what i love about my 'job'

Being a nurse is a rewarding job. 

Original statement, right? 

   But its true, and I mean it so much that a lot of days I don't even think of it as being a job, but more of a home away from home. (or as one of my co-workers would say, "this is my second home paying for my first" (*wink*  you know who you are). 

   Things I love about my job - whoa that list could go on for a long time.  For today, here are three to start with:

 Co-workers - The people I get to work alongside are - in addition to being my co-workers - in many instances my home-away-from home friends and family. We know much about each other's lives (sometimes maybe probably too much!) and often have a confidante(s) to share struggles and joys and prayer requests. 

OB- what other job do you get to rock a newborn to sleep at 4:30 in the morning and get paid to do it? Sure, there are plenty of fussy babies - ones it seems like will never sleep, and sometimes it is tiring to change diaper after diaper after diaper of sticky meconium (er - was that TMI?) but it helps me to know that these little ones depend on someone else - they certainly can't do anything for themselves other than breathe - and sometimes (thankfully rarely!) we have to help them with that too.  So, if their momma just spent the last 8 hours in hard labor and needs some shut-eye, I'm surely going to give it to her even if that means I stay in that nursery for an entire hour taking care of her little one.

 Espanol - probably one of the most difficult parts of my job is also one that I enjoy the most. That might not make sense now, but let me explain:

 To start, I'm telling you right now that it is hard to work in health care and not be able to communicate well with people who do not speak English.  Sure, I have interpreter services available, but that doesn't help me establish rapport with my patient and their family.  I want them to trust that I want to help them through their problem.  Some times that means making small talk and more than asking the basic "where does it hurt?" questions. 

So, when I am assigned a Spanish patient, I try to look at it as a challenge for me to learn more Spanish words and interact more with my patient than just the mandatory surface talk. And, it also helps as me as a Christian to understand that God made them just as he made me and - despite our differences - He values each of us the same.

   Its funny, but this post was originally going to have nothing to do about what I do at work, or about work, but more about what I do with my time "off". I guess I'll tuck that away for another day. Its my day off and I'm not going to spend one more minute of it in front of this computer if I don't have to. Besides, it gives me something to write about later. 

   Blessings in your week ahead!