It has taken me over a week to write this, but I’m finally ready to do it. 

Since I was a young girl I dreamed of working in labor and delivery as a nurse. When I graduated nursing school, it was so hard to get a job in L&D, but I didn’t give up. I worked PINS for almost 2 years and then when I had Tanner I knew I wanted to make the change! It was a hard decision as my boss at the time was actually asking if I’d consider being a core on PINS (after only 2 years)! I knew I wanted to be in L&D but I just had to find the job. I had tried a few places and then decided to give Womens Methodist a shot! I carried my very new baby up to the floor and was set on giving the manager my resume! I sat with Tanner in the lobby and waited for her to return from a meeting. I gave her my resume and she invited me into her office and offered me an interview on the spot! I interviewed and got the job!! I was so excited and nervous, all at the same time! I remember my first week on the floor, I was blown away at how much there was to actually learn! It’s definitely more than just birthing the babes! I quickly learned how to be an efficient labor nurse! I’d be lying if I said I remembered my first delivery because I don’t! Lol! I think I was so nervous and scared I probably blocked it out, but I do remember a lot of the patients I’ve been blessed to be a part of their deliveries! 

For almost almost 6 years I was a staff floor nurse, I had obtained my masters in that time and had another baby in that time!! I decided it was time to take a leap and become a core on the floor. I was also nervous and excited for this change! I was looking forward to helping the nurses on the floor and gain some valuable leadership experience! I was able to continue in this role for just about 2 years when I got the worst news of my life. Being a core was stressful, I’ll admit, but I found a sense of worth that I needed at the time! At this time my oncologist and I discussed eliminating the risk of contracting Covid while being on chemo and I stepped back from floor nursing for a while. 

After chemo and radiation, I had made the tough decision to move to the perinate clinic. I knew I couldn’t leave L&D yet, so I stayed casual there! I was excited to work in the clinic and learn a different side of obstetrical and high risk pregnancy nursing and that’s what I did, I learned SO much, I also worked with some amazing docs that taught me so much in the office as they had done on the floor. Unfortunately, my body was ruined from chemo and radiation. I would go home and constantly hurt! My joints have arthritis, possibly from meds/chemo- who knows. I’d be exhausted constantly. I wasn’t necessarily looking to change my job, but an opportunity to work from home fell in my lap and I knew it was a job I couldn’t pass up! It uses my Masters, has room for growth, and allows me the flexibility to make it to my appointments and work on getting my body back to normal. 

I started at Medical Solutions in January! I was still working L&D casually as well! I worked in January and then had my surgery’s in February and March, with my small infection in March as well. After many long weeks of healing, I was cleared to go back to L&D. However, it was very tough to get the shifts I needed to work with having a M-F job. Which is understandable with L&D implementing a weekender program. After 8.5 years with L&D I knew my time was up. I had only worked a few shifts on the actual floor in about a year due to my diagnosis and I knew trying to work 5 days a week then 2- 12 hour shifts on the weekend and then working another 5 days just wasn’t going to work! So yet again I made another very tough decision (as I’ve had to do a lot lately), I chose to give my notice to L&D. The end of my floor nursing career was coming faster than I expected. I thought I’d retire a L&D nurse, however God had different plans. 

My last week on L&D was the first week of June. It took me a little while to really understand my decision and know it was right! I struggled because I told myself I failed because I didn’t accomplish my goals, but I knew deep down that my goals have just changed. 

I am very sad that I will no longer have the patient experiences to be a part of, but I know if I feel better in the future I can maybe attempt it again. My goals are now different but I’m set on achieving them and exceeding them! 

To my Methodist family, you are family, I’m so blessed to have so many of you in my life! I’m so grateful for the mentors I had while working there who made me the nurse I am! To all of those that pushed me to be better! Thank you to everyone!! 

Enough with the sad stuff, 😭, on a happier note, my scans last week were clear! I’m cleared to get my port removed!! I will keep doing 3 month checks with my oncologist but another small achievement met!! 

Thanks to all for reading!! 

Much love! 

TB