Sunday, December 2, 2012

on not giving up



This blog has been calling my name for the past few weeks as work and life has been stressful as ever… And knowing that my work load is doubling on Monday has had me dreading tomorrow at 8am since before I even left the office on Friday. So, all the more reason I need to remind myself of why I created this blog in the first place, to serve as a release and as a place for exploration of feelings. 

This job is most definitely excellent preparation for my future nursing career and I know that the experience I’m gaining now. On one hand I have 14 hour days, realizing at 3pm that you didn’t eat your breakfast yet, running (yes, literally) through the office to give report on the 3 patients I’ve interviewed in the last 20 minutes, having 6 phone calls to return 34 unopened emails 4 patients ready in exam rooms and 2 drug reps in the waiting room, having great expectations that are often let down, trying your hardest and getting an F you in return. On the other hand I have incredibly rewarding and fulfilling conversations with some of the strongest and bravest individuals on this earth, thank you calls and text messages that warm my heart, and the opportunity to provide companionship when it’s missing and needed. I am so happy that I have this job and that I decided to take the year to do this, but I am wishing I had more time for patient care, for learning and teaching, and for providing compassion. It’s a draining position to be in to want to do everything in your power to help make everyone’s situation just a little better, a little easier. It’s draining, to the point of tears, after hours of phone calls, effort, energy, belief in and hope for an individual, to be let down, to be given up on and to witness someone give up on themselves. Sometimes, particularly in moments like that, I forget that the feeling and desire to help is powered by optimism and hope. I think we all need to remind ourselves of that and choose not to give up. 

 I get told, fairly often, that I can’t save the world. Well, I know that, but that will never stop me from trying with all that I have, it’s who I am, and I refuse to lose sight of that. 

So in preparation for the coming week and more so as a new mantra, I am reminding myself that I am not someone who gives up. No matter what.

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