Thankful Thursday | hello, non-hospital world!

This week, I am thankful:

for a few days off

I worked five 12-hour shifts in the last six days, and while I didn’t really mind it (they were day shifts!), I’m definitely glad for some days off. My body and brain are a little tired! 

I love hospital life for sure, but it’s also nice to spend some time in non-hospital world.

I’ve barely been outside the hospital since last Thursday, so these thankfuls will probably be pretty hospital-centric!

that it’s not dark when I leave for work 

The end of daylight saving time has not changed the light levels when I leave work; it was dark before and it is dark now.

But it is currently not pitch black when I leave for work, which is kind of nice! 

that the time change landed on my one day off

I worked Friday and Saturday, had Sunday off, and then worked Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. 

And luckily for me, the time change happened on that one day off, which meant I had a slightly longer day between shifts to get my life together. 🙂 

Normally, the one extra hour doesn’t seem like a big gift, but this time it did!

that I got to go for a lovely walk on my day off

I have obviously been walking many miles at work during this string of shifts, but the scenery is not quite as nice at the hospital.

It was so nice to be outside in the fresh air and sunshine! 

that I had a good meeting with my manager and educator yesterday

I had a routine end-of-orientation check-in yesterday, and I got positive feedback from both of them. 🙂 

They also asked me how I thought I was doing, and I said I think I’m doing fine for the stage I’m in.

Have I reached the pinnacle of where I want to be as a nurse? No. But for being only six shifts into working on my own, I think I’m doing just fine.

Every day, I learn more things, and I see ways to do things better/more efficiently. So, I’m satisfied with my progress so far, and I know I’m gonna continue to get better and better with more time and practice. 🙂 

that our new washing machine is coming today!

Zoe and I are both so happy about this; our iffy laundry situation should be over after today. Yay! 

that Shelly’s tooth removal was less expensive than anticipated

She’s getting up there in years now, and unfortunately, she’s developed dental issues that necessitated a few tooth extractions.

The vet’s price sheet made me think it was going to be wildly expensive, but it ended up being less than half of what I had calculated.

(They didn’t really know until they sedated her exactly how many teeth needed to be removed vs. just cleaned.)

Anyway, this is a case where expecting the worst did actually make me feel more cheerful. Ha. 

that my new piercings barely hurt at all

I’d forgotten how much quicker the healing process is for a lobe piercing vs. a cartilage piercing. Mine are only a week old, and the pain is super mild; my ears are just slightly sensitive. 

that I successfully advocated for my patients

As a nurse, my powers are somewhat limited; there are only so many decisions I can make and actions that I can take on behalf of my patients. 

But what I CAN do is bother the people who do have more power, so that is what I do. 😉 

I am so happy when I can make something happen for a patient, like getting a much-desired medication ordered. When I have success and I see the medication order pop up, I’m like, “YESSSSSS.” 

I had lots of successes like this in the last week, and it is so rewarding! 

for connection with my patients

I do love taking care of people’s physical needs, but I also love connecting with them and their families, and helping them feel cared about. It’s almost always possible to find some point of connection with each person, even in a varied patient population. 

Before I leave for the night, I pop in to say good night to my patients (unless they’re sleeping!), and when they hopefully say, “Will you be back tomorrow??”, it makes me feel like I’ve done a good job taking care of the whole person.

What are you thankful for this week?