I called a meeting with all my new staff on all 3 shifts to lay some ground rules. I quoted James 1:27 “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” I told them that their taking care of the elderly is holy, and pure religion in the sight of God. I also said there is to be no swearing or course language to be spoken on this floor. The widows are not use to that and they don’t deserve it. I told them I have worked all 3 shifts and understand the challenges of each. I want no bickering between the shifts. If day shift has a crisis and didn’t finish their work, then 2nd shift needs relieve them. If 2nd shift has some trouble then 3rd shift needs to help out. Sometimes (especially during a full moon) 3rd shift has a challenging night, first shift will take over. My staff took it to heart, worked well together and the floor was peaceful.
Then came my worst day. It started when a lady fell and broke her hip and all the phone calls and work involved getting her to the hospital. The day continued with a lady slipping out of her chair, we whisked her back in the chair – she was unhurt. A doctor came and left me a pile of charts with new orders. A couple stood at my desk asking about their mother. I listened patiently to a resident talking about an experience in the past. The phone was ringing off the hook. And then the usual, helping people to the bathroom or needing something for pain. There were treatments to be done and aides walking people down the hall from physical therapy orders …
Finally, there was a little span of time between the late coffee breaks and the early lunches. I went to the nursing lounge. It was empty. I bought a cup of coffee and sat at a table next to a floor-to-ceiling glass wall. I was tired and despondent as I reviewed the day thus far. Then I heard the still small voice, “Look unto the hills from whence cometh your help.” “What good is looking at a bunch hills going to do?” I grumbled. Then remembering that is a Bible verse I looked at the hills, stared and focused on the hills, concentrated with all my strength on the hills. Suddenly it was as if there had been a glass wall encircling me. It shattered and fell to my feet. I was filled with peace. I thought when I went back to the floor all would be well. Nothing changed! I think I laughed as my staff looked at me. “Nobody has days like this!” “Nobody has days like this!” The day never got better but God changed my attitude and then the attitude of the staff and residents. The floor quieted, became peaceful and calm.
I write this because we are in discouraging, some in destructive times, but God can help us. Provide for us. Protect us and give us peace. The oil blend for this article is “Believe.”
Then came my worst day. It started when a lady fell and broke her hip and all the phone calls and work involved getting her to the hospital. The day continued with a lady slipping out of her chair, we whisked her back in the chair – she was unhurt. A doctor came and left me a pile of charts with new orders. A couple stood at my desk asking about their mother. I listened patiently to a resident talking about an experience in the past. The phone was ringing off the hook. And then the usual, helping people to the bathroom or needing something for pain. There were treatments to be done and aides walking people down the hall from physical therapy orders …
Finally, there was a little span of time between the late coffee breaks and the early lunches. I went to the nursing lounge. It was empty. I bought a cup of coffee and sat at a table next to a floor-to-ceiling glass wall. I was tired and despondent as I reviewed the day thus far. Then I heard the still small voice, “Look unto the hills from whence cometh your help.” “What good is looking at a bunch hills going to do?” I grumbled. Then remembering that is a Bible verse I looked at the hills, stared and focused on the hills, concentrated with all my strength on the hills. Suddenly it was as if there had been a glass wall encircling me. It shattered and fell to my feet. I was filled with peace. I thought when I went back to the floor all would be well. Nothing changed! I think I laughed as my staff looked at me. “Nobody has days like this!” “Nobody has days like this!” The day never got better but God changed my attitude and then the attitude of the staff and residents. The floor quieted, became peaceful and calm.
I write this because we are in discouraging, some in destructive times, but God can help us. Provide for us. Protect us and give us peace. The oil blend for this article is “Believe.”