That is so beautiful. Am I in tears? Absolutely. The stories you write about bringing dignity to the deaths (and lives) of those you care for are amazing and so very touching. I cannot imagine witnessing death as often as you do. You should write a book. Through the stories you write...the funny, the poignent, the sad ones...you bring such a true face to this work we do. I think most nurses have stories they could put into a book, but you have a knack for telling them. *HUGS*
Thank you. Sometimes the work just fills you up so much that you *have* to tell someone. Back in my younger days, I used to go out after work with the people I worked with and we'd drink and talk, particularly after brutal days. If you weren't in healthcare you wouldn't understand, though... we sounded like the most wretched people imaginable. Yet it was group therapy. I stepped away from the bedside when my son was born. I didn't need the outlet. Now that I'm back in bedside nursing, I come here to do it and on really bad nights we still linger sometimes over a cup of coffee at the end of the shift. It's sanity.
I probably have enough stories in me for a book, but with HIPPA laws now, I'd spend any profits on attorneys' fees most likely.
I understand that need for "group therapy." One thing that frustrates me about my current job is that I don't have any real "companions" on the shift I work on. The unit is small, and usually just me on one side and another nurse on the other. Generally, the same nurse as we both work weekends, and I'm not very fond of her...she has a penchance for disappearing. But, that's drama for another post *LOL*
Damn HIPPA laws make everything so difficult these days. I'm still pretty sure you could write the book...but you'd definately need those attorneys' fees!
really puts things in perspective. When I have a "bad day" at work, its because some alcohol brand's site went down. Like it really matters at the end of the day.
Thanks for sharing these stories, they really hit home sometimes.
Thank you for that, I too am in tears... for the gentleness of you... for the bitter sweet taste...
I use to work in and old peoples home and sat with many as they passed from here ... it became a joke amongst the staff that they would wait for me to come on my shift...
I felt great humility that they wanted me there... I would hold their hands, read to them... sing even... reassure them... just be someone there...
I lasted 3 years...
In our society we are so afraid of death, of growing old…
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Sometimes the work just fills you up so much that you *have* to tell someone. Back in my younger days, I used to go out after work with the people I worked with and we'd drink and talk, particularly after brutal days. If you weren't in healthcare you wouldn't understand, though... we sounded like the most wretched people imaginable.
Yet it was group therapy.
I stepped away from the bedside when my son was born. I didn't need the outlet. Now that I'm back in bedside nursing, I come here to do it and on really bad nights we still linger sometimes over a cup of coffee at the end of the shift. It's sanity.
I probably have enough stories in me for a book, but with HIPPA laws now, I'd spend any profits on attorneys' fees most likely.
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Damn HIPPA laws make everything so difficult these days. I'm still pretty sure you could write the book...but you'd definately need those attorneys' fees!
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Thanks for sharing these stories, they really hit home sometimes.
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I use to work in and old peoples home and sat with many as they passed from here ... it became a joke amongst the staff that they would wait for me to come on my shift...
I felt great humility that they wanted me there... I would hold their hands, read to them... sing even... reassure them... just be someone there...
I lasted 3 years...
In our society we are so afraid of death, of growing old…
Lots of hugs.....
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I win more than I lose and most of the ones I lose, nobody was really meant to win.
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