Inpatient to Clinic RN

Day 10: Clinic is such a change of pace. As an inpatient nurse, I am used to being constantly on the go, thinking of the next action I need to take, and what I need to be monitoring for. Kids inpatient are acutely ill, sometimes critically so, and need that 1:1 nursing care whereas in the clinic this isn’t the case. Actions and reactions go at a slower pace, especially in the middle of a pandemic with primarily virtual care being given. Our clinic is also not used to having as many full-time nurses as it now does, we literally doubled the nursing staff ratio in one week! Therefore, I am learning to enjoy being able to take my time, learning to love learning again at a pace meant for retention, and not just a quick reaction. Definitely need to work on a schedule of sorts for when I am working from home since the ability to lose focus and wander off track is high. I at least made the wise decisions to seclude myself in my office away from family and home distractions, get dressed in something besides pajamas, and bring down coffee/snacks with me ahead of time.

Hoping that in this pandemic season I can find a work-life balance that allows me to earn the income we need while supporting our kids through distance learning, and my partner in finding what brings him joy, too. I also want to find more joy. Night shift and inpatient nursing on 8 hour schedules had taken that from me, I was too tired and depressed to do much on my time off. It is hard to break out of those habits to remember that I don’t need to just sit and stare at a computer, especially after I just did that all day at work. Learning to find the pleasure in cooking again, taking daily walks, hanging outside in our lovely backyard, reading. All things I proclaim to enjoy yet find so little time to do since it is easier to fall into old habits.

Here is to regaining those pleasures and more.