30 years a nurse.

 In June of 1995 I took a very important exam.  I had been at St. Lukes School of Nursing for the past 3 years and it was time to sit for my licensing exam.  I had just turned 27 years old and in June of 1995 I passed the test and became a registered nurse.  It took me a minute to get to a career in nursing.  I did 2 years at University of Iowa and changed majors 4 times from journalism to pre-physical therapy to psychology to.....I can't even remember the last one...., then some random classes in California, then lots of entry level jobs just to pay for gas and rent and eventually found my way to nursing.  This is my 30 year anniversary.  I am 30 years a nurse.  

This may be one of the top life achievements I can be proud of....a close second is my marriage of 29 years followed by being a mom for almost 26 years....but for right now, I am so proud to be 30 years a nurse.  

Growing up I never had a longing to be or do anything.....I had lots of ideas and options but no calling, no dream.  I backed into nursing after flailing around without purpose for almost a decade.....and by flailing I mean trying and failing, running and falling, jumping and crashing.....and I backed into nursing because, quite literally, I needed to get training in something I could do so that I could support myself.  Nursing seemed like the path of least resistance and would give me something to do for 3 years until I came up with a new plan.  (my mom always thought I would be a good nurse and I wanted nothing to do with it, but as it goes, moms are often right).  

I enrolled in a diploma RN program, now obsolete.  It would give me 3 years of school and I would learn a trade.  Much to my surprise I loved it.  What's better.....I was good at it.  And now....I am 30 years a nurse.  After passing the exam in June of 1995 I eventually did night classes to achieve my BSN....

When I became a nurse there were very few computers and the ones that existed were big boxes that sat on a table.  Cell phones were rare and not reliable so we had home phones.  Pagers were used for being on call.  We wore white.  Not scrubs.  We had paper charts with a little bit of computer documentation.  AIDS/HIV was fresh and scary....Universal Precautions was a big deal and changed how we deliver health care forever.  I am 30 years a nurse.  

I want to say a little something to the late teens and early 20-somethings out there who read blogs.....it's ok.  You don't have to know what to do with your life right now....just keep doing the next right thing.  God will make a way if you let Him....and His way will be so, so right.  

Once I decided to let Him lead and stop flailing and trying and failing and running and falling and jumping and crashing.......I began to see a path.  I can hardly believe I now look back and see 30 years a nurse.  I'm forever grateful for all the bumps along the way that helped me stumble here.  

Nursing is hard.  It is sacrificial.  It is noble.  It is not held in nearly the high regard it is due.  We don't get bonuses.  We don't get raises that equal what we do....we don't get to recognize the cost of caring in any measurable way other than to one another when we say "I am a nurse."  We are called.  We are.  Some of us take longer to respond to the call than others but if you are a nurse you have been called.  It is not just a job.  It is an identity.  It is a perspective.  It is a world view.......It is who we are more than what we do and it is how we are more than what defines our days.  

I am 30 years a nurse.  

Pleasure-Stacking

 I was listening to a devotional about Sabbath Rest and the author shared a phrase that caught my attention, like, long-term.  I don't remember every suggestion he made for ways to practice Sabbath rest, but I do remember what he called "Pleasure-Stacking".  What he meant was saving things that are extra good, enjoyable, special and feel like a treat.  Stack up these wonderful things in that one day of rest so that there is goodness over and over and over.  

What a great idea!  What an amazing phrase.....pleasure-stacking.  I have always done this for our kids on their birthdays.  I try to consider their favorite foods, favorite people, favorite activities and pleasure-stack them all on a birthday to hopefully send a message over and over again that they are special.  I never thought of applying that list to other days.

As I began to consider how that could look for me on my Sabbath rest days, I began to make small changes.....enjoying an extra cup of coffee with really good cream and maple syrup, finding a comfy spot in my home to read a good book, planning a meal that is a bit more yummy than just eating, not planning lunch for the family but letting everyone graze and eat when they want mid-day....whatever the rhythm of our home allowed for that made the day more relaxing, more pleasing and more comforting for me personally.  

What if we all took some moments to make our own list of pleasure-stacking?  What would be on yours?  Mine would definitely include things I like to eat and drink, fragrant candles, whatever hobby I currently enjoy, specific things I can see, hear, taste, touch and smell......

Pleasure-stacking allows us to tune in to what matters to us, to nourish our own hearts and minds, to care for ourself beyond getting adequate sleep, exercise and nutrition.  Pleasure-stacking sends a message to our own brain chemistry that says, "Hey you....I want you to feel good and to have all the warm fuzzies today.  I want you to be surprised and reminded by all the things that give you pleasure and make you feel good.  I want you to take a break from the worries and burdens that you carry and just be.  How you are is very important.  It is more important than what you do.  Take some time today to make sure that how you are is as good as can be.  Be well today.  Stack your pleasures and your breaths one on top of the other and at the end of the day be more well than when the day began.  Keep coming up with new things to add to the pleasure-stacking list.  Try new things, gauge whether they were pleasing or not and if they were, save them for the pleasure-stacking day.  Plan for your day and make it happen.  Often."  

As a human race, I don't think we do a very good job of innately pleasure-stacking.  I wonder if that is the reason we sometimes weaken and turn to gluttonous or really selfish things....to make up for some void that could be so much more simple.  

I would love to learn what would go on the list of pleasure-stacking for others.  If you have good ideas please share with me!