Nobody wants to appear weak, or be looked down on for not being a salty ol' pro who just muscles their way through the day. You have to be a machine, and not a human being with emotions and a gag reflex
Read MoreIf the person at the time of disrobing has all their facilities, then the hospital gown may seem better suited for a fraternity initiation stunt then the first step into the most advanced medical care in the world. For most patients, conscious or otherwise, the hospital gown is rarely a confidence booster.
Read MoreI want to give you a roadmap for what you are about to experience, to offer you hope and encouragement that this terrible thing does not have to be the thing that destroys you.
Read MoreDo you get really frustrated at a coworker who should be way ahead in their career but struggle with the simplest of things? Is there someone you looked up to, but soon discovered that despite their years of experience just aren’t the kind of person you aspire to be? What you are experiencing is what I call “the Gap”, and what you need, is to Leap.
Read MoreI was sitting in the driver’s seat of my own ambulance when this story started to flood social media.
Not that long ago, we would have heard about this story later that night – maybe the next day – and would’ve imagined how horrible it had been......We don’t get to imagine things anymore.
Read MoreThen the pager goes off. Highland. OR 6. I kegel, pound the rest of the latte, and start the car. OR 6 is where the big stuff happens – the stuff you see on the news. Many very bad traumas go in and few come out.
Read MoreWe have no reason to look at them, except to look down at them, for the purpose of our job. We conduct our exam, document our findings, and carry on. But if it is true that we are in the preferred seat, then we have the incredible opportunity to exercise that authority and power to make a genuine difference.
Read MoreIf you are trying to convince yourself that you are brave, this is not the career for you.
Read MoreIn trauma, the fundamental problem is the misappropriation of forces.
Read MoreThis poem, inspired by a patient, grew and evolved through constraint.
Read MoreRegret is an empty journal.
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"Nothing like waking up with a garden hose shoved down your windpipe" Click for source
Going from a medicine induced coma to the Full Monty of awake, afraid, and painful of being intubated can induce the kind of panic usually reserved for pilots who run out of fuel or skydivers who's parachute doesn't open. The shock for most is nothing short of horrifying. But don't worry, it gets better.
Read MoreI'm not good at everything. I think I'm good at only a few things. But the truth is I'm really good at only one thing; Feeling Stupid, and being ok with it.
Read MoreYour healing, like your health and your life. is yours alone. No one can take your meds for you, go to Physical Therapy for you, eat right for you or live your life for you.
Read MoreThe short story is, the very best thing for a heart patient to do is walk, and it is often the one thing they don't want to do. Many do well, but my patient today did not. It inspired me to share this lesson with you now before life puts you in a situation where your life depends on it.
Read MoreThere is no need to fear the end if you start with the end in mind. Don’t allow what is guaranteed for all to surprise you. Instead, seek to be surprised by how wonderful life is when you have strong and healthy relationships.
Read MoreWhat nursing school does not do is teach you how to function successfully in a new work environment as a new hire as a new grad. From day one you will see things happen that don't make sense to you in your NCLEX programed mind.
Read MoreThe greatest frustration is not knowing the extent of our impact, if we able to make a meaningful difference. What is different? And does it last?
Read MoreIn healthcare, we may think that our position gives us some kind of moral authority over those who are struggling through life. My privilege and education give me capacity to care for and be compassionate to my patient and community; not to pass judgment or condemnation. The hell that people bring into their own life will not be transformed by adding gasoline to the fire of a life already turning to ash.
Read MoreAfter the tones, I don't feel human. A kind of switch is flipped. I have to go out on a call and perform at a higher level then anything else in my life. I have to see things that would bring me to tears any other time and pretend that it doesn't bother me.
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