, having to drive alllll over the place (and I REALLY mean all over the place) to see multiple patients from 8-5...man it just sounds tiring. And seeing it first hand, I can't believe that is a "normal" day for them.
    They are looking out for their patients, their spouses, children, family, friends, crazy dogs, BUGS, gosh the list could go on and on! Unfortunately they get what's leftover from leaving the hospital. Continually reminding and teaching patients of what and what not to do. Making sure they are healing properly. Taking into account their socio-economic stressors and seeing if they can manage everything. Talk about stressed! So little time with so much to do. I think this can serve as a great reminder to myself, future RNs, and current RNs to take everything into consideration. These patients may see us as their number one support. They may look to us for all the knowledge becasue even though their nurse in the hospital explained to them 10,000 times what their medications were and how to take them, they still are confused. And that's okay! We need to show them that that's okay :) Our job is to give them that teaching, serve as a mentor, be their guide in their healing process. It can be such a draining job, but who doesn't feel so fulfilled after they hear someone say "Thank You"?
Now, we allll know that not every patient is going to be kind or thankful, but look at the bigger picture. If we weren't there helping them, they would be much worse off.
    So look to the Big Man in the sky and thank him! Thank him for the opportunity to work directly with these patients. We have the DAILY opportunity to make a difference in someone's life. Big or small, it doesn't matter. God sees the light that we can bring to them and that is one of the most beautiful things.

So I will leave you with a favorite quote of mine:

            "Our fingerprints never fade from the lives we touch".

Just another day in my danskos :)