It was a particularly trying All Souls Day for me. I work night shift (10-6) at a nursing home 3 nights/week. I worked last night into this morning, and at the very end of the shift, there was an emergency, and one of my residents ended up dying in the hospital after leaving the facility. It was a whirlwind of rushing around, trying to remember all of the right protocols, trying to assess the situation, trying to act like I was in charge, and it was all over within the hour.
Reflecting upon the situation on my drive home, I realized that today was All Souls Day. The first time that I have a death of a resident on my shift, and its the day on which we pray for and remember the dead.
There is a lot to be desired in the healthcare industry. It is so surreal to me that the emergency situation was over, and I had been notified of my resident's death within an hour. It took two plus more hours after that to document properly what had occurred. "If it isn't documented, it didn't happen." The legal constraints which bind us are often helpful and necessary, but all too often they are cumbersome and frustrating. It felt stark and robotic to spend that time with paperwork.
However, I am hopeful that my presence as a nurse is developing and pruning my soul as well as being a balm to those I care for. I was able to pray for my resident during the emergency, and afterwards to lift up her soul as well.
I hope that my work may be a prayer, that my life may be a light.
Reflecting upon the situation on my drive home, I realized that today was All Souls Day. The first time that I have a death of a resident on my shift, and its the day on which we pray for and remember the dead.
There is a lot to be desired in the healthcare industry. It is so surreal to me that the emergency situation was over, and I had been notified of my resident's death within an hour. It took two plus more hours after that to document properly what had occurred. "If it isn't documented, it didn't happen." The legal constraints which bind us are often helpful and necessary, but all too often they are cumbersome and frustrating. It felt stark and robotic to spend that time with paperwork.
However, I am hopeful that my presence as a nurse is developing and pruning my soul as well as being a balm to those I care for. I was able to pray for my resident during the emergency, and afterwards to lift up her soul as well.
I hope that my work may be a prayer, that my life may be a light.
Beautiful.
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