Notes on Nursing: Looking Forward & Back

April 24th, 2022: My flight was oversold and I was stranded in Phoenix, Arizona. At first I thought, I’d just spend the night at the airport, but I opted to get a hotel instead. I chose the hotel based on which one offered a free shuttle.

I get on the next shuttle bus and stack everything I have on my lap. Then, a woman sits next to me. She ask out loud, “Where are you traveling from?”

The lady next to her and I both reply with different locations. Thinking back, I don’t think the woman was talking to me, but somehow I took over the conversation. I think the official take-over occurred when she said she was a travel nurse. A traveling nurse for the prison system. I never knew correctional facilities had travel nurses.

I told her I was a nurse too, but I was retired now. I think she knew I was too young to retire. She asked me what type of nursing I did. I didn’t realize it at the time, but not only did I tell her what type of nursing experience I had, I also told her my whole story and why I left nursing. (No, she didn’t ask me why I left nursing. I just told her why I left nursing.)

Two days later and again nearly two years later, I am reviewing my unpublished blogs. Finally, I am ready to let go of unfulfilled expectations.

Fast forward to (or back on) my February 23rd blog: I take a harsh look at myself, my life work, and realize . . .

It’s not all about me!

I think it odd now how the woman asked “Where are you traveling from?” instead of “Where are you traveling to?” Maybe that’s because I didn’t see it, know it, or admit it until now.

Reflecting on the Evidence

1. Explain what YOU want out of being a nurse?

References

Beck, M. (2020, May 14). Looking at Me Then and Now [Photograph].

Beck, M. (2024, February 23). Taking of Food. What Food? Time Traveling Nurse. https://timetravelingnurse.blog/2024/02/23/taking-of-food-what-food/

Nightingale, F. (1969). Notes on Nursing What it is, and What it is Not. Dover Publishing. (Original work published 1860).

Recommended Reading

Nightingale, F. (1969). Chattering hopes and advices. In F. Nightingale (Ed.), Notes on Nursing: What it is, and What it is Not. (pp. 95-105). Dover Publishing. (Original work published 1860).

Sobel, J. (2023, June 26). Embrace your trials and experience ultimate growth. Rabbi Jason Sobel. [YouTube]. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rYVVuWH532M

Special Thanks

Annah Schwartz Howell, my daughter, editor and reviewer for Notes on Nursing: Looking Forward & Back.

Tracey Stones, fellow blogger and friend, editor and reviewer for Notes on Nursing: Looking Forward & Back.