What do all nurses want for this holiday season? We asked the nursing community on Facebook and reddit and we discovered that yes, it’s not necessarily a pair of scrubs. Here are their answers:
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Better staffing and better nursing jobs
Top of the list are these answers that we think go hand-in-hand:
“A job. Going 2 months strong being unemployed (currently living the dream of being a stay at home wife). When I was working: Adequate staffing.” – mogris, from reddit
“I second the ‘adequate staffing’. I'm a little worried that my Christmas night will be crushingly busy.” – CrossP, from reddit
“I'm in the same unemployment boat as you. It is not a fun ride. I just want to be someone's nurse again.” – OkieDokieArtichokee, from reddit
“Better nurse to patient ratio!” – Lisa B., from Facebook
“Low census and adequate staffing” – nocturnalnurse, from reddit
When hospitals and other healthcare facilities don’t want to hire more nurses, then obviously there are fewer nursing jobs created. Meanwhile, the existing staff will have to bear a heavier workload.
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The right to die with dignity
“Legalized euthanasia.” – Vilalintine, from reddit
After all, death shouldn’t be something to be afraid of. Controversial as this may sound, sometimes it is the better option for the patient.
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The company of family and friends, at home or even at work
All nurses want for Christmas is “to spend it with their families.” – Leslie C., from Facebook
“To not be pulled to another unit. I'm already away from my home family, don't take me away from my work family too!” – FunkeeBananas, from reddit
“Word. Worst Christmas ever involved me and another nurse getting pulled to another unit, that nurse crying, my pod mate being a total bitch, and my two being patients sad, sad trainwrecks. Ugh.” – abermanlebt, from reddit
Who doesn’t want to feel at home this Christmas, even at work?
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The ability to not get tired
“Feet that don't hurt after 12hrs.” –Hottiemcgee, from reddit
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A break during their shift or sometimes a break from nursing itself.
“A break…” – Nancy G., from Facebook
“Nonnursey gifts. ;) seriously, get me a new game or help with the gaming PC I'm building and I will love you forever. Or blankets. My husband keeps this apartment freezing! Same there's only do many layers and blankets I can cover up in before it impedes my gaming.” – thackworth, from reddit
“Steam gift cards and a matched pair of GeForce GTX 980s. ...or is that just me?” – auraseer, from reddit
Everyone does need a break from nursing once in a while—and that break takes different forms. For some of our nurses, it’s a day of playing their favorite video games. So before you go shopping to get some gifts for nurses, you may want to consider this fact. (Hint: if your nurse friends aren’t gamers, a day of pampering is always nice.)
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And of course, all nurses want the best for their patient.
“For the NICU babies to go home with their family.” – kitty-cat-meow, from reddit
“An empty waiting room.” – A_guy_in_scrubs, from reddit
No patients means no one’s sick, and hence, no problem!
We’ll end this post with a Christmas carol from rninnj, posted on reddit:
12 filled meds from pharmacy
11 family members leaving
10 toes on a diabetic
9 days off
8 beds ready, no new admissions
7 cups of coffee
6 smiling patients
5 sleeping patients
4 extra staff members
3 patent lines
2 uninterrupted breaks
1 partridge in a pear tree
Wishing all nurses a happy holiday season!
Source: www.nursetogether.com
