i don't talk about my work often. it's something that is just a part of my life & one that i grumble about too frequently. it rarely seems worth much attention here. when my friend Norma tagged me in this photo on FB, i was really overwhelmed by how proud i felt looking at all of us. there are 3 fairly new nurses in this picture, i'm one of the oldest at 43 (center in green and black). and those new nurses (in spite of my grumbling) have really renewed me in so many ways. they bring to us new knowledge and energy and prompt us to recall why we chose this career in the first place. because trust me, when you work on a furiously active unit dealing with cancer on a daily basis, renewal of spirit is essential. burn out is high. we have substantial turnover on our floor and seem to always be struggling to have enough staff to feel adequately supported. and it saddens me, because it seems it is always the best of the best that take wing and find their niche elsewhere. i certainly don't begrudge them. i'd be a hypocrite if i said i'd never thought of finding a place to work that is less intense.

but this floor has been a second home now for over 12 years. these people, even the ones that only arrived a matter of months ago, are like family.

anyway. seeing us huddled here together, saying good-bye to one greatly cherished friend and co-worker, emphasized how blessed i feel to be in the trenches with some of the best people (and best nurses) i have ever known. i've been in a steady slump at work lately- tired, stressed, and essentially, burned out. this photo affirmed some of the foremost reasons i love this field and especially the reasons i love this floor. we are a great team. and this is just a small sampling... behind each and every one of us are the hundreds of patients that have helped shape who we are and who have magnified the best in us.