October is almost over, which means those measly holidays are creeping up on us. 😂

And by measly holidays, I mean the ones where you’re still working while everyone else is enjoying their turkey, family time, and New Year’s celebrations.

I’ll be working overnight the day before Thanksgiving, which absolutely counts as a holiday shift in my book, and I’ll also be working New Year’s Day.

Because apparently, nursing doesn’t believe in taking a holiday off just because the calendar says it’s special. 🙃

But let’s talk about today.

For most people, today is the beginning of their weekend.

For me? It’s Monday.

And not just any Monday. It’s a DOUBLE.

The good news? Tomorrow is my Friday! Then I have FIVE DAYS OFF.

Five. Whole. Days.

Do you understand how beautiful that sounds to someone who’s been working weekends and doubles? I can practically hear my bed calling my name already.

The Baylor life: weekends are spoken for, weekdays are MINE! 🙌

Honestly, this is one of the perks of being a Baylor nurse.

You commit to working weekends, two 12-hour shifts, and then you’re off for the rest of the week. Saturday and Sunday are spoken for, but Monday through Friday? ALL YOURS.

Need extra money? I can pick up additional shifts if I want to.

Need a break? I can say no and enjoy my time off.

The only downside is that extra shifts are paid at straight time instead of overtime, which is a little disappointing. 🥴 Because if I’m voluntarily giving up a day off, wouldn’t a little overtime be nice?

BUT STILL.

After a lifetime of the Monday-through-Friday, 9-to-5 grind, having my weekdays back feels like a whole new life.

Appointments without having to beg for time off? YES.

Getting things done while everyone else is at work? YES.

Time for myself, my family, and just being a human being outside of nursing? ABSOLUTELY.

And when I finish this double tomorrow, I’ll have five days to reset, recharge, spend time with my people, and remember that I actually have a life outside of scrubs and side eyes.

Honestly? The weekends can have me.

Monday through Friday belongs to ME. 💅😂

But before I get too comfortable thinking about my upcoming freedom, let’s get back to today’s shift.

A bittersweet goodbye ❤️

One of my residents recently lost her husband. He passed away just three days before they were supposed to celebrate their 70th or 75th wedding anniversary. But still….

Seventy years.

Think about that for a second.

Seventy years of marriage, memories, and a lifetime spent together. To come so close to celebrating that milestone and then lose your person just days before is heartbreaking.

He was someone I was used to seeing come in every weekend to spend time with his wife. His visits became part of the familiar rhythm of the unit.

It’s going to feel different not seeing him walk through those doors anymore.

Sometimes, working in long-term care reminds you that you’re not just caring for residents. You’re witnessing pieces of their lives, their relationships, and their stories.

And sometimes, those stories leave an impression on you, too.

A century of life! 🎉

On a happier note, one of the residents on our Paradise Unit just celebrated her 100th birthday!

ONE HUNDRED YEARS OLD!

There were family members everywhere, TV crews came out, and the whole celebration was quite the event.

It was spectacular!

Can you imagine the stories this woman could tell? A whole century of living, changing times, family memories, and experiences.

What a milestone to celebrate.

Between the heartbreak of losing someone you love and the joy of celebrating someone who has lived an entire century, days like these remind you how much life happens inside these buildings.

And we’re lucky enough to witness some of it.

AND THEN SOMEBODY SAID IT X2. 😭

Everything was moving along nicely.

The day was going well.

Things were getting done.

And then…

A resident told his significant other that it was QUIET.

SIR.

SIR, WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT?!?!

😭😭😭

We do NOT say that word out loud in healthcare.

You can think it. You can feel it. You can silently thank the healthcare gods for a manageable shift.

But you do NOT announce it to the room!

Now I’m looking around, waiting for the call lights to start singing, someone to need the bathroom simultaneously, and the universe to remind us who’s actually in charge.

I hope you’re happy, sir. 😂

8PM: MED PASS COMPLETE!

Last med pass of the night is DONE!

LET’S GOOOOOO! 🙌

…Wait.

I lied.

Just kidding.

Now comes documentation and tying up all those loose ends before I can officially call this shift complete.

Because nursing math is apparently:

• Finish med pass.
• Feel accomplished.
• Remember documentation.
• Remember the other things.
• Wonder if there’s one more thing.
• Finally get ready to leave.

It’s never just the med pass, is it? 😂

The calm before the storm?

Honestly, though, today has been a good day overall.

We’ve had our routines, some meaningful moments, a little celebration, and so far, things have been moving along.

But here’s where I may have made a terrible mistake.

I said today was going well.

And now I’m working tomorrow.

Tomorrow is my last shift before FIVE DAYS OFF, and I’m praying the nursing gods let me finish my work week without turning it into a full-blown circus.

Because we all know how this works.

You have one manageable day, start feeling hopeful, and suddenly the next shift decides to test every ounce of patience you have left.

So I’m not making any promises.

I’m not jinxing anything further.

I’m simply going to finish my documentation, tie up my loose ends, and hope tomorrow is another manageable day.

Five days off are waiting on the other side.

FIVE. WHOLE. DAYS.

I can do this.

Probably.

Maybe.

Please don’t say the Q-word. 👀😭

Scrubs and Side Eyes
Just trying to keep it together one shift at a time.