Would you ever give up on your patient?
What about when they aren’t making progress?
What about when they are overwhelmed and can’t believe that anything will help?
What about when they know what they need to do but can only come up with 20 reasons why it won’t work?
Would you give up on them when they don’t know what decision to make?
What about when they say they will try and they don’t stick to it?
What about when they don’t want to try?
Would you give up on them when they snap at you because they haven’t slept in a week?
Or when they can’t hear anything you're saying?
Would you throw up your hands when they are overcome with despair?
Would you give up on them when their journey to recovery is going to take a long time, or multiple specialists and the outcome isn’t guaranteed?
How about when they seem to be getting better? Would you give up on them then?
When they take one step would you leave them to take the next 4 on their own? Would you tell them they should be able to do it themselves?
Would you give up on them when they struggle to believe that they have it in them to do what it takes to get better or live in peace with the limitations they have?
I know the answer to all these questions.
We don’t give up on our patients. EVER.
We hold the belief for them, we support them when they can’t do it for themselves.
It’s an amazing skill, a gift, a calling.
And it’s not easy.
But it’s worth it.
Now what if you take that skill, that gift, that you already have and see if there is something in your own life to apply it to? What if you can start doing some of this for yourself?
With compassion, understanding, and patience.
I know you have what it takes to feel better.
I will never give up on you.
EVER.
I know it’s easier to give up on yourself than to believe things can be better. Sometimes it just happens, not as a conscious thought but in small daily concessions. It’s ok. It doesn’t actually mean things can’t be better. I can hold that space for you. Email me at megan@nursingbeyondthejob.com to see how.
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