Nurse Days

Monday, November 22, 1999

Today was my first day on med-surg. Whew, what a rush! Up until now I've done predominantly CNA stuff, but today was the first day I actually felt like a nurse.

I spent the first 45-60 minutes getting oriented to the place, then Joan assigned me to A.M., whose husband admitted her because he was worried she hadn't eaten anything for over a month. According to her husband, A.M.'s deterioriated significantly since she was admitted on the 11th.

"I don't want to wake her up if she's sleeping. She doesn't know who I am, anyway," he said.

"Why don't you give it a try," I encouraged. "She's been quite oriented and cooperative today."

He shook her shoulder and said hi to her when she opened her eyes. She smiled at him and said, "Hi."

He looked at me with tears in his eyes and said, "Well, I'll be damned!"

Later when I said I was going to try to get her to eat some Jell-O he said, "Oh, she won't eat.She hasn't eaten anything for a long time."

"Do you mind if I try? She's done so well today."

He nodded.

A.M. ate four spoonfuls of Jell-O for me! Her husband just smiled and said, "That's incredible." I could have cried! I really felt that I did something worthwhile today. It was very rewarding.