Finding the Ying to my Yang.

Nursing is Hard

When you think about our profession, we often struggle because we are exhausted. We are doing so much out every shift. We learn to be the pastor and pray, speak words of encouragement, and listen. We learn to be family to strangers so that patients are at ease during critical times in their lives. We are the glue of the hospital because we are connecting every interdisciplinary team to the patient. We also lift weights every shift by constantly transferring patients from point A to B. Whooooooo! That's a lot of hats to wear, right? Yes, it is rewarding. However, it can be exhausting as well.

Many of us have dreams beyond bedside nursing, and our bodies confirm the need to transition after many years of pulling, lifting, bending, and pushing. I don't know about you, but I definitely arch after a long busy shift. I read another blogger's post, and she discussed success in your career. She made so many valid points.

Career goals

The blogger discussed career goals and the importance of figuring out what you want your professional title to be in the future. Once you have created career goals, you have a clear outline of what steps you must take to accomplish your goals. A career goal is clearly outlined and allows you to create an action plan. As you create your action plan, you will discover the title, responsibilities, and credentials you will need to succeed. Now, we all have an idea of what directions we want to go. However, we never take the time to write it down in making a plan. In my opinion, this is how we find the YING to our YANG. Peace in a stressful career. So many of us have been struggling to continue being a part of the nursing profession with all the extra stress, extra pressure, and extra sick patients. Here is a valid question. Are our frustrations really with staying in one place in nursing and not spreading our wings and soaring through our goals?

Finding Peace

The month of May holds so many promises. The Million Nurse March is occurring in Washington D.C. that is planned to encourage changes in nursing. May is also the month of celebration for nurses. We get a little recognition. I know you're shaking your head yes and saying, "yeah, a little, " emphasizing LITTLE. Your manager may give you some cheap gifts like a pen, cup, or notebook. You will smile and say thank you. While knowing that you will be in the principal office once the small gestures of "appreciation" fade by the end of the week.

Celebration Time

I hope this post encourages you to discover your passion and take the time to work towards your goals. If you do not have all the answers to questions at this time, please have patience with yourself and take the time to discover what you want to see happen in the future. Additionally, celebrate the wins, such as a patient with good outcomes that doctors did not think would make it. There is always light at the end of the tunnel, and the sun will come out tomorrow.

Happy Nurses Month (We celebrate all month and not just for a week)

It is essential that you are aware of all the discounts available to you this week.

• Amazon celebrates nurse's week by releasing four medical drama books to read for free on kindle. https://www.amazon.com/primeinsider/reading/pr-medical-dramas.html

• You also can buy uniforms for a discount. The following brands are a few that are offering a discount for nurses this week: Figs, uniform advantage, jaanuu, etc. Check out your favorite uniform brand, and you will get a discount.

• My CROC lovers, I want to inform you of a giveaway for the healthcare workers. In fact, crocs have teamed up with figs in this year's giveaway. Enter for a chance to win on their website https://www.crocs.com/

• Another benefit of this week is some CEUs.

1. Hey, have you got your renewal CEUs yet? If not, you HAVE to check out Nursing CE Central. They offer fast and easy online CEUs, and getting them was a BREEZE. It's https://nursingcecentral.com/ - be sure to enter my name at checkout!

2. Additionally, Incredible Health is offering Free CEUs for nurse week. Check it out https://www.incrediblehealth.com/ceu/

• Where are my foodies? You have freebies for food as well.

1. Applebees - Free appetizer

2. Chipotle- 2000 nurses get free burritos for a year.

These are only a few discounts. Please take the time to reward yourself for all your hard work and discover more freebies and discounts. Do not forget to share with everyone! We are in this together.