over the past few weeks we've had a few clinical training sessions where we're taught to look at things in new perspectives and taught how to 'be a nurse'.
one particular session stuck out to me. we were talking about new perspectives, and how we can look at any given situation and 'twist' it so that it becomes something positive. as people would say - it's all about attitude.
the question was 'WHY is this opportunity for long term care in my life right now?'
many people in the class looked at this question and thought 'well i need to take it to pass'... others started thinking 'outside the box' and thought of some 'philosophical' reason - 'so i can gain a better understanding of an elderly population', 'so i can learn to care for a wide-range of people', etc. etc.
one thing that irked me about this whole thing was... nobody ever fully switched the perspectives. how about: 'because there is an aging population and they need people to care for them' or 'to provide care for people who are often overlooked' or 'because there is a shortage of workers in the ltc field, and they need the help'.
it made me realize how much of a self involved world i live in. the answers i came up with were, 'so i could practice my clinical skills, 'so i could determine whether ltc was in my future', 'so i could move forward in my education', 'so the older population can teach ME'... me me me me. the only person that gains is ME
it's easy to think outside the box but still look at things from my own lens. sure there's a shift in attitude. instead of 'necessity', it became an 'opportunity'. but what happened to thinking outward? what happened to thinking about the people around me?
am i in the nursing profession so that i can gain? so that i can have a steady job? so that *i* can change the world?
or am i in this because people are hurting. because people need to be cared for. because people are waiting. because PEOPLE need help?
am i here to help myself? or here to help those who can't help themselves?
when i ran for committee a few years ago, i had come fresh out of l'arche arnprior, and i still remember that my vision... what i felt i could do on committee - was to mobilize people. not to take their ideas and implement them. but to help THEM realize their passion and give them the resources to fulfill that passion.
living there reminded me that yes there are 'easier' more 'efficient' ways to do things. but that's not what people want. people don't want a quick fix. people don't want someone to just do things because it's faster. people want to be supported, encouraged, respected, LOVED. if i brush someone's teeth for them it might be faster, but it degrades them, making them feel incapable. yes, the alternative takes up my time; standing there reminding them to brush their gums, and to gurgle the water way back, and not to miss any spots.
but isn't that the point? i am here to give my time. it's not an obligation. it's an opportunity. it's an HONOUR.
it's time to stop looking inside. How can i help YOU?
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
there's no audience watching, cheering for the poor tortured heroine
no one rooting for her to meet her happy ending and her prince charming
there's just life. there's decisions.
there's no 'right' answer, just what you choose to do with what's given to you.
and at the end of it all. it's not a point system. there's no reward for sucking it up and living with pain and wounds and hurts. at the end of it all, it's whether you chose to stand up and still love in spite of it all.
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