Category: Nursing

Thank You + Mental Health Check-In

Thank You, Thank You

I want to take a moment to send a sincere and heart felt thank you to everyone who took the time to read my last blog post. I was overwhelmed by the amount of support and love I received. It truly means so much to me that anyone takes the time out of their day to read and support my little corner of the internet. And for that, I thank you. If you know any healthcare workers in your life, please take a moment to reach out not only to thank them but to check on them. Ask them how they are coping. Many of us are not okay.

Catching Covid

After working in Covid units for the past 1.5 years, including a year in the anti-mask land of Florida, I took some time off of work. And caught Covid. The first week of January my sister-in-law, Stephanie and I both tested positive for Covid. Somehow, my husband and her boyfriend, did not. Thankfully, we were all fully vaccinated. It was still a rough week plus from there on out. Low grade fever, cough, headache, congestion, body aches. We took all the over the counter medications I gave my patients on the Covid units. Our days mostly were spent on the couch. I’m very thankful for the guys and all the care they provided us. We are about 2 weeks out since we tested and we are doing better now- except we are still having shortness of breath and chest tightness with activity. I am very thankful for our vaccines and I know it helped to lessen the severity of our disease. I am hoping that it will also help with out shortness of breath and prevent long haul covid. Please, if you have not, get your vaccine. Talk to your doctor. It is the best way to prevent hospitalization and death due to Covid.

Our first outing after 10 days of Quarantine- The Grocery Store

Mental Health Check In

Needless to say, 2022 has not started out as I had hoped. We were sick for a solid 2 weeks with Covid. I can’t walk up a flight of stairs without being winded. Staying home hasn’t been the best for my mental health. I wish she had not been sick, but it was nice to have my sister-in-law, Stephanie to keep me company while I was sick. She definitely helped to keep my spirits up. I also appreciate all my family and friends who checked on me the past couple weeks.

We increased my SSRI (medication for depression/PTSD/anxiety) in December and I think I may be finally starting to notice a difference. It’s honestly hard to say for sure since I have been sick, but I feel like mentally I am starting to feel a little better. I also have my first therapy appointment today. I am very nervous for it, and very nervous to share all of this again. But right now I feel in my heart the right thing to do is share my journey to let people know they aren’t alone, and hopefully encourage someone to reach out for help that needs it. When I look back, I have been struggling for a very long time.

I am still off of work, I am going on 3 months of being off of work. With Covid I further delayed looking for a new contract. However, I do plan to start looking for a February or March start date. I am hoping therapy and medications will make returning to work a little better, but I know the poor conditions I will be returning to with the mass exodus of staff, continued covid surges, etc. After this contract I plan to take some time off again to return home to celebrate my sister’s wedding.

If you are hurting, please reach out for help. I promise you are not alone. Thank you to everyone who is working to end this terrible pandemic and help HCWs. And thank you for the continued support here on my blog.

 

National Institute of Mental Health has information for a crisis hotline and text line for those that need it. As well as information for those who have a loved on who is struggling with suicidal ideation.

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-prevention

Stepping Away from Nursing

I debated on what to title this blog post- because I didn’t want anyone to get here and feel like it was overly dramatic or “click bait.” But, I decided “stepping away from nursing” was the best title for how I am feeling right now. Here is a little bit of my story.

One of the great things about travel nursing is the ability to take time off between contracts. My plan since I started travel nursing was to take extended time off throughout the year to travel, see family and friends, and enjoy the holidays. I had already planned to do three 13 week contracts this year, and then take the rest of the year off. However, as time went by, and the hospital was hit with a severe wave of Covid patients, taking time off went from a want to a need.

I have talked about burn out many times on Instagram and here, but I honestly have never felt so burnt out in my life. I fear some people may think I hate nursing or I am just an unhappy person. I honestly love nursing. I love the science and healing and caring for people. I truly feel it is a privilege to be with people during the best and worst moments of their life. However, the system in which we have to work as a nurse is broken. Covid has made things exponentially worst.

Working the Covid Unit 

The past few months have been full of very hard shifts. Patient suffering and deaths. People screaming Covid isn’t real as I watch my patients struggle for every breath. Short staffed. Increased ratios. The list goes on. I found myself very anxious before work. I couldn’t sleep when I was home. I did nothing but lay on the couch and go to the hospital. When I was at work, I was anxious and irritated. I was always kind to my patients and a good nurse. But I was not myself anymore. Even coworkers noticed I wasn’t as happy or positive. I couldn’t even fake it. After 1.5 years of Covid, I was hitting a true breaking point. I realized I had to step away from nursing, if I wanted to continue to be a good nurse.

We have all worked with them, the extremely jaded and burnt out nurse who just won’t leave the bedside. I don’t want to become that person. The toxic coworker who brings down the moral. I can honestly say if I was a staff nurse, I would have to take an LOA or quit my job for a few months if I was in the mental state I am in now. Luckily, as a traveler, I can more easily take time off. I worked my last shift on November 6 and I don’t plan to return until at least January.

My time away has definitely been helpful for my mental health, but I still have a ways to go. Not going to work is not magically making things better. This is hard to write and admit, but I want to be honest, in case anyone reads this who is also struggling. I have not really talked about this on social media, but I feel my blog readers are a more close and intimate group. Although, there is no shame whatsoever in talking about this- and this needs to be normalized. I talked to my nurse practitioner at my annual well women’s exam about my struggles. It was really hard. I didn’t know what to say. It took until she was walking for me to just mutter “I need help.” I told her what I had been experiencing and I was diagnosed with PTSD and started on an SSRI to help with my depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms I am having. She said they have seen a lot of healthcare workers experiencing the same things. I also was giving a benzodiazepine for panic attacks and severe anxiety. I will be starting therapy. The medication is starting to help, but I still don’t feel like myself.

I in no way believe that you can exercise or self care your way out of any type of mental illness. Yes, some people can control their illness with these things- but a lot of people need medication and/or- and that’s okay. However, I do believe self care is important along with whatever other treatment is right for you. Up until the past year I was a runner, I enjoyed going to the gym, I enjoyed writing and reading. I have friends and hobbies. Most of that stopped this year. The past few weeks I have made it a goal to walk my dog 2 miles a day. To spend a few minutes reading a book or a blog. I hope to begin to incorporate some journaling next as well. Small steps.

If you are struggling, please reach out to someone. Find a therapist. Talk to your doctor. I have watched so many health care workers suffer and we aren’t being given the support we need. PLEASE reach out and talk to someone. I am so incredibly thankful for my husband, family, and friends who have showed me so much support. Called, stopped by, and text to check on me. Sent care packages. I seriously am beyond blessed with the most amazing people. But I know not everyone is lucky enough to have people like that in their life. You can reach out to me on social media or my email on the contact page. You are not alone in your struggles.

If you made it this far, thank you for reading. I plan to continue to update on this journey. I think writing about it is therapeutic. And I think its important for people to know they are not alone.

Thanks for being here.

Travel Nurse Contract # 5

Saturday morning I clocked out of my last shift for travel contract #5! It’s hard to believe I have been at this hospital on the Space Coast for almost a year. I started this contract in January, and never really intended to stay this long (summer in Florida in an RV sounded rough.) But Bradley and I fell in love with the area, it was so nice being close to my parents and one of my best friends, and I really was enjoying my time at the hospital. So, we bought a second AC ;), and I ended up signing two 13 week extensions for a total of 3 contracts in the sunshine state!

Working the Covid Unit

The last few months have been especially hard. When I returned in August after taking a few weeks off to go home, I came back to the highest Covid numbers the hospital had seen. They had stopped elective procedures, turned the surgical floor into a Covid floor, and were creating even more rooms on the PCU to be airborne isolation rooms/covid rooms. It was just pure panic and chaos. My patients were all very sick, we were short staffed, it was awful. When I left there were just a couple covid patients in the hospital, upon my return there was over 50. The shifts were emotionally, physically, and mentally exhausting.

The sweetest going away cake one of the nurses made me 🙂

I am very thankful to say I worked with great people at this hospital. The Respiratory Therapist were AMAZING. The nurses, CNAs, monitor techs, and HUCs were amazing. Their help and support made a really bad time a little bit better. They gave me the sweetest going away party which I was so thankful for. I can honestly say that the people and the views made it hard to leave this hospital.

View from the hospital

Even tho times were tough, I’m very thankful for the past 3 contracts. I am taking the next two months off to focus on my mental health. Nursing and the hospital have become not healthy for me, so I need to take some time to heal before taking another contract.

Love being so close to the beach

Looking forward to rest, relaxation, time with family and friends, and hopefully some more blog post.

 

Life Lately- Spring 2021

Hello! Sharing a little catch up on what we have been up too the past few months. We are still on assignment on the Space Coast, Florida. I renewed my contract for another 13 weeks because I liked my job and was LOVING my time off! Beach, pool, river, sunshine all make for some great days off. 😉

Life Lately…

We weren’t sure if we would like our campground when we first arrived. We had very little options coming at the time of the snowbirds and this was the only long term spot I could find. Thankfully, it’s turned out great. There is a nice pool, laundry facility, the neighbors and staff are friendly, and we have settled in to our new home.

My sister in love, Stephanie, was working as a photographer at a sports complex about an hour from us. When she realized that, we decided to make a trip of it! She was able to come stay with us for a few days and enjoy some beach and pool time, cook out and chill at the camper, and see her first rocket launch!

My sister said yes to the dress! We spent a weekend in Charleston, SC dress shopping and I am so excited to say that she found the most perfect and beautiful dress!

She also asked me to be her Matron of Honor and I happily said “yes!” I can’t wait to stand by her side on her special day!

My husband and I are fully vaccinated! Along with my parents, Bradley’s parents, my sister and future brother in law! I am so thankful for all the hardworking scientist, researchers, healthcare workers, and all the other people involved who helped make this vaccine possible.

We were able to see a manned rocket launch! This rocket was heading to take four astronauts to the International Space Station! I have seen several launches between the shuttle program and the current rocket launches, but this was by far the most beautiful and amazing launch I have ever seen! We sat with my parents on the beach at 0600 and watched the launch, it was an awesome experience.

The Cocoa Beach Air Show thankfully was on a weekend I was off, so we got to sit on the beach with my parents and watch! So many awesome planes and talented pilots, the finale was watching the Thunderbirds perform- so amazing!

Our friend Justin came from Greenville to visit the past week and we packed a lot of adventure into his time here! I was thankfully off for 8 nights (thank you, 3 12s) so it was like a vacation for me too! We went kayaking at Merritt Island Nature Refuge, went to the beach, saw two rocket launches, rented a pontoon boat for the day, and explored Kennedy Space Center! Bradley and I purchased season passes to Kennedy Space Center so expect a full post to come!

Declan’s first boat ride- he loved it!

One Year as a Travel Nurse

It is so hard to believe that a year ago I was sitting in orientation for my first travel nurse assignment! This year has been by the far the hardest year of my nursing career. Working front line during a pandemic 500 miles away from my family and friends was difficult. I was in a hospital where I didn’t know the staff, policies, or where things were. My patients were the most sick I have ever experienced. However, it also has been on of the best years I have had as a nurse. I love travel nursing. While I admit I have had a lot of struggles with my mental health and have felt true sadness and despair, I also have had opportunities and grown in big and beautiful ways.

Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone

Working on the Covid Unit in Arlington, Virginia

Traveling will pull you out of your comfort zone quick, fast, and in a hurry. At my staff job, I knew the unit, hospital, staff, and policies. I was a new graduate nurse preceptor. I was on committees. I loved teaching and helping new nurses and travel nurses. I had friends at work who I knew always had my back. I had a rapport with the doctors, NPs, and PAs. Then, I left to travel, and all of a sudden I knew nothing other than have to give quality nursing care. You receive one or two days of orientation, and then you are on your own with a full patient load. I didn’t know where things were. I didn’t know anything about the city I was in. I was a float nurse and floated to 13 different units, while I had spent most my time as a staff nurse with cardiac patients. I never truly got to know anyone I worked with on my first two assignments. This could be scary, but also taught me about how resilient I could be and I knew more than I gave myself credit for.

Experiencing a New City/Way of Life

Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Travel Nursing has allowed me to live in D.C. and the Space Coast of Florida in the past year. They both have very different cultures, landscapes, and city life. It’s amazing to me to think I have lived in three different parts of the Country (D.C., Florida, and SC) in the past year. Travel nursing allows you to see new places and gives you enough times (typically 8-13 weeks per contract) to really get to see and know the area and culture. I have seen the national monuments, gone to the Smithsonian National Zoo, camped at Shenandoah National Park, kayaked with dolphins and manatees, watched multiple rocket launches, gone to Kennedy Space Center, spent days at the beach, along with a lot of other fun and interesting experiences. All thanks to travel nursing.

Rocket Launch in Cape Canaveral, Florida

Cultural Differences

Chesapeake Bay, Maryland

D.C. really opened my eyes to different cultures and ways of thinking and believing. On any given shift, I may be the only nurse who spoke English as a first language. My patients were from all parts of the globe. Many had government jobs and shared stories of their travels. I had the opportunity to speak to nurses and PCTs who had families back home in other countries and what daily life looks like. It really was fascinating and helped me to grow as a more culturally competent nurse and person. It also taught me to overcome struggles. Covid nursing was hard on any given day. The patients were very sick. We wore our N95, surgical mask, and face shield for most of the shift. This made communicating difficult, especially if people with accents. I learned humility when I had to ask people to repeat themselves more that I would have liked. I learned new ways of communicating. I appreciate all their patience with me both as a new travel nurse and someone who couldn’t always understand them the first time.

Appreciating Life & Living in the Moment

Breaux Vineyards- Virginia

If Covid-19 has taught me anything, it’s that we should all appreciate life and live in the moment. Sure, it sounds cliche, but it’s true. I have seen people die well before their time, and people who had to die alone. People who were going to have long term debilities from Covid. People who lost loved ones. I hope I brought comfort to my patients and their families during impossible times.

Camping in Shenandoah National Park

Quarantine and a pandemic has also taught me to value and find joy in the little things. It’s something I think I always did, but I am really mindful of it now. A night by the fire with my husband, FaceTime with family and friends, a walk around the neighborhood with my pup. I don’t need an elaborate trip or vacation to be happy (although I do enjoy traveling as a nurse and look forward to doing more traveling soon!) I am also able to live near my parents for the first time since our wedding. I really appreciate being able to drive to eat dinner or go to the beach without an 8 hour car or plane ride.

The Capitol at night- Washington, D.C.

Would I recommend Traveling to Others?

I can say, all in all, I would absolutely recommend traveling to anyone who wants a change and to experience a new way of life and nursing. I was very burnt out at my staff job and found myself falling down the negative rabbit hole far to often. I did love my job and the people I worked with, but it was time for me to make a change. Traveling had been a dream for years, and Covid made me realize it was time to stop making excuses and make our dreams come true. Stepping outside the comfort of what you know and into a world where things are new will really help to push your boundaries and grow as a person. Seeing new places and experiencing new things can bring new outlooks and perspectives on life.

Kayaking at Merritt Island Nature Refuge- Florida

I’m so thankful for travel nursing and the gifts it has brought me. I look forward to seeing what the next year holds!

Sunrise Cocoa Beach, Florida

Check out my other post about travel nursing:

My First 2 weeks as a Travel RN

My First Travel Nurse Contract: My thoughts and experiences

Travel Nurse Contract #2: Washington, D.C.

Travel Nurse Adventures: The Face Palm Moments

And if you are interested in our decision to “go tiny” and live in a camper:

Culbertson’s Go Tiny

Floating:The Nursing Nemesis. Tips from a Float Pool Travel RN

Ahh Floating… You either love it or hate it. I find that most nurses are the latter, totally dreading floating to a new unit! You don’t know the people, the codes to the doors, the specialty… It can be a stressful experience! I felt the same way for a while in my nursing career. The last few months I was at my staff job, I was being floated a lot to ICU and CV step-down because of low census on our cardiac unit due to Covid. And I started to enjoy the change and learning new things! I then took my first travel contract- as a float pool RN! I was really nervous to be starting at a new hospital, on my first travel assignment, in the float pool. Talk about stress! However, I have learned that floating can actually be a good experience!

I floated to 12 different units as a float pool travel nurse. I got two days of orientation then I was on my own! I found out what unit I was going too on a sticky note that was attached to the phone I clocked in on. So I had no idea what unit I would be on until I am at the hospital!

Go in with a Positive Attitude

I know, floating sucks sometimes. However, walking onto the unit angry and in a bad mood does no one any good. Take a deep breath before you step on the unit. Visualize a good shift. Know that you can make it through the next 12.5 hours. Walk onto the unit, smile, and introduce yourself. Find the tech/nurse you are working with and discuss the patients you have together. Tell the nurses you get report from to “have a good day” after report. These may seem small, but it not only helps other people perceive you in a more positive light but it can help with your mood too!

Have a notebook

If you don’t float often, you may opt for just a piece of paper or a sticker on the back of your badge. Have a place where you can write and easily access door codes, important phone numbers (charge, unit) to make your shift go more smoothly. Having a notebook allowed me to have a general section for hospital wide information (doctors numbers, policies) as well as specific unit information (door codes, etc).

Offer Help to Coworkers

If you have a moment and you see a coworker looking for someone to boost a patient or waste a med, offer to help. If you are caught up and you see a nurse on the unit is still running around trying to medicate patients, offer to help. Helping the nurses and CNAs on the unit will hopefully make people more receptive to helping you.

Ask Questions

If you don’t know something, ASK. Yes, sometimes you feel like you are asking questions every 5 minutes, but if that’s what you need to do to safely care for your assignment or find what you need, do it. Especially during report, if I am getting a patient with a diagnosis, medication, or procedure I’m not use to- I’ll ask the reporting nurse for a quick rundown and important things to know (I did this a lot on ortho and surgical.) Typically, people are happy to answer questions and are understanding. If they aren’t, don’t take it personally. Get your information and move on.

Utilize your Resources

I use the charge nurses and people I feel are more experienced on the floor a lot. However, I also have really learned to utilize the policy and procedures on the website, resource books on the units, or other departments- like pharmacy and lab. Think about who or what could answer your question and start there. I also have watched YouTube videos for procedures/skills I need a refresher on (find good sources!) For example, I hadn’t use a Jelco IV since nursing school. When I asked for help, I was brushed off by the charge nurse. A quick YouTube video helped refresh my memory and I was successful with my IV stick! Your facilities resources and google (again, ensure reliable sources) are also helpful for unfamiliar medications, procedures, etc.

Speak Up if You Feel Unsafe

As a nurse, you do have a general knowledge of patient care and can care for patients that are outside of what your specialty may be. However, if you have a patient that you know it is not safe for you to be caring for without more training, speak up! You have to protect the patient and yourself. Sometimes, it’s an honest mistake. The charge nurse making assignments most likely knows nothing about you or your experience. Sadly, sometimes it’s intentional. Advocate for yourself and your patients.

Embrace the Uncomfortable

Being on a unit where you don’t know the people, patient population, or layout is just uncomfortable. There is no way around it. But uncomfortable does not always have to be bad. I find if I embrace and realize things may be difficult or uncomfortable, it doesn’t bother me as much. Realize I will make it through the shift, helps to make floating less stressful.

Floating as a Travel RN

I think this could be used in any situation, but this is part of my thought process in floating as a travel nurse. Hopefully, I’m going to have a good shift and learn something new. However, it could be a terrible shift. That’s just the truth. The charge may not be nice, the staff may ignore my request for help, I may have the heaviest assignment on the floor. This is when I look for happiness outside of my job. What is travel nursing allowing me to do? I’m in a new place. I’m making more money. I’m only on this assignment for 13 weeks. Sometimes, the happiness may just not be at work that day. And that’s okay. Think of something fun you have coming up (I know this is harder with Covid) or of an aspect of you job you do like to help get through the tough times.

Floating can cause a lot of stress but it also can result in a lot of learning and new experiences! I have learned so much from my time in float pool and taken care of patient’s with disease and disorders I may have never seen if I stayed on cardiac units. It also can help you see specialties you may be interested in pursuing and also specialties you have no interest in! Please reach out if you have any questions or thoughts on floating, I would love to hear from you!

Do you enjoy floating? Why or Why not?

Assignment #3, Covid Vaccine, and RV Life

Hi, friends! It’s been a while! How are you doing? We are getting settled into our new home for the next few months- The Space Coast of Florida! I am currently sitting outside blogging in 82 degree and sunny weather, so no complaints from me!

Assignment # 3

I am starting week 6 of this travel assignment and I am loving it so far! The hospital is on the water and has beautiful views. Last week I was able to stand in an empty patient room and watch a rocket launch light up the night sky. I also have seen cruise ships in port and you can even see Kennedy Space Center in the background! Definitely a very cool location to work.

I am on a PCU (progressive care unit) and really like the people I work with. They have all been nice and welcoming. I still work with Covid patients but this unit has a limited number of negative pressure rooms so I usually only have 1 or 2 Covid patients shift. That has been a welcome break from 5-6 Covid patients. I am working with the patient population I enjoy and get to have cardiac patients again!

Covid Vaccine

Disclaimer: This is my own personal experience and it is not to be taken as medical advice. I am in no way telling you you should or should not get the vaccine. I do, however, encourage you to speak to your own health care provider about the risk and benefits and make an informed healthcare decision that is right for you. If you follow me on Instagram, I have a highlight section linking my favorite MDs, NPs, and infectious disease researcher that share factual, easy to understand information on the vaccine. 

I am so incredibly thankful to science and that I was able to receive the Covid vaccine last month. The first shot I only had a sore arm and went back to work the next night with out issue. The second one I had a few more symptoms but still nothing terrible. I was fine when I went to bed that night but I woke up with nausea, hot/cold flashes. and general body aches. I tossed and turned and was up for most the night. The next day I was able to nap and felt better by that night. Even my nurse friends who have much worse reactions- fever, swollen lymph nodes, body aches, etc. all agree- there reactions were still better than getting Covid. We have seen how sick patients can get with Covid and the devastation it causes to both the patients and families. They are thankful for the vaccine and they would do it again. We are all so thankful for this glimmer of hope and the opportunity to be a part of science and history.

The RV Life

We are officially back to living in our tiny home on wheels! The month I was off work in December we stayed at our apartment in Greenville. The past month Bradley was in the apartment while I was staying with my parents in Florida (thanks mom and dad!) Bradley had some things to finish up with work in Greenville so I had to come down a month before him to start work. Last week he was able to bring the camper and the fur babies down and it’s so nice to be reunited with my little family again! We really do love living in the RV, which a lot of people are surprised to hear. It does not feel nearly as small as people think and it really feels like home to us now. It’s also wonderful to literally be able to take our home wherever we go! No moving in and out of short term rentals or hotels every 3 months, or having to try places that are accepting of a 60 pound dog and sassy cat.

I hope you all are having a wonderful week! I am off the next two days and my parents are coming over to cook out tonight. It’s so nice to be close to them again!

A Look Back at 2020

We made it out of 2020! I think that is definitely worth celebrating. I hope everyone was able to enjoy a safe and relaxed New Years Eve/Day. If you worked, THANK YOU! I have worked New Years Eve and I know it’s not alway the most fun, but if you have good coworkers and sparkling cider, it can make it a little better. I feel like we all have dwelled a lot on the bad of 2020, and let’s face it, there is a lot of it. But I wanted to start out 2021 with a post about the positive things that happened in 2020.

Annabelle and I had girls nights while Bradley was out of town- it involved cuddles on the couch, Taylor Swift & lots of snacks

We adopted a puppy- Declan! We love him and he is one of the best things to come out of 2020

I worked my last shift at my staff nursing job- it was so hard to leave my nurse family

My sister road tripped with me to Washington D.C. during a pandemic so I could start my first travel nurse contract

I was a float pool RN and floated to 12 different units at the hospital, mostly Covid units

Culbertson’s Go Tiny! We bought our tiny home/camper and started our dream of traveling and living tiny.

Annabelle became Queen of the Camper

Bradley and I explored D.C.

My sister visited for my 30th birthday

We took Declan on his first camping trip in Shenandoah National Park

Halloween arrived to Camp Culbertson

I got one of the best FaceTimes ever- my sister was engaged!

My parents visited us in D.C.

We packed up and moved from D.C. after living there for 6 months

We got our first “real” Christmas tree since I lived at home with my parents

We rung in the New Year with my sister in love, her boyfriend, and my fur niece/nephew. Declan and Haze became best friends and Cousin Camp 2.0 was born

I didn’t get a pic of the four of us 🙁 but here is a pic from our Bachelor/Bachelorette party 🙂

Thank you to all the healthcare workers, essential workers, EVERYONE who helped us make it through 2020. Please continue to wear your mask, wash your hands, stay home if you are sick, and socially distance.

Happy New Year! Cheers to 2021!

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Merry Little Christmas- 2020


Hello, friends! It’s really hard to believe Christmas is just a few short days away. I know Christmas is filled with joy and magic but it also can be filled with a lot of sadness for people. Add in 2020 + the pandemic and it really can feel unbearable. This year I know most people are feeling at least a little bit of grief, sadness, anger, frustration, guilt, or maybe a combination of these things. I’m here to tell you, that’s okay. I know some people have suffered unimaginable losses this year- loved ones have passed, jobs have been lost, families are separated. If you fall into any of these categories, I truly am sorry for you hurt and I’m sending you love. If you don’t completely fall into these categories- I’m sending you love too. It’s easy to hear, time and time again, to “look on the bright side” or “others have it much worse.” While I think appreciation and gratitude are important, I also thinks it’s okay to feel whatever you are feeling, and not have to apologize or feel guilt on top of it.

Last night, I snapped a picture of Declan in front of the Christmas tree and posted with the caption “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” This got me to thinking, this year is hard. We are all trying to make it through. What if we try to have a Merry Little Christmas, too? It doesn’t have to be perfect, we don’t have to ignore our sadness or loss, but maybe we can find a sprinkle of Christmas cheer among the hurt? I got to work last night and came up with four simple tasks to do each day to try to bring some happiness into Christmas 2020.

Tuesday

A Few of my Favorite Things

Today, I want each of you to think of some of your favorite parts of the holiday!

My answers: Favorite Movie: Christmas Vacation, Favorite Song: Carol of the Bells, Favorite Treat: Peanut Butter Blossoms/Good ole fashioned cut out sugar cookies! The next part of this activity is to find time to enjoy all of these things this week! Listen to your favorite song in the car, bake or purchase a holiday treat, and curl up with a blanket and hot chocolate to enjoy your favorite movie!

Wednesday

Self Care Day

Before we head into the holidays, I think it’s so important we find some time to practice some healthcare! This can be anything that brings you peace and relaxation.

Some ideas may be:

  • Get out in nature! Go on a walk, run, or hike. If there is snow, build a snowman!
  • Drive around a neighborhood to look at Christmas lights! Bonus if you bring a delicious hot beverage with you.
  • The typical but always relaxing face mask, bubble bath, painting your nails….
  • Read a few pages of a book or a blog that you enjoy.
  • Color, doodle, paint, or craft.
  • Bake your favorite holiday treat or meal.

Check out my blog post from this spring with more ideas on self care while social distancing!

Thursday

Practicing Gratitude

Christmas Eve- and I think this will be a great day to focus on what we are grateful and thankful for. I know this day will look different for many of us, and that may make us feel sad or left out. Again, it’s okay to have these feelings. The point of this is not to get rid of or ignore the negative feelings, but to add in some positive feelings.

Take a moment to list and reflect on three things your grateful for. Even among the hurt, we can find things good in our life if we take a moment to look.mThree things I’m grateful for: My husband and fur babies, my family and friends, and Christmas lights. <3

Friday

Together Even if Miles Apart

Our wedding party & amazing friends- I miss them all so much!

The last day of Merry Little Christmas is reaching out to someone you don’t get to see this year on Christmas. It can be a family member or friend. Even a coworker! Send them a text, give them a call, FaceTime/Zoom, or even send them a Snapchat with a fun filter! The whole point is to reach out and send someone some love. It doesn’t have to be long or time consuming.

Working the Holidays

Before my Christmas Shift in   2018

If you are working this year- in any capacity- THANK YOU! I have worked many holidays including Thanksgiving this year. I know we try to make the best of it, but I also know if we are being honest, it sucks. Merry Little Christmas was made with you in mind! No matter what your schedule is, all these things can be done with very little time! However, I hope they will have an impact on your week and make working the holidays just a little bit better. Again- THANK YOU for what you do.

Join me on Instagram

If you follow me on Instagram, I will be posting every day about the activity, as well as discussing in my stories. I also created some simple templates so you can share what you did each day! I would love for you to join me! If not, please comment on here of FB, or tag me on social media to share what you are doing each day! <3

Instagram: @peacelovenursing

Facebook: Peace Love Nursing Blog

 

Next Stop: The Space Coast, Florida

I have officially signed the contracts and finished onboarding for my third travel nurse assignment so I decided it was time to share where it will be. The beginning of January I will be heading to: The Space Coast, Florida! I have accepted a 13 week contract on a Progressive Care Unit (PCU). I will technically be part of the supplemental staffing/float team- meaning I can float to any of the four hospitals in the hospital system if needed. The unit I am going to is not a designated Covid Unit, but I know that giving the current times and stats of Florida, I very well could be working on a Covid Unit or with Covid patients this assignment. And I’m okay with that, I realize that is part of travel nursing now and I am always more than happy to work alongside my fellow front line workers to help in anyway I can.

Direct Hospital Contract

This contract is a little different in I am signed and working a contract directly with the hospital. I love my travel nurse company and I am honestly a little sad to not be working with them this contract. However, this hospital system only hires contract nurses directly- and this is where I really wanted to be. I looked for contracts through multiple agencies- but none were available in this area. When I found this I applied and had an offer within a week after a phone interview (much like my travel RN job experience.) I did have to come down to do my onboarding (drug test, HR paperwork, etc) where with travel jobs they would have set me up at a location close to home to complete that. Once I get started and really see how the process works I’ll share more information about taking a job directly with a hospital as a contract nurse!

Close to Family

The best part about this contract is my parents live one mile from the hospital I am assigned too! They lived in Greenville, near me, the year we got married. However, they have been back in Florida since our wedding, so we haven’t lived close for the past year. I’m excited to spend the winter closer to them and my best friend who lives close to here as well! Bradley and I are also looking forward to a much warmer winter. Greenville has mild winters, but we are excited to be able to spend a lot of time outside and on the water. Covid + isolation + grief has made for a long year for us, and we are ready for some rest and relaxation (when we aren’t working.)

Finding a RV Site

If you own a RV and you want to find a spot to park it in Florida, find it EARLY! The snowbirds really fill up the RV parks in Florida in the winter. I called/emailed at least TEN locations before I finally found one. It was definitely a tad stressful, but we finally found one. Most RV dwellers who are travelers I follow suggest submitting/accepting the assignment after you find a spot. In the future, I plan to do this. I was really interested in this specific contract so we knew we may have to find alternative housing for a while.

Other post about travel nursing that may interest you:

Travel Nurse Contract #2: Washington, D.C.

My First Travel Nurse Contract: My thoughts and experiences

Culbertson’s Go Tiny