It came upon the
change of shift, as day shift hands off to the night.
Encouraging nods
from all the pods mean hopefully we'll be alright.
Report sheets out,
We're all about
Some serious
getting-it-done!
Stick that phone in
my pocket;
I'm ready to rock
it-
This 12-hour war
will be won!
It came upon 'bout 8
o'clock, just as i'm gathering meds.
The CNA rings-
"Could you please bring some sheets
to change 802's bed?
The C Diff has
struck,
All his bowels are
a-muck.
The puddle's now on
to the floor."
He said that he's
done,
But I'll bet 10 to 1
In an hour there's
going to be more.
It came upon a whole
minute later;we' re up to our elbows in crap.
1's rhythm converts,
she says her chest hurts, and all i can say is "oh,snap!!"
Her heart's in
A-flutter,
She's starting to
mutter-
I gotta go call the
MD.
Let's get a drip
going!
The EKG's showing
What all of us
already see.
It came upon 2100 or
so, my patients are mostly tucked in.
4 is confused-not
too bad- i'm amused. so the charting can finally begin!
With vitals q 2,
And some meds left
to do
Scattered between
now at 5
I'm gonna be busy,
But not in a tizzy
Just gotta keep
everyone alive!
It came upon eleven
o'clock and patients in every hall
With lines and
drains and addled brains were two seconds short of a fall.
The C. Diff and flu
And, of course, MRSA
too
Were lurking round
every bend.
And oh, lucky me
Was waiting to see
Just what the ER
would send.
It came upon a
midnight clear as all the computers shut down.
We finally sit,
reflecting a bit- that Christmas has quietly come round.
The lights are
turned low,
But our hearts are
aglow
With memories of
Christmases past,
Of friends and good
food,
And a family brood,
And a glorious hope
that will last.
They came upon the 1
o'clock hour- the patient with family too
They're all so worn
out, but we won't turn them out- there's room in this "inn" just for
you.
The patient's in
pain,
Needs to throw up
again,
The doctor's not
reconciled meds.
I check his IV
Infiltrated, I see,
And the orders are
mostly unread.
It came upon the 3
o'clock hour, and my energy's about to give out.
The holiday spirit,
and everything with it are fighting the tiredness and doubt.
The C Diff' still
flowing,
4's wound side is
growing
A petri dish
cocktail of crud.
Troponins are
soaring,
Tonight sure ain't
boring!
Let's give that
anemic some blood!
It came upon about 5
o'clock enjoying a minute of peace
To-do list in hand,
i can plan as i stand by the window that faces towards east.
Can't quite see the
sun,
But there's much to
be done:
Labs, turns and some
I's and O's too,
Protonix and
Synthroids,
Some IV Push
steroids,
And accuchecks out
the wazoo!
It's 6:35, all the
patients alive, and i hear the best sound of the night:
"Please return
phones" the little thing drones as
i gladly take in the good sight
Of day nurses
walking
And cheerfully
talking;
As welcome as
morning's first ray
A fresh flood of
blue
In a bright royal
hue
Is coming to take on
the day
It came upon the
change of shift, as night shift hands off to the day
It's been a good
run, though it's not always fun- these patients are set- so we pray!
I'll hand off 1-4,
Sign that sheet in
the door
Ushering in
Christmas Day
So here's to A8,
Let's hope that it's
great
With blessings from
every which way!
It comes upon me,
all the time, especially this time of year.
Each person i meet
the same question repeats: "So why did you choose this career?
You miss holidays-
Though i'm sure that
it pays-
But just look how
much that you miss!
The hours and the
stress
And the hard, smelly
mess!
Do you honestly LIKE
doing this?!?"
It takes just a sec,
to smile and reflect, on the choice that i made long ago.
"Why yes, yes i
do enjoy serving you, and here's what i want you to know:
All the 'presumed'
pain
Is far less than my
gain-
Just look and see
all that i've got:
The patients i see.
And my work family
I drew a magnificent
lot!
It comes upon me
every shift- the burden of blessing i bear
About those tasks of
which you've asked-well, now it's my turn to share.
I hold many hands,
Help the weak learn to stand;
I clean up what so
many won't.
Whether ice chips or
prayer
Are their need -i'm
right there.
Feel sorry? nope- i
simply don't.
It comes along with
quite a price, I never would tell you a lie.
"RN"'s
what you read-much more could be said than those two little letters imply.
I smile when they
can't
As they cry or they
rant
'Cause their whole
world just turned upside down.
I watch the night
through
Keeping watch over
you
So you know you can
sleep safe and sound.
So celebrate as much
as you please-go on and please have a great time!
Just say thank-you
to those wearing blue and simply keep us in mind.
Have a toast and a
cheer
I'll party from
here,
If you're home then
i've done my part.
If the price that i
pay
Is to sleep through
a holiday
There's plenty
enough joy in my heart."
