On a theoretical level, we all know how difficult it is to be a nurse, doctor, or any other healthcare professional. However, thinking we know something and actually knowing something from firsthand experience is vastly different. Do most of us know what it’s like being a nurse? No. But those of us who have nurses as family members or friends are closer to the truth. And the truth ain’t pretty, I can tell you that much.
“She’s gonna kill me for this picture, but can we just give it up for nurses for a minute?” That’s how Laura McIntyre started her story about her twin sister Caty who is a nurse. She posted a photo of her sibling looking absolutely exhausted and in tears after her 4th (fourth!) shift in a row. And you know what? The picture explains everything about the high pressure and stress that nurses face every single day at work.
This is what Laura McIntyre’s twin sister looked like after her 4th shift in a row
Image credits: Laura McIntyre
Laura told the world what her sister’s job as a nurse is really like
Most of us work around 40 hours each week, which is nothing to laugh at, but also nothing too intense. But imagine having to work more than 53 hours in just 4 days at a job that saps you emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. A job that makes you sacrifice everything you have inside of you for the sake of your patients. A job that very few of us would have the inner strength and conviction to do well.
It’s no secret that nurses usually don’t have enough time to eat decent meals, to stay hydrated, or take long breaks because the job is everything and your patients can’t wait. “Caty, and all other nurses, you are SPECIAL,” Laura thanked nurses everywhere for their hard work. “You bless your patients and their families more than you will ever know. Thank you for all that you do.”
Laura’s sister Caty puts her patients first
Image credits: Laura McIntyre
Top Nursing writes that dealing with stress and burnout as a nurse is possible, but requires very serious strategies to manage your life. That means being extremely organized in your life, leaving little to no space for chaos and randomness.
But it also means taking care of yourself first and foremost: you can’t take care of your patients if you’re fainting from a lack of food and sleep.
The twins love and support each other as much as they can
Image credits: Laura McIntyre
What’s more, meditation, a positive and optimistic outlook on life, as well as sharing your thoughts and feelings with others are other things that make up the bedrock of a healthy and capable nurse’s daily life. Do you have any experience of what nurses deal with every day, dear Readers? Share your stories with us in the comments section.
The post made a lot of people want to share their own experiences and opinions
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