A mindset that is continually seeking growth and adventure is one that never gets old. Given our short time here on earth, I want to live with that gusto as long as possible. I've even been known to say I want to live to 120 because, after all, why sell yourself short!
Below are the next three gems I've gleaned from my career as a nurse...read them and see if they don't spark some sense of adventure in yourself. Who knows, you, too may decide to pick up the quest again and make the most of the life you have yet to live!
With the discovery of my unique talents, being involved in saving numerous lives, and having the opportunity for continuous growth and ongoing self improvement, I can say without a doubt that my nursing career has directly impacted my own self esteem in a very positive way.
There were many times as a child where I felt inferior or less than those around me. Even as a young adult those feelings plagued me. When I was into the 'club' scene and dancing as often as I could there'd be nights where I'd look around at all the 'beautiful people' surrounding me and feel inadequate. Now it didn't matter that I was already creating value in the world in my professional life. The club scene was all about appearances and no one could tell by looking who I was. It was a world that judged by appearances.
There finally came a point in my life where I had to dig deep enough to anchor the truth about my core. It was there that I found real self esteem and it grew directly from what I had to offer the world.
So when you're feeling those twinges of insecurity, feeling 'less than' go to the mirror and look into your eyes and find the truth about you, the truth that is good and has value. That's what I would do in those clubs so many years ago. All it took was one look to realize I wasn't nearly as immaterial as I felt. It's a simple strategy but it works!
There were many times as a child where I felt inferior or less than those around me. Even as a young adult those feelings plagued me. When I was into the 'club' scene and dancing as often as I could there'd be nights where I'd look around at all the 'beautiful people' surrounding me and feel inadequate. Now it didn't matter that I was already creating value in the world in my professional life. The club scene was all about appearances and no one could tell by looking who I was. It was a world that judged by appearances.
There finally came a point in my life where I had to dig deep enough to anchor the truth about my core. It was there that I found real self esteem and it grew directly from what I had to offer the world.
So when you're feeling those twinges of insecurity, feeling 'less than' go to the mirror and look into your eyes and find the truth about you, the truth that is good and has value. That's what I would do in those clubs so many years ago. All it took was one look to realize I wasn't nearly as immaterial as I felt. It's a simple strategy but it works!
As I continue to enumerate the reasons why I have been truly gifted from my nursing career it becomes easier to see the contributions I have made to the individual lives of my patients and their families, but also to the nurses I have been blessed to work with. I've learned from some of the greatest and most humble people on the face of this earth.
One of the most important women I've had the honor of working with was an LPN in Ohio who I credit with having taught me everything I needed for a solid foundation in nursing. Shirley was not an easy person to work with, or so I was told. The truth was, she was a damn good nurse and without her I may never have arrived where I am. She was a beautiful blend of talent, hard work and fun. She gave me a tremendous sense of self worth that I have leveraged into a career where I now add value to people’s lives. Whether it's with a patient or a co-worker, the value is never only one direction. The mutual relationship benefits both the giver and the receiver.
One of the most important women I've had the honor of working with was an LPN in Ohio who I credit with having taught me everything I needed for a solid foundation in nursing. Shirley was not an easy person to work with, or so I was told. The truth was, she was a damn good nurse and without her I may never have arrived where I am. She was a beautiful blend of talent, hard work and fun. She gave me a tremendous sense of self worth that I have leveraged into a career where I now add value to people’s lives. Whether it's with a patient or a co-worker, the value is never only one direction. The mutual relationship benefits both the giver and the receiver.
PEOPLE SKILLS/SOCIAL INTERACTION
Perhaps one of the most often cited reasons people go into nursing is to help others. After many years in the field I began to reflect on the incredible people-skills I had learned. Looking back, I can see how often I was picked to work with the ‘difficult’ patient or family member, and I realize how much joy I got from interacting with such diversity in the people who enter the health care arena. That diversity had directly related to the opportunity to improve people skills and use my unique talents to make a contribution where others may have walked away because of the difficulty and challenge these people presented.
So the next time you face a difficult person or someone who challenges everything you believe in and think, pause, and wonder..."What would I do if I knew this person's behavior was driven by something so important, so incredible valuable they were willing to show up as my biggest problem?"
A little willingness to wonder sometimes opens doors we least expect and change us for the better.
So the next time you face a difficult person or someone who challenges everything you believe in and think, pause, and wonder..."What would I do if I knew this person's behavior was driven by something so important, so incredible valuable they were willing to show up as my biggest problem?"
A little willingness to wonder sometimes opens doors we least expect and change us for the better.
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