#nursingintherealworld

[amythesmith]

"My mind has said its farewell, my lips have declared it's time, but my heart cannot say its goodbye"--#shaneandshane #ccu #NSICU #nursingintherealworld #ilovemyfamily #onlythelivingheartcanfeelpain (at TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center)

[amythesmith]

Coworker gave to me #alittledoseofhappiness . Thanks Richard. 😊#nursingintherealworld #ccu

[amythesmith]

I got a three year pin!!! #ccu #nursingintherealworld #happy

[amythesmith]

Artwork from two adorable little visitors #NSICU #nursingintherealworld #littleloves

[amythesmith]

Presenting with the best! #gradschoolmeetslife #11thannualnursingresearchconference #ClevelandClinic #learningisapleasure #nursingintherealworld #puttingtheClassbackinclass (at Bertram Inn)

[amythesmith]

Today I remember my birthday celebration sleep over at the Woodward Homestead, complete with Put the IV in the Patient-- artistically crafted by the sister of the century @supermolls ...and George pointing out where the foley goes. Wrong game, George. #sentimentalsaturday #ilovemyfamily #hermeenas #nursingintherealworld

[amythesmith]

Four hours until my three day work stretch ends and my Spring Break-From-Class-So-I-Can-Study Week begins. #gradschoolmeetslife #NSICU #studyforthewin #Classof2015 #nursingintherealworld

[amythesmith]

Inability to sleep: frustrating. 1.5 hour nap until 06:00: hardly enough. 12 hour work shift with sick patients and awesome coworkers: energizing and totally worth it. Coming home to a newly-placed shelf and fresh blooms: completely loved. Thanks for the beautiful resonating chord at the end of a symphonic day of crescendos and key changes. I love you babe. @soundsmith668 #CCU #nursingintherealworld #feelingloveinmanyways #husbandoftheyear

[amythesmith]

Feeling loved. I just had my hands blessed by the hospital chaplain #nursingintherealworld #ccu #jesusthesweetestnameiknow #blessingofthehands #anointing

[amythesmith]

It is moments like these that make me glad to be a nurse #giftsfromasweetfamily #treasuredmoments #ccu #Jesusthesweetestnameiknow #nursingintherealworld

[amythesmith]

one of those days...

Today was one of those days when the decision to be positive is made out of desperation to rapidly ignore all evidence of trouble and behave like it is a treat. Today was one of those days when busyness crawls into the scene and clasps it's ugly claws on the nurses' station, making the phones ring incessantly, all of the patients need help at once, and the family members desire to repeat themselves over matters previously established. Today was one of those days when choosing to be a thermostat of peace from the beginning of the shift saves the unit from a thermometer shrieking, "DANGER! DANGER! DANGER!" before shattering from sheer distress. Today was one of those days when problems crash into sight from every direction, and each is greeted with a forced smile and a cheery word, love, kindness, encouragement, professional grace, blessing by choice. Today was one of those days when it comes to a careening halt, skidding through shift change, crashing all over the fresh nurses rushing in to meet it and back splashing on those trying to make their ways out. Today was one of those days when the last 12+ hours of hard work and quality care are obliterated by the oncoming nurse who is angry that the assignments were not made on time. Today was one of those days when I question the ability of merciless nurses to care for the sick when unable to interact with senior staff respectfully. Today was one of those days.