As a Nurse I give out alot of instructions and advice to patients and their families. I've been doing it for so long, it rings like a memorized script in my head. I love the teaching aspect of my job and I take it seriously. I like sharing what I have learned through my education, my colleagues, and daily experience. The experience aspect of Nursing is what gives us that "gut instinct" that we rely on in our decision making... hopefully. It can't be taught in a class room or bought online. That "instinct" filters in to my advice to the patient. I rely on it like an old friend. I learn to trust it, even when something may overtly seem otherwise. I have come to rely on my instinct so much over the years, that one could say that it's almost to a fault. I think we older Nurses get stuck in our ways and hold on to that "instinct" which has carried us through the trenches. We are slow to listen to new ideas and the voice of the less "experienced" Nurse, shutting him/her out before they can even try to contribute. We"Eat Our Young"as the saying goes. I recently had a lesson in listening to others advice when I became very ill. I had to trust others medical instructions. I was not in control anymore. I became very frustrated, as the diagnosis was missed for some time and involved one Urgent Care visit and two ER visits before things were figured out. My "gut instinct" failed even me, as I tried to self diagnose. Imagine that! If there was a silver lining to my illness, I learned that I need to slow down and listen. I don't have to always be in control and in charge of every moment. Through this time of convalescence I have had to rely on others advice and instinct. I have let time march on without me filling each second with purpose. It is possible that my purpose driven,"Type A"demeanor got my resistance down in the first place causing this physical setback. I hope I have learned a lesson and will be more flexible and enjoy the moment.
