how much you have helped me."
"I love my job, and sometimes it doesn't end at the hospital. I will go the extra mile for anyone who needs me."
Chapter Two
It had been eight years since my life was flipped upside down and my heart ripped from my chest, leaving a dark, hollow, black hole. It was a constant struggle every day. At times it seemed easier to step into the
darkness, but Nate, my little light, has steadfastly guided me through the dark period. They say time heals the pain; I'm waiting for that time to come, because it still hurts like hell.
After Rob's death, I went back to school and with the
savings and student loans, in addition to a very generous gift from a good friend, I was able to make it through college and maintain our way of living. Jenn Cruz, the nurse who came to see me that night, had become my inspiration
and a very dear friend. I had to find a career, and the only meaningful and rewarding one that I could think of was nursing, which had been my life-long dream. I graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing, but did not stop there. In nine months, I would complete my Doctorate in Nursing Practice.
"Bye, Nate. See you in the morning," I said as I walked to the garage.
"Bye, Mom. Have fun at work."
"Thank you, Nate."
He always told me to have fun at work, but there was nothing fun about where I was going. Nursing was a tough job. It was physically and emotionally demanding. It came with the good and the bad. I had to deal with
rude patients, or crazy abusive patients who kicked me, slapped me, spit at me, and called me the dirtiest names in the book.
Difficult family members were our biggest nightmare - the majority of the time, the family members were worse than the patients. We
nurses also had to deal with disrespectful doctors, back-breaking work, and more paperwork; therefore, we had less time for patient care. On any given night, I played the role of a doctor, counselor, teacher, spiritual adviser,
social worker, dietitian, mediator and the list goes on. At the end of the day, I was just a licensed drug pusher.
What was most rewarding were those patients who were very grateful for what I had done for them: the ones who said things like,
"Thank you", "Don't worry about me", "There are worse patients than me", "Thanks for taking care of me", and "I promise I won't bother you all night." The one that would stick with me for the rest of my life was, "You are doing God's work, and He would be
very pleased."
I backed my BMW 528i out of the garage, selected my work anthem - 'the Black Eye Peas' "I've Got a Feeling". I pulled into a parking spot on the fourth floor turned the music off and recited my nightly
prayer.
"Father on high, my Lord and Savior,
Also known as the greatest healer,
As I start my shift today,
Guide my hands, dear Lord I pray.
Give me strength to face the difficulties.
Oh Lord, you know there are plenty.
Wisdom to solve all problems,
Courage to overcome all fears,
Knowledge to make the right decisions.
May I be a beacon of light
Through this night,
To be some comfort through their pain,
To impart peace as their troubles rain.
Father, pour on me your healing power
Every day and every hour.
Thank you, Lord, for guiding me down this path,
Doing your job here on Earth.
Amen."
I was in charge tonight, and I could only hope that it would be a good night. It was never easy being in charge, understaffed as we always were. It had been all about the budget lately. Forget about the staff who were
overworked, and the implications this might have for patient care. So, what else was new? I'd be in charge, getting patients, short one patient care assistant and no secretary until eleven PM.
"Okay, guys," I announced at the nurses station,
"I will be getting patients tonight. No secretary until eleven PM, so with that said, everybody is in charge tonight."
The phone rang. "Eight North, Nurse Kyra speaking. How can I help you?"
"Kyra, it's Amanda."
"I love my job, and sometimes it doesn't end at the hospital. I will go the extra mile for anyone who needs me."
Chapter Two
It had been eight years since my life was flipped upside down and my heart ripped from my chest, leaving a dark, hollow, black hole. It was a constant struggle every day. At times it seemed easier to step into the
darkness, but Nate, my little light, has steadfastly guided me through the dark period. They say time heals the pain; I'm waiting for that time to come, because it still hurts like hell.
After Rob's death, I went back to school and with the
savings and student loans, in addition to a very generous gift from a good friend, I was able to make it through college and maintain our way of living. Jenn Cruz, the nurse who came to see me that night, had become my inspiration
and a very dear friend. I had to find a career, and the only meaningful and rewarding one that I could think of was nursing, which had been my life-long dream. I graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing, but did not stop there. In nine months, I would complete my Doctorate in Nursing Practice.
"Bye, Nate. See you in the morning," I said as I walked to the garage.
"Bye, Mom. Have fun at work."
"Thank you, Nate."
He always told me to have fun at work, but there was nothing fun about where I was going. Nursing was a tough job. It was physically and emotionally demanding. It came with the good and the bad. I had to deal with
rude patients, or crazy abusive patients who kicked me, slapped me, spit at me, and called me the dirtiest names in the book.
Difficult family members were our biggest nightmare - the majority of the time, the family members were worse than the patients. We
nurses also had to deal with disrespectful doctors, back-breaking work, and more paperwork; therefore, we had less time for patient care. On any given night, I played the role of a doctor, counselor, teacher, spiritual adviser,
social worker, dietitian, mediator and the list goes on. At the end of the day, I was just a licensed drug pusher.
What was most rewarding were those patients who were very grateful for what I had done for them: the ones who said things like,
"Thank you", "Don't worry about me", "There are worse patients than me", "Thanks for taking care of me", and "I promise I won't bother you all night." The one that would stick with me for the rest of my life was, "You are doing God's work, and He would be
very pleased."
I backed my BMW 528i out of the garage, selected my work anthem - 'the Black Eye Peas' "I've Got a Feeling". I pulled into a parking spot on the fourth floor turned the music off and recited my nightly
prayer.
"Father on high, my Lord and Savior,
Also known as the greatest healer,
As I start my shift today,
Guide my hands, dear Lord I pray.
Give me strength to face the difficulties.
Oh Lord, you know there are plenty.
Wisdom to solve all problems,
Courage to overcome all fears,
Knowledge to make the right decisions.
May I be a beacon of light
Through this night,
To be some comfort through their pain,
To impart peace as their troubles rain.
Father, pour on me your healing power
Every day and every hour.
Thank you, Lord, for guiding me down this path,
Doing your job here on Earth.
Amen."
I was in charge tonight, and I could only hope that it would be a good night. It was never easy being in charge, understaffed as we always were. It had been all about the budget lately. Forget about the staff who were
overworked, and the implications this might have for patient care. So, what else was new? I'd be in charge, getting patients, short one patient care assistant and no secretary until eleven PM.
"Okay, guys," I announced at the nurses station,
"I will be getting patients tonight. No secretary until eleven PM, so with that said, everybody is in charge tonight."
The phone rang. "Eight North, Nurse Kyra speaking. How can I help you?"
"Kyra, it's Amanda."
Similar Books
Underground Time
Delphine de Vigan
Song of Her Heart
Irene Brand
04 Lowcountry Bordello
Susan M. Boyer
A Husband for Margaret
Ruth Ann Nordin
Dexter the Tough
Margaret Peterson Haddix
Love Bound in Ice: 3 (Werewolf Sentinels)
Marisa Chenery
Love Me: The Complete Series
Shelley K. Wall
A Gust of Ghosts
Suzanne Harper
Ayn Rand: The Russian Radical
Chris Sciabarra
Bound by Revenge (Guardian Series)
Jennifer Thibeault