Ramblings of a Night Nurse: Thankful

**NOTE: I take measures to ensure that no names, dates, room numbers, or other identifiers are present. Even for the nurses I work with who are aware of the actual events, I have to make sure that even they would not be able to identify the patient. Patients identities will be protected through various ways including changing of dates, names, sex, race, etc. My intention in this blog is not to share stories about patients but stories about nursing.**

A new fall quarter has started. Only last year that was me starting my final quarter of nursing school. So looking forward to the end of it, but sad at the same time. Dreading the NCLEX that was approaching too quickly and being so afraid that I wouldn't pass. I was looking forward to starting my career but I knew that I wouldn't be working along side my best friends. It all has me thinking about my journey as a new nurse. I started this blog to document my growth as a nurse and to share with my family and friends.

Each day as I grow and become more comfortable in practice, I hear the words and see the faces of the nurses who I have been lucky enough to learn from.

I am thankful to every nursing instructor I had in school for pushing me to be more than "good" and encouraging me to be great! Every instructor that I had taught me more than just the book; they taught me critical thinking, leadership, compassion, and humor.

I am thankful for every preceptor that put up with me and allowed me to follow them and learn from their triumphs and their failures.

I am thankful for the nurses I work with now for sharing your wisdom and guiding me into the world of big girl nursing.

I am thankful for my best friends, the nurses that shared in my happiness and helped me shed a tear. We somehow made it through school together and now we're alone and trying to make it. Thank goodness for Facebook, cell phones, and blogs. :o)

A very special thank you to the Sandstone for putting up with this baby nurse. They have taught me to have fun at work because if you don't, you'll never make it. They make the long nights of call lights worth it. They are the biggest help and I would never make it through a night without them. I think some have yet to learn your value, but they will. ;o)

And a thank you to my family & friends for the unconditional love through the crazy years at school, the switch to night shift, and dealing with the rants and excited stories of this nurse. They are amazing! <3

Without these nurses, tech's, and family & friends to push me, love me, educate me, and laugh with me, I wouldn't be where I am today. I am a good nurse because of all of you. One day I hope to be a great nurse because of you. Maybe one day I can be the voice of encouragement to another nurse.