Happy Thanksgiving: What I Am Thankful For.... An ER Nurses Version #nurse #ernurse

Nurses are thankful for many things, but they seem to have a strange way of showing there gratitude sometimes. Only another ER nurse that has been in the trenches day after day (or night after night) understands the gratitude shown by another ER nurse. We are an odd breed of nursing creature, we are.
Humor helps us cope with the stress, chaos, drama, unrelenting flood of patients, death and dying, and our own misfortunes too. We have a dark side of humor that most laypeople just don't understand. Believe me, most of the time we are laughing with you and would never wish to hurt your feelings by laughing at your pain or loss. Laughter is a coping mechanism for healthcare providers.
When you hear laughing and joy in the Emergency Department, don't get upset and think the staff is just goofing off, not doing their jobs and have forgotten about you or your loved one.
Laughter is a good thing, it means the nursing staff is able to destress a minute,cope with the situation at hand, and they might be distressing together as a team.
You want your nurse to be happy.

This Thanksgiving I am so very thankful to be a nurse, for listening to my mother when she talked some sense into me at age 16. I wanted to be a veterinarian, but I don't do well taking care of sick animals (makes me cry) lol. So she suggested nursing instead since I was already working as a junior volunteer at a local hospital. Since 1979, I have loved being in the healthcare field, very thankful for such great nurses that took the time to show me their tips and actually believe in me.

Here is a list of other things that ER nurses can be thankful for:

• Great co-workers, nurses, nurses assistants and ancillary staff all included- we all work together for the common goal. 
• When you actually have a great manager that listens to you, believes in you, and is fair all around, not unwilling to roll up his/her sleeves and work along side their staff to get the job done.
• Educators that educate, consistently making sure staff is up to date on certifications, new policies, new procedures etc. Not just making pretty bulletin boards (pet peeve), also willing to work in staffing when needed.
• Equipment that works
• EKG machines that print clear readings on the first try
• A well stocked supply room (yes I am reaching here)
• Benefit plan that fits your family needs -- they are not all perfect, but at least we have them
• No Psych pts on your shift...lol
• Sober patients are always nice
• Nice big juicy veins- and the ability to hit your iv on the first stick all day
• QBT---quality butt time....lol when we have an unusual night
• Laughter with great friends

I can think of so many more things to wish for, but that might be another blog post.....

Tell me what your most thankful things are about being a nurse, I would love to hear them. 

This Thanksgiving What I am UnThankful For....ER Nurse Version

Working in the ER changes you as a nurse, sadly the chaos, tragedy, stress and constant living on the edge carves away at your inner being. Many nurses working in this environment for many years become cynical, hardened, and pretty much burnt to a crisp. These nurses begin to think about other fields of work to try, but learn that they are used to a certain lifestyle and pay. Without going back to school or changing professions completely they feel stuck in a dead end job.
They also make their co-workers around them miserable, the team player is no more. Vocal and verbally negative, they complain constantly about everything from their own health to their patients (the very patients that they are there to care for).
Working with a "negative Nancy or Ned" is one of my most "unthankful" things, it drains me and makes me sad.
If you are that unhappy with your job, you need to find a new one ...fast.
I come to work in a great mood, happy to have a job and after many years still love my job. Yes some days are more stressful than others, but all in all the patient is why we are there to work. Whether it is a negative nurse, doctor, or even part of the ancillary staff, that person can pull everyone down and make the work environment unhealthy emotionally for everybody, then the patients ultimately suffer.

Here is a list of Un-Thankful things:

• Negative Nellies (or Neds) - get your head out of your butt
• Uncooperative staff (that complain about every new change- even if it is good)
• Co-workers that consistently call in sick (and you know your health is worse than theirs)
• Constant complainers- something is always wrong with them- always sick or have a problem
• Nurse Bullies (Horizontal Violence) - nobody has time for that 
• Gossipers (mind your own business and let me do my job)
• Nosey Nosela's -- we all seem to have one or two that need to know it all (and tell it all)
• Superheros that know it all (but really don't) these nurses scare me- nobody knows it all
• Loners-- those that will not ask for help ( it is ok now to ask for help!)

I will stop there, I think you get the drift......lol , you all know what I am talking about if you are a nurse. 

Working in an environment such as the ER does not have to change you into such a cynical burnt out cinder. You are the key to your own happiness, accept gratitude for your career as a caregiver in such a fast paced role. Embrace your own wellness and take care of you, that is the most important thing you can do for your patients and coworkers. 

New nurses and nursing students, the time is now for you to be the change. One nurse at a time, one day at a time we can change the face of negative nursing environments and un-thankful lists. Happy, healthy nurses create a patient that is on the road to wellness. 

Stay tuned for my Most Thankful ER Nurse list ,coming up tomorrow..........