A bit late I know but my phone ran out of juice last night despite showing 11% power left Grrr!!!!

I was working Wednesday and Thursday this week, quite appropriate considering yesterday was International Nurse’s Day.  I spent the day doing the following:

• caring for 2 people who needed treatment to support their heart and lungs
• being involved in a cardiac arrest and organising post resuscitation care for the patient and their family
• looking after and coordinating the care of 4 trauma’s who arrived within 1 hour of each other and with an ensemble of injuries
• organising with a specialist inpatient service for rapid assessment and treatment of a stroke
• working alongside senior doctors, nurses, nursing assistants, porters and radiography as well other hospital and pre hospital services to rapidly assess and begin treatment for patients arriving to the department.
• Spending time sorting out a problem with a person insistent that the department sort out a non life threatening, medical condition that could have been sorted by primary care services
• organising care for someone who needed a semi-urgent surgical procedure in the department.

Nursing is so much more than most people believe unless they know someone, either directly or indirectly, is a nurse or other health professional.  Most people think of a nurse and think of washes and bedpans or something similar.  Such a stereotype I know, but it still happens, believe me!!

As well as all of the direct tasks/interactions I have mentioned, I also have the responsibility of ensuring the department is cleaned and necessary stock is present and ready to use, patients are safe and well cared for as well as staff on shift that day.

Did I mention that on Tuesday I also came in to work for a study day??  Or that Tuesday was a day off for me?? Or the various audits and other responsibilities, such as teaching and training I have on a daily basis??

 We often see the best and the worst of people . Nursing is hard work, think 12 hour shifts and constantly on our feet, not just the physical work of caring for someone. It is a commitment also and you know what??  I wouldn’t change it for anything because of the amazing individuals I work with who make work fun and bearable and keeping me sane on a daily basis.

And now, ooh, a long weekend to look forward too.  What I am most likely to have planned?  I need to get some photography practice in as haven’t done any for ages, see some friends I haven’t seen in forever and I also have some work to do writing a policy for work but I will mostly be…..

Sleeping 💤