go ahead and raise your glasses....

Becoming a hospice nurse has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of my life thus far. I promised my parents before pursuing any type of performance career I would attend school and earn some sort of training...my ultimate decision was nursing. Always felt the need to help others; before I finished my clinicals was told by one of my advisers that hospice is probably one of the most demanded type of nursing. I know understand why as it is very emotionally difficult and for myself dealing with my own grief trying to help others through the same ordeal can have extremely difficult times.
 If one thing I did learn is that the smile, laugh, hug, hand holding may be the last time someone will ever do those sorts of things with that patient. It puts everything into perspective and has made me so grateful for each and every single day and how lucky we are.
 Tonight had one lady tell me she felt as if she didn't fit in with everyone else and that she was "different". I played/sang the following song for her because it is okay to be different by society standards nothing wrong with it. So yes, I will continue to fight for the underdogs maybe it is because I have always been one myself; but my patients are so strong and fighters they inspire me every single day. If anything when not performing being in nursing is the second best thing I could experience. So please be kind to one another...and don't be afraid to raise your glasses :-)

xoxo

Nat