Adventures in Nursing

There’s a super moon coming tonight. Where I live it will most likely not be seen because of the overcast skies, but its effect will definitely be felt on the L&D floors. Of course there is no proof this is true. In fact, it has been scientifically proven that a full moon does not affect hospital admissions, ER visits, or births. However, the majority of medical professionals will disagree. I can remember many times working the 3pm-11pm shift, looking up at the sky when I left and shaking my head – no wonder it was such a crazy night. I would be covered in sweat and not having peed or sat down all shift and those were the good parts of the evening……. During a Harvest Moon in 2004, a woman came into the L&D unit. She was an ER walk-in, which meant she had not visited a doctor her entire pregnancy.     This would be her 4 th child, and she was giving the baby up for adoption. She had a social worker with her to facilitate the adoption and the

            “WIPE MY BUTT.”  My three colleagues and I looked at each other, dumbfounded, as the new mother repeated herself in her thick Southern accent.  “HELP ME WIPE MY BUTT!” None of us could figure out why this woman would request such a thing, but one of my colleagues crouched next to her on that toilet and wiped her butt.  As soon as we left the room, we couldn’t help but burst out laughing. Being a nurse is extraordinary. I went to nursing school after the birth of my son.   I always wanted to be a nurse, but didn’t think I was smart or dedicated enough to get through nursing school. Giving birth changes things. It makes you realize that you can do anything. Having a baby, from conception to birth, is truly a miracle. During nursing school, I worked as a nurse’s aide on the mother/baby unit. I absolutely loved it. Taking care of the new moms right after delivery and helping them care for their newborns was a true gift. After graduation, I worked on that same unit