🕓 Hour 9 -Time to stop and hold the hand of a patient of mine who states "I'm so sick, I am dying." It may be terrible, but I'm glad to be able to give more time to this patient who is very sick.

It's no exaggeration, there are no more treatment options for this individual. Medicine had given them extra years after a renal transplant, but their body is shutting down.

Remember the patient who needed help remembering how to breathe? They state not having any physical pain, but emotionally pain is written all over their being.I attempt to encourage and let them know I am here with and for them.

🕓 Hour 10 - Time to absorb another patient from the emergency department. There's no one there to get the room ready besides me. Did I mention they are on contact precaution for diarrhea that others have not yet collected?

As this patient arrives to the unit, my phone goes off again. I ask for someone who is free to please check in on the patient calling out and another to please help me settle this liver failure patient who is confused.

🕓 Hour 11 - Time to glance at my watch and realize that I haven't had a moment to tend to myself. No sip of water, snack, or bathroom break. I sneak away to the breakroom to guzzle a bottle of water.
[I'm tired and feel beaten down, but at the same time feel glad that I'm doing my best to be there] for patients who need it the most.

Even if some people take away moments andenergy, there is a strange balance in it all.

🕓 Hour 12 - Time to say goodbye to my patients and go home. But first, a thorough report of events and tasks that took place overnight.

Goals and information is passed along tothe next nurse, who will [dotheir best with what they've got].

Maybe there will be nurse aides on the floor to help, it's not easy having three patients who cannot do much forthemselves. I reflect and know that I do the best I can. Despite how patients are behaving towards me, I treat all with respect, kindness, and dignity.

[Some shifts are tougher than others].