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My Slightly Chaotic Life

Balancing Life, Children and Chaos

Lifestyle

My Life (so far) as a Nurse

February 22, 2018 Comment : 1

Asa new nurse, you have no idea the things you will encounter or what you will learn. Here is what I have learned (so far) for the nursing students and the new nurses and even for some of the long term nurses.

I struggled for many years, as many do, with trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. It took me 6 years and a (semi) useless Bachelor’s degree in sociology to realize I wanted to pursue nursing. My mother is a nurse and for the majority of my life she has worked in the emergency department. You would think that would drive at least one of her children to pursue a career in nursing but I honestly had no interest when I was a fresh out of high school college student. In fact I thought I wanted to be a lawyer, which on particularly hard days at work as a nurse, I wish I had continued down that path. So at the age of 26 I went back to school to pursue my nursing degree.

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My badge from my first nursing job

It’s been almost 4 years since I started working as a full-time nurse. This Saturday, February 24th, will be 4 years exactly since I started my nursing career which also happens to coincide with my  birthday. I started out as a brand new, eager to learn nurse on a medical surgical unit at a large hospital 45 minutes from home. After about a 1 1/2 years I felt I was ready for a new challenge and transitioned to the cardiac cath lab at the same hospital. While the hours were amazing for a nurse (Monday through Friday 630a-4p, no weekends, no holidays), I quickly realized hearts were not my thing after 6 months. I decided to make a jump and leave the hospital I started out at, transitioning to a smaller hospital 10 minutes from home in the Emergency Department which actually happened to be the hospital my mother worked at, and continues to work, for many years. It’s now been 2 years and I have no regrets about my decision to make this change. It’s been a journey and I have learned many important things that they don’t necessarily teach you in nursing school.

  • You will never stop learning

There are days still where I have absolutely no clue what I am doing. The wonderful thing about working in the Emergency Department is that you will see just about everything come through the doors. I have seen countless heart attacks, cardiac arrests, strokes, kidney stones and even a couple of births. It’s an adrenaline rush that can’t be described when something critical rolls into a treatment room. At the same time it can be incredibly scary especially when it’s something you have never seen before or not often enough in order to be comfortable taking care of that patient. I will never pretend like I know everything nor will I never stop asking for help if I feel I am in over my head with a patient because I believe that there is always a chance to learn something new.

  • The loses will hurt

One important thing I learned soon after starting as a nurse was that people aren’t invincible. You will never be able to save everyone and when you lose a patient that loss will stay with you and sometimes even keep you up at night. I still remember the first patient that unexpectedly died on me. I spent days thinking about what I missed or could have done for that patient that I didn’t do and lost countless hours of sleep. When I talked to a friend about it they advised that sometimes people die and there is nothing we can do to stop it or change it and reassured me that it was in no way my fault. While this is an incredibly powerless feeling to watch life slip away it is something that I have learned to accept. The deaths still take their toll on me but I pay my respects, mourn the loss and move forward because that’s what you have to do in nursing.

  • Nursing is a thankless job

I have been yelled at, called several inappropriate names, spit at, hit, kicked and unfortunately even peed on. I didn’t go into this field thinking that patient’s would be grateful for the care they received because the majority of people will not be thankful. In fact,  when the doctor doesn’t give them what they want (narcotics) or they have to wait for a long period of time (welcome to the Emergency Department) before being seen it somehow becomes the nurse’s fault. No matter how hard you try, some people find any and every excuse to complain whether it be about the care that they received or the time they had to wait. Despite this, I will still continue to try each and every shift to provide the best care I can because nursing is not about receiving a thank you.

  • Nursing can be extremely rewarding

Yes there are many difficult times in this line of work but there are some moments that are extremely rewarding. I have held the hand of a dying patient, comforted a child who was sick, have done everything in my power to make a patient with extreme pain from a fractured extremity more comfortable and have even watched a mom bring a new baby into the world. Those moments make me feel good and make me feel as though I made a small difference in that patient’s life, even if it was just for a moment. The patients that leave in better health then when they came in or when you hear a positive outcome on a patient that was critical and ended up being shipped out to a larger facility make the craziness and stress of the job worth it.

  • You will make amazing friends

I have met the best people working in this field and in fact some of my closest friends have been ones that I have met because they were my coworkers. While it may be hard to find times to actually hang out (thank you random nursing schedules) you don’t have to censor the things that you say. My non nursing friends tend to get grossed out when I talk about my job while my nursing friends consider it par for the course. These are the people that you can depend on during working hours and non working hours. They will also be the ones to listen to you when you want to complain about work life as well as your home life. If I never went into nursing then I would never have met these amazing people and my life would be a little emptier without them.

  • Following in your mother’s footsteps is hard

My mother is an incredible mother, grandmother, friend and yes, even a nurse. My mother worked for many years at the hospital that I wok at currently, even in the same department. Some of my coworkers were her coworkers which can be extremely difficult to live up to. I always hear about how smart and intuitive my mother is when it comes to this profession from co-workers, doctors and even EMTs that have worked with her. I am proud of my mom and I am so lucky to be her daughter but sometimes it can be hard at work to form my own identity separate  from my mother.

I’m only 4 years into this career and I know I still have a lot to learn about myself and this field. I love my job and I am excited for what it has in store for me and where it will take me through the next 4 years of my life.

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Our children, School and Their Safety
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  1. Donna Zimmerman says

    March 10, 2018 at 2:28 pm

    Thank you❤️Mom

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Hi! I'm Danielle. I'm a mom, wife and ED nurse. I love sharing my honest take on being a mom, traveling with kids and lifestyle content.

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And the more you buy, the more you save so keep that in mind when your looking to update your space! 
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#mycozyhome #homedecorinspo #bedroominspo #cozybedroom #pregnancylife #bettersleep #bedtimereading #momlifeunfiltered #pregnantmama #motherhoodsimplified #bedroomstyling #sleepytime
A little in my feels this weekend with Mother’s A little in my feels this weekend with Mother’s Day and officially being past the halfway point in this pregnancy. 
Time really does fly by so fast that it’s hard to keep up and before I know it, a new little one will be joining our small, crowded home. Trying to get as much stuff done before that happens including adding storage options where I am able to. 
Thankful to @nathanjames furniture for helping to add just that while being stylish with this beautiful Kova storage unit. Link in my bio to get one for your home. 

How do you organize your small spaces to keep your sanity with kids?! I need all the tips! 
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Maine’s Dunkin’ franchisees have given more than $500,000 to The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital since 2012, mainly through the annual Dunkin’ Iced Coffee Day campaign fundraiser (taking place on May 25th this year!). On Dunkin’ Iced Coffee Day, $1 from every iced coffee sold at participating Maine Dunkin’ locations will be donated to the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation to bring joy to kids at BBCH. (Excludes Cold Brew and Nitro Cold Brew.)
The $87k @JoyInChildhood grant will help bring joy through gaming experiences to pediatric patients with the hope of normalizing their stays at hospitals. Children that are living with chronic illness or dealing with a hospitalization are at greater risk than their peers for the impact of stress and anxiety. Distraction is a healthy coping mechanism for kids and teens to disengage with the hospital environment. Gaming provides the perfect escape to play, relax, laugh and experience joy.This grant will have an immediate impact by adding structure and staff support for gaming as part of the hospitals’ Child Life Program. 
Today, a Dunkin’ sampling truck provided free small, iced coffees and Munchkins to more than 1,000 Maine Medical Center employees in Portland and Scarborough. 
 
Dunkin’ is not only supporting the children of Maine, but the healthcare workers too. So, make sure to grab an iced coffee at Dunkin’ on May 25th to help support these wonderful programs as well! 
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I’m exhausted, sick and barely have enough energy to get through the things that I need to do let alone the things that I used to enjoy like working out. The stress of trying to figure out how I’m going to get through the next 18 weeks has been overwhelming to me lately. 
I will still share the joys but I also think it’s more realistic to share the downfalls too so hopefully hearing that not all pregnant women glow 24/7 can give those who are struggling as well someone to relate to. 

Follow along for more relatable mom and pregnancy content and share with me your struggles in the comments. 
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Mother’s Day is fast approaching and I love gett Mother’s Day is fast approaching and I love getting gifts that mean something. 

@picturesongold is exactly the type of gift that I love getting. Custom made lockets with laser engraved pictures inside make this the perfect sentimental gift idea for someone in your life or even for yourself. 
If you order now you can get shipping guaranteed by Mother’s Day. Head to the link in my bio to learn more! 
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I’m not sure about you, but I love saving money I’m not sure about you, but I love saving money on everyday items!! #BJsWholesalePartner That’s why I shop at BJ’s Wholesale Club. And now there is one more reason to love shopping @BJsWholesale: BJ’s Fuel Savers Program! Now through the end of April, BJ’s members who spend $100 in-club or on a pickup order, will receive an additional 50 cents off per gallon at the pump. This discount will be reflected when they fill up outside at the pump at BJ’s Gas after making a $100+ purchase in-club. (In-club purchase and gas purchase must be made on the same day in order to receive the additional discount). So, become a BJ’s member today and fill up your pantry, fridge and your gas tank with these amazing deals and savings. 
This special BJ’s Gas offer is valid from now until the end of 
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Anyone else struggle getting enough sleep? I know Anyone else struggle getting enough sleep? I know I do, especially lately.
(ad) @marlowpillow is helping me get better sleep with their cooling, memory foam pillows that are adjustable to the firmness that you like. Making my bed a cozier place to be allows me to get the rest my body is desperate for. Make sure to check out my stories to learn more! 
And the more you buy, the more you save so keep that in mind when your looking to update your space! 
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#mycozyhome #homedecorinspo #bedroominspo #cozybedroom #pregnancylife #bettersleep #bedtimereading #momlifeunfiltered #pregnantmama #motherhoodsimplified #bedroomstyling #sleepytime
A little in my feels this weekend with Mother’s A little in my feels this weekend with Mother’s Day and officially being past the halfway point in this pregnancy. 
Time really does fly by so fast that it’s hard to keep up and before I know it, a new little one will be joining our small, crowded home. Trying to get as much stuff done before that happens including adding storage options where I am able to. 
Thankful to @nathanjames furniture for helping to add just that while being stylish with this beautiful Kova storage unit. Link in my bio to get one for your home. 

How do you organize your small spaces to keep your sanity with kids?! I need all the tips! 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#cornerofmyhome #homedecorideas #smallspaces #homedecorating #maineliving #newenglandliving #momsofig #momstyle #homestylinginspo #organizedhome #lifewithkids
As a mom, one of the scariest things is to have a As a mom, one of the scariest things is to have a sick child, and as a nurse, I know how disruptive health issues can be on the lives of children and teens. Thankfully The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center is close by and provides high quality healthcare to the many children of Maine, and today, BBCH became one of the first hospitals in the country to receive the Connecting Joy grant from the @dunkin Joy in Childhood Foundation! #DunkinPartner
 
Maine’s Dunkin’ franchisees have given more than $500,000 to The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital since 2012, mainly through the annual Dunkin’ Iced Coffee Day campaign fundraiser (taking place on May 25th this year!). On Dunkin’ Iced Coffee Day, $1 from every iced coffee sold at participating Maine Dunkin’ locations will be donated to the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation to bring joy to kids at BBCH. (Excludes Cold Brew and Nitro Cold Brew.)
The $87k @JoyInChildhood grant will help bring joy through gaming experiences to pediatric patients with the hope of normalizing their stays at hospitals. Children that are living with chronic illness or dealing with a hospitalization are at greater risk than their peers for the impact of stress and anxiety. Distraction is a healthy coping mechanism for kids and teens to disengage with the hospital environment. Gaming provides the perfect escape to play, relax, laugh and experience joy.This grant will have an immediate impact by adding structure and staff support for gaming as part of the hospitals’ Child Life Program. 
Today, a Dunkin’ sampling truck provided free small, iced coffees and Munchkins to more than 1,000 Maine Medical Center employees in Portland and Scarborough. 
 
Dunkin’ is not only supporting the children of Maine, but the healthcare workers too. So, make sure to grab an iced coffee at Dunkin’ on May 25th to help support these wonderful programs as well! 
 . 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#DunkinMaine #SipIcedBringJoy #BringJoy #mainelife #mainemom #newenglandliving #newenglandstyle #momstyle #workingmomlife #mommyandme #coffeelife #motherhoodinspired
A little over halfway there. Even though hitting A little over halfway there. 
Even though hitting these milestones feels slight reassuring, I know I won’t fully be able to breath until this little one is out and healthy. Even appointments bring about their own set of fears that something may be wrong. For now, I’m just taking it day by day and week by week and having hope that everything will be ok.

Any other moms or moms to be out there forgo the weekly pictures? I just can’t ever get my shit together enough to remember to take them. Tell me I’m not the only one. 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#momtobe #pregnantlife #pregnantstyle #pregnancyafterloss #motherhoodjourney #20weekspregnant #momoftwo #baby3 
#honestmommin #mommyandme #honestmom #momsofig #motherhoodthroughinstagram
Sometimes I feel like I am the only one that doesn Sometimes I feel like I am the only one that doesn’t enjoy pregnancy on this platform.
I love the end result and am so grateful to be creating a new life but lately I have had more bad days then good days. 

I’m exhausted, sick and barely have enough energy to get through the things that I need to do let alone the things that I used to enjoy like working out. The stress of trying to figure out how I’m going to get through the next 18 weeks has been overwhelming to me lately. 
I will still share the joys but I also think it’s more realistic to share the downfalls too so hopefully hearing that not all pregnant women glow 24/7 can give those who are struggling as well someone to relate to. 

Follow along for more relatable mom and pregnancy content and share with me your struggles in the comments. 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#pregnancylife #pregnantstyle #pregnantmama #thebump #momtruth #pregnancyjourney #momlifeunfiltered #motherhoodunplugged #instamommy #momblogs #targetmom #targetstyle #motherly #teammotherly
Mother’s Day is fast approaching and I love gett Mother’s Day is fast approaching and I love getting gifts that mean something. 

@picturesongold is exactly the type of gift that I love getting. Custom made lockets with laser engraved pictures inside make this the perfect sentimental gift idea for someone in your life or even for yourself. 
If you order now you can get shipping guaranteed by Mother’s Day. Head to the link in my bio to learn more! 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#mothersdaygiftideas #mothersdaygift #motherhoodinspired #motherhoodjourney #mombloggers #momsofinsta #giftideasforher #momlifebalance #motherhoodunited
Just a little reminder that @dunkin still has 2 me Just a little reminder that @dunkin still has 2 medium iced coffees for only $5! What better way to reconnect then by grabbing an iced coffee for you and one for a friend?

This fun Dunkin’ pop up Dunkin’ Connections was the perfect spot to grab this cute photo op! Even the kids had fun trying to learn how to use an actual phone! 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#dunkinmaine #dunkinpartner #dunkinconnections #mainemama #newenglandblogger #maineliving #motherhoodmoments #momstyle #momsofinsta #coffeedaily #visitmaine 
#easystyle
I’m not sure about you, but I love saving money I’m not sure about you, but I love saving money on everyday items!! #BJsWholesalePartner That’s why I shop at BJ’s Wholesale Club. And now there is one more reason to love shopping @BJsWholesale: BJ’s Fuel Savers Program! Now through the end of April, BJ’s members who spend $100 in-club or on a pickup order, will receive an additional 50 cents off per gallon at the pump. This discount will be reflected when they fill up outside at the pump at BJ’s Gas after making a $100+ purchase in-club. (In-club purchase and gas purchase must be made on the same day in order to receive the additional discount). So, become a BJ’s member today and fill up your pantry, fridge and your gas tank with these amazing deals and savings. 
This special BJ’s Gas offer is valid from now until the end of 
#bjswholesaleclub #BjsSmartSaver 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#momstyle #momblogs #motherhoodalive #newenglandliving #mainemom #moneysavingtips #momswhoblog #momsofig
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