STOP Nurse No More

People say that when you lose something, a bigger opportunity knocks at your door. I do believe in that. Winning at least a single category in the recent Philippine Blog Awards was really important to me. Even though I know I have a small chance of winning knowing  that my opponents are big time bloggers with huge fan base, I still tried to get my luck. Well, if it is not really for you, then you will really never get it.

The day after the awards night, I woke up early for my AM shift. I was almost late for work. On my way to the elevator, I saw our head nurse. I greeted her with a smile and she replied, "Oh Xyla. Ma-iin ka na sa January 16. Asikasuhin mo na lahat ng mga papers mo."

Yes! Finally! After 4 years of waiting... I will finally tell myself and the whole world that I am not a STOP nurse anymore. After 4 years, I will now be called as a STAFF nurse. No more volunteering. My life as a struggling volunteer nurse ends on January 14. Thank you, God!

December 13 was a day filled with surreality. Every staff nurse and employee in our station greeted me with a smile. All of them congratulated me. Other staff nurses were already giving me lectures about their techniques and strategies in managing their tasks in a very limited time. I wanted to text my parents and my boyfriend right then and there. I was so excited to tell them the good news but I preferred telling them in person.

Blessed are those who wait as they say. I may be 4 years behind my other batch mates but I am really happy that my efforts and waiting will finally be paid off. I was actually planning to apply as a clinical instructor next year but I guess God wants me to serve patients first before I start teaching students.

Behind my overwhelming happiness, I also feel pressured and anxious. This time, it will all be my responsibility. Whatever happens to my patients, I will be liable of it together with the other medical professionals assigned to them.  I am risking my license in every task I do so I really have to be extra careful with all my nursing care. And not only that... my patients are human beings. I don't think I want to be responsible of my patient's death because of my negligence or medication errors.

Another thing, I only have a month to finish everything for my thesis. Honestly, I haven't accomplished anything yet due to my tight schedule. Sigh, help me God. I hope I can do all of these in less than a month.

I started my count down two days ago and with that, I went to Divisoria to buy a 12 1/2 yard-white cloth for my new uniform. Haha! I need a new uniform not because I will be a staff nurse next year but because our head nurse kept on reprimanding me about my uniform. She says it's too small and too sexy for me. Haha!

New year, new uniform, new work! Thank You, Lord, for this bigger and wonderful opportunity. :)