Perspective

I had my first frustrating, hectic shifts at work this week... and I was a baby about it. In addition to (truly mild) work frustrations, I found out yesterday that the dates of my upcoming volunteer trip with Cardiac Alliance changed, so I likely won't be able to participate in the full length of the trip.

After sulking last night and for a portion of this morning, I got over myself - but only thanks to Aliyah and a conversation about commuting.

Aliyah.

 

Aliyah was one of our patients on the last volunteer trip I did in Jimani, Dominican Republic. This picture was taken two days after Aliyah underwent open heart surgery for a congenital heart defect. We spent that day singing OneDirection songs and painting each other's nails, and it remains one of my favorite memories in my career thus far.

Commuting.
At the end of my shift last night, one of my patient's father's and I were talking about the annoyances of commuting. The light-hearted venting evolved into a frank conversation about how daily, mundane tasks now feel burdensome since their child's diagnosis. They'd rather be spending time at the hospital with their kid than doing things that seem so inconsequential - food shopping, laundry, work.

We know that parents and families are stressed, overwhelmed, and exhausted. But it's not often they speak so freely about it.

______________________

 

My memories of Aliyah and the honest conversation with a patient's parents gave me some much needed perspective. In the midst of a hectic shift, I forgot what an honor it is to be a nurse. I have the opportunity to care for patients and families when they are at their most vulnerable.

 

So the next time I'm getting my ass kicked at work, I'll 1) remind myself that I'm doing so for the benefit of overwhelmed patients and families, and 2) think about the little girl who painted my nails pink on the porch of a house-turned-ICU in the Dominican Republic.