Fresh Meat...I mean New Grads!

We have hired 3 new grad nurses into our unit! Whoo! I'm not the least experienced in the unit anymore! ;) I am looking forward to working with some new nurses and encourage them on their journey and their first stressful year as a new nurse in a trauma icu like i was encouraged by my fellow co-workers.

Connections with Patients

The best times of my job are when I connect with my patients...and more importantly, when I can bring a smile to their face. Comfort, rest, peacefulness. I don't always achieve that goal...maybe as much as I try, their pain can't be controlled, the situation is too much to handle for an already anxious person, or we just dont "click". I click with almost all of my patients, but they are people too and we are all different.

This past week I had three moments with patients that bring a smile to my face as I think back on them. I wish my patients knew that they bring as much joy to my life seeing them smile as they tell me I do to them.

My patients name was "Esther"...just like my mom! I started my night out letting her know my mom's name was Esther and people are always forgetting the "H". She loved that. She had just suffered a MAJOR complication with a throat surgery so she was in pain, tired, and worried. No doubt! I was able to get her cleaned up, wash/brush hair, warm lavender lotion back rub, new gown, new linens, tuck her into bed and get her pain under control. She slept like a baby for the rest of the night. For the rest of our interaction (until I discharged her to the floor the next night) she held my hand, called me "mija"and gave me lots of kisses before she left.

My other patient was a very sick, tired and worn out Vietnam Vet (who may or may not have been homeless...either way, living on the edge of poverty for sure, so sad). He wasn't really opening up to me, I just couldn't get him to smile! Halfway through the night, my back was turned getting some medication ready for him and I must have left an alcohol swab on his covers so I see this alcohol swab sailing through the air for a basket into the trashcan...it missed. Before I turned around I said with a laugh in my voice "I saw you miss that basket!" The smile on his face when I turned around was like a kid laughing at an inside joke. We had a great two nights after that...he also was discharged to the floor my last night, which is always a good thing!

Finally, there was a chronically sick patient of another nurse that I was helping with. Just through the entire interaction his gummy smile was one of the best smiles I have seen. It brought a smile to my face and heart.

I am thankful for these moments with other human beings in my care.