An Example

For one of my nursing classes I had the opportunity to go to the state capital building in Harrisburg, PA. While there we were able to meet with our local Representative and Senator to promote "safe staffing" in hospitals. There are studies that have shown and improvement in patient outcomes with better staffing. It makes perfect sense if you think about it...when I was working on a medical floor in the hospital I would have 6-7 patients. It can be a lot, especially when you think that one might be crawling out of bed and probably going to fall because they are confused. If I'm busy with this patient, the one who is not as needy doesn't get as much attention, sometimes that's okay, but what can happen is you miss the that slight change in their condition that clues you into something else. Or you can have more than one patient who is confused, crawling out of bed and a high fall risk...I'm sorry, but I can only be in one place at a time no matter how hard I try. 


AN EXAMPLE


What do I want to be an example of? 


What example am I showing? 


At work I see some nurses who are really good at what they do, they have it all figured out and put together...that's what I want my nursing career to be.


I see my friends searching and following where God has called them...that's how I want to live my life.


I read about the life of Jesus, the attributes of God, love, justice, mercy, peace, grace, compassion - and see the example that Jesus has set, the life I've been called to live...that is my ultimate goal, but do I come close? 


What do my co-workers see? What do my patients see? What do my friends and family see? What does the person I pass on the street see? People are watching you, watching me? What do they see? 


What are you an example of?

Is it worth it?

I didn't have to work over the weekend and so I decided to make a last minute drive home. It turned out to be an exhausting trip!!! After working Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday night I came home and slept Friday morning. Friday evening I packed and started driving...after driving all night I reached my destination in Michigan at 8:30 Saturday morning. I was home Saturday and Sunday, at 10pm Sunday night I was back in my car, driving all night, returning to PA.  

Was all that driving and lack of sleep worth the time I had with my family? Many probably say no; I like to think it is. The last time I was home was June for my brothers wedding. Since then I went to Japan to visit a friend, went to West Africa for a medical missions trip, but didn't make it home. Home is a 12 hour drive...but yet I could find the time to leave the country. 

My youngest sister with one of her cats...

When I started to think about priorities  I realized that even though I love traveling a and wouldn't change my experiences I still can't forget my family. Yes, they will always be there for me but what about me? Am I there for them? Do I show any interest in my younger siblings life? School, track, plays, music...the things that are important to them that they want to share....or am I to busy with my own life? 

To be completely honest: the answer was, "I'm to busy." There wasn't time to go home, or talk on the phone, and that is wrong. So was the drive really worth it? YES!!! I was able to see my family and reconnect with them.

Then some of us started having a little to much fun taking some crazy pictures...lol   What can I say, it was fun and we were all laughing!!!  :-)