When you work closely with a group of women (and a few men) over the span of 10 1/2 years, they become more than mere coworkers that share a time clock. They become family. Not "like a family", but family.
Over the years the family I acquired in the Regional Intensive Care Nursery (aka The RICN) has shared in the Kodak moments of my life: three high-school graduations, two college graduations, an engagement and a wedding, many birthdays, Christmas's and other holidays. They were in on my vacation plans, offering suggestions and sharing their own experiences. I celebrated with them as some became mothers for the first time and with those that acquired grandchildren or in-laws as weddings happened in their own families.
We shared laughter over stories of nightshift nightmares, the unwelcome effects of sugar-free gummy bears, the hazards of certain not-well-thought-out body piercings, and topics that only nurses find humor in. As we talked about our families and our children, we realized that our own children were pretty normal after all as we all shared horror stories (that of course we found quite humorous at 3:00 in the morning!) of discipline, lack of sleep, and ER visits.
Laughter with friends. Ah yes, but there were tears also. I was comforted with a hug from a daylight nurse as we gave report and I broke down after the death of my grandpa. After a horrible night of watching monitors and finally having to tell the parents that there was nothing else that we could do, my coworkers and I gave each other support. We allowed each other the time and space to process the difficult and to understand that we may do it differently from each other. We helped each other as we prepared a family for the last time holding their baby before support was withdrawn. With each other, we could be strong.
Fear of doing something wrong. Fear of flying. Fear of the unknown when the Labor Room alarm sounds and adrenalin kicks in and you just go. Fear of not knowing what to say. I had these fears. But I had family in the RICN with faith. When I had to fly for the first time and I just wanted to either hide in the locker room in fetal position, throw up or both, one of them wrapped her arms around me and prayed. She knew I didn't just need Dramamine. She knew I was on the verge of panic. Her prayers got me through that first flight and the ones after that. When I stood with a Nurse Practitioner at the warmer in the delivery room, I could look into her eyes and know that she was praying silently as was I. Family+Faith=Fears Conquered
Last week I met with a few of these wonderful women. How many places can you resign from and they give you gifts and eat a delightful dinner with you? I was so blessed by the love I felt, and continue to feel, from this place called the RICN. You know, it's not a perfect place to work. It has it's moments that make you want to scream. After all, it is mostly women there and we do become like sisters, like family and yes, sometimes families don't get along. But in the end, we are there for each other when it matters. We have each other's backs.
Like family.
I love you all!
Dianne
