So I am in the middle of a couple of night shifts, and sorta feel like the walking dead. But that's ok - for the shift premium/differential that adds up, it's worth it! ;)
In exactly one week school will be back in business. What the heck - where did the sumer go? It seems like literally yesterday I began my buddy shifts at the hospital. Now here I am, solely responsible for the rodeo.
The hardest part about my summer job has been dealing with patients who die. I know that may seem obvious, bur it definitely rattled a deeper emotional side of me I didn't expect. A lady in my care last night was in her final hours, and although I am getting more familiar with the signs and symptoms of imminent death, my heart still breaks a tad every time. Although the end has been looming for quite a while, it is still hard.
A few weeks ago a lovely young woman died on our unit while waiting for a double lung transplant. To say my heart broke a tad would be an understatement. She shouldn't have died. It wasn't fair, wasn't expected. She had her whole life ahead of her - young, married, had received a previous set of donor lungs.... the world should have been hers.
Dealing with situations like this has certainly challenged me this past few months. Life isn't 'fair', and it makes me angry. Despite my education I so often I feel as if I can do nothing for my patients. It's the hardest reality to accept, and something I still wrestle with.
In the midst of these tough moments, I am still incredibly appreciative of my job. There are happy moments and joyful times too! It's important to remember and cherish those as well.
Cheers!
D.
In exactly one week school will be back in business. What the heck - where did the sumer go? It seems like literally yesterday I began my buddy shifts at the hospital. Now here I am, solely responsible for the rodeo.
The hardest part about my summer job has been dealing with patients who die. I know that may seem obvious, bur it definitely rattled a deeper emotional side of me I didn't expect. A lady in my care last night was in her final hours, and although I am getting more familiar with the signs and symptoms of imminent death, my heart still breaks a tad every time. Although the end has been looming for quite a while, it is still hard.
A few weeks ago a lovely young woman died on our unit while waiting for a double lung transplant. To say my heart broke a tad would be an understatement. She shouldn't have died. It wasn't fair, wasn't expected. She had her whole life ahead of her - young, married, had received a previous set of donor lungs.... the world should have been hers.
Dealing with situations like this has certainly challenged me this past few months. Life isn't 'fair', and it makes me angry. Despite my education I so often I feel as if I can do nothing for my patients. It's the hardest reality to accept, and something I still wrestle with.
In the midst of these tough moments, I am still incredibly appreciative of my job. There are happy moments and joyful times too! It's important to remember and cherish those as well.
Cheers!
D.
