Last May..... I hit my breaking point which ultimately led to me being out of work for 3 months before being able to return. I had all the warning signs leading up to this. Going through personal issues at home, worrying about finances, kids, lack of time, and total disregard for my mental health. As Nurses I find that we get so immersed in solving every problem, putting out every fire, and we neglect our mental health. We neglect personal care, we work through breaks, we barley touch our water bottles. We jump to every patient and we multi-task and make time for everything but ourselves. We spend most of our time at work with our peers and patients. Even more so than our own families. We have to find a balance.. I wish I did. Back in May, things came crashing down for me, I wont get into all the details but I thought I was Superman. Impervious to bullets, stronger than sleep, and fixer of all...
It's incredible how my journey unfolded over the past decade – evolving from an introverted presence in the ICU to navigating Interventional and finally settling into the realm of the heart. My experiences have not only shaped my professional path but have also transformed me from someone lacking a voice to a confident nurse who cherishes the lessons learned daily. Grateful for the growth and excited to share the countless stories that have marked this transformative journey.