Caring Deeply
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a physician with a lot of experience (years and years of work), is getting to know your patients. Not just a “take two aspirins and call me in the morning” type patients, but, real knowledge and attachment to those who trust you with their inner-most thoughts, secrets, dreams, and of course, problems.
You have an inside view to people’s lives-their ups and downs. And it is a hell-uv-a responsibility, and privilege.
Caring at Work!
One of my patients recently told me about a recent event at her job.
She is a para-professional at an in-patient mental institution. She is one of those people who love their work, and it shows when she talks about her profession and her clients/patients. (Just for clarification, medical professionals have patients, mental health and social-worker types have clients.)
She was tearfully recounting the death of one of her long-term clients. This was a guy who was known as her “second-husband” to the other patients. (Obviously not in any in-appropriate way.) They just teased and laughed, and it helps the clients and the staff make lemonade out of lemons.
She was apologetically explaining to me how emotionally involved that she got with her charges, and was wondering whether that was a good thing or not.
I, of course, reassured her that in her line of work, how could you not be emotionally involved. Yes, I know there are cold, callous people out there. Just working to earn a paycheck. Some can be abusive of patients and co-workers alike.
But those who make the lives of the unfortunate, better, in even a small way, deserve our gratitude and support.
Who would you rather have caring for your relative, if they were in such a facility? Someone who made your love one’s lives more enjoyable- by a big smile every day, a flirty grin, a joke, or a cold-hearted automaton-doing the least they could to get by and not get fired- just passing the time away?
Eight Hours is Eight Hours
Putting your heart and emotions into your work can be done in the same amount of time, as just punching the clock and twiddling your thumbs. 8 hours is 8 hours, (or in the nursing field 12 hours is 12 hours….) But what a difference your attitude can make in the lives of others-during those same 8 hours.
And if you can’t put your heart into your job, maybe you are in the wrong job. Maybe you need to look hard at your current situation and try to find where your brain, or sub-conscious, thinks your body should be.
Being a Linchpin
I couldn’t help but think of Seth Godin’s newest book, Linchpin. I have written a review of Linchpin here-check it out!
In summary, the book emphasizes the need for all of us to be “emotionally” involved in our work. To make ourselves a linchpin, or such an important part of our work environment, that we are irreplaceable. And, why are we discussing this here at The Millionaire Nurse Blog? Because, being irreplaceable, makes you more valuable. Being more valuable, means maybe a raise, or a promotion…..
Have you made such a difference in your work, lately?
If not, why not?
What do you need to do to get that feeling- the feeling that you are making a difference every day?
Think about it!
Reader Questions:
Do you leave a part of yourself at work every day? Do you think you are a ” Linchpin”? If not, do you think it is necessary or a good thing?
Let me know your thoughts.
