Author: Julie Kay
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š Three Doubles Down (and Somehow Still Standing)
Iāve officially completed my third doubleā¦and somehowā this one was surprisingly calm. Everything justā¦ flowed. Nothing out of the ordinary,No major chaosNo alarms going off nonstopNo beds or chairs screaming for attentionNo running room to room trying to put out fires It was justā¦ steady. The healthcare gods were definitely on my side this weekendābecause…
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āØ Second Double: Smooth Sailing (ā¦Almost)
Double number twoādone āļø And surprisinglyā¦ smooth sailing. Nothing major,nothing crazyā just one of those shifts where you almost donāt trust how calm it feels. š There was a moment thoughā¦ where a family member somehow let out two residents and Iām likeā ummmā¦ excuse me, sir??what are you doing?? š He said he didnāt…
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šš¼ Three Doubles and a Prayer
Three back-to-back double shifts this weekend, followed by an 8-hour on Mondayā¦ yeah, itās giving no rest for the emotionally unstable. But somehow, I lucked outāIām covering the paradise unit today. My favorite. The vibes are justā¦ different here. Less chaos, more control (wellā¦ controlled chaos). Iāll take my blessings where I can get them…
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šæDouble Weekend: Signed, Sealed, Survived
The double weekend is officially over š®āšØ And honestly?It had its momentsā¦ but overallā a stable weekend. We had the usual behaviors (of course),but no falls,no vomiting,no diarrhea,no dressings to changeā just plenty of briefs š And in healthcare? Thatās about as smooth as it gets. No chaos.No emergencies.No running down the halls. Just doing…
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š A Q-Word Doubleā¦ (Did I Just Jinx It?)
You know youāre not supposed to say itā¦but somehow, this turned into a Q-word kind of double. But honestly?Four days off after this, so I canāt even complain too much. This morning started off good. No complaints.No emergencies.No wound changes (a miracle, truly). Just a little anxiety from one residentābut thatās expected with her. Other…
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š 7 Months Laterā¦ We Made It (Massachusetts Edition)
After 7 monthsā¦ countless emailsā¦and enough follow-ups to qualify as a part-time jobā My Massachusetts LPN license is FINALLY approved. Applied in January.Didnāt receive paperwork.Contacted the school.āThey sent it.āState says itās missing. Round 2:Paperwork receivedā¦ but waitāno school seal. Cue me emailing again. Waiting.Following up.Waiting some more. And then finallyā APPROVED. Itās honestly wild how…
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š¤ļø Sunshine Shift: A Reset We Didnāt Know We Needed
Yesterday felt…off.Maybe it was the thunderstorm coming, the gray skies, the heavy air–but my mood was definitely not it. Nothing major even happened.No emergencies.No chaos.No “drop everything, we need a nurse” moments. It was a stable Saturday…with an unstable mood. But today? Completely different story. The sun is out, there’s a nice breeze,and I’m sitting…
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Weekend Double Diaries: Hospice Lessons
A double weekendā¦ again. I really donāt know why I do this to myself š š¤ But this weekend?It taught me something nursing school never could. My first real experience working with hospice. And let me tell youānothing prepares you for that moment. After lunch, my resident becameā¦ off.Unresponsive-ish. And instantlyāpanic. Not on the outside though.On…
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š©ŗ Hospice, But Make It Real (What Iām Learning in Real Time)
Before this, I thought I understood hospice. Comfort care.End-of-life.Keep them peaceful. Simpleā¦ right? Not exactly. What Iām learning isāhospice isnāt about doing more. Itās about doing what matters most. And sometimes that means: Not calling 911 right away Not rushing interventions Not treating every number like an emergency Even when everything in you is screaming…
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Paradise Shift Diaries: Final Day
Last day on this unit…and honestly? It’s been a blessing. From the moment I stepped onto this floor, it’s been nothing but smooth energy, supportive staff, and a pace that reminded me why I do this. No chaos.No constant stress. Just people working together, knowing their routine, running the show – they know what needs…
