Thankful Thursday | On Thanksgiving Day

Hello, everyone!

Today is officially Thanksgiving Day here in the United States, but as you know, every Thursday is actually Thanksgiving Day here at The Frugal Girl. 😉 

(Just without the pumpkin pie.)

Sooo, as per usual, I’m gonna make a thankful list and you can join me! 

for the learning in a hard shift

Last week, I had an overnight shift that was probably one of the most difficult shifts I’ve ever had. You know how Nurse John does those skits about his fictitious patient Mr. Smith, who gets a little unhinged overnight and climbs into the ceiling?

My shift was kinda like that. Ahahaha. Even my charge nurse was like….”Whoa.” 

post night-shift me: TIRED

I also had six patients instead of my usual five, and I’m not gonna lie, I was starting to feel pretty stressed in the middle of all of this.

But in the end, I was able to appreciate the learning opportunities that came my way; due to the circumstances, I had to learn all sorts of new skills, I had to learn new documentation sheets, and I gave a whole bunch of meds I’d never given before. I learned while doing, and I’ll be better equipped to take care of a future Mr. Smith. 😉 

And I am thankful for the opportunity to take good care of my patients. During the shift, I remembered a simulation we did in nursing school to help us understand the distress experienced by patients who live with dementia and confusion, and it really did help me to have compassion. 

Still, I was very happy to clock out to go home and sleep. 😉 

I am also thankful that not every shift is like this and that not all my patients are confused; I am amazed at the giftedness of people who work in dementia-specific wards. Every one of their patients is confused! 

that we as humans are so varied

Isn’t it nice that some of us enjoy things others hate, and vice-versa?

One of my night-shift coworkers is amazed that I have no issue getting up at 5 am for a day shift, and I am equally amazed she chooses to work all night shifts (Bless her!)

There are some jobs that I would be miserable doing, but other people love them.

And there are things about my job that would gross out most people, but I am legitimately unbothered. 

(I would give some examples here, but even a description would gross some of you out. Hehe.)

What a lovely thing it is that we can be happy doing different kinds of work! 

for chilly morning walks

I drove to my waterside walking trail for a sunrise on Sunday morning, and as I pulled up, I was thinking about how much happier I am walking in the cold than in the heat. 

I love the crisp air and the clear morning sunshine; to me, this is 100% more fun than walking in the hazy morning heat. 

Annnnd this is why I would consider moving north, but I will not ever be moving to the deep south; I do not want any more summer than I currently have here! 

for the joy of being on day shift

In the next six weeks, I only have one week of night shifts. Thank goodness!!

I 100% prefer the chaos of day shift (especially because my last night shift was just as chaotic as a day shift anyway!)

And also, I really, really like being able to sleep in my bed at nighttime. 

that it’s less than a month until the days start getting longer

You guys, we have only about three weeks of day-shortening left.

After December 21st, the days will slowwwwly start to lengthen again. Yay! 

(Apologies to Lindsey in Alaska because I know she feels the opposite way I do. 😉 Lindsey, I support you enjoying your next 3.5 weeks of darkness.)

that there are only two weeks left in The Worst BSN Class

Unfortunately, it continues to be the most frustrating class of my life, and I could honestly write a whole ‘nother blog post about the latest problems.

(I did fill out the course evaluation, and I was very honest about my experience.)

The only time my attitude is decent is when I am not working on homework; as soon as I get back into it, my attitude tanks! 

I needed some hot chocolate to help me get through yesterday’s homework session

So: two more weeks left. Two more weeks. I can hang in there for that amount of time.

The end is in sight and I am so thankful.

that I do not have to retake this class

I have a solid A grade right now, so unless some tragedy befalls me, I will have no trouble passing this class and moving ON.

If I had to do this class over again, I would seriously cry. I am grateful it’s only gonna take one go-round. 

for all of you!

Thank you for being here, everyone. I love the community here, and I’m grateful for all of you who show up so faithfully! You make this place what it is. 🙂 

What are you thankful for this week?