#nurblur

So, today was my very last shift as a student mental health nurse.

Next month I start my qualified job on a forensic mental health ward.

I have never been so exited and scared😂

In the realm of clinical knowledge, my preceptor is a great PA. But in the workplace, he has some issues working in a team. More specifically, he has serious beef (non-valid beef) with nurses. 

As one of billions of people who has received amazing treatment from nurses and also as someone who is close friends with many nurses, I have the highest degree of admiration for and utmost respect for the nursing profession. And so I interject (respectfully) whenever Preceptor goes off on one of his tirades.

Preceptor tends to deliver these tirades in the pod. Next to the nurses’ pod. 

Today Preceptor and an RN got into about a patient’s assessment. Being a student, I quietly reviewed the patient’s chart and made a mental note to buy everyone a sugar fix later.

Eventually the tense discussion faded, and Preceptor said, “Hangry, are you heading in to see the patient?”

I told him I was.

When I left the pod, I found RN at my elbow. “Hi.”

“Hi,” She says, “How are you going to examine the patient, his way or my way?”

I answered truthfully, “I was going to do both.”

“Okay,” She smiles grimly. Then she grabs my elbow. “Hey, don’t listen to him about the nursing bullshit. We nurses know a lot. I’ve been doing this for thirty years, and I’ve worked everywhere. I’ve picked up a few things along the way.”

I nod. It goes without saying. Nurses hold the healthcare world together. Without them, everything would descend into chaos.

She continues, “He always is dragging us down, and--”

“Hey,” Somehow Preceptor magically appears out of nowhere. “What are you telling my student?”

The second that RN turns to respond to him, I run straight for the patient’s room.