The need had been great...With our work’s staffing. The
shortage caused by some nurses fired and others who had chosen to leave.
Burdened by politics. If not, overwhelmed with work that should have been done
by more nurses ended up with themselves tackling on their own.
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| Photo Credit |
She was another Per Diem. Like me. Occasionally picking up
shifts to help out. Like I usually did. She enjoyed the particular crew I
usually worked with. Despite the shortage, we managed. Though overwhelmed, we
learned to survive. Because we tried to help out each other. Whatever way we
could.
Like her. She might be a new nurse. But she was an awesome
learner. Easily learned the trade.
Except… She was a little afraid to hear that
Per Diem’s would start to float to Intake to relieve the regular nurses who
were getting burned out. Intake…Where officers from so many cities would bring
their arrestees. And with sicker population, the place could be like a big
tornado. Ready to devastate an otherwise quiet night. Especially if arrestees
would admit that they had medical and mental health issues.
We encouraged for her to taste and see how it was like. To
be there on her first night not on her own but with another hardworking nurse.
Who could teach her the ropes. To enable her to survive. And perhaps, lessen
and vanish her fear. And she did try…
I saw her last Sunday.
The Charge Nurse had sent me to help her check on the suicidal inmates
and logged on the list, instead of her. So she could catch up with her
charting. I was met with a huge smile. And I sensed a diminished anxiety. I
could feel she was getting more comfortable in that busy place.
“I don’t mind coming to work here now,” she uttered.
“Because no matter how busy, all of you help me,” she added.
“That’s the way it should be. You help us out, too,” I
replied.
“Yeah…I guess if you’re in the right group, though busy, it
doesn’t seem like it…”
She thanked me. And I thanked her back. We said our “goodbyes”
knowing that we would see each other again in the days to come. We felt good
knowing that we were working with those nurses who never complained and
accepted each challenge to the best ability they could. We would never fear
knowing that no matter the circumstance, someone would always back us up and
would easily give us that extra hand that we didn’t have. We smiled at each
other despite hearing some drunk inmates housed in a nearby “sobering cells”,
yelling and banging on the metal doors and glass windows. We were not fazed by
their threats. I knew she discovered…There was really no room to be “an expert”
in that place. Not even to be smart. Nor strong. Nor familiar with procedures
or policies…For a new and fresh trial could come in from that big, fenced yard.
Anytime. Any day. And help would be
there…From this whole crew…And in unity…that was where the strength came.
But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in
need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? – 1 John
3:17 (ESV)
Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the
poor. – Proverbs 22:9 (NLT)
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love
you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. –
Hebrews 6:10 (NIV)
For I was hungry and you gave me something
to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and
you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me,
I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. –
Matthew 25:35-36 (NIV)
