I am a nerd.

[I put Claire Temple there because she is the only nurse on TV that I’ve seen that actually acts like a nurse. Like, she breaks scope of practice all the freaking time, and there was that little incident where she abandoned her patients without telling anyone, but in Daredevil S1E2, I was thoroughly convinced of Rosario Dawson’s nurse status. And that’s saying something, cause you all know I’m picky.]

Nursing publicity actually sucks (see chapter 21 of this textbook), so here are some fun facts to get you thinking in the right direction when you’re writing, reading, or otherwise applying your knowledge of the nursing profession in a creative way:

1. Nurses treat reaction to disease. Literally our job is to assess and treat the reaction a person has to a disease process, or what impact a disease has on a person physically (are they in pain? having trouble breathing? can’t walk?), mentally (does a disease process alter how they think, their quality of life?), emotionally (are they devastated by a prognosis? depressed by their inability to act as they used to?) and spiritually (what is their relationship with their belief system? has it changed in response to disease? how do they feel about that?). In contrast, a physician treats the disease itself. 

2. Nurses have a system of diagnosis and care planning that is unique from that of a physician. Medical diagnosis of course is taken into consideration when treating a patient and planning care, but remember that we are treating a reaction to a disease process, and so our diagnoses are those reactions. Some examples include:

Sleep deprivation

Impaired gas exchange (difficulty breathing)

Decreased cardiac output (less (or too little) blood getting out of the heart)

Fear

Deficient knowledge 

Acute pain

Social isolation

Full list here

These are usually written as part of a larger “Diagnosis Statement” which goes something like this: “Impaired gas exchange related to bronchospasm as evidenced by expiratory wheezing, abnormal blood gases, patient statement of ‘I can’t breathe’ and medical diagnosis of acute asthma exacerbation.” Nurses then plan and carry out interventions to improve the patient’s condition. Often, this goal coincides with the physician’s plan of care, and a nurse can ask a physician for orders if they feel the patient needs something that requires such an order.

3. There are different “levels” of nursing. These are:

Nurse Aide (NA or UAP): 2 weeks-3 months of training. Nurse Aides carry out patient care activities such as bathing and dressing, they can measure patient intake and output, take vital signs (depending on facility), take blood sugars (depending on facility), remove IVs and Foley Catheters and do other duties as assigned by the Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse they work under. Must have passed either     State Licensure or a facility-based training program.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN): 1-1.5 years of training. These are starting to go out of style and mainly found either “grandfathered in” in hospital settings or working as supervisors in nursing homes. In addition to all things listed above, they can do a full assessment and basic nursing interventions, including placement of IVs an Foleys, pass (most) medication, collect samples for testing, take health histories, supervise Nurse Aides, and other duties as assigned by a Registered Nurse. LPNs must have taken and passed national licensure (NCLEX-PN in the USA).

Registered Nurse (RN): 2-4 years of training, usually with an accompanying associates’ or bachelors’ degree. Registered Nurses can do all of the above, as well as administer all medications, do full range of IV therapy, write and make plan of care for nursing diagnoses, follow ACLS protocol (without deviation), do nursing research and supervise LPNs and NAs. Training for RNs focuses a lot more on critical thinking and research skills. RNs must have taken and passed national     licensure (the NCLEX-RN in the USA). This is generally what people think of when they think of a nurse.

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS): 6-8 years of training. CNSs are masters’ or doctoral prepared nurses who specialize in one area or population, usually in the inpatient hospital setting (though some specialties practice in community or mental health settings). They provide higher-level care in their specialty and are able to perform procedures outside an RN’s scope of practice. CNSs also teach, supervise and conduct nursing and medical research within their specialty.  CNSs have either extremely limited or no prescriptive privilege (they can’t prescribe medication).

Nurse Practitioner (NP): 6-8 years of training (minimum Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree by 2030). NPs can often practice independently in a primary care capacity (varies by location), and have a broader scope of practice than a CNS. In a primary care capacity, they can prescribe medication, do office-level medical procedures and refer to specialists. NPs also do research, teach and supervise nurses in hospital and long-term acute care facilities.

4. Nurses are expected to question orders and advocate for their patients. We are the end-point of all orders and the last line of defense before an order hits a patient in a hospital setting. In the USA, a nurse is legally responsible for questioning orders and may choose to hold an ordered medication or intervention if they think it will harm the patient (we do have to immediately call the physician and ask for another order, but we can do it).

5. Nursing is applicable in extremely diverse fields that have nothing to do with clinical nursing care. For example, there are:

Forensic Nurses, who collect evidence from victims of crime

Nurse Advocates, who are practicing lawyers who also hold degrees in nursing

Nursing Informatics Specialists, who design computer systems and technology applicable to nurses and healthcare

Insurance Nurses, who work as liaisons between the insurance industries and patients

Nurse Administrators, who work the business end of healthcare

Nurse Case Managers, who work as social workers

Tsukki with round glasses! And new fall outfit. 

But you know what I want?

I want a spinoff of the Beauty and the Beast about the one who cursed Adam (the beast,) the Enchantress.

Because this bitch

This fucking bitch, is possibly as evil, maybe even more evil and sadistic than Maleficent.

The Enchantress cursed the prince because he failed a test, he was unkind to her because she presented herself as an ugly old hag. She turned him into a werewolf minotaur hybrid (fucking cool I’ll give her that,) because he was rude to her and didn’t want her rose.

So she cursed him, along with every single one of his servants. What did his servants have to do with any of this? Why are they being punished?

Not only that, but this stood out to me when I watched the movie again. When the spell is broken, all of the monstrous statues and art pieces transform into graceful, beautiful ones, I’m assuming that’s what they looked like before.

So this enchantress not only cursed him and his servants (oh and his fucking DOG DID I MENTION THAT) she took away every beautiful thing he had, replacing them with things like goblins, dragons, ghouls and other monsters, just to remind him what he was and what she had done to him, and he would have to look at them every single day.

I’m going to rightfully assume she provided the magic mirror as well, all of the magic in the movie stems from her, the mirror most likely came from her. His only window to the outside world is a handheld mirror, so he can fucking look at himself.

But you know what the kicker is?

If we take these two lines into consideration

“The rose, which was truly an enchanted rose, which would bloom until his 21st year” ~Narrator

“Ten years we’ve been rusting…” ~ Lumiere

We can reasonably deduce that the Enchantress cursed the prince when he was eleven years old.

Who is she!!!! I don’t know her!!!! What if she tried to kill me or stole everything!!

Aurora: “Cabeswater, dissolve,” Ronan said. Aurora had stepped in front of him as if she meant to protect her son. There was nothing vague about her now. 

Niall: “The spear, Dad told me, was him.” Declan looked at Ronan. “He told me to make sure Ronan was the name of the hero, and not the name of just another spear.” 

Declan: His mind was already digging through worst-case scenarios. He needed to get Ronan and Matthew out of Henrietta - that was all that mattered.

Ronan: “Take Matthew to D.C. and keep him safe,” Ronan repeated.

Matthew: In the backseat, Matthew gasped dramatically to lighten the mood. Like Chainsaw, he could not bear to see Ronan distressed. 

1. Maple Mustard Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Shallots

This recipe is as delicious as it is easy to make! 2. Thanksgiving Stuffing Poppers With Cranberry Jalapeno Dipping Sauce

Trust us, you want to try these. 3. Roasted Fingerling Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts With Rosemary and Garlic

Roasted veggies for the win! 4. Toasty Pumpkin Chickpea Fritters

This recipe is sure to please! 5. The Best Damn Vegan Mashed Potatoes

The best. Get the recipe here. 6. The Best Vegetarian Gravy

Put it on your mashed potatoes, and everything else. Recipe here. 7. Southwestern Roasted Butternut Squash

Searching for something savory? This should do the trick! 8. Vegan Chestnut Mushroom Stuffing

This looks delicious. 9. Heavenly Hasselback Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes steal the show with this mouthwatering dish. 10. Vegan Mac and Cheese With Creamy Cauliflower Sauce

Everyone loves mac and cheese. Get the recipe. 11. The Best Vegan Green Bean Casserole

A classic Thanksgiving dish, veganized! 12. Wild Rice Pilaf With Butternut Squash, Cranberries, and Pecans

This recipe is colorful and packed with flavor. 13. Balsamic Glazed Carrots

These carrots will leave you begging for seconds. 14. Fluffy Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls

Fluffy indeed. Get the recipe here. 15. Simple Creamed Spinach

Popeye would be proud. 16. Poblano Cornbread Stuffing

You can never have too much stuffing. 17. Garlic Mushroom Kabobs

all the beautiful colours of the skies - pink, gold, blue, orange, sometimes all at once

new films and your favourite actors and actresses

new songs from your favourite artists

new seasons of your favourite tv shows

new video games and books and scientific discoveries

the crunch of autumn leaves under your feet 

the feeling of warmth when you walk in to a warm room in the middle of winter

climbing into your nice soft bed after a long tiring day

watching the clouds drifting 

the chance to see what will happen in the future

listening to amazing music which you can feel in your heart

your favourite songs, artists, films,books, foods, smells

a chance to see all the beautiful places 

poetry and literature 

making a difference, no matter how small 

the feeling of accomplishment after getting through something

the feeling of a soft breeze on your face

driving in a car with the window down

nice coffee shops

strangers who you can smile at and brighten the day of

people who you can be around and brighten the day of

flowers and their different colours and aromas

you’re helping all the plants by breathing

you can bake cookies and cakes for yourself and others

so many people love you

journalling and writing 

the moon glowing, never leaving, to help you feel less alone

the stars illuminating the night. their ancestors created you

rainbows after a storm

lying in bed at night while there’s thunder and rain all around

you can inspire and help so many people

all the people who can inspire and help you

feeling the sun’s warmth on your face

soft warm sand and sparkling oceans

delicious food

the first bite of food after being hungry

writing with a brand new pen

beautiful hairstyles, make up and clothes you could wear

you can learn anything you want, any language, subject or instrument

travelling to all the pretty places

fragrant tea, coffee and hot chocolate

chocolate !!! 

the aroma of freshly baked bread and pastries 

soft fuzzy animals who you could cuddle and take care of

all shells, postcards, flowers, train tickets, and anything else you love that you can collect

all the memories that you can preserve

all the art you can create

all the atoms and cells in your body who all work really hard to keep you alive

doughnuts and pizza and birthday cakes

fireworks and all the exploding colours in the night sky

you can take so many beautiful photographs

writing letters and sending gifts

receiving handwritten letters and gifts

somewhere out there so many people care about you

bird songs in the early morning

lifelong friendships

internet friendships

libraries and the smell of books

smiles, laughs, hugs and kisses

all the meaningful conversations, friendships and relationships you’ll have in the future

gardens, ladybirds, butterflies and bees

the chance to prove everyone wrong

you impact on other people so much more than you realise

being able to laugh and smile and feel alive

sadness and sunsets

happiness, fresh starts and sunrises

dreams and wishes

a chance to be happy again 

a chance to be stronger and wiser and kinder than ever

oversized sweaters and hot water bottles

running free in flower fields

all the little things which mean so much

long walks with someone you love

the euphoria of finally understanding something

all the kind people who are out there 

all the kind people who you will meet

exploring forests and special places where there’s no one else apart from you to enjoy

the ability to move, run, walk, bike-ride, swim, jump, dance, sing, hear, taste, see, feel

you are loveable and you are beautiful 

you matter and you’re important and you deserve to live 

+ thousands more 💛  

When your little brother loses his goggles and mind on thanksgiving vacay. #ineedmygoggles

soft songs for gentle humans who won’t admit they’re hurting