NursingZen

I finished my second week of clinicals last week. I shadowed a nurse who was my age and had been working for only eight months. She already seemed jaded and bitter, which made me sad and anxious. She echoed what I’ve heard from every nurse: The first year is the toughest to get through.

It’s been fascinating to see the different personalities and nursing styles. Most of the nurses I’ve observed are very organized and on point, but some handle the stress better than others. I’m realizing that a sense of humor is essential for survival. I’ve been lucky so far to not be with the nurse who yelled at my classmate for spending too long chatting with a patient and another one who talks to her adult patients like they’re kids and does only the minimum she can get away with.

Update on the 56 year old man with very aggressive thyroid cancer: He moved to a more acute wing. I visited him. Since he can’t swallow, he has a feeding tube now and currently he can’t talk. I was overjoyed that he remembered me. He and his wife maintained big smiles and a sense of humor even though his prognosis is bad: 100% of people with his aggressive cancer die; the docs give him 3 months. I left the room teary-eyed.

Soon I’ll post a photo of my horrendous hospital uniform…and nursing shoes that are so-ugly-they’re-trendy (at least in NY!)