**********************Nurse's notes*****************************
Warning!! This is not the most postive thing in the world!!! But since this is my blog, I am going to write about it...kind of purging my heartache in a way.
I had the most wonderful patient!! He was so very, very sick...so very young...so very much cancer invading his entire body. Each and every time I entered the room, he lifted me up. I was supposed to be taking care of him..and I did this of course with love...but he also took care of my spirit and soul too. What a darling brave man...a humongous eight hour surgery...four huge incisions...infections, chemo, radiation...just everything he could have, he did have. His sweet nature is a blessing to me in every way!!
I had another patient too...the antithesis of the above. I wrote a whole paragraph about it...but let me just summarize...I was told I was too little, too incompetent, too slow, to "get my a$$ moving"...I tell you, I just loved going in my other patient's room for a little relief from the abuse!! After a 12 hour shift of this, and fretting about it all night...hopefully I can let it go RIGHT NOW! My husband says to just let it go...but my heart is really involved in my work, and it hurts my heart...
Thanks for letting me vent, friends!!
********************************************************************
So back to quilting...I hope you get to do some today!!
Julie
24 comments:
Listen to the nice one. That is your real truth. Not the negative one, who probably always been a Negative Nelly.
I like your BOM..and I'm sure a stress reliever to sew after some rotten hours at work. I've said it before, wish all nurses had their heart in it like you...bless your heart!
Dear Julie!Don't let anything negative reach your heart!! It's easy to say, I know, but resist!! My total admiration and respect goes to every single person working with patients, in hospitals, nursing homes etc.!! Courage, Julie, and best wishes!
Julie, let it go. It's in the past. Tomorrow is a different day as is today. Live for today and don't dwell on yesterday. Perhaps a positive attitude will turn grouchy patient's attitude - or maybe not. Don't let that patient take up space in your head.
Looks like a great quilt along.
Hi Julie, as an oncology nurse I can identify with you. Let go of his harsh words and remember fear comes out in many ways and usually unpleasant. Rejoice with those you can rejoice with and have compassion on those less pleasant. Take joy in a job well done for all. Blessings,
Loving the work you've done so far on the BOM. It's difficult not to take to heart everything that's said to us and how we are treated, esp. when we are the caregivers. Poor man to not be enlightened. I feel sorry for him.
A lovely BOM you have started! Don't tempt me... I am weak! LOL
The first patient sounds exactly like my brother was... a real joy and privilege to know and to care for.
The second patient needs loving kindness more, but doesn't understand how to go about welcoming that in his life. I'm sure he is very afraid. Poor him to not see the wonderful nurse he has right in front of him!
I have been following that BOM--just watching, mind you. Yours looks really good. It is going to be a charming quilt.
Oh, I am glad you had a room where you could retreat and feel peace. You do have your heart in your work, and your patients are blessed by it--even the ones who can't see it at the present time.
What a miserable lonely existence that horrid man must have! His attitude would have to alienate everyone in sight.
Your caring soul comes through on your blog, so no way are you lazy or incompetent.
Hugs xx
Dear Julie, it pains me to hear the abuse you have to endure. Remember that this person doesn't know you, if he did, he would be pleasant because you do NOT deserve such treatments and harsh words. Do talk about it, do vent it out as often as possible. Do NOT let that bad weed take hold of sweet, sweet you. Paste bear hugs here. :) P.S. I do love your little sew along blocks.
I too, am doing this sew a long with wool. In our darkest hour we show what we are made of....sending you much love and prayers.
I'm sorry to hear about the complainer. Some people will seem to find ANYTHING to whine and complain about.
I have been tempted more than once to do the cute quiltalong, but am resisting. :)
Listen to the sweet young man. Some people will never be happy, no matter what you do, or how you do it, and they take everything out on someone else. When you deal with the sour person, remember the sweet person.
The failure here is in nursing and healthcare administration. We have not made the support of our nurses part of the plan anymore. There will be patients who are very unpleasant. It is part of the job. And it is part of our administration to support the nurse in caring for such patients. (And the heavy burden of your other patient too--don't discount the toll of caring for him.)
We need to have systems in place to care for the nurse.
A student described to me a circumstance in the ER where a child came in and died from an abuse situation. Before the paramedics left, the fire department chaplain was there, met with them as a group to debrief, made appointments for each for counseling, and did a group huddle to support each other. Meanwhile, the nurses were told to get back to work.
My daughter started a new job in a business setting. In orientation last week she was told if they had work that kept them to 8pm, dinner would be catered in and cab fare would be provided for the trip home.
I nearly cried when I heard this--thinking of all the Thanksgivings and Christmases of working with the cafeteria closed or reduced hours and nothing, nothing provided for us working on those days.
Julie you are a kind and caring individual so it is hard for you to not take those harsh words to heart. I am so sorry. Someone in a comment above mentioned fear, that could be a cause, or anger at being ill. I am sure you were not the only one to receive that type of abuse. I am hoping and praying for the best for both of you patients! I printed the pattern for the quilt you are working on. I saw it on Karen's blog and loved it too!
I'm so sorry for your horrible experience with the difficult patient. My daughter is also a nurse and occasionally mentions having patients who are hard to work with. I know it's not always true but I think pain and discomfort (even so far as being in place like a hospital that's not comfortable) brings out the worst is some people's personalities. When I deal with difficult people who are in bad circumstances I tell myself that the person is taking out his/her frustration on me when he/she is frustrated with the situation or circumstance. In other words, I don't take it personally (usually). How good that you had another patient to counterbalance the challenges with the difficult one.
Your applique blocks look perfect. I've been following along but not making the blocks. Maybe some day I will love applique.
Take care and blessings to you for all the good you do with and for your patients.
Nurses are such special people. Just keep remembering that there are lots of us who are so glad that you chose your profession!
Pray for the difficult patient and let God deal with his heart. It's difficult to take such abuse, but remember the bitterness is directed at his health and not at you.
Wow, Julie, your BOM blocks look great! And your scrappy blocks are multiplying! So sorry about the negative patient...makes your hard job even harder. Some people just have to complain, regardless. Don't let it get to you. You are such a blessing!
I can so relate to your nursing posts. I retired from nursing in 2010 and have never looked back. I loved it all the years I did it, but now realize all the grief and worry i brought home. Life is good.
Your quilt-along project is looking fabulous, Julie girl!! :) I have printed it out but haven't started it yet. Now she has one up with set in seams(?) :/ I'm not so good at that. :/ You are such a beautiful heart and soul, Julie---we humans tend to get onery when faced with physical limitations. Set him free, sugar, and continue spreading your love all around you. (I'm so sorry I missed your call earlier today. I've been shuttling pups to vets for dental extractions and cleanings. Try me again when you can. I'll try you later this afternoon too :) )
Love your new projects I have save the patterns, I hope to start one day.
Thank you Julie for wishing us time for quilting, I am wishing you time and joy with quilting too, and on top of that lovely patients for the rest of your career.
I know what you ment and have full understanding. We learn from every individual we meet, from some we learn how to be and from others how not to be. But we learn from all. That is the only justification I can come up with for the second case, and the only solution that keeps me trying to be a good girl.
Greetings,
Sylvia
I am so glad you joined in on the sew-along. I am behind since being on vacation but will catch up soon.
Post a Comment