PROLOGUE
Nat's Journal
Jan 2, 2024
I never really understood how some celebrities, who are wealthy enough to have anything under the sun, claim they're going through emotional struggles. I think it is because they don't have to go to a job and have too much free time. They've never had to worry about anything, so they end up finding something to stress over, and, not surprisingly, most of the time, it's about their mental health.
Looking back, I can't say I'm content with my life. I don't think anyone really is, to be honest. I have plenty of reasons to feel low, but the bills keep pushing me forward. I get up and go to work almost every evening, even though it's the last thing I want to do. I work so much and so hard that I don't even have time to think about my mental health. Working night shifts has thrown off everything – my sleep, my mood, my life. How badly I wish I had enough money, so I wouldn't have to do it anymore. I don't think anyone, except those who work nights, understands how hard it is to drag yourself out of a deep sleep and head off to work. It's even worse when you have to go to a job you can't stand, especially when it leaves you feeling anxious even after you've come home. Regrettably, that's the career I'm stuck with. I don't just dislike it; I genuinely hate it.
Oh, yes. I Hate Nursing.
Never thought I'd say this, but here we are! Feels weird, considering I spend more time at work than anywhere else. But it's true. I hate every damn part of it. The exhaustion, the stress, the way it eats at me shift after shift…
Long-term care is the same old grind every single day. Meds, care tasks, wound care, assessments, and, inevitably, charting. Endless charting. If you don't write it, it never happened. Cover your ass – rule number one. The shifts are killers. Twelve hours straight, barely a break. Weekends? Forget it. Holidays? Nothing but another day on the unit. Feels like life outside of work doesn't exist.
However, none of those come close to the real challenge – the people. There are four groups to deal with, none of which make it easier.
First, the residents. Some are sweet. Some are nightmares. Dementia doesn't excuse hitting, spitting, kicking, or swearing, but guess what? They get away with it. Every. Single. Time. The funniest thing, though…, somehow, we're the ones made to feel guilty. "Why didn't you step away and try again later?" asks someone who has likely never faced these situations firsthand. Oh, sure, because a few magic minutes undo years of those behaviours. And yeah, we've totally got time to keep trying, what, five more times? In the middle of the staffing crisis, we're already dealing with!
Then, the families. They drop their parents in a care facility, barely visit, and then act like we're their servants. They complain, they demand, and if they don't like something? Straight to the ministry. No hesitation!
Next come the coworkers. The best way to describe them? Drama. All kinds of it. From pulling each other's leg to treating work like a getaway. From acting like they know everything to carrying on like they run the place. Honestly, I don't even have the words. You're lucky if even one actually shows up to do their job.
Finally, the big shots – management. They hide in their offices, sipping coffee while we're out there drowning. But the second something goes wrong? Boom. They are there, firing off their favourite line. "What could you have done differently?" Well, I don't know. Maybe hire more staff? Perhaps some actual support? But nope. Their job is to talk, not to help.
So yeah. That's why I hate nursing.
Whenever I start venting about how much I dislike my job, someone always goes, 'So why don't you quit?'
Simple. The pay's decent, and the work never dries up. And I've got bills to pay. So, I keep going. Even though I don't want to. Even though I hate it.
And if my patience runs out one day and I do something unthinkable, don't act surprised. And don't come looking for answers.
Vote with Power Stones if you enjoyedthis!