Today was the “graduation day” for my residency program. Not like a real graduation, but there was cake, so I’m okay with that 🙂
A couple of the residents have already worked a few shifts “on their own,” and part of me wishes that they wouldn’t group text their experiences. A couple of them had okay days, but one resident said that she had (what seems to be) a heavy assignment, and now I’m a little freaked out. I tend to let others’ experiences freak me out, when what I need to do is either take their stories with a grain of salt, or just ignore them altogether.
I am immensely glad to have gone through this residency with the group that we had. We all worked well together, we are very smart (not bragging, just stating a fact), and even our managers have said that they’ve had less problems with this residency group than they have with past groups.
Yes, I am still petrified to be somewhat on-my-own in the NICU, but I take comfort several things:
- Every nurse that I’ve spoken to on the unit says that they were terrified when they first started. It’s a natural reaction.
- We all have been trained for this. Do we know absolutely everything? No. But we have been trained in the basics, and we know how to find the answers we lack.
- My manager has said that he has received good reports about me from my co-workers, and that I am well liked on the unit. It may seem like a simple thing, but having the willing support of co-workers can make all the difference.
- And most importantly, I take comfort in the fact that I am exactly where God needs me right now. If God has truly called me to be a NICU nurse – as I firmly believe that he has – than he’s not going to leave me high and dry. He will always be with me, and will enable me to work through whatever happens.
A Special Strength 