This week, I am thankful:
that I finally got the results of my EKG exam
Yesterday at work, I finally got an email letting me know I passed the EKG exam that was part of the new grad program. Yay! So, I don’t have to do any remediation work.
that I am learning so much
I have three shifts under my belt as a nurse on my unit now, and whew, my practical skills have improved so much already. I have given so many injections, hung IV meds, done tube feeds, and so on.
I did some of these tasks in clinical shifts, but not at this rate. So my skills are improving so much more quickly now!
Sometimes nursing is going down to Dietary to get soup for a patient who missed dinner 😉
that I still love this work even after a very long day
Yesterday was a wild day at work, and by the time I clocked out, I had been there for almost 14 hours. I was tired, yes, but it was still a good day.
And I think this is how you know you are in the right field of work: even after 14 hours, you still feel cheerful about the day. 😉
for the beauty outside the hospital walls
I love my little hospital world, for sure. But I also love the outside-the-hospital world.
Especially the woods.
And sunsets….
and various fungi.
(All pictures are from my non-hospital life since last Thursday.)
that I have a locker at work now
This means I don’t have to lug all my stuff back and forth for every shift.
Something funny: I was struggling to get my lock back into the locker door, and I said to my fellow new grad, “I WAS HOMESCHOOLED, OK???” Hehe.
I’ve never had a locker before in my life!
for a few days off to get the rest of my life in order
My three shifts for this week are done now (I worked Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday), which means I have some time to catch up on other life stuff before I go back on Sunday.
Having multiple days off in a row is a verrrry nice payoff for working long shifts.
for our sweet cats
Gotta include them before I hit “publish” on this post. 😉
spot the cat!
Plaidkaren
Friday 5th of September 2025
Almost couldn't find Shelley! She's very stealth.
PNW Casey
Friday 5th of September 2025
A little number hack, if it will work. Formulate the number into a phone number. You might need to add an area code or a prefix. Then put the number into your contacts. That gives you easy access and no one should be the wiser, if you’re sneaky about how you label the “phone” number.
Alica
Friday 5th of September 2025
I am thankful for many things, but reading this post, I will say that I am thankful for kind nurses! I had a procedure done at the hospital yesterday, and the one nurse in particular that I had, clearly enjoys her job! I was blessed to have her care for me. She even offered my husband a sandwich. (We probably will pay for it, but it was kind of her to think of him) It's good to hear you say how you are enjoying your job. I'm sure your patients are blessed to have you!
Kristen
Friday 5th of September 2025
Oh, I am happy you had a great nurse. :) That makes all the difference in the world!
Isa
Friday 5th of September 2025
* Hubby is at risk of losing his job due to cuts. So I'm very grateful to have a good job (a.k.a that pays well for what I do) where I can pickup . I am not the main "breadwinner" but we would manage with very careful planning and frugal ways. Also grateful for past us for doubling down on payments and getting rid of our mortgage 5 years ago, and having a paid off car. And having savings. So it is a stressful time but we would manage financially.
* To be a resilient person. My husband is not. So if we were both non-resilient everything would go sideways right now. Ee still have a house to run and kids to take care of, so... For now I'm being the "strong" one and trying to stay positive.
* Books. Reading.
* Being good with money, being naturally frugal and not materialistic. And hubby being the same.
* My kids
Isa
Friday 5th of September 2025
@Kristen, thanks!
Kristen
Friday 5th of September 2025
Oh, I am sorry to hear this. I hope he gets to keep it!
Heather Mar
Friday 5th of September 2025
Most of your fellow new grads would not have used a locker either in school. Lockers in public schools seem to have stopped being used overall once giant physical textbooks in high school became uncommon. But I remember and am chuckling with you!
Heather Mar
Friday 5th of September 2025
@Kristen, oh that's right, maybe in gym class, or our athletes for school sports do use specific lockers for all their gear...
Kristen
Friday 5th of September 2025
Oh, that's interesting! My one fellow new grad is in her early 20s and is good at it, but maybe that was in middle school for her. Or high school gym?