So often life throws us a curveball, whether it's leading us away from our comfort zone or placing us in a rough patch when we've been on even ground for a while. My job obviously consists of traveling, but not just traveling across the country as you may think. I also travel between hospitals and I float between units within the same hospital. I rather enjoy the flexibility and experience that comes from this stipulation per my contract. It gives me freedom to use my skills and allows the ability to acquire more through new enterprises.
After working 2 nights on the same unit the other night, I went to the same hospital on the same unit with my same patients. I was in my comfort zone, ready for an "easy" night. At 1900, (7pm in military time, the beginning of shift) after writing information on the same patients I had and getting ready for report from the day shift, I was told I was being floated to another unit. Ok, that's fine. I ask why and was told another nurse was feeling sick. Ok, that's too bad. But who will take my assignment? Well another nurse was being called in who usually works ICU and refused to be floated to anywhere but the unit I was working (PCU or Progressive Care Unit, ICU stepdown). This is what makes me upset. I like floating and don't mind it, in fact, I embrace it. Why not gain new knowledge and skills? Why not broaden your horizons and open your mind? It stinks that I had to be floated even though I was the best nurse for the job having the continuity with the same patients for 3 nights in a row, knowing their histories, illnesses, likes, dislikes, and needs.
So, without complaint, I went to the other unit (of which I've not been before) and got a new assignment. There were a few things I wasn't as familiar with, but am always comfortable asking questions when faced with new challenges. The nurses were nice enough and I went about my night as usual. Things were going fine, but I was missing the nurses and the flow of PCU. As I sat down to chart after getting patients and medications settled, to my astonishment I met another nurse working for the same traveling company. I was excited to be able to swap stories and commiserate over our assignments, recent experiences, and traveling in general. We hit it off and decided to hang out (travelers usually group together because of the camaraderie of shared experiences and similar backgrounds).
After a hike, pictures, food, and drinks, I've made a new friend. Maybe it wasn't so bad to be floated, maybe I'm grateful for a stubborn nurse who refuses assignments, maybe I'm grateful for a break in routine, maybe it's not just maybe, but I really am thankful for a night that brought me a new friend, regardless of how it began.
Change is frequently not as easily accepted. Even as I speak about floating and traveling, change still scares me, but I try to let my excitement shine through more than my fright. I try to embrace it because life is dynamic. In the same sense, so is nursing. It started with Florence Nightingale founding the idea of cleanliness and has now led to robotic surgeries and medicine that has the power to heal. I encourage everyone to embrace the changes that life brings. Some changes may not be for the better, but frequently you'll be surprised at how change is empowering, exciting, and influential.
With much love,
K
P.S. A few shots from the hike.
<sun over the lake>
<new friend, A>
<from the top of the hike next to the glacier>
<needs no words>
<overlooking city of Golden>
<Denver skyline>
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