I am always in awe of the compassion and care good nurses provide....it is often the difference between a good and poor outcome and not to be too dramatic, life and death. Every time I have been hospitalized (always for orthopedic surgery) I could NEVER have gotten through it without the kind, compassionate care of the nurses who cared. Yes, outcome is often tied to the surgeons skill and experience, but it's the post surgical care that makes the difference between a successful surgery and out come or something less.
So since I cherish all of our fellow members, I am curious as to how many of you are RN's and LPN's? I want to thank each of you for the care you've given your patients who have needed you like I did and still do.
I'm a retired RN and thank you for your kind comments. I agree that good nursing care is as important as medical and surgical intervention. I had many wonderful instructors and fellow nurses who set the highest standards. We were proud and satisfied when we could make a patient comfortable and aid in their healing. My best friend (I visited her in a care facility today where she is a patient) continues to educate and inspire me.
I'm an RN. I've left the workforce to care for DH , but am not sure whether I should call myself retired or not. I will be 65 next month--just not sure if I would want to pick up the career path again later, or call it a day.
I was thinking more along the lines of doing some volunteer work later, to help other Alzheimers spouses and families. I feel like I've learned too much going through this experience not to try to help and support others in the future.
Thank you LFL for your kind and insightful words about nurses. I fully agree.
I have enjoyed a lovely long career in various nursing roles and have been in academia for the last 18 years. I now teach master's students on-line - just one course per term as the dementia journey has taken a great toll on my energy and health.
I often think like you Elizabeth - I have learned so very much travelling this horrific path that I could support others. At the same time, I am so sick of this disease and dream of focusing on something fun and creative instead.
I was a critical care nurse for 20 years before my back (aww... the complaint of most nurses) gave way and I was a clinical trainer for the last 5 yrs. I gave up my career to stay at home as his needs grew. I NEED the adrenalin rush of paddles in my hands to shock you with, emergency drug syringes pushing into your IV lines, code blues etc. Now, here I am with a geriatric patient that resembles my long lost husband. So thankful for caring and compassionate geriatric nurses cause I am NOT one. I am the caregiver of a mental health patient. Also, so thankful for those nurses because it is not for me. Struggling to just get a meal over with...I am a short term goal person NOT long term! I need a new job. This one is not for me. I am the first one to admit that I am NOT good at this. I need to look for a new job. One that is better suited for me. Oh wait....I AM STUCK and I can't wiggle free : ( I miss nursing in the way that I am good at it.
Thank you for your kind words. I was an RN for almost 50 years, Had to give up the job I loved to care for my husband. I must say being a home health for years did nothing to prepare for dealing with a spouse with FTD.
Aunt B, I hear you loud and clear. My last supervisory position involved some training of the aides. So, yes, of course I can do any of the tasks an aide can. But that doesn't mean I want to be one. (Having said that, for all that I enjoyed the technical aspects of care--dressings, treatments, tubes, machines, whatever…and the mental challenges of pulling together a care plan, implementing it, and case managing and coordinating--there is a certain satisfaction to the down-and-dirty kind of hands-on, basic, bedside patient care that has been around for centuries…it's just that 24/7 for years gets to be a bit much.
bluedaze, I agree that 20 years of hospital nursing and 20 years in home health still did not prepare me for being an Alzheimers spouse.
I am a RN retired now 5yrs to care for my spouse. I worked on home health for many years and saw a little of it all. I knew it was going to be rough when I retired, but had to. I do feel it helped me to be more patient. It certainly increased my knowledge of expectations. I would love to volunteer in some capacity when my journey here at home is completed.