Or good morning....to me! I just woke up from (not joking) a 25 hour sleep...can you believe it? I worked 6 out of the past 7 nights, and let's just say I was a little bit tuckered out....holy cow. Well at least I feel incredibly well rested for one more night of work and then another visit home!
The past week was a great experience at work, I am gaining confidence and developing into a professional nurse. I am beginning to feel less overwhelmed and much more competent in managing my patient load and delivering care. My patients continually comment on my positive attitude, hard work, smile and dedication to their physical and emotional care. During the times of stress and feeling overwhelmed, it is certainly the patients that keep me going. The other night one man insisted that I take him home with me when I told him I would not be back the next night--he said that he had never felt so cared for and loved.
I recently joined the Oncology Nursing Society and now receive weekly newsletters and journal articles concerning oncology and nursing. I enjoy reading about new studies and advancements in the profession and area of medicine. The following quote was written by a contributing editor to one of the magazines, I really resonate with what she says.....
"Oncology nurses are an incredible bunch. It is difficult to imagine voluntarily entering a profession where one is faced with life and death, pain and suffering; fear and grief on a daily basis. They are on the front lines every day in the battle against cancer, where they deal not only with the physical aspects of cancer, but also the emotions."
I highlight this quote not to be boastful towards the oncology nursing profession but because it captures what the job is all about.... managing medical care and managing an incredibly wide variety of emotions. I really feel blessed to be apart of so many people's lives during times when there is much uncertainty, joy, fear, celebration and grievance. It's an up and down ride of feelings that keeps me on my toes but also fulfills and blesses my life.
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"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm" --Ralph Waldo Emerson
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