A Nurse's Story

So its been almost two weeks since I have posted anything and I am sorry that I haven't posted sooner. I have been busy getting use to the hustle and bustle of the hospital. Today is the beginning of Nurses week 2020, this was suppose to be the year of the nurse and I woke up today from working last night hit with a wave of emotions. I remember why I chose to be a nurse and probably most of you know I wear my heart on my sleeves, I am a emotional and passionate person. I am humbled by the last two weeks of work, I have seen patients die and I have been touched by their stories. I have held the hand of a patient and saw the fear in her eyes and within two hours of holding her hand she was dead. And then to ease the pain of a patient in their nineties who was slowly leaving this world and honoring her by staying with her as she took her last breath. Then to hear the wheezes of my patient as he took each breath knowing each time I touched him and took care of him that this might be his last human interaction. In moments like these I suppress my own personal feelings and it hits me like a hurricane later on. I am beyond thankful for my support system for letting me cry an feel everything that I am feeling. I know that this is exactly what I was made to do but I also know that is is important for me to let all these feelings out and be true to myself.

So to my fellow nurses thank you for being a shoulder to lean on when I have these wave of feelings and never leaving me alone. I am so beyond proud to be a nurse and know that I am in the BEST profession out there!! You guys inspire me to continue to do this much needed work. I have met some amazing nurses while here and they have helped me remember how important it is to take care of myself while here and lean on a friend, because we are in this together.

Here are some pictures from around the hospital and pictures of my explorations with my fellow travel nurses.

Witnessing the cheers of NYC while making my way to work is just one of those things that touched me deeply. I hear you NYC, your appreciation and pure love has filled me up on the days that it feels like I'm running on empty.

I have also received lots of love from home that has helped me fill myself up with all the love I need to give to my patients.

My love for food has really been on full display while here. I love all the variety of food that is available here in NYC. I also love how many plant based meal options that there are here. For the most part I am sticking to my plant based diet but I have also been trying to also allow myself the room to eat tacos on Cinco de Mayo while also having a well deserved Cerveza. I have always thought food to be a form of medicine, for me its soothes my soul. It sometimes just reminds me of home or reminds me of going on lunch/dinner dates with friends.

I want to thank everyone for their love and support because it has meant the world to me! If I haven't been able to reach out to you please know that I am fine, I am happy and I am so beyond glad that I decided to take this huge leap of faith. I do not know where this journey will take me but I am so glad to be on this journey. I know that this will always be a time in my life that I will look back on with great pride and love for myself. I am proud by the people that I have decided to surround myself with and this life of mine that I am creating. I love you all and will try to make at the very least a post a week.

Love,

Destinee