Nursing InspirationNursing Inspiration: Another dayNursing Inspiration is my blog of lessons I learn when working as a nurse manager. More lessons will be added to the top of the page.
One day as I was doing some Diabetic teaching it occurred to me that life is like a video game. Seriously, we start out a novice and slowly learn to navigate through the obstacles of life. Often we feel like we are starting over at the very beginning, but each time we reach a particular problem it gets easier and we move along to the next challenge. Sometimes we discover a secret or gift that will help us tackle the next hurdle.Then we move up to the next level...say Intermediate. Life is moving a little faster and there are more things coming at us. Perhaps we now have a family and a new job. The obstacles seem larger at first and we get knocked down a lot and have to start again. Then life seems to settle into a routine and those once huge obstacles are easy to get past. 
That is when you move up again. It's kind of like the saying, "God never gives you more than you can handle." Each new life experience can stop you in your tracks, force you to evaluate the other areas of your life, and learn to use the secrets you learned at the earlier levels. It may take a long time to be able to see past this problem and move beyond it. But you will. There are still more levels and more pitfalls. But I know I will learn and reach the other side. This moment is frightening, it takes up all my time and energy, but in time I will be on the other side flying to the next level. The secret to life is not to get discouraged when you need to start over. Keep learning, keep on moving, keep your faith, and soon you will be past the difficulty wondering why that seemed so hard. In focusing on the situation as a learning experience with expectation of a successful resolution it is much more fun to continue the game of life. As a Nursing Inspiration the video game can really be interesting. Each patient, each coworker, and each new treatment holds a unique gift you can use in the level ahead. Nursing Inspiration June 20Today's Nursing Inspiration came from one of my patients. She came in to receive some teaching about a new medication. She was angry to have to come in, and she had already made up her mind what I was going to say, and that I had no idea what she was talking about.I have to admit I start my day like that some times. I can get resentful that I need to be at work and am not able to work on my painting. (I have a great concept for a painting and it is killing me that I am not able to make it come to life right now!) So I leave home in a poor mood, the weather is dark and rainy, and the traffic is even slower than usual. So of course I arrive to work already set to have a bad day, any interruption is unwanted, any request is outrageous. You know those days, when anything bad that could happen happens to you. My bad days don't get that far anymore. In reality I don't HAVE to go to work. I can always decide to take a day off. We all can. Of course that decision has consequences.
Nursing Inspiration May 30thUnfortunately, sometimes my Nursing Inspiration comes after an event. That doesn't mean it is too late, only that the event becomes a learning experience. Of course I would rather get my Inspiration before I need it, but I didn't this time. Is that because God wanted to teach me something? In this case I don't think so. I think I chose to make it a learning experience.We held a special clinic for the children of migrant workers this week. All the planning and organizing did not help us. Our plan was for the High school and Middle School kids to arrive first, we would check them in, they would get their paperwork, and proceed through the plan of care. First of all they didn't arrive at the same time, some of them were 1/2 an hour early. We still had patients being seen so were weren't ready for them. It was not as simple as, "Put the plan in motion now!" We tried to do that and ended up with Chaos and everyone being stressed. I know I became reactionary instead of thoughtful and intelligent like I know I can be. If only I had stopped to pray. I believe if I had God would help us to stop, put our organization into place and then proceed calmly with confidence. Instead we had patients waiting to get their immunizations that didn't need any, patients waiting to see the doctor when they had been seen less than 2 months ago, and an atmosphere of stress and commotion. Only after we finished a full hour later than I anticipated, and I was able to sit down for a precious moment, was I able to remember my failure. All I need to do in any situation is allow God to take over. How simple it could have been. I intend to remember this Nursing Inspiration for all the next situations no matter what they are. 
I am feeling a great wealth of Nursing Inspiration today. First of all it is Memorial Day, and I know my fellow nurses all over the country have family and patients they remember today. We have dedicated our lives to promote and save life. At times death becomes are adversary as we wage war to pull life back from the precipice. We are destined to lose this battle. We have no real control over life and death. What we really have given our lives for is to become a tool. The hands and crafted skills that God uses to heal. This healing is more of a seed than an outcome. I don't think we get to see the destination of our craft very often. Healing of the wound, illness, or body is only part of our applied bag of tricks. True healing involves the spirit of not only our patients, but their families as well. The seeds we plant leave our care and vision after only a few hours, but the light, water, and fertilizer continues to work and the miracle of healing takes place long after our encounter with this life. And death is the complete healing, not the failure of it.
I stopped at an accident yesterday. The victims were a young couple. Both were conscious and in pain. The young man had sustained a significant head injury. What stayed with me after I turned him over to the care of the paramedics was not his injuries or physical condition, but the children he asked his friend to care for. I never saw the children. I don't know how many there are or if they are boys or girls. I know that I can not help in any physical or practical way. All I can do is put them in God's care. Not only is He present and in charge of this young couple, but He is caring for the children simultaneously. His healing plan may have involved me for a couple of minutes, but as I move on He stays with the stream of people who will all take turns being His hands, working with His wisdom, and applying His skills.Nursing Inspiration: Be open to God's guidance knowing that He is the great healer. Nursing Inspiration May 17thThis week my nursing inspiration came as a bolt of lightening as I was spending a little time weeding in the garden. I have to chuckle at myself. I am so glad God is patient and kind and also has a sense of humor. You see, I can be extremely dense.I remember when I was in high school I prayed that God would tell me what my career was supposed to be. And He said, "Nursing" Then I married and had a baby and I asked God what I should do part time to bring in some money. And He said, "Nursing" Then when I was leaving my husband and needed to go back to work I asked God what I should do. And He said, "Nursing" After restoring my spirit and repairing my confidence I recently asked God to show me what job He wanted me to do. And He said, "Nursing" You would think after this many years and the multiple circumstances that I came to God asking Him to show me where He wanted me to be that I wouldn't need to ask any more. Seriously, how dense can I be? When my children ask me the same question more than once I get a little short tempered. I can't believe I have to repeat myself. Why God hasn't shouted and hit me over the head I don't know, but I do understand now that He has taught me and prepared me over the many years to be a nurse, and I am ready to accept that. Nursing Inspiration May 2ndMy nursing inspiration this week was how to remain calm in the storm. Many of my colleagues expressed frustration with the media and the way the slow spread of swine flue was pushed into anyone who would listen.
In this part of the country the health department has coined a new phrase, "Drive by mask theft." The number of stories from all the health care facilities in the area regarding the blatant appropriation of face masks is truly the epidemic, not the virus. My clinic saw double the amount of patients as usual, gave many flu vaccines, and had probably triple the number of phone calls as usual.Statistics were blown all out of proportion from both the media and the grape vine. Constantly reminding my staff to go to the CDC website for factual updates seemed an uphill battle. By Tuesday I ordered twice as many masks and still haven't received them. My staff is exhausted and showing signs of stress. Their strength and drive was very admirable as they flew from one person to another, cleaning rooms as soon as they were available and keeping up with the doctors requests. I thought by Friday morning that my end of the month reports would never get done. But God provided the time (during many conference calls with health departments and our administration), to finish them up. I am learning to do so much that I haven't done before. It certainly humbles me to say over and over, "Please show me how to do this." which is great for my soul.I am reminded daily to ask God to take over and be in charge of my mouth and actions. Nursing Inspiration April 17thThis week my Nursing Inspiration came to me at the end of the week. I get frustrated when expectations for my work are not clear. I easily imagine that there are influences and powers that struggle against me. How small minded of me.The week speeds by with reports to complete, audits to do, patients to teach and care for. I mentor employees, and prayerfully lead by example. Then, on Friday morning as two co-workers spoke about their frustrations with the company out of my mouth came, "I try to remember that I am here to do good work for our clients. It is such critical work it makes me feel like I am doing something important." How that came out I don't know. I know it benefited me as much as, or more than those who heard it. As a human being I am selfish. It is so easy to get caught up in the me of it all. My life is not "all about me." My life is about how I can best serve my God. 
Over and over again I forget that I am most at peace when I allow God to lead me. When I become not the force, but the conduit; the channel that provides passage for Him to touch those around me. My anxiety is nonexistent when God is in charge and I allow myself to be led through the day, speaking what I allow Him to say rather than my own attempts at leadership. I become peaceful, content and even happy when I don't try to get in His way. This week is another reminder. I need not be strong. I need not be firm. I need not be all knowing. I need to open myself, put aside earthly ways, become selfless rather than introspective, selfish, and self serving. Nursing Inspiration: With this mindset I can look forward to the week ahead and all the lessons and adventures it brings.
Nursing Inspiration April 4thI discovered the Nursing Inspiration this week as a steady reinforcement. One of our most powerful tools is compassion. The angriest, most stressed, insecure, and frightened people can be calmed just by a listening ear, eye contact, and touch. It really is magical.My staff apologize all the time for handing off the "worst" clients to me. But to me they aren't the worst or most challenging. They are merely the most in need. Society is trying to run at light speed. We want instant service, instant gratification and instant knowledge. The fact is that nothing happens instantly. We depend on each other and in raising our expectations to the "NOW" level we increase the stress of everyone we come in contact with. My job is calmness in the storm. I pass on confidence by being confident and noticing the good efforts around me. Those most needy relax when they are removed from the hustle and bustle to a quiet place. Those most angry and stilled by a quiet voice. Those most unsure gain strength with eye contact and words of compassion. No matter what the situation, if I put myself into the life of the person I am talking to I can honestly say I understand their feelings. Once anyone hears truth and understanding in a one on one situation calm begins to settle around us. It's not that hard to do. Stop the instant stress packed race track, sit and listen. We don't really want this fast paced stress causing life. We all want to matter. We all want to feel love. My Nursing Inspiration this week is to stop, listen, and care. Try it. You'll be surprised at the results. Nursing Inspiration March 22ndThis past week Nursing Inspiration was difficult to see. That doesn't mean it wasn't there, it just means I let this world weigh me down instead of letting Inspiration shine.That pleasant "I can do no wrong" period that begins each new experience crashed and burned this week. I started the week feeling betrayed which I allowed to crush my self esteem. Then my mouth spoke before God gave me the words which is always a human mistake. I've never seen that come out well. Then I was feeling like I could do nothing right, so I couldn't. Behavior mirrors belief. I felt negative about myself and portrayed that to the world quite well." I continued to meet wonderful loving people. I continued to do my job to the best of my ability at the time. I was able to do some hands on "nurse" stuff which is always good for me. So the week was not a failure unless I choose to focus on my errors. This week I plan to learn, grow, and know that I am a conduit. When I choose to let God work through me I can do great things. I have become more culturally aware, adding that to the sensitivity of those around me. I don't want to become "all business" with a tortoise shell exterior. I am struggling to find the Nursing Inspiration to build a stronger sense of me without losing any sensitivity or compassion. I just keep remembering, "I can do all things through God who strengthens me." Growing pains happen all through life. I stumbled on loose rocks, but I'm beginning to use them as stepping stones for my future. More about Rocks and the lessons they taught me can be found by clicking on the underlined words. 
Nursing inspiration March 7thThis week's nursing inspiration is all about Children. Our clinic must have seen every child under the age of five. Some were accompanying a parent and some were the patients themselves. Whatever the case, these small beings tend to lighten the mood wherever they go.I am often asked how I could work in Pediatrics for so many years. This astounds me, because I have never looked at Pediatrics as being a sad and difficult population. I think this is for many reasons. First of all, children live moment by moment. So there is no anger or mistrust. Children tend to get really sick quickly and are just as quick to respond to treatment. Admit strait to ICU and back home by the end of the week. These little bodies are resilient. In living moment to moment children adapt quickly and because they are small and often overlooked they learn quickly to be tough little fighters. They do not give up easily. But I think my favorite attribute of children is their capacity to love and forgive. Their hearts are wide open. The walls we have all built day by day do not yet exist. They are ready to accept what is explained to them. As quickly as the sting begins to ease from an injection, their little arms are reaching to hug me. 
I am no longer so trusting and forgiving. Over the years my heart has been broken. Most people need to prove their honesty before I let my guard down. And I usually live be the "fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me" rule. It's a good thing God doesn't work the way I do. I look at children and their capacity to play and lighten their own mood, the way they let sadness wash over them and give love and forgiveness out like candy. God accepts me over and over again. He is never to busy to give forgiveness. He is never to busy to give me His love. He will never turn His back on me no matter how many times I have broken His heart. So my nursing inspiration is to become childlike. Let love and forgiveness flow. Add warmth and lighten the hearts around me. A child doesn't have to work at being a child. Why should I try so hard not to be a child. Perhaps when St Paul talked about giving up childish ways he meant more of the helplessness and frailty than the innocent love and easy forgiveness. Nursing Inspiration March 1stNursing inspirations come with learning experiences. With this new job I am slowly learning how to make good decisions.As you know each medical institution has their own policies and procedures.My lesson for this last week was to always check there for the answers to each new question I am asked. What is a logical and level headed decision in my personal life may not be the right decision in accord with the accepted policy of my medical clinic. The first decision was regarding a young person with a (supposed) signed document from mom. First: Always look at the document. Second: Always look up policy. The document was not completely filled out, and part of the policy was not documented. This week was the beginning of Lent. That got me to thinking. All my questions of behavior are in a Policy and Procedure book, also. They are answered in the Bible. If I can remember to look there at God's accepted policies I won't go wrong. Remember the woman I tried to teach last week? She was back with a friend, and remembered none of the information I tried to teach her. My focus is better when I know all the policies. There are a lot of them, and remembering them all especially under stress is nearly impossible. My faith takes away my anxiousness and when I remember to focus on my path toward God I am able to do His work. Nursing Inspiration 2/20/09Today's nursing inspiration hit me over the head. I was beginning teaching on Diabetes for a woman who was just diagnosed the day before. Her eyes were tearful and cast down. Obviously she was taking the news hard. I asked her how she was feeling about all this in my broken Spanish and she answered"good, no problem" Certain that she misunderstood me I asked again through the interpreter saying, "Many people who just find out they have diabetes are afraid or sad, how are you doing?" She again responded that she was fine, and not at all sad.One reason I begin teaching this way is so I can gauge how well the patient will be able to absorb the information I give them. To provide them an opportunity to talk about some of those feelings and find out what concerns they have so we can get those dealt with first, making it possible for them to hear the rest of the information. It became obvious that this woman coped with fear and sadness alone, and wouldn't be able to share it with anyone. She reminded me of myself, and my own coping mechanism that lead to my downfall a few years ago. Only minutes before one of my employees tried the same nonsense. She received a call that the dog she had raised as a puppy and loved for the past 8 years had been killed by a hit and run driver. She struggled to stop her flowing emotions so she could carry out her day at work. Why? Why do we do that to ourselves? We encourage our patients to talk about their feelings, to allow themselves to feel them, to give themselves permission to feel whatever emotion they have. And then we don't permit ourselves this healthy option. We tell ourselves we don't have time for this "luxury." Healthy behavior is not a luxury! It is a necessity. You can not teach healthiness unless you practice it yourself. Our patients see through us in the same way I saw through the brave front of my patient today. You can not take the stick out of your patient's eye unless you get the log out of yours first. In my experience the log has been there awhile and does not come out easily in one piece. It has begun to rot, and in trying to remove the log it dissolves into many pieces that must be removed bit by bit. Only by taking care of myself and working to remove all the splinters as they come up can I demonstrate healthy decisions to my patients, children, friends, and co-workers. And that's my job. It is what God asks me to do today. And luckily I never have to do it alone. With my belief in God, in myself, and passion for my mission it's not work, but an interesting learning process each day. I hope you can find some nursing inspiration from my stories.
Nursing Inspiration 2/6/09 We have one thing in common. We are all co-dependents. Think about it before you jump to deny it. I have never met a nurse who doesn't give of herself until she can give no more. You think of everyone else before yourself. Whether it is your family, coworkers, or friends, you will do everything you can for them even after you've spent all day giving to your patients. A nurse will not say "no." You will work overtime, fill in for a coworker, come to work when you can barely get out of bed, and then stop to help a total stranger who is in need. These are all generous and loving traits. But here is my nursing inspiration. When I didn't put myself first I wasn't ever able to refill my well of inspiration, health, or spirituality. Without refilling myself I eventually ran dry. I was exhausted, short tempered, and spiritually empty. I had nothing left to give. This is burn out. The day had come when I could no longer be the spring board for everyone else and I dissolved into a blob of jelly. Many nurses do not return to nursing because they can't imagine giving to such an extent again. I have returned to my nursing career, but not to repeat my past mistakes. I return with passion and spirit that I continually feed. I am excited about my job. I do give of myself 100% while at work. I insist on taking time off for my art class. I set aside time with my friends because their love and support feeds my soul. I have learned that if I say no I am still loving and caring. I can set boundaries that protect me from giving myself away. Triage your life just as you would any disaster. Give your time a number from 1 through 3. 1. Must be done now! The fact is you only have so much time in the day and you must dedicate some time each day doing only what you want to do. Your patients and clients need you full of energy with a clear mind every single day. My nursing inspiration for you is this. The only way to answer the needs around you is to take care of yourself. I welcome your comments and concerns. Please click on
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If I choose to I can see beauty in the weather. Cloud formations are each so unique, and the way the wind constantly changes parts of each cloud is fascinating. 
