My best coworker friend has been out this week for a few days. When one of us take off we pray for the other one working that central office sends a replacement nurse who is able to keep up with our heavy assignments. Wednesday went pretty well, the nurse was experienced and mostly needed direction of what to do and where to go. I’ve blocked the majority of Thursday morning out of my mind due to extreme emotional and mental anguish. Thankfully the afternoon was salvaged by the deliverance of a nurse I worked with in the past who is an amazing person and an awesome nurse.
The following day was Friday! I arrived to work, clocked in my usual time and was cautiously optimistic that a competent coverage nurse would arrive. I came around the corner of where our file cabinets are and this younger than me person was standing in the office. She introduced herself and I asked if she was here for trip coverage or school coverage. She answered school coverage. Without missing a beat I asked if she was familiar with the procedures we perform daily. She said yes! Then she says, but I’ve only been a nurse for a year, I’m working at a local hospital and they aren’t very nice. I was so nervous about coming here. This is my first school coverage assignment. I smiled and said, you’re fine; you’re here, what ever you need to know I’ll show you. I said, I know nurses eat their young, but I’m not like that. I’ve been in your shoes and I know what it’s like to be treated “not nice”.
Visibly relieved, the nurse said how happy she was that she would be working with me. I felt so flattered. The work day began and we went over various nursing procedures. She picked up super fast and the morning went really well. I introduced my new co worker to the staff and some of my favorite students. You have to understand the population of the school I work at; the students are very unique and some have rare diagnosis. At one point the nurse was crying in the hallway. She said I’m sorry I’m getting emotional. I said, it’s fine; really. And waited for her to be ready to move on down the hallway. I honestly forget that there are people in this world who have no idea the students in my school exist nevermind attend school daily.
We had a relatively uneventful day. Quite a few of the students who need nursing care were absent. With a bit of extra time, covering nurse and I were able to talk a bit. She asked about Thomas and I gave the briefest summary of our life with him. She was so interested in my story.
I did not at all mind teaching her about our students. She picked everything up very quickly and I was confident in her knowledge and nursing skills. Not all nurses are the same. Some have more heart than others and some are more knowledgeable in procedural skills. I’ve been blessed to work with many gifted nurses. And I’ve also been fortunate to be able to pass on what I know to others.
Menay O; mom to 4, Christian and thrift shopper on the side... 